Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple by Brenda J. Webb

Author:Brenda J. Webb
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Pride and Prejudice Variations, Jane Austen, Historical Regency Romance, British Classics Romance, British Romance Historical Fiction., Pride and Prejudice Variations and Sequels
Publisher: Brenda J. Webb
Published: 2018-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Pemberley

Several days later

Having just locked her office, Mrs. Reynolds turned and was surprised to find Mr. Walker waiting for her.

“Mrs. Reynolds, do you recall speaking to me about the footman—the one you caught several times talking clandestinely with the new maid?”

“Are you speaking of Mr. Barrows and Molly?”

“Yes, those two. Well, as I was coming up the stairs from the servants’ quarters this morning, I saw them again. They were halfway down the west hall, as though it were natural for them to be in that area of the house at that hour, however, the moment they saw me, they separated and quickly vanished.”

“Did it seem to you that there was any impropriety involved? That they might be infatuated with one another?

“I cannot say that it did. They were just talking.”

“I see. Well, since last we discussed this, I learned that Molly told another maid that Mr. Barrows comes from the same small village south of Birmingham where she was born. It seems that they were neighbours as children, though both grew up and left the village to find work. Apparently, it was only a coincidence that they both ended up at Pemberley and were hired within days of each other.”

“They have been here almost a year, if I remember correctly.”

“Your memory serves you well.”

“Do you still want me to let you know if I see them together in the future?”

“Most certainly. It is my business to know what is going on under this roof.”

“No one is more conscientious than you, Agnes Reynolds.”

Mrs. Reynolds pursed her lips to keep from smiling. Surreptitiously, she looked about to make sure no one had overheard. “Now, what kind of example are you setting for the other servants by using my given name, Mr. Walker?”

“I apologise, Mrs. Reynolds,” John Walker said with a smile that assured her that he was not sorry in the least. Then he hurried back to the front of the house.

Mrs. Reynolds chuckled and turned to go in the opposite direction. She had gone no more than half the length of the hall when the master suddenly came out of the smoking room. She stopped and waited for him to speak.

“When my wife comes downstairs to break her fast, please inform her that we are to attend a ball the day after tomorrow at Creighton Hall, Mrs. Reynolds. It is likely that our paths will not cross, as I have many things to attend to today.”

Mrs. Reynolds sputtered and spoke without thinking, “Attend a ball with two days notice?”

“Yes, I completely forgot to mention to Mrs. Darcy that the Creightons wished to hold a ball in honour of our marriage. I tried to put them off, using my ankle as an excuse, but Lord Creighton would not hear of it. I am aware that this is short notice, but there is nothing to be done about it now.”

The housekeeper stuttered, “I am sorry, sir. After you mentioned the ball, I completely forgot that Mrs. Darcy is not here.”

“Not here?”

“It has been her practice to rise early and begin her day shortly afterward.

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