Twelvetide Chaos by Deborah E Pearson

Twelvetide Chaos by Deborah E Pearson

Author:Deborah E Pearson [Pearson, Deborah E]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798624918405
Published: 2020-03-17T04:00:00+00:00


Eight Maids a Milking

New Year’s Day

Mrs Bennet woke in the early hours of the morning replaying the events of the last few days in her head. Where had it all gone wrong? Were their new family and friends as nice and honourable as they had seemed? It had been a long time since Mrs Bennet had taken a long walk like her daughter Elizabeth did. Yet this morning she could not lie in bed, but dressed quickly and quietly, and left the house just as the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. Mrs Bennet’s worry over Jane was increasing. She had been surprised by the way that Mr Bingley seemed to find a kindred spirit in Lydia. However, that friendship Mrs Bennet would not discourage, it appeared to be beneficial to both parties. Jane, on the other hand, was a very prominent worry in Mrs Bennet’s mind. The girl seemed to be on a fast track to ruin, with Mrs Bennet unable to do anything to help her. It really was such a shame, as Jane had seemed to have so much potential. She was so beautiful and talented in her own special way.

The milking shed was just up ahead. Normally Mrs Bennet would not pay any attention to that, as the milk maids would frequently join together. Their conversations were rarely wholesome. Something drew Mrs Bennet towards the shed this morning, maybe watching the maids would calm her already fraught nerves. She paused at the door that had been left ajar, watching as eight maids sat on their stools gently milking the cows. This milk would then be delivered to the whole village. It was amazing to Mrs Bennet that a few cows could supply the whole village with milk. The maids were chattering about inconsequential things, and Mrs Bennet found their endless chatter gently soothed away her own worries for the moment.

It was a fleeting movement at the back of the shed that caught Mrs Bennet’s eye and broke the sleepy mood that she had been lulled into by watching the gentle routine of the maids. It was evident that this was no stranger to the maids as they never missed a beat in their milking. The shadow moved stealthily and slowly, until he reached the maid he was looking for. In the middle of her companions the maid tried to ignore the interloper. She shrugged off his advances, and Mrs Bennet realised that she had stayed too long. The sun was fully risen, and the day had long since begun. Light streamed through the windows, and the interloper’s face was exposed. Mrs Bennet was shocked, what could Wickham be doing in the Longbourn milking shed. He was overly familiar with the maids that milked the cows. How long had this going on? Mrs Bennet had little time to wonder about that as she needed to go back to the house and begin the day.

Mrs Bennet arrived back at the kitchen door at the same time that Jane appeared in the doorway.



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