The Mistress's Duty
Chapter 1
They all sat together in the lovely room. Outside the world was cold and dead, but inside dwelled warmth, happiness, and mostly love. Georgiana quietly played the piano, occasionally casting a shy glance toward the opposite side of the room. There sat her brother, who just as quietly listened to the soft music, his gaze transfixed upon his wife, his hand playing with an obstinate dark curl at the base of her neck. She occasionally gave him a look filled with archness and sweetness, as every so often when he twined the curl around his finger his hand would brush against her skin. Upon seeing her look at him he would smile, a twinge of mischief in his dark, loving eyes. Georgiana smiled as she caught Elizabeth carefully poking one of his dimples on one of these occasions. Georgiana smiled and looked away as she caught her brother lean in and give his wife a tender kiss, one hand upon her neck, the other holding her hand against his cheek.
"Ur-hurm," she choked out as she heard the footsteps of a servant approach.
Elizabeth and Darcy quietly parted.
"What is it?" asked Darcy petulantly, annoyed that he should be interrupted.
The servant started and finally said, "sir, I was asked to remind you of your engagement by Mrs. Reynolds, you will be in danger of being late if you do not leave now."
Darcy sighed and rolled his eyes. Elizabeth lifted an eyebrow amusedly. Georgiana accidentally made a nasty noise on the piano in disappointment.
His hand had lingered on the back of Elizabeth's neck, and he gave her skin a final caress as he quietly said with resignation, "I must go."
"I know," was the response as she gave him a sweet smile, and a glint appeared in her eye. "Shall I wait for you in the library?"
Darcy could only look back lovingly as he walked away. He saw her standing, lovely and perfect next to the small sofa where they had been sitting, a wide smile displayed across her face.
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"Uf," groaned Elizabeth as she collapsed upon the sofa when the door closed.
She moaned to Georgiana, "three months, and I still can't get used to him leaving for business."
Georgiana smiled as she approached to seat herself next to Elizabeth.
"You will with time, have patience."
Elizabeth turned her head towards her sister, "So young and yet so wise." Elizabeth sat up and continued in jest, "Pray, where did you obtain this wealth of patience and wisdom, so that I may find some as well?"
Georgiana smiled, "My brother, " and continued with a glint in her eye, "wait...I take that back, I think it was from Miss Annesley."
Elizabeth quietly laughed, "You're right, Miss Annesley really is a treasure."
They passed another thirty minutes in this manner until they were again interrupted by a servant, a different one this time.
"Ma'am," he addressed Elizabeth, "may I please speak with you?"
The anxiety and urgent tone in his voice caused Elizabeth to start, fearing that perhaps something had happened to Darcy.
"What is it?" she cried, as she jumped to her feet.
"Er, could I have a word with you alone."
Elizabeth grasped Georgiana's hand, fearing that she would need her support. She calmly continued, "anything that needs to be said may be said in front of Georgiana."
"Well ma'am," the servant continued shakily, "I come on the behalf of another who wouldn't dare dream of coming herself. She didn't want to interrupt anything between you and...well..." he stammered.
"What is it?" said Elizabeth, no longer fearing for her husband but her curiosity increasing.
"Her little boy has been sick the past few weeks...nothing real serious until now. The past week or so her little boy took a turn for the worse...he's real bad. "
"Oh," sighed Elizabeth, the imploring look in the servants eyes piercing her heart.
"He has scarlet fever ma'am...please, please come...if you can. I wouldn't have asked, it's just...that...well, ma'am...he's...my brother." The servant stared at the floor.
Elizabeth looked at Georgiana who looked quite disturbed, and who now was holding Elizabeth's hand with both of hers.
"I shall come, have no fear," Elizabeth said to the man.
Georgiana's head bolted upright.
The servant nervously continued, "You won't be affected...I mean, endanger yourself, ma'am."
"No," Elizabeth replied, "I had scarlet fever as a baby. I shall be all right I assure you".*
Georgiana looked at her sister. "I will go with you," she said, sweetly looking into Elizabeth's eyes, desperately wanting to help.
"You cannot," replied Elizabeth.
Georgiana started to argue but Elizabeth continued, "You've never had scarlet fever have you, Georgiana." She shook her head.
"I wouldn't risk anything in the world to cause you pain or make you ill, neither would your brother, and that is why you must remain here," Laying her other hand over her sister's she continued, "but will you do me a favor?"
"You know I would do anything you asked."
"All right then," replied Elizabeth with a tender look for her sister, "wait for William in the library. When he comes back, tell him where I have gone. But, please, I know that he will want to come after me, tell him that he must wait here, that I'm his wife and that he knows I will do what I think is right and necessary."
Georgiana interrupted, "But surely, you will return before he does, he is to come home at nightfall!"
"I don't know how long I shall be. Please wait for him Georgiana."
"I shall," she said, eyes downcast.
"Thank you," said Elizabeth, as she raised one her sister's hands and kissed it.
As the servant and Elizabeth passed into the hallway, she stared to ask another servant for the carriage. She was interrupted.
"Ma'am. I already...I mean, I took the liberty...er, of...hrm, asking for the...hrm...carriage...just in case you decided..."
"That's all right," Elizabeth quieted the stumbling man with a sympathetic look. "Thank you. I shall need your assistance. Please come with me."
They quietly left the house and approached the carriage. Elizabeth noted that the servant started to climb to the top with the drivers, but told him that he should join her in the interior. The man protested and then finally agreed upon Elizabeth's insistence.
As they entered Elizabeth noticed that at the end of her seat sat a small basket filled with supplies. There were towels, medicines, and some food.
"Thank you for the supplies," Elizabeth said to the servant.
Staring at his hands, the servant replied, "er, hrm...it was Mrs. Reynolds, not I ma'am."
"Oh," said Elizabeth, in understanding. It wasn't surprising to her that she had taken the initiative to prepare supplies for the visit. In the past months Mrs. Reynolds had always been there, quietly guiding her in her duties, supporting her as she got used to them. Whenever Elizabeth needed something, she had always been one step ahead of her, humbly offering assistance in any way she could.
"I shall remember to thank her."
As the carriage started forward Elizabeth looked at the servant who was still fumbling with his hands. "What is your name?" she quietly asked.
"Matthew," was the response.
"Well Matthew," said Elizabeth, placing one of her hands upon his, "don't fear about your brother, well shall help him, we shall make him well again."
Matthew choked tears down as he quietly responded, "I think he's dying ma'am."
"Oh, why was I not summoned sooner!" cried Elizabeth in quiet exasperation.
There was no response.
The carriage soon pulled to a stop in front of a tenant house on the Pemberley lands. The house was small, yet built well, and well kept. Elizabeth knew that Darcy took good care of his tenants. Elizabeth quietly entered the house.
"Ma'am!!" cried a small woman as she entered the house, standing up from the bedside of her son. "We weren't expecting...we didn't want to disturb you and the master...please...forgive me.."
"There is nothing to forgive, " said Elizabeth, "and from now on, you and the others must never fear upon calling on me for assistance. I want to help. Do not think that I resent or disapprove of it. Please, do me that favor in return."
"Thank you," was the quiet response.
"May I see your son?" asked Elizabeth, walking toward a boy no more than ten years old.
The woman quietly nodded. Elizabeth sat down upon the edge of the bed and set her basket on the floor. Gently, she placed her hand on the young boy's forehead. It was incredibly hot, and she stroked his dark hair away from his forehead. His skin was deathly white and his breathing was terribly erratic.
"What is his name?" asked Elizabeth of the woman.
"Thomas," was the reply. She had sat down upon a chair, her hands resting in her lap, fidgeting with her dress. Matthew stood behind her, his hand resting upon her shoulder for support.
"Thomas," whispered Elizabeth, as she turned towards the boy.
As she took a cloth and began wiping his forehead she noticed that his long, dark lashes began to flutter and then open. When his eyes finally opened, she stared into a pair of clear blue eyes.
He quietly looked at her and hoarsely whispered, "I'm dying, ain't I?"
"Shh, Thomas, shh," said Elizabeth. "You must think of living, not of dying."
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*I remembered this from the movie "Little Women" with Winona Ryder. I believe Scarlet Fever was what Beth was stricken with in the book as well, but it's been forever and a day since I read it, so I thought it best if I quote the movie on this, not the book.
In the dark misty night the carriage bounced up and down on the road. The lights in the distance showed that it was nearing the house at last. Nothing could be more welcome to its occupant, since he had wanted to return the moment he had left.
Darcy sighed and fell onto the back of the carriage with a thud. He groaned and rubbed his eyes as he thought of the tedious business he had just finished. He wanted nothing more than to be in the comfort of his own home with the comfort of those he loved most beside him.
He listened as the driver brought the carriage to a halt in front of the house and as the door was opened for him. He murmured a quick, "thank you" and as soon as he entered the house made straight for the library.
As he quietly opened the library door a small contented smile appeared on his face. Nothing ever brought him as much happiness than opening a door to find Elizabeth bent over a book or some needlework. Upon seeing him enter she would give him a smile, sometimes playful, sometimes cheerful, sometimes loving. Nevertheless, she always smiled at him, her dark eyes reflecting the light of the morning or the illumination of a fire. But perhaps, he thought, it was not a reflection of the things that surrounded her, but of that which dwelled within her spirit.
"Elizabeth?" he called out, softly.
"Brother," was the response.
Georgiana sat up from a chair and set her needlework down on a small table. She walked towards him.
"Georgiana," he said, confusedly. Recovering himself he asked, "Where is Elizabeth?"
"Brother," Georgiana murmured, "she is out."
"What?" said Darcy, uncomprehending.
"Um," continued Georgiana, twisting her handkerchief, "She went out. You see, one of the servants came in and asked her to come. He said that his son, er his brother, I think, was sick, and well, wanted Elizabeth to see him. He wanted her to see if there was anything she could-"
Darcy took Georgiana's hands.
"Georgie, are you telling me she's caring for one of the tenant's sons, now?"
"Yes."
Darcy began to pace the room and nervously twist at his ring. After gathering his senses, he turned towards her again and asked, "Where did she go?"
She was puzzled. "She went to care for the little-"
"No, no, no! To which of the tenant's houses did she go? Tell me," There was purpose and deadly strength in his eyes.
"Brother, you're not going after her?"
"Yes, now, which family did she visit?"
"You can't go."
"I can't what?" said Darcy, angrily.
"Um," Georgiana began to twist her handkerchief again. "Elizabeth left a message with me."
Darcy folded his arms across his chest.
"She said, well, that you knew that she would do what is best. She told me to tell you that as your wife and mistress of this house that she must act with justice and compassion. She said she knew that you would understand, that there would be no need to come after her."
The strength left his eyes. He quietly walked over to his sister. Taking her hands and sitting next to her on the couch he said, "Georgiana, I love Elizabeth so much.."
"Yes, I know. Everyone knows, sees-"
He quieted her. "Georgie, you don't have any solid memories of mother, do you?"
Georgiana looked down at the floor. "No, not really. Just perhaps the scent of her perfume, the curls in her hair, the light in her eyes, the way that she laughed, smiled, she died very soon after my birth, didn't she?"
"Yes," Darcy held her hands tighter. "I remember more. For many years now, I have shared with you the memories of the time I spent with her. There is only one more memory that remains to be told. You see, our mother, as Elizabeth, took her duties as mistress of this house very seriously."
Georgiana nodded.
"Not long after your birth, father, with great reluctance, left for some business in London. Mother wrote to him often, and I believe, in one of her letters she mentioned that a tenant boy was sick. The only thing she didn't mention was how serious the illness really was. Needless to say, as she considered it her duty and work of service to those less fortunate, she went to care for him. She became ill from the sickness that boy was dying of. In fact she became so ill that father was sent for, told that his wife needed him. He returned shortly before her death to sit by her beside with endless and loving vigilance."
Georgiana, nodded, seeing that he wanted to go on.
"I mostly sat in the library, hearing nothing but the silence of the house that was only interrupted by the echoing footsteps of the servants. Sometimes I would sit outside the door, to watch them. They went about their duties like they were in a cloister. Once in a while, I would see the door to mother's room open. Father would hand one of them a bowl. Silently they would carry it down the steps, to get rid of its contents somewhere unknown to me."
"I was never allowed to see her. I was kept in endless wonder, never knowing that she was dying. One time, as a bowl was handed to a servant, I approached her to ask how my mother was, if she was getting better. I wanted to know if I would ever be able to see her again. Georgie...the bowl was filled with blood."
Georgiana sighed, "They were bleeding her?"
"No, I don't think so...father opposed bleedings, you know. No, I think that mother was coughing it up...sometimes I could hear her through the door, and I could hear father's voice faintly, murmuring to her, comforting her."
"Oh."
"I was allowed to see her one last time. They had made her look pretty for me. They had curled her hair and put some rouge on her cheeks. When I entered she smiled at me, asked me to come sit by her, to give her a kiss on her cheek. She was trying to make it seem like nothing had happened. She and father wanted to make me feel that everything was all right, but it was very superficial, very contrived. Father wouldn't look at me throughout the whole visit. He stood with his back facing me, looking out the window."
"Why?"
"I think it was because if I had asked him if mother was going to be all right, if everything was going to be the same again...well, I don't think he could have told me yes. Mother, in her own way, was stronger than father. You know Georgie, only the trees with deep roots can survive the worst floods. It matters not how big and strong they appear above ground, but what lies beneath, hidden to the human eye. Mother knew that she was dying and wanted to see me once more. She accepted it. Father knew it, but could not. He and I never spoke of it."
"She held you in her arms once more, kissed you, laughed at your sweet smiling face. A few days later she died. Father came down the stairs and he began make preparations. I went up and asked him if mother was better now. He told me that she would never be better. After that the only thing I remember was running. I ran out of the house, away, towards the pond. I went and sat on the grass by it. I didn't want to remember."
Darcy rose. "I only wish Elizabeth would have been able to tell me where she was going, that she was going to go care for a sick boy. I only wish I could have talked with her."
"Would you have prevented her from doing it?"
"I don't think I could have. We all have things we feel we must do, things that we feel we are called to do. I'm sure Elizabeth would have believed that it would be incumbent upon her to go see that child. There are things in our heart that we feel we must do not to change the world, but to change our world. I've only begun to understand that there are things in my world that cannot be changed. They are my love for you, for her, the fact that you are a woman, and will eventually leave me. The fact that my wife is not just my wife, but a woman with irreplaceable and unchangeable qualities. If she didn't have those qualities, she wouldn't be my wife, nor the woman that she is."
"You see, Georgiana, she does more than the mistress' duties. She does the duties of her heart."
finis
Chapter 2
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