Rose Cottage Read online

  The first impression was favorable. The main floor was flooded with light from many windows. There was an odor of mildew and disuse, and Elizabeth could see that the floors and walls needed attention. Each room was graced by a fireplace with a brick hearth and a once-attractive mantelpiece. Without furniture, the rooms seemed gracefully proportioned and welcoming. The staircase ran up to the first and then the second floor from the center hall, and she could see that its railing formed an elongated spiral that pleased the eye.

  “Miss Bennet, if you will come this way.” Darcy was indicating a door through one of the smaller back parlors. “This is the library or study.”

  Elizabeth looked in and saw a large room, paneled in a light oak. Tall bookcases occupied every spare inch of wall space where there was not a window or fireplace. The room had a good natural light, and the woods to the back formed a backdrop. One stepped down to enter the library. “What a delightful room. There is ample space here for Papa’s books, and his desk and chair will fit here as well.”

  She thought she saw the trace of a smile flicker in Darcy’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by his habitual grave expression. He inclined his head. “I am glad you like it, Miss Bennet. I thought you might be pleased.”

  The group turned and went back to the main part of the house. The two smaller rear parlors were also enhanced by a view of the woods and were in about the same state of repair as the rest of the ground floor. “This seems to be an uncommonly large and graceful cottage, Charles,” said Elizabeth. “Do you know anything about its history? I have lived here all my life and had never heard of it.”

  “I have not been able to learn a great deal, Lizzy. It has seemed to me that the cottage was built of the same materials as the house. I thought perhaps it was used as a dower house.”

  The workmen were waiting for the party as they left by the front door. They looked to Darcy, and it was Darcy who addressed them. “There will be an interruption of five days. Please return, ready for work, on Monday. At that time, if you know of any other men who have building skills, please encourage them to report to me.”

  Bingley stepped forward and gave them their wages. “The house is just up this path,” he said to Elizabeth. “We will improve the path into a walkway while the other renovations are being done.” He offered her his arm, and the group started up the path.

  It is difficult to know whose thoughts were more occupied by the other during the short walk to the house. Elizabeth found herself trying to discount all that she had noticed. Surely Mr. Darcy would not have made such a complete about-face from his former arrogance. His attitudes had appeared ingrained to her, and she could not imagine his abandoning them. Granted, it was good of him to offer his assistance. But Charles Bingley was an old friend, and obviously beyond his depth when dealing with such a large renovation, not to mention the daily operations of an estate the size of Netherfield. She found herself wondering about Darcy’s absence from the wedding. Perhaps he had been too embarrassed to present himself, given his previous treatment of Jane. She was thankful that he had been tactful enough to stay away.

  Darcy, on the other hand, was feeling a mixture of concern and relief. Elizabeth Bennet seemed to be facing the loss of Longbourn and the move to smaller quarters with equanimity. He hoped that she was not placing too much reliance on the numbness that would have carried her through the events surrounding the death of her father. That numbness would give way to an acute grief, and probably sooner rather than later. He knew of this from his own experience. He foresaw that she would become the mistress of Rose Cottage, responsible for her mother and the three sisters left at home. His admiration for her was boundless, and he knew that she would rise to the challenge. But he had vowed that, since she would not have his hand in marriage, he would do all that he could to ease her way through the troubles that lay just ahead.

  In less than five minutes, the group emerged from the trees and approached the house. Jane was waiting to embrace her sister, and Darcy excused himself to change his clothes.

  Chapter 4

  Jane led Elizabeth to the comfortable family sitting room she had adopted as her own. “We can wait here until the gentlemen come downstairs, Lizzy. I have ordered a luncheon for us. Would you like some tea in the meantime?”

  “Oh, thank you, Jane. I can wait until we eat. But tell me: What of Mr. Darcy? Here he is staying with the family, yet he did not appear at your wedding. Have he and Charles made their peace?”

  Jane colored. “I did not want to tell you because I did not want to cause any discomfort for you after the incident at Hunsford. Late last spring, Mr. Darcy made a clean breast of it to Charles. He confessed that he, as well as Caroline and Louisa, had known that I was in town last winter. He admitted that he had been wrong about the sincerity of my attachment to Charles, and he asked forgiveness. Of course, Charles forgave him, and when our engagement was announced, he told Charles it would be best if he absented himself from the ceremony. That is why Mr. Hurst stood up with Charles. Mr. Darcy was exceedingly helpful in the negotiations for the purchase of Netherfield, and he offered to assist Charles in whatever ways he could to plan for this first spring planting and to make improvements to the property. He has also offered to help with interviewing a proper steward. That is why he is here. Our express informing him of Papa’s death was misdirected to Pemberley while he was in London, and he never received it.”

  Elizabeth raised her favorite eyebrow. “You astonish me, Jane. I cannot believe the man is that selfless. Although I must admit, his behavior while here has been exemplary.”

  “He is a better man than you know, Lizzy.” Jane lowered her voice. “There are other things I feel you should know, but I have assured Mr. Darcy of my secrecy. Give me a little time to consider what I may properly say to you. You and I have had no secrets in the past.”

  “Yes, dearest Jane, but things change. You confide in Charles now. I am consumed by curiosity, but I will be patient.”

  The sisters heard the voices and footsteps of men in the hall, and as soon as the three gentlemen had joined them, the group adjourned to the dining-room where luncheon was ready.

  “So, what did you think of Rose Cottage, Lizzy?” Charles started the conversation when they had all been served.

  “I like it very much, Charles. And I believe that my mother and sisters will like it as well. Its situation is uncommonly attractive, and Mama will enjoy working on the garden, I am sure. It is the one form of exercise she allows herself.”

  “And you are not discouraged about the time that may be needed for the renovations?”

  “Not at all. Mr. Darcy has given us a very comprehensive report, and while my ignorance on the subject is boundless, it seems that with proper workmen, the renovations can be accomplished in a reasonable time.” She threw a sidelong glance at Darcy who appeared to be regarding her with the same look of disdain she remembered from her visits to Netherfield and Hunsford the previous year. She decided to ignore him.

  “Indeed, you are right, Lizzy,” added her uncle. “You will be surprised at what well-trained workmen can accomplish. Remind me to tell your aunt we should be watching for cloth for draperies and so-on that might come into the warehouse.”

  “I have so many things to remember, I am going to need to hire a secretary, Uncle. Either that or employ some of those useful notebooks such as Mr. Darcy carries.” She deliberately refrained from looking at him. “For example, I have neglected to tell you that the furnishings at Hunsford Parsonage are apparently all Collins family heirlooms.”

  “That is good news indeed,” said Charles from his end of the table.

  “I wish it were better news. Mr. and Mrs. Collins will not travel to Longbourn for at least six weeks. Mrs. Collins has been ordered to bed due to her interesting condition. She assures me that she is in good health. It is being done out of an excess of caution.”

  “As I know only too well, better safe than sorry,” asserted Mr. Gardiner.

  Jane r
ose, and the group followed her back to the sitting-room where tea had been laid out. After everyone had been served, she turned to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Nicholls has told me that there is furniture in the attics that came from Rose Cottage, Lizzy. I intend to explore it in the next few days. She has expressed the opinion that it is ‘elegant and of good quality’ and informs me that there are carpets among other things.”

  “That should make Mama happy,” replied her sister. “Send us a note if you need assistance.”

  The skies had begun to threaten, and Elizabeth realized she should go home. “I hate to cut our visit short, Jane. But we will have many more opportunities. And I must think of Aunt Gardiner.”

  “Would you and Mama and the girls like to join us tomorrow evening for a family dinner, Lizzy?”

  “That sounds lovely. Let me see how Mama is feeling, and I will send you a note first thing in the morning,.”

  As they stood in the front hall waiting for the carriage, Darcy approached with the same haughty look he had exhibited at luncheon. “Miss Bennet, if you have no further questions for me, I plan to leave Netherfield for London tomorrow morning. I shall return on Saturday bringing a builder whom I know to be reliable. Starting Monday, he will validate or correct my observations, and we can begin planning the work in earnest. I hope that this plan meets with your approval.”

  Elizabeth curtsied gravely. “Perfectly, Mr. Darcy. I thank you on my own behalf and that of all my family for your generosity in undertaking this task.”

  He wanted to seize that small white hand and kiss it. Instead, Elizabeth pulled her gloves on and he bowed gravely. “Until Saturday, then, Miss Bennet.”

  When Elizabeth and Uncle Gardiner arrived at Longbourn, the rain was still threatening. They found Maria Lucas preparing to leave and casting anxious glances at the skies. The Gardiners offered to escort her home in their carriage, and Aunt Gardiner left after a mysterious injunction to “talk to Lydia” whispered in Elizabeth’s ear. As she removed her bonnet and pelisse, Elizabeth could hear her mother’s voice raised in irritation. She headed for the parlor with a sigh.

  “I hope you had a good time, Miss Lizzy, leaving me to deal with all of this.” Mrs. Bennet’s tone was as peevish as ever.

  “With what, Mama?”

  “You must tell Lydia and Kitty that they are in mourning. They may not, and they shall not, go jaunting about the countryside hither and yon in search of officers! It is unseemly.”

  Elizabeth sat down. “First of all, tell me what officers. I know of no officers in the vicinity since the ___shire Militia left for Brighton last summer.”

  Lydia spoke up. “It simply isn’t fair, Lizzy. What would you know about it? You’re so high-and-mighty, you’ll just walk about with your nose in the air.” She threw down the embroidery she had been working on and stood with a flounce. “For all you care, we can all die old maids!”

  “You mind your tongue, Lydia” cried her mother. The pitch of her voice rose higher. “How could your father die and leave me with all this on my hands? I have such palpitations in my heart, I may be joining him sooner than any of us thought possible.” She fanned herself with her handkerchief.

  Elizabeth waded into the fray. She knew that if she tried to speak loudly, her voice would be as shrill as her mother’s. Instead, she drew herself up and spoke quietly. “Lydia, either sit down and hold your tongue or go to your room. Mary, would you be kind enough to ring for some more tea? Mama, I have a great deal of news, and all of it is good. I should like to share it with you if you can remain calm.”

  Lydia flounced back to her place and sat down with an audible sniff. Once the tea arrived, and Mrs. Bennet had been served, she calmed down enough to turn an expectant eye on Elizabeth.

  “Now then. First, Jane has invited us to a family dinner tomorrow evening. It will be just Charles, Jane, Aunt and Uncle, and the five of us. Would you like to go, Mama?”

  “Oh, yes. That would be lovely. And that unpleasant Mr. Darcy, will he be there?”

  “No, he will have left for London. Would you be good enough to send Jane a note in the morning telling her we will be there? I wanted to ask you before accepting.”

  “Of course, I will.”

  “Next, I have visited Rose Cottage, and I have seen the ground floor.”

  “Cottage, indeed. How shall I endure living in a tiny place fit only for tenants?” Mrs. Bennet’s voice rose once again. “I suppose having a roof over one’s head is better than being turned out into the hedgerows, but I do not know how I shall bear the humiliation before all my friends.”

  “Mama,” said Elizabeth quietly. When her mother eventually looked over at her, she went on. “Rose Cottage is quite large. It was doubtless built as a dower house. There are three large parlors, a dining-room, and a library on the ground floor. The first floor has four family bedchambers including a master’s bedchamber with dressing-room. There is a fifth, smaller bedchamber that could become a small sitting-room, a guest bedchamber, or a sewing-room. There are four servants’ bedrooms and a storage area on the top floor. The kitchen is in an addition at the back together with a housekeeper’s apartment. There is an earthen cellar. The house is larger than the parsonage at Hunsford.”

  “Really? Well, that does not sound like a cottage at all. Imagine the surprise of people coming to call for the first time at Rose Cottage and finding a substantial, respectable house.”

  “I believe you will like it. It is built of the same brick as that used at Netherfield, all the rooms have excellent light, and while there is no garden, I do not doubt that you will correct that quickly.”

  “‘Come and have tea with us at Rose Cottage.’ Ohh, how well that sounds!”

  Elizabeth smiled to herself. This was going more smoothly than she had anticipated. “Now, for the third piece of news, I have heard from Charlotte Collins.”

  “Oh, do not speak of her! She and that parson are on their way here to throw us out.”

  “Not at all, Mama. In the first place, Charlotte is in a delicate condition and has been ordered to bed for six weeks as a precaution.”

  “Well, I am sorry for her.”

  “She and Mr. Collins will not travel here until we have moved into Rose Cottage.”

  Mrs. Bennet waved her handkerchief. “I suppose we can find enough quilts and shawls to spread out on the floors for mattresses and coverings, since we shall not have anything else.”

  “Mama! Please allow me to finish.” Elizabeth kept the edge out of her voice, just barely. “Mr. Collins wishes to bring his furniture and household items to Longbourn. They were cherished by his late mother. That means that we can take some of what we need, including Papa’s books.”

  “Books, indeed! Those books will be sold, and we can use the money for more useful things.”

  Elizabeth bit back her angry reply. She would deal with the book problem later. “Finally, Mrs. Nicholls has informed Jane that there is a great deal of elegant furniture from Rose Cottage in the attics. Jane will investigate.”

  Mrs. Hill entered to announce supper. The question about which soldiers were coming and when they would be arriving, loomed, but would have to wait.

  Chapter 5

  “What was in the large package that came this morning?” The Bennets were gathered at the dinner-table, and Elizabeth was trying to find a safe topic for conversation. “Was it our new cloaks?”

  “Yes, and they’re awful,” replied Lydia. “How much longer will we have to appear in this dreadful black?”

  “Have you no sense of propriety, Lydia? Have I really made such a dreadful mess of bringing you up?” Mrs. Bennet’s most peevish tones crept into her voice.

  “You cannot expect her to know how to observe mourning customs when you have allowed her to run wild,” said Mary.

  Elizabeth set her knife and fork down with a sigh. “Lydia,” she began. “We are in mourning for our father. Papa is gone, and not only are we all sad, but we also must conform to Society’s expectations of o
ur behavior. It will not last forever, but we must behave with propriety.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You’re already one-and-twenty. And Mary drags around with a long face anyway. But Kitty and I have our whole lives ahead of us! Who wants to look like an old crow?”

  Mary sniffed and began to say something, but Elizabeth held up a hand to interrupt her. “Lydia, you cannot remember having lost a loved one. Let me explain to you what you can expect. First, for the next six weeks or so, we will live very quietly. That means no dances, no dress-parties, and no large, formal dinner-parties.”

  “Ohhh!” Lydia threw down her knife and fork.

  “Please sit still, Lydia, and allow me to finish. This does not mean you cannot see your friends. You may make and receive calls and attend small dinner or supper-parties, teas, and the like. No one expects you to become a hermit. You will wear black for six months, and for three months after that, you will wear more subdued colors. After that you may resume a more normal social calendar. This is the way it is, Lydia, and there is no point to arguing about it.”

  “It simply isn’t fair. Maria Lucas has told us that the __shire Militia will be returning to Meryton.”

  Elizabeth sighed. “When?”

  “Oh, sometime in the next few weeks. She was not sure, but she had it from her father.”

  “We will cross that bridge when we come to it,” returned Elizabeth.

  Supper proceeded in silence, sulky and annoyed on the one hand, relieved on the other. When they had finished their tea in the parlor, Elizabeth stood. “There is correspondence which I must prepare to go to Uncle Philips. Lydia, you and Kitty may take it to him in Meryton tomorrow and stop in to visit our aunt if Mary will agree to go with you.”

  Mary set down her cup. “Much as I prefer to keep my mornings free for study, I am prepared to make the sacrifice in memory of our dear papa.”

  Lydia stuck her tongue out. Elizabeth sighed gratefully. “Very well. I will go and prepare the note, and you may leave directly after breakfast. Do not forget that we dine at Netherfield tomorrow evening.”