give you any unwanted advice.”
“You are very kind, Miss Bennet. I know that Mrs. Reynolds is working with our staff to address their physical needs, but many of these tenants are emotionally weary. Mrs. Goldsmith is down there now, but would you…” She paused and nervously fingered the handkerchief she held, casting her eyes down. She then looked up and continued, “Would you be able to visit with some of our tenants later this afternoon?”
Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I would be most happy to. I will come down when Emily is napping later today.”
“Thank you. I think you would be a good listener,” Miss Darcy replied.
“I will do what I can,” Elizabeth assured her.
Elizabeth began to walk away, but she stopped and turned to the girl. “To own the truth, Miss Darcy, I suffer from something very similar to what you have shared with me, although it is actually quite the opposite. You see, I have a tendency to say
Miss Darcy nodded with appreciation. “I think I would like that very much.”
Later, Elizabeth and Emily went upstairs to the music room to allow the young girl some practice. Emily sat down at the pianoforte, and Elizabeth pulled out the easy pieces of music that the young girl had been working on.
As Emily played, Elizabeth thought back to her conversation with Miss Darcy. In addition to all Miss Darcy shared about her difficulties with Rosalyn—her struggle with saying
After a suitable length of time at practicing both the pianoforte and singing, Emily was ready for rest. Elizabeth took her to her room and then returned downstairs, going straight to the north wing. She opened one of the large double doors that separated it from the rest of the house and walked through.
As she walked down the hall, she followed the sound of the voices, which brought her to a sitting room. It appeared this had become the gathering place for those who wished to visit with one another. Several children were scattered about reading or colouring or playing with a toy they brought along. There were several ladies and an older gentleman. Elizabeth surmised that all the able men were out trying to protect their homes from the rising waters. Everyone seemed to be acquainted, and from Elizabeth’s viewpoint, they seemed fairly content in their circumstances. Who would not in a place such as this?
The sound of a child crying drew Elizabeth’s attention, and she walked farther down the hall. She came to a large dining room and looked in, noticing a little girl at the window looking out.
Servants bustled in and out, readying the room for the evening meal. They scurried around the girl, occasionally patting her on the head or whispering something to her. The girl kept gazing out, her little fingers pressed against the pane. A few sniffles and short gasps accompanied her soft cries. Looking about the room, Elizabeth saw no one else there who would be her family, so she walked up to her.
“Hello, there. You are not very happy, are you?”
The little girl shook her head, keeping her eyes on the window. Elizabeth looked out with her at the courtyard.
“What is your name?”
The girl muttered a very soft, “Rachel.”
“That is a very nice name,” Elizabeth replied. “Is your family here?”
The girl nodded. “Mamma is feeding the baby, and Pappa is out there somewhere.”
“It can be a little frightening when things like this happen. You have nothing to worry about. I am very certain your father will return shortly.” Elizabeth stooped down so she could talk more easily with her. “I have been here all week and have been fed the most delicious food and have been very well taken care of. I am sure you will be, too.”
Elizabeth placed her finger under Rachel’s chin and turned her face to look at her. “Can I see a little smile?”
Rachel responded with sniffling and a fervent shaking of her head. “Misty is missing, and I know she will drown!”
Elizabeth leaned in toward her, concern gripping her. “Who is Misty?”
“My kitty. Misty cannot swim and will drown.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips together and then asked, “Is Misty very special to you?”
With a nod, Rachel turned her eyes back out the window. “I wish we could have found her before we left. Mamma said we didn’t have time to look for her.”
“I would guess that if your father finds her, he will bring her back directly.”
Tears filled Rachel’s eyes as she said weakly, “He said Mr. Darcy would not allow us to bring a cat with us here.”
Elizabeth’s heart ached for the little girl. Of course he would likely have set down rules for their coming and staying at Pemberley. She turned her eyes out the window, knowing that there was little chance of Misty being found. She let out a quick breath. The men were most likely busy with other more important things.
She decided to let Rachel talk about her cat. “Rachel, tell me, what does Misty look like? What colour is she?”
“Grey,” Rachel answered. “With just a little white above her nose.” Her finger touched her nose as she said this.
“She must be very pretty.”
Rachel nodded. They were silent for a few moments, and then Rachel whispered, “And sweet.”
“I imagine you know just how to make her purr.”
Rachel turned and looked at Elizabeth. Her lower lip trembled as she said, “She likes to have the top of her head scratched.”
Elizabeth reached out and took her hand. “You know, I saw some other children playing down the hall. Sometimes it helps me to think about other things when I am afraid or worried. I would guess that if you joined them, you would feel better directly.”
Rachel quickly turned back to look again out the window. “But I would not want to miss Pappa in case he finds Misty.”
“Why do you not go and play with your friends, and I will come and get you as soon as he returns.”
Rachel turned as if to do as Elizabeth suggested, but then stopped. Elizabeth gave her an encouraging nod. “I will let you know if Misty… or your father… returns.”
Elizabeth guided Rachel to the door and then watched as she slowly walked away. One of the maids, who had been preparing the dining room, spoke up. “You sure have a way with the young ’uns. We tried everything to console her. She is terribly worried about her cat!”
Elizabeth nodded silently in agreement and walked back to the sitting room. When she came to the door, she peeked in. Rachel was sitting next to another young girl about her age, and they were talking. She seemed distracted, at least for now. Chances were, however, that she would worry about her cat as long as they were here.
Elizabeth walked down the length of the hall to see if there was anyone else who looked like they needed someone to talk to. There was no one in the hallway, and as most of the doors were closed, she did not feel that she should disturb the occupants. She reached the end of the hallway and was just about to turn around when the doors to the courtyard burst open. She stepped back quickly as a tall figure, drenched from the rain, strode in.
The man was looking down, holding his coat tightly about him, a cape covering his head. He glanced up just as he was about to collide into Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet!”
