“I... I do not know, mama.” William answered honestly. “If she finds someone else, I suppose I do not have a choice but to let her go but I do not know if my heart would change. I would want the best for her and hope the man would treat her well and love her as I would. But I would wait for her until my last breath if there is a chance that she might consider me. I cannot envision my life with anyone else.”
Lady Anne smiled tenderly, “You are just like your father, William; loyal and loving to the last. Your wife, should you decide on one, whether Lizzy or another, does not need to be compared to me, son. Do you recall when I was very ill for those six years and I nearly died?” William nodded. “I was unable to perform any of the duties as a mistress and do you recall if the meals were not prepared? Were the tenants complaining of lack of calls from the mistress? Did the household fall apart?”
“No, mama. Father and Mrs. Reynolds took care of everything, and at Darcy House and at Netherfield, the housekeepers were fully capable. We only needed to ensure you were resting and you needed to never worry about anything but getting better.” William replied. “Father was terribly afraid of losing you and I know he relied on the competent staff to take care of the details and stayed by your side as often as possible. Even now, I know he wishes for your rest and comfort but you are able to take it upon yourself to enjoy time with him with dinner parties and balls and outings.”
“And it would be the same for you and Lizzy. Lizzy does not have to worry about anything but to enjoy her adventures with you and I would be available to assist if requested, but all you would need is a competent housekeeper to see to the details.” Lady Anne answered. “Since you had spent a month alone in Netherfield, tell me, did you have to plan the menus or resolve the squabbles of the maids? Did you have to perform the tasks of the mistress without one present?”
William smiled, “Mrs. Nicholls is very capable. She did ask me for my choice of joints once or twice but everything else was handled perfectly. I cared not for the furnishings or the table decorations so I left it for her to decide. I suppose if Lizzy were to be my wife, we would not have a need to think on those matters and allow the housekeeper to see to the tasks.” He took a moment to contemplate, “Mama, Lizzy’s biggest complaint is that she cannot sew or sit and take tea to gossip. I can speak with her about estate management and reviewing the ledgers and she is the most accomplished woman I know, but she always cites that she is incapable of being a mistress because she does not enjoy those duties. If you will allow,” he gave her his most fawning look. “Will you teach me? Will you show me a little of what a mistress does? Will you teach me to embroider?”
Lady Anne laughed, “I can certainly teach you, William. There are plenty of excellent tailors who are men and I am willing to bet that your valet can do a better job than I can ever attempt with a needle and thread. Lizzy can work on touring the estate with the steward while you sit with the ladies and discuss laces and table decorations. You will be a very singular couple of the ton if you are able to win Lizzy’s affections.”
William chuckled, “She is uncommonly brilliant and if I can win her, I would do anything to keep her happy. I would give up Pemberley and all of my worldly possessions if she will have me, mama. I have purchased the Ramsgate cottage for her and I could live with her there quietly with our little income for the rest of my life if she would choose to stay with me as her brother.”
Lady Anne kissed her son’s cheek. “I will speak with your father about Netherfield, William. Since I am recovered now, I have been wishing to spend more time at Pemberley and perhaps it is time for you to manage Netherfield and Ramsgate on a more permanent basis so you know what it is to be master of those homes. Although I wish for your father to live forever, you will be master of Pemberley one day and with Lizzy by your side, you will have knowledge of how to care for the lands and have a prosperous future.”
“Thank you, mama.” William picked up the embroidery pattern that his mother had been working on, “How does one do this anyways? Your hand must be very steady to avoid being pricked.” He laughed. “I see why Lizzy hates it, but for her sake, I am willing to learn how to do it for her. Where I am deficient, she can assist me, and what she detests in doing, I am willing to do in her stead. That is what love and compromise is about, is it not?”
Lady Anne beamed affectionately, and during the next three months, she showed William how to sew, and even Georgiana gladly joined in to teach her brother how to embroider and speak of what topics were appropriate for tea parties, and Miss Carter patiently taught the young master how to play a song or two on the pianoforte.
William knew he would never perform the duties of a mistress but enjoyed learning about what was the expectation of the female model and gladly learned as much as he could before returning to Hertfordshire to Lizzy’s side. He witnessed for himself what it took to organise the household staff and what planning went into order the menus and resolve minor issues with the female staff, and his mother was very
