Page 13 of Through the Eyes of Love

Not long after Darcy was released from his marriage agreement, he read in the London papers that Lady Beatrice had married Lord Palmerston. Darcy shook his head. The man was at least twenty years older than his bride and had lost all his family’s money at the gaming tables. Palmerston would need more than her dowry to make his estate solvent again. He chuckled, even though he probably should not find mirth in another’s bad luck. Very little was amusing to him these days. Lord Markham must have paid Palmerston a fortune to marry his daughter and claim the child as his own. The fire was a tragedy that resulted in at least one good thing: he was no longer tied to the woman he dreaded marrying. What a relief.

CHAPTER 4

Lambton

Once again, Elizabeth had no job and was concerned about her future. Her brows drew together as she considered her situation.

Mrs. Hopkins lived modestly, and as her guest, Elizabeth had given her part of her wages to help defray the cost of feeding and housing her. Even though it was not a lot of money, it was money Elizabeth no longer had, and even if she told herself it would be fine, she must find another position. Her aunt Gardiner’s cousin was the only person of her acquaintance who could possibly hear of any job prospects in the area. She needed to work and found herself fretting about how much longer Mrs. Hopkins would be willing to host her without compensation.

What should she do now? Most of her earnings were gone and wherever she found a job, she would strive to save as much of her money as possible in the event it became necessary to find her own place to live. If she did not find a position soon, where could she go if forced to leave Lambton? She was left with no choice—if she could not find a position as a companion or governess, she might be forced to work as a maid. It was difficult for her to accept her new status in the world. Like it or not, shewould live her life in servitude. Would that she could close her eyes and wake up back in her bed at Longbourn!

* * *

After several weekspassed with no potential opportunities, she was ill at ease due to her dependence upon her hostess’s generosity. No positions for a companion or governess were in the offing. Her heart continuously raced and she paced the floor, unable to get the thought of being turned out with no place to go out of her mind. Elizabeth had no other option! While Mrs. Hopkins was out one afternoon, she walked a short distance to seek a job at the Rose and Crown. She clenched and unclenched her hands while waiting to meet with the proprietor. Before he arrived, she overheard two men in the bar conversing and moved closer to hear them better.

“No one be wantin’ to work at Pembrook Cottage. Me sister Patsy only lasted two days thar and you know what a thick ’ide she ’as. She an’ some o’ the other girls who left thar ’ave gone off to Chesterfield to work.”

“What be the problem? I ’eard more than ten girls got ’ired and left soon after.”

“’Tis Mr. Darcy. Since the fire, ’e is no’ ’isself. ’E was always a fair and gen’rous master and now ’e yells and throws things at anyone near ’im. Patsy say ’is face is scarred somethin’ awful and ’e can barely walk. ’E’s in his cups day an’ night ragin’ about all kinds of things.”

“No surprize no one lasts long workin’ thar.”

Elizabeth approached the men showing them her left side. “Pardon me. I could not help but overhear your conversation about a job at Pembrook Cottage. I am seeking work and believe I could last longer than the others.”

“Why’s a pretty girl like you needin’ to work as a maid?”

She turned to show them the right side of her face. They stared at her and did not speak. “Who should I speak to about the job?”

The men scrambled to find the right words after seeing her birthmark. One of them found his voice. “That be Mrs. Reynolds, miss. She come into the village ’most every mornin’ to buy food for the master. She ’as dark ’air and bright blue eyes. If you see ’er, she will speak to you. No airs from Mrs. Reynolds.”

“I thank you both and hope to meet her in the morning.” Elizabeth curtsied.

Before she left the inn, she overheard one of the men say, “She might do well at the cottage after all. She not be dressed like a maid but with ’er scars and Mr. Darcy with ’is, they could get along right fine. You never know what might ’appen.”

Her lot in life would be easier if the man’s words were prophetic. Could this be the opportunity she had been hoping for?

* * *

The next morning

Awaiting the meeting that could determine her future, Elizabeth shifted from one foot to the other.

“Good morning, Mrs. Reynolds.”

“Good morning.”

“Allow me to introduce my cousin, Elizabeth Bennet, who is staying with me.”

“How do you do, Miss Bennet? May I help you?”

Mrs. Hopkins made her excuses and left the women to speak in private.

“I am looking for work and heard you might need another maid at Pembrook Cottage.”

“You are too well dressed to be a maid. Are you certain you wish to seek employment?”

“Yes ma’am. Sadly, my story is a familiar one. I am the daughter of a landed gentleman who died suddenly leaving nothing to support his wife and daughters. The estate was entailed to a distant cousin, and we were evicted from our home. I have no choice but to find work.”