Page 19 of You Willfully Misunderstand Me

Mr. Kewley laughed, "There now! Margaret has settled the matter."

She looked from Elizabeth to Darcy with a cheerful smile entirely innocent of the unease it inspired, "You'll simply have to make yourselves at home."

Elizabeth glanced briefly at Darcy, and he returned the look with the slightest inclination of his head. Neither protested, as pair began to proceed that, for an uncertain number of days, or perhaps weeks, this modest seaside cottage would be their home, the Kewleys their household, and the names ofMr. and Mrs. Darcy,the identities by which every soul upon the Isle of Man would come know them.

CHAPTER 11

The storm did not abate, and by breakfast, the rain fell with such violence that the windows appeared draped beneath a moving curtain of water, while every gust from the Irish Sea drove itself against the cottage with a force that caused the old timbers to creak and the hearth to sigh.

Mrs. Kewley, however, behaved as though such weather were simply an inconvenience. “Come now, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, the porridge will thicken if we wait any longer," she declared cheerfully, setting a steaming bowl before Elizabeth. "Storm or no storm, you must eat."

Mr. Kewley chuckled as he took his usual place, "My Margaret believes food improves every difficulty."

"Well, it certainly improves most husbands," she replied without looking at him.

Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged faint smiles. They had already found themselves comforted by the Kewleys' easy affection. Elizabeth observed the married couple speak over one another without offence, finished one another's thoughtswithout notice, and disagreed over the smallest matters that suggested long practice.

Elizabeth wondered about their happy marriage, and reflected on what made theirs seem so effortless. She had never before considered the question.

"You must forgive Thomas," Mrs. Kewley said as she poured tea. "When the weather turns rough, he begins inspecting every window in the house as though the wind had singled us out in particular."

"The wind has little respect for property, Mrs. Kewley," Mr. Kewley replied. "If I leave one shutter loose, it will find it."

“I should like to help you ensure everything is as it should be, Mr. Kewley,” said Mr. Darcy.

This brought a chuckle to the plump woman, "Mr. Kewley should like the attention I am sure, sir.”

She turned toward Elizabeth, "I’m sure Mr. Darcy is always making sure that everything is just so to ensure your safety and comfort, is he not? What an attentive husband he is,” she added, pleased.

Elizabeth looked up so suddenly that she nearly forgot herself, "My... husband?"

Mrs. Kewley smiled and nodded, sure of herself, "Always looking after everything. I’m sure of it.”

Elizabeth's eyes instinctively sought Darcy, before Mr. Kewley shook his head and added to the conversation. "Aye, it only right a gentleman ought to know what's happening upon the property where his wife is staying."

The remark, innocent as it was, settled awkwardly upon the table, and Elizabeth reached for her teacup to make herself look busy amidst the awkwardness of the conversation. The room went silent, expecting a response from Elizabeth, nay, Mrs. Darcy, and she finally decided on some comprehensible statement, "Indeed, Mr. Darcy thinks rather more of practical matters than I, especially having never traveled by way of sea. I would not know the first thing to do to prepare for a storm as such."

"I should think so," Mrs. Kewley laughed. .

Elizabeth looked down into her tea, and Mrs. Kewley seemed not to notice.

However, Mr. Darcy was quick to come to Elizabeth’s defence. "...Mrs. Darcy," he corrected with admirable composure, "is perfectly capable of observing what requires attention."

Elizabeth resisted the impulse to smile, as Mr. Kewley, thankfully, had become occupied buttering a slice of bread and appeared equally oblivious.

***

The remainder of the morning passed with the loud storm brewing overhead. The weather made any venture beyond the cottage impossible, and so each member of the household found occupation within.

Mr. Kewley busied himself repairing fishing nets before the fire, while Mrs. Kewley kneaded bread and put a pot of broth upon the hearth.

Elizabeth insisted upon helping, but Mrs. Kewley protested, "Oh, no, my dear, you're the mistress."

"But, I cannot sit idle while you do all the work," Elizabeth responded in turn.

The older woman smiled knowingly, "I thought you might say as much." And so, before long Elizabeth found herself rolling pastry while Mrs. Kewley prepared vegetables beside her.

Mrs. Kewley had been humming, when she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Thomas, leaving his boots in the hallway yet again,” she sounded somewhat agitated, as she caught sight of a pair of black, worn boots. She left the kitchen and returned again, shortly after, with a huff. "And does Mr. Darcy leave his boots in the hall?"