Master of Netherfield

by Martin Hunnicutt

  “Wickham should not have argued with you father.”

  “He came to the house expecting my help with the bishop. Of course, there was nothing I could do for him or should have done. The evidence was too damning with two fathers – good tenants – testifying against him with the bishop.”

  William remained silent but sat back for a moment; his father was still angry at Wickham. “He did not understand why I could have mistresses and natural children without penalty but he could not. When I explained that I am placed much higher but still had to pay the cost, he demanded that I assist him.”

  From his sick bed, George Darcy said, “The boy thought he was my natural child. I would never have dishonoured his father with his mother.”

  “Father, do not distress yourself,” William said. “It will be morning soon and Georgiana will be here today.

  “I know you do not approve of my life,” George said. “I have told myself that it does not signify but here at the end. I find myself wanting your forgiveness.”

  William took his father’s hands and said, “There is nothing to forgive. You have been the best father you could. I have learned everything you taught me.”

  “Soon now... soon,” George Darcy murmured as he fell asleep again.

  **++**

  At mid-morning, Mr. Darcy was awake and talkative. “Tell me of Georgiana.”

  “She grows tall and she is very happy in Hertfordshire with her friends.”

  “And how are your friends?”

  “My friends, sir? Do you mean Mr. Bingley?”

  “The Bennets,” replied Mr. Darcy. “You are thick with Mr. Bennet when it comes to estate management. Your improvements at your estate have raised the income to what? Four thousand?”

  “Over five thousand last year,” William admitted proudly. “I have taken great interest in the estates of my neighbours and we have increased every income in Meryton.”

  “Farmer George would be proud of you,” Mr. Darcy said referring to the King’s interest in his farms and crops.

  William nodded, “His Majesty is a farmer – as should be all Englishmen of note.”

  Mr. Darcy laughed once followed by a fit of coughing. “Now, how is the eldest girl turning out? A beautiful face and good horsewoman I believe.”

  Again, his son nodded, “Miss Bennet is talented in all matters with horses. She rides well and she cares for the animals as well. She is called on to attend most births in the stables now for she has a way with the mares and foals.”

  “Would she make you a suitable wife?”

  “Wife? Miss Bennet?”

  “Is she not virtuous and unmarried?”

  “She is of course but I think of her as a sister, sir. I could not...”

  Again Mr. Darcy laughed though he did not cough this time and his son continued, “Miss Bennet has a very small dowry and I have always been told that I must marry a woman of wealth equal to my own.”

  Mr. Darcy shook his head, “There are only a few families with wealth equal to your inheritance William. None but the dukes...”

  Father and son waited in silence for a moment before Mr. Darcy continued, “I married your mother for my pride and for the connection with the Matlocks. She never forgave me for not having a title and I never forgave her for taking a lover after you were born.”

  William remained silent as his father continued, “We were never happy together and you were our only good thing. The man who sired your sister – Lord Humphries – he wanted the connection with the Matlocks but he did not have the money and power that I did. His son married your cousin three years back and was saddled with at least one of Matlock’s mortgages. I hope they lose it all...”

  “My sister is as dear to me as anything father.”

  Mr. Darcy nodded. “And so you can understand why I care for my other children then? That is why I have made arrangements to start them with advantages in the world?”

  William sat back for a moment before he nodded. “I shall honour all of your arrangements Father.”

  Mr. Darcy grinned. “And feel superior by half I am certain!”

  Grimacing at his father’s teasing, William asked, “What is your advice for marriage, sir?”

  “Find a good woman and learn her habits and ways. Allow her to know your habits and ways as well. Learn to love her and then marry with my blessing. I am giving you the full measure of the Darcy wealth to keep the grasping families with dowries at bay. You do not have to marry for money or for position. You have everything except for the proper bride.”

  “Very well Father, it will be as you say,” William agreed.

  **++**

  At some point in the early hours of Monday morning, Mr. George Darcy slipped this mortal coil. His valet sat by his bedside and did not disturb the household with the news until dawn.

  Harris came into Master William’s bedroom to wake his young master and give him the news. He brought a tray with coffee and the aroma brought the man out of his slumber quickly.

  “Mr. Darcy, sir...”

  William looked up from his seated position on the side of the bed at the tone in his valet’s voice.

  “Your father has passed sir. His valet reports that he went peacefully in his sleep during the early hours this morning.”

  Pausing for a moment, William found a thousand questions rushing through his mind before he could find the answer for a single one. He was grateful that Harris remained silent as he fixed a cup and handed it to the man still sitting on his bed.

  “Once I am dressed, make certain that my father’s valet is cared for and has food, tea or even spirits if he wants them. The man took excellent care of Mr. Darcy and I want everyone to know of it.”

  Harris nodded his head and began to lay out the few items of clean clothing. “Miss Darcy will arrive today with your trunks sir. You will have more clothes tomorrow.”

  “Black,” William said. “I shall only wear black for the next month.”

  “Sir, I do not have...”

  “Not today,” William agreed. “The clean tan pants and dark blue coat will do until the carriage arrives.”

  Once William was dressed, Harris escorted him to the green room where his father’s body remained in the bed. Footmen stood at the door and maids whispered in the corridors. Mrs. Reynolds arrived in the room when William had been there only a few minutes.

  “Have we a coffin?” he asked.

  “Yes sir. Mr. Darcy ordered it four years ago when he was ill. It is stored in the attics.”

  “Have it brought down and placed in the next room.”

  Turning around William did not see his father’s valet present so he sent for Harris. When the valet arrived, William asked his man to help his father’s man to dress him in appropriate garments and then place his body in the coffin.

  “Once... When... I would appreciate...” William stumbled with his words.

  “Would the front parlour do for viewing, sir?” Mrs. Reynolds asked. “Many gentlemen will come to see the old master today and tomorrow to verify that it is indeed him that has died. The vault in the chapel can be opened tomorrow and the coffin moved there or to the church...”

  “The front parlour is fine. Two footmen are to remain with the coffin at all times and when visitors are not in the room, they are to keep the lid closed. Two additional footmen are to attend the door to the parlour and the butler and his man are to remain at the front door until dark. No one comes to the house without someone there to open the front door,” William ordered.

  “Very good...”

  “Send riders to Lambton and to Kympton with the news and send two carriages to the parsonages. I wish to see both parsons before the middle of the afternoon.”

  “Yes...”

  “And have footmen keep a look out for my sister’s carriage. I do not want her to arrive with the coffin in the hallway. And no one is to tell my sister the news except for myself!”

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds agreed.

  *
*++**

  “Georgie, will we reach the house before nightfall?” teased Elizabeth. “This park could swallow Netherfield Wood three times over!”

  “I do not remember the road being so long when I lived here,” Georgiana admitted. “Pemberley is a full five miles from Lambton and my father owns all the lands about.”

  “We have been on Darcy lands for most of the day,” Mr. Bennet announced. “I had no idea the Pemberley estate was this extensive.”

  “William tells me that our grandfather Darcy married a local heiress and united two large estates into one. There is another house near Kympton but I think Father leases it to a rich nobleman who fled from France during the revolution.”

  The four-day journey exhausted everyone. Mr. Bennet and Elizabeth had asked Georgiana for happy memories of her father though they were few. Mr. Darcy had largely ignored his young daughter as she grew and her demeanour grew quieter as each mile brought them closer to the house.

  When the carriage came out of the woods into the open fields, Mr. Bennet knocked on the roof of the carriage to stop for a moment. They four travellers exited the carriage to stretch for a moment and in the distance, they could make out the house in the centre of fields with outbuildings and stables.

  “Georgiana, Pemberley is...” Elizabeth could not find the words.

  “It is huge is it not?” Georgiana said almost sadly. “In the winter, I used to run through the halls. The entire third floor is a ball room.”

  “Come my dears, let us make the final ride to our destination,” Mr. Bennet told his daughter and family friend.

  When the carriage drew closer to the house, the door opened and several of the servants came out to receive the master’s daughter.

  “There is William!” Georgiana said and Mr. Bennet noticed how anxiously his daughter tried to catch a glimpse of William.

  “Does he look well?” Elizabeth asked.

  Finally, the carriage stopped and a footman opened the door. William was there to help Georgiana down and then offered his hand to Elizabeth. Mrs. Annesley and Mr. Bennet followed them onto the gravel drive as William told Georgiana the news of the passing of their father.

  Elizabeth heard the catch in his voice and took his arm as Georgiana embraced her brother as they both cried. Mr. Bennet moved to stand between William and the servants to provide the brother and sister with a bit of privacy. Elizabeth was distressed by William’s tears and quickly produced a handkerchief.

  Drying his face and comforting his sister, Darcy smiled at the young lady. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.”

  **++**

  Mr. Bennet followed their host into the great house; Elizabeth on her father’s arm with the servants quickly coming inside.

  “I want you to rest,” William told his sister. “I have to meet with the parsons shortly and we can have tea afterwards.”

  “How can I be of assistance?” Bennet asked William.

  “Thank you,” the young man replied. “I shall I speak with you later.”

  Inside the foyer, Elizabeth did not attend to the richness of the furnishings, walls and floors; she remained close to Georgiana and William, offering her support. Mr. Bennet paused for a moment when he realized that the great hall before him was as rich as any of the king’s palaces.

  A staircase lead to the upper floors where more servants waited; footmen already carried their trunks above stairs where a woman directed them with the sureness only the housekeeper could muster. William left them at the foot of the stairs; he went toward his father’s study while Georgiana took Elizabeth’s arm to climb the stairs.

  “Miss Darcy, I am glad to have you home even with the sad tidings,” greeted the housekeeper.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds,” the young woman answered.

  Turning to her escort she said, “This is Mr. Thomas Bennet, our nearest neighbour in Hertfordshire, his daughter Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and my companion, Mrs. Annesley.”

  “If you will come this way, I shall take you to your old rooms,” the housekeeper said.

  “Mrs. Reynolds, I would prefer to be housed in the guest wing with my friends and Mrs. Annesley. Does my brother sleep in his old room?”

  “Yes miss,” replied Mrs. Reynolds.

  “Please make certain he knows I am housed in the guest wing with Mrs. Annesley and the Bennets.”

  “We do not want to be a bother, Mrs. Reynolds,” Elizabeth said.

  “It is no bother, miss. I had the chamber maids to air and clean the guest wing last week expecting there would be many visitors in the coming days.”

  **++**

  The following morning, Mr. Darcy gathered with his sister, her companion and their two friends in the family dining room. He insisted that his father’s chair be draped in a black ribbon and left empty when William took the chair beside the master’s seat. While breaking their fast, Miss Darcy asked her brother for permission to go into Lambton.

  “I need to purchase some black dye and black ribbons, William.”

  He frowned and glanced at Mrs. Annesley and Mr. Bennet, before answering his sister. “My dear, it is not appropriate for either of us to be in public this week. Cannot a maid purchase these items for you?”

  “Not the ribbons!” Georgiana insisted. “I only want...”

  William frowned as his sister sighed and apologized, “Forgive me.”

  “Georgie, perhaps I can make the shopping excursion for you,” Elizabeth suggested. “I know the width of ribbon you use and how much you need for your bonnets and sashes.”

  “And I am certain Mrs. Reynolds has dye in the kitchens already,” Mrs. Annesley added. “We can select four or five gowns to have coloured today.”

  “Papa, will you take me to Lambton?” Elizabeth asked catching her father’s eye.

  “Will you need me this morning, Darcy?”

  “Not this morning, Bennet. Order the carriage at your convenience. I recommend Mr. Barnes establishment,” the young man said from his side of the table.

  **++**

  Before late morning, the Darcy carriage and four were at the front door, and Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet ventured from Pemberley back to Lambton. Father and daughter were mostly silent during the ride into the village.

  “Mr. Darcy seems very much affected by his father’s passing,” Mr. Bennet said.

  “I believe he loved his father very much,” Elizabeth replied. “And he is being very brave for Georgie.”

  “Do you think Miss Darcy is as much affected?”

  Elizabeth turned to her father and frowned, “I do not know her heart on the matter. Her brother is greatly distressed and she loves him very much.”

  “But neither of you would go into the parlour last night to see him in...”

  “No,” Elizabeth replied. “I only met him twice in the last four years and I believe Georgie only saw him two other times in those years. She does not have many memories of her father at all and did not wish to have this be...”

  Mr. Bennet took his daughter’s hand. “You are correct. Be her friend now; this will be a difficult week for her and for her brother.”

  When the carriage halted in front of a pleasant looking shop in the village, several people gathered to watch who stepped out. When the unknown gentleman and his young lady companion descended and entered the shop, whispers began to spread. Several folk left to ask and tell while others joined the pedestrians watching through the windows.

  “Away with ye!” called the proprietor of the shop to small boys staring in the windows while his wife came forward to assist the customers.

  “Good day, sir, miss,” she said. “How can I be of assistance this morning?”

  “Good morning,” the gentleman said. “Are you Mrs. Barnes?”

  The woman was pleased to be known and nodded her head. “Indeed, I am sir. And my husband, Mr. Barnes, is the owner of our shop.”

  “I am Thomas Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. My brother Edward Gardiner is married to your daughter I believe.”
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br />   “Mattie! You know my Madeline?” the woman asked. Turning to her husband she called, “Mr. Barnes, come immediately! This is Mattie’s brother-in-law and niece from Hertfordshire.”

  The proprietor stepped close before he bowed, “Jacob Barnes, at your service sir.”

  “Thomas Bennet. Madeline has told us many times of your excellent shop here in Lambton.”

  “Thank you, sir. Have you word of Mattie?”

  “I fear I do not,” Mr. Bennet explained. “My daughter and I escorted Miss Darcy to Pemberley from her home in Hertfordshire.”

  “Mr. Darcy rode ahead,” Elizabeth explained. “We came with Miss Darcy to allow the gentleman the chance to speak with...”

  “It is sad that Mr. George Darcy has died,” Mr. Barnes said. “But young Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy is here now in his place and all will be well again with the great estate.”

  “How may we be of assistance today?” asked Mrs. Barnes.

  “I need to purchase ribbons for Miss Darcy. We are friends and I know the widths she prefers.”

  “Come this way miss,” Mrs. Barnes said as she led Elizabeth to a nearby table.

  Mr. Barnes turned to Mr. Bennet and asked, “Have you heard from Gardiner lately? We had a letter almost two weeks past from Mattie with news of her two little ones but I have not heard from Gardiner in over two months.”

  “I understand he is busy with cargos from the Dutch East Indies.”

  **++**

  On Wednesday following the arrival of Miss Darcy on Monday, Mr. George Darcy’s body was entombed beside his wife’s resting place in the mausoleum in the chapel on the Pemberley grounds. Six generations of the Darcy family lay here in silence and splendour. Almost one hundred gentlemen and notables from the surrounding area attended with almost fifty ladies gathered to wait at the house.

  For over an hour, Georgiana and Elizabeth sat with the visiting ladies in the afternoon parlour while the gentlemen attended the funeral service. There was a quiet hum of gossip the entire time and Elizabeth thought her friend miserable in her black gown with black ribbons.

  Ladies took turns coming to speak with Georgiana to express their sympathies, and then in the same breath, to inquire as to the location of Mrs. Murray and the marriage prospects of the young Mr. Darcy. Both Elizabeth and Georgiana did not know how to respond to the questions until Mrs. Annesley came to their rescue with answers of ‘Thank you’ and ‘We have not been introduced to anyone by the name of Mrs. Murray. She is not in residence in the house.’