Master of Netherfield

by Martin Hunnicutt

  “Why do you say that, Georgie?”

  “Mrs. Reynolds answered many questions concerning our parents. Father and Mother were never in love and they both turned to others. It caused a great deal of trouble in their marriage,” Georgiana explained.

  “You are extremely wise for fourteen years,” William observed once they were back in the saddle and turned the horses toward Pemberley.

  “I have had good teachers and friends these past few years,” she replied. “And I love my brother dearly when he speaks plainly to me on important matters.”

  **++**

  Chapter 21

  Preparations for Visitors

  Early in the morning, William was in the family dining room breaking his fast when Georgiana rushed into the room, came to his side and kissed his cheek.

  “Good morning brother!”

  Smiling – something rarely seen on the face of the stern and busy ‘Mr. Darcy’ in recent weeks, he reached up and took her hand.

  “Good morning, Georgie. What notion has you so animated this early in the morning?”

  “I have decided what I should like for Christmas.”

  Surprise on his face, William asked, “And what is that?”

  Taking a deep breath, she answered, “I should very much like to send gifts to the Bennet family.”

  Now she hurried with her reasoning as she saw her brother thinking. “You said we cannot travel to Hertfordshire for Christmas and Christmas is a very important time for the Bennets. Please brother.”

  “We have had three Christmases at Longbourn and we shall miss this year,” he agreed. “It is only suitable that we send gifts.”

  “Thank you! Thank you!” she squealed.

  “Now, what kinds of gifts are you thinking?”

  “May I go to Barnes in Lambton to find gifts?”

  “I shall go with you immediately following a visit from the Pemberley steward this morning.”

  “I shall...”

  “First break your fast with an appropriate meal,” William directed. Georgiana did eat an adequate meal before dashing above stairs for her bonnet, gloves and a coat.

  After a meeting with the steward regarding the condition of a barn and stable at the house near Kympton, William sent the footman for his coat, hat and gloves while Georgiana waited patiently at the door and soon their carriage was away from the house and in the park.

  “Have you given any more thought to what gifts to send?” he asked.

  “I can purchase bonnets and ribbons for Kitty, Jane, and Lydia. Mary will most appreciate sheet music...”

  “And for Miss Elizabeth?”

  “I should like to give Elizabeth a book,” Georgiana explained.

  “A book? I am not certain that Barnes carries many books,” William said.

  “Is there something in the library she would like?” Georgiana asked. “She would treasure a book as though it were made of gold.”

  William nodded, his thoughts turning to the many conversations with Miss Elizabeth on books, authors and meanings hidden in the words. His sister allowed him think in silence for a full five minutes before she said, “Perhaps the ‘Royal Shakespeare’?”

  Her brother’s face was a full surprise. “Georgie, how can you know my thoughts so well?”

  “Elizabeth has many passages of Romeo and Juliet memorized. She can recite the scene under Juliet’s window from heart.”

  Darcy smirked. “I did not know Miss Elizabeth was such a romantic.”

  “All girls are romantic, brother. Lizzy is also very intelligent and determined.”

  William laughed and hugged his sister.

  “Now what for Thomas, and for Mr. and Mrs. Bennet?”

  “Thomas will like a wooden horse – as wild as his sisters are for horses, I imagine it will not be many seasons before he is astride a pony.”

  William nodded and waited while Georgiana twisted her mouth in thought. Then she said, “I know Mr. Bennet enjoys wine. Would Mr. Barnes have wine?”

  “I do not think he would have very good wine but I know our cellar is full. I shall pull a crate and send him a dozen bottles.”

  “And Mrs. Bennet – I shall venture to the seamstress shop next door to Barnes for a shawl as well as something for Nanny Brice.”

  William pulled out his purse but Georgiana smiled and said, “I have my allowance brother. Perhaps you can pay for the shawl but I shall purchase all other gifts with my pen money.”

  When the brother and sister returned home, she spent an hour with Mrs. Annesley wrapping and addressing each present while William met with the stable master to select a carriage and team to make the trip to Hertfordshire. There were several men at Pemberley who made the trip between the two houses during the past four years and with all of the gifts stored underneath the seats, no one would know the carriage held gifts.

  “A coachman and footman will be enough for an empty carriage sir,” the stable master stated. “They will be to Hertfordshire and back before Christmas day.”

  “Give each man a purse with two pounds for food and drink but send sober men.”

  “They will be ready at first light.”

  William returned to the house to first descend to the cellars with Adams and a footman to fill a crate with a dozen bottles of French wine. They stuffed the crate with straw to separate the bottles and then the footman carried the crate to the dining room where Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley waited with the other presents.

  Finally, William went into the library; still his favourite room at Pemberley but often ignored this fall. He found the old book that had been presented to his Alfred Darcy by King Charles after the restoration in the 1660s. The family’s story was that the book had been gifted to the king’s father, King Charles I, when he succeeded to the throne in 1625.

  The signature of the king took up much of the title page and William smiled as he imaged Miss Elizabeth’s exclamations upon discovering the title page. He took the book to his sister and she wrapped it reverently in brown paper and tied it up with red ribbon. William addressed the paper that Georgiana tied to the book – ‘Miss Elizabeth from the Darcys’.

  With the assistance of the footmen, they carried all of the presents to the kitchen and then out to the stable yard while servants stood in surprise. The wine, book, ribbons and sheet music along with the shawl were carefully placed underneath the seats and then the cushions returned to their normal place.

  **++**

  At tea the next afternoon, Mr. Darcy and his sister were seated together on a sofa when Miss Darcy asked the butler to bring Mrs. Reynolds to the parlour. Mrs. Annesley observed Mr. Darcy’s calm demeanour regarding the request so she remained silent regarding Miss Darcy’s forwardness.

  “Mrs. Reynolds as requested, Miss Darcy,” the butler announced as the housekeeper entered the parlour.

  “Remain Adams,” Mr. Darcy said as both housekeeper and butler approached to stand before the brother and sister.

  “My brother informs me that we are to have family members come for Christmas. The Earl and Countess of Matlock, Viscount Lyndon, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lady Abigail will come in a fortnight but remain only one week, leaving two days after Christmas.”

  “Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter Anne will also arrive and also depart two days following Christmas,” Mr. Darcy added.

  The housekeeper began to ask, “Shall I have the maids air the remaining bedrooms in the family wing...”

  “My sister will assign all rooms for the guests in the guest wing. My only requirement is that none of them be housed in the family wing. Additionally, six footmen are to be on duty in the family wing all night, each night.”

  The butler’s eyebrows threatened to disappear into his forehead while Mrs. Reynolds merely looked very satisfied with the direction.

  “I shall need to take on three more men sir,” Adams replied but Darcy only nodded.

  “We expect to have morning foods from seven until ten in the small dining room, a small lunch
eon at one of the clock, tea at four and dinner at eight in the formal dining room each night they are in residence. Mrs. Annesley will join us each night to aide my sister with our aunts and cousins.”

  Mrs. Annesley bowed her head at Mr. Darcy’s instruction and wondered if her gowns were fine enough for such guests.

  “And during their stay, if anyone orders a tray to be brought to their rooms, you are to serve only what foods have been directed by my sister for the menu that day.”

  Now Mrs. Reynolds’ face showed her surprise. “As you wish sir, but...”

  “Lady Catherine’s delicate stomach is not my concern,” Darcy replied. “She forces herself upon my company and I have no intention of making her overly welcome.”

  “Do we have goose for Christmas dinner?” Georgiana asked. “And can cook prepare a pudding?”

  “Spotted dick,” Darcy added referring to a pudding made with a large amount of raisins. “The earl hates spotted dick so I insist it be served every other night.”

  It was extravagant to have the cook prepare the dessert so often but there were sufficient funds to serve goose and pudding with every meal if the master wished.

  “During the earl’s visit, I will host one supper with gentlemen from parliament attending. My sister will not join us for supper on that night.”

  “Very good sir,” Mrs. Reynolds replied.

  “And Adams,” Mr. Darcy added, “the black sash will remain on my father’s chair until twelfth night.”

  “Very good, sir.”

  “And remove the chair from the mistress’s place,” Georgiana directed. “No one takes my mother’s place during this visit.”

  **++**

  Chapter 22

  Christmas in Derbyshire

  “Miss Darcy! Miss Darcy!” called the housekeeper as she entered the music room with a large package in her arms.

  “Yes, Mrs. Reynolds,” Georgiana asked, looking up from the pianoforte. “What do you have there?”

  “It is a package come for you in the coach sent to Hertfordshire. The boys just returned and they brought gifts. They report the master at Longbourn was preparing to dispatch his own carriage when the Darcy carriage arrived.” The housekeeper placed the large parcel, wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, on a table near Miss Darcy. The young woman rose from her seat to take the package but she could not loosen the knots. To assist, Mrs. Reynolds pulled a pair of shears from an apron pocket and snipped the strings quickly.

  Inside the paper, Georgiana found a new gown of silver and grey with black trim – perfect for half-mourning at Christmas. There was a letter of course and Georgiana opened it while Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Annesley unfolded the gown and held it up.

  “This is very fine needlework,” Mrs. Reynolds commented. “Did this come from a seamstress in town?”

  Smiling Georgiana explained excitedly, “This is a Christmas gift sewn by my friends in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth and her sisters made this for me from the latest magazine. Mr. Gardiner provided the material and the Bennet sisters and their mother sewed this gown for my Christmas.”

  Mrs. Annesley smiled. “The Bennet girls are excellent seamstresses.”

  “There were other packages Miss Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds said. “I had the footmen place them in the dining room.”

  “Where is my brother?” Georgiana demanded joyfully as she ran out of the room.

  “I forget she is still a girl at heart,” Mrs. Annesley said folding the gown over her arm. “If you will find Mr. Darcy and ask him to attend us in the dining room, please Mrs. Reynolds. I believe Miss Darcy’s lessons for today are complete.”

  It took almost twenty minutes to locate Mr. Darcy in the library with a gentleman from Kympton with a business proposal to build a brewery in the town. William was interested and asked the man to provide estimates for all expenses for two years before providing the building and land. As the gentleman headed toward the door with Adams, William made his way to the dining room to find his sister as excited as if it were Christmas already.

  “Georgie, what is the fuss?”

  “The Bennets sent us Christmas!” his sister exclaimed. “The sisters and Mrs. Bennet made me a new gown.”

  Georgiana held up the grey silk gown and William smiled. “It will be lovely for Christmas dinner with our family.”

  “And they sent more!” she announced pointing toward the table where William found packages and boxes filled with straw. From the first box, he withdrew a bottle of brandy, a gift from Mr. Bennet.

  “Bennet knows this is my favourite bottle,” he told his sister.

  From another box, he withdrew a ham from Mrs. Hill’s kitchen, and a letter. Packages were opened that contained woollen gloves for Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley as well as a handful of new handkerchiefs for William with blue and yellow flowers embroidered in the corners.

  Watching his sister exclaim over the gifts, William opened his letter from Mr. Bennet.

  **++**

  Longbourn

  Sir, I must report that my entire family misses the Master of Netherfield and his bright sister from our holiday gatherings. My lady wife frets that the loss of your father will affect your health and weight. She claims you do not eat properly when you worry so she had the kitchen send a ham prepared as you like. I determined to send you brandy and I hope it is strong enough to warm you in your northern winter.

  While we miss your visits and stories, I must tell you that Lizzy suffers most. She writes faithfully to Miss Darcy and embroidered handkerchiefs for you – as she has for four years now.

  Young Thomas asks when you shall come to climb trees once again.

  Netherfield is sound – Howell and Lynton send their greetings. Your tenants are prepared for winter with the coal deliveries – Sir William Lucas worries that you have spoiled all the tenant farmers with coal for winter heat but I remind him how much time would be lost from ploughing to allow the men to cut and split wood for winter.

  We look forward to your next letter.

  Happy Christmas!

  Thomas Bennet and family

  Postscript - Your carriage arrived the day before I had determined to send my own so I am making use of the return journey to send these humble gifts. My wife is most tearful – she misses you both dreadfully this holiday.

  And Elizabeth carries her book with her everywhere. I have to take it from her at meal time and place it on a table in the corner. She wears gloves to turn the pages and prattles on about the restoration, King Charles, Shakespeare, and the lovers Romeo and Juliet.

  I hope you have teenage daughters someday sir – they are the most trying creatures under heaven!

  **++**

  Georgiana approached him with her letter and offered it to him.

  “Should you like to read my letter from Lizzy, brother?”

  “Yes, please Georgie,” William replied as Mrs. Annesley and Mrs. Reynolds began organizing the room once again.

  Georgiana held the new gown against her form and twirled around the room while William read the letter from Miss Elizabeth.

  **++**

  Dearest Georgie,

  We miss you and Mr. Darcy. The past Christmases with you both here have spoiled us for your company and laughter. Jane says you are our sixth sister and we are incomplete without you. Know that we think of you each day and pray that you and your brother are well.

  I do not complain but admit that I selfishly miss the Darcys at our table. I encourage Papa to write regularly with news of the neighbourhood and the tenants. The barns are full and the cattle, sheep and pigs are fat this Christmas. The tenants are well fed and there is peace across all of Hertfordshire – except when Lydia and Thomas argue over the last biscuit at tea. Mary and Kitty play duets though they both say that you are the preferred music partner. We sing and play but wonder how you would have fingered the piece differently.

  We each helped to knit the woollen gloves for you and Mrs. Annesley. Nanny Brice reports that winter in Derbyshire is much
colder than here in Hertfordshire and she encouraged us to send the woollen items to keep you warm. My Uncle and Aunt Gardiner provided us with the grey silk and we all worked very carefully with the pattern to make your gown for Christmas. Mamma said you would be able to wear it as soon you will be in half-mourning.

  And of course, I made Mr. Darcy his new handkerchiefs. Then Jane laughed at me but refused to explain herself for entire day before she pointed to the handkerchiefs and showed me that I had embroidered Forget-me-nots for ‘King Richard’s cousin’.

  Have a Happy Christmas! Your friend,

  Elizabeth

  Postscript – a kiss and a hug for the book! Give one to Mr. Darcy for me! Nothing could make me happier except for you and your brother to come home to Hertfordshire!

  William smiled as warmth filled his heart for the first time in many months.

  **++**

  The arrival of the Fitzwilliam family was a sombre affair on a cold, grey, and snowy afternoon. Mr. Adams and three footmen with umbrellas moved back and forth from two carriages bearing the earl, his countess, viscount, colonel and lady. The carriage with the family’s maids, valets and trunks went around the great house to the covered servant’s entrance.

  The third coach arrived with Lady Catherine, her daughter Anne and the lady’s companion. Their maids and trunks were in a smaller carriage that went around the house to the dryer back entrance.

  Inside the door, William and Georgiana stood in black clothes with sombre servants in attendance.

  “William! Georgiana!” called Lady Edith in greeting. “Pemberley is hardly decorated for Christmas.”

  “William, I need some brandy!” the earl announced. “And I know my sons are both cold and in need of warmth.”

  “Cousin,” Abigail said in greeting though Georgiana and William did not know which of them she meant.

  “Your man is careless with the umbrella!” complained Lady Catherine as she stormed into the room; Anne and her companion, a Mrs. Jennings, followed close behind her.