Page 1 of Master of Netherfield
Part 1: 1807
Chapter 1.Netherfield’s New Master
George Darcy sat behind his desk and viewed the business correspondence spread across the shiny wooden surface. There were several letters he had avoided before today, but his secretary insisted that they deal with these inquiries today. The weight of business matters across the whole of the Darcy holdings continued to grow more complicated, or he had aged and no longer wished to understand their intricacies. His secretary, Alfred Clemmons, retreated to the desk under a window to begin several letters that needed to be posted today.
When the door opened, the master of Pemberley looked up as the butler, Mr Jones, announced, “Master Fitzwilliam Darcy, sir.”
George smiled as his tall son walked into the study, stopped just before reaching the edge of the desk, and bowed to his father.
“I am glad to see you, William!” George declared as Jones closed the study door. “How was your trip?”
“Tedious for once,” the young man declared as he took a seat across the desk from his father. “With my studies complete, I looked forward to returning home to you and Georgiana.”
Smiling broadly, George agreed, “I knew you were not the type to drag around the towns of England for a summer. Someday there will be peace in Europe, and you can make your tour of the continent then.”
“Yes sir,” William agreed.
Mr Darcy continued, “I worry you will find it hard to adjust to being ‘Master William’ once more with the tenants and servants instead of being called ‘Darcy’ by your acquaintance and professors at school.”
The son tilted his head to the side, “I am not certain I understand the problem, Father. I have always been ‘Master William’ here at Pemberley.”
“But someday, you will be ‘Mr Darcy’. I shall be gone, and you will be lord and master of the house.”
“But the physicians say you are recovering! I pray that it is many years yet before that day comes! I wish to have my father still with me here at Pemberley.”
“Yes, but when that day comes, I want you prepared,” George explained.
“And working at your side–as I have for the last few years between quarters at school–I have begun my training.”
“Begun and completed in my opinion,” George assured his son. “I want you to experience being in charge–the master of the house–not just the son of the master.”
“I believe...”
“Hear my news before you begin an argument,” George commanded, and he was gratified to see his son fall silent.
“In our position of great wealth and influence, it is hard for the son to come into his own while the father still lives. In many cases, the father must restrain the son’s youthful excesses with limits on allowances and strict lectures,” George explained. “I am the most fortunate of men to have a different problem–a son who is anxious to set about improving the estate–not just spending the income. I think you would do well with some distance from Pemberley.”
“What is your direction, sir?” William asked carefully hiding his disappointment. He had hoped to build a stronger bond with his father and his sister here at the family estate.
Nodding his head, George drew a deed from among the papers on his desk.
“After careful consideration, I have purchased and deeded an estate to you. You will be master and solely responsible for the success or failure of this venture. It is a modest estate with an income presently of only three thousand per annum. With your diligence and effort, you may be able to increase that sum.”
William’s face grew pensive with many questions unasked but first he asked simply, “Where is the estate, sir?”
“It is in Hertfordshire, near a town called Meryton,” Mr Darcy explained. “The estate is named Netherfield Park, and it is only three hours from town. There is a steward already in place managing almost twenty tenant farms though it seems that two farms need new tenant families. The owner was looking to lease but my solicitors made him an offer that was attractive. The easy distance from London will make it possible for you to oversee much of our other business interests without drawing the attention of the ton.”
William nodded his head in understanding but said nothing.
“The solicitors will be here this afternoon to sign the papers and thereafter, you will be master of Netherfield. I shall give you three thousand pounds for livestock, seed and supplies to pay labourers andattract the tenants you need. The fields will all be planted by now and you shall have the entire summer to get your hands into the dirt.”
“I shall learn first-hand how to manage new tenants,” William said. “We never lose tenants here at Pemberley.”
George nodded. “Now tell me of my godson. How has George performed this quarter at university?”
Now William’s face turned into the frozen mask his father hated to see. “George’s professors should write to you sir. I do not care to report on...”
“His indiscretions and peccadilloes?” asked George. He shook his head and teased, “How did I father such a Quaker?”
