Page 30 of Master of Netherfield
William sat on the sofa on the side of his cousin away from this aunt.
“How are you, Anne? Georgie and I have not received any letters from you since summer.”
Anne de Bourgh who did love her cousin above all other men as a dear brother, smiled at his thoughtfulness to seek her out first. “My mother decided that if I stopped writing to you for a time, it might bring you to Rosings to inquire after my health.”
“In just two more years you will have your majority and Lady Catherine can move to the dower house.”
“But then I should be alone in that great big house,” Anne replied. “Have no fear cousin; I am satisfied with my life.”
**++**
“Fitzwilliam, how do you find management of an estate? Is it to your liking?” asked Lady Edith as she approached the young man standing at the sideboard again and motioned for her daughters to join her. He only took a small portion of whiskey this time, deciding that he needed to keep his head in this evening’s tense atmosphere.
“I find that I like the activity very much aunt,” William replied watching his father and uncle verbally sparring on the other side of the room. “It is gratifying to see the improvements in the land.”
“Yes, yes...” the countess replied. “It is important to improve the farms.”
She glanced significantly at her eldest daughter who grimaced but then asked, “Have you found Hertfordshire to be to your liking Fitzwilliam?”
“Yes, much better than town,” he replied honestly. “I imagine when I return to my new home next week that Georgiana and I shall remain there through next summer.”
“You will not come to town for the start of season next February?” asked his aunt, her obvious disapproval on her face.
“No madam,” he replied quickly. “I shall continue my efforts to improve my estate.”
The three ladies exchanged obvious glances, and the countess sighed as both of her daughters left their cousin to return to their seats.
“Turn your attentions elsewhere aunt,” William told his aunt. “I have no desire for wife from within the family circle.”
“It is proving harder to match the girls than I thought,” Lady Edith confessed. “They are bright, well-dressed and accomplished.”
“But their dowries are lacking now with the earl’s gambling debts.”
Pursing her lips, the countess asked, “How do you know this?”
“I hear talk at my club. Lord Humphries is interested in your eldest girl, but he hesitates for fear her dowry will include a mortgage or two...”
“Have you assured him they do not?”
“Madam, surely you would not counsel me to lie?”
“Something must be done!” the countess insisted. William glanced at his father who was standing with his hands clasped behind his back facing down the red-faced earl.
“My father is attempting to help my uncle now, but he will have to agree to hand over at least one estate without mortgage and agree to stop gambling before rescuing the dowries of your daughters.”
**++**
Before the supper, which William increasing dreaded as each minute passed, Lady Catherine asked for a private moment with her nephew.
“Fitzwilliam, I require your assistance in recovering my carriage and four that were left behind in Hertfordshire.”
“Aunt why were you in Meryton?” he growled.
Lady Catherine scowled but noticed her nephew was not intimidated by her expressions. “Anne and I came to see your new home; to visit with you and Georgiana.”
“Why did you not write first?” William asked. “I shall not issue invitations for some time yet and do not know if unexpected guests are good for my sister’s study regime.”
“Your sister’s study regime is exactly what I....” Lady Catherine stopped when she saw the steady gaze of her brother-in-law from across the room. “Your father abdicates all responsibility for his daughter. She should come live with me!”
