Page 32 of Master of Netherfield
Chapter 14.Alterations for Christmas
When his butler brought the daily pile of letters, Master Darcy was pleased to find one from his father. Generally, letters from Pemberley came from the steward with a request for information or directions for disposition of crops, livestock or lumber. Leaving his business correspondence, William opened the letter from his father first. But after reading the opening paragraph, he dropped the page to the desk.
**++**
Dear Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, I know you were looking forward to my visit at Christmas, but matters have changed, and I must spend the holidays in Scotland this year. By the time you receive my letter I shall be across the border and headed for Edinburgh. We shall see each other next summer. I am pleased with the report you sent regarding Georgiana’s progress with her first lessons on the pianoforte. And I shall defer to the steward for any decision to plant the new potato you have found in Hertfordshire. Happy Christmas my dear ones! Your father
**++**
Setting the letter to one side, William said nothing to his secretary as they continued with their business for the morning. When his steward came in to discuss the farms and orders for the next few days, he told them of the alteration in the family’s plans.
“I have received a letter from my father in which he writes that he shall go to Scotland for Christmas. My sister and I shall not travel to Derbyshire this winter but remain here in Hertfordshire. Mr Lynton, you and your wife are to take the holiday as planned with your family in Buckinghamshire.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” Lynton replied.
“Mr Howard, I shall help with the tenants and the distribution of baskets for Christmas, so you and your wife do not have to make all the visits,” William told the man.
“You are becoming a well-respected landlord Mr Darcy,” the steward told his employer. “Perhaps at Christmas, you and Mr Bennet can survey the farms at Lucas Lodge with Sir William and help him begin his winter ploughing and some necessary improvements on his tenant farms. There’s not a one that does not have a roof that leaks.”
**++**
“Georgie, may I interrupt for a moment?” William asked as he came into the music room. Gathered around the pianoforte were three of the Bennet sisters with Georgiana and Nanny Brice. It appeared they were preparing to practice singing with Miss Mary Bennet playing on the pianoforte.
“Certainly William,” Georgiana replied as the girls all curtseyed politely under the eye of Nanny Brice.
“I wondered if you would care to remain at Netherfield for Christmas instead of travelling to Pemberley.”
“What of Father?”
“Father has gone to Scotland for Christmas. He had business of some kind that pulled him away from Derbyshire this year.”
Nanny Brice’s face remained still but she actually sighed in relief–letters from Mrs Reynolds confirmed that Mr George Darcy had moved his mistress into the great house shortly after Georgiana left for Hertfordshire.
Grinning Georgiana assured her brother that remaining at Netherfield would be pleasant. “And we shall practice Christmas carols to sing when we have dinner here and at Longbourn!”
“Oh yes,” Kitty agreed. “I should so like to have a concert where we sing Christmas carols for Mamma and Papa!”
**++**
Needless to say, Mrs Hobbes and Mr Nichols were pleased to have a Christmas dinner to plan for the master and his sister. Mrs Hobbes surveyed the poultry and reported she had two large ganders they could serve at Christmas and upon Mr Darcy’s request, she also located a turkey. Mr Nichols pretended to be scandalized to be asked to prepare a pudding with holly and fire for the Christmas dinner but secretly he planned on making one for the servants as well.
At supper with the Bennet family later in the week, William waited until after eating to ask Mrs Bennet for her assistance with planning a dinner for the local families. “I should like to have families attend a supper at Netherfield to mark my first Christmas...”
Glancing at his sister, William grinned, “...our first Christmas in the neighbourhood. I want people to bring their children, and we will open the ballroom for games and dancing after a fine supper.”
Mrs Bennet beamed as her girls chattered excitedly and Mr Bennet nodded his approval. Elizabeth seemed to enjoy the idea of dancing for once and Jane was talkative with everyone.
When the dessert was done, Mr Bennet cleared his throat and said, “A moment of your attention please. Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, daughters... Mrs Bennet and I have an announcement.”
“What is it, Papa?” asked Elizabeth with concern but her father grinned at her.
“We must ask for your congratulations it seems for my wife has given me a wonderful Christmas gift already.”
“What gift Papa?” asked Lydia, afraid she had missed a present being opened, but her father only smiled indulgently and continued.
“In the spring, Mrs Bennet will add to our family. It seems we are to have another child.”
“A baby?” asked Mary. “I do not remember Kitty or Lydia as babies.”
