Page 33 of Master of Netherfield
“I barely remember,” Jane admitted. “It has always seemed that we were all here.”
“Hard as it is to believe,” Mr Bennet said, “I remember each of you girls as babes and it seems like it was only yesterday.”
“Mrs Bennet, my sister and I would like to offer our sincerest wishes for a happy delivery!” William said awkwardly.
Mr Bennet grinned at his friend, but Mrs Bennet only smiled as she was kissed by each of her daughters and Georgiana in turn.
“Mrs Bennet, may I hold the baby when it is born?” asked Georgiana.
“Of course, my dear. You will learn to care for the baby just like all of the girls.”
“It will be a real live baby doll,” Kitty insisted.
“Will it be a boy or a girl?” asked Mary.
Mr Bennet addressed the gathering. “My dears, each of you has been a gift and precious to your Mamma and me. My only prayer is that the babe be healthy.”
**++**
As the two gentlemen separated from Mrs Bennet and the girls for a few minutes, William noticed Elizabeth hugging Georgiana closely. His sister had a few tears on her cheeks and stepping beside the two girls he asked, “Georgie, why are you crying? Are you well?”
“I...the maids at Pemberley...” Georgiana tried to speak but only began to cry in true distress. Elizabeth led the child to her mother who pulled her onto her lap and rocked her.
“There now, Miss Georgie, whatever is the matter?” Mrs Bennet asked gently.
William leaned close to hear the answer as Elizabeth waited nearby.
“The maids at my old home...they told me that I killed my mother when I was born. She was a beautiful woman, and I killed her.”
“No, no, no!” Mrs Bennet assured the little girl. “It was not your fault! Yes, it happens sometimes but I know it is not the baby’s doing. Babies are the best thing in the entire world! And Miss Georgie, I am certain your mother loved you and wanted you very much!”
William stepped close to take his sister into his arms and then sit in one of the chairs. “It is true Georgie. I was younger than Miss Elizabeth when I was told that my mother was to have another child. She was very excited and loved you even before you came. She made clothes for you to wear and picked out your name and told me all the things I was to do as the big brother. When she died, I was very sad, but Mrs Jennings brought you to me and we sat and held you for hours while you slept that first night.”
“Did she love me?” Georgiana asked.
“Yes,” William answered.
“Come Miss Georgie, we shall go into the parlour for a few minutes and sing some Christmas Carols. When Mr Bennet and Mr Darcy join us, we shall all sing together.”
“Yes, please Mrs Bennet,” the girl said after sliding off her brother’s lap and taking Elizabeth’s hand as they left for the parlour.
**++**
“Why would anyone say such a thing to a child?” William asked Mr Bennet in his library shortly thereafter.
Handing his guest a thimble of brandy, Mr Bennet shook his head. “A moment of restlessness on the maid’s part or a resentment against your sister’s position. Servant’s gossip is often very hard within a family.”
“There is enough of that at Pemberley now,” William said bitterly but Mr Bennet did not inquire. “It is a relief not to have to deal with my father’s arrangements and I am glad to be here for Christmas.”
“My brother Gardiner from London comes tomorrow. You will like him, and I hope we can discuss business a few times. He has investment opportunities that might interest a young man such as yourself.”
“I should be pleased to meet your brother sir.”
“And his young wife is from Lambton,” Bennet said. “My sister Gardiner is the daughter of a Mr Barnes, a merchant in the town.”
“They are a most pleasant family, and he is a very honest merchant sir,” William replied as he only imagined how his Fitzwilliam relatives would react to hear he would dine with the daughter of a merchant from the village.
**++**
