Page 38 of Master of Netherfield
“Yes,” William answered without emotion. “Forgive me if I failed to mention that the young ladies visiting with my sister today are the daughters of the magistrate here in Meryton. He is the man who holds the bill for the care and feeding of your horses for more than eight months. I hope your purse is flush aunt. This will be an expensive day for you surely.”
Lady Catherine cursed in a most unladylike manner as William led his servants from the room and locked the door once more.
**++**
It was almost four of the clock when the Bennet carriage arrived at Netherfield and Mr Bennet stepped from the vehicle as his daughters poured out of house with Georgiana, Nanny Brice and Mr Darcy among the cloud of gowns and anxious faces.
“Well girls, you have a healthy baby brother!” Mr Bennet announced loudly to the hugs and kisses of his daughters and the congratulations ofhis neighbours. “Master Thomas Bennet arrived just after two of the clock.”
“Can we go home and see him, Papa?”
“Can I hold him, Papa?”
“Can he come outside and play with us tomorrow?”
“How is Mamma?” asked Elizabeth.
“Your Mamma is well. She has already had the babe to her breast, and she swears he was born hungry.”
Jane blushed but leaned over and kissed her father’s cheek.
“Will you need a wet nurse, Mr Bennet?” asked Mrs Hobbs. “Mrs Chancy is to wean her latest charge in another week and she would be pleased with a position with your family for a year I am certain.”
“Thank you, Mrs Hobbes, I shall discuss the matter with Mrs Bennet and have her send you word.”
“Mr Bennet, before you depart from Netherfield, there is an unfortunate matter you must deal with as magistrate,” William explained suddenly terribly embarrassed. “My aunt has invaded my home once more and laid hands-on Miss Kitty.”
“Catherine? Are you well child?” Mr Bennet took Kitty’s hands and looked her over.
“She grabbed my arm and scared me Papa,” Kitty confessed.
“But you are well?” he said taking his child into his arms.
“Yes, Papa,” squeaked Kitty. “I bit her, and she let go.”
“Papa, I was afraid too,” Lydia said, and Mr Bennet took his youngest daughter into his arms for a long hug too.
“But you were brave! All my girls are brave!” Mr Bennet told his girls as they returned to the interior of Netherfield.
“Mr Bennet, do you wish to interview my aunt this afternoon?” William asked and was surprised by Mr Bennet’s laughter.
“My good friend, I have no wish to deal with your unfortunate aunt this afternoon. My wife and son are waiting for us to return–Mrs Bennet is most anxious to introduce her daughters to their new brother.”
William blushed and bowed his head. But then Mr Bennet took his elbow and said, “And my wife most particularly asked that you and your sister come to supper tonight. She will be abed, but Miss Georgiana must have her peek at the newborn. Can your aunt wait until the morrow?”
“Certainly Bennet! Certainly!”
“Come girls, we must get home!” Mr Bennet announced. “The Darcys will join us for supper but now your Mamma insists on your presence to meet Master Thomas born this day!”
When William escorted his friend toward the carriage, he asked, “Bennet, are you drunk?”
The older gentleman grinned and explained, “I have had not a single drop of drink Darcy. Wait and see, on the day that your lady love is safely delivered of your child, and you hold that tiny form in your arms, you will discover that love is the greatest intoxicant under God’s heaven! I am drunk with happiness today, Darcy!”
William smiled and after helping his friend into the carriage and shutting the door, watched the Bennet carriage roll away, the team seeming to have a higher step caught up in the emotion of the afternoon. Georgiana stood at his side and waved until the carriage was out of sight.
“Brother, I am so glad we came to Hertfordshire.”
“As am I Georgie,” William echoed. “Netherfield is home now.”
