Page 39 of Master of Netherfield
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Part 2: 1811
Chapter 16.The Summons to Pemberley
It was summer again and Longbourn overflowed with noise of pianoforte lessons, singing, and occasional sibling bickering. There were the shouts of a young boy as he ran about the yard with boys from the tenant farms, and girls calling for their sisters to help with hems and bonnets. Mr Bennet spent many hours with his tenants and neighbours seeing to the many tasks of the estate while Mrs Bennet managed the house and gardens. The housekeeper was busy with the chores and the maids who diligently laboured to clean and care for the house.
Nanny Brice, resident at Longbourn for two years as the nanny for Kitty, Lydia and young Thomas, kept her charges occupied with lessons before their time for walks and adventures into the fields and meadows. When Mr Darcy decided that his sister was in need of a lady’s companion for additional lessons instead of a nanny, the Bennet family hired Nanny Brice for the young children. Master Thomas, now four years, was full of energy and adventures that kept his older sisters busy chasing him.
“Who has written, Lizzy?” Mrs Bennet asked Elizabeth as her second daughter read a letter delivered with the morning post.
“This is from my Aunt Gardiner in town. Her youngest has colic and keeps her awake at night so she is writing long letters.”
“We must send her that receipt for the treatment Mrs Hill provided for Thomas when he was young,” Mrs Bennet said in passing.
“I shall speak with Mrs Hill and get the receipt this day to send to my aunt,” Elizabeth agreed. “I remember it did ease him.”
“Has Mary returned from Netherfield?”
“Not yet Mamma,” Elizabeth replied. “This is the day for new music on the pianoforte with Georgiana. Mrs Annesley is an excellent instructor, but she is demanding. After their performance last week for the neighbours at Lucas Lodge, I believe Mary will return home with a new piece of music.”
Nanny Brice came into the parlour with her sewing. “Master Thomas has gone to the stables to search out new kittens with Lydia and Kitty.”
Mrs Bennet laughed. “I hope they are careful climbing into the hayloft! They will all need baths before supper if they climb through the hay this afternoon.”
“Master Thomas will resist bathing until the day he wants to impress a young lady,” observed Nanny Brice.
“Has Miss Georgie managed her French verbs?” asked Mrs Bennet.
“We are speaking French during our lessons and at tea, Mamma,” Elizabeth replied. “Georgie’s French has improved greatly this summer.”
“Miss Darcy is a very talented young woman and Mrs Annesley is determined that her pupil will have all of the accomplishments of the Bennet sisters. She will sing as beautifully as Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia, play as divinely as Miss Mary, have the gentle disposition of Miss Jane, and have the wit of Miss Elizabeth,” said Nanny Brice.
Elizabeth laughed. “Surely Georgie will not have to complete all of those accomplishments to satisfy Mrs Annesley. I shall ask Mr Darcy for his definition of an accomplished woman next time we dine at Netherfield and that will guide Mrs Annesley’s course of study.”
Mrs Bennet and Nanny Brice exchanged glances when Elizabeth mentioned Mr Darcy–though she denied it when teased by her father or eldest sister–Elizabeth Bennet was excessively fond of the master of the neighbouring estate. They rode side by side when the neighbourhood attended gatherings that allowed Elizabeth to ride side saddle and always sat together at family dinner.
“Mamma, did Lady Lucas mention if Mrs Goulding would invite everyone to supper this week?”
“She did not mention...” Mrs Bennet began to answer when the parlour door abruptly opened, and Mary ran inside.
“Mamma! There is the most dreadful news from Netherfield,” the middle daughter announced. With the close connection of friendship between the two houses, everyone in the room paid close attention to Mary’s announcement. “Mr George Darcy has summoned Mr and Miss Darcy to Derbyshire. Mrs Hobbes understands the gentleman has only a short time to live.”
“Oh dear!” Mrs Bennet rose from her chair, hurried to her husband’s library and entered without knocking. In the midst of composing a letter to his solicitor, when his wife interrupted his concentration Mr Bennet looked up with surprise. After she related her news, he rose from his desk and called for his coat and horse.
At the front door he found Elizabeth with her bonnet and parasol waiting. “I asked Mr Hill to have the carriage brought round with all speed Papa,” she informed him.
“And will you accompany me?” he asked gently.
Elizabeth blushed and admitted, “I hoped you would allow me to go with you, sir.”
Mr Bennet took his daughter’s hand and assured her, “I am certain they will be glad to see you.”
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The footman answered the knock on the front door and directed Mr Bennet and Elizabeth to the library. They found Mr Darcy in consultation with his secretary and his steward.
“Lynton, I depend on you to handle what you can in the correspondence while I am travelling north. I think Jefferson and Harris will make good riders to go back and forth from Netherfield to Pemberley with packets of letters and there are good horses in the stables.”
