Page 41 of Master of Netherfield
“Lizzy, I am so glad you came!” Georgiana said as she embraced her friend. Now fourteen, Georgiana was tall but remained slender. Mrs Annesley came into the room with footmen bringing two empty trunks for the maids to fill with gowns, shoes, coats, undergarments, nightgowns, and a dozen other items.
“Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth,” greeted Mrs Annesley.
“Good afternoon, madam,” Elizabeth replied. The hired companion for Georgiana was strict with all of the young ladies concerning protocols and behaviours but this afternoon she allowed Miss Georgiana to be tearful and for Miss Elizabeth to comfort her charge.
A few minutes later, she was slightly surprised by the sudden appearance of Mr Darcy and his guest in his sister’s rooms; Mrs Annesley had learned during her first year at Netherfield that the neighbouring Bennet family was closer to the brother and sister than any of their own family. There was one cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who came for Christmas but otherwise they had not had any family visit, nor had they travelled to visit any family except for their father, and then only in town once a year during the height of the season.
“Georgie, I have news,” William said.
Looking up from beside Elizabeth on a sofa, Georgiana nodded her head before her brother continued. “I should like to ride ahead to Pemberley. My valet and I shall leave within the hour.”
“But...”
“And tomorrow morning, you and Mrs Annesley shall leave with Mr Bennet and Elizabeth to travel to Derbyshire. Your trip will take four days so pack several books to read and discuss.”
Elizabeth’s face brightened and she hugged Georgiana before her father collected her. “Come Lizzy, we need to return to Longbourn and pack our trunks–only one trunk now girl!”
“Yes, Papa,” Elizabeth agreed.
Darcy and Georgiana escorted the Bennets from the house and before they reached the door, Elizabeth’s hand reached up to touch Mr Darcy’s sleeve. He stopped and turned to the young woman, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am sorry to hear of your father’s state sir.”
He smiled, grateful for sincerity in her voice.
Then she handed him a small book. “I brought this book of poetry for your journey. Travelling on horseback you must pack light; as it will fit into your coat pocket, I hope it will afford you some distraction.”
He recognized the book–the same one from the forest from several years before with the mended page inside.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I shall enjoy the verse by candlelight on my journey.”
Mr Bennet cleared his throat. “Lizzy, let us be gone. I shall have to tell your Mamma of our plans and set my steward to his duties.”
As their carriage pulled away, Elizabeth turned back to watch the brother and sister wait at the steps for a long minute before turning back inside Netherfield.
“Lizzy.”
“Yes Papa.”
“Mr Darcy is to be a great man, very rich and very powerful. When his father passes, young William will be one of the richest men in all Britain. I believe he will have four seats in the House to dispose of as he chooses.”
Elizabeth nodded. “He shall be very lonely again then sir.”
Mr Bennet sighed and took his daughter’s hand. “It will not be long after coming into his inheritance that numerous lords and other rich men will show up at his door with their daughters. I believe Mr Darcy will marry a rich woman, perhaps even one with a title, as his wife.”
He squeezed her hand gently. “Do not give your whole heart to him–I fear it will be broken.”
Elizabeth did not reply but she did lay her head on her father’s shoulder.
**++**
Chapter 17.George Darcy’s Legacy
Word spread quickly in Lambton and Kympton of the illness of the Master of Pemberley. The tenants went about their tasks with their usual industriousness–farmers could not pause to worry or mourn with crops in the fields. The vicar in Lambton spent extra minutes in his prayers for Mr Darcy and his family in addition to the prayers he offered for Kympton. That parish was in disarray with the parson barely tolerated in the streets.
‘And that misfortune lies at Mr George Darcy’s feet as well,’the vicar realized. The archbishop of York intervened at the request of the bishop as well as the vicars in Lambton, Derby and Nottingham–the scandal reached that far–to remove George Wickham from the pulpit in Kympton. The man was a scoundrel who tarnished the entire church.
More than one tongue wagged that week wondering how soon the master would pass away and the fallen woman with her natural child in residence in the great house would be sent packing. Mr Darcy’s mistress put herself forward greatly and offended a great many neighbours, but few houses dared to bar entry by George Darcy and his kept woman. The man controlled much of the wealth thereabout and all of the political power. There were four pocket boroughs in his control and the various members of Parliament in the area remained in company with their patron. The lords and other landowners cared little for Mr Darcy’s indiscretions; they bore the company of his mistress though their wives refused to come to tea. The prime minister had even taken dinner at Darcy House in London with the woman in company though not at the head of the table.
