Page 44 of Master of Netherfield
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The total of my lands, businesses, stocks, properties, houses, furnishings, monies, rents, and kine are left to my son, Fitzwilliam Henry Edward Darcy with the conditions that he never marry either daughter of the Earl of Matlock or the daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and that he honours the following bequests.
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William’s face remained frozen as he read his father’s bequests.
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I leave a purse of one thousand pounds for Mrs Hammond. She carries a portion of my heart to this day, and I thank her for two handsome boys. Upon my death, funding for the education of her sons passes solely to the income of the trust funds for the boys and they receive the principal of the trust upon graduation from university or the attainment of four and twenty years. These trusts are fully funded at ten thousand pounds each. If either boy should die before reaching that age, the funds revert to the Darcy estate.
For Mrs Grace Murray, currently residing in Lambton, I grant a life estate in the house known as Mayflower on the Darcy estate in Kent. The income from the estate will be delivered to Mrs Murray on a quarterly basis for the remaining years of her life under the direction of my son Fitzwilliam. If Mrs Murray marries, my son is to remain as administrator for the estate distributing the income for the benefit of Mrs Murray without regard to her husband’s wishes. For her son, Matthew, a trust of ten thousand pounds is to be funded to provide for his education. Upon graduation from university or attainment of four and twenty years, the boy is to receive the principal. If the boy should die before reaching that age, the funds revert to the Darcy estate.
For my daughter, Georgiana Charlotte Darcy, I bequeath the total of her mother’s dowry of thirty thousand pounds upon her marriage with the approval of her guardians, my son Fitzwilliam Darcy and my nephew, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. If my daughter should marry without the consent of her guardians, the dowry is to remain in trust until she is thirty years.
For my godson, George Wickham I leave my regrets and a thousand pounds. I wish I had never elevated him to the pulpit and but love him too well to leave him penniless. The bishop has defrocked him so the damage ends. I encourage him to venture into town and to make himself an establishment that suits his nature.
The administration of all these trusts is left to the care of my son Fitzwilliam in whom I place all faith and confidence.
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There were additional bequests for his valet, elderly servants in town and on the estate, and one for the couple on the Pemberley estate who cared for his pack of fox hounds.
“Is the document to your liking sir?” Mr Tolliver asked.
“It is to the liking of my father. He is the master of Pemberley, and we are all his servants this day,” William replied before taking the pages to the bed for his father’s signature and then to the table to watch the witnesses sign in the appropriate places below the shaky signature of George Darcy.
The solicitors provided a second copy of the same document that was signed and witnessed. With their duties at the master’s bedside complete, the two men left immediately to deliver the first copy to the courts in Derby while leaving the second copy with Master William.
Mrs Reynolds arrived with a tray of the promised chicken broth. As she spooned it into the master’s mouth, he asked his son about Netherfield and his sister. While they spoke of crops, tenants, and merchants, William came to a realization and shared it with his father, “I understand why you have kept me from Pemberley these past years.”
“Indeed? And why is that?”
“So that when I become ‘Mr Darcy of Pemberley’, the tenants and merchants will see me as my own man, not just the son of George Darcy.”
“With none of my sins upon your shoulders,” Mr Darcy said between spoons of broth. “It is a mighty thing son, to be master of great wealthand power. Mr Grenville sends inquiries concerning my health regularly. He will call on you to maintain the seats to his liking.”
“I shall carefully consider Mr Grenville’s requests sir, but I do not see any need for change. Our interests in the East India...”
Seeing his father’s eyes drooping, William grew silent as Mrs Reynolds withdrew and the physician once again checked his patient.
“The thimbles of brandy have done the trick,” the man reported. “He will sleep several hours.”
“I shall stay with him,” William announced.
“After you bath and eat, Master William,” replied the physician. “Go now and then you can return to sleep on the settee while I sit with Mr Darcy.”
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It was before dawn when George Darcy woke again and asked for a taste of coffee. The footman was sent to rouse a cook and get the master coffee. In quick order, the man returned with a hot pot of fresh coffee. This time it was William who fixed his father’s coffee to his liking and spooned the liquid into his father’s mouth.
“It tastes marvellous!”
“Do you remember the first time you allowed me to taste brandy?” William asked.
George smiled. “I remember! It was Christmas when you were twelve years. You declared you were a man grown and would have a thimble of brandy. Your mother was very displeased, but I allowed the drink.”
“And I sputtered and coughed for five minutes when I attempted to down it with one swallow.”
