Page 48 of Master of Netherfield
Inside the foyer, Elizabeth did not attend to the richness of the furnishings, walls and floors; she remained close to Georgiana and William, offering her support. Mr Bennet paused for a moment when he realized that the great hall before him was as rich as any of the king’s palaces.
A staircase lead to the upper floors where more servants waited; footmen already carried their trunks above stairs where a woman directed them with the sureness only the housekeeper could muster. William left them at the foot of the stairs; he went toward his father’s study while Georgiana took Elizabeth’s arm to climb the stairs.
“Miss Darcy, I am glad to have you home even with the sad tidings,” greeted the housekeeper.
“Thank you, Mrs Reynolds,” the young woman answered.
Turning to her escort she said, “This is Mr Thomas Bennet, our nearest neighbour in Hertfordshire, his daughter Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and my companion, Mrs Annesley.”
“If you will come this way, I shall take you to your old rooms,” the housekeeper said.
“Mrs Reynolds, I would prefer to be housed in the guest wing with my friends and Mrs Annesley. Does my brother sleep in his old room?”
“Yes miss,” replied Mrs Reynolds.
“Please make certain he knows I am housed in the guest wing with Mrs Annesley and the Bennets.”
“We do not want to be a bother, Mrs Reynolds,” Elizabeth said.
“It is no bother, miss. I had the chamber maids to air and clean the guest wing last week expecting there would be many visitors in the coming days.”
**++**
The following morning, Mr Darcy gathered with his sister, her companion and their two friends in the family dining room. He insisted that his father’s chair be draped in a black ribbon and left empty when William took the chair beside the master’s seat. While breaking their fast, Miss Darcy asked her brother for permission to go into Lambton.
“I need to purchase some black dye and black ribbons, William.”
He frowned and glanced at Mrs Annesley and Mr Bennet, before answering his sister. “My dear, it is not appropriate for either of us to be in public this week. Cannot a maid purchase these items for you?”
“Not the ribbons!” Georgiana insisted. “I only want...”
William frowned as his sister sighed and apologized, “Forgive me.”
“Georgie, perhaps I can make the shopping excursion for you,” Elizabeth suggested. “I know the width of ribbon you use and how much you need for your bonnets and sashes.”
“And I am certain Mrs Reynolds has dye in the kitchens already,” Mrs Annesley added. “We can select four or five gowns to have coloured today.”
“Papa, will you take me to Lambton?” Elizabeth asked catching her father’s eye.
“Will you need me this morning, Darcy?”
“Not this morning, Bennet. Order the carriage at your convenience. I recommend Mr Barnes establishment,” the young man said from his side of the table.
**++**
Before late morning, the Darcy carriage and four were at the front door, and Elizabeth and Mr Bennet ventured from Pemberley back to Lambton. Father and daughter were mostly silent during the ride into the village.
“Mr Darcy seems very much affected by his father’s passing,” Mr Bennet said.
“I believe he loved his father very much,” Elizabeth replied. “And he is being very brave for Georgie.”
“Do you think Miss Darcy is as much affected?”
Elizabeth turned to her father and frowned, “I do not know her heart on the matter. Her brother is greatly distressed, and she loves him very much.”
“But neither of you would go into the parlour last night to see him in...”
“No,” Elizabeth replied. “I only met him twice in the last four years and I believe Georgie only saw him two other times in those years. She does not have many memories of her father at all and did not wish to have this be...”
