Page 50 of Master of Netherfield
On the second day following the funeral for Mr George Darcy, William and Georgiana said farewell to Mr Bennet and Elizabeth immediately following an early meal. Once again, Elizabeth waved good-bye from a carriage to William and Georgiana standing in front of the great house.
“Papa, they look so alone. Must we leave them?”
“Yes Lizzy, we must away,” Mr Bennet replied.
In his mind he added,‘Just as the weight of the whole world is bearing down on the young man’s shoulders.’
Elizabeth turned around once more–William still stood at the door, and she raised her hand in farewell once again.
“I shall write to Georgiana every day that I can find news, but Papa, how shall I hear from Mr Darcy?”
“You may read any letters that I receive, and I shall write to him at least twice each week,” Mr Bennet promised his daughter. “There will be news from the neighbourhood and his estate. And if you slip a page into my hand to send to the young man, I shall not tell your Mamma.”
**++**
Inside the house, Georgiana went with Mrs Annesley to begin her lessons. Darcy thought that the black gown on his young sister a sad sight and he allowed his grief to well up for a moment. But then he pushed the feeling down and turned toward his father’s office–now his office.
Mr Clemmons stood when William stepped into the room and bowed, “Mr Darcy.”
At that moment, ‘Master William’ vanished; thereafter Mr Darcy, Master of Netherfield stood in his place.
“Shall we begin?” Mr Darcy asked. “What letter first?”
**++**
Late in the morning, the butler came to the door and inquired if Mr Darcy would receive George Wickham.
“I shall receive him in fifteen minutes here in the study. Do not serve tea. Have a pair of footmen escort him to this door and then again when he leaves. He is to be watched until he is off the grounds and out of the park.”
Turning to his secretary, he handed over three letters. “Send these to Mr Lynton at Netherfield. He is handling the estates in the south now.”
“Very good, sir.”
Darcy and his secretary cleared the business correspondence from his desk, closed all books and folded papers into drawers. When time for the interview came, the secretary slipped out of the room into the adjoining library as the door opened and George Wickham came into the room.
“Darcy, I came to pay my respects and tell you how sorry I am for your loss,” the man said crossing the room to bow before the master’s desk. “How is Georgiana?”
“My sister is well.”
“Your father was a most excellent man, and I always thought of him as my own father.”
“But he wasn’t your father, George; all of my father’s natural sons resemble the Darcys with black hair and dark eyes. No one would think you had any Darcy blood with your blond hair and blue eyes.”
Wickham was silent for a moment before William indicated the sideboard. “Will you take a brandy?”
“Please,” Wickham replied as William poured a thimble of his father’s best brandy.
“I did not see you at my father’s funeral.”
“My sister thought it best that I do not appear.”
Darcy nodded. “Her husband runs which business?”
“The livery near the King’s Arms,” Wickham replied. “His father started the business and Mr Anders keeps his horses for hire in good shape.”
William nodded and indicated that Wickham should sit across the desk from him as he returned to his own chair. He drew papers from his desk and said, “My father is generous with you in his will, George. He leaves you a thousand pounds on the condition that you leave Derbyshire.”
“May I?” Wickham asked as he held out his hand.
