Page 64 of Master of Netherfield
“William, it will strengthen the family for these marriages...”
“No,” the master of Pemberley said with a tired finality, cutting off his uncle.
“Why not?” demanded Lady Edith.
William stood and glanced to his sister for a moment. Georgiana smiled shyly before her brother addressed his extended family. “My father is explicit in his will–I am his heir only as long as I do not marry either of my cousins. And my sister cannot marry and receive her dowry without the approval of Richard and myself. I assure you that I shall never give my approval for a marriage for Georgiana to Lyndon. She would be thirty years before she receives her dowry if she marries without those approvals.”
Glancing at Lyndon he added, “You would be five and fifty before her dowry came to you Viscount Lyndon. Your creditors will not wait that long.”
“Damn George Darcy!” Matlock cursed.
**++**
The next day, William and Georgiana were joined by Richard for their ride across the frosted fields. They found a few pheasant and tracks of fox and deer aplenty.
“Shall we have a hunt cousin?” Richard asked. “Some venison would taste good with the goose.”
William grinned at his cousin nodded his head, “As you wish. The politicians do not come until Tuesday so Monday we shall hunt.”
“You must take Lyndon and our uncle on the hunt,” Georgiana insisted. “Mrs Annesley and Mrs Reynolds can assist me with handling Lady Catherine and Lady Edith, but Lyndon ignores the wishes of women, and the earl is worse.”
“How is he worse?” asked William noticing that Richard blushed.
“Mrs Reynolds has barred all maids from the earl’s room. He attempted to seduce one maid, and the girl screamed until Lady Catherine came to her rescue. Then Aunt Catherine threw the episode in Aunt Edith’s face when they gathered in the music room. Abigail and Anne were horrified, and Mrs Annesley spoke sharply to Aunt Catherine about discussing such things in my presence.”
“I can only imagine Lady Catherine’s reply to such a statement.”
Georgiana nodded, “Aunt Catherine threw out the name ‘Mrs Murray’ and mentioned ‘natural child’ in the same breath. Whereupon I closed the pianoforte and forbad the footman to serve the tea.”
“Aunt Catherine did not get tea?” Richard asked. “She was very hungry at supper last evening.”
Nodding Georgiana finished her tale, “For the remainder of the visit, Mrs Reynolds escorts the maids with all their work in the guest wing and none of the maids work alone anywhere in the house.”
“My uncle fumbling a chamber maid,” Darcy said with scorn. “And my aunts discuss it in front of my sister!”
“Christmas is Wednesday, and everyone leaves on Friday,” Richard said. “You shall have your peaceful home again at Pemberley.”
William turned his horse back toward the house and paused. He and his sister exchanged glances before he said, “I do not know if Pemberley will feel like ‘home’ for many years. Our house in Hertfordshire feels much more like home now.”
“And the company is more pleasant,” Georgiana commented.
“Oh, ho!” Richard cried. “I am wounded!”
“Perhaps you should come to visit this summer,” William said. “Georgiana and I shall return to Hertfordshire after this winter. Father’s memory has been honoured but I find Pemberley lacking.”
“I am astounded,” Richard confessed to his cousins. “Pemberley is a grand house.”
“But it is not home,” William explained. “And I would appreciate your silence on the subject. Georgiana and I have told no one–not even Mrs Annesley–that we shall close the house when we leave.”
**++**
The ride back to the stables was silent and set the tone for the remainder of the visit. The earl and viscount participated in the hunt, but both were drunk before the first deer was brought down. With four does and three bucks taken, Darcy sent his game keeper with five of the animals to be divided among his tenant farmers while a carriage carried Matlock and Lyndon back to Pemberley. Two deer were taken to the kitchens and butchered for the family and staff.
**++**
Each day, Lady Edith and Lady Catherine continuously clawed at each other, offending Mrs Annesley, Mrs Reynolds, Anne, Abigail and Georgiana. Only when three of William’s pocket MPs came to dinner did the family attempt to behave. The Earl was a supporter of the Prime Minister though he had only a single seat in Parliament at his disposal. With three of William’s four MPs supping at his table, the family was reminded of the power the young man held in his hands.
**++**
