Page 3 of Master of Netherfield
George smirked, knowing William would abhor the parties he had attended following the end of the term when he travelled to town with other graduates. He spent two weeks visiting different clubs on the tab of various sons with rich fathers, but all good things come to an end. Because he was short of funds, he came to visit his sister in Lambton for a few days of free food and lodging. During such visits, George always called on Mr Darcy who would slip him a full purse at the end of his visit.
“What duties has your father assigned to you, Darcy?” Wickham asked. “Or shall I call you ‘Master William’ again?”
“I shall manage an estate,” Darcy replied, not wanting to share more information. George pretended interest for a moment but then grinned; Darcy knew him too well to dissemble.
“And what are your plans?” Darcy asked.
“I shall follow your father’s wishes and take orders. The village of Kympton will be my parish.”
“You are not suited for a life as a clergyman, George. You know this! And I am certain Father could help you with any number of livings that would be more satisfying to your nature.”
“My patron guides my hand ‘Master William’. Make your case to him,” George said dismissing his former friend’s suggestion.
“I shall hope for the best,” William concluded as he decided to remain informed of all of George Wickham’s future ventures through his father’s secretary.
**++**
Continuing through the house, William found his sister waiting in the nursery, dressed in one of her best dresses, with a bonnet and a shawl as though she were going to London, but rather than being excited, Georgiana appeared almost subdued.
Once they were in the carriage, William pulled her onto his lap and asked, “Georgie, what is the matter? Yesterday you were so pleased at this excursion into Lambton. Has Nanny Brice scolded you this morning for some reason?”
“No brother,” the child replied. “My maid told me this morning that you will leave Pemberley again in just days.”
She looked up at her brother and her words rushed out with a few tears, “I miss you so much when you are gone. You just returned home and now you are leaving for a new home far, far away and I shall never see you again.”
Darcy embraced his sister tightly, dried her tears and assured her, “I shall see you again and very soon too. Father will establish me with an estate of my own in the south, near London. I leave in just a few days to take possession and begin to set it to rights. In a few weeks, I shall send for you, and you will come to stay with me whole of the summer and fall.”
“Yes! Oh yes, William! I should like that very much!” his sister declared.
“Shall we talk to Father tonight and make all the arrangements?”
**++**
Lambton was but a few miles from the great house and the road to the town cut through Darcy farmlands and woods. The entire village was surrounded by Darcy lands and the folk all earned their livings from some connection to the estate in farming, timber, service, portage or livestock. William and Georgiana were known to everyone, and they received bows from every man and boy, and curtseys from every woman and girl.
When their carriage stopped in front of Barnes Mercantile, the footman opened the door and William helped his sister to descend to the cobblestone street and offered her his arm as though she were grown and escorted her inside the shop.
Mrs Barnes, wife of the proprietor of the store, smiled as two of her favourite customers came into her husband’s establishment. The clerk went into the back room to inform Mr Barnes of their visitor while Mrs Barnes approached the future master of Pemberley and his sister.
“Good day Master William,” Mrs Barnes greeted the gentleman. She curtseyed to both and turned to the sister saying, “It is good to see you, Miss Darcy. I hope you are well.”
“I am very well, thank you,” Georgiana replied in a timid voice.
But Mrs Barnes knew the child’s shyness and her voice remained gentle as she asked, “How can I be of assistance today?”
Glancing at her brother for confirmation, Georgiana smiled. “May I see your dolls, Mrs Barnes?”
“Why certainly Miss,” the lady replied. “Step this way please.”
William watched his sister, and the woman slip around the tables and counters toward the shelf where toys were displayed. He turned his attention to the shop; it was well supplied with cloth, leather goods, jars, pots, rugs, spices. As a child, he had come to this shop to purchase presents for his mother and father for their birthdays and cherished his memories of those adventures. As he surveyed the shop, he saw Mr Barnes appear from the back with the clerk in tow. The young man, their son he imaged for he looked like his father in every detail, returned to his desk and the proprietor approached.
“Master William, we are glad to see you back at Pemberley, sir.”
“Thank you, Barnes, it is good to be home.”
“How may we assist you today?”
William glanced toward his sister and said, “I believe there is a doll that my sister must add to her collection.”
