Page 21 of Master of Netherfield
“Brother, it was such an adventure! Staying in inns and seeing all the different towns and the countryside! I did enjoy myself!”
Nanny Brice was handed out next and she smiled and nodded to the young master, letting him know that all was well with his sister while she handled a letter to the master. Seeing his father’s writing, Darcy placed the envelope into his pocket for later.
As the footmen unloaded the young lady’s many trunks, the young master took his sister by the hand with her nanny following; William introduced ‘Miss Darcy’ and ‘Nanny Brice’ to each member of the staff beginning with Mrs Hobbes.
“And Georgiana, Mrs Hobbes is over you much as Mrs Reynolds was at Pemberley,” William explained.
“Yes, William” Georgiana replied solemnly.
Inside the house, William escorted his sister up the stairs to her rooms where Nanny Brice began the process of unpacking her charge’s clothing, dolls and toys, books, and shoes with the assistance of two maids.
“Shall we walk about the house and gardens, brother?” asked Georgiana excitedly. “I should like to see the horses, the flowers and the ball room. May I have dancing lessons?”
“We shall see...” William said as he led Georgiana around the house, showing her where his room was located, the room set aside for their father, Richard and other guests.
“Cousin Richard has his own room?” asked Georgiana.
“Yes, I want him to feel at home with us.”
Their tour continued with the ground floor, the location of the servant stairs and then a trip into the kitchens and pantries.
Mrs Hobbes had prepared the cook, but Mr Nichols was still surprised by the master and his sister invading the kitchen.
“Last gentleman who leased Netherfield and his wife never set foot in my kitchens in the five years they were here!” the man told his undercook.
“But Mr Darcy seems to be interested in our cooking. He sends his compliments by the butler every day and Mrs Hobbes speaks with him on the menus regular like,” the undercook said.
“Yes... It just seems strange for the master to venture into the kitchens.”
After touring the kitchens, Mr Darcy scandalized the staff by leading his sister out the kitchen entrance to the stables.
“Lord, he is taking that child into the stables!” Mrs Hobbes exclaimed.
**++**
At some point in the afternoon, William was able to open and read the letter from his father.
++**++
William
I hope that your sister has arrived safely into your care in Hertfordshire. From your letters, I believe you are doing well at Netherfield and can care for your sister comfortably. I shall not descend upon you at this juncture but shall see you at Christmas at Netherfield or in town.
Your father, G. Darcy
**++**
When Georgiana joined her brother for tea that afternoon, Nanny Brice came as well and the three of them discussed the trip from Derbyshire, the lessons that Georgiana would continue and a forthcoming visit by the neighbours who wanted to meet Miss Darcy.
William asked Nanny, “And are there any of the staff who came from Pemberley that I should keep?”
“No sir,” she replied. “Mrs Hobbes appears to have ample maids. The maids and footmen in our escort are folk born and raised around Pemberley. I image they would prefer to be home.”
“Then I shall send the carriage, the wagon, the horses and the staff home tomorrow. We shall have a very nice and quiet summer here at Netherfield.”
**++**
The quiet so desired by Mr Darcy lasted only that one afternoon. The next morning, he dispatched the carriage and wagon headed back to Derbyshire with the maids and footmen, horses and coachman he did not need. Returning to his study with his secretary and steward, they turned their attention to business letters until the proper hours for visits arrived and the carriage from Longbourn appeared in the drive. Alerted by his butler of the approaching visitors, William quickly summoned his sister from her rooms and together they approached the front door with butterflies for the great unknown of ‘friends for Miss Darcy’.
