Page 23 of Master of Netherfield
The six girls raced with hoops up and down the meadow and in the archery tournament, Elizabeth took first prize. William smiled as his sister laughed, holding court from the centre of the table as the ‘princess’ of the day. It was a most successful birthday party and Miss Darcy had a great many tales to tell Nanny Brice, Mrs Hobbes and the maid that attended her that evening.
**++**
Chapter 11.Lady Catherine Visits Hertfordshire
In late summer, before the final harvests were to begin, Mr Darcy received a letter from his father requesting his presence at the Darcy home in London to review matters of business regarding shipping and trade. William’s correspondence with Mr Clemmons, the secretary at Pemberley kept him abreast of all business correspondence and he noticed that more letters came directly to him rather than to his father for directions from factors and agents.
While anticipating his journey into town, William consulted with Mrs Bennet, Mrs Hobbes and Nanny Brice, who unanimously suggested that Mr Darcy take his sister to town as a reward for her attention to her lessons.
“Should I make any purchases for her wardrobe for the coming winter?” Mr Darcy asked Mrs Bennet when the lady brought her daughters to practice their lessons on the pianoforte with Georgiana.
“I daresay Nanny Brice could better answer that question. She will certainly need a new coat this winter and bonnets. The child has already grown in the months she has been here. The seamstress in town–Mrs Claire could use patronage. I should have her make gowns for my girls but there are five of them and we must economize where possible.”
“Would you be kind enough to introduce Mrs Claire to me at the next gathering? I should like for Georgiana to have a suitable wardrobe.”
**++**
There was a royal proclamation that elevated Mr William Lucas to the knighthood for a magnificent speech before the king. On the day following the reading of the royal proclamation, the neighbours gathered at the home of Mr and Mrs Phillips to congratulate ‘Sir William” and “Lady Lucas” at a tea.
Mr and Mrs Phillips kept a modest home in Meryton that limited the size of engagements they could host. Consequently only Mr and Mrs Bennet attended the congratulatory event, and the five Bennet daughters remained at home with their sewing and lessons.
In the afternoon, Elizabeth worked among her mother’s roses in the garden beside Longbourn while her sisters were still in the parlour sewing.
“Miss Elizabeth, your mother will be displeased if you catch too much sun and turn brown!” warned Mrs Hill.
With a sigh only a girl of now fifteen years could deliver, Elizabeth replied, “Yes, Hill. I shall come inside shortly.”
Gathering her basket and shears, the young woman watched with surprise as an extraordinarily large coach and four entered her father’s drive and approached the house. Elizabeth noticed the four horses were blowing as though they had not had enough rest and water between portions of their journey.
Immediately upon the carriage’s coming to a stop, Elizabeth told the driver, “You are welcome to water the horses in our shade.”
“Girl, attend me!” commanded the harsh voice of a woman from inside the carriage.
“Yes, madam,” Elizabeth replied as she approached the carriage although the door was not opened, and the lady did not lean forward but remained hidden in the shadows of the carriage’s interior.
“You will address me as ‘Your Ladyship.’ I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” the voice announced.
Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled as she curtseyed, “Very well ‘Your Ladyship Lady Catherine de Bourgh’, I am...
“I have no care for who you are. You are of no consequence.”
Elizabeth frowned but remained silent.
“I am searching for my nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Master of Netherfield Park. Give me directions to his house immediately.”
“Mr Darcy is known in my father’s...
“Nonsense!” the woman’s voice declared from the depths of the carriage. “How could it be possible for a wild creature of the forests such as you to know my nephew?”
“But madam is not Mr Darcy a gentleman?”
“Of course, he is a gentleman!”
“And my father is a gentleman; thus, they are equals and able to speak with some equanimity on all stressful subjects both current and past,” Elizabeth replied with a great deal of mirth in her tone.
“Horrible child! Now tell me where I may find Netherfield Park!”
With another exaggerated curtsey, Elizabeth explained, “Your Ladyship, Lady Catherine de Bourgh will find Netherfield Park is three miles back along the road you just journeyed. But I fear that...”
