Page 58 of Master of Netherfield
“Aunt Catherine will attempt to force Anne forward,” Georgiana said. “But Anne has no desire to be your wife.”
“Aunt Edith will throw...” William began to say but stopped when he could not remember the younger Fitzwilliam daughter’s name.
“Cousin Abigail,” Georgiana supplied the name.
“Thank you,” he said. “Aunt Edith will throw Abigail at me.”
“Our cousins are to be pitied William,” Georgiana said. “They have no choice in their parents’ demands and must go where they are told. I suppose they must marry as directed as well.”
“I shall never force you to marry anyone Georgie,” he assured her. “He will have to win your heart and earn my approval before you marry any man.”
“Then I insist that you allow me to approve of any woman you consider bringing into our family.”
The quizzical look on her brother’s face made Georgiana laugh but she explained. “Any woman who wants to be Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy must love you and want you to be happy brother. You must have someone to support you.”
“Why do you say that, Georgie?”
“Mrs Reynolds answered many questions concerning our parents. Father and Mother were never in love and they both turned to others. It caused a great deal of trouble in their marriage,” Georgiana explained.
“You are extremely wise for fourteen years,” William observed once they were back in the saddle and turned the horses toward Pemberley.
“I have had good teachers and friends these past few years,” she replied. “And I love my brother dearly when he speaks plainly tome on important matters.”
**++**
Chapter 21.Preparations for Visitors
Early in the morning, William was in the family dining room breaking his fast when Georgiana rushed into the room, came to his side and kissed his cheek.
“Good morning brother!”
Smiling–something rarely seen on the face of the stern and busy ‘Mr Darcy’ in recent weeks, he reached up and took her hand.
“Good morning, Georgie. What notion has you so animated this early in the morning?”
“I have decided what I should like for Christmas.”
Surprise on his face, William asked, “And what is that?”
Taking a deep breath, she answered, “I should very much like to send gifts to the Bennet family.”
Now she hurried with her reasoning as she saw her brother thinking. “You said we cannot travel to Hertfordshire for Christmas and Christmas is a very important time for the Bennets. Please brother.”
“We have had three Christmases at Longbourn, and we shall miss this year,” he agreed. “It is only suitable that we send gifts.”
“Thank you! Thank you!” she squealed.
“Now, what kinds of gifts are you thinking?”
“May I go to Barnes in Lambton to find gifts?”
“I shall go with you immediately following a visit from the Pemberley steward this morning.”
“I shall...”
“First break your fast with an appropriate meal,” William directed. Georgiana did eat an adequate meal before dashing above stairs for her bonnet, gloves and a coat.
After a meeting with the steward regarding the condition of a barn and stable at the house near Kympton, William sent the footman for his coat, hat and gloves while Georgiana waited patiently at the door and soon their carriage was away from the house and in the park.
