Page 62 of Master of Netherfield
Once Adams closed the door, Darcy greeted his mother’s relatives while Georgiana watched them carefully. Only Colonel Fitzwilliam seemed genuinely glad to see them. The girl spoke to each relative but took Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm, saying, “Come Richard, allow me to show you to your room.”
“I say Georgiana, I take precedence over Richard!” the viscount complained.
“In my father’s house while we are mourning his passing, I shall take the arm of my guardian,” Georgiana explained. “There is no one here to see my give my arm to the younger brother.”
“Surely it is time to end the mourning,” Lady Catherine exclaimed. “It has been months since...”
“The household is in mourning,” William said. “Now, we shall show you to your rooms to rest for a time. We dine at eight.”
“I remember my way to the family rooms,” Lady Edith replied.
“But you are staying in the guest wing,” Georgiana said. “I decided that those rooms were better suited for your stay.”
“I have my own requirements...” Lady Catherine replied but once again William interrupted his aunt.
“My sister decides these matters in this house.”
He smiled coldly at his relatives. “You will be in the guest wing.”
**++**
In the parlour before William and Georgiana arrived for dinner, Earl Matlock, the Countess and Viscount met before the bright fire with tumblers of whiskey in their hands. The countess watched her husband swirling his liquor and waited. Lyndon was quiet and waited for his parents to begin.
“The boy will be difficult to manage,” Matlock finally said. “He has his father’s temper for certain.”
“I believe we can cajole him to accept Abby and betroth Lyndon to Georgiana before Christmas breakfast,” Lady Edith said. “They are both still in mourning and if we play upon the sentiments of family, they will agree to our suggestions.”
Lyndon shook his head. “You underestimate William and my brother. I believe Uncle George names Richard as guardian along with William and my brother will not agree to the betrothal.”
“Richard will do as I wish if he wants his allowance to continue,” Matlock announced.
“No, I shall not,” announced a new voice from the doorway. Looking around the three seated individuals saw Colonel Fitzwilliam striding into the parlour. “And it is damn cold here in the north.”
“Richard you should not be eavesdropping.”
“And you should not be plotting, Mother,” her second son scolded. “The Darcys will best the Fitzwilliam family this Christmas as they have for the last twenty-five years. Once Uncle George discovered that his bride was as faithless as her brother and sister to their spouses, he stepped back and allowed you to ruin yourselves.”
“Richard, we are almost bankrupt,” Lyndon explained. “If William married Abby and I married Georgiana, we would be flush again.”
“Until Father gambled it away or you spent it on your horses,” Richard said. “No. The Humphries family no longer receives any Fitzwilliam, and your eldest daughter is a prisoner until she bears a son to carry on the family name.”
“What are we to do?” asked the countess.
“My father can stop gambling; my brother can sell his horses, and you can relinquish your position as a leader of fashion. Work your estates–Lyndon do you even know how many acres are planted each spring?”
“It matters little how many fields are planted,” Lyndon replied.
Richard shook his head as the door opened once again for William and Georgiana’s entrance. This ended the unpleasant conversations, and the family adjourned to the dining room. After the first course completed, footman opened the door of the room again to allow Lady Catherine, Anne and Mrs Jennings to enter.
“You sat table without us?” the lady asked in genuine surprise.
Darcy rose to his feet and motioned to the table, “As you were told, the meal began promptly at eight. It is now half past, and you have missed the first course Aunt. It was the white soup you so enjoy.”
“This is most irregular William,” Lady Catherine said. “My room is barely acceptable, Anne is cold, and the food is not at all what I can digest.”
“Adams, make certain my cousin’s room has a good fire and bring her a shawl to wear.” Darcy directed his cousin to an empty chair nearest the fireplace. Then he returned to his seat, leaving Lady Catherine to be assisted into her chair by a footman.
“William, we have been talking during our journey to Pemberley,” Lord Matlock said as the second course arrived. “We wish to strengthen the bonds of family between us.”
