Page 63 of Master of Netherfield
William remained silent, cutting his meat and chewing.
“Yes, the bonds of family must be renewed after the loss of one member,” Lady Edith agreed with her husband.
“Our good friends from Hertfordshire sent this ham as gift for Christmas,” William mentioned to his cousin Abigail who sat beside him though she said little. “Is it to your liking?”
“It is good,” the young woman replied carefully watching her father and mother. “I think your home is beautiful William.”
He stopped eating to look at his cousin and then quickly at his sister seated between Lyndon and Richard. Georgiana leaned toward Richard and Lyndon tried without success to capture the girl’s attention.
“Lyndon, if you cannot behave at table, you are excused to your room,” William said coldly as if his older cousin was an errant boy caught throwing his peas under the table. Richard rose and switched places with Georgiana at the end of the course, placing her beside her companion Mrs Annesley.
“William, we should speak plainly,” Lady Catherine intoned. “Your elders will advise you on the proper path forward with your life and with Georgiana’s future.”
Richard leaned over to Georgiana. “Do not worry Georgie. William and I will stand firm.”
Georgiana smiled back at her cousin and whispered, “I am not worried Richard. You do not know all but shortly William will set them to rights.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned but returned his attention to his meal. He had not had food this well prepared in many weeks of army camp and then his father’s bankrupt home.
While the servants prepared the final course–spotted dick for dessert–William signalled for the wine glasses to be filled once again.
“My father kept his wine cellar filled with fine vintages,” he commented.
“How is that possible?” asked the earl. “With the war with the Frogs, how did he get wines?”
“There were occasional years of peace and good men of business slipped in and out of French ports in mere days with holds full of wine.”
“Business!” Lord Matlock said in a disparaging tone and Lady Catherine sniffed significantly while William ignored both his aunt and uncle.
“We must speak of family, nephew,” Lady Catherine began to say before her brother interrupted once again when the footman placed the dish of pudding before him.
“William, do you not offer something other than this peasant’s dish?”
“Raisins are quite expensive sir. They come all the way from Italy with the war in Spain.”
Georgiana tackled her dish with glee as the adults continued to attempt compliments while William ignored them all. The gentlemen did not separate from the ladies after dinner, and everyone retired to the parlour for brandy or sherry.
“I say William, these are good spirits!” Richard exclaimed complimenting the brandy offered up by the butler.
“Thank you,” William replied. “It was a Christmas gift from good friends.”
“Nephew,” Lady Edith said. “We must talk plainly.”
William took a seat beside his sister with Richard on her other side to protect her.
“Shall we dismiss the companions and send Georgiana to bed?” asked Lord Matlock.
“Dismiss Anne’s companion if you wish but Mrs Annesley remains,” William said. “She advises my sister well on manners and serious matters; and I depend upon her knowing all events in our family.”
When she realized that no one would be leaving the room, the Countess of Matlock made her pronouncement plainly, “Your uncle and I propose betrothals between Abigail and yourself, and between Lyndon and Georgiana.”
Georgiana said nothing while William slowly blinked once and simply said, “No.”
“No? Is that all you can say?” the earl asked.
“No, but it is all that is necessary to be said.”
“William will marry Anne!” insisted Lady Catherine though no one paid her any attention and Anne signalled for a footman to bring her another thimble of brandy.
