William stepped close to take his sister into his arms and then sit in one of the chairs. “It is true Georgie. I was younger than Miss Elizabeth when I was told that my mother was to have another child. She was very excited and loved you even before you came. She made clothes for you to wear and picked out your name and told me all the things I was to do as the big brother. When she died, I was very sad but Mrs. Jennings brought you to me and we sat and held you for hours while you slept that first night.”
“Did she love me?” Georgiana asked.
“Yes,” William answered.
“Come Miss Georgie, we shall go into the parlour for a few minutes and sing some Christmas Carols. When Mr. Bennet and Mr. Darcy join us, we shall all sing together.”
“Yes, please Mrs. Bennet,” the girl said after sliding off her brother’s lap and taking Elizabeth’s hand as they left for the parlour.
**++**
“Why would anyone say such a thing to a child?” William asked Mr. Bennet in his library shortly thereafter.
Handing his guest a thimble of brandy, Mr. Bennet shook his head. “A moment of restlessness on the maid’s part or a resentment against your sister’s position. Servant’s gossip is often very hard within a family.”
“There is enough of that at Pemberley now,” William said bitterly but Mr. Bennet did not inquire. “It is a relief not to have to deal with my father’s arrangements and I am glad to be here for Christmas.”
“My brother Gardiner from London comes tomorrow. You will like him and I hope we can discuss business a few times. He has investment opportunities that might interest a young man such as yourself.”
“I should be pleased to meet your brother sir.”
“And his young wife is from Lambton,” Bennet said. “My sister Gardiner is the daughter of a Mr. Barnes, a merchant in the town.”
“They are a most pleasant family and he is a very honest merchant sir,” William replied as he only imagined how his Fitzwilliam relatives would react to hear he would dine with the daughter of a merchant from the village.
**++**
Georgiana was sleepy in the carriage after the entertainments at Longbourn. William kept her at his side during the journey home to Netherfield and carried her inside the house and up the stairs to her room where a bemused nanny waited.
“She will bathe in the morning, sir,” Nanny Brice assured him as she changed the young girl’s clothing for a nightgown.
“Nanny,” William asked. “Who were the maids that attended my sister at Pemberley?”
Nanny Brice looked up and saw the young master’s eyes were intent. “I believe Mrs. Reynolds is the lady with whom you should make your inquiries sir. I know she changed the girls assigned to Miss Darcy’s rooms last year about this time.”
“Thank you, Nanny,” William told her. “Your care of my sister is much appreciated.”
**++**
In Hertfordshire, Mrs. Bennet asked, “Elizabeth, what shall we give Mr. Darcy for Christmas?”
This conversation occurred the morning the Gardiners were to arrive at Longbourn.
“I have asked cook to prepare a ham for supper tonight – I know my brother and Mr. Darcy both like the ham that cook prepares. We have sheet music for Miss Georgie but what shall we give to her brother?”
Noticing her usually talkative daughter was quiet, Mrs. Bennet waited until Elizabeth went to her sewing basket and presented her mother with a half dozen pieces of cloth. “I have made these handkerchiefs for Mr. Darcy. His valet told Georgie he likes muslin handkerchiefs and he needs new ones.”
“These are very nice work Lizzy,” Mrs. Bennet complimented her daughter. As Mrs. Bennet turned them around she found the embroidery work in the corners – a bow and a pair of arrows on each handkerchief.
“These stitches are very fine!” she told her daughter without embarrassing her on the subject matter. “Very nice embroidery.”
“Truly, Mamma?” Elizabeth asked. “I tried very hard to use small stitches.”
“Even your Aunt Gardiner would be impressed.”
Elizabeth was pleased with her mother’s praise and only hoped Mr. Darcy would be appreciative and notice. Since late summer, Mrs. Bennet watched her growing daughter experience her first infatuation with a gentleman and the mother decided to allow nature to take its course.
**++**
Mr. Bennet enjoyed the banter between his brother and his neighbour. Gardiner and William agreed on Prime Minister Grenville’s war policies but disagreed on the restrictions for import of corn.
“As long as Parliament blocks the import of grains from other countries, the price of bread will remain high. My workers have trouble feeding their families and keeping a roof over their heads with their wages.”
“Then raise your wages,” William said.
“Not if I want to make a profit,” Edward replied. “I have to pay taxes to support His Majesty’s armies and navy.”
The conversation turned to ideas for investments in a couple ventures for sailing ships headed for India and the Dutch East Indies, a manufacture in Liverpool for cloth, and property for sale in Devon.
At some point, William pulled out one of his new handkerchiefs and Mr. Bennet grinned. “I see you have continued your appreciation of the tales of Robin Hood.”
Blushing William folded and returned the cloth to his pocket. “I have indeed, Bennet. My sister has asked that I obtain a copy of the tales for our library. Miss Elizabeth has woven several tales that have captured Georgiana’s attention.”
“I hope you will take care with my daughter’s attention,” Mr. Bennet said. “She views you as an older brother now and she is only fifteen years.”
“I shall be most careful sir,” William replied.
**++**
Chapter 15
Lady Catherine’s Horses
Spring arrive quickly after winter and during the days when the farmers were in the fields sewing grain, Mrs. Bennet found the time of her confinement upon her. A boy from the stable was sent into fields to locate Mr. Bennet and the coachman was sent to Meryton to bring the midwife to Longbourn. Kissing her daughters, Mrs. Bennet sent them out the door to walk to Netherfield to visit with Georgie and Nanny Brice while their mother was delivered of her sixth child.
Jane and Elizabeth led their sisters across the fields and meadows for the long walk between the manor houses but they paused to pick flowers, laugh at the antics of lambs playing in the pasture and watch birds so that they arrived without the youngest being exhausted. Upon reaching the great house, the five sisters went above stairs to the music room where Georgiana practiced a new song on the pianoforte. Mary and Kitty immediately joined her on the bench while Jane saw to Lydia, and Elizabeth explained their presence to Nanny Brice.
“Forgive us Nanny,” Elizabeth explained. “Mother sent the carriage to fetch the midwife and our father is in the fields with the tenants.”
“There is nothing of concern Miss Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy and your father spoke to me and I know you are to remain here until the babe is born.”
While Nanny went to speak to Mr. Nichols to prepare for five additional young ladies for luncheon, Mary and Georgiana went to the library for the new book with the tales of Robin Hood. Kitty continued playing the pianoforte and Lydia stood next to the instrument singing with Jane.
Elizabeth spent a few moments at the window looking out over an expanse of fields forming a patchwork quilt. Patient horses pulled small carts of seeds as men and boys walked back and forth, scattering seeds with each movement of their arms.
Her thoughts were with her mother and she hated being too young to be of assistance today. Someone needed to be there to wash and swaddle the baby. And she worried about her mother even though Mrs. Bennet assured her repeatedly that she would be well.
“Lizzy, I have had five confinements and each one has been easier that the last. This baby will arrive with no trouble, I am certain.”
**++**
Interrupting
her thoughts, a commotion in the hallway brought Elizabeth to the door where she find Mrs. Hobbes standing at the top of the stairs attempting to block someone from coming up the stairs.
“Madam, the master is in the fields. You will wait in the parlour while he is summoned to attend you!”
“I shall do no such thing! I am Lady Catherine de Bourgh, almost Mr. Darcy’s closest relation. I shall see my niece Georgiana now!”
“Mr. Darcy was most explicit madam after your last visit. You are not to have run of the...”
Elizabeth saw the tall older woman push Mrs. Hobbes aside and gain the top of the stairs. Only a single footman followed the woman though shouts from below stairs led Elizabeth to think the second footman was dealing with the Netherfield footmen.
“Where is my niece?” Lady Catherine demanded of Mrs. Hobbes.
To distract the woman, Elizabeth slammed the door to the music room and turned to her sisters. “Do you remember...?”
But before she could say more, the door opened and the footman entered the chamber, followed by Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
**++**
“Georgiana! Come and greet me properly,” Lady Catherine announced as she stared at Kitty. Frozen in her place, Kitty’s eyes grew large as the tall, grey haired lady approached the pianoforte. Lydia looked fearfully at the lady and her footman while Jane moved to intercept the woman.
“Madam, you are mistaken. This is my sister, Catherine Bennet. Your niece...”
“Is with her brother in the fields,” Elizabeth interjected. “She wished to ride with him this morning.”
“Nonsense,” the woman insisted. “This is my niece. I am her mother’s sister and would know her in any crowd of the proper folk.”
Lady Catherine paused to glance at the other children in the room and asked, “Who are you and why are you in my niece’s classroom?”
“Lady Catherine, my sisters and I are friends with Miss Darcy,” Jane explained.
“Nonsense I tell you!” the irate woman stepped closer to the pianoforte and grabbed Kitty’s arm. “This is my niece. She will come away with me...”
Catherine Bennet took only a moment to draw breath before she screamed; a petrifying cry filled with fear that angered Lady Catherine.
“Georgiana, stop this caterwauling this instant!” the woman commanded as she jerked on Kitty’s arm distressing the confused child even more. Jane and Elizabeth both sprang forward to protect their sister while Nanny Brice ran into the room with Mrs. Hobbes.
The footman attempted to come around the pianoforte to assist his mistress but Jane tripped him and then kicked him in that tender region that incapacitated men so completely. Elizabeth reached Kitty but before she could intervene, Kitty bit Lady Catherine’s arm.
“Oh!” exclaimed Lady Catherine as she released Kitty’s arm and stepped backwards where she fell against the pianoforte and lost her hat and her wig.
A Netherfield footman arrived in the room at that moment to deal with Lady Catherine’s footman properly while Nanny Brice and Mrs. Hobbes pulled the older woman away from the sisters.
“Unhand me!” Lady Catherine demanded. “I am...”
“We know Your Ladyship!” Nanny Brice yelled. A second footman arrived and the three of them forced the woman to a bedchamber and leaving her there, they returned to the hallway where upon Mrs. Hobbes locked the door. The angry woman inside the locked room pounded on the door but no one dared to open it again.
“Remain here and do not allow anyone inside until Mr. Darcy arrives with direction,” Mrs. Hobbes ordered the footman while Nanny Brice hurried back to the music room where Jane and Elizabeth were huddled together with Kitty and Lydia.
“Are you well child?” she asked while attempting to count heads. Then she asked, “Where is Miss Georgiana?”
Elizabeth looked up and rose, “Georgie and Mary went to the library for additional music.”
Running from the room, Elizabeth hurried down the stairs in a very unladylike manner with Nanny Brice not far behind while Mrs. Hobbes escorted Jane, Lydia and Kitty downstairs.
The footmen were missing from the foyer and Elizabeth did not give it a moment’s thought before running down the hallway to the library. Flinging open the door, she called, “Mary! Georgie! Where are you?”
Standing in a corner with a heavy candlestick in his hands, Mr. Darcy’s secretary prepared to defend the two young girls huddled together behind him.
“Lizzy!” called both girls who ran around their defender to be engulfed in Elizabeth’s arms.
“Are you well?” Elizabeth asked as she examined both girls. Nanny Brice arrived and she also made certain that the girls were whole before she turned to collapse on the sofa for a moment. Mrs. Hobbes led the remaining girls into the room before shutting and locking the door. All six girls gathered with Nanny Brice on the sofa and began to weep with relief.
“What happened?” asked Mary when she could speak.
“Georgie’s aunt Lady Catherine came to visit and she thought Kitty was Georgiana. She grabbed Kitty’s arm and then Kitty screamed!” Elizabeth explained.
“She frightened me!” explained Kitty.
“And then Kitty was very brave...” Jane left the others in suspense for a moment before adding, “She bit Lady Catherine and made her release her grip on her arm.”
Elizabeth had to add a comment. “Kitty’s bite so affected Lady Catherine that she fell back on the pianoforte where she lost her hat and her wig. She looked very strange indeed.”
Georgiana was the first to giggle; an infectious sound that was soon duplicated by Jane, Mary, Elizabeth, Lydia and finally Kitty. Even Mrs. Hobbes and Nanny Brice joined in the mirth that lasted for many minutes until they heard someone knocking on the library door.
Mr. Lynton who had made certain the young ladies were left undisturbed now opened the door to allow the master of Netherfield into the room. Upon seeing her brother, Georgiana broke into tears once more followed by Kitty, Lydia, Mary, and Mrs. Hobbes. Nanny Brice hiccupped and was most embarrassed while Elizabeth managed to hold back her tears though she moved to stand close to William.
When neither of the adult women could speak clearly and Mr. Lynton explained he had no first-hand knowledge of the commotion above stairs, William turned to Elizabeth for an explanation of the events.
“Your aunt arrived and when she came into the music room, she mistook my sister Kitty for Georgiana. She laid hands on Kitty and said things that scared her. She wanted Kitty to ‘come with her’ and jerked her arm. Something no one at Longbourn would ever do.”
“Miss Catherine, are you well?” Mr. Darcy inquired as he would of any child.
Kitty nodded but she said, “I would very much like to see my Papa and Mamma, please.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am very proud to say that Kitty defended herself and bit Lady Catherine’s arm to make the lady release her hold,” Elizabeth told him.
“She bit Lady Catherine?” William asked in his most solemn and severe tone. Elizabeth moved to stand in front of her little sister – no one would chastise Kitty for defending herself.
Mr. Darcy knelt on one knee before the sofa, took Kitty’s hand in his and asked, “Miss Kitty, how did Lady Catherine taste?”
The little girl was wide-eyed for a moment but then she saw him grinning and Elizabeth was giggling again. All of the adults began to laugh and Jane and Lizzy both hugged her. After a few moments, William looked at Mr. Lynton. “Would you be so good as to find a stable boy and send him to summon Mr. Bennet? Miss Elizabeth, where is your father this afternoon?”
“He will be in the fields or at the house sir. Our mother has reached her time and she is...”
“Then we must make certain that all is well,” William said as he took Kitty into his arms and comforted her alongside Georgiana.
“No one will harm you Miss Kitty! I promise,” William assured the girl. “Your father will come for you shortly and all will be well – I shall make certain of it!”
/> **++**
“Shall we all venture into the kitchens?” William asked.
“The kitchens sir?” asked Mrs. Hobbes.
“My aunt would never venture into the kitchens and I believe we shall be safe there. And I am certain Mr. Nichols and the undercook can provide tea and cake.”
With his sister and the younger girls occupied with the refreshments, William turned to his housekeeper and his sister’s nanny for more details of his aunt’s arrival and venture into his house. When he had their recounting of events, he motioned the two eldest Bennet sisters to his side where he asked them to once more tell him of the event.
At the conclusion of the interviews, William shook his head and said, “You were both proper in your actions. Miss Bennet, who taught you to ‘disarm’ a man in such a manner?”
“Our father told us sir,” Jane explained. “We are not defenceless.”
“I must remember to tell my sister someday,” he told them but to his surprise, the two girls grinned.
“We shall tell Georgie when she is a few years older,” Elizabeth volunteered. Then she teased, “Papa was very red when he explained the movement, much like you are now sir.”
Darcy nodded in thanks. Satisfied he had the basic events; he drained a cup of tea and asked his footmen for the location of his aunt’s footmen.
“They are both locked up in the cellar sir. The empty cheese room – they can’t get their hands on anything of value.”
**++**
William climbed the staircase with Mrs. Hobbs at his side. At the door to the bed chamber were his aunt was confined, he nodded for the footman to move to the side. He did not knock but merely unlocked the door and stepped inside followed by his two servants.
Lady Catherine sat silently in a chair before the cold fireplace.
“Your hospitality is lacking nephew,” the woman said.
“Mrs. Hobbes would you be so kind as to throw open the draperies. This room is entirely too dark for my liking.”
The housekeeper drew open the curtains on both large windows and William was able to clearly see his aunt –without her wig she appeared to be much older than he had previously thought.
Master of Netherfield Page 10