Chapter 14. Alterations for Christmas
When his butler brought the daily pile of letters, Master Darcy was pleased to find one from his father.
Generally, letters from Pemberley came from the steward with a request for information or directions for disposition of crops, livestock or lumber.
Leaving his business correspondence, William opened the letter from his father first. But after reading the opening paragraph, he dropped the page to the desk.
**++**
Dear Fitzwilliam and Georgiana, I know you were looking forward to my visit at Christmas, but matters have changed, and I must spend the holidays in Scotland this year.
By the time you receive my letter I shall be across the border and headed for Edinburgh.
We shall see each other next summer. I am pleased with the report you sent regarding Georgiana’s progress with her first lessons on the pianoforte.
And I shall defer to the steward for any decision to plant the new potato you have found in Hertfordshire.
Happy Christmas my dear ones! Your father
**++**
Setting the letter to one side, William said nothing to his secretary as they continued with their business for the morning. When his steward came in to discuss the farms and orders for the next few days, he told them of the alteration in the family’s plans.
“I have received a letter from my father in which he writes that he shall go to Scotland for Christmas. My sister and I shall not travel to Derbyshire this winter but remain here in Hertfordshire. Mr Lynton, you and your wife are to take the holiday as planned with your family in Buckinghamshire.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy,” Lynton replied.
“Mr Howard, I shall help with the tenants and the distribution of baskets for Christmas, so you and your wife do not have to make all the visits,” William told the man.
“You are becoming a well-respected landlord Mr Darcy,” the steward told his employer.
“Perhaps at Christmas, you and Mr Bennet can survey the farms at Lucas Lodge with Sir William and help him begin his winter ploughing and some necessary improvements on his tenant farms. There’s not a one that does not have a roof that leaks. ”
**++**
“Georgie, may I interrupt for a moment?” William asked as he came into the music room. Gathered around the pianoforte were three of the Bennet sisters with Georgiana and Nanny Brice. It appeared they were preparing to practice singing with Miss Mary Bennet playing on the pianoforte.
“Certainly William,” Georgiana replied as the girls all curtseyed politely under the eye of Nanny Brice.
“I wondered if you would care to remain at Netherfield for Christmas instead of travelling to Pemberley.”
“What of Father?”
“Father has gone to Scotland for Christmas. He had business of some kind that pulled him away from Derbyshire this year.”
Nanny Brice’s face remained still but she actually sighed in relief–letters from Mrs Reynolds confirmed that Mr George Darcy had moved his mistress into the great house shortly after Georgiana left for Hertfordshire.
Grinning Georgiana assured her brother that remaining at Netherfield would be pleasant. “And we shall practice Christmas carols to sing when we have dinner here and at Longbourn!”
“Oh yes,” Kitty agreed. “I should so like to have a concert where we sing Christmas carols for Mamma and Papa!”
**++**
Needless to say, Mrs Hobbes and Mr Nichols were pleased to have a Christmas dinner to plan for the master and his sister.
Mrs Hobbes surveyed the poultry and reported she had two large ganders they could serve at Christmas and upon Mr Darcy’s request, she also located a turkey.
Mr Nichols pretended to be scandalized to be asked to prepare a pudding with holly and fire for the Christmas dinner but secretly he planned on making one for the servants as well.
At supper with the Bennet family later in the week, William waited until after eating to ask Mrs Bennet for her assistance with planning a dinner for the local families. “I should like to have families attend a supper at Netherfield to mark my first Christmas...”
Glancing at his sister, William grinned, “...our first Christmas in the neighbourhood. I want people to bring their children, and we will open the ballroom for games and dancing after a fine supper.”
Mrs Bennet beamed as her girls chattered excitedly and Mr Bennet nodded his approval. Elizabeth seemed to enjoy the idea of dancing for once and Jane was talkative with everyone.
When the dessert was done, Mr Bennet cleared his throat and said, “A moment of your attention please. Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, daughters... Mrs Bennet and I have an announcement.”
“What is it, Papa?” asked Elizabeth with concern but her father grinned at her.
“We must ask for your congratulations it seems for my wife has given me a wonderful Christmas gift already.”
“What gift Papa?” asked Lydia, afraid she had missed a present being opened, but her father only smiled indulgently and continued.
“In the spring, Mrs Bennet will add to our family. It seems we are to have another child.”
“A baby?” asked Mary. “I do not remember Kitty or Lydia as babies.”
“I barely remember,” Jane admitted. “It has always seemed that we were all here.”
“Hard as it is to believe,” Mr Bennet said, “I remember each of you girls as babes and it seems like it was only yesterday.”
“Mrs Bennet, my sister and I would like to offer our sincerest wishes for a happy delivery!” William said awkwardly.
Mr Bennet grinned at his friend, but Mrs Bennet only smiled as she was kissed by each of her daughters and Georgiana in turn.
“Mrs Bennet, may I hold the baby when it is born?” asked Georgiana.
“Of course, my dear. You will learn to care for the baby just like all of the girls.”
“It will be a real live baby doll,” Kitty insisted.
“Will it be a boy or a girl?” asked Mary.
Mr Bennet addressed the gathering. “My dears, each of you has been a gift and precious to your Mamma and me. My only prayer is that the babe be healthy.”
**++**
As the two gentlemen separated from Mrs Bennet and the girls for a few minutes, William noticed Elizabeth hugging Georgiana closely. His sister had a few tears on her cheeks and stepping beside the two girls he asked, “Georgie, why are you crying? Are you well?”
“I...the maids at Pemberley...” Georgiana tried to speak but only began to cry in true distress. Elizabeth led the child to her mother who pulled her onto her lap and rocked her.
“There now, Miss Georgie, whatever is the matter?” Mrs Bennet asked gently.
William leaned close to hear the answer as Elizabeth waited nearby.
“The maids at my old home...they told me that I killed my mother when I was born. She was a beautiful woman, and I killed her.”
“No, no, no!” Mrs Bennet assured the little girl. “It was not your fault! Yes, it happens sometimes but I know it is not the baby’s doing. Babies are the best thing in the entire world! And Miss Georgie, I am certain your mother loved you and wanted you very much!”
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.
**++**