Chapter 19. Problems with Maids and Mrs Murray #2
“But Georgiana is not a Darcy.”
The sadness and anger of the last few days rose up, overflowing his control as a red fog took hold of William, and a moment later George Wickham was pinned against the wall, one of William’s arms pressed against his throat.
“Listen carefully George–I am rich and powerful now–the prime minister will call on me in London.” William paused, a glint in his eye as he found Wickham paying close attention.
“If you come near my sister, if you so much as whisper her name, you can easily disappear in Pemberley Woods, in the back of a nasty alley in London, or along any deserted road in England.”
Wickham swallowed and blinked before Darcy concluded, “Do not attract my attention again!”
The man nodded as he rubbed his throat once William removed his arm.
“The coach leaves the King’s Arms in an hour George. That gives you time to secure your bag from your sister’s home and depart Lambton.”
“Damn you, Darcy!” George cursed. “Why should I have to labour the rest of my life when you will sit back and collect rents?”
William laughed sourly. “George, you have no notion of the demands on my time.”
**++**
Once Wickham departed, Darcy turned to Mrs Murray, and she motioned for him to sit where Wickham had been seated. But William took the chair across the room from her with Clemmons and Tolliver standing behind him.
“I shall make every effort to be packed by the end of the month,” she said.
“Four days,” William said coldly.
“I can never...”
“Three days.” He remained cold but his presence filled the parlour with his father’s mistress seated across the room.
Upstairs the child could be heard with his nanny.
Surrendering any arguments for additional time, and fearful of the new master of Pemberley, Mrs Murray’s face grew sour, but she nodded.
William leaned forward and said, “Mr Clemmons has confirmed that my father gave you a purse of fifty pounds before he was stricken. The funds in your pocket will pay for your room and board on your journey but there will be no monies from my pocket until I hear that you have settled well in Kent.”
“I shall send a coach and four to this door in the early morning three days from today. The coachman and footmen will carry you and your son to Mayflower in Kent, a journey that will require at least five days. They will deliver you safe and then depart. At Mayflower you will find the steward and housekeeper expecting you.”
“What am I to do for a carriage?” Mrs Murray asked hotly.
“There is a carriage on the estate with a team and a coachman. Until Michaelmas, the coachman and house servants will remain in my employ. After that day, the household and all its expenses are in your purse. You will pay for all food in the house and feed for the team of horses in the stable.”
Darcy waited a moment, but the woman made no objections, and he continued, “The steward and the tenants are my responsibility. I shall tour the property at least once a year and the steward will dispense the income to you as I direct him.”
“What of my son? Mr Darcy paid for many gifts for my son before this day.”
“My sister has requested that I provide for the betterment of our father’s sons. I shall make certain the boy has the opportunity to be well-educated. I shall see to it that your son has tutors from the age of six years until the solicitors arrange for him to go to school.”
“What is the income for the estate in Kent?” Mrs Murray asked.
Darcy motioned for Mr Clemmons who replied, “The Summer Day rents were two hundred pounds.”
Mrs Murray relaxed; eight hundred pounds a year was a small fortune.
“And if I wish to live in town?” she asked. “Kent does not offer entertainments or company.”
Darcy inclined his head. “My secretary at Netherfield can find a renter for the house to add to your income with a lease. But your lodgings and expenses in town would be your concern totally and the house would not be available to you again until the lease expired.”
“I shall think on that.”
“Address your letters to Mr Lynton, my secretary at Netherfield in Hertfordshire,” Darcy said as he rose to his feet.
“Would you care to meet your brother?” she asked.
“Not today. It is too soon after my father’s passing.”
“Good day then, Mr Darcy,” Mrs Murray huffed as she dismissed the man. “Find your way out.”
**++**
Outside the door, he turned to Clemmons and said, “Your family is how large now?”
“My wife and I have three children, sir.”
“And you are still in a cottage on the estate?”
“Yes sir.”
Darcy looked over the house and then shook his head, “This house is more suitable for the secretary of Pemberley, but it is too far from the estate. Rent the property to someone.”
“Certainly sir,” Clemmons replied.
The carriage was quiet for most of the journey back to Pemberley. Mr Darcy’s dark visage dampened any topics that the other two men would have mentioned. When the carriage entered the park that would lead to the house, Darcy looked up.
“Gentlemen, I apologize for my behaviour and language in front of you–my only excuse is the many burdens I have to settle this week. You have been of great aide, and I shall remember it.”
Tolliver shook his head, “Sir, if I may say, you have prevented future problems with two personages who would welcome the opportunity to remain within your circle. By dealing with them as you have, they must chart new courses that will not cross your path more than absolutely necessary.”
“I agree with Mr Tolliver,” Clemmons said. “Mr Lynton can handle distribution of monies to Mrs Murray from the estate and you will survey the estate and house once a year. We can find reputable and reliable tutors for Mr George’s son until he is ready for school.”
“And sir, the boy will certainly benefit from your hand upon his upbringing. Mrs Murray will most likely find another gentleman and leave him at home for months at a time with only the servants. A good tutor with a family of his own will help the boy grow into a proper gentleman.”
**++**
William stood before a window in the parlour as his sister performed on the pianoforte.
Her performance was pleasant, and Mrs Annesley had provided enough conversation to keep both brother and sister involved in the discussion during supper.
Tonight, the first hint of winter seemed to be in the air and Darcy watched clouds sweep over moon and hide it.
“Brother.”
William turned slowly, his face softening slightly when he found Georgiana standing close by.
“I believe I shall say ‘good night’.”
He nodded. “It has been a long day.”
“Shall we ride together tomorrow?” she asked.
“Yes, definitely in the morning after breaking our fast,” he replied.
Grinning, she reached in for a hug that he returned before watching her hurry from the room followed by Mrs Annesley. Once she was gone, he turned back to the window for only a moment before leaving the parlour and returning to his study.
‘There were several letters I must write tonight. The steward at Rosings needs a letter in my own hand to forestall Lady Catherine’s machinations and the factor at the warehouse in town...’
**++**