Master of Netherfield: A Variation on Pride and Prejudice by Martin Hunnicutt

Author:Martin Hunnicutt
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2020-07-14T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

George Darcy’s Legacy

Word spread quickly in Lambton and Kympton of the illness of the Master of Pemberley. The tenants went about their tasks with their usual industriousness – farmers could not pause to worry or mourn with crops in the fields. The vicar in Lambton spent extra minutes in his prayers for Mr. Darcy and his family in addition to the prayers he offered for Kympton. That parish was in disarray with the parson barely tolerated in the streets.

‘And that misfortune lies at Mr. George Darcy’s feet as well,’ the vicar realized. The archbishop of York intervened at the request of the bishop as well as the vicars in Lambton, Derby and Nottingham – the scandal reached that far – to remove George Wickham from the pulpit in Kympton. The man was a scoundrel who tarnished the entire church.

More than one tongue wagged that week wondering how soon the master would pass away and the fallen woman with her natural child in residence in the great house would be sent packing. Mr. Darcy’s mistress put herself forward greatly and offended a great many neighbours but few houses dared to bar entry by George Darcy and his kept woman. The man controlled much of the wealth thereabout and all of the political power. There were four pocket boroughs in his control and the various members of Parliament in the area remained in company with their patron. The lords and other landowners cared little for Mr. Darcy’s indiscretions; they bore the company of his mistress though their wives refused to come to tea. The prime minister had even taken dinner at Darcy House in London with the woman in company though not at the head of the table.

“Will the young master arrive in time? Will that woman make off with the riches of Pemberley?” asked many townsfolk in whispers to their neighbours.

“How many wagons will she fill with furniture when she departs?” asked the servants of the great house.

And the farmers asked with worry in their voices, “What of her child? Will Mr. Darcy disinherit his son for his bastard?”

No one expected the young master to arrive in Derbyshire before Monday and so when he rode through Lambton on Saturday afternoon with only his valet as company, few people noticed. In the park the riders passed the carriage carrying the doctor returning to check on Mr. Darcy and thus William arrived at his father’s door before six of the clock on Saturday afternoon.

He banged on the door for a full two minutes before mounting his horse once again and riding around to the stables where he found stable boys. Leaving the horses in their hands, he threw a saddlebag over his shoulder and entered Pemberley through the kitchens.

“Master Fitzwilliam!” greeted the cook who recognized the young man and his valet.

“Where is my father?” he asked Mrs. Reynolds when the housekeeper came out of her office, greatly surprised to have the young man home this quickly.

“He is in the green room sir,” Mrs.

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