Darcy's driver knew enough of his master's habits that he didn't need to be told to stop at the top of the rise; he did so automatically.
Darcy stepped down from the coach and gazed down at his property. The sun was at it's highest zenith blazing down at the lake that was such an integral part of the estate; it's brilliance lit it's facade with hundreds of flaming mirrors, dazzling the beholder. Darcy felt his soul glow as his eyes moved over the forests and gardens that made Pemberley so beloved by everyone who was fortunate to visit this great estate. Pemberley had stood here for several centuries mastered by many rulers, some nondescript and some heroic. It had endured through plague, famine and many wars.
It had been almost three days since he had first read Richard's letter and for the last three nights he had wept for his father. For the past three days, tears were never far away. But now his mourning had to end. He was now the master of this beautiful land and of all those who nourished it. And he must put aside his own grief so he could comfort his sister Georgianna. That was paramount for now. He climbed back into the coach and slammed the door. Gently, the carriage began it's descent as it slowly circled the lake and approached Pemberley House.
Georgianna flew down the hall and threw herself at her brother. "Wills," she sobbed, "oh, Wills."
Darcy clasped his sister tightly in his arms, murmuring words of comfort and love. "hush, dear girl, I'm here now. All will be well. I promise."
"It was so terrible. Father fell and then he couldn't stand up. His arm and leg wouldn't work. Richard had to carry him to his room. I was so afraid."
"I know, Georgie, I know." He looked closely at his sister, seeing the red rimmed eyes and the dark circles marring her youth. "When did you sleep last?"
The girl shrugged, "I sleep a little. I just wanted you to be here."
"Well, I'm here now, Georgie, and you must take care of yourself. You wouldn't have me worrying about you too, would you?"
Georgianna shook her head, "Of course not, Wills."
"Will you try to get some sleep, dearest? I'd feel so much better if I know you're well. And I must talk to Richard."
She nodded. "I really am tired. But you won't leave again, will you? I couldn't bear it if you were gone when I woke up."
"I promise you, dearest, that I won't be leaving home for a long, long time."
In the library Richard handed Darcy a glass of wine. "How are you holding up?"
Darcy shrugged, "like I've been pole-axed" he said. "I take it that a stroke felled him?"
Richard nodded. "I'd been at Matlock visiting my parents. Heading back to Town, I stopped here to spend the night. Uncle looked fine, or at least as well as he's looked in the past two years. But then at dinner I noticed his hand was shaking so hard he could hardly hold his fork. I asked him about it but he just shrugged. Then in the middle of a sentence, he stood, walked a few steps, then down he went. I carried him to his room and called for a doctor. It took nearly an hour before the doctor came. Naturally, Georgianna was hysterical, and truth to say, I wasn't much better."
Was he able to speak?"
Richard shook his head. "Not until some hours had passed after the doctor had left, promising to return in the morning. Mrs. Worthing, Georgianna's companion, immediately took charge of Georgianna , while I never left my Uncle's side. Suddenly he woke up and looked at me and said my name. He spoke clearly and asked if you were here? When I told him you were still at Cambridge, he said, 'oh, of course. But he'll be back soon. Such a good boy. I've missed him.' Then he was gone. I couldn't believe it.!"
Darcy's eyes welled up with tears. "I'm glad you were with him, Richard. If I could not be with him, I'm glad it was you. He was very fond of you."
The cousins lapsed into silence sipping their wine. Finally Richard broke the silence. "Darcy, I hate to tell you this, but now that you're here, I'm going to have to leave in the morning. I've got to get back to Newcastle."
"Of course, Richard. I understand. Georgianna and I will be fine. But you will keep in touch?"
"You know I will. And if I'm not sent to France, I'll probably be able to get back here at the end of August."
Once Richard had departed, Darcy allowed himself the pleasure of his sister's company for the next several days. They walked the grounds every day talking and even laughing as they reestablished the friendship that had always been an integral part of their relationship despite the age difference of almost twelve years. At the age of ten, Georgianna played the pianoforte beautifully and enjoyed playing for her brother no more than he enjoyed listening to her.
They went daily to the mausoleum where their parents were interred and said a prayer which gave them both comfort. Georgianna wanted to know if they were together now? Darcy could only reply that loves lasts an eternity. " Like my love for you " he said, hugging her. "No matter what mischief you get into, I'll always love you, little Georgie."
"I would rather die than make you unhappy, Wills."
His little sister was so serious, Darcy laughed out loud. "Everyone gets into mischief at least once in a while, Georgie. Richard and I were always up to something when we were young."
"Like what?"
"Well, there was the time when we stole a bottle of father's best brandy and got sick as dogs."
Georgianna was shocked. "Were you caught?"
We didn't think so at the time, but father knew, alright. He never said a word, but at dinner he kept asking minute questions of how we had spent the morning and insisted that we answer fully. At one point, he told me I was slurring my words and I must learn to enuciate more clearly. About that time,Richard fell off his chair but father didn't seem to notice as he kepttelling me to speak up. Once Richard managed to crawl back into his chair, father insisted that he needed more mint sauce for his lamp chop and I needed more gravy on my potatoes."
Georgianna was laughing hardily at the thought of her cousin Richard falling off his chair at dinner and their father pretending not to notice andDarcy laughed with her.
A week after his return to Pemberley, Darcy began the serious work of managing Pemberley but always allowing time for his sister.
Darcy worked at creating a routine much as he had arranged his study routine at Cambridge. Mornings were devoted to bookkeeping and consultations with his new steward, John Hoskins; then he finished up with his correspondence. As the weeks slipped by he noticed that the letters he was receiving had increased to include invitations to dinners and parties in Town and in Derbyshire. Word had spread that the new master of Pemberley had graduated from Cambridge and would now be considered to be a most eligible bachelor.
Most days he managed a long ride looking for trouble spots on the property. He began to learn the names of all his tenants and whether they were taking full advantage of the land they were renting. He read books on rotation farming and the best way to cope with drainage problems. Nothing escaped his attention and always he never forgot to spend time with Georgianna. They were the best part of his day. He loved sitting in the music room listening to her music.
One day late in August, Captain Richard Fitzwilliam arrived much to the delight of Georgianna who rushed to greet him. He grabbed her and swung her around. "how's my little lady?" he cried. "Are you behaving yourself?"
"Always," she laughed. " My brother would not have it any other way"
Her brother stood at the top of the steps watching the two most beloved figures in his life. "How are you Richard?" he asked as the cousins ascended the steps arm in arm.
"Thirsty, Darcy. Thanks for asking. "
Brother and sister glanced at each other and laughed.
Richard had a way about him that was impossible not to love. He was like a naughty, incorrigible child who was always plotting some intrigue and rubbing his hands together in happy anticipation. He entertained Darcy and Georgianna with his outlandish description of his general and that man's idiosyncrasies. Of course, Georgianna believed everything her darling cousin said, while Darcy viewed it all with a jaundiced eye.
After dinner, Georgianna played for them for about an hour before retiring to her rooms. The cousins sat for a while in a comfortable silence deep in their own thoughts.
"Will you be coming into Town at Christmas?" Richard asked.
"No, I don't believe I will. We'll spend the holidays quietly at home this year."
"Will you be bring Georgianna to Kent at Easter?"
"No, I think it's time she have a new music master. I'll be bringing her into Town."
"Speaking of Town, I had the pleasure of dining with Bingley at his new home."
"How is he?
"Very well. So is his sister Caroline."
Darcy choked on his wine. "What?"
Richard smiled. "A Venus fly trap if I ever saw one. Utterly charming."
"Richard! What are you up to?"
Richard laughed softly. "Nothing at all. Once she realized that I was only the younger son, I was dismissed. However, she was most interested in you. She wanted to know everything about you including your favorite foods and drink. That her questions were impertinent and invasive didn't seem to cross her mind. She wanted to know everything about Georgianna and especially she wanted to know everything about Pemberley. Naturally I laid it on rather thick. I believe I even intimated that you were lonely and would soon be actively seeking a wife."
"Richard!"
Richard laughed, "I suppose that was a bit unkind, but I wanted to see her reaction."
"What was her reaction?"
"I swear she licked her chops."
Darcy laughed despite his annoyance. "I can handle her. At least I can if you stay out of it."
"Have you had any practice? Have you ever been with a woman?"
Darcy reddened, "now who's being impertinent?"
"You're two and twenty, Darce, it's time you gain some experience."
"And how do you propose I gain experience? Can you see me entering a brothel? Is that what you have in mind?" Darcy shuddered. "I don't think so."
"You've just proved my point, Darce," Richard responded. "I've never been to a brothel in my life and never will. But there are many other ways to satisfy your curiosity."
"Courtesans?"
Richard nodded, "The ton is full of women just itching to get their hands on an important man like you. They're always beautiful and always delighted to instruct. You ease your loneliness and satisfy your desires. In exchange, you pay their rent and buy them little trinkets."
"And exactly where does love fit into this scenario?"
"It doesn't! It will simply keep you out of trouble. Meeting with Miss Caroline Bingley reminded me of just what you'll be up against when you begin to take your place in society. There will be countless invitations to dinners and balls, and the mothers will be relentless in their attempts to lure you into marriage with their daughters. It can be very dangerous for a man of your age to be in a ballroom surrounded by dozens of beautiful women. The décolletage on some of the gowns can be downright alarming. Little is left to the imagination. It is sometimes imperative that you have an outlet to relieve your tension. And," Richard added with a leer, "It's more fun with a woman."
Darcy rolled his eyes and sighed. "I suppose I might think about it."
"That's all I ask."
Richard left Pemberley a week later and headed back to Newcastle. He had lightened Darcy's and Georgianna's spirit significantly as he always did. Their consolation for his loss was the knowledge that they would see him again in April when he and Darcy were to travel to Kent and visit their Aunt Catherine.
In the months that followed Richard's departure for Newcastle Darcy worked unceasingly. He became a well-known figure as he rode every day examining every square acre of his property. One day he came upon a small, useless piece of land. It's only saving grace was the setting; it sat nearby a wide bend in the large creek. He kept in mind the parcel of land hoping that one day he might find a use for it.
In December Darcy and Georgianna passed out the parcels of food and sweets to their tenants. He supplied several kegs of ale for the servant's ball which was to be held on the last day of the month. There were no decorations in the main rooms as brother and sister were not in a festive mood; it was their first Christmas without their father and their loss was still keenly felt. The holidays came and went and life went on.
By the time March came he began to prepare for their removal to Town. He now felt confident that Pemberley was in good hands and if any problems arose he would be able to handle it by post.