Father
Darcy sat and stared at the letter for some minutes before he moved.
His father had been wise to inform him of his choice of guardians for Giana and his reasons for them. Now that he was able to cogitate further on his father’s words, he determined his father had made the only choice he could for Giana’s wellbeing. He had learnt all about managing the estates andholdings since his mother had passed away, but that came at the expense of time with his sister and other family members.
As his father told him he could, he would mourn for a year, half in deep mourning and the rest in half mourning, then he would begin to follow Father’s advice.
William Darcy stood, straightened his jacket, and made his way towards the parlour where his aunt, uncles, sister, and cousins were awaiting him.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elaine and Reginald Fitzwilliam were not surprised they had been named guardians of Giana given they were also presented with a letter which expressed their late brother’s thinking about them, and not William being Giana’s guardians. This letter too was in Simmons’s hand but dictated and signed by their late brother.
During the reading of the will, Georgiana sat holding Anne’s hands for support.
As the letter had laid out, there were no other surprises in the will, save one small one. Like Hodges, he left Simmons a sum so he could retire. If was obvious he did not feel comfortable having his secretary write about a bequest to himself. One thing Darcy had not been aware of, but applauded his father for, were the restrictions placed on Giana’s dowry of thirty thousand pounds if she married without her guardian’s permission.
With everyone agreeing they had no questions for him, the solicitor withdrew.
Once the door closed a timid Georgiana approached her brother. “William, I am happy to be Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie’s ward, but did you not want me to live with you?” she asked tearfully.
Darcy went down onto one knee so he was able to look his sister in the eyes. “No sweetling, never think that, because it is not at all true,” Darcy assured his sister. “Do you rememberI told you I was unaware Father was ill?” Georgiana gave a watery nod. “It was only in a letter Mr. Rumpole presented to me before the reading of the will, I was informed why Father chose Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie as your guardians. My first reaction was hurt pride, but the more I read his words regarding his choice, the more I could see the logic behind it. It has nothing to do with you not being wanted. It is simply what serves your best interests, and in that, I agree with our father’s wishes. Aunt and Uncle are the perfect guardians for you.” He paused. “Had Father named me guardian, I would have happily filled that role.”
“Thank you for telling me that,” Georgiana responded. Knowing William was not rejecting her made her feel infinitely better. She threw her arms around her brother’s shoulders and kissed his cheeks.
He stood up and looked at those in the room. “This I promise you before all of our family who is present,” Darcy turned his hand palm up and swept it around the room indicating all who were there, “you will see me as much as you desire. We must all mourn in our own ways, but thereafter I intend to re-enter society.”
There were nods of approval from all in the room.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The following morning, subsequent to his meeting with his father’s secretary who did in fact choose to retire, Darcy was seated at his desk studying a ledger when there was a knock at the door. Responding to the master’s summons to enter, Reynolds did so and stopped in front of the desk.
“Mr. Wickham is asking to see you,” the butler intoned.
“Although I am unaware of a planned meeting with the steward, please have him come see me,” Darcy stated.
“It is the younger Mr. Wickham,” Reynolds reported with obvious distaste.
“Please informthatman my father’s rules about himentering the park and the house have not changed,” Darcy shot back.
“He stated he expected you would say that and claims he only wants to condole with you, Sir,” the butler reported.
As much as he did not want to see his former friend, Darcy knew it would be churlish of him to deny the man the ability to deliver his sympathies in person. Then again knowing the younger Wickham’s penchant for bending the truth, he did not trust the man’s motives.
“Reynolds, please have my uncles join me here. Once they are present, you may show George Wickham into the study,” Darcy instructed. The butler bowed and left the room to carry out his charge.
Not long after, Darcy was joined by his two uncles. Seeing the questioning looks he explained why he had requested their presence. Uncle Reggie took a seat on the settee between the windows, while Uncle Lewis sat on a wingback chair opposite. A minute later George Wickham was shown into the new master of Pemberley’s study.
Until he saw Lord Matlock and Sir Lewis seated in the study with the prig, George had felt confident he would be able to manipulate his erstwhile friend in case he had been omitted from the old man’s will.
“Wickham, say what you came to say and then leave,” Darcy commanded. “After today, if you contravene the rules of not approaching the park or our house as my father instituted, and I am continuing, you will be arrested for trespassing.”
“Is that a way to welcome an old friend who has come to condole with you?” Wickham drawled.
“Young Wickham, you sound as delusional as ever. Did you forget you were trying to undermine William’s position with his father,” Lord Matlock barked.
“That was but a youthful indiscretion,” George hedged.
