by Kate Speck
“I missed you. I truly did.” William laughed. “How did you like my gift, Lizzy? I was not going to be here for your birthday this year but I wanted to make sure you received it on time.” William patted Lizzy’s head. “You are growing up quickly.”
Lizzy smiled as they neared Longbourn, “You never forget and I adore you for it, Will. I loved your present. Georgie had told me how generous you were but I would have never believed it until I also became the recipient of them. You’ve been so kind. I could never repay you a fraction of what you have given me but I’ll be a good friend to you forever. You’re my blood-brother and we made a blood-oath, remember?”
William laughed, “I remember, Lizzy, and I enjoy gifting you because you are my blood-brother. You never have to think to repay me for any of it, I will have you know. I would be offended if you did not accept my presents because I give it freely without expecting anything in return. Well, I do request your friendship but that is all. Well, your friendship to me and my sister, and of course your kindness to my parents is wished. So, I guess it is not so freely.” He chuckled.
Lizzy giggled, “Nothing in life is truly free, is it? But what I do give, the love and care I share with all the Darcys are given without expectation of a return. Thank you again for replica model of Lord Nelson’s ship. It has been fascinating to look at it and papa has begged me to have it kept in his study and I believe he loves it more than I, but I remind him that it is mine. I’ve been tempted to take it to the pond to see if it floats but papa would not hear of it, as it’s too valuable to ruin it and it might sink.”
“You are very welcome, dear one. I suppose I must gift you more feminine items soon but for now, Lord Nelson’s HMS Badger will do.” William responded. “Laces and feathers next year?”
“HA!” Lizzy retorted, “Only if I am allowed to give you the same in return. Did you see my poor attempt at embroidery? My Christmas gift to you was awful but mama said I had to try.”
William laughed as he pulled out his handkerchief, “I carry it with me every day and it brings a big smile to my face whenever I look at it.” He showed it to her as he asked in all seriousness, “But I wondered, is this what a ‘W’ is truly supposed to look like? I had thought it was a serpent at first.”
Lizzy laughed as she hit his arm in jest, “It is a ‘W’ and I thought it turned out fine. I couldn’t get a ‘D’ started after so you only got one letter. Perhaps by the end of this year, I can get two letters embroidered.”
The pair laughed as they dismounted and William sat with Mr. Bennet and conversed for a while. After Lizzy was ready to depart, William cheerfully took her to Netherfield, where Ghost and Honey, Lizzy and Georgiana’s ponies, were kept. Lizzy had free use of her pony and the small carriage but Mr. Darcy knew it was a financial burden to keep the two horses at Longbourn and gladly housed the animals to his home after his return from Pemberley this spring.
Lady Anne’s health had vastly improved, and although it would never be a full recovery, she was thankful that she had become well and was enjoying life once again. She was able to attend balls and parties in Pemberley during the summer, spend a few weeks in London during Easter, and reside in the blissful peace of Hertfordshire for the rest of the year. Mr. Darcy had sold off his properties in Scotland in order to purchase Netherfield for his family and he could not be happier to see his wife and children in their current situation.
Mr. Darcy hoped that in about a year when his son would complete his university education, that Fitzwilliam would be able to have his Grand Tour in Scotland and Ireland instead of the continent, and that he could splurge his wife with a trip to the oceanside as well. He had been already granted permission from Mr. Bennet to invite Lizzy to Pemberley this summer and to Ramsgate next year, and looked forward to pampering his daughter and Lizzy, who was like a daughter to him already, as much as he was able.
Chapter 3
June 1805
Pemberley was positively the most beautiful place Lizzy had ever set her eyes and she could not contain her excitement and exclaimed at every tall tree she saw as the carriage approached the grand house.
“Oh, Georgie, I thought you lived in a dark, gloomy castle with ghosts from generations before but this is what I imagine paradise to be like.” Lizzy breathed as she beheld the sight of the exquisite mansion, “It’s magnificent but inviting, and monumental but peaceful. What great blessing you have to make this your home.”
Georgiana giggled, “It’s a nice home but it’s the same to me, whether here or Netherfield or Darcy House in London. As long as my family is with me, I’m happy wherever I am. I can’t wait to show you my favourite places here, Lizzy. You will love Pemberley and Derbyshire is very beautiful.”
Lizzy squeezed her friend’s hand, “I shall be quite happy to spend the rest of my life here, Georgie. I love Hertfordshire but the landscape here is striking and I can’t imagine a more beautiful place. I’ve travelled so little and it has been thrilling to go to Kent and now Derbyshire. It’s amazing.”
Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne softly smiled at the young girl of twelve. “Mrs. Reynolds has been made aware of your preferences, Lizzy,” Lady Anne spoke, “and your rooms will be next to Georgie’s. You will have your own maid to attend you and I only ask that you have her accompany you if you should decide to head out on your own. The estate is ten miles all around and as much as I know you will wish to explore every inch of it, it would take you years to see it all and we must return you safely to Longbourn in September.”
“Aww... I understand, Mrs. Anne,” Lizzy nodded. “I do wish to see it all but I think it’ll take a month alone to get accustomed to the great house alone. It is so large! The next three months will speed away too quickly and I must slow down to enjoy every moment.”
“Do not forget,” Mr. Darcy added, “that you must continue your lessons with Miss Carter. Fitzwilliam will arrive in a week and he plans on continuing your fencing lessons but you cannot neglect your studies.” He smiled.
Lizzy nodded and looked at Miss Carter, “But of course! I’ve begun to read Isaac Newton’s works and am most eager to conduct some of my own experiments in the Laws of Physics, and Will said he’ll show me how to use a telescope when he arrives. I’m most happy to be here and I promise I’ll not get into too much trouble this time.” She beamed. “No more sarcophaguses or riding alone. I miss my horse but there will be many enjoyments here, I’m sure!”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “Your safety is a priority but you will have many amusements. There is a curricle that Fitzwilliam uses and as long as he is willing to drive my dear girls, you will be able to spend much time out of doors as you like.”
The girls looked at each other and clapped their hands in joy. “Come along now,” Lady Anne spoke. “We are here, girls, and no running, Lizzy. You are a young lady now and we will practice, even if I will allow you to wear your uncle’s old clothes occasionally.” She winked.
Lizzy agreed and stepped out of the carriage with a huge smile, imagining all the adventures she would have the next months.
~*~
“I believe you have grown even taller, Fitzwilliam,” Mr. Darcy embraced his son. “You are now well over six feet tall and you will grow more yet.”
William beamed, “I hope so, father. There is a certain satisfaction of being the tallest in the room and I can see over the heads of the crowd. I can spot people I do not wish to speak with and escape their path before they can approach me.” They both laughed. “It is good to be home, sir. I look forward to spending my time here in peace before I return for my last year at school. I cannot believe it, father. I am eager to finish my final year of schooling and I look forward to my grand tour next year. It will be an incredible journey.”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “I am very pleased to hear that you plan on travelling through England to Ireland, then Scotland to head to Sweden then return home. It will be a long journey but worth the time. I was pleased to make Mr. Knightley’s acquaintance and his sons seemed to
be very good young men when we were introduced in London. The elder son, George Knightley, is similar in his personality to you, Fitzwilliam, and he is how I would imagine you when you are older, but John Knightley has been a great friend to you at Cambridge these past years and you will have a fantastic journey with John and his uncle.”
“John is a good fellow, father. He stays away from bad influences and is aspiring to become a great barrister, perhaps a judge one day.” William answered. “I told him about your uncle Judge Darcy and John wishes to make great changes in our legal system as well, especially those regarding the crimes committed by the poor which transports them to Australia for the minutest of crimes. He is one of few friends that I trust and I am careful with those I meet.”
Mr. Darcy scowled now, “Tell me more about George Wickham, Fitzwilliam. I know you had shared with me your concerns last winter but you had not mentioned anything of it during your Easter holiday break. Has he improved now? What shall I do this autumn?”
William stood and paced in front of the unlit fireplace in his father’s study. “Father, I have been trying to be kind, I truly have, but I find him offensive and vulgar and I honestly do not believe he is making any effort to gain more than quick friends and entertainment instead of an education. I have told you about... his activities with loose women and I had heard rumours that he is responsible for...” He hesitated.
“Go on, Fitzwilliam. You can tell me anything.” His father pressed.
William took a deep breath, “He asked me for loans several times, which I did provide but ceased after the fifth time, and there are at least three maidservants at Cambridge who have accused Wickham... of impregnating them.”
Mr. Darcy sat stoically, surprised with the information but not completely unexpected, as his son had alluded to Wickham’s immoral behaviours before. “I promised Mr. Wickham that I would care for his son but I have no intentions of paying for his corrupt debaucheries. I had thought perhaps he would go into clergy and Wickham had told me himself that he was very interested in pursuing a career of goodness and morality but it seems he has gone completely the opposite.” He sighed. “How much has he borrowed from you?”
“It does not matter how much, father. I thought he had need of it and loaned it to him liberally until I realised that he was gambling it away and owed heavy debts to his friends and then I stopped.” William replied. “I will not be giving him any more from now on.”
“How much, Fitzwilliam?” His father asked again, his face reddened in anger now. “A womaniser and a gambler. I am aghast at his behaviour!”
“£600, father.” William sheepishly answered.
Mr. Darcy stood, “WHAT?! That is more than ten times many see in a year! He would be fortunate to see that much in five years as a vicar. Did you make him sign a loan note? Your allowance is for you to use as you see fit but such a sum! You are given a modest allowance now but I would have thought you would spend liberally rather than saving it.”
“You always give me too much and I had saved it for gifts and minor expenditures.” William smiled. “You know my largest expenses are for Lizzy and Georgie’s gifts.”
Mr. Darcy calmed and smiled. “Yes, son. You have always been generous to Lizzy and Georgiana and I am proud of you. You will receive your share of inheritance when you come of age and will likely have more than all of your acquaintances combined, and I am glad you are careful in your choice of friends. I had hoped George Wickham would turn out to be more like you but I was wrong. He had been diverting and had made me smile while your mother was ill and I had hoped for a secure future for him, but if he will not take the reins of his own prospects, he will have to earn it the hard way like everyone else. I will put a sum into a trust that he can withdraw in small increments so he will not be left destitute. That is all I can do for him and I will speak with him, Fitzwilliam. You shall no longer bear the burden of covering his debts. He should never have asked you and although you were being a good friend, he is not your responsibility.”
“I understand, father.” William responded. “Wickham is to go his father’s house to collect his belongings and he believes he will be residing at Pemberley until our return to Cambridge. Father,” William paused. “I have more... I am sorry, father. I have more to reveal.”
“What is it, son?” He asked.
“Wickham, father, he is blessed with such happy manners as they may ensure his making friends, but he is incapable of retaining them for long. After some of the sons of peers had found out that he was the son of a steward and cut him direct, he began to spin a story that he is secretly an illegitimate son of a very wealthy landowner and why he is able to attend Cambridge and stay in the Gentlemen Commoner’s rooms. Sir, father, I believe he is spreading... spreading gossip that, that you are his father.” He saw his father burn red in anger. “He might have told one or two of his colleagues that he is the firstborn Darcy son but because his mother was the wife of the steward, he could not be heir as he should have been. I am sorry to be bearer of such news. I had only recently heard of it when Knightley heard it from another acquaintance and told me in confidence. Knightley hates Wickham, not because of his position or being the son of a steward, but because of his lies and arrogance.”
Mr. Darcy stood to move to his desk. “I will be composing several letters, Fitzwilliam. I will keep true to my word and set up a trust for George but it will be far less than what I had originally planned. He will not be joining you at Cambridge again, unless he can afford it himself or earn a scholarship. He will not be invited to Pemberley and he has one week to pack up his father’s belongings and he will never be welcomed at Pemberley. Go and find him, son. I wish to speak with him and tell him of my decision.”
William nodded and walked to the stables to saddle his horse. He was relieved to have all of his former friend’s indiscretions in the open with his father. He did not want his parents and his sister to be exposed to such a villain and wondered if Wickham would leave willingly or if he would cause trouble.
Chapter 4
“Ahoy, up there! Who are you? Are you Georgiana’s friend?” Wickham asked from the ground. “You are up quite high in the tree, little girl, and you best come down so you do not fall. I will help you.”
“I don’t need any help,” Lizzy replied as she began to climb down. “I am Georgie’s friend and my name is Lizzy. Who are you?”
Wickham smiled at the charming girl, “I am George Wickham, a great friend to Fitzwilliam Darcy and a favourite of Mr. Darcy. I have grown up at Pemberley all of my life and climbed this very tree myself. I attend Cambridge and will become an important man someday.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you!” Lizzy responded cheerfully. “I haven’t met any of Will’s friends and I haven’t heard of your name before. You must have enjoyed growing up here. It’s so beautiful and I never wish to leave.”
“It is the best place in the world, Lizzy. Where are you from? How did you meet the Darcys?” Wickham asked. He wondered if the little girl was from a wealthy family, as her dress was dirtied from the tree but was of the highest quality and she appeared genteel.
Lizzy smiled, “I’m from Hertfordshire. My house is closest to Netherfield where the Darcys reside only three miles away and although I only travelled to London before meeting Mr. Darcy, I’ve been to Kent and now Derbyshire. I miss my family but I wish they were here with me because I love Pemberley so much.”
Wickham quirked his eyebrow, “Do you have any elder sisters? You are quite pretty. You are small but I would venture to guess you are closer to eleven or twelve?”
“I am twelve! How did you know?” Lizzy beamed. “I have an elder sister and she is the most beautiful girl in the world but papa says I’m biased because I love her so much. I know she’ll have a slew of suitors because she is very pretty. Georgie is also pretty but I think Mrs. Anne is the prettiest of them all. I hope that even with our small dow...” She turned her head when she heard a shout.
“LIZZY! Come
here right now!” William yelled from a distance atop his horse.
Lizzy’s eyebrows rose with her friend’s command. She had never heard a cross word from him before and was surprised to see him shouting as he jumped off his horse.
“Excuse me.” Lizzy quickly left Wickham’s side and ran to William. “What’s the matter, Will? Is something wrong?” She breathed out in concern.
William did not answer but protectively hid her behind him and eyed Wickham who was approaching their direction. “Father wants you, Wickham. He wishes to speak with you immediately.”
Wickham walked towards them and stopped in front of William. “Certainly. I am at his service.” He peeked behind the tall young man, “It was a pleasure, Lizzy. See you again soon.”
William waited until Wickham was at a far distance and protectively wrapped his arm around Lizzy’s shoulder. “I saw you speaking with him, Lizzy. What did he say to you? What did you say to him?”
Lizzy was still stunned to hear William’s coarse tone and answered carefully, “He said he grew up here and was a great friend to you and a favourite of your papa. He said he’ll be an important man someday after Cambridge.”
William shook his head, “That is all untrue, except for the growing up here part. What did you say to him?”
“I told him about Hertfordshire and that I was twelve and had a very pretty elder sister.” Lizzy answered. “What does that have to do with anything? Why are you in such a foul mood? He seemed pleasant and is very handsome. I wouldn’t have minded making his acquaintance longer had you not sent him away.”
“Lizzy,” William chastised her, “you do not know many people and I tell you that he is not one you wish to befriend. He may have the appearance of goodness but he is rotten inside and father will be banishing him from Pemberley.”