by Kate Speck
“Your mind is made up, then?” Richard asked. “You will take Lizzy for your wife? She is still a fiery little thing but turned out to become a beautiful woman. Her figure... wow... if I were not an engaged man...” He laughed to see William reddening. “I jest, I jest! I am far too old for her!”
William finally relaxed and sat back. “Yes, you are, Richard, and I will not lose her to anyone else. Father said mama has been working on her to convince her to find a husband and I know she will accept me. She will have much to learn to be a good mistress to my homes but she is intelligent and will be a quick study. Yes, it is a good plan, do you concur?”
Richard nodded, “Perhaps you and I will both be wed by next year spring. After my year is up, I plan on retiring and Laura will marry me next year. I saw her at Matlock and she is as beautiful as ever and I was able to convince her to marry me. Our betrothal is still a secret but once I retire, I will have Rosings and my father, the great earl, will not be able to stop me. I know he will disapprove my marrying Anne’s companion with a scandalous past but I care naught and Laura will become the Mistress of Rosings when we return there.” He laughed. “It will cause quite a ruckus but I will gladly accept it. We will be blissfully happy and laugh at the harpies who are envious of our marriage.”
“I am happy for you, Richard.” William stated. “I apologise that I was a jealous fool. I thought you might have been desiring Lizzy’s attentions and I could not help myself. Look at us, cousin, both of us in love with our ladies and we will marry next year. I am glad we spoke, Richard. Very glad, indeed.”
“Well, good night, William. When you have made arrangements with your father, we will depart in two days.” Richard stood. “You will have to explain your absence to Lizzy, you know. What will you tell her?”
William smiled, “I will tell her I am seeing to my solicitor for some personal business. I will have to make plans for the settlement papers, am I not correct?”
Richard laughed and departed for his rooms while William sat in the library and contemplated his future. Lizzy would be a wonderful companion for him and even if she was rough around the edges, his mother would be able to help model her in the areas she was deficient and Lizzy would become his perfect wife. He planned on treating her to anything she wished, to fence with her and teach her to shoot, and even climb trees with her if she desired, as long as it was in private and she could assimilate to what the accomplished ladies did in the drawing rooms the rest of the times. He was certain she would be readily willing to forfeit some of her masculine capabilities in order to meet his expectations as Mrs. Darcy. Lizzy would have her heart’s desire as his wife and he would have his heart’s desire with her.
~*~
“I did not think I would see you here, Will.” Lizzy spoke from the tree branch where she sat. “You have not come to see me all week and you have not spoken with me like you used to do. Are you very disappointed in me? I know I have changed on the outside but I am still the same person inside.” She climbed down then patted Snowflake’s nose. “I missed you, Snowflake. You were kept at Pemberley for so long these years.”
William dismounted from the horse, “You have grown beautifully and I am pleased to be here, my dear. I had a decision to make before I could come here, Lizzy, and I made it last night.” He drew close to her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I am sorry for having been distant. I have missed you.” He lifted her to her toes and embraced her, burying his nose on the crook of her neck.
Lizzy laughed, “Your face tickles! You are behaving so strangely, Will!” She wiggled and broke free from his embrace. “Can we go riding on Snowflake today? I missed riding with you so much!”
“Yes, my dear,” William chuckled. “We will do anything you wish today. I will be departing to London with Richard in the morning but I will spend the entire day with you today.”
“But I thought you were done with your travels!” Lizzy frowned. “You were to stay here for several months.”
William gently stroked her hand with his fingers, “I must go on a matter of urgent business, Lizzy. Father said the Bennet clan is joining us for Easter again in London so I will see you there in March and we will have your birthday celebration there once again. It has become quite the tradition, has it not? I hope it will be a very special birthday for you this year.”
Lizzy, with her affectionate and natural disposition, was not made for melancholy and she immediately cheered. “Papa has promised me to take mama and Jane to the horse races this year and I will be able to show them how to place their bets like you showed me, Will. I was able to attend the theatre last year and although I detested the dinner parties, your mama has promised a grand ball with Lady Matlock and I am most curious if these exclusive events are all that they are rumoured to be. I will laugh at all the ladies dripping in jewels and perhaps one of them will trip and fall on her face! Good lord, that will likely be ME! I hope you will be there to help me, Will! I am still terrible at dancing and I cannot remember all of the steps in order.”
William assisted her up onto his horse and raised himself up to sit behind her. “I will teach you the steps and we will dance every set together. We will cause a scandal for dancing too many sets and everyone will frown and we will laugh.” He chuckled. “You are definitely big enough now, Lizzy. Your papa was right. You are ready for your own horse.”
“I am going to go fast, Will. You can hold on to me if you do not wish to fall.” Lizzy confidently stated. “I have learned to ride a side-saddle, did you know? Your mama taught me, but I like riding astride best.” She commanded, “Fly, Snowflake! Make us fly!”
William laughed and kicked the horse as he held onto the saddle, and Lizzy soon stood upright with her arms raised as he took over the reins. She walloped in joy and leaned back against his body when she sat back down, and William wrapped one arm around her waist with a large grin on his face, eager to propose to her and make her his betrothed as soon as possible.
After they travelled to Netherfield and dismounted, William grabbed Lizzy’s hand and pulled her in excitedly as they ran into the house. “I have something for you, Lizzy. I brought it for you from a small shop in Scotland that I found and I thought you would like it.”
He walked her to the library where he had left the gift. It was a small box that fit in one hand and Lizzy rapidly unwrapped it.
“I brought gifts for the others and I handed them out earlier but I wanted to make this one special and waited to give it to you, Lizzy. I was... I had to make a decision and after speaking with Richard, I know what I need to do and I wanted you to have this before I left. I will see you in two months and I will continue to write to you, but I hope you remember me every time you see it.”
Lizzy gasped when she saw the beautiful gold watch. It was on a chain that could be worn around her neck, but she was especially surprised to see the beautiful engravings of flowers on the casing. She opened it and the watch began to play music.
“It is a musical watch from Switzerland. The owner of the little shop escaped France after the war began and brought the most valuable of the pieces with him.” William explained. “There are little metal pins that run across the steel teeth and it makes the music notes as the rod spins.”
Lizzy looked up and smiled with her eyes moist, “It is the most beautiful watch I have ever seen, Will.” She placed the chain around her neck, “Thank you for thinking of me. You have been always so kind to me and you are the best brother I could have ever asked for! Thank you, Will!” She reached up to kiss his cheek but he turned his head and she pecked him on his lips. She smiled as she released him and took a step back to gaze at her watch again. “Thank you! I wish to go and show it to Georgiana immediately! Did you get her one as well?”
“No, Lizzy. I purchased the finest lace for her but the watch only for you. I remembered.” William responded as he attempted to steady his heart. “Go on, dear; off with you to your lessons. Father said you are now studying Spanish and Miss Carter is
learning more from you than she is able to teach you.” He chuckled. “You are incredible, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Lizzy grinned and ran off to the nursery to meet with Georgiana and the governess. Now being out in society, she had no further need to sit in the nursery with the eleven-year-old girl, but Lizzy enjoyed learning constantly and wished to never stop.
William rubbed his chest where his heart had nearly beat out of his chest after her lips met his. He hoped the next two months would fly as Snowflake could run, so that he could propose to the woman of his dreams.
Chapter 3
March 1809
“I am too large to play hide-and-seek now, Georgie!” Lizzy laughed. “I will not fit anywhere and you will find me straightaway!”
Georgiana laughed, “That’s why I want to play with you. You’ve always been the best and it will finally be my chance find you and win!”
Lizzy laughed, “All right. Look at the mantle clock and give me five minutes. Same rules as before. No bedrooms but anywhere inside Darcy House goes. Start the time... now.” She rushed out of Georgiana’s rooms to find a place to hide.
The young lady went to the large library where several new bookshelves were being fitted on the upper level of the great room above the spiral staircase. The installation had not been completed yet and the upstairs books were stacked against one side of the wall and Lizzy knew it would be the perfect place to hide herself for a while.
She went into the empty library and found her nook and sat down, burying herself with high stacks of books all around her. She sat quietly and opened her watch to check the time. Her musical watch began to play the notes and she smiled as she pulled the pin out slightly to stop the rod from turning to keep it quiet. She planned on giving Georgiana twenty minutes and she would win if still undiscovered.
As Lizzy sat quietly, she heard several footsteps coming into the library. The house was to have been empty except for Georgiana and herself, as the Bennet clan was out shopping for the younger girls and her father was seeing to business with Uncle Edward. The Darcys were meeting with the Fitzwilliams and she had rarely seen William since her arrival two days ago, as he had many appointments with his friends and had been invited to one party after another.
She wondered if she should announce herself and exit the room when she heard Lord Matlock’s voice.
“I apologise for having to move luncheon here, George. I think it might be time for us to hire a new cook since she is getting so old. I know Margaret will see to it but I am starving and irritable that my meal is delayed because Cook burned it falling asleep. Good thing your cook is capable and will have something prepared for us quickly.” Lord Matlock grumbled. “With the Bennets here again, it is good that your larder is fully stocked.”
Mr. Darcy laughed, “Yes, they do not eat much, with so many little girls in the house, but Cook likes to make sure there is something special for everyone and you know how much she adores Lizzy. That young lady is the easiest guest we could host but Cook knows how much she loves lemon tarts and fresh fruits. Lizzy has every one of my staff wrapped around her little finger.”
Lord Matlock puffed on his cigar and grumbled, “I like the little lady myself but I do not understand why you give her so much freedom within your household, George. I know she saved my dear sister’s life in a way but she is still the daughter of an inconsequential gentleman from the country. As much as you love Hertfordshire, it is still the backwater country with rustic bumpkins who probably know nothing of our sophisticated ways.”
“How haughty you are, Henry! You have not visited me there once, yet you pass judgment on people you have never met.” Mr. Darcy laughed. “You sound like Catherine!”
Lord Matlock began to rumble in laughter, “I did sound like her just then, did I not? I am embarrassed to behave like her and I apologise. I like Bennet and his family. I think his wife has improved considerably since first meeting her and she is still a bit coarse but I can tell she likes my sister very much. The first daughter, the pretty one, Jane, she is fit for society here and has a chance to marry well, but you know Lizzy is going to be a handful. I know you love her like a daughter, George, but she will never marry a man of worth because she is still a hoyden at heart. She looks well enough now but she speaks her mind far too much and no man in his right mind could take her as a wife. She attends lectures and wants to give all her money to charities. I heard her talk about shooting arrows and fencing and she has more knowledge of history and politics than most men, and a stupider man will not know what to do with such a girl as his wife.” He sighed, “That poor girl will be a spinster and a burden to her family for the rest of her life. I hope Jane marries well so Lizzy can have a place to stay.”
“Oh, but she will be independently wealthy, Henry!” Mr. Darcy smiled. “She will likely inherit Longbourn and that estate is doing very well now. And she has a tr...” There was a knock on the door. “Enter.” Mr. Darcy commanded.
“Luncheon is ready, sir.” Mrs. Mason announced.
“Come, Henry.” Mr. Darcy stood with his brother-in-law. “You might be in a better mood with some nourishment in your stomach.” They began to walk out of the library and he continued to speak to Lord Matlock while they headed towards the drawing room. “Henry, I know I should not say anything but I trust that you will keep my secret.” Lord Matlock nodded in agreement. “Fitzwilliam is in love with Lizzy. He confided in me that he wishes to propose as soon as she turns sixteen and he will be taking care of her. Do not let me hear you speak ill of Lizzy again. Not only do I adore her because she saved my Anne, but Lizzy will become my daughter and I intend to make sure she will be accepted no matter how much she might be criticised by harpies. Since when did you care about what ladies prattled about? What good is a housekeeper if the mistress of a home must take care of all of the details? As long as my son is happy, I will support him with his choice of wife and I expect you to do the same.”
Lord Matlock burst out in laughter, “I did not know! How wonderful, George! I also adore Lizzy and I am very glad for William’s choice. She will be perfect for him and they will get along together very nicely. I take back all I said about her, dear brother. William will cherish her and they are a good match together. I cannot see anyone else being able to tolerate that pretty girl, but with William’s patience and care, she will be a good wife to him.”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “They are good for each other and I will be very happy to gain her as a daughter. I only hope my son is successful because Lizzy is more stubborn than Fitzwilliam and she is determined to never marry! I can only do so much to help the young people along!”
Lord Matlock smiled and entered the drawing room where the ladies were waiting. The gentlemen walked their wives to the dining room to enjoy a very delicious but late meal.
~*~
Lizzy sat for several moments while she remained hiding behind the books. She was not surprised to hear Lord Matlock’s candid opinion of her family and her future, and he had reaffirmed her own beliefs that she was unfit to marry anyone of consequence. She smiled to herself, fully knowing that she would remain single for the rest of her life and only wished she would not be a burden to her family. If Jane were to marry well, she knew her dearest sister would care for her, but William had always promised her that she would live with him and she hoped he would keep that promise. Whether she received Longbourn or not, her only wishes were to travel the world and seek some adventures in life before she would be resigned to stay at home and become a spinster.
Lizzy stood up and fixed the books then headed down the spiral staircase. She walked towards the dining room and found the two couples enjoying their meal.
She curtseyed and greeted them. “How do you do? I hope you are enjoying your late meal.”
Lady Anne smiled, “Do you wish to join us? I thought you and Georgie would have eaten already by now.”
“It is all right, Mrs. Anne; we have already dined.” Lizzy answered. “Georgie and I are playing a ga
me and I only wished to greet you.”
Georgiana then shouted from the hallway, “I FOUND YOU!” She began to laugh and run towards her but then stopped when she saw that there were diners in the room. “Mama, papa! Sorry, Uncle Henry, Aunt Margaret.”
The adults laughed softly and Lady Matlock answered, “It is fine, child. Go and play while we finish our meal and we will speak with you later.”
The girls curtseyed and departed quickly. They could hear Georgiana exclaim, “I found you, Lizzy! Although you were not hiding, it was not time yet and you came out so I win!”
Lizzy was heard responding, “Yes, dear Georgie. You win and I will allow you to choose my dresses for a full week. Even if I might look like a court jester with multiple colours of ribbons everywhere, I will dress as you choose.”
Lady Matlock laughed loudly, “She is such a good girl, that Lizzy. Even though she is out now, she still plays with Georgiana and is very kind. I hope you are right, Anne. Someone will catch her eye and she might marry a man who adores her. I will make sure to support you in parading her around before all the best eligible bachelors.”
Mr. Darcy and Lord Matlock looked at each other with a twinkle in their eye and smiled. The adults returned to the previous subject of the current state of affairs in Parliament and the war with Napoleon, and enjoyed the rest of their luncheon.
~*~
“I forgot you lived here, Will!” Lizzy laughed. “I have not seen you for a week, except for a few minutes in the mornings. What in the world have you been up to lately?”
William grinned as he sat down next to her on the couch in the drawing room. “When I returned here with Richard, I thought it would be a dull stay until you arrived, but there have been many of my friends from university in town and I have had enough invitations to last me the rest of the year. I never knew how many sisters or female cousins my friends had until now.” He laughed. “I have had so many compliments thrown my way that I might have a head as large as Richard if I actually believed them!”