by Kate Speck
Mr. Bennet nodded and returned to his study to write a letter to inform his brother Gardiner that Jane and Lizzy’s travel to London would be delayed until January so that Lizzy could attend her friend. He knew Jane and Lizzy would not mind in the least and he planned to see how he could assist Mr. Robinson’s family in their time of need. With the eldest son passing away this week and the younger son earlier this year during his services in the Royal Navy, he wondered who would care for the elderly Mrs. Robinson and take over the estate. It was likely that Purvis Lodge would be leased since Mrs. Robinson had daughters who could take her in and a distant cousin would take over the property due to the entailment.
This thought led him to think of his own cousin who was in line to inherit Longbourn and he sighed, not knowing if he should accept the olive branch that William Collins offered and what the reason was for his offering it. The elder William Collins had been a profligate rake who had attempted to seduce two maids at Longbourn at his last visit some five and twenty years ago while Mr. Bennet’s father still lived. Collins was kicked out promptly and had been banished to never return.
Mr. Bennet shook his head, wondering if his father would have insisted on the entailment if he had known Collins would end up becoming heir to his estate. Having two sons, the elder Mr. Bennet had been apathetic to the future of Longbourn and had his firstborn son take care of all of the estate management early on.
Remembering that life was short and the future never certain, Mr. Bennet decided to accept the olive branch and wrote to Mr. William Collins Sr. to join the family for Christmastime so that the families could make their acquaintance. He hoped the younger William Collins, who was sixteen years in age, would not be as his father had been at the same age. He would guard his daughters and the maidservants and end all association with the Collinses if they should offend his family in any way.
~*~
“What are your plans for Christmas next week, Wickham?” William asked his associate. Although residing in the dormitory together, he was uncertain of Wickham’s true intentions of attending university, as he rarely attended classes or heeded his studies, but rather pursued friendships with first-born reprobates who enjoyed drinking and visiting the many brothels nearby. William had caught Wickham with a maidservant more than once in his own rooms and had admonished the behaviour that if Wickham was caught again, that he would have the rake moved to the inferior tower where the Commoner Students or Servitor Students typically resided. The Gentlemen Commoner dormitories were far more luxurious and he knew Wickham hated to appear poor.
“With my father dead last month and your family in Hertfordshire, I think I will go to London and join some of my new friends for the holiday. They plan on having several parties and have promised to take me to some gambling halls.” Wickham answered. “Do you think some amusement might be found in Hertfordshire, Darcy? Any buxom ladies who might tempt you to finally give up your chastity?” He smirked at his innocent friend.
William frowned and shook his head in the negative. “No, Wickham, nothing that will keep you entertained. It is a quiet village not fit for the type of activities you seek.” He calmed his breath to appear as impassive as possible. “You had better go to London instead. You would be wasting your time at Hertfordshire.”
Wickham sneered, “I have a feeling you are not telling me something, Darcy, but I will go to London for my holiday. It would be good to see your father again but my pockets are still full and I do not wish to inconvenience your father too much yet.”
William nodded and quickly departed to return to his classes. He despised Wickham more at every interaction and wondered what he could tell his father. He did not wish to be a tattler regarding Wickham’s lack of interest in studying and his terrible habits, but considering that his father was paying for the education, William felt his father had the right to know. He sighed at Wickham’s absence of public mourning for his father’s death and wondered how much he himself would have despaired if his own father had passed.
~*~
December 1804
“You are always in your tree, Lizzy,” William laughed. “You appear positively beastly. Who are you today?”
“WILL!” Lizzy jumped down from her tree and embraced her friend. “I wondered when you would arrive. Mrs. Anne said later this week but she was unsure of the exact day.”
William smiled as he lowered her to the ground. “I was planning on leaving Cambridge tomorrow but I missed home so much that I departed a day earlier. You have grown a bit since summer Lizzy. You are actually taller than Georgie, contrary to what I expected.”
Lizzy smiled broadly, “I have been eating and stretching and trying all I could to grow taller. Someday I will be ready to ride Snowflake alone. I was dreaming of a story from Don Quixote, and the love story between Cardenio and Luscinda, where Don Fernando steals the beautiful lady from his poor friend and marries her himself. I would have plunged my dagger through my heart if I were forced to marry against my will.”
“And you are Luscinda, the beautiful bride?” William raised his eyebrow in surprise. “You would rather marry the poor Cardenio instead of the wealthy Don Fernando?”
Lizzy looked up at him and tapped her foot with her hands on her hips. “Do you not know me? I am Cardenio, bare-footed and living in the hollow of a tree. I am determined that only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which is why I will end up an old maid!”
“Of course, Lizzy,” William chuckled, “my apologies, your majesty.”
“Will, you should not be calling me that.” Lizzy scowled.
William lifted his brow again. “Why not? It is not if I am speaking heresy.”
Lizzy smirked, “You shall call me ‘Your Royal Majesty’, my squire. Perhaps I will knight you if I am feeling generous. But...” she paused for a moment, “considering that you were thoughtful to send me your portrait so I would not forget your face, I will grant you a knighthood, Sir Will Darcy of Pembershire!”
William bowed deeply, “You are most kind, your royal majesty.” He stood upright and laughed, “I have missed you. Come and see what I got for you for your gift, Lizzy. It is not here but at Netherfield.”
Lizzy squealed in joy, “I love your presents, Will. You do not have to get me anything, you know, but I appreciate that you think of me even if you are not here.”
“You are not easy to forget, Lizzy.” Will smiled as he lifted her up onto his horse. “My dear blood-brother, I will take good care of you and ensure you are not betrayed by a friend like Don Fernando. I would show no mercy to anyone who hurts you.”
“What is my gift that you cannot give it to me here, Will?” Lizzy asked. “I am more curious than ever now. You have given me so many things already and I feel indebted to you.”
William squeezed her from behind, “Never, Lizzy. I told my father that I would be giving you many, many gifts for the rest of my life and he agreed with me that you deserve all I can give. I have never seen him happier, you know. Mama is smiling all the time and papa is constantly presenting her with jewels and furs and anything she likes is hers. I hope I spoil my wife like that someday.”
“You will be a good husband, I think.” Lizzy nodded. “You are a good son and brother and I will make sure your wife will be worthy of you. You must allow me to approve of her before you marry anyone, do you understand me?”
“Yes, ma’am.” William chuckled. “I shall not make a move without your explicit approval, your royal majesty.”
Lizzy laughed at his silliness. “Good, my brave knight. So, what is this surprise? I am dying to know!”
“SHHH... you have to wait. You will have to wait very patiently and after you sit with Miss Carter for an hour or two, perhaps I will show you the gift.” William jested.
“WILL!” Lizzy whined, “Don’t be cruel.”
“You have to be cruel to be kind, dear queen.” William quipped. “You know patience is a virtue.”
Lizzy groaned, “Ugh! Shakespeare an
d Prudentius... I cannot argue with the bard and the famous poet from the fifth century... I will wait. Just tell me, is it alive? Is it something I can carry? Is it valuable? A vase? A sword or a knight’s armour?”
William continued to shake his head and chuckled. “I am not going to say. You can ask all you wish but I will not answer you.”
Lizzy continued to ask questions after questions to which William only laughed.
As they arrived at Netherfield, he headed straight to the stables where Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne were waiting with Georgiana.
William stopped his stallion and helped her down the horse. “It is actually a gift from all of us, Lizzy. Father had it ordered from London and I added to it so it is from me as well.”
Lizzy’s mouth dropped agape as she saw her gift with a large ribbon on it. “That is for me?!”
William nodded and laughed loudly as she turned and jumped into his arms.
“I promise to be very careful with it, Will. Thank you for your kindness.” Lizzy kissed cheek. “I know everyone tells me how happy they are to have met me and I still don’t understand it, but I am the fortunate one to have gained a blood-brother. I love you, Will.”
“I love you, too, little sister.” William lowered her back to the ground. “Go on; let Georgiana show it off to you. You are meant to share it so be generous with it, Lizzy, do you understand?”
Lizzy smiled broadly, “Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!”
William smiled to see her run cheerfully to his family and thanked the heavens for the young girl in his family’s life.
More adventures in Book 2...