The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet - Book 3: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by Kate Speck

  William beamed, “I will speak with your uncle now. Your aunt has invited me to luncheon and if you will approve, we can walk the park near here today if you wish to walk. May I stay?”

  “Yes, Will. You do not have to ask me for my permission.” Lizzy answered. “I would love your company.”

  William left to speak with Mr. Gardiner with a lightness of a heart that he had not felt all week. He was immensely relieved that his friendship with Lizzy would continue, even if he had to suffer the heartache of being in love with her. He had thought earnestly of his awful proposal and of his heart’s deepest wishes, and he accepted that even if he could never gain Lizzy as his wife, he would give her everything to keep her comfortable for the rest of her life. He would gladly give up all of his worldly possessions in order to have Lizzy in his life and nothing else mattered.

  ~*~

  “This is for you, Lizzy. Your uncle told me that you do not have a recent set so I prepared this for you. Put it on and we will find our adventure tonight.” William handed her a large parcel.

  Lizzy laughed, “You took me to Hyde Park today and then to Gunther’s for iced cream, and now a gift? I feel as if it is my birthday all over again.”

  William kissed her hand, “Part of my grovelling, remember? I am going to spoil you for the next week you will be here.”

  “I am glad to spend as much time with you as possible, Will. You will visit your friend Mr. Knightley in Highbury after I return home with your family?” Lizzy asked.

  “Yes, his father passed a week ago and he asked me to see him to discuss his inheritance. His elder brother, George Knightley, will receive Donwell Abbey, their father’s estate, but John was also given a small property in Ramsgate and I am of mind to purchase it from him. He was able to marry a week prior to his father’s death, a lovely woman he loved for years and they wish to purchase a home in London where he will be finishing his studies.” William explained. “I have some funds saved up and my grandmother also left me a large inheritance. The cottage in Ramsgate is only a few blocks from the place you had stayed when you were there a few autumns ago.”

  Lizzy smiled brightly, “I loved Ramsgate! It was a beautiful seaside town and I would love to go there again but, in the summertime next, if I could visit.”

  “I will be in Highbury for a month then I plan on travelling to Ramsgate with John in July. Would you like to join me?” William asked. “I would love your opinion of the place.”

  “What would my opinion mean? It is your purchase and I am only a young girl.” Lizzy teased.

  “Lizzy,” William whined, “you are more than a girl. You are a lovely woman whose opinions matter more to me than anyone else’s. Father wishes me to make my own choice and will not join me but if you come with me, I will feel better about my decision. I will bring along Georgiana and you can bring Jane. What say you?”

  “What could I say to an adventure by the seaside? Of course, I will agree!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Can I open this package now? I am curious what is in here. It feels like clothing.”

  “Open it, silly girl. Yes, it is clothing.” William grinned.

  Lizzy excitedly ripped apart the paper wrapping and squealed, “They are men’s clothing! You have brought me another set of trousers, linenshirt, a coat, even a cravat and cap! Where are we going tonight? I can dress as a man?”

  “You will not look like a man, I keep telling you. You will be Liam Gardiner, my young cousin twice removed from Shropshire.” William laughed. “You must speak as low and deep as you can, or I can tell anyone we come across that you are mute and do not know how to speak. Go on. Get changed and we will head out shortly.”

  Lizzy clamoured in joy and ran upstairs to change.

  Jane and Mrs. Gardiner entered to sit with William. “You are making my niece into quite a young man, William.” Mrs. Gardiner commented with a glint in her eye. “She is very happy to see and experience things that she has never done before and she is happy to go anywhere with you. I hope you will keep her safe in this place you will go tonight.”

  William smiled, “Yes, ma’am. I plan on keeping her very safe. Although it will be a rowdy place, the patrons there are only interested in the sport and will not pay attention to us. I will also need to change out my jacket to look the part, and I plan on having Matthews guard us, just in case we run across any trouble. He will be within range to protect us if anyone bothers us.”

  “Good, good. Mr. Gardiner found your idea very humorous but never having experienced the event myself, I only worry for my niece’s safety.” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “I would think Jane would be scandalised to be at such a place and it is no place for a delicate woman.”

  “No, ma’am.” William answered. “But Lizzy is no delicate woman. She is an extraordinary one.”

  The ladies smiled and Mr. Gardiner soon entered. “Well, we are off to our dinner party.” He shook William’s hand. “Take care of Lizzy and tell us all about your adventure. I envy you. I would rather be with you than at the party!”

  They laughed when Mrs. Gardiner tapped her husband’s arm in jest. “You are stuck with Jane and me, Edward! Do not get any ideas of abandoning us now!”

  The couple left with Jane and William opened his satchel to change out his coat. He loosened his cravat to make it appear dishevelled and replaced his top hat for a cap. He went to the fireplace and inspected it when Lizzy returned downstairs.

  “Well, I certainly feel like a man, Will!” She exclaimed proudly as she strutted into the room. “I still have a problem with the gait but I am working on trying not to walk so daintily.”

  “You look like a fine strapping boy, Lizzy, I mean, Liam.” William laughed. “Come here and let me adjust your cravat. It is too neat.”

  He pulled her in front of him and tugged on the cravat. “Your hair is all pinned up as unruly as possible?”

  She nodded. “If my cap should fall off, I could still pass as a boy. I have pinned it as if it looks shorter than it is but my curls cannot be helped. I will have to try to hold the hat if it gets loose but it will do.”

  “Good.” William bent down to the fireplace and gathered some soot. “I hate to ruin your lovely face, Lizzy, but you are too pretty and clean.” He smudged a little on her cheeks and forehead. He also did the same to himself. “We must appear like we are from the working class and leave all of our valuables here. I have tucked away my money in a safe place and I will give you a bank note to keep safe. You cannot put it in your pockets since it might be stolen within the first few minutes. Where can you keep this?” He handed her a five-pound note.

  “I am wearing a corset beneath to hide my figure,” Lizzy innocently answered. She pulled down her shirt to place the banknote into her undergarment and William immediately turned around to avoid seeing more. He had a quick view of her chest and his body burned in heat.

  “Do not do that again, Lizzy!” William coughed out. “When we are near the location, you can take it out and put it in your shoe like I showed you.” He let out a deep breath. “Oh, I have shoes for you. It is in the foyer. Go and try it on.”

  Lizzy ran off to complete her costume while William stood by the fireplace to calm his heart. She had no idea how alluring she was, even when dressed like a boy with dirt on her face.

  “Are we ready to go?” Lizzy asked when she returned. “The shoes fit perfectly and I am fully ready to perform my act. Where are we going? Why do we need money?”

  William turned and saw her looking like a boy, albeit a very pretty one. “We will have to get a little more dirt on you, Lizzy. You are too beautiful, even with this disguise.”

  “Oh, stop it, Will!” Lizzy blushed. She realised that he was looking at her fondly and still found her attractive, even in such a masquerade.

  “A little more soot to hide your lovely blush,” he gently ran his fingers across her cheeks, “but there is no way to hide your rosy lips.” He glided his clean thumb against her soft lips. “You will have to press down your lips as muc
h as you can so they look smaller.” He stood back and inspected her. “We are now ready.”

  Lizzy reached for his arm to walk but immediately straightened. “I can walk on my own. I forgot I do not need your arm.”

  “You can always have my arm but I know you are fully capable of walking on your own. You are capable of anything you wish to do, my dear Liam.” He grinned.

  William and Lizzy entered the hackney that William had hired for the night with his bodyguard Matthews sitting next to the driver. They headed to their adventure tonight and anticipated great amusement to remember for many years to come.

  Chapter 7

  It was a loud and smoky hall where the sporting event was to take place. William gave the tickets to the large man standing guard at the door and they went up the stairs to find a viewing area. With Matthews always nearby, William knew Lizzy would be kept safe, but he guarded her with his own body as they moved through the narrow walkways were many people were already gathered.

  Going to the window to make their bet, William nodded to Lizzy, “Liam, this is where you pay the man.” He looked inside the window and spoke to the burly man who was puffing on his cigar. “My cousin would like to place £5 for Richmond. I will also make my bet for £20. £25 total.” He tucked away the receipts in his pocket and they made their way to look down the arena to see at least five hundred people gathered.

  “This is one of the smaller boxing events of the season, Lizzy. There are two fighters who will hit each other until one is knocked out completely or he can no longer stand on his feet. They hit each other with bare knuckles and ladies do not attend because it is violent, and the men do not don shirts and fight only in their breeches. If you feel squeamish at any time, you must let me know. Close your eyes and think of our tree but try not to faint.” William explained. “There are two fighters here, one is Richmond, the one that we hope will win, and the other is Gregson. They have both been boxing for several years and Bob Gregson has the advantage due to his size, but Bill Richmond, who was once a slave from the American colonies, I hope will be the winner because he is agile and quick on his feet.”

  “How did he become a pugilist, Will?” Lizzy asked. “It is a great achievement to make something of himself after being a slave!”

  William smiled, “Yes, he arose against expectations and he escaped to England, where he worked for Thomas Pitt, our former Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger’s cousin, until Mr. Pitt died in 1804. If he wins the next several bouts, he will have a chance to fight George Maddox, one of the greatest fighters of the times, and I hope Richmond wins. Here they come now. Watch them enter the centre of the arena. The roped area is called a ‘ring’.”

  Lizzy gasped, “Gregson is gigantic! He will surely win!”

  “He is the favoured one. He is known as the ‘Lancashire Giant’ and has won many bouts, although he has lost his share as well. If Richmond wins, we will win a large sum from our gambling.” William chuckled, “You have been good luck at the racetracks and I hope you will be lucky here, but I do not plan on taking you gambling too often, Liam. We might begin a terrible tradition and gambling is quite habit-forming. Many men have lost everything they own and tossed into debtor’s prison because they bet on sports to playing cards to raindrop racing.”

  “It is your money, Will, and I am too frugal to gamble what little I have and I would not be able to come to such a place without you.” She hid her giggles.

  “What did you do with the winnings from the horseraces? You had over a hundred pounds from there.” William asked.

  Lizzy beamed, “I gave it away. My aunt was raising funds for one of the charities for orphans and I gave her everything I had. She is a great persuader.”

  William leaned forward and whispered in her ear, “And you are a very compassionate woman who looks too beautiful right now. Press your lips together. You are far too tempting.”

  Lizzy hid her mouth with her hands and attempted to cease her laughter while William chuckled from behind.

  The bell rang and the fight began and Lizzy was enraptured by the fight. She began to cheer for Richmond and soon was screaming out to root for the man and William beamed to watch her enjoy herself.

  There were only thirty-second breaks between rounds and the fighters were neck-in-neck in battle to win.

  “They both look so exhausted, Will!” Lizzy commented. “How long can they go on?”

  “Up to fifty rounds, but they cannot last that long. One will drop soon and I think it will be Gregson.” They watched a few minutes longer and the gigantic man finally fell down and was knocked out completely. “We win!”

  Lizzy beamed and jumped into his arms. She quickly let go and stood upright. “You should not be hugging your cousin like that, Will!” She laughed. “How much did we win?”

  “Let us go find out.” William guided her to the window where some spectators threw down their receipts in anger but many were grinning in joy. He received his winnings and quickly rushed Lizzy out of the arena and into the hackney. In the privacy of the carriage, William pulled out the entire winnings and handed it to Lizzy. “Our £25 brought us £200. That was a pay-out ratio of one...”

  “One to eight! Such an incredible sum!” Lizzy shouted.

  “What a brilliant mind, my dear cousin. We must celebrate. I am taking you to a tavern.” He tapped the roof of the carriage. “To the King’s Arms, driver!” William directed.

  Lizzy bounced on her seat, “I have never been to a tavern before, Will. Am I to drink a pint of ale? I have only had wine and you know what happens if I have more than one glass.” She handed him back the money.

  William closed her hand around it and softly responded, “It is yours, Lizzy. I will turn around so you can... tuck it away safely.” He turned to give her privacy.

  “Thank you, Will! I am done.” Lizzy announced. “You know I will be giving it all away again, do you not?”

  William chuckled, “I am counting on it, Li...am. As far as the ale, we will have you start small. Take a little sip but make it appear like a gulp and drink it down slowly. Do not forget to speak deeply if you can, but everyone will be too excited from the match that they will not pay attention to us dirty workmen.”

  Lizzy laughed heartily and jumped out of the hackney when they arrived. It was an evening full of adventure and it was one of the most exciting times she had ever had.

  ~*~

  “Do I know you?” A gentleman grabbed Lizzy’s arm and jerked her when she accidentally bumped him at the tavern as she was leaving.

  Lizzy rapidly shook her head and pressed down her lips.

  “You look familiar...” the man commented as he slurred his words. “Dirty face but a pretty boy.”

  “Do you have a preference for young boys, sir?” Matthews approached with a fearsome look on his face. “Let go of my nephew, sir. He already apologised for bumping into you.”

  The gentleman immediately let go and raised both arms. “My mistake. On your way, lad.” He turned and retreated quickly.

  William led Lizzy out of the tavern and they ran into the hackney, holding in their laughter. “Good lord, Lizzy! Bertram nearly recognised you! He saw you dressed as a boy before and I told you that you are a very pretty boy!”

  Lizzy fanned her face, “I was afraid for a moment but I am glad you brought Matthews along with us. It was still very exciting to come to a tavern, though! I believe I enjoy ale more than wine and it seems to have no effect on me, unlike the wine. I might have to enjoy it more often.”

  William laughed, “Ale is made weaker than wine and is meant to enjoy in larger quantities. I do not recommend taking any alcohol too often, as they are meant to be consumed in small amounts at a time, Lizzy. I would not want a drunkard for a cousin!” They chuckled together and spoke merrily of their evening together.

  William walked into Gardiner House with her and stood in the foyer inside. “Thank you for a wonderful time, Liam. You will need a good washing but I hope we can have another
outing like this again soon. It was most enjoyable to spend time with my blood-brother.”

  Lizzy stepped closer to William and stood inches from him. “I know I do not say it enough, but thank you, Will. Thank you for your kindness and for indulging me with such activities that everyone else would frown upon. Thank you for your care. I could never have imagined a fraction of what I have experienced with you. You have tolerated my antics for so long and you do know me better than anyone.”

  William held her cheeks and laid his forehead against hers. “You are more than tolerable, Lizzy, and I savour every moment with you. Truly, I wish you with me always and I will to give you every indulgence. You are very dear to me and I hope you never forget.”

  “I will not, Will.” Lizzy smiled, “You are very dear to me as well.”

  William released her and stood upright. “Good night, Cousin Liam. I have an appointment with a young lady named Lizzy and we are to visit the art gallery tomorrow. There is an exhibit by Thomas Lawrence at the Royal Academy and it has been scandalous that he is protesting his own exhibition because he did not like the display of his paintings.”

  “Those artists!” Lizzy huffed in jest. “They have the audacity to throw a tantrum when they do not get their way! I hope Lizzy gives him a piece of her mind if she should see him in person!”

  William laughed exuberantly, “Perhaps she will! I know of only one person who would challenge such a famous painter and Elizabeth Bennet is the one to do it.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Lizzy. See you tomorrow. I will call on you before luncheon. Poor Mrs. Gardiner has to keep feeding me because I am quite affixed to your side.”

  “Good night, Will. I have had the most enjoyable time.” Lizzy softly answered. She felt treasured and could not help herself to embrace him before heading up the stairs.

  William smiled and returned to the hackney to ride to Darcy House. It was a half-hour journey from Cheapside to Mayfair but he knew his heart permanently resided wherever Lizzy stayed.