by Kate Speck
William sighed, “Perhaps I am not as wise as I thought. You are quite intelligent for a ten-year-old, Lizzy. I think I am angrier with myself for not being there for my mother when she weakened. She never fully recovered after my sister’s birth and I was helpless to do anything about it. If only... if I had...”
“You couldn’t have changed a thing. Your mother would be still ill and you would be stupider without an education. Isn’t it more honourable that you do the best you can in your studies to make her proud? I would love to go to university. Papa says Oxford is superior but I would attend Cambridge.” Lizzy broadly grinned.
William stood and helped his new friend to her feet. He bowed formally, “Thank you for your ear, Lizzy.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out another guinea. “This is to reserve a future use of your tree, Lizzy. When my father leases Netherfield, I should like to come up here as often as you will allow.”
Lizzy beamed and took the coin from him. After placing both coins inside her shoes, she spit into her palm and held it out for William to shake it. “Granted, sir. I promise to share my tree with you as much as you wish. No further payment needed.”
He shook her hand after spitting into his own hand and smiled. “I will make my payment as due, my little friend. I never thought it would be so nice to speak to a little girl before. Thank you, Lizzy.”
Lizzy and William separated and looked back a few times to wave at each other as they returned to where they were expected.
~*~
“And what adventures did you have today, Lizzy?” Mr. Bennet asked his precious daughter. He had been touring the grounds and had just finished speaking with his steward outside. He walked back with Lizzy and noted a large tear on her dress. “What has happened to your dress? You have torn your skirt.”
“Well, papa, I was Lemuel Gulliver, trying to keep my distance from the Lilliputians so I didn’t squash them with my shoes, when an evil giant came to shake my tree to sacrifice it to the gods. I was able to ward off the monster from taking my tree but found out that it was a sad boy in disguise instead and I offered to share my tree so he wouldn’t be so sad.” Lizzy proudly explained. “He is my friend now and I promised he could use my tree whenever he wished. Perhaps I’ll carve his name on the tree trunk for him.”
Mr. Bennet laughed at her story. “And what happened to your Lilliputians?” He asked. “Were you able to save them from your feet?”
Lizzy shrieked, “NOOOO! They were annihilated by the gigantic shoes!” She lifted her feet to look at her soles, which had remnants of wild-berries on them. ‘Alas, poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy.’ He will be sorely missed.”
Mr. Bennet could not contain his amusement and burst out laughing. “Oh, Lizzy! Your mama will be quite vexed with your torn dress and stained shoes. What wonderful adventures you have had!”
Lizzy’s eyes shone with mischief. She bent to pull something out of her shoes and smiled, “Well, papa, my giant friend did pay me for the use of my tree so perhaps you can convince mama to not be so cross.” She dropped the two guineas into her father’s palm and ran off inside the house.
Mr. Bennet saw the shiny coins in his hand and gasped. “What in the world?” He knew Lizzy’s imagination was remarkable but it had never produced real coins before. He chuckled and shook his head in disbelief. “Oh, the places you’ll go, Lizzy! What fantastic adventures lie in your future, my dear, dear child.”
Chapter 3
July 1803
“Have you heard Netherfield is let at last?” Mrs. Bennet excitedly shared at the dinner table. “My sister Phillips has told me that a very wealthy gentleman of at least 10,000 a year will be moving into the place with his wife and two children next week. He looked at the place several weeks ago and liked the place so much that he will be staying throughout the autumn and is likely to stay until spring. Apparently, his wife is very ill and cannot tolerate the awful air in London but they want to have the best doctors nearby, and the winters in their home up north are too harsh for her condition.”
Mr. Bennet raised one brow as he eyed his second daughter. “Is it a Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Bennet? With a son and a young daughter?”
“Why, yes, it is. How did you ever know, Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet exclaimed. “Do you know the family? They are very prestigious but I had not heard of them before.”
“I believe there is an acquaintance in the family, Fanny.” Mr. Bennet winked at Lizzy. “I have heard the young master has somewhat of a giant stature and has little care for Lilliputians.”
Lizzy snorted while she attempted to rein in her laughter. “Perhaps the Lilliputians will form a revolution and attack the giant while he sleeps.”
“Oh, Lizzy, Mr. Bennet! What are you speaking of? Lilliputians are not real!” Mrs. Bennet cried out. “The gentleman has connections to an earl and his wife is the daughter of one! We have never met someone so closely related to nobility before! What excitement! What a perfect chance to throw our daughters in the paths of rich men!”
“Oh, Fanny, not only are our daughters much too young to think of marriage, but I understand Mr. Darcy’s son recently turned only eighteen.” Mr. Bennet responded. “Our daughters will marry worthy men of their choosing when they are ready and not a day sooner. We have many years to enjoy their company and Mrs. Porter has already done an excellent job of teaching them of many subjects.” He nodded his thanks at the governess who was sitting between Kitty and Lydia, who were six and nearly five years old. “I could not be prouder of our dear daughters and we have much to do to increase their portions in the next five to twelve years.”
Mr. And Mrs. Bennet had seen to many changes these past two months and had economised thoroughly with some sacrifices. The food selections were less extravagant, the brandy not as superior, and what furnishings that did not need replacing were cleaned or mended. Their hope was to double their daughters’ dowries before their coming out so each would have at least £1,000 and another £1,000 at Fanny’s passing. Mr. Bennet had written to his wife’s brother Edward Gardiner, a hard-working investment businessman who worked with many prestigious gentlemen in London, for advice to increase some funds that he had set aside for small ventures. Mr. Bennet did not wish to gamble away his income but had put a little aside for good opportunities as his brother advised.
Mrs. Bennet smiled, “Yes, dear Mr. Bennet. Our girls have made us very proud and I have been learning much from visiting our tenants as well. They are pleased to see me more involved and have spoken kindly about me to our neighbours. Lady Lucas has been very helpful and we have begun to make clothes for the orphanage. Even Jane and Lizzy have begun to sew for them.”
“Can I sew?” Lydia asked her governess. “I want to try!”
Mrs. Porter, the governess, smoothed the adorable girl’s hair, “Soon enough, Miss Lydia. Your fingers have a little more growing to do so you do not poke it with needles. You must learn to use your fork and knife first.”
The Bennet family smiled tenderly at the youngest girl, who was eager to grow up and help around the house.
“I hate sewing! I don’t understand why girls must learn to sew and embroider and sit still and drink tea all day,” Lizzy complained as she stirred her food with a fork. “I read about the Spartans this week and those girls were allowed to learn to fight with swords and spears from a young age. The women there could vote and be an equal to their men. Why must I live in such an uncivilised period where I have to wear dresses and keep my petticoats clean?” She sighed, “It is so unfair.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “But Spartan women shaved their heads and dressed like a man for their wedding day. You would not like shaving your head, I should think.”
Lizzy gasped at the thought. “I like the hair on my head, papa! I should not like to be bald.” She gulped, “As much as I enjoy the thought of pretending to be a boy, I wouldn’t want for people to think I look like a boy! I like my hair just fine!”
The other
diners laughed loudly with Lizzy’s declaration and finished their meal with happy conversations.
~*~
“Do you actually live up there?” Lizzy heard a voice call from below her favourite tree trunk the next week. “I might be shocked if I found you on the ground instead of high in the tree.”
“William! How nice it is to see you again!” Lizzy responded with joy. “I was pretending that an enemy spy on horseback was approaching to capture me to take me back to Persia to torture me for my secrets. I will never relent! THIS IS SPARTA!!” She pounded her chest as she yelled out.
William laughed heartily as she sat down on the tree branch. “Do you want to jump down and I can catch you again? Since my horse is so tall, you have to only stretch down and you can sit on my stallion.”
“Oh! Your horse is magnificent! What is his name?” Lizzy did as he suggested and swung on the branch to easily fall into William’s open arms. He sat her down in front of him to securely hold her.
“He is named Snowflake. He has a little white patch on the top of his nose and my sister Georgiana named him. It is a silly name for a horse but my sister is five.” William laughed while he guided his horse to a trot.
Lizzy bounced on the saddle excitedly, “I have been begging papa to teach me to ride but he has been so busy, I haven’t had a chance. Will you teach me? I promise to be a good student! It is my life’s greatest wish to ride a magnificent beast like yours. I feel so tall and mighty atop a horse like this!”
He chuckled, “I will teach you a little but I will have to ride with you so you do not fall off. Your father might kill me if you were injured and I have not yet met him!” He sat himself on the back of the saddle while lifting her to sit astride in the centre. “Place your feet above mine on the loops right there and there,” he pointed to the stirrups. He adjusted his feet so her short legs could reach. William gave her the reins to hold while he held it with her. “If you want to go right, you pull on the right. If left, pull left. The horse will walk towards the direction he sees so just think of which way you want him to look.”
Lizzy did as told and excitedly asked, “How do you make him go faster? Did he climb the hill easily? He is so strong! This is amazing!”
William held the young girl with one arm as he kicked Snowflake into a faster run. He laughed as Lizzy hollered her excitement and raised her arms in joy. As soon as Lizzy let go, her feet slipped off the stirrups and she began to slide off the seat.
“I got you, Lizzy,” William confidently grabbed her by the waist and sat her back straight on the saddle. He soon slowed the animal to a walk and stopped next to Lizzy’s tree. “You must keep your hand on the rein or the pommel of the saddle at all times, Lizzy. I have taken my sister on rides so I knew you would let go. You are not one to sit demurely atop a horse and that is why you cannot ride alone until you have had many lessons.”
“I was terrified for a moment but I was glad you were sitting with me. That was by far the most fun I’ve had in all of my life. I felt as if I was flying in the air like a bird. Absolutely amazing!” She proclaimed.
William lifted himself off his horse and helped Lizzy dismount. “That was quite enjoyable. I forgot how fun it is to ride for the first time.”
Lizzy smiled broadly, “Are you planning on staying in Hertfordshire until you begin university? I hope you will meet my papa so I can get his permission for more riding lessons. I have a surprise for you.” She pulled his hand and walked him to the other side of the tree trunk. “It is now our tree. We own it in equal shares. What do you think?”
William beamed after seeing the carving that she had etched into the trunk.
LIZZY B.
W. DARCY
“Why do you have your first name there but not my first name?” He asked.
Lizzy giggled, “Because it is so dreadfully long, silly! ‘William’ has seven letters and it would take forever to carve that out so I shortened your name. My poor tree would have nothing left of its trunk if we put down our full names on it!”
William chuckled as he nodded in agreement. “Lizzy and Darcy, it is then, my little friend. Thank you. I must return. Father is eager to meet you and your family, and mama wishes for your mother to call on her soon. I told them about you and I hope you will be a good friend to my sister as well. She is not a hoy... she likes to play girlish things, like teacups and princess things, but she is very sweet and I hope you will be nice to her.”
Lizzy smiled, “I will be very happy to meet her. My younger sisters like to pretend to be princesses and I always play with them. They wear paper crowns and veils on their heads and they say I am the most fun to play with!”
“You are a princess with them?” William asked. “Do you also like laces and ribbons?”
Lizzy raised her eyebrow, “Good lord, no! I am the valiant knight who will protect them from dragons and giant spiders. With my armour and sword, I am Joan of Arc, protecting my princesses from evil monsters and keeping out the enemy!”
William laughed merrily and mounted his horse. “As I expected, my brave knight. I shall know who to call when I next see a dragon or a spider. See you tomorrow, Lizzy. Same time, same place?”
Lizzy began to run home as she waved and yelled, “Same time, same place, William. Welcome to Hertfordshire!”
~*~
“William has returned, papa!” Lizzy shared with her father as he waited for her by the Longbourn gates as he did daily. “He took me on Snowflake and I thought I was flying like a bird. It was the most incredible feeling in the world.”
Mr. Bennet furrowed his brows, “How do you fly on a snowflake, Lizzy? Where did the snowflakes come from in the middle of spring?”
Lizzy explained to him that William taught her to ride on a horse and although she nearly fell off because she was too excited and let go of the reins, she clarified that her friend had kept her safe and that he had experience from teaching his own sister how to ride.
Lizzy happily chatted and departed for her rooms to ready for dinner while Mr. Bennet turned to his study in contemplation. He did not know what kind of a young man this William Darcy was, not having met him yet, but at eighteen years of age, he wondered if the young master had other thoughts for his innocent, albeit independent and headstrong daughter, who was only ten years old. He speculated that with a five-year-old sister, Master Darcy likely thought of his Lizzy as a little girl, from how Lizzy explained to him, but he would make his own determination after calling on the elder Mr. Darcy the next day. He knew his daughter would not tolerate a restriction of any kind with her outings and there seemed to have been a bond forged between William and Lizzy after only two meetings, but he wanted to check for himself that this young man was not a dissolute brat who might harm his daughter in any way.
Mr. Bennet scratched his head to recall where he had heard the name of Darcy before, as he remembered seeing it on parchment recently, but gave up the idea and headed for the dinner table, where the family never failed to share their day and to talk about something they learned with each other.
Chapter 4
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Bennet.” The handsome gentleman of about fifty years in age greeted the younger neighbour. “I am George Darcy and this is my son Fitzwilliam Darcy. He will be off to Cambridge for the Michaelmas term and I have heard you are an Oxford man.”
Mr. Bennet chuckled, “I am, sir, I am. It is an honour to finally meet you, Master Darcy.” He shook both of their hands and observed the younger man carefully. Fitzwilliam was very tall for an eighteen-year-old lad but still had a boyish face with very intelligent eyes. He appeared quite solemn, opposite of what he had expected.
Mr. Darcy the senior continued, “I have been told from Mr. Phillips that he is related to you by marriage to your wife’s sister. You have five daughters and your wife has a brother named Gardiner? It is a great coincidence that I am one of the minor investors at Gardiner Enterprises, Mr. Bennet. I have heard of Mr. Gardiner and have wor
ked with his associate Mr. Stone, but never met the man himself due to his busy schedules. Mr. Stone had asked his employer about Hertfordshire and had recommended Netherfield after hearing from Mr. Gardiner about the property. It is pleasant here and my dear wife is very pleased with the estate.”
Mr. Bennet suddenly realised where he had seen the Darcy name before. Edward had sent a list of investments with his advice, which had Mr. Darcy noted as the top shareholder for the railway ventures. He relaxed after hearing of the common acquaintance, “I am told you also have a daughter? My daughter Lizzy is eager to make her acquaintance and has urged me to invite you all to dinner in two days’ time. She has not ceased speaking of Snowflake and the adventure she had on the mighty stallion.”
William Darcy smiled softly as he finally spoke, “I know I should have asked for your permission first, Mr. Bennet, and I apologise that I am meeting you for the first time today, sir. Li... Miss Lizzy was very excited and it was a short ride. I have ridden many times with my own sister and I am a capable rider.”
Mr. Darcy added, “Fitzwilliam has been riding since he was four years old, Mr. Bennet. You will not find a better horseman in all of England!”
Mr. Bennet saw the young man colour in embarrassment and smiled. “As long as you can assure me that Lizzy will be kept safe on the horse, I will allow it. Thank you for your consideration, Master Darcy. I know she has found a good friend in you and I am assuaged in that you are a confident horseman. I hope to see you all soon at Longbourn.”
“I will call on you tomorrow with Georgiana, Mr. Bennet, but if you will allow, my wife has difficulty being away from her comforts due to her exhaustion. If I may suggest dinner here at Netherfield in two evenings, it would be a great concession to me. We enjoy dining with the children and all of your daughters can join us.” Mr. Darcy offered. “Mrs. Nicholls here has proven to be a wonderful housekeeper already and Lady Anne would be glad to plan out a wonderful meal for us.”
