The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet - Book 2: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

that since I will refuse to marry, I would care for my mother and sisters and love our home like he does until his grandson comes of age. I’m learning a great deal from Mrs. Porter and Miss Carter and of course papa, but I am also learning from you and your parents and there is so much more I wish to know.” She smiled. “Uncle Edward and Aunt Madeline invited us to London and we are to stay through Easter. Our whole family will be travelling for two weeks and mama is excited to have Easter in London because Papa promised her two new dresses and an outing to the theatre and perhaps a ball. I nearly wish I were out in society early so I could attend some of those functions, if only to study the characters at such events. It sounds exciting, not because of the parties or the dresses, but I am curious what people are saying and doing and I would love to see a play. I would live at the theatre if I could and perhaps I will rethink my future as an authoress or a scientist but rather become an actress. Do you think I could be an actress with roles as a man? I could fence and shoot arrows and fire pistols on stage; or at least pretend.” She smirked as she wiggled her eyebrows.

“Perhaps, Lizzy.” William laughed boisterously. “You can be anything you wish; I truly believe it. You only need to get through one day at a time until you finally decide what you wish to do. As long as you are not going to give yourself a Viking funeral, let us see what you wish to do tomorrow. One day at a time, young lady.”

Lizzy agreed, “I think it’s a good idea, Will. I still wish to be Admiral. Admiral Elizabeth Gulliver Bennet!” She ran inside the house to the ballroom where William had been giving her fencing lessons.

“What is your real middle name, Lizzy?” William asked in curiosity as he walked briskly behind her. “You always say ‘Gulliver’ but that cannot be your real middle name and your papa will not tell me. He said your family had sworn their silence.”

Lizzy pulled out the foil and assumed the position. “I’ll never tell, dear sir! I’ll fight you to the death and you will never find out. It is my greatest secret and those who know it are under oath, at the risk of death, to never reveal it, Will. En garde!”

“Why is it a secret?” William began his steps to swing his foil and block her moves. “It cannot be that awful. I have a terrible middle name and my first name is Fitzwilliam and is probably the longest name in the world.”

“I hated my middle name from an early age and begged my papa to change it but he would not relent. He said I might appreciate the name someday but I still despise it.” Lizzy shared. “What is your middle name?”

William laughed, as he stealthily blocked Lizzy’s strike, “My middle name is truly atrocious and I will also never tell, Lizzy. It shall have to be a duel to the death before we tell each other our deepest and darkest secret!”

Lizzy laughed, “Although I am now more curious than ever, I do not wish to tell you mine so I will not ask for yours.”

“I will agree to that.” William answered as he knocked the foil from Lizzy’s hand. “I do intend to bribe your family to see if I can discover it, though.” He laughed as her eyes widened. “Pick up the foil, my dear. We will go again. You were close to gaining a point this time.”

Lizzy smiled, “I will beat you someday, Fitz-’William Wallace’ Darcy! You may be the most famous Scottish rebel in history but I am gaining on you and you are positively ancient, remember?”

William chuckled and they spent the next hour practicing and conversing with each other, wishing time passed ever so slowly, yet eager to grow up and experience what the world had to offer.

Years 1806 ~ 1808

Chapter 11

March 1806

“I cannot thank you enough, Darcy,” Mr. Bennet gratefully commented, “that you are allowing us to stay at Darcy House for the next ten nights. We were prepared to return home to Hertfordshire but it is very generous of you to host my entire family here after Edward’s daughter developed the rash. Madeline is beyond herself with worry but Lady Anne has been kind to comfort her while Grace is ill and to send extra servants in their time of need. Your doctor reassured them that although it might be contagious, it was likely that Edward and Madeline are not affected by the illness or otherwise they would have also developed the skin eruptions by now.”

Mr. Darcy smiled, “It is a pleasure to have your family here, Bennet. Once I received word from my brother Lord Matlock that he wished for me to interview potential residents with his solicitor to lease out Rosings Park, I thought the timing was perfect to be in London while you are here. Fitzwilliam also wishes to finalise his Grand Tour plans and meet with his friends so it all worked perfectly. You can still take your wife out to a few outings and treat the girls to a shopping trip. Lizzy always enjoys the museums and gardens. If you are amenable to it, Bennet, I would not mind keeping Jane and Lizzy with us a further fortnight and deliver them home when we return to Netherfield. They can check on Grace Gardiner and be of help to Mrs. Gardiner.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled, “That would be wonderful. No doubt Lady Anne will indulge the girls to several outings and spoil them rotten again.”

“You know my wife well,” Mr. Darcy laughed. “She loves them like she does Georgiana and is ever grateful to have your girls spend time with our daughter. Georgiana has