“She is a brilliant thing, I agree, but I am very worried for her, Darcy. Lizzy has more intelligence and sense in her little body than the best men at the top of their class at Oxford, but she is a girl of not yet thirteen years in age. I know she is loved and accepted by those near her now but once she is exposed to more society, to those who do not see her as anything but a girl who is trying to rise above expectations, I fear that she will lose heart and, in the process, lose who she was meant to be. I do not wish to see her crushed but I know she will have to go through it.” Mr. Bennet ran his fingers through his hair. “If only I had wealth or status, or if she were to marry a man of consequence and patience, she might have the opportunity to achieve something great in her life. Why is it that we can have a monarch like Queen Elizabeth, who was beloved as a woman, and ladies of the first circles can do whatever they wish without regard to public opinion, but should a woman of gentle birth with little fortune attempt to show some sensibility, she is shunned and called a bluestocking? Do they not understand that we need rational women as much as intelligent men?”
Mr. Darcy smiled, “I did not take you to be such an advocate for the rights of women. Are you a supporter of Mary Wollstonecraft?”
“Yes, Yes, I am. I had never thought much about it until I began debating with Lizzy.” He laughed. “My daughter is quite persuasive and has convinced me that there are some women whose opinions are worth attending.”
“Well, with a wife like my Anne and a daughter, Bennet,” Mr. Darcy responded, “and of course having Lizzy in my homes daily for nearly three years, I am an advocate now as well. You have heard of Lady Catherine and her antics. I agree with you that those with status or money are given the privilege of acting foolishly and are permitted whatever they wish and society’s rules do not apply to them. I wish for Georgiana to be more like Lizzy than an insipid debutante, and with my wife’s direction, I am hopeful that my daughter will have her heart’s desires. Remember,” Mr. Darcy paused, “Lizzy will be independently wealthy and her investment with Gardiner Enterprises is growing rapidly. Last your brother advised me, her majority funds were growing at twenty per cent on average, with the aggressive portfolio at nearly forty per cent growth. If all goes well, Lizzy will not only have Longbourn but her own funds to do as she wishes. And remember also,” Mr. Darcy beamed, “that you are not without connections. I adore Lizzy like my own daughter and my brother is the Earl of Matlock. Anne would demand the earl and the countess’ support and Henry and Margaret were delighted with her at Rosings. Whether Lizzy marries or not is entirely up to herself.”
“Thank you, Darcy.” Mr. Bennet smiled. “You reassure me and I appreciate it. I do wish for her to marry and have happiness through her own children someday but I think not. Who would be able to take on such a girl as a wife and what man could possibly win her heart? I know William only sees her like a little sister and as much as you and I wish it, your son will find a worthy wife soon. Perhaps he may even return with one in tow from his Grand Tour!”
Mr. Darcy burst out laughing, “I hope not! He is still too young and I hope to at least meet the young lady before he commits himself to a lifelong responsibility. I have not yet seen him interested in anyone and am curious what type of a woman he will find attractive. I know we men have our preferences and as much as he tells me that he wishes for an intelligent wife, his eyes will turn with his body faster than with his mind.”
“I know it, Darcy. I had said the same but once I saw Fanny, I was a lost man.” Mr. Bennet concurred. “The heart has a way of beating on its own without listening to the mind. Logic does not apply when the heart strings are pulled the opposite direction.”
The men laughed and spoke freely of their hopes for their children’s future. They made plans to attend the theatre and have a special birthday dinner for Lizzy next week. The Darcys and Bennets planned on enjoying themselves in London during the next week and a half.
~*~
“I am most eager for our travels, Knightley.” William excitedly shared with his friend, as they sat at White’s and sipped on their drinks while watching their acquaintances make foolish bets on the books. “I enjoy an occasional bet or two but I am certainly more looking forward to seeing parts of England that I have never visited, seeing Ireland and Scotland, and of course, sailing across to Sweden. It will be the most exciting three and a half years of my life.”
“Ah, about that, Darcy,” John Knightley flustered, “I... I wished to ask you on your thoughts... if you would allow our plans to change slightly. I assure you, but I would like to...” He took a deep breath. “I am engaged, Darcy. I visited home before coming down to London and when I saw her...” He smiled as William’s mouth dropped agape. “Oh, dear friend, I have known Isabella all her life and I only saw her as a child before, but then when I
