Mr. Darcy consoled, “She will forgive you, son. She is a very gracious young lady, even if she has strong opinions about certain matters in the world. I had wondered what she was speaking of and I saw that she was clearly irritating Miss Bingley with her questions but I supposed that we were all accustomed to Lizzy’s unique personality while Miss Bingley simply was not. When Lizzy returns from her shopping trip with your mama and Georgiana, please speak with her as soon as possible. It is better to quickly resolve these matters instead of letting it fester on.”
“Thank you, father.” William answered. “I will certainly do so. I will let you get back to your work. I am glad to have your advice. Yours and Lizzy’s, of course.” He smiled and left the study.
~*~
It was most unfortunate for William that he did not have a chance to speak in private with Lizzy for the entire day. After she had returned from Bond Street, she retired to her rooms to rest until it was dinnertime, and then after her birthday cake and celebration, she excused herself to her rooms to retire early. She had avoided speaking with William for the full day and William was miserable that he was not able to apologise.
The next day, William rose early in the morning and waited for Lizzy to break her fast. They almost always had eaten together in the mornings, as they were both early risers, other than Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet.
He was nearly done with his meal when Lizzy walked into the breakfast room.
“Finally!” William exclaimed as he jumped from his seat and stood in front of her. “May I speak with you in the library for a moment, Miss Bennet? I must insist.” He grabbed her arm and pulled her gently.
Lizzy huffed, “Fine! You don’t have to pull. I can walk!” She stood tall and walked towards the room. “I have been reading ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and I imagine that hairy beast to be like you. Irritable, haughty, and ruder than anyone I know.”
“Lizzy,” William whined, “I wanted to apologise to you. I cannot be sorrier that I was so ill-mannered two days ago. Although I was an obnoxious arse about it when you told me about her, I took your advice and watched Miss Bingley closely and of course you were right. You were right about everything, Lizzy, and I am sorry. I should have listened to you and trusted you instead of lashing out and yelling at you. I knew you were not acting out of jealousy or viciousness, but you were guarding me and I failed to listen because I thought my attraction was more important and that my own judgment was fair and sound. I could not have been more wrong and I needed my dear blood-brother to watch out for me.” He bent down and knelt in front of her to meet her eyes. “You, my small friend, have more wisdom and discernment than all of the grown ladies of my acquaintance put together and I should have trusted you.”
Lizzy wiped her tears with her hand and William handed her his handkerchief. “I was very sad that you didn’t wish to hear me. I was most devastated when you asked me what I was to you, to say what I had said. I thought you would listen to me...”
“And I will never doubt you again, Lizzy. I am so sorry for being such an idiot. You are my blood-brother. You are my best friend, even if you are a little girl of thirteen. I apologise from the bottom of my heart and I will always listen to you.” He hugged her tightly as she continued to cry.
Lizzy wrapped her arms around his neck and sobbed. “You forgot my birthday, Will. Yesterday was my birthday and I know I told you that you don’t have to get me another present again but you never forgot before and you forgot yesterday.”
“Of course, I did not forget it, dear Lizzy!” William exclaimed. “I wished you a happy birthday at dinner, remember? I gave your gift to a maid to place it in your room while you were out shopping with mama during the day. Did you not see it?”
Lizzy shook her head in the negative as she released him.
“Good lord, we cannot have this. I thought you were being stubborn last night to refuse to acknowledge my gift because you were angry with me.” William commented as he stood tall and walked her to her rooms with his arm around her shoulder. He pointed to a paper-wrapped package that was sitting on a chair in Lizzy’s rooms. “There is your gift from me. I would never, ever forget your birthday, silly girl! Open it. It is already passed and you may open it now. You will need to use them today in any case.”
Lizzy excitedly ran over to the package and saw the note attached to it. It read,
For my dearest Lizzy,
This is the first gift for our adventure tomorrow. Your second gift awaits at a special location two hours away and will be a surprise. I wish you a wonderful thirteenth birthday!
Your brother, with love,
Will
She squealed with joy and ripped apart the paper. She saw the items inside and her eyes opened brightly. “This is for me, Will? It is wonderful!”
William chuckled, “It is the first gift that you must wear to where I am taking you. Try it on.” He looked at his pocket watch
