“My Uncle Edward bought it for me. He said if I was going to be in disguise, I must look the part and hide away my curls. No matter what I do, my hair doesn’t look like a boy’s and mama will kill me if I cut it.” Lizzy answered. “As long as I’m not caught by our neighbours, she will be fine. She has learned to tolerate more of my mischief lately.”
“I am your neighbour and I found you, Lizzy. Perhaps I will tell everyone that the Bennets now have a son named Liam!” William quipped. “You are too pretty to be a boy.”
Lizzy giggled, “Thank you, Will. I know I’m not pretty like Jane or Georgiana but I appreciate it just as well. I chose Liam because it begins with ‘L’ and it is the second half of your name. I’ve begun writing my story and Will and Liam are my characters’ names and my charade is part of my research into what it feels like to be a boy. I find that I enjoy the disguise but it’s not as fun as I had first thought. The trousers are scratchy and it’s hot under all these layers. Things are tight where I’m not accustomed to it and the costume is quite plain. I see why Beau Brummell felt the need to accentuate his fashion, even if I think he is insane.”
William laughed as he put her on Snowflake, his mighty stallion, and they rode together, with Lizzy easily guiding the horse. “We will have to go to Longbourn for you to change your clothing first, Lizzy. My parents will not mind but Georgiana might fall madly in love with the dashing Liam and elope with you at the age of eight. And I would guess your mama would be mortified by anyone else seeing you in your disguise.”
“I wouldn’t want Georgie to elope with anyone, Will. All right, I will go and change first and look more delicate like a girl.” Lizzy laughed. “I’m a twelve-year-old girl now and I must look the part. I do like my dresses, I will admit. Aunt Madeline took me shopping and between your mama’s tastes and my aunt’s, I don’t know whose choice is better. I liked what they chose better than mama’s selections or Jane’s old dresses, and my clothes are softer and more comfortable than the others from before. I hope you missed me for myself and not for my dresses, Will!”
“I missed you. I truly did.” William laughed. “How did you like my gift, Lizzy? I was not going to be here for your birthday this year but I wanted to make sure you received it on time.” William patted Lizzy’s head. “You are growing up quickly.”
Lizzy smiled as they neared Longbourn, “You never forget and I adore you for it, Will. I loved your present. Georgie had told me how generous you were but I would have never believed it until I also became the recipient of them. You’ve been so kind. I could never repay you a fraction of what you have given me but I’ll be a good friend to you forever. You’re my blood-brother and we made a blood-oath, remember?”
William laughed, “I remember, Lizzy, and I enjoy gifting you because you are my blood-brother. You never have to think to repay me for any of it, I will have you know. I would be offended if you did not accept my presents because I give it freely without expecting anything in return. Well, I do request your friendship but that is all. Well, your friendship to me and my sister, and of course your kindness to my parents is wished. So, I guess it is not so freely.” He chuckled.
Lizzy giggled, “Nothing in life is truly free, is it? But what I do give, the love and care I share with all the Darcys are given without expectation of a return. Thank you again for replica model of Lord Nelson’s ship. It has been fascinating to look at it and papa has begged me to have it kept in his study and I believe he loves it more than I, but I remind him that it is mine. I’ve been tempted to take it to the pond to see if it floats but papa would not hear of it, as it’s too valuable to ruin it and it might sink.”
“You are very welcome, dear one. I suppose I must gift you more feminine items soon but for now, Lord Nelson’s HMS Badger will do.” William responded. “Laces and feathers next year?”
“HA!” Lizzy retorted, “Only if I am allowed to give you the same in return. Did you see my poor attempt at embroidery? My Christmas gift to you was awful but mama said I had to try.”
William laughed as he pulled out his handkerchief, “I carry it with me every day and it brings a big smile to my face whenever I look at it.” He showed it to her as he asked in all seriousness, “But I wondered, is this what a ‘W’ is truly supposed to look like? I had thought it was a serpent at first.”
Lizzy laughed as she hit his arm in jest, “It is a ‘W’ and I thought it turned out fine. I couldn’t get a ‘D’ started after so you only got one letter. Perhaps by the end of this year, I can get two letters embroidered.”
The pair laughed as they dismounted and William sat with Mr. Bennet and conversed for a while. After Lizzy was ready to depart, William cheerfully took her to Netherfield, where Ghost and Honey, Lizzy and Georgiana’s ponies, were kept. Lizzy had free use of her pony and the small carriage but Mr. Darcy knew it was a financial burden to keep the two horses at Longbourn and gladly housed the animals to his home after his
