Lizzy laughed, “You took me to Hyde Park today and then to Gunther’s for iced cream, and now a gift? I feel as if it is my birthday all over again.”
William kissed her hand, “Part of my grovelling, remember? I am going to spoil you for the next week you will be here.”
“I am glad to spend as much time with you as possible, Will. You will visit your friend Mr. Knightley in Highbury after I return home with your family?” Lizzy asked.
“Yes, his father passed a week ago and he asked me to see him to discuss his inheritance. His elder brother, George Knightley, will receive Donwell Abbey, their father’s estate, but John was also given a small property in Ramsgate and I am of mind to purchase it from him. He was able to marry a week prior to his father’s death, a lovely woman he loved for years and they wish to purchase a home in London where he will be finishing his studies.” William explained. “I have some funds saved up and my grandmother also left me a large inheritance. The cottage in Ramsgate is only a few blocks from the place you had stayed when you were there a few autumns ago.”
Lizzy smiled brightly, “I loved Ramsgate! It was a beautiful seaside town and I would love to go there again but, in the summertime next, if I could visit.”
“I will be in Highbury for a month then I plan on travelling to Ramsgate with John in July. Would you like to join me?” William asked. “I would love your opinion of the place.”
“What would my opinion mean? It is your purchase and I am only a young girl.” Lizzy teased.
“Lizzy,” William whined, “you are more than a girl. You are a lovely woman whose opinions matter more to me than anyone else’s. Father wishes me to make my own choice and will not join me but if you come with me, I will feel better about my decision. I will bring along Georgiana and you can bring Jane. What say you?”
“What could I say to an adventure by the seaside? Of course, I will agree!” Lizzy exclaimed. “Can I open this package now? I am curious what is in here. It feels like clothing.”
“Open it, silly girl. Yes, it is clothing.” William grinned.
Lizzy excitedly ripped apart the paper wrapping and squealed, “They are men’s clothing! You have brought me another set of trousers, linenshirt, a coat, even a cravat and cap! Where are we going tonight? I can dress as a man?”
“You will not look like a man, I keep telling you. You will be Liam Gardiner, my young cousin twice removed from Shropshire.” William laughed. “You must speak as low and deep as you can, or I can tell anyone we come across that you are mute and do not know how to speak. Go on. Get changed and we will head out shortly.”
Lizzy clamoured in joy and ran upstairs to change.
Jane and Mrs. Gardiner entered to sit with William. “You are making my niece into quite a young man, William.” Mrs. Gardiner commented with a glint in her eye. “She is very happy to see and experience things that she has never done before and she is happy to go anywhere with you. I hope you will keep her safe in this place you will go tonight.”
William smiled, “Yes, ma’am. I plan on keeping her very safe. Although it will be a rowdy place, the patrons there are only interested in the sport and will not pay attention to us. I will also need to change out my jacket to look the part, and I plan on having Matthews guard us, just in case we run across any trouble. He will be within range to protect us if anyone bothers us.”
“Good, good. Mr. Gardiner found your idea very humorous but never having experienced the event myself, I only worry for my niece’s safety.” Mrs. Gardiner replied. “I would think Jane would be scandalised to be at such a place and it is no place for a delicate woman.”
“No, ma’am.” William answered. “But Lizzy is no delicate woman. She is an extraordinary one.”
The ladies smiled and Mr. Gardiner soon entered. “Well, we are off to our dinner party.” He shook William’s hand. “Take care of Lizzy and tell us all about your adventure. I envy you. I would rather be with you than at the party!”
They laughed when Mrs. Gardiner tapped her husband’s arm in jest. “You are stuck with Jane and me, Edward! Do not get any ideas of abandoning us now!”
The couple left with Jane and William opened his satchel to change out his coat. He loosened his cravat to make it appear dishevelled and replaced his top hat for a cap. He went to the fireplace and inspected it when Lizzy returned downstairs.
“Well, I certainly feel like a man, Will!” She exclaimed proudly as she strutted into the room. “I still have a problem with the gait but I am working on trying not to walk so daintily.”
“You look like a fine strapping boy, Lizzy, I mean, Liam.” William laughed. “Come here and let me adjust your cravat. It is too neat.”
He pulled her in front of him and tugged on the cravat. “Your hair is all pinned up as unruly as possible?”
She nodded. “If my cap should fall off, I could still pass as a boy. I have pinned it as if it looks shorter than it is but my curls cannot be helped. I will have to try to hold the hat if it gets loose but it will do.”
“Good.” William bent down to the fireplace and gathered some soot. “I hate to ruin your lovely face, Lizzy, but you are too pretty and clean.” He smudged a little on her cheeks and forehead. He also did the same to himself. “We must appear like
