“Those artists!” Lizzy huffed in jest. “They have the audacity to throw a tantrum when they do not get their way! I hope Lizzy gives him a piece of her mind if she should see him in person!”
William laughed exuberantly, “Perhaps she will! I know of only one person who would challenge such a famous painter and Elizabeth Bennet is the one to do it.” He leaned down and kissed her cheek. “Good night, Lizzy. See you tomorrow. I will call on you before luncheon. Poor Mrs. Gardiner has to keep feeding me because I am quite affixed to your side.”
“Good night, Will. I have had the most enjoyable time.” Lizzy softly answered. She felt treasured and could not help herself to embrace him before heading up the stairs.
William smiled and returned to the hackney to ride to Darcy House. It was a half-hour journey from Cheapside to Mayfair but he knew his heart permanently resided wherever Lizzy stayed.
Chapter 8
July 1809
“It is wonderful to finally meet you at last, Miss Elizabeth!” Mr. John Knightley cheerfully commented after introductions were made at Netherfield. “I have heard much about you from Darcy during our travels and I nearly expected to find a swashbuckling pirate with an eyepatch and a sword instead.” The group gleefully laughed.
Lizzy replied, “I assure you, if it had not been for my sister,” she tapped Jane’s hand, “you would have found me on my tree with my compass and spyglass to fight off my imaginary enemies. She had to remind me of the time so I could look presentable for Will’s dear friends. I am deeply sorry to hear of your father’s passing, Mr. Knightley.” She turned to his wife, “I have heard you have been close neighbours with each other for years. How wonderful that you know your husband’s character well, Mrs. Knightley.”
“Isabella, please, Miss Elizabeth.” The genteel lady smiled. “I am comforted in knowing him for a long time, and it is satisfying to know that he will not regret his choice of a wife after having travelled to the corners of this country to meet various people and see his options.” She laughed. “And now that we are happily married, we look forward to starting our lives together in London while he finishes his studies. He will be a barrister in two or three years with his connections and has already been popular with the members of the Inn of Courts.”
“How wonderful!” Lizzy responded, “I would love to see a court proceeding and help those in need. There is so much work to be done. And please call me ‘Lizzy,’ Isabella.”
Jane asked, “And please call me Jane. Have you found a townhouse to your liking in London, Mrs. Knightley?”
“Isabella, Jane.” Mrs. Knightley smiled. “Yes, we have found one to lease near Grosvenor Square and it is being readied this month. If we like it enough, we hope to purchase it after the Ramsgate cottage is sold. When we return from the seaside, we will be able to reside there instead of staying with Mr. Knightley’s uncle in town. He is a kind man but quite eccentric.”
“That is very sensible.” Lizzy spoke, “It is far better to live independently for a while than to reside with a relative who might not understand you in the beginning of your marriage.”
Mr. Knightley responded, “I agree with you, Miss Elizabeth. Although I love my brother, it felt as if we were taking a holiday there during the first weeks of our marriage and then my father-in-law was constantly needing Isabella’s attendance. We are looking forward to departing tomorrow to Ramsgate and will have our delayed wedding trip of sorts. We are pleased that you will all join us, as we will have good company to enjoy the seaside together.”
“I was there with the Darcys three autumns ago, while Will was travelling with you, of course, and I loved sitting on the beach and listening to the waves all day. Georgie will have Miss Carter for company again and Jane will have Isabella, while I drift off to my own world of wishing for a life of a sailor or a pirate.” Lizzy beamed. “I disappeared for hours last time and Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Anne had to form a search party to look for me. I had never seen Mrs. Anne so upset but she forgave me once she realised that I was only down the street with a kind, elderly man and his wife, who was regaling me with his stories as a yeoman on a naval ship. She made me promise to never do it again and I had to notify her wherever I went for the next fortnight, even if only to retire to my rooms!”
Everyone laughed and William continued, “I rarely heard a cross word from my own mother but she told me that she had let out a few expletives when Lizzy disappeared in Ramsgate. I had warned her that Lizzy caused my grey hairs but she had not experienced it herself.” He looked at her fondly, “But I would not change her for the world.”
Lizzy tenderly returned the smile while the others spoke. Soon, Lizzy and Jane returned home and Mr. and Mrs. Knightley were shown to their rooms to rest before dinner.
~*~
John Knightley spoke with William as they were fishing in the pond the next morning while Isabella was sitting indoors with Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne. “Lizzy is an extraordinary girl, Darcy. I see why you love her.”
William nodded, “That she is, Knightley. That is why I wish for her to see the Ramsgate house. I know I will not be able to change her mind, although I hope for a miracle that I will be able to marry her someday, but I want to provide her security and she will always have a place to go if she should need a home for herself. If she likes the
