“I have never known anyone so generous, Darcy.” Mr. Knightley chuckled. “You were always benevolent with me and all of your closest friends, but I know Lizzy means the world to you and she seems to care for you very much. She is not yet seventeen and might change her mind later. Be patient, my friend. She loves you. She looks at you the way my Isabella looks at me and that is not the love between friends but something more. Be patient.”
“Thank you,” William smiled. “She is the most obstinate girl I know but she is worth the wait. Let us return now. I have caught one fish and you, four. You are clearly the winner.”
The gentlemen gathered their gear and returned to Netherfield, from where they would depart for Ramsgate later that morning in two carriages, one with only the Knightleys for privacy and the other, with two Darcys and two Bennets, along with Miss Carter.
~*~
“It is a comfortable house, much bigger than I had expected. You call it a cottage but it is nearly as large as Longbourn and it will be delightful for a peaceful holiday during the summer!” Lizzy proclaimed after their tour with the housekeeper. “I believe I could live here for the rest of my life, looking at the sea and listening to the waves every day.” They sat in the drawing room for refreshments.
Georgiana laughed, “That’s what you say about every place you go, Lizzy! You said the same about Pemberley, Darcy House, and even Rosings Park. I think you said you could live in your tree all your life, also!”
Lizzy giggled, “I did say that, did I not? Oh, Georgie, I say it because I mean it. I am happy wherever I can find some peace and quiet and good friends are near. My only regret is that I suffer from a terrible ailment that cannot be cured.”
“Oh, whatever is the matter, Lizzy?” Isabella Knightley inquired. “I did not know that you were ill!”
Jane and Georgiana laughed while Lizzy responded with a sly smile, “Only seasickness, Isabella. The one thing that a sailor cannot suffer, my body rejects life on a boat. Did you know that Lord Nelson suffered greatly from seasickness as well? He was constantly emptying the contents of his stomach when aboard a ship.”
After the laughter calmed, William spoke firmly to his friend, “Please promise me that you will not sneak off on your own, Lizzy. Whether in the early morning or the middle of the night, will you alert me if you wish to step out?” He gave her a look of pleading.
Lizzy nodded her agreement, “Of course, Will. I will be responsible since we have Georgiana with us and I must set a good example,” she looked at the elder governess, “otherwise Miss Carter might make me write lines again!” She laughed. “I would like a walk now, though, if you do not mind. I would like to see the elderly couple again. They were very kind and gave me cakes and punch when I stayed with them for an hour.”
“I will walk with you, Lizzy. The ladies can rest before dinner and we can see how much has changed since I was here last.” William stood to head out of doors with his favourite. He bore a large grin on his face as she held his arm and looked up adoringly at him.
~*~
“Good afternoon,” Lizzy nodded after knocking. “I am looking for Mr. and Mrs. Jameson. Are they in?”
The woman answered as she rocked the crying babe in her arms, “Jameson... Jameson... You are?”
William answered, “Mr. Darcy and Miss B...”
“DANIEL?! DANIEL! MR. AND MRS. DARCY ARE HERE ABOUT JAMESON?” She yelled at someone in the back of the small home. She turned back, “Please pardon me. My husband will arrive shortly.” She rushed to return to whatever task she was doing.
An unkempt man arrived to the door, “Uh, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy? You are looking for the Jamesons?” William nodded without correcting their names. “They are gone. That was the name of the couple that lived here before us but I think the old man died and his wife went to live with her son somewhere... Portsmouth, I think. Someplace far.”
Lizzy asked, “How long have you lived here, sir?”
The man answered, “Nearly three years.”
“Thank you,” William nodded and handed him a coin, “Our apologies for disturbing you while you are busy.” He turned and walked to Lizzy who was already several steps away in the street. “Are you well?” He pulled out his handkerchief after seeing her tears fall.
“Oh, he was such a nice man, Will. It sounds as if he passed away a little after I met him. How precious life is; one never knows when the day is one’s last.” Lizzy wiped her face.
William wrapped his arm around her and rubbed her back. “I am sorry, Lizzy.”
Lizzy lay her head on his chest, “I know life goes on. Everyone lives and dies and there is a time for everything. I will be fine.”
“Yes, life is precious.” William released her and stood upright. “To cheer you up, I plan on taking you on the waters tomorrow. We will not sail on it since I do not wish for you to become ill, but we will be allowed to tour on one of the larger fishing ships and the captain has agreed to allow you to test the ropes and show us how the fishing nets work. How does that sound?”
Lizzy softly smiled as her spirits arose, “How do you know everything I love, Will? You are so considerate.”
“I know you, Lizzy, better than anyone else knows you.” William gently stroked her cheek with his thumb. “I want to give you every happiness.”
Lizzy was touched and kissed his palm. “Thank you, Will. You are the best.”
William gathered her on his arm again