William cleared his throat and spoke, “I am well, father. I was quite surprised to see how much... everyone has changed. Georgiana looks more like mama and Miss Jane is out and will be eighteen next month and... and Lizzy... she is completely different than when I left. She... I cannot wrap my head around the fact that she looks... so... so...”
“She is all grown up, is she not? She will be sixteen in March and is more a woman than a girl now and you find it difficult to see her as an adult?” Mr. Darcy smiled. “Did you think she would stay small forever?”
“I... I never thought about it, actually. I always saw her like a sister but she has altered so much.” William sighed, “I believed she was going to be the small and affectionate child that she had always been forever, I suppose, but she is not. She looks different and speaks different, and I am afraid I no longer recognise her.”
Mr. Darcy sat next to his son, “She is becoming a woman and your mother has been working on her since summer to see if Lizzy might be willing to change her mind about marriage. Although she is determined to become a spinster, your mama has been teaching her that she can be both a bluestocking and a lady at the same time and Lizzy has excelled in her studies, as she does in everything if she puts her mind to it. She is still the young girl you know but you must make the effort to change your perspective, Fitzwilliam.” He wrapped his arm around his son’s shoulder, “Time moves on and I only feel older when I see the children grow bigger. If it all goes according to your mother’s plans, Lizzy will marry a worthy man and she will have a family of her own to love. You have grown up much and you must give Lizzy a chance to grow in her own way.”
William sat back and closed his eyes. “Perhaps I am only exhausted and am thinking too much on it, father. I could use a ride and will take Snowflake out for an hour. I missed the country air here.”
Mr. Darcy nodded and William left for the stables.
~*~
While heading toward the stables to ride his stallion, William heard a shot ringing from the large field on the other side of the mansion. He walked over to see Richard and Lizzy practicing with a flintlock pistol, with Richard talking and pointing his hand to a target in the far distance. He was about to turn back to the stables when he heard Lizzy’s boisterous laughter and something burned within his chest. He marched to where they were standing and listened to them for a moment before announcing his presence.
“I am terrible at this, Richard! I did not realise how heavy a pistol is and it is quite difficult to keep my arm straight. Not only must I aim and keep my arm straight, but not flinch when I fire the shot and try to hit my target!” Lizzy laughed, “This was harder than I thought and I admire your great abilities in your accuracy!”
Richard smiled, “Perhaps if I help you hold it up while you fire, you might be abl...”
“That will do, Richard.” William sternly commanded. “Father wants you. I will continue with Lizzy.”
Richard replied, “But of course! I will see what my uncle wants. We will practice more later, Lizzy. Do not forget to keep your arm straight and firm. William will show you but you know I am the superior teacher!”
Lizzy smiled as she continued her inspection of the pistol in her hand. “Thank you, Richard. I am glad you kept your part of the deal, even if you lost soundly to a girl!”
Richard chuckled as he walked towards the house.
“Help me, Will. I thought it would be an easy task to point and shoot but it is quite difficult. This is so heavy and my hand is too small.” Lizzy commented without seeing her friend’s serious face. “Well?” She finally looked up when he did not respond. “Will you hold up my arm so I can attempt to aim?”
William took a deep breath as he stood behind her. He slowly drew his body closer to hers, her back completely flushed against his front, and he held up her right arm with his right hand. He leaned forward and placed the right side of his chin against her head, “Take a deep breath and calm your heart, Lizzy.” She did as told. “Close one eye and aim for the target. When you are ready, let me know and take two deep breaths, hold it, and fire. I will hold your arm but be prepared for the recoil. If you let go of the pistol, it is dangerous and you can get hurt.”
She took several deep breaths and William did the same. He inhaled the scent of lavender from her hair and his heart raced rapidly. He looked down to see her chest move up and down and knew his body had never reacted so to anyone else before. He kissed her temple as he raised his left arm to wrap around her waist and held her abdomen, and she placed her palm over his hand.
“I am ready, Will.” Lizzy took two deep breaths then pulled the trigger.
After the shot was fired, she hopped away from his arms and cheered, “Look at that, Will! It was nearly perfect! That was so exhilarating; it was amazing!” She turned around and jumped up and down in excitement. “Thank you! You are such a good teacher.
