William rubbed his chest where his heart had nearly beat out of his chest after her lips met his. He hoped the next two months would fly as Snowflake could run, so that he could propose to the woman of his dreams.
Chapter 3
March 1809
“I am too large to play hide-and-seek now, Georgie!” Lizzy laughed. “I will not fit anywhere and you will find me straightaway!”
Georgiana laughed, “That’s why I want to play with you. You’ve always been the best and it will finally be my chance find you and win!”
Lizzy laughed, “All right. Look at the mantle clock and give me five minutes. Same rules as before. No bedrooms but anywhere inside Darcy House goes. Start the time... now.” She rushed out of Georgiana’s rooms to find a place to hide.
The young lady went to the large library where several new bookshelves were being fitted on the upper level of the great room above the spiral staircase. The installation had not been completed yet and the upstairs books were stacked against one side of the wall and Lizzy knew it would be the perfect place to hide herself for a while.
She went into the empty library and found her nook and sat down, burying herself with high stacks of books all around her. She sat quietly and opened her watch to check the time. Her musical watch began to play the notes and she smiled as she pulled the pin out slightly to stop the rod from turning to keep it quiet. She planned on giving Georgiana twenty minutes and she would win if still undiscovered.
As Lizzy sat quietly, she heard several footsteps coming into the library. The house was to have been empty except for Georgiana and herself, as the Bennet clan was out shopping for the younger girls and her father was seeing to business with Uncle Edward. The Darcys were meeting with the Fitzwilliams and she had rarely seen William since her arrival two days ago, as he had many appointments with his friends and had been invited to one party after another.
She wondered if she should announce herself and exit the room when she heard Lord Matlock’s voice.
“I apologise for having to move luncheon here, George. I think it might be time for us to hire a new cook since she is getting so old. I know Margaret will see to it but I am starving and irritable that my meal is delayed because Cook burned it falling asleep. Good thing your cook is capable and will have something prepared for us quickly.” Lord Matlock grumbled. “With the Bennets here again, it is good that your larder is fully stocked.”
Mr. Darcy laughed, “Yes, they do not eat much, with so many little girls in the house, but Cook likes to make sure there is something special for everyone and you know how much she adores Lizzy. That young lady is the easiest guest we could host but Cook knows how much she loves lemon tarts and fresh fruits. Lizzy has every one of my staff wrapped around her little finger.”
Lord Matlock puffed on his cigar and grumbled, “I like the little lady myself but I do not understand why you give her so much freedom within your household, George. I know she saved my dear sister’s life in a way but she is still the daughter of an inconsequential gentleman from the country. As much as you love Hertfordshire, it is still the backwater country with rustic bumpkins who probably know nothing of our sophisticated ways.”
“How haughty you are, Henry! You have not visited me there once, yet you pass judgment on people you have never met.” Mr. Darcy laughed. “You sound like Catherine!”
Lord Matlock began to rumble in laughter, “I did sound like her just then, did I not? I am embarrassed to behave like her and I apologise. I like Bennet and his family. I think his wife has improved considerably since first meeting her and she is still a bit coarse but I can tell she likes my sister very much. The first daughter, the pretty one, Jane, she is fit for society here and has a chance to marry well, but you know Lizzy is going to be a handful. I know you love her like a daughter, George, but she will never marry a man of worth because she is still a hoyden at heart. She looks well enough now but she speaks her mind far too much and no man in his right mind could take her as a wife. She attends lectures and wants to give all her money to charities. I heard her talk about shooting arrows and fencing and she has more knowledge of history and politics than most men, and a stupider man will not know what to do with such a girl as his wife.” He sighed, “That poor girl will be a spinster and a burden to her family for the rest of her life. I hope Jane marries well so Lizzy can have a place to stay.”
“Oh, but she will be independently wealthy, Henry!” Mr. Darcy smiled. “She will likely inherit Longbourn and that estate is doing very well now. And she has a tr...” There was a knock on the door. “Enter.” Mr. Darcy commanded.
“Luncheon is ready, sir.” Mrs. Mason announced.
“Come, Henry.” Mr. Darcy stood with his brother-in-law. “You might be in a better mood with some nourishment in your stomach.” They began to walk out of the library and he continued to speak to Lord Matlock while they headed towards the drawing room. “Henry, I know I should not say anything but I trust that you will keep my secret.” Lord Matlock nodded in agreement. “Fitzwilliam is in love with Lizzy. He confided in me that he wishes to propose as soon as she turns sixteen and he will be taking care of her. Do not
