Page 82 of A Life Diverted

Wednesday the fifth day of March dawned as a cloudless spring day.

The light breeze made the leaves on the trees wave gently.

Elizabeth woke not long after the sun was up, knowing it was a big day for her.

Yes, it was her tenth birthday, and she was looking forward to it, but much more importantly, she had just slept her final night in the nursery.

The nursemaid on duty that morning helped Elizabeth dress in clothes that were laid out and ready for her.

The rest of her clothing had been moved to her new bedchamber the previous day, and once she left the nursery that morning, the remainder of her possessions would be moved to her new chambers.

Not wanting to disturb her sleeping siblings—at least she assumed they were sleeping—Elizabeth slipped out of the nursery and made for her new chambers.

Jane had a maid, Miss Antoinette de Chambé, who had started with her when she turned twelve. Until Elizabeth turned twelve, de Chambé would assist her when needed, but only after she had seen to Jane’s needs.

Prince Frederick wanted to gift his daughter with her own maid as soon as she moved, but he had been soundly overruled by both Fanny and Bennet, pointing out how important it was that his daughter not be treated differently than her sisters.

Seeing the truth in their assertions, Frederick withdrew from that particular fight.

Elizabeth did not see anyone on her way to her new chambers and entered the sitting room she and Jane would share until one of them eventually left the house This was her first stop because her mother had given her permission to ask de Chambé to style her hair for her special day.

Elizabeth found the maid waiting for her in her new dressing room and was somewhat disappointed Jane was not up to wish her happy birthday, but she would not disturb her sister.

After her hair was done in an elegant updo—a special treat for her birthday even if she was a little young for such a coiffure—Elizabeth made her way to the breakfast parlour, intending to start her day off with a cup of chocolate.

She then planned to take a walk in the park as she did most mornings until returning to break her fast with the family.

On her way to the parlour, she stopped at her father’s study to wish him good morning, but there was no answering call to enter.

Disappointed, Elizabeth turned toward the direction of her waiting morning drink.

The doors to the parlour were closed, but as she approached, Biggs and Johns—almost cracking smiles—pushed the doors open for her.

“ Happy Birthday !” came the combined chorus of everyone resident in the house.

Elizabeth stopped and gaped, but soon sported her biggest smile as she realised why she had not seen anyone from the time she got up until now.

Nearest to her was Jane, who opened her arms for her younger sister. “Were you surprised, Lizzy?” Jane asked as she hugged her sister. “It was so hard for me not to be there when you went to have de Chambé do your hair, but it was worth seeing the look on your face.”

“Uncle Freddy!” Elizabeth exclaimed when she saw her uncle, who she loved dearly, and who was closest to her and Jane. “What time did you arrive from Purvis Lodge? As always, I am very happy to see you.”

Prince Frederick almost melted at his daughter’s words of affection. He hugged her in for a long moment, holding the living, breathing part of Priscilla which remained in the mortal world. “You are ten today, Lizzy. You are becoming an old lady, and you will soon be on the shelf,” he teased.

“Very funny, Uncle,” Elizabeth said with a smile. She loved all of her uncles, but for some reason she could not fathom, she felt a level of comfort around Uncle Freddy that was different than her other uncles.

Elizabeth knew he was a Prince, that he was in fact second in line for the throne of England after his older brother.

Based on her uncle, she assumed all royals were friendly and as approachable as he.

Frederick had been in her life for almost five years now, and he was wont to shower all six Bennet children with gifts.

Jane and her cobs, Avery and Juniper, were only one such example.

If that were not enough, he had gifted the rest of the Bennet children with ponies.

She was sure Uncle Freddy had some extravagant present for her birthday, but she cared not as long as he was with her in person.

After Uncle Freddy, she was hugged tightly by her Mama and Papa, who both wished her happy and congratulated her on reaching the milestone of her own bedchamber. Elizabeth shared an opinion common to all six Bennet children that they had the best parents anyone could have.

Elizabeth was then surrounded by the rest of her sisters—Charlotte, Anne, Cassie, Gigi, and Mariah, as well as those that bore the Bennet name. Once she made her way through the wishes of that group, Tommy approached her with a baleful look on his face.

“Tommy, why do you look sad?” Elizabeth asked.

“You are leaving the nursery, and I will miss you,” Tommy owned.

“You will not see me less during the day, Tommy,” Elizabeth assured the pouting boy of three.

Elizabeth put her mouth next to his ear.

“Would you like to come visit my chambers later? After our guests leave, you will be invited to spend the night like we did in Janie’s chambers sometimes,” Elizabeth asked quietly.

The reaction was immediate. Tommy’s look went from sad to beaming with happiness.

For reasons known only to him, he felt closer to Elizabeth than to his other sisters—who he loved deeply—so her offer put him at ease.

Eddy and Nick wished her happy too; each was rewarded with a hug from the birthday girl.

After she received hugs from her Gardiner, Phillips, Darcy, Carrington, and Fitzwilliam aunts and uncles, everyone was seated and enjoyed the celebratory breaking of their fasts. As was her wont on her birthday, Elizabeth was treated to a second cup of chocolate at the end of the meal.

From the dining parlour, all proceeded to the east drawing room, the largest at Netherfield Park, for presentation of her presents. For once, Frederick had not gifted his daughter with an over-the-top gift. His gift, as were most of the others, was clothing, in his case a sable pelisse.

When Fanny saw the material the pelisse had been made from, she looked at the sheepish Prince with arched eyebrow.

“It is a pelisse, which is as you asked, Fanny,” Frederick said quietly near Fanny’s ear as his defence, and Bennet smirked, his ‘I told you so’ look making his wife sigh with exasperation.

“But sable, Frederick! I suppose it is my fault when I told you she needed a pelisse that I did not specify you should not be extravagant in the material,” Fanny shook her head at the incorrigible Prince, who looked well satisfied with himself.

In the end, Elizabeth found her wardrobe well supplemented with day dresses, gloves, half boots for walking, and two riding habits.

As happy as she was with the presents—and what girl of ten would not be—the thing she enjoyed more than anything was having their extended family with her on this special day.

It was true that the whole of the extended family tried to be present when any of their children had a significant birthday, so this occasion was not the first such meeting to celebrate a birthday, and neither would it be the last.

“Who would like to go for a ride?” Bennet asked once all the gifts had been revealed, the givers thanked most sincerely by Elizabeth, and two maids had removed them to go place them in the little miss’s dressing room.

As would be expected, most replies were in the affirmative. Everyone decided to join the riding party save for Fanny, Madeline, and Ladies Anne, Elaine, and Edith. “Mama, may I wear one of my new riding habits?” Elizabeth asked excitedly.

“Yes, Lizzy, of course you may. Which one will you choose?” Fanny asked.

“The green one from Aunt Anne,” Elizabeth averred and then turned to Lady Edith. “I will wear the one you gifted me the next time we ride, Aunt Edith.” After being ensured her aunt felt no slight at the one from the Darcys being worn first, Elizabeth made for her new chambers.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

It was a large party that rode out from Netherfield. Luckily for their guests who did not bring their own mounts, Netherfield’s stables had more than enough horses and ponies available for everyone.

Even though there were several men in the party, there was still a full complement of escorts with them, especially as the Prince was one of their number. The guards did not know they were protecting a Princess as well, but that would not have changed their vigilance, which was always high.

The party made their way to Oakham Mount, which was just past the north-western border of Longbourn.

Once they crossed from Netherfield Park’s fields to those of Longbourn, those who were comfortable galloping gave their horses their heads.

Although Tommy would have loved to gallop his pony, he knew he was not allowed above a canter, so he and the rest of the children on ponies brought up the rear.

When they arrived at the base of Oakham Mount—in reality a hill—everyone dismounted, and the party made their way on foot up to the flattened summit of the Mount.

From the top, there was a clear view of the area.

Bennet acted as guide and pointed out Netherfield Park to the east, Longbourn below them, and Purvis Lodge in between the two.

It was easy to see Lucas Lodge, as it was the estate between Longbourn and the market town of Meryton.

“Lizzy, the habit the Darcys gifted you looks very well on you,” Jane stated as the group of older girls stood under the big oak on the summit.

“Thank you, Janie,” Elizabeth responded, “it fits me just so.”