Page 29 of Aunt Felicity

S aturday, the day after Mr Collins’s arrival at Longbourn, Elizabeth woke before dawn, as was her wont. She knew it was cold outside, but there was no precipitation, so she planned to walk out. Aunt Felicity had accompanied her on her rambles twice since she had come into their lives. When they had walked together, Elizabeth had discovered more similarities between her aunt and herself than just looks. Her aunt very much enjoyed walking and had no issue keeping pace with her much younger niece. She also discovered that before she eloped, Aunt Felicity used to watch the sunrise, sitting on the same boulder as Elizabeth did, atop Oakham Mount.

Elizabeth dressed warmly, donning her wool stockings, her thickest walking dress with sleeves all the way down to her wrists, and her fur lined walking boots which had been a gift Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward had presented her for her previous birthday.

By the time she reached the entrance hall, and Hill assisted her into her warm pelisse, wool lined gloves, scarf, and heavy coat, the eastern sky had just begun to lighten. After thanking the butler, Elizabeth made her way to the kitchen, and Cook presented her with a cloth in which were wrapped some of that morning’s freshly baked goods. On a whim, she placed a carrot into her pocket as well. After thanking Cook, like she did each day she walked out, Elizabeth left the warmth of the kitchen via the kitchen door.

There was a biting cold, but thanks to her scarf wrapped around her mouth and ears, her warm clothing, and the warmth generated from the blistering pace of her walking, the low temperature did not bother her.

Both times she had walked with Aunt Felicity, William had found them, and walked with them for a good part of their ramble. Hence, she was not surprised to see Cousin William dismounting just as she came around the bend in the path which led to the base of Oakham Mount. If she were honest with herself, she would have admitted that she was quite pleased to see him. Ever since his heartfelt apology, any antipathy she previously felt for him had been banished and had been replaced with feelings of attraction. It was all too new so for now she just enjoyed being in his company.

William gave a face splitting, dimple revealing smile when he saw Elizabeth approaching him and Zeus. He was pleased that since the day he had apologised and she had been nervous around Zeus, the gentle giant had begun to worm his way into his cousin’s heart.

“Good morning to you, Elizabeth,” William greeted.

“And to you too, Cousin William,” Elizabeth responded as she pushed the scarf off her face, “and of course it is good to see you as well, Zeus.” She looked to her cousin. “I have a carrot with me, may I give it to your stallion?”

“That is a very big step for you based on your story of being bitten by a misbehaving horse when you were a young girl,” William responded.

“I do not know if I am ready to allow him to take it directly from me. I will hand it to you, and you can feed it to him,” Elizabeth said as she withdrew the big carrot from her pocket. As soon as she did, the large horse saw it and looked at her intently, but did not move towards her.

“Are you not the one who does not allow anyone to intimidate her?” William teased.

“Aye, I have said that,” Elizabeth owned. “I suppose it is time to move past what happened more than thirteen years ago. If you are willing to assist me, I will try and feed the carrot to Zeus myself.”

“Come over to where I am standing,” William instructed. “You can see that he knows you have a treat, but he will make no move towards you until you offer it to him.” William came to stand behind Elizabeth. “Remove the glove from one of your hands.”

She did not question him, but pulled off one of her wool lined gloves and slipped it into the pocket of her coat. She could sense William very close to her, and his nearness was causing warmth throughout her body. “Now what?”

“Break the carrot into two pieces. Take one piece in your ungloved hand and then extend your hand towards Zeus. When you are ready, open your hand and hold your palm flat. Only then will he come towards you and gently take the carrot from your hand. Once he has munched the first piece, repeat the process with the second one.”

For some reason Elizabeth knew she could trust William, that he would never allow any harm to befall her. She did as instructed. The whole time the horse just stood and watched her with his big brown eyes. He only moved towards her when she opened and flattened her hand. As if he sensed her disquiet, Zeus moved very slowly until his lips touched her hand and he took the half of the carrot between his teeth. He took a step back and munched happily.

A little giggle escaped Elizabeth. “He tickled my hand with his lips,” she told William.

“Now do the same with the other half,” William reminded her.

She repeated the movements with the other piece of the carrot in her hand. The result was the same. The horse’s lips tickled her hand, and he took his treat very gently. Elizabeth felt very proud that she may have conquered a fear that morning. It was only then that she realised William was standing right behind her, with less than an inch between them. Being cognisant of his proximity to her did not cause her to step away from him.

William saw the moment Elizabeth realised he was so close to her, and he was well pleased that she made no move to increase the distance between them. As wonderful as it felt to be so very close to her, he knew if someone came across them, it would look like they were having an assignation and Elizabeth would be compromised. He would offer for her in a heartbeat, but if and when that occurred, he did not want her to be forced. He much rather preferred to be her free choice. As much as he did not want to, he stepped back and away from her.

As soon as William stepped away Elizabeth felt bereft of his presence. Given they were in a place where anyone could come across them, she understood why he had increased the distance between them.

“I am walking up to the summit. Will you join me, Cousin?” Elizabeth asked as soon as she felt able to speak again.

“It would be my pleasure to accompany you up the path, Elizabeth,” William replied in his baritone voice which Elizabeth felt she could listen to forever.

He offered her his arm, and even though she had made the walk unassisted hundreds of times in the past, Elizabeth placed her hand on William’s forearm with the greatest of pleasure. Even through the layers of clothing he was wearing and her thick gloves, she imagined she could feel his strong forearm below her hand. The feeling excited her in ways she had previously never felt.

‘ Am I a silly girl to go from hating the very sight of the man to feeling an attraction to him? ’ Elizabeth asked herself silently. ‘ It all changed when he made his apology, which meant so much more because it was before he was aware that we have an aunt and uncle in common. I used to think he looked at me to find fault, but after Aunt Felicity pointed out the absurdity of that opinion, I have had to own he may find me attractive. ’

Seeing that Elizabeth was deep in thought, William said nothing to disturb her. He was already sure he loved his cousin, now he needed to determine whether or not she was open to a relationship which went beyond being cousins by marriage.

When they gained the summit, Elizabeth realised she had been silent so far. “Please pardon me, William, I was wool-gathering. It was not very sociable of me.”

He was thrilled that she used his name without the qualifier of cousin before it. “As one who has been accused of being taciturn more than once, who am I to question if you need some time to think? You have nothing for which you need to apologise.”

“If you would like to join me, I sit on that boulder,” Elizabeth pointed to the one on the eastern edge of the hill with a clear view of the rapidly lighting sky.

“It would be my pleasure.”

They walked over to the rock which had a flattened top making it ideal to be used as a seat. William handed Elizabeth up before he took a seat at a distance which still preserved propriety.

Elizabeth withdrew a cloth from her coat pocket. “When I go for a ramble, Cook gifts me with some freshly baked items,” she explained when she saw William’s quizzical look. She placed the cloth on her lap and slowly unfolded it to make sure none of the treats fell to the ground. “Two rolls and a muffin. One roll each and we will share the muffin.” She handed one of the two still warm rolls to her cousin and broke the muffin in half, gifting him the larger piece.

“Thank you for sharing your warm baked goods with me.” He watched as Elizabeth tore a piece of the end of her roll and popped it into her mouth. Only then did William take a bite of his own roll. “Hmmm, your cook makes very good rolls. I will have to suggest that Father try and steal her away from Longbourn,” he jested with a wide grin.

“My mother has killed for less,” Elizabeth teased right back. “She already told Jane not to think about trying to take Mrs Oliver with her when she marries Charles.”

“Was it quite a shock to you when you discovered that you had an aunt, uncle, and cousins you had never heard of before?”

“Not as much as it was to Mama, she fainted twice.” Noting William’s eyebrows shooting up she explained. “I did not feel like I needed to faint, but the shock was no less at seeing a lady who looked like an older version of myself.” Elizabeth paused for a few seconds. “I hope that the change of Aunt Felicity coming back into our lives has wrought in both Mama and Papa will not be transitory. I fear that once the initial excitement wears off, and especially after our aunt and uncle leave, that one or both of them will slip back into their old ways. I hope not, but it is a worry. At least Papa changed the family Bible.”

“What of the Bible?”

“My late grandfather Bennet crossed out Aunt Felicity’s name after he returned from his unsuccessful attempt to stop her marrying Uncle Reggie. When my father continued the banishment, even once his sire was no longer in the mortal world, he did not write her name back. When I used to ask him about the name which had been crossed out, he always refused to tell me anything,” Elizabeth explained. “I was very pleased when the day after the Fitzwilliams arrived that he restored her name to its rightful place and added Uncle Reggie’s and the three cousins’ names.”

They ceased speaking as the sun broke above the horizon and sent its weak winter rays across the land. Whatever warmth it may have provided was negated by the cold breeze.

“You know once Bingley’s year on his lease expires in October of the coming year, Richard will take up residence at Netherfield Park, do you not?” he verified.

“Yes, I do know that,” she confirmed, “and I know that a certain friend of mine is well pleased he is to reside in the neighbourhood. I always knew it would take a man of good sense to see beyond looks, connections, and fortune to realise what a diamond Charlotte is. I hope for both of them they move forward.”

“I used to give those superficial things far more weight than I should have. I have come to see that they are the last things which should be considered when choosing one’s partner for their future life. I agree with you, Miss Lucas and Richard are well suited.” He turned and looked directly into Elizabeth’s sparkling emerald-green eyes. “Speaking of which, notwithstanding my inauspicious beginning with you, would you allow me to call on you here and also in London when you, Jane, and Mary join the Fitzwilliams in Town?”

“The past is in the past, and there is nothing we can do to change it. So based on the man I have come to know of late, yes William, I would like you to call on me.”

Her answer resulted in another face splitting smile which displayed William’s dimples very prominently. He reached for her right hand which was closest to himself. All the while his eyes locked with hers, he very gently removed her glove and placed it on the boulder between them.

Elizabeth watched intently as he lifted her hand towards his lips. Her breathing became shallow as he turned her hand over and placed a lingering kiss on her right wrist, over her pulse. The touch of his lips on her bare skin sent frissons of pleasure radiating to every place in her body. She finally realised that she had never been indifferent to William; in fact there had been an instant attraction. It was that more than his saying something similar to Mama which had caused her to feel as much affront to his words as she had.

For his part, William had to fight his control not to kiss her again, and this time on her lips. He managed to exert his iron will and did not do that which he would have loved to do. Rather, he picked up her glove and slipped it back onto her hand.

Never had Elizabeth imagined that a kiss, and not to her lips, would have been able to affect her as this one had. She felt wanton because she knew had he attempted to kiss her lips, she would not have objected, in fact, it would have been the opposite. So lost in the moment was she, she did not even notice he had slipped the glove back onto her hand. Thanks to the heat generated by his lips, she had not felt any cold for the time her hand had been uncovered in the cold air.

“Will you accompany me to Longbourn, and join us to break our fasts?” Elizabeth invited as soon as she felt she could speak coherently once again.

“Thank you, Elizabeth. I accept your invitation gladly. It will allow me to request permission from your father to call on you. Are you ready to begin the walk back to the manor house?” William enquired. He was very pleased as he had noticed the reaction to his kiss. It allowed him to hope that at some point she would accept an official suit from him. He stood and offered Elizabeth his hand to gently pull her onto her feet.

Hoping her legs were not still too jelly-like and they would hold her, Elizabeth took William’s hand and allowed him to assist her to stand. He offered her his arm like he had on the ascent. This time she was doubly pleased he did, as she was not sure how steady she would be on her legs if left to her own devices.

At the base of the hill, Zeus was waiting obediently and once they had passed him, William gave him a signal and the horse fell in behind them.

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

When Elizabeth and William entered the breakfast parlour, the rest in residence, sans Lydia, were at the table. He guided her to where there were two open seats before asking her what she wanted to eat. Armed with the information he needed, William went to make plates for her and himself.

Felicity did not miss the blush of pleasure on Elizabeth’s cheeks when William bent down to ask her for her preferences. She leaned towards Robert who was seated to her left. “Did I not tell you they would come together?” she asked softly.

“It seems that you were correct,” Darcy agreed. “I would love to have Lizzy as a daughter, and I know Anna already feels very close to her.”

Felicity turned towards Fanny who was seated in her place at one end of the table opposite Thomas. “Fanny, when we make for Kent on Monday, you do not object if Bethie remains with you at Longbourn, do you?” she requested.

“Of course not, it will be our pleasure to host our niece while you are away,” Fanny gushed.

“And I would appreciate it if Anna may stay here as well,” Darcy added.

“Anna is also welcome to remain as long as she desires,” Fanny allowed. “Like Bethie, she is a pleasure to host.”

“I take it Collins will be contained until we return from Kent?” Richard enquired. “We were correct to have Biggs and Johns have the landlord turn over any outgoing letters Collins asked to be posted. The one they were handed was to Aunt Catty. They will make sure no other missive is posted to her.”

“The fact that the man is a coward works in our favour,” Reggie opined, “although even after everything we told him about Catherine, I will admit to being surprised that he attempted to warn her.”

“In his mind she can do no wrong, so I am sure he had discounted anything negative we told him about her before he entered his chamber at the inn,” Richard stated. “I will give our insane aunt this much; she knows how to pick lackeys who will be loyal to her.”

“How long do you think you will be in Kent?” Bennet queried.

“About a sennight or so,” Reggie guessed. “I am sure Catherine will attempt to prevaricate about her role in the attempt on Anna, but with the letters we have, she will not have a leg to stand on.”

Just then Hill entered the parlour with a salver. “This arrived for you, my Lady,” he bowed as he proffered the Countess the salver which held a missive.

“Thank you, Mr Hill,” Felicity stated as she lifted the letter.

“Read it sister, none of us will take exception,” Fanny granted.

Felicity broke the seal and scanned the letter. “Mrs Forsythe has a place for Lydia at her school for wayward young ladies,” Felicity informed everyone. “The school is in Durham, and the closest town is more than fifteen miles distant. For the first year, or longer, until Mrs Forsythe judges there has been a significant improvement in the student, Lydia will remain at the school.”

“A year away from my baby…” Fanny stopped when she saw her sister-in-law’s arched eyebrow. “I know it is what she needs, but I will be so forlorn without her.”

“How soon may I take her to the school?” Bennet questioned. “Or is the spot only open in the next term?”

“As soon as you transport her thither, they will accept her,” Felicity replied.

“In that case, when you depart for Kent, Lydia and I will be on our way to Durham. I do not suppose you will lend me some of your footmen to make sure she does not attempt to escape as it will take us four to five days to reach our destination,” Bennet requested.

“Biggs and some men will come with us, you may have Johns and another former soldier to travel with you,” Felicity allowed. “There will be enough men remaining to contain Collins.”

To say that Lydia was not pleased when told of her imminent departure to a school was a great understatement.