Chapter One: William
William Knightley paused for a moment and surveyed the chaos before him. Servants ran back and forth from Donwell Abbey to the waiting carriage with trunks and packages. In the upper windows of this ancient building his two sisters could be seen scurrying around, still getting ready. The magistrate of Highbury, overseer of Donwell Abbey, one of the most respected men in Surrey and William's father stood talking to William Larkins, no doubt arranging how the latter was to care for the great estate in the family's absence. His mother was probably making certain that the servants had packed all of the necessary accouterments for their long trip. One person though, was conspicuously absent from this frenzied activity. Edmund Knightley, heir to Donwell and oldest of the Knightley children was gone. Of course, this had been a regular occurrence for almost two months. Ever since Edmund had noticed Selena Elton, he had become a complete sap! He spent most of every day at the vicarage and never had much time to talk with William as they used to. But today, of all days! They were travelling to London for the whole winter, and the love-sick sop couldn't bother showing up on time.
William stalked over to his father and asked if he might go drag Edmund home by his ears. After permission was granted, albeit with the condition that no actual violence was used, William mounted his chestnut mare, Hamlet, and cantered off in the direction of the vicarage. As the cool autumn breeze blew his straw-coloured hair in his eyes, William wondered what Edmund saw in the Elton's eldest daughter. Selena-Miss Elton as he was supposed to call her- was always talking about fashion or how many beaus she had collected. Furthermore, William had it on good authority that she never read books of information or entertainment. To William, the neglect of books was a capital offense.
As William rode up the vicarage, he winced. The ornate shrubbery dripped with flowers and the bright coloured benches and winding paths hurt his eyes. Thank heavens Selena had not inherited her mother's taste! He handed Hamlet's reins to a manservant and strode inside. After being notified by a snobbish Mrs. Elton that Edmund was walking in the grounds with Selena, William was starting to get exasperated. He had been hoping that they would arrive in London in time to play a few games of backgammon with his cousins this evening, but it looked as if that wouldn't be happening. He finally found his brother sitting on a bench holding Miss Elton's hand. The two lovebirds were oblivious to anything but each other. William felt like vomiting all over the fancy lawn.
Obviously he was going to need to do this the hard way. It was a pity that his father had forbidden him to use force. While William was considering how best to make his brother notice him, his eyes landed on the gardener's watering can. A slow smile crept over William's features. He was going to enjoy this! He reached down and picked up the watering can, and then stealthily crept up behind Edmund and Selena.
"Time to go Edmund",
William said cheerfully as he poured the icy water on his brother and Selena.
"Time to go"
William thought to himself as he ran full tilt to Hamlet. An angry Edmund pursued him to the end of the vicarage's lawn, shaking his fist, then ran to the Elton's stable for his horse. Thinking he was out of danger, William pulled up on the reins and brought his horse to a stop. This turned out to be a big mistake. Edmund has saddled up Cambridge, his gelding, in record time and was hot on William's tail.
"I'll get you for that!"
Edmund held up his hand, which held a rotten tomato.
"Oh no",
William moaned,
"I was hoping to remain clean-oh, look, there's Selena waving goodbye."
While his brother was turned around to catch a glance of the lovely Miss Elton, William urged Hamlet into a gallop and sped of toward Donwell.
As Edmund rode up to Donwell, he spied his mother coming at a fast walk toward him.
"It was nice knowing you",
teased William from just in front of him.
"Edmund George Knightley! Where have you been? We were supposed to have left hours ago."
His mother's bright clear voice cut through his thoughts of Miss Elton like a knife through butter. Edmund stared intently at his boots while his mother continued to berate him.
"Sorry Mother, I won't do it again."
His mother smirked at him.
"Of course not. We'll be in London for at least half a year. I have it on good authority that the Eltons plan to stay in Highbury."
Jane Knightley poked her petite blond head out of the carriage.
"Are we ready to depart yet? I've been ready for 20 minutes."
William kicked his horse and headed for the main road.
"I'll be waiting in London".
Edmund started after William, and Mr and Mrs. Knightley climbed into the carriage. The entire Knightley family was abandoning Donwell for 6 months to stay in London with the John Knightleys.