Elizabeth was in her room writing a letter to her cousin Annabelle, she knew she had just over 8 months to plan and she knew that her cousin could be trusted to help her.
FitzGerald House, London
18th August 1813
My dear cherry blossom,
I am writing to you requesting your company for two sennight, I have missed you dearly cousin and I am also in urgent need of your counsel, since Lydia's passing I have given much thought and am urging you to come as soon as maybe, I only have eight months till I am ten and seven. But I digress ask aunt and uncle I'm sure they can spare you my dear, papa misses you dearly and he is quite cross with Uncle Edward for his lack of correspondence we haven't received a letter in over a full month, hope to receive you within the week send my regards to Aunt Esther
With kind regard's Lizzy.
Elizabeth walked to the foyer and placed her sealed letter on the letter tray and went in search of her father, she knocked on his study door and after hearing her father grant her access she walked in, she sat in her favourite chair facing her father's desk, she watched her father for a few moments before speaking.
"papa I have sent a letter to Annabelle, asking for her company, is that quite alright, I have missed her terribly and I know you have too"
Mr Bennet chuckled and shook his head.
"my dear girl you are meant to enquire if that was alright with me before sending the letter, but you are right my girl I do miss her, as I mentioned yesterday morrow, it has been a full month since your uncle has blessed us with a letter and I am thoroughly vexed, how else am I to know the goings on in London, best ask Hill to send it express dear, off you go"
Elizabeth laughed and nodded she walked over to her father and kissed his head and left him alone in his study to see to the letter.
Two days later an express came for Elizabeth, she walked out into the gardens to read her letter
Longbourn, Meryton
20th August 1813
My Sweet Lizzy,
I was over joyed by your letter and the prospect of spending time with my favourite cousin, Papa conceded since he and mama are to join my aunt Rebecca and uncle Robert at Matlock, Papa also stated that Uncle Thomas can get his London gossip from me to save him paper, I still mourn the loss of our dear Lydia I find myself in a daze just thinking of her at times, I shall be leaving shortly and will arrive by nightfall
Loving regards your cherry blossom.
Elizabeth carried on her walk with a smile on her face it was the best news she could have had, she hurried home, She joined her family in the parlour.
"It would seem that Hill will need to prepare the lilac room because cousin Annabelle is coming today, she says she will be here before nightfall"
Her mother beamed and Jane smiled and rang the bell for hill and Tommy jumped up and down exited for the arrival of his favourite cousin. Mr Bennet poked his head out of his study to see what all the noise was.
"Papa Annabelle is to come before nightfall"
"Mr Bennet nodded and chuckled and retreated back into his study, he walked back out with a letter, he sat down next to his wife.
"It would seem your uncle saw fit to send a letter, to which I received last evening, I was well aware she would be arriving today"
Elizabeth joined hill in preparing for her cousins arrival. Not long after supper a carriage arrived and Elizabeth ran out to greet her cousin.
"Oh Bella, I am so delighted that you came, we have much to discuss, come"
Annabelle looked at her cousin trying to discern the look on her face, it was a look she hadn't seen before, a look of secrecy, she shook her head assuring herself it was nothing and took her cousins proffered hand and followed her into the house. After all the greetings were complete and gossip told Elizabeth showed Annabelle to her room.
"Lizzy what are you not telling me? I thought it odd when you greet me with such secrecy and your letter wasn't much different, tell me cousin what are you planning."
Elizabeth looked at her cousin in shock, she wasn't aware she had been so overt, she sat on her cousins bed and patted next to her, her cousin joined her.
"You are right of course cousin. I am planning something. I am planning revenge"
Annabelle gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Of all things for her cousin to say that was the least likely thing she had expected.
"Elizabeth what can you mean by this, revenge against whom?"
Elizabeth knew her cousin would be shocked and she was started to second guess whether she would help her or stop her, but she trusted her cousin so went ahead.
"I am going to get revenge on the scoundrel that killed our Lydia, since she left I have done research he hails from Derbyshire and where ever he goes he leaves debt and young girls compromised, I have a friend in London who has fed me information, but I need your help too Annie"
Elizabeth took her cousins hand and looked pleadingly at her. Annabelle was surprised at her cousin but knew that she would go through with her plan with or without her, and she wasn't going to risk losing another cousin to him.
"Oh Lizzy you know I wouldn't leave you alone to do this, my cousin is a colonel I can request his help, he would keep our confidences Lizzy, tell me your plan"
Elizabeth continued telling her cousin of her friend in London and how she has saved her pin-money, Annabelle offered her added funds, they were in agreement that when the time came they would journey to where he was and make him pay for his crimes.
"Is this why you have till you turn ten and seven Lizzy? So you can travel because uncle Thomas wont say no to your request?"
Elizabeth nodded
"I shall simply request to join you for my birthday and of course you shall be wherever he is at that time."
Annabelle and Elizabeth made their way to the parlour and spent the rest of the day reminiscing
