Author's Note: I changed the name to the Bennet's son, it is Robert now instead of Richard, and I hope it is not too confusing.
Disclaimer: Ok so I am tired of having to remind myself and everyone that I own nothing so from now on just pretend that at the beginning I remind you of my unfortunate loss of not owning anything but my own creation.
Chapter Three
Five year old Robert looked up at his sister Elizabeth who was sitting across the room. She had her nose a little wrinkled and he could tell she was in deep concentration. Curious to see what she was doing, he hopped down from the chair he occupied to get a closer look. Realizing she was trying to stitch he climbed beside her to watch. He would spend hours watching whoever was stitching a handkerchief, mesmerized.
"Watcha doin?" his little voice inquired. Lizzy looked up, and smiled. "Oh just trying to finishes this pattern on my handkerchief. I was never really good at these things."
Robert thought for a moment, till his face lit up with a wonderful idea. "I could help," he looked at her hopefully, no one had let him even touch a needle. Lizzy laughed, "Oh no, I don't think this work is cut out for you young man." His face fell, he was afraid she would say that, they always did.
Looking around trying to find more entertainment, nothing interested his little mind. He sighed, once again catching the attention of his sister.
"Robert, why don't you go out side and play, it is a lovely day." She looked kindly on her little brother, he was so adorable, he inherited his mother's blonde hair a deep blue eyes. But he had his father's face, and loved books. He was starting to read, but had to settle hearing his father or Lizzy read to him.
"Will you come out to Lizzy, pwease," he gave her the puppy dog look, long pouty face and begged. She just smiled and agreed, who could resist. Besides Jane was at Netherfield this morning and Rachel was calling on Maria Lucas. He was her only entertainment.
She was going to wait for Jane to see how her evening went. Yesterday morning Jane was invited to dine at Netherfield with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. They told Jane to stay the night at Netherfield since it was raining, and she could return in the morning. The carriage that Jane used last evening had to be at Longbourn early this morning so she was wondering how Jane was getting home. It seemed she might have to stay just a little longer, which Lizzy doubted that Jane or Bingley regretted that.
Grabbing his sister's hand, they marched out the front of the door and outside. He liked playing with Lizzy the best for she knew how to play the best games, and would run too, unlike his other sisters.
Darcy got up early and set out for a walk, Miss Bingley wasn't an early riser so she wouldn't be awake, so she wouldn't want to go walking. Netherfield was a pretty estate, with pretty country but he was missing Pemberley, and his sister. He thought back on last nights events and smiled to himself. Miss Elizabeth sure kept him on his toes. But, he sighed, she is not a woman suited for his station. He needed someone with a high standing in society, and who could steer Georgiana in the right direction. He needed to be more guarded he chided himself. Miss Bennet had stayed the night due to the rain, and he hadn't been able to talk to Bingley all night. His friend was sure enjoying the company in Hertfordshire. Bingley had been talking about giving a ball, oh how he loathed balls. All the mother's pressing him to dance with their daughters. Trying to keep a good face and talk to everyone. Especially here, the society was so boisterous, and inferior. He looked skyward; it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day, not like the rainstorm last night.
Mr. Darcy looked around him and realized that he was no longer on the estate grounds, he had wandered off. He had been completely lost in his thoughts, just then he heard a squeal of laughter from a lady. Curious to see who was in such high spirits he walked closer to the sound. He could hear the lady more clearly, he laughing sent chills down his spine, such a sweet sound, her laughter. Her laughter was joined by a little child's. They seemed to be playing a game. Darcy was next to a big oak tree and neither of the party had noticed him standing slightly behind it. Darcy smiled when he recognized who it was. The boy must be her younger brother.
They had sticks in their hands and were pretending to sword fight, laughing whenever the other person almost hit their companion.
"You can't win, Captain Jiggery, the treasure is mine," the little boy shouted in his best manly voice. Elizabeth or Captain Jiggery laughed and responded in a fake manly voice, "I will never give up the treasure to you, Fisk." Darcy stepped a little closer to the fighting couple, but still they did not see him. Then "Fisk" jabbed "Captain Jiggery" in the stomach, not hard so as the hurt his sister.
"Oh, this can't be so" clutching her stomach Captain Jiggery slowly sank to the ground, "I can't let you win," while lying on the ground pretending to be dead, Fisk walked over to what looked like a woman's bonnet filled with leaves. He picked up the pretend treasure before looking at his dead enemy and laughing.
Creeping carefully to where his sister lay, bending down, Robert touched Lizzy's arm. Suddenly she grabbed him and started to tickle him furiously. "Lizzy stop that is not fair, dead men don't tickle their killers," he wiggled free from her grasp standing up with a frown on his face. Standing up next to him, she laughed at his pout.
"Robert I was just playing, you won, now I am your prisoner," Holding out her hands for him to capture, just then Robert saw Mr. Darcy standing by the tree behind his sister.
"Who is that Lizzy?" Whirling around, she blushed realizing who it was; she wondered how long he had been standing there. He probably thought she was a wild girl, playing on the ground with her brother. She suddenly felt ashamed, being caught doing something she shouldn't have. Mr. Darcy seeing that he had been found walked closer; he was enjoying the act that the siblings were playing.
"Miss Bennet," bowing slightly, "what a pleasant surprise meeting you here" he had a smirk on his face that he couldn't seem to wipe off. Lizzy was sure it was because of what he had just seen.
"Oh yes, what a surprise seeing you here," exaggerating the surprise a little long. She was kind of irritated that he seemed so smug finding her in such a predicament. Feeling Robert tug on her dress, she turned to her brother. "Mr. Darcy I would like you to meet my little brother, Robert, Robert, this is Mr. Darcy." He glanced at his sister, he had never seen her so red before, and she kept looking at the ground, then he bowed to Mr. Darcy, he seemed to be laughing on the inside. And he kept looking at his sister like he was really happy to see her.
"How are you Mr. Bennet," turning to Robert, he sniggered, "That's my dad's name, I'm Robert."
Smiling at that Mr. Darcy placed a hand over his heart, "I am dreadfully sorry, Robert, I will not confuse the two ever again."
"My sister and I were just playing a game; she is the only one who plays the best. Do you like to play Mr. Darcy?" Lizzy had froze a little at her brother's statement, praying he wouldn't ask Mr. Darcy to join them.
Darcy chuckled; Lizzy's face flushed more, his whole face lit up when he laughed.
"I don't play the games you seem to enjoy, I haven't done that since I was a lad, but I do play but different games." Robert put his lips together in concentration, thinking, "Well, that is a shame. Because if you did, then I would have let you join us."
"Oh, Robert, Mr. Darcy I am sure has much to do and doesn't want to be troubled by silly games," Lizzy interrupted before Mr. Darcy could respond, "besides we need to leave, mama will be wondering where we are."
Robert was about to say something but was hushed by the look his sister gave him; he knew that he would be in trouble if he said another word.
"If you will excuse us Mr. Darcy we really must be going," Darcy didn't want to lose her company just yet, "I would be happy to escort you both to the house,"
All she could manage was a nod of her head, and took the arm he offered.
Robert excited that Mr. Darcy wasn't leaving just yet began to attack him the questions.
"Do you live close by here? How long have you know Lizzy? Do you have any brothers?"
"Robert," Lizzy interjected, "one question at a time." She looked at him with a reproachable glance.
Darcy smiled, "well in answer the first question, I am visiting a friend who does not live too far away, and I have known Miss Bennet for about a couple of days. And I have no brothers, just one sister."
"Have you ever stitched before?" he wanted to know if there was a chance for him to try the occupation that his sisters spent hours doing. "Robert that question is not appropriate." She couldn't believe that he just asked Mr. Darcy that question.
"It is alright, I don't mind, no I haven't, and that work is for women."
"Oh," his face fell, "What do men do?"
"Well, they fish, can ride horses, talk about boring things and look out for the women." He stated seriously.
"I don't think I like being a man, fishing is boring, and I have never been on a horse. But my sisters always need my help." Both Elizabeth and Darcy laughed a little at this.
"I am serious, yesterday Lizzy needed help reading a book, so I read the parts I could read to her, I was very helpful" He beamed happily, Darcy smiled at Elizabeth, she could feel her heart pounding.
"Yes you were very helpful," she said breathlessly.
They finally reached the house, much the relief of Elizabeth, she couldn't figure out Mr. Darcy. There was a carriage at the front. It was Bingley and Jane, seeing the trio they walked over to say hello.
"Darcy, what on earth are you doing here." Said Bingley merrily.
"I happen to come across Miss Bennet and Young Master Robert here playing in the fields a little ways from here, and I decided to escort them home." Explained Darcy.
Jane looked at Elizabeth and raised an eyebrow, questioning Lizzy. Robert looked at the couples; he didn't want to be caught in an adult conversation. Turning to Darcy, "I had fun talking to you, but I am going inside I hate boring conversations too." Darcy and Elizabeth laughed, knowing to what he was referring to. Bingley looked at his friend, wondering what had passed between the three.
Saying goodbye, Darcy and Bingley got back into the carriage and left for Netherfield.
Linking arms with her sister Jane began to question Lizzy. "So what happened with Mr. Darcy?"
"Nothing Jane, just what Mr. Darcy was saying, Robert and I were just playing, and he escorted us home" Lizzy said innocently.
"I can believe that, you look very flushed my dear" she gazed at her sister hoping to reveal the secret.
"I look flushed; I see you have had an enjoyable evening my dear sister." Jane blushed, "that is not what we are talking about." Trying to change the conversation back to Mr. Darcy,
"Oh no," said Lizzy teasingly, "But it is what I would like to talk about"
Shaking her head at her sister, she just sighed, "I will only admit that Mr. Bingley is the most amiable man I have ever met, just as I said before. Now leave me be."
"If you insist," Lizzy smiled and hurried inside before Jane could bring up the subject of a certain young man.
Please Review, I would like so know if you like it so far, I need encouragement. And if you review I promise I will update sooner.