Chapter 7: Leaving Rosings
1809, Rosings Park, Kent

William: 22, Elizabeth: 14

The doctor who was summoned for Miss Elizabeth had been absolutely horrified at what had been done to the young lady and told Miss Moore in no uncertain terms that her charge was never to wear a whalebone corset again, or else she would have everlasting damage to her back. The most recent scars were on the mend and would fade away slowly, but she had to stay in bed until her fever went down. William and Maxwell were both very angry and horrified that so much damage had been done to their youngest cousin. But mostly everybody blamed themselves that they had not seen or understood what was happening at Rosings. The Earl had been furious at what his sister had done to Elizabeth and had duly and thoroughly reprimanded Lady Catherine. Maxwell, who happened to be in the same room reported as such to William who was sitting with Elizabeth in her room with Madeline acting as a chaperone.

As they walked out, he reported, "Father yelled at Aunt Catherine how she could do that to a child; that too, to her own daughter!"

"She deserves more than a yelling," William said coldly, suppressing his anger just thinking of how badly Elizabeth had been hurt.

"If I were Uncle Patrick, I would banish her from the family." William continued with gritted teeth.

"I know, Will. I understand what you are feeling. I will support you in appealing to Father to find a way to end Aunt Catherine's barbarism toward Cousin Elizabeth." Maxwell promised.

The next day saw Elizabeth's continued confinement to her bedchambers with William, Maxwell and Madeline for company, while the Earl and the Countess were busy giving Lady Catherine another piece of their minds.

In Elizabeth's chambers, Elizabeth said: "William, please... please get uncle to allow me to travel with them tomorrow. You know it is just a slight fever, and the scars will not heal for months. Please Will?"

William could not resist Elizabeth's big brown eyes pleading him and his resolve was breaking to keep her in her bed per the doctor's orders until the fever went down. He sighed and said gently, "Elizabeth, you really need some rest. Please do not look at me like that!"

Madeline could not help but smile at the interaction between her charge and young Darcy.

"Please Will. I am not so sick! It is only a slight fever."

"A slight fever, you say? You were burning up last night!"

"Please Will; I really want to leave Rosings. Please persuade uncle?" Elizabeth made puppy dog eyes at him.

He closed his eyes and said, "Elizabeth ... please! You know I cannot deny you anything."

"That was the plan, Will."

Madeline, who knew how sick her charge was and supported William by saying, "Miss Elizabeth, you are staying in bed until tomorrow at the earliest. You still get dizzy and were tossing and turning all night long."

William was alarmed at what Miss Moore had revealed and said, "Forgive me Elizabeth! You should have told me that you got dizzy!"

"It does not matter, Will. Promise me you will talk to uncle?"

"All right, I will. Now you get some rest. I will go to uncle directly and send Aunt Constance to sit with you."

"No... No, no, Will, please stay? Could we not call Uncle and Aunt to us?"

And of course, he did stay with her.

Later, the Earl and Countess were finally persuaded to let Elizabeth travel with them to Matlock in two days time when her fever was subsided, and the doctor was satisfied of her condition, but not before William, Maxwell and Elizabeth were practically begging them to take Elizabeth away from Rosings.

The journey to Matlock, was swift after they had weathered a verbal fight with Lady Catherine about taking Elizabeth away and not taking Anne with them, but the Earl was furious and just said: "Catherine, as the head of this family and her legal guardian, if you recall my brother's last Will, I have the final say and we are taking Elizabeth with us. You can have nothing further to say in this regard."

And so, Elizabeth was freed from Rosings.

Matlock Lake House, Derbyshire, 1809

It was but a few short days after Elizabeth was moved to Matlock that one morning, the Earl and the Countess had, sat down their lawyer to review legal documents pertaining to Elizabeth. She was to inherit; the estate, the lands her father had procured at various locations, and a dowry of £30,000. And if she refused, Rosings Park would go to Richard, their second son. After seeing how brutally their sister treated Elizabeth, the Earl and the Countess had decided to legally adopt Elizabeth if she too desired it and their lawyer had brought the draft for review.

Elizabeth was by then fully recovered and was allowed to leave her rooms to spend time with her cousins. She was summoned to the study where her Uncle and Aunt sat. When she came in, they explained everything to Elizabeth; her inheritance and the adoption. She vaguely remembered that her father had not left her destitute when he died. She only now learned the extent of her fortune. She did not want to return to her birth mother and Rosings and anything that her Uncle could do in that regard was agreeable.

After listening to everything that was told, Elizabeth said with tears in her eyes, "Uncle, I never want to return to Rosings! I would be honoured to call you Father and make this my home. Please uncle, do everything you can to make me your daughter."

Her Uncle also explained to her that when she was of age, she would inherit Rosings if she refuses it, it will go to Richard but would still get a monthly allowance.

The Earl explained, "That is because you are the heir apparent decreed by your father's will. Therefore, you will get an allowance even if you reject Rosings."

Elizabeth read the adoption papers and tears welled up in her eyes in happiness. These papers would make her a part of her Uncle's family, a loving and caring family! She would have brothers and sisters who loved her and not pick on her and complain of her all the time.

She asked: "Aunt Constance, will I also get your name?"

Her aunt replied with a smile: "Only if you wish it. You may change your name to Fitzwilliam-de Bourgh or de Bourgh-Fitzwilliam. Whatever you like, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth smiled, and said that she desired to change her name to Elizabeth Fitzwilliam instead of De Bourgh. It would only be a reminder of her horrible childhood if she kept the name. Her aunt and uncle signed the adoption papers. Countess Constance Fitzwilliam said as she embraced her new daughter: "Welcome home, sweetheart." Elizabeth began crying softly, while Constance and Patrick embraced and consoled her.

That evening, after a cosy night with her new siblings and parents, she had gone to her rooms. For the first time, she was not afraid of being in an empty room.

Madeline joined her shortly after, and said: "Sweetheart, I am so happy to see you at last with a loving and caring family. Now you have both parents who love you very much, older brothers who will protect you and sisters to learn from how to become a Lady. They will help you forget these past few years since your beloved Father's passing and help you heal."

Elizabeth smiled and said: "Yes! My new family is everything I ever wished for, Maddie! I only have you to thank for this!"

Madeline helped her into her nightdress, and said: "Now get some sleep, sweetheart. I will see you tomorrow." And kissed her on her forehead, before she left.

Elizabeth slept that night without nightmares.