"Happy birthday Lizzie!"

"I'm 7 Will! 7! Papa gave me a book of my very own. And Janey embroidered me a most beautiful ribbon to keep my place" She threw herself onto her friends empty bed. Any and all ideas of propriety having long since gone in the dream world they continually found themselves in.

"You thought your sister was up to something for your birthday" Her massive smile was contagious.

" And mama had all my favourite foods made for dinner"

"With plenty of strawberries then" Will laughed out, caught up in her excellent mood.

"And lashings of thick cream. Oh Will, it was delightful. June truly is the best time to have a birthday. And the weather was just perfect. We, Jane, Mary and I, we went for a walk. Not for long, Mary only has little legs, but it was so much fun"

"Well then, It sounds like you have had an amazing day. I'm so happy for you. I wish I could give you something" He paused, thinking a moment. "A rose maybe? From the garden. I know how much you love them"

His idea was met with excited yelps as he was unceremoniously pulled from his chair.

"I'll take that as a yes shall I? Well alright, you can pick the one you want and I'll strip it so you can wear it in your hair"

Both children were joyful as they worked their way through the house. Lizzie leading the charge, dragging her willing friend behind her as they made their way outside. The summer moon hung bright and clear in the sky.

'This' thought Will 'This is what our nights are made for'

The night of August 21st was unusually overcast for the children. Will found himself at his window looking out over the land that would one day be his. He enjoyed the silence but still looked forward to the chatter that would come with the entrance of his little imaginary friend. The older he got he could just feel that he was closing in on himself. Not that he was overly open to begin with. Lizzie was a great counter balance to that. Where he was overly serious (As George was so often quick to accuse him) she was full of light laughter. He couldn't fathom why his adolescent mind had conjured up such a child. To remind him to be more playful perhaps? Or to ready him for the life ahead, so he can meet his own dear sister on her level. Georgiana's biggest joy is when her brother plays with her. And its Lizzie who inspires most of the games. So maybe Will created Lizzie so he could give himself practice?

"Penny for your thoughts"

""I'm not sure they are worth the expense" He turned to the enigma he called friend. The smile she wore fell slightly.

"What's wrong Will? Did you not have a good birthday?"

He couldn't find the words to respond. How could he explain that his day was fine. He'd received a horse from his father. A solid 15 hands tall, a truly beautiful specimen. But the whole day all he could see was his mothers absence. The feeling of emptiness, that often sat in his stomach, grew throughout the day until had become all consuming.

"September comes in just a couple of weeks, the weather will start to cool"

"Indeed" she arched an eyebrow, a new habit she'd developed for when she wasn't buying whatever nonsense he was peddling. "We don't have to talk about it, not if you don't want too. But I'm here to listen anytime you want"

"Thank you" His response was simple, but heartfelt.

"You don't need to thank me. Your my best friend. Its my job, to listen, just like you do for me"

For the first time that day he felt a true smile erupt from him.

"Definitely !"

School returned for Will and with it so did his study sessions with Lizzie. Despite her young age, which with all honesty he hardly even noticed any more, she was a hard working and intelligent student. He looked forward to the Tuesdays and Fridays when they'd spend their nights reading Shakespeare, Latin and Ancient Greek. The light that filled her eyes as every new skill clicked in her brain kept him going. He felt from her an intelligence that matched his own and basked in it. A truer friend he never had.

"Merry Christmas!" The excited screech jolted him 'awake' in time for him to feel the girl forcefully body slam his bed.

"You know its not really proper for a young lady to fling herself onto a gentlemans bed" His voice was heavy with sleep.

"You're not a gentleman, you're just Will"

"That's really not compliment Lizzie. You know that, yes?" He couldn't help but laugh "Did you have a good day"

"Oh yes! After church Jane and I took apples and sweet tarts cook had baked to all the children of our Estates tenants. They were all so excited. Little Edward Hinny, he fell over he was so happy. He's only 2 years old and the sweetest little boy. I know I shouldn't have favourites but I simply adore him the most. He's a dream, always happy, especially when he tries on chubby legs to keep up with his older brothers and sister"

"That sounds lovely. I'm glad you had fun. Georgiana found her way into the music room today. She's scarily good at escaping the nursery" he chuckled fondly "I found her at mothers piano, she was bouncing her little hands along the keys. I wonder if she'll grow to love music, mother so loved to play"

Stretched out contentedly at the end of the bed Lizzie stared up at the ceiling. A comfortable silence fell between the pair. Just two happy people enjoying each others presence.

"Will" Lizzie whispered "Could you read to me?"

Without thought of question he reached out to grab the collection of poetry he had beside his bed and quietly began to read for her.