"The estate beside ours is let at last!" Lizzie announce by way of hello "Mama is in absolute raptures, its been empty for so long now. Papa went to visit, he says a Mr Coulter has taken up residence. Of course mama is now adamant that Jane must be introduced to him" A mischievous smile took hold "Of course she'll have to get through the throng of other neighbourhood women. They all have daughters, sisters and nieces that would be 'just perfect' for the man. We've yet to meet the man, however I already feel quite sorry for him" she laughed openly, until she caught sight of her friend. Colour had drained from his face and he stood ridged at the window. "Will, what's wrong?" The man unfroze, a forced smile clung thick on his face.
"Oh nothing...it's...it's nothing" An awkward silence followed, not a common phenomenon for the pair over their 7 year history. This fact did not go unnoticed.
"Will please, what is it? I can't fix something if I'm unsure what offence I've caused" Her words where gentle and he in turn relaxed somewhat.
"You've not done anything wrong" Resignation clouded his entire being "Its just..." He really didn't know where to go with that train of thought. Lizzie waited with uncharacteristic patience. "I come from wealth" This fact surprised exactly no one "I mean, I suppose that's pretty obvious. Your first look at my house had you asking me if I was a prince" The, now teenage, girl flushed red at the memory "I just find myself in the same position as your Mr Coulter rather often. Women throwing their daughters, grand daughters and all manner of other female relations at my feet. Themselves too, some women simply chase me for themselves. Its highly uncomfortable, to say the least" He finally raised his eyes to meet hers. All that shone back at him was empathy and understanding.
"If it helps at all, at least some of those women being thrown, will hate it as much as you do. It always embarrasses Jane too the root when mama behaves thus"
'God bless her' Will thought 'She really s trying to help'. The awkwardness fell away, and when he spoke again it was in a new tone, one ordinarily reserved for his own adored sister.
"You are right of course, the game is not easy on most of the players. And the ones who do enjoy it are the most ruthless and need to be avoided"
"Finding a spouse is hardly a game" She responded indignantly. He couldn't help but feel a swell of affection for her, it warmed him to know there were females who thought as she did. I gave him hope, maybe there was a chance for a love match. A small chance admittedly, but a chance non the less. Their must be others like Lizzie, he just had to find them. This thought lightened his heart.
"Truly? Not a game?" A small chuckle escaped him "Try telling that to my cousin! So many play him just to get close to me" The air in the room changed immediately, it became fun and relaxed "Well they think they play him. He thoroughly enjoys it, all the attention without the worry of ending up with an actual wife"
Lizzie perked up instantly "Cousin Richard? Have you seen him recently? Oh what high-jinx has he been up to of late?" She bounced with excitement. Many an evening had been spent with Will regaling her with, rather sanitised, tales of the mischief that one Cousin Richard so often found himself in. Will, obviously, being the one who often had to rescue his older cousin before any real trouble could begin. The two were as close as brothers and Lizzie adored hearing of all the fun and mayhem that seemed to follow the man.
"He has joined the Army you know"
"The army?! Isn't that awfully dangerous? Napoleon..."
"You are to clever for your own good sometimes" He interrupted "How do you know of Napoleon?"
"I can read will! And papa often talks to me about these things. They're interesting" It was amazing, after all this time she could still take him by surprise. "Mama says that papa shouldn't talk to me of such things. That no man will want a wife with knowledge and opinions on male matters" She shock her head slightly "Why is it that everything I do mama can drag round to me finding a husband" she realised a long built up sigh "Papa of course, believes that God gave me a brain and it would be a waste NOT to put it to some use" She paused a moment lost in her own thought "Maybe they're both right, maybe I'll shall have to be content with a life of simply being the favourite Aunt. Passing my knowledge onto my sisters children and making the laugh at my antics and tree climbing skills" She seemed surprisingly unmoved by her thought.
"Not all men want simpering, docile wives Lizzie. WHEN you are old enough, and WHEN you are ready, I am sure God will put the right man across your path" He nodded sagely
"And I shall tell you all about him Will. For he cannot be my prefect man unless you, my dearest friend, adore him as well. And you are to tell me all about the marvellous women who will steal your heart. Be warned though, I shan't allow just anyone to take you from me" The two laughed heartily, caught up in the innocent view of the world and marriage.
'Why burst her bubble' he thought fondly. "That I shall Lizzie, that I shall"
The nights that followed were much as they always were. Time was spent roaming the large home, which Lizzie could now navigate blindfolded, hours relaxing in comfortable silence in the vast library and freedom outdoors in the extensive grounds. Time passed joyfully and calmly, allowing both the decompression time they so dearly needed from their waking life.
One evening Lizzy burst into the dream in an explosion of unbridled laughter.
"Oh Will, you absolutely MUST hear this! Mr Coulter has stepped up his pursuit of Jane. He sent her the most appalling love poem"
Will jumped in surprise at the sudden noise. "I'm really not sure I want to hear this Liz" He didn't even try to hide his discomfort from her.
"Oh hush, you must. It's just so..." Lizzie didn't even know how to finish that sentence so she didn't try
"Jane, with your golden hair,
falling as a waterfall.
Without your beauty I would despair.
In this grand country you are a jewel"
Giggles took hold of the girl and Will couldn't help but chuckle too.
"I must admit, that is pretty bad"
"I know! Of course mama is so excited. Jane was the very picture of good manners. She's so sweet and kind, all she would say was how generous it was of him to put pen so paper so. The whole town expects him to make a formal offer for her before long"
He knew the persistent rain outside was a forewarning, so he braced himself as best he could. At only 14 Lizzie's fiery temper had embedded itself well and truly. Whilst mostly fun loving and light hearted, when she got angry it was something else again. And the rain, the rain only came with negativity.
Waiting by the window as was his custom he looked out across the land. He'd know when she arrives, the yelling, stomping or, God forbid, throwing things (her aim was still notoriously bad) would punctuate her entrance.
The anger never came, he got lost in the silence, watching the self created world outside react thirstily to the falling rain.
A persistent rustling eventually managed to pull him from his thoughts. It took a long minuet for him to realise that it was the sound of someone on his bed.
"Lizzie?"Will turned but found only a large lump under the covers. This was a first, she'd sat ON his bed plenty of times, but never IN. What on earth had possessed her to do something so improper? "Lizzie, why are you..."He paused. There must be a reason for this extremely odd behaviour. "Shall we go down to the library?" He sounded uncomfortable, even to his own ears. The lump didn't move. "How about a trip down to the gallery?" Nothing. True worry began to set in. There was clearly something very wrong, but Will had no idea what it could be. Everything had been fine and dandy just the night before. And in all honesty, dealing with emotional matters was really Lizzie's strength and not his. How many times had she pulled him out of anger or despair? Talked him back up to high spirits after Wickham or some manipulative society mama had worn him down? Now it was time to return the favour. And he had no idea how. What would Lizzie do?
"You know under normal circumstances I'd be furious to find a young lady had snuck into my bed. The fact that all I'm feeling is concern is a testament to our friendship" He tried to inject some levity into his voice.
The lump finally moved, inching back towards the edge of the bed. He lifted the corner of the blanket releasing the girl from her soft prison.
"There you are" Taking in her dark eyes and pale countenance his concern rocketed. "Please, tell me what's wrong!"
"Today has been... it's just been too much. I wish we could go back to the start. When we first met"
"When my mother died?" He was far beyond confused. He'd had no idea that she could go any paler than she already was., yet it happened. "It's alright, I know you didn't mean it like that" He placed a reassuring hand on her arm. Silence rippled through once again.
"You know what's so great about this dream world? Its not real. Out there, in the waking world my best friend could never be a lady. I couldn't be innocently sat on a bed with you. We couldn't talk as we do. I think it's safe to say I know you better than anyone else. Talk to me Lizzie, you know its safe"
He waited.
"Mama has taken to her bed. Society is in uproar. Mr Coulter has gone"
This caught Will by surprise "He has only been a sitting tennant a year? And what of his pursuit of Jane?"
"Exactly. It's all anyone is talking about. How Jane has been ill used, the whole community thought that he would offer for her. Its the whispers, the whispers Will! Everyone is talking about it, she's humiliated. It feels like everyone is talking and pointing. And mama, mama is making it all so much worse. She keeps screeching and wailing around the house. Crying that Mr Coulter was Janes only chance to keep us from being cast out upon our fathers death. How can that be right? Jane is a kind and beautiful soul, the right man is out there, waiting for her to be old enough to be a proper wife. She's 16, how can my mother have given up on her already? And besides, why put the pressure of the whole family on her shoulders?Jane is simply the sweetest person, always seeing the best in all. So of course she is taking this burden to heart. And its not on her to bear it, not at all. On top of all that this morning I woke too..." her words halted suddenly. He waited a beat, but she'd clearly stopped for now.
"You're right, it shouldn't be on her. Your entail is passed along the male line? Correct?" She nodded her tear stained head. "Its unfair, and Jane is very young to be concerning herself with that. And you are younger still. I know my father nor I would allow Georgiana to marry so young. All you can do it be strong for Jane. Gossip runs it course eventually, and thankfully her character is not in question. It will die down. Something else will rise up and distract them" He gave her a small smile, one she desperately tried to reflect. "What did you wake up too?"
"Hmmm, pardon?" Why was she being so evasive?
"You said you woke to something"
"Oh, yes, that. It doesn't matter" Her face started to glow red.
"Lizzie, talk to me. I care that you are hurting. Share your burden with me, I've done it enough to you over the years"
And just like that the dam burst, and emotion overwhelmed her. Fresh tears streamed down her face.
"Oh Will, I was so scared. There was so much blood and I didn't know what to do!"
"Blood?!" He barked, alarmed.
"My courses Will. I started my courses"
The man froze. Never, even if given a lifetime to guess, would he have come up with this direction for the conversation. "I... ermmm... well...errr"
"Mama explained. Said I was a women now. Oh Will it was awful" She fell onto his shoulder sobbing her little heart out. "I was so scared" she whispered.
He couldn't help but melt a little. As awkward as it all was she was truly distraught.
"Come here" With all sense of propriety fallen at the wayside he pulled her into a one armed hug. "It'll be alright Lizzie, it'll be alright"