A Park Bench

Whenever Lord John Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, had to spend any time in London he would escape to Hyde Park and a particular bench facing the Serpentine. While sitting on this bench one day he made the acquaintance of an impertinent and intelligent young girl. In the following years their occasional meetings would set the stage for change in two, and eventually three families.

Hyde Park, 1801

It was a dry windy day in March when they first met. John Fitzwilliam, a man of eight and forty, was feeling his years as he trudged rather than walked around the trail circumnavigating the Serpentine, the lake in the center of Hyde Park. He had made this same walk for twenty one years, ever since his father's infirmity had required John to place his father's vote on important matters. Then, when the infirmity resulted in his father's death, Lord John Fitzwilliam became the Earl of Matlock.

There was a time that the new young earl had actually been enthusiastic about his involvement in the House of Lords. It was a chance to have a voice in history, a chance to make a difference, to make changes. At the moment the only change that the earl could point to was the fact that he had gotten older. The thrill of a good political debate, of besting all opponents, had long since faded. But each December he still returned to London and there he remained until May. His family joined him of course, but they were there for the Season and to mingle and play.

Lord John Fitzwilliam hated London now. He despised Parliament. He despised the Season. But he despised the Ton most of all. His wife had been a creature of the Ton, a de facto if not a de jure Patroness of Almacks. He scoffed at the memory. How could those matrons judge the conduct of others while they themselves made a game of "Who's in my bed?" He wasn't even certain that Reginald, his oldest, or Millicent, his youngest, were even his. Yet he chose to love them anyway, even if they looked nothing like him.

These unwanted thoughts sapped John's energy and his steps falter. His wife was gone, but her taint still remained. Thankfully he saw his favorite bench right up ahead. Deviating off of the trail, he went to the bench and took a seat facing the lake. It always reminded him of his Matlock estate, even though this lake did featured only a small portion of the wildlife that often made its way to the water's edge in his country home.

Sweating from his exertion even in this cool March, the earl removed his top hat and placed it on the bench beside him as he watched a pair of swans move gracefully through the water. He felt the strong gust of wind shifting his clothes and his hair, but he thought nothing about it until he heard a voice shout, "Miss Lizzy!"

Looking over, he realized that his new top hat was rolling away toward the Serpentine, and that a young girl was chasing after it with long raven hair flying behind her. He started to rise himself, but by the time he had gained his feet the swift little girl had captured the escaping article, just a few feet short of the water. Her precipitous movement had startled the two swans, making them squawk and flap away, but they settled once they saw that she was already skipping away from the lake.

The woman, a maid from her attire, scolded gently, "You must be careful, Miss Lizzy. What would I tell your uncle and aunt if you had fallen in the lake and drowned?"

The girl grinned impishly, "You need not worry, Mary. I am the best swimmer in Meryton. You can even ask the boys, though they hate to admit it." The maid just shook her head. From her expression the Earl supposed that this type of incident happened often with the young girl, but that the maid was also very fond of her.

Obviously feeling that the matter was settled, the girl then found him with her gaze and continued her skipping up the rise to where he stood. "Hello, Sir. I believe that this is yours. Luckily it has been a dry week, or your hat would have taken a mud bath. Have a good day!" She curtsied with the intention of skipping away, but the Earl said, "May I know the name of my hat's gallant savior?"

The girl seemed to regard him thoughtfully. He could not help but notice that she had the most remarkable eyes; dark brown and intelligent, with a spark of life that was quite unusual. She must have found him trustworthy, so she curtsied again, "My name is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, but everybody just calls me Lizzie."

The Earl bowed very formally, "It is my distinct honor to meet such an intrepid savior of top hats, Miss Bennet. My name is Mr. John Fitzwilliam, of Matlock in Derbyshire."

This elicited a wide smile from the pretty girl, "Oh! My Aunt Gardiner used to live in Derbyshire, in a village named Lambton. Do you know it?" Without preamble she sat on one corner of the bench, her body language making it clear that she expected him to do the same. The long-suffering maid seemed unsurprised, so he had to assume that this girl made friends quite easily.

John smiled at this and took his expected place, opposite the girl. "I do know Lambton. In fact my sister..." John felt a pain in his heart as he thought of Anne, his dearest sister who had passed four years before. He made himself continue, "My sister lived not five miles from Lambton. Her husband and two children still call the area home."

The girl, Lizzie, demonstrated her intelligence and perception by saying, "I am sorry about your sister. We do not need to speak of Lambton if it gives you pain."

Instead of feeling pain, the compassion in the young girl's eyes gave the careworn lord a sense of peace. "No, that is of no concern. She passed four years ago, but she left behind a beautiful young daughter who is fashioned in her very image. Tell me, have you been to Lambton?"

"No. I have only traveled south as far as London and north as far as Cambridge. My father was a fellow at Cambridge before he inherited his estate and married, so he makes the occasional return to walk the campus and see friends. I went with him once when my mother could not stand the sight of me." Now her face took on a pensive look.

Not wanting the girl to fall into a brown study, John asked, "And what brings you to London?"

She grinned, her troubles forgotten temporarily, "Oh, my aunt Maddie is to have a babe and I am here to help. Actually they asked for Jane because she is older, but Mother wished me away, so I am here instead."

This time the cheerful girl did not frown, but the earl still noticed the pattern. He wondered what was the matter with a mother who did not appreciate such a lively girl. Glancing over at the maid, he saw that similar thoughts were going through her head. "And do you relatives live nearby?"

"Oh not at all. They have a house in Gracechurch street, the prettiest house there. They could move to someplace closer to the park, but my Uncle Edward wishes to be close to his warehouses so that he can walk home and take lunch with his wife. They are very much in love. I should like that some day. My sister Jane and I have made a pact that we shall only marry for the very best of love. My Jane is the prettiest girl in England, so she shall most likely marry quickly. Mama says that no man will ever want to marry an impertinent headstrong girl like me."

Before the earl could reply, she continued, as if those hurtful words were commonplace to her, "Uncle Edward often meets with clients around here. When he does he will bring Mary and me to walk the park because he knows that I miss the country and my rambles. Mary is the only one who can walk as much as me because she is from the country too. Tell me, Mr. Fitzwilliam, are there many places to walk in Matlock? Is it very pretty?"

"Matlock is located just at the foot of the Peak District, with mountains and hills and rivers and lakes aplenty. Why, my estate has a lake right in front of my house and trails all around, though not as many as my brother-in-laws estate. You could walk there for a month and not travel all of the trails."

Little Lizzie's eyes sparkled, "Oh, that sounds heavenly! I hope that my aunt and uncle can take me up there some day. They have promised to take me along if they make the journey."

The maid was fidgeting, which drew Lizzie's attention, "Oh, I apologize Mary. I forgot that we are supposed to meet my Uncle at the Achilles Gate." She hopped off the bench and curtsied with a grin, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Fitzwilliam. Good bye."

The Earl of Matlock stood as well and executed a deep bow, "Mine is the honor, young lady. Take care of yourself."

Lord Matlock did not see the young girl again that season, though he often visited his favorite bench, and it made him sad. Her liveliness and honesty were something he appreciated, like water on a dry day. Interestingly enough, her memory also changed his perspective on station and class. If one of my sons, perhaps Richard, should meet such a girl when she is full-grown, then I would gladly consent to their marriage. I will not push any of my sons to make a match among the Ton.

He met little Miss Lizzy again in the following year, this time in April. He thought that it might be her walking with a footman in front of him on the trail, but she was far enough ahead and walking with such rapid steps that he did not attempt to call out to her. When he reached his bench he rested in his usual manner, allowing himself to be lost in thought. At some point a familiar voice spoke to him, "Mister Fitzwilliam! Are you well?"

He shifted back into focus and beheld those remarkable eyes in that familiar pretty face, "Why, if it isn't Miss Lizzy Bennet!" He stood and bowed, "How are you? I thought you were walking in front of me some time ago, but that young lady was moving too rapidly for me to catch her."

Lizzy blushed, then admitted, "I needed to walk off my pique. I am sorry if I did not hear you call out to me." She took her same perch on the bench, as did he. The footman, a tall young man with a prize-fighter's nose, stationed himself so that the man talking to his charge knew that he was there and ready to intervene.

"I did not actually call because you were moving too rapidly. Did you start here and then walk the full circuit of the Serpentine?"

Lizzy sighed, "Yes and no. I walked it twice. I was expecting to return home after a month in London, but my mother arranged for the family to go to Brighton without me."

Lord Matlock did not know whether to focus on the fact that she had walked the Serpentine twice, almost four miles, or that her mother had sent her away again and then taken her family on vacation. "What of your father?"

"My father settled me in London on the way to Dorset. His cousin passed away. Papa said he was not a good man, but he was the heir to Longbourn because the entail and because we are five daughters and no sons."

John nodded sympathetically, "That is unfortunate. Who is the heir now?"

"That is what Papa must discover. The man had a son, but he died in the same fire with his father. Mama was happy though, so I suppose that she followed her sister and husband to Brighton to celebrate. She always frets about being cast out into the hedgerows." Lizzie was old enough to be embarrassed by her mothers impropriety and it showed on her face.

"Yet she did not take you along?"

"Mama has never forgiven me for not being a boy. Papa said she was sick for many months after I was born and then never the same. She loves Jane and the youngest, Lydia. She tolerates Mary and Kitty. But she cannot abide me."

"And your father does not intervene?"

"Papa is not well. He has not been well for many years, so he does not have the energy to handle her. Instead he often has me in his book room, teaching me or allowing me to read. And sometimes when he must travel he takes me with him. Only this time he felt that there was danger if any of the other Collins... that was the deceased' name... were still around."

Wanting to have the dear child think on other matters, John asked, "What does your father teach you in his 'book room'?"

This made Lizzy smile and brought the sparkle of life back into her eyes, "Oh so many things! I learned the maths, even geometry and the study of the stars. I learned languages, Greek, Latin, French, Dutch, and Italian so that I can read any book from his library. The classics: Philosophy, Astronomy, and the Sciences. Oh, and all about animals and plants! And the explorers! He has travel books and histories from oh so many places! What else... oh yes, the four-course system of crop rotation, and what crops grow best when, and how to manage an estate!"

Lord Matlock chuckled, "It sounds like you have received an education as complete or better than any male at Cambridge or Oxford."

Little Lizzie sighed, "Yes, but I am not a boy and so it matters not. My mother says that such teaching is wasted on a girl and that men do not marry girls who think too much. But I like to think and learn!"

The earl felt sad that everything always came around to her mother's unnatural dislike for this remarkable child. It was at that moment, without even realizing it, that Lord Matlock arrived at a resolution. So when the footman, Peter, let his charge know that they must depart, John rose with them and said, "I shall accompany you. I think that I should like to meet your uncle." Peter looked uncomfortable, but this man speaking with little Lizzie seemed the decent sort and a man of great authority.

Edward Gardiner did not know what to think when a man of impeccable dress and authority presented himself beside Lizzy at the spot where he often collected her. Lizzy cheerily made the introductions, "Uncle Edward, this is Mr. Fitzwilliam, a friend. Mr. Fitzwilliam, this is my uncle, Mr. Edward Gardiner."

The man stepped forward and bowed, "I apologize for imposing, but my name is Lord John Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock." Edward noticed the shock on Peter's face and the surprise on Lizzie's face. "I met your niece last year when she did the great service of rescuing my hat from a mischievous wind. Now I've had the distinct pleasure of speaking with her again. She has made such an impression on me that I wished to make the acquaintance of her family."

Edward bowed and replied, "Your Lordship, I am honored to meet you, though I must admit to some confusion. Had our Lizzy done something amiss?"

The earl laughed, "Not at all. She is a delightful child. I meant what I said about wanting to meet you. Do you think, perhaps, that we might share a drink or a meal at my home? Just yourself at first, but then perhaps you, your wife and children, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, of course?"

Edward agreed, took the man's card, and set a time. He asked Lizzie many questions on the way home but felt just as bewildered in the end. His dear wife Madeline had no more clear idea than he did, though she did know more about the man. "Lord Matlock was the brother to Lady Anne Darcy, God rest her soul. From his few forays into Lambton I believe that he is a good man, as were his children. I cannot say the same about his wife, whose reputation in London was that of the worst ladies of the Ton."

The next afternoon Edward presented himself at Matlock House in Mayfair at the agreed upon time. He was expected and was shown the best of courtesy by the servants as he was led to Lord Matlock's study. The earl rose from his seat when the man entered and offered his hand instead of bowing, then he offered Edward his choice of drinks. Edward chose brandy but only sipped it, wanting to keep a clear head.

"You are probably wondering why I approached you and what my interest in your niece is. That is understandable. First allow me to assure you that I have no ill intentions. Your Miss Lizzy came to my notice by an act of kindness for which she expected no reward. I engaged her in conversation a year ago and found her to be uncommonly intelligent and well spoken for her age. At the time I could not help but think that she would make a fine wife for one of my sons when she came of age."

"Lizzy is both intelligent and well-spoken, Your Lordship, but her father's estate is small, merely two-thousand a year, and they have no connections of any import. After all, I am her uncle and am in trade."

"Ah, but I have also investigated you. You built your import and export business from nothing in the past seven years and have already amassed a considerable fortune and a sterling reputation for honesty and industry, all of this despite the war that plagues our waters. It is my understanding that your contributions to supplying both the Army and the Navy have drawn the eyes of the Crown and will most likely earn you a knighthood, in the least.

"And so far as connections are concern, unless I miss my mark your investigations of me have revealed that I married the daughter of a duke, the jewel of her season and the darling of the Ton. And you also know how poorly that decision went. I no longer look at connections and fortune for my sons, but rather character. But that is beside the point.

"Your niece is only twelve and will not be out for some years. But her conversations with me have revealed information which I find alarming: that is how her own mother treats her. Miss Lizzy puts on a brave face, to be sure, but I can see the hurt in her eyes... and as I have the power to do something, I would like to do so."

Edward Gardiner set down his glass and regarded the man, "Exactly what is it that you propose, Your Lordship?"

"Just this: A young girl with Miss Elizabeth's remarkable intelligence would greatly benefit from a stint at a school. I know of several which teach true value and learning rather than the fatuous fallacies of the Ton. They do not produce blue-stockings but true ladies of character and intelligence. Miss Elizabeth would be learning in all the subjects which interest her, along with those accomplishments which seem most important, such as playing an instrument, managing a home, and the like."

The earl went silent and allowed Mr. Gardiner to think. He could see the man's concern was for his niece and not forwarding his own contacts and consequence. Finally Edward spoke, "I mean no insult when I say this, but I would require your solemn word of honor that this largess would not come with any commitment, either to your sons, your relatives... or yourself."

Lord Matlock nodded, "I can understand your concern. From what I can see Miss Elizabeth will someday be a remarkable beauty, though not of the common type. So it is easy to see where that might be a cause for trepidation. I will do better than just my word. I will draft a legal document and have it witnessed stating that neither I nor anyone associated with me hold any claim on your niece due to that which I am freely offering. If, and only if Miss Elizabeth wishes, I will fund her coming out and her presentation, should that day come. But even then she will have absolutely no obligation to me or mine. That does not mean that I will not introduce my progeny to her should she become even half of the woman that I believe that she can become."

Mollified, Edward agreed to present the idea to his niece, his wife, and her father. "Thomas Bennet may be south for at least another month, so I will write to him. He was already hinting that it might be best for his Lizzy to remain with us rather than returning home. A school might indeed be the better option."

London, 1809

Thomas Bennet, Sir Edward Gardiner, and Lord Matlock all stood at the bottom of the stairs to watch Miss Elizabeth Bennet appear in her ball gown. Additionally Viscount Afferton, John's son and heir, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and Naval Lieutenant John Fitzwilliam, along with their cousin Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy also waited.

Elizabeth received kisses and hugs from Lady Millicent and Miss Georgiana Darcy, one a schoolmate and the other, though young, a dear friend. Lady Millicent was already engaged to a Marquis, but Georgiana was still in the nursury so far as Society was concerned. Elizabeth's bow to the Queen had taken place the previous day. Now it was time for her to meet society.

Lizzie never forgot her own good fortune in meeting the kind Mr. Fitzwilliam, who turned out to be the Earl of Matlock. Though she loved her father and uncle deeply, she adored Lord Matlock and would always be forever grateful for his watch-care over her. She had learned so much at school and had made friends who she would cherish for life, all due to that kind man. Had her heart chosen, she would have gladly married any of his three handsome sons and joined his family in truth. But as she turned the corner and stood at the top of the stairs, her eyes and her heart sought out another.

Fitzwilliam Darcy felt those fine eyes on his and his own heart surged. He had been skeptical when he learned about his uncle sponsoring some unknown country chit for school. The action had resulted in several unpleasant rumors and much speculation, but when he met the girl through his female cousin, he was fascinated. In the intervening years until this moment he could never erase the girl from his thoughts, until eventually time and familiarity overcame arrogance and he found himself in love with the wondrous creature. It was not easy to overcome all of his previous mistakes, but with his sister and cousin's help he finally won her heart.

Edward Gardiner had expected nothing from his nieces' good fortune but satisfaction. Instead Lord Matlock had invested heavily in Edward's businesses and had encouraged Darcy and others to do the same. Matlock had been one of the leading men in the Lords to push for a baronetcy, and when the Crown had agreed, he was there at the investiture.

Thomas Bennet, in diminishing health, had nevertheless corresponded semi-regularly with his favorite and much maligned daughter. He had learned that no more male claimants to Longbourn existed, and through the assistance of Lord Matlock he finally had the entail set aside. Then, because his health would not allow him to improve the estate, Lizzie's benefactor had also helped him in choosing the best possible steward. Thomas knew that his time was short, but he was pleased to see his Lizzy bloom to become a woman of worth and character... and to give his consent to young Mr. Darcy's suit.

Mrs. Fanny Bennet was pleased when she learned that her least favorite daughter would not be returning home. She was livid two years later when she learned the truth that Lizzy was attending one of the most reputable ladies schools in England and rubbing elbows with nobility. Her tirades and demands were delivered loudly and often until she gave herself an apoplexy. In an instance of poetic justice she survived, but lost most of her ability to speak.

Of the four remaining Bennet daughters there is much and not much to write. Miss Jane Bennet somehow emerged as a relatively kind person, if unremarkable except for her beauty. She was wed to an estate owner in Wessex, where she happily raised four children and seldom felt the need to visit Longbourn.

Mary, having written often to Elizabeth at school, chose to expand her learning. She installed herself in her father's bookroom until she eventually knew as much about the estate as he did. She married the steward that Lord Matlock had found for her father and they ran the estate together until her father passed and made her the heir.

Catherine "Kitty" Bennet followed her younger sister into all manner of mischief until she was invited to Pemberley by her sister, Elizabeth Darcy. She was so impressed by the conduct of her sister and Miss Georgiana that she resolved to become a different person. Granted, now she parroted the behaviors of those two, but she did improve. Eventually she married a gentleman farmer, birthed seven children, and was very content with her life.

Lydia Bennet unfortunately had most of her mother's traits and all of her indulgence. At the age of seventeen she was caught in an abandoned tenant cottage with two amorous officers, neither of which seemed inclined to offer her marriage. This led to a second and final stroke for Mrs. Bennet and an exile to Scotland for Lydia, where she delivered a daughter just in time for her to marry a Scottish lad who was traveling to the Americas. Neither she nor her husband or child were ever heard from again.

Thomas Bennet survived his wife by one year, but he had turned over the estate in its entirety to Hugh and Mary Albrecht. At his son-in-law's invitation he installed himself in the Pemberley library for his final days. He had the joy of holding his grandson and the heir to Pemberley just days before his own passing.

Lord John Fitzwilliam, the Earl of Matlock, was instrumental in introducing women of intelligence and good character to all three of his sons. One of those, with the help of Mrs. Darcy, was Charlotte Lucas, who married John Fitzwilliam on the very day he left his last ship command. They purchased Netherfield and built a life not far from Charlotte's own parents.

Lady Millicent grew to have all her mother's beauty but her father's good character. The question of her true parentage never came up and would not have mattered because John Fitzwilliam was the only father who mattered to her. She counted Elizabeth Darcy as her dearest friend all of the days of her life.

And finally, Georgiana Darcy, having spent her teen years with a strong person like her future sister Lizzy, was more than prepared to squash any schemes by her companion and George Wickham. She wrote her brother immediately after she met the cad and enlisted the support of several local matrons who were friends of the family. By the time that Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth arrived, the scheming pair were already arrested and on their way to London for questioning. And since both had outstanding crimes to their names, they were quickly dealt with.

John Fitzwilliam never remarried and he was always honored by his children and their families, but he always held a special place at Pemberley, where Elizabeth had a bench installed by the lake just for him to sit, contemplate, and visit.