The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

20. Elizabeth

Chapter 20

Elizabeth

T hey went for a walk through town. They had not yet seen all the shops, and Aunt was looking forward to reconnecting with many families and friends. Kitty ran straight for the milliners, and soon the sisters were gathered round bonnets and bits of ribbon. Mary found a corner of the store with a few books for sale, and Lizzie wandered out to the street where she was soon drawn in by the sounds of children chanting their maths.

She followed the sound across the street and peered in the window of what looked like a school room. A young lady stood at the front. She was light like Lizzie’s sister Jane, with rosy cheeks and a light in her face and eyes that immediately made Lizzie smile. She was perhaps one of the most wholesome pictures Lizzie had yet seen. The lady noticed Lizzie’s face outside the window and beckoned her inside.

As soon as she stepped in the room, the teacher smiled at her students. “Please continue practicing with the person next to you. Let me welcome our visitor.”

The children watched for a moment with open curiosity but soon turned to their partners and began practicing.

Lizzie nodded in approval. “They are lovely.”

“They really are. The villagers have not had much of an education unless we who live here teach them what we can. They are more grateful than anything.” She smiled so fondly at the backs of their heads that Lizzie was immediately endeared to this new woman.

“I was so drawn to the sounds of their excited maths.” She laughed. “I guess I couldn’t resist being that face in the window.”

“Are you here long? I will be sending them off for lunch in just a moment. Would you like to get a bite with me?”

“Yes, very much.” Lizzie moved to the back of the room to watch but she waved her over.

“I could use the assistance if you still know your figures?”

Lizzie laughed and nodded. “I help my father with the books sometimes.”

“Oh, that is impressive indeed, and more than I do. I’m not sure my brother would appreciate me anywhere near the books. He barely allows my other brother a moment in them, and he’s the heir.” She shrugged, and while Lizzie tried to figure out what she could mean by that, the woman pointed to the boy on the third row. “Could you start there with him?”

“Of course.” Lizzie crouched down at his side and began helping him work through the numbers on his board.

Lizzie enjoyed herself so much she decided that if marriage never worked for her, she could be happy indeed as a governess.

As soon as the children were out the door and off to whatever they did during their lunch, the teacher linked arms with Lizzie. “Now, I am Miss Georgiana. And we must stop in at Penny’s Bakery, if you don’t mind. I don’t think I can last the rest of the day without a crumpet.”

Lizzie laughed. “Then we must go to Penny’s. It’s lovely to meet you. I’m Miss Elizabeth. My friends call me Lizzie, which I hope you will as well.”

“Lizzie it is then, as I hope to always be Georgiana.”

They continued to walk arm in arm with Lizzie feeling the warmth of new friendship and a bit of happy surprise at finding someone she so quickly enjoyed.

They moved down the street to Penny’s and as soon as Lizzie stepped in the door, she knew she had made an excellent decision. The room smelled of freshly baked scones. The warmth of chocolate and toffee filled the air, and a smiley-faced woman stepped to the counter the minute the door closed behind them.

“Why, Miss Georgiana, I hope those children aren’t giving you any trouble.”

“Not at all. They are lovely as always. Your Leroy did exceptionally well with his numbers today. Miss Elizabeth assisted for a moment.”

“Oh yes, he picked it up so quickly.”

“Glad I am to hear it. He’s a smart one, if he would just apply himself.” She clucked. “Now, what can I get you today? Anything you like as a thank you. I can’t explain how much it means to us that you’d be willing to try and teach our children.” She dabbed her eyes with her towel which was covered in flour. Georgiana’s mouth twitched and Lizzie bit back a laugh. She was the perfect picture of a baker—down to a smudge of flour on the face.

They both ordered, and as they gathered their sweets—including some wrapped items Georgiana was bringing home to her brother and housekeeper—Penny leaned across the counter. “Your brother is doing good by us all to put that scoundrel behind bars. There is nothing at all good that can come of such a man free to ruin the lives of good women everywhere. Not to mention the debt he racked up all over Derbyshire. Grateful I will always be for your family.” She pressed a hand to her heart. And then the door opened, so she straightened and greeted the new guests.

Lizzie glanced curiously at Georgiana but she seemed to be more reserved. The news was certainly having an effect. They ate a few bites of an admittedly delicious crumpet and then Georgiana sighed. “I must apologize for my wool gathering. You must have noticed. That news of my brother and the man he is putting behind bars… I feel personally affected by it.”

“I, too, know a man who almost ruined my sister and us all. So you will hear no judgment from me. If it helps to talk about it, I will keep your secrets,” Lizzie replied.

She shifted a moment. “My brother has recently learned of terrible actions of a man we all grew up with. He abducted a young girl, left a bunch of unanswered debt all over town, and it seemed had no intention of marrying the girl.” She shook a moment. And then rubbed her hands up and down her arms. “But Fitz found him and presented evidence against him and he will be shipped off and exiled, never to harm another soul in England again.” Her lips quivered. “He convinced me once of his love. I thought myself equally in love.” She looked away. “How foolish.”

Lizzie reached for her hand. “No. That doesn’t make you foolish. The ability to love and to love deeply is a gift. And you are not at fault for loving someone who was imperfect. I’m terribly sad someone so undeserving was the recipient of your love.”

She shook her head. “No. It wasn’t really him I loved. How could it be, since I was mistaken about who he was. It was the idea of who I thought he was. Gallant, kind, caring, ready to place me at the center of their universe.” She fiddled with her food. “Sounds foolish now.”

Lizzie felt her eyes fill with tears. Shocked at her own emotional reaction, she waved a hand in front of her face. “Oh my goodness. But no. You are anything but foolish. The worst parts about this whole situation are these feelings left inside you. I wish there was a way to ban them from your heart.” She wished the same for Lydia. Perhaps it would be good for the two to meet. She sat back in her chair. “Do you think a man such as you imagined really exists? Is there such a person?”

Georgiana lifted one corner of her mouth and Lizzie was pleased to see some cheer returning to her new friend.

“I have a brother who is just like that. Maybe two.” She laughed.

“Maybe?”

“Well, yes, two. One is more reliable and one is more…spontaneous.”

Lizzie laughed. “I wonder what you aren’t saying there?” She took a sip of tea. “But which one worked to put the bad man in jail?”

“The spontaneous one. Actually they both did.”

Lizzie nodded. “So they both have good hearts.”

“Oh definitely. I think so.” She dabbed her mouth. “This has been so lovely. I do believe I’m going to miss you. But I have to return to my class.”

“Oh yes! And my sisters and aunt are here in town somewhere as well.”

“Goodness, I have kept you.” Georgiana looked terribly sorry.

But Lizzie shook her head. “Oh dear, no. I’ve kept myself. Time well spent. I’m pleased to meet you.”

“And I you. I’ll invite you for tea once I get our schedule from the brothers. I believe they are coming into town.”

Lizzie smiled. “I’d like that.”

She watched Georgiana walk out the bakery door. What could have happened with this particularly terrible man? She shook her head, mumbling to herself. Dear Lydia. Dear every woman at the mercy of men like Wickham. Some were very lucky and still able to have a life of some normalcy. Others would never again be able to join proper Society. Worse still, others were tied to such a man in marriage. Lizzie shuddered.

And yet, Miss Georgiana was lucky indeed to have brothers such as hers. Lizzie smiled to herself. Her thoughts turned to Mr. Darcy. Had he too been their savior? Had he rescued Lydia and then protected everyone from Wickham?

She felt a sudden tightness in her throat and moisture at her eyes. How did one thank a person for such an act? She would certainly try at dinner this evening. He was a puzzle and certainly difficult to converse with. But perhaps dinner would lend itself to a moment of quiet conversation.

She exited out on the street in time to see a carriage ride too quickly through town, hit a puddle, and completely douse a young boy with dirty water.

“Oh no!” She ran out to him.

His little lips quivered. Muddy water streamed down his face.

“You poor dear.” The small handkerchief she produced and used to at least wipe his eyes and mouth did little to help with anything else. It was soon a darker brown than he. “And where do you belong, little man?”

His eyes twinkled with a bit of mischief. “I shoulda been in school just now. Wouldna gotten hit by the Darcy carriage if I’da just been sitting in class with Miss Georgiana.” He shrugged.

“Well, let’s walk you there now, shall we?” She pressed her lips together. “Are you certain it was the Darcy carriage?”

He nodded. “That Mr. Darcy thinks it’s a bit of a game.”

“Does he, now?” Her steps altered themselves to match her mood and resembled more of a stomp than the delicate placing of feet of most ladies.

By the time she arrived at the school door, she had quite forgotten the warm feelings toward a man who found it amusing to treat young people so.

The carriage returned just as she opened the door. It was again moving way too quickly, and a group of women scurried out of the way to avoid being trampled by the horses.

She could feel herself tightening up.

Her wave to Georgiana was briefer than before and with an air of irritation but she paused a moment for a warmer smile. It was not as though her new friend owned that carriage.

Mr. Darcy was long gone when she stepped back out onto the street. But her thoughts were not. Her sisters exited the bakery just then and waved to her.

Kitty ran toward her. “Oh Lizzie, that is the most scrumptious place. You must try nearly everything they make.”

She laughed in spite of her irritation and then linked arms with Kitty. “Must I? What is your favorite sweet?”

She tried to douse her irritation with Darcy while getting another tour of the bakery, this time from Kitty. Was there a way she could possibly avoid attending dinner hosted by a man she could not respect?

Unless she became violently ill, she was likely to be compelled to go. She could never offend those at Pemberley, particularly not when accompanying her aunt who loved this area and grew up admiring all in the house.

The best she could do was try to distract her mind with anything else until she was forced to think once again about the man.