Chapter Twenty-Five
Little Boy who Lives Down the Lane
Two days after the meeting, Ben took his leave of the area because of his younger brother’s wedding. The trip had been planned prior to Mr. Wickham’s presence or the possible presence of the Eliminator. When Ben offered to stay, Lizzy refused his offer and nearly demanded he attend the wedding.
Four days after the meeting at Oakham mount, Sir William arrived at the Bennet home asking to speak with Mr. Bennet.
Lizzy was curious about the meeting for Sir William did not appear to be his usual cheerful self; however, Lizzy knew not to intrude on a private conversation.
Instead, she tried to keep busy by interacting with her family.
All the Bennet children were gathered in the front drawing room on that particular day.
“Lizzy,” Robbie came over and sat beside her on the loveseat, “Tiddle says I cannot practice using my power anymore until you evaluate my ability. When will you have time to do that?”
Lizzy smiled at her brother. She knew she had been failing to set aside time for his lessons because of the approaching threat, but she had not informed anyone in the family of what she suspected was coming.
“Robbie, I am sorry I have not had time to help you, but it is not because I do not want to train you. I must spend my time preparing for something important that will happen soon. When this situation is resolved, I promise to spend as much time with you as needed.”
“What is this important thing?” Robbie asked curiously.
“I will tell you all about it when it is over.”
“If it is so important, maybe I and Tiddle can help,” Robbie offered. “He has taught me many things about the power around us.”
“I do not mean to underrate your ability or the training Tiddle has offered, but what is coming up is beyond what your ability can manage. You need a little bit more training, and that will come with time.”
“So, when this is all over, you will help me?” Robbie asked.
“Yes,” Lizzy said and ruffled the top of her brother’s head, causing him to laugh.
Just then her father came into the room requesting her presence in his book room.
“We will talk about this later,” Lizzy whisper to her brother as she rose from her seat. She then followed her father into the room where Sir William awaited them.
“Sir William has brought to my attention a situation occurring in Meryton,” her father said.
“It seems there is a lieutenant in the militia who has been asking around about our family. He has also asked some very pointed questions about you, Lizzy, which concerns both of us. It seems his inquiries are arousing suspicion among those he is talking to, and I must admit the questions are piquing my suspicions as well. Have you heard anything or seen anything concerning this particular lieutenant?”
“Yes,” Lizzy replied. “His name is Lieutenant Wickham and both Butterbell and Rowan have been keeping an eye on him. We think he might be working for the Eliminator because I was warned by Nature that something is going to happen concerning him. Mr. Darcy and I will keep watch on him, and I will keep you informed if we learn anything threatening about his movements.”
“Very good,” her father replied. Mr. Bennett then turned to Sir William and said, “I will keep you informed if we need your help.”
“Thank you. If you believe you have everything well in hand, then I will return home. If I hear anything else from those in town, I will let you know.” With that, Sir William rose from his chair, turned and left the room.
Although Sir William was not raised on an estate, the moment he was awarded his knighthood and purchased his small estate, he learned about the presence of the brownies and about the need to protect them.
Even without seeing them, he believed; so, he asked Mr. Bennet about contacting the person who created wards so his property and unseen brownies would be protected.
This is why he knew that protecting Lizzy’s identity was so important.
After Sir William left, her father asked Lizzy, “Why have you not spoken to me about this before now?”
“First of all, Papa, I did not want you to worry about what was going to happen. Nature spoke to me a while ago and let me know what would be happening. I have been practicing along with Mr. Darcy and Butterbell to prepare for what is coming. I thought it would best if the family did not know that there was evil coming into the area. I also do not want anyone else in the family to be put in harm’s way. ”
“Should I not be the one to make that decision being the head of the family?” Mr. Bennett asked.
“I am sorry, father,” Lizzy said repentantly. “I just did not want anyone to worry. I do want you to know that I’m taking all precautions, and I still believe it best if the rest of the family is not made aware of the situation.”
Although Mr. Bennett was not happy with her decision, he knew Lizzy would do everything in her power to protect not only the family, but the brownies under her care.
“Please, Lizzy, make sure you keep yourself protected,” Mr. Bennet cautioned his daughter, and then added, “If you need my assistance, please inform me.”
“I will, Papa.” Lizzy then rose from her chair, went around the desk to where her father sat, and kissed the top of his head.
Mr. Bennet chuckled, and then said, “Be off with you.”
Two days later, while Robbie was walking around the back wilderness area of the house with Tiddle, a man in a red coat approached him.
“Are you not Miss Elizabeth’s younger brother?”
Robbie noticed he had charming smile but wondered how the man knew his sister.
“One of them,” Robbie replied.
“You look like a bright young man. You must be at least nine years old.” Being young, Robbie did not understand the man’s attempt at flattery.
“No, I’m ten,” Robbie declared proudly.
“My apologies. Being such a great age, I imagine you know where your sister is?”
Robbie wondered if his sister knew this man, or if he was just asking nosy questions. Lizzy had warned Robbie about speaking to strangers, and especially strangers who were asking about their family.
Since Robbie had no idea where his sister was, he found it simple to speak the truth. “I do not know where my sister might be.”
“Would you help me look for her?” Robbie noticed the man’s smile seemed to grow bigger. “I have an important message I must personally deliver to her.”
“I don’t know,” Robbie began.
“You do not want your sister to receive this important message?” The man held out a piece of paper.
“Yes, but you can leave it with me. I will be sure she receives it as soon as she comes home,” Robbie offered.
“No, I must give it directly to your sister. Maybe you could show me some of the places she might be.” The man continued smiling all the while he talked.
“I guess that would be okay,” Robbie hesitantly replied.
“Do you have a brownie?”
Robbie watched the man looking around as if trying to see Tiddle who was standing right beside Robbie. He realized the man must be one of those people who could not see brownies. Lydia, he remembered had trouble seeing brownies at times.
“Yes,” the boy replied.
“Tell him to wait here for your sister. If she comes back before we find her, he can direct your sister in the direction we went.”
“I guess that will be okay.”
Tiddle, however, felt it was wrong to let his master go with the man alone, but he had promised himself, after losing his previous young master, to do whatever Robbie asked of him unless Miss told him otherwise.
Robbie turned to his brownie and said, “Tiddle, you wait for Lizzy. We will walk to Oakham Mount and then to meadow she likes to visit. You tell her where we are if she arrives before we come back.”
Robbie knew Tiddle would do as he asked, and then he turned toward the man, and the two walked off together.