Chapter 7
Elizabeth felt so old as she prepared for her birthday.
She was about to turn nine. She knew from when her parents explained how she joined the family that her birthday was in fact the day that she had been rescued by her brothers, that she could be older than nine, but she had nothing to repine about her chosen birthdate so to her, the twentieth day of June was her real birthday.
She thought back to the end of April when her parents gifted her with her mare, Saturn, an early birthday gift. Little did her parents or Elizabeth know that it was in fact a belated gift.
On the way home from the enjoyable time at Rosings Park, she, her parents, and Anne had made a stop at an estate in Hertfordshire called Bennington Fields, where Orion had been procured from, to choose her new mare.
It was not far from where the Bingleys lived.
They had been shown to a paddock that had a half dozen two-year-old fillies.
Five of them were grazing and paid no heed to the people who were led into the enclosure.
A light chestnut filly, at fourteen hands on the smaller side compared to the others, walked up to Elizabeth, and whickered and nuzzled her shoulder.
Elizabeth turned and held the horse’s gaze and then she held out her hand palm up.
The mare sniffed her hand and then licked it.
Lizzy had been armed with a carrot and offered it to the filly, who gently removed it from her hand with her lips before making short work of it.
That was more than enough for Elizabeth, who chose the mare.
She named her Saturn almost immediately for two reasons.
Elizabeth noted the rings around her fetlocks and as her big brother had named his horse after a celestial body, or bodies in Orion’s case, she wanted to name hers in a like manner, so she chose Saturn.
They were helped by the steward of the estate, who had replaced his predecessor two years previously who explained that the estate’s master, a Mr Thomas Bennet, sent his regrets that he could not see to them himself.
The Earl was not aggrieved that the master of the estate was busy and soon the paperwork was complete, and the bank draft filled out and handed over to the steward.
They were soon back in their carriages with Saturn tied to behind the servants’ vehicle and tended to by a groom and some outriders.
On the way back to the Great North Road they went through the little market town of Meryton, not dissimilar from Matlock or Lambton.
As they traversed the main street, Elizabeth noticed a group of children entering one of the stores following a blond girl.
She did not see the girl as her back was to the carriage, but Elizabeth could not shake the feeling that she had seen the girl somewhere before.
As she searched her memory, she remembered the blond girl she met that day at the Gardiner and Associates warehouse, Jane Bennet.
Elizabeth remembered that the master of the estate where her parents purchased Saturn was Bennet, but she felt it must be a coincidence that she had met a Jane Bennet some years previously.
She believed that she solved the mystery why the blond girl triggered a memory.
The family had proudly attended Andrew’s graduation ceremony at Cambridge a few weeks earlier in the middle of May.
He graduated along with his friend, the Marquess of Birchington, and they would take their grand tour together to the continent, departing close to the end of June.
Richard would be starting his second year at Cambridge while William and his friend Viscount Westmore would start at the university in September.
Andrew’s friend Ian Ashby was one year behind, otherwise he would have joined the two on their tour.
Charles Bingley would be in his final year at Eton and ironically would be a house captain, the first son of a tradesman to be granted that honour.
Understandably, Lady Elaine Fitzwilliam had shed not a few tears as her eldest received the scroll that proclaimed that he had graduated Trinity College with distinction.
All of the Darcys had attended except soon-to-be-three Alex who was left at the inn with his nursemaid and two footmen guards, much to his vexation as he proclaimed loudly that he was a big boy to any that would listen.
The family had joined with the De Melvilles to rent a dining establishment just for themselves for a celebratory meal that evening after the ceremony.
Elizabeth remembered the conversation in the carriage on the way back to Snowhaven when Richard had announced his plans for when he graduated in two years. She remembered feeling chills when Richard mentioned the profession that he had chosen.
“Have you considered what you want to do after Cambridge, Richard?” father had asked.
“I have,” Richard returned with pride.
“You know that you have options that many second sons do not have, do you not Richard?” mother stated.
“Yes Mama, I know that I have Brookfield, but I find that I am not ready to become a gentleman of leisure yet,” Richard took a deep breath as he prepared to announce his choice that he was sure would not be popular; but he also knew that as much as his parents might dislike it, they would not force their will on him.
“I want to go into the regulars and serve King and Country!”
“Oh, Richard!” mother exclaimed, “why the regulars? If you want to serve why not the militia?” She hated the idea that one of her children might be put in harm’s way; it was more than enough that an accident had claimed one daughter and a murdered had almost done the same with her other daughter.
“You know how some men say that they feel a calling when they join the church?” Richard asked, both of his parents nodded. “Well, that is how I feel about service to the crown.”
“You know that we will support you, but I will worry every time that you are sent into battle. Look at what is happening in France, the anarchy and terror; I am afraid that England will be pulled into battle on the continent, and I could not stand to lose another child,” mother stated with tears in her eyes.
“Itch, could you not find a profession that does not have the potential for you to die doing your work?” Lizzy asked.
“I know it is scary, Lizzy, but it is something that I feel I must do. So many take and so few are willing to give back in service to something greater than themselves, I am called to serve,” Richard explained.
“If that is the case, you must allow me to purchase you a commission of major or colonel,” father added.
“I thank you father, but I have been saving my allowances for years and I will have enough to purchase a captain’s commission by the time that I finish my time at Cambridge.
I want to make my own way and earn any promotions beyond the rank that I purchase.
” Richard was determined and, as he had discussed his plans with Andrew previously, the latter had remained silent during the conversation; but was no less worried about his brother than any other.
The subject of her thoughts came up behind his sister and grabbed her waist causing her to start. “Itch!” Elizabeth exclaimed, “You know I hate it when you creep up behind me!”
“Why do you think I do it, baby sister?” His declaration earned him a playful slap on his arm. “I came to ask you if you want to go for a ride with Andrew, Anne, and me.” Lizzy nodded emphatically and took off up the stairs to go change into her new deep burgundy riding habit.
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Caroline Bingley felt jubilant. She had finally prevailed; just that morning she had been instructed to pack her meagre belongings into her trunk.
She was finally leaving this hell-hole! At long last her parents had realised the justification of her way of thinking.
At fifteen she was even more convinced of the rectitude of her opinions.
For the final time she was sure, she almost skipped into the crone’s office as she fought to keep the gloating from her mien.
“Sit, Miss Bingley. I am glad that you are in good spirits; you will need them for the length of your upcoming travels,” the headmistress intoned cryptically.
“Am I to join my family on the continent as a way of apologising for using me so ill?” she asked. Mrs Gilbert shook her head as the young lady’s delusions seemed to know no bounds.
“You will be taking a voyage on a ship, not to your desired destination, but to the Isle of Man.” The headmistress beckoned to the two large footmen who had entered the office after Miss Caroline to take up station behind her chair while she delivered the news that she had no doubt would cause one of Miss Caroline’s infamous tantrums. “As you refuse to see the error of your ways, your father is sending you to the Greenlake School for Troubled Girls, and as I mentioned, it is on the Isle of Man.”
“WHAT!” Caroline screeched as she tried to jump out of her chair but found that she could not move as strong hands gripped her shoulders keeping her seated in the chair.
“The error of my ways!” she screamed at the top of her lungs.
“I will kill…” whatever else she was about to sat was cut off as one of the large men placed a gag over her mouth while the other put irons on her wrists and ankles.
With fire in her eyes, the young lady was lifted effortlessly and placed in the waiting conveyance where her trunk had already been secured to the roof.
So it was that Miss Caroline Bingley departed the Dark Hollow School the same way that she had arrived, bound and gagged.
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