Long Time!

Yes I know it has been a long time since we have posted! I was moving and that took a lot of my time. Also Liza will sadly be leaving us(I hope not for long!), her dad is ill and in the hospital. But any way we WILL get back to posting! I know I have two posts in mind and so does Aunt Georgie.
Thanks for being so patient!
~Lizzy

A Wonderful Afternoon

I was seated next to Bryant at the tea table. Lee was sitting on the other side of me and he whispered something in my ear, "Don't eat the snacks Cassie made, they're atrocious." I giggled and recollected myself. We smiled at each other and Bryant cleared his throat.

"I meant to give this to you at the ball, but I couldn't find you after we departed," he said, holding up a white glove.

I blushed, "Thank you. I didn't even notice." He smiled.

"Liza, do you have a moment?" Lee asked me after lunch when everyone was playing crochet. I smiled and excused myself.

"Lee, I was in the middle of a conversation with Mr. Bryant. What is it?" I was quite anxious to get back to the game; more or less, to Mr. Bryant.

"I can't help but notice your sudden interest in Mr. Bryant."

I blushed and cleared my throat, "Lee, you must be ridiculous. He's simply a very talented young man. And very interesting."

"But Liza..."

I my feelings had been considerably rumpled by Lee's questions, so I cut him off with,

"Lee, I am just being nice. Please excuse me."

With that I swept back to the game and Mr. Bryant. After sitting myself back down I looked back at Lee through the corner of my eye. He stood where I had left him, he was looking at me with a hurt look in his blue eyes. With a small pang of remorse, I looked away and concentrated my mind on the game. Lizzy was my savior, for in she came with a stranger. A tall dark good-looking stranger. We met eyes across the room, hers were dancing.

What happend in the library.

I followed her into the library, which was a grand room lined with shelves, with a table, six chairs and an empty fire place. Cassie brought me a book I had long wanted to try. 'Tis called Life of Johnson, by James Broswell.
"Thank you Cassie! May I read it for awhile?"
She smiled "Yes Lizzy, I will come get you in a bit." And with that she left me to my reading.
I must have been there for over a half an hour, when I heard.
"Madame?"
I looked up into the eyes of a man about twenty, with beautiful kind brown eyes.
"Madame?" He said again.
I shook myself and smiled slightly, "Yes?"
He bowed and smiled back, "I was, um, coming to retrieve a book. That I lent Leland. Do you know the Smiths?"
I stood up from my chair and replied, "Yes, I do, my father Mr.Darcy grew up with Leland's father."
His face lit up, "Then you must be either Liza or Lizzy. Leland speaks of you all the time."
I curtsied, "I am Lizzy. Lisbeth Darcy."
He bowed, "And I am Francis Gould."

The Garden Party

The Garden Party was at the Smith's house. It was after luncheon, and was a simple affair of tea and cards. We arrived promptly at one. I was dressed in a simple, yet flattering dress of white, with short sleeves and a simple gold chain about my neck.
Leland's sister, Cassie came to greet us.
"Liza! Lizzy! Welcome! Oh and Becka, Aunt Georgie! Come, come do join us." She gave hugs all 'round, then led us to the parlor where we joined the guests. Leland, James and Captain Milton were sitting around the main table playing cards with dark handsome fellow.
"That's him Lizzy," Liza had grasped my arm and was whispered excitedly, "Bryant Woods.''
I looked him over closely, this is were my dear sister and I differ most. While she is quite taken with meeting and becoming friends easily, I prefer to meet and watch, before bestowing my friendship.
"He has good manners, and pleasing face." I agreed, as the men stood at our entrance.
Lee did the introductions,
"Ladies meet my friend Bryant Woods."
Bryant's eyes light up at the sight of Liza, he came forward,
"My dear miss Elizabeth!" he said kissing her hand.
"Have you met?" Lee asked surprised.
"Yes," answered Liza, "At the ball, I'm afraid we ran into each other."
''Yes we did." Bryant agreed smiling, still more.
Cassie took me aside from the group, "Lizzy, I have the book you wanted. Will you come into the library with me?"
"Oh yes!" I said.

An Thoughtful Conversation

As the dance began, I decided it was time I figured out how James had been doing. I began to look over him intently, looking over his face for worry lines and looking straight into his eyes to see if he could meet my gaze. I'd learned to do this type of face study years ago, and had practiced on James many times. This time however, there was something in his eyes that worried me a little.

"Scrutinizing me again, Bekah?" James asked amusedly.
"Yes." I answered.
"What do you see?" James had gotten used to this staring ritual over the years, really since we were twelve.
"I see that you getting more headstrong and independent and I'm worried you'll go to far." I said frankly. James looked surprised.
"You worry about me?"
"Sometimes. When I see that glint in your eyes, the 'I can do anything I want to' look. Sometimes I think that you going the royal navy wasn't such a good idea."
"Aren't you proud of me?" James looked a little hurt.
"Of course I am. Please don't get me wrong here. I'm just concerned that you're using the Navy as an excuse to sidle out from under your mother's guidance and trying to do everything on your own."
"Well, not everything yet. I still write Mother." James defended himself, but he looked a little guilty.
"Not nearly enough. You really should use this furlough home to draw closer to her. She needs you probably even more than you know."
"I am aware of that. I'm realizing now how hard it is to be the man of a family." We were silent for a little while, each of us thinking. I thinking of James and his family: his mother, brother and two sisters. He was the youngest, his oldest brother had already left home, leaving James to take care of his mother and two sisters. James's father had disappeared at sea when he was very small. Life had never been very easy for the Taavettis after that.
The silence was broken when I shook myself, smiled and said, "I'm not that worried about you. You'll do fine, just keep your mind focused." After that, the conversation changed to lighter topics.

A Lovely Night

After introducing us to Mr. Milton, I quickly left when I saw my old friend, Cristy with her fine husband. We talked and talked. Then, the musicians started to play a different, more lively tune. Cristy and her husband bid me a good evening and made their way to the dance floor. I went in search of Lee, for he promised me the first dance.
"There you are!" I heard him yell and he quickly made his way towards me. "Time to dance?"
"Why certainly," I replied blushing. We glided along the dance floor and clapped and cheered, it was a lovely dance. When the music stopped playing I needed to look for Lizzy. I hadn't seen her since we were introduced to Mr. Milton, and I wondered if something went wrong. I hadn't been there for the rest of the conversation. "Lee, do you know where my sister is?"
He looked around, "No, but where ever she is, I can assure you it's far from Mr. Milton."
"What? What happened, Lee?" I asked.
"Look, there's Christy and her husband, shall we go say hello?"
"I already have. Lee, why are you avoiding my question?" Leland looked at me sheepishly.
"Well, do you promise to tell no one."
I shook my head, "Not a soul."
"Especially not Lizzy."
I repeated, "Especially not Lizzy."
Leland took my hand and led me away from the noise. "I had hoped that Lizzy would take a fancy to Mr. Milton and..."
"Are you saying, sir, that you're trying to be a matchmaker for my sister?" I said in surprise.
"No, no. I just had hoped they might, talk more this evening. You see, Mr. Milton is a very lonely, very prideful man and I had hoped Lizzy might be just the girl to-to carry on a decent conversation with him. That's all."
I stood up straight, "What exactly did he say to make Lizzy distraught?"
"He was just talking about how woman are a nuisance at sea." Leland hung his head.
"Uh! The nerve! Why would he choose such a subject to speak to a woman about?"
"It's my fault really. I brought it up."
I excused myself from Leland and went to look for Lizzy. I wondered if she had been emotionally hurt by Mr. Milton's remark. She is such a delicate soul. When I found her, she was gaily speaking to Christy.
"Liza, you didn't tell me you had seen Christy this evening," Liza said, taking my had and squeezing it.
"Well, I hadn't seen you since I talked with her," I said smiling at them both.
Lizzy giggled, "That's true."
"Lizzy, did you meet Mr. Milton?"
Her eyes got a bit sad, "Yes. He's a very outspoken gentleman."
I sighed, "Lee told me. Are you... okay?"
Christy was watching and listening, a little confused, yet interested.
"Yes, Liza, I'm fine." Lizzy squeezed my hand again and smiled, just to reassure me.
"Hi girls," Bekah said. "Are you ready to go? It's getting quite late."
I said yes and Lizzy shook her head. It was decided. I went to tell Leland good-bye and Bekah went to tell the coachman to get our carriage. Lizzy was saying her last minute good-bye's to Christy.
"Leland, we're going to take leave."
Leland looked worried, "Is Lizzy okay?"
"Yes, we're just tired and it's getting quite late. Papa will not be to happy if we stay out much longer."
Leland smiled, knowing that is was true. "I'll see you tomorrow. I'd like to come over, if it's alright."
I smiled and shook my head, "It's perfectly fine. Good-night!"
Leland waved his hand as I walked off towards the door.
"Ow!" I said, stumbling over someone's foot. "I'm so sorry, I didn't-" And there he was. The most handsome man I've ever met.
"No, it's quite alright. Are you okay?"
I was speechless.
"Do you talk, Mrs...."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Yes, I'm alright. The name is L-Elizabeth Bennett."
"Well, Mrs. Bennett, my apologies for stepping on you," he said, smiling.
"Oh, it's quite alright, Mr..."
"Bryant. Bryant Woods. Well, I can see you were making your way somewhere, so I will not deter you any longer."
I blushed as he took my hand and kissed it. "Good evening Mr. Woods."
"Please, it's Bryant."
"Bryant." I walked away, wanting to stay and get to know this wonderfully charming man, but Bekah and Lizzy were probably waiting for me at the carriage. I turned to get one more glance of Bryant. He was looking at me too. I blushed and scolded myself for looking.
"What took you so long, Liza?" Bekah asked while being helped into the carriage.
"I met the most wonderful man in my whole life," I said after we were all in the carriage and the door was shut.
The gasped, "What? Are you referring to Le-"
"No!" I quickly explained, "His name is Bryant Woods. He's tall, handsome and he is a very kind gentleman. I bumped into him on my way out."
"You know all that stuff about him just because you bumped into him?" Lizzy said, giggling a little.
"No, we talked for a while. Exchanged our names and... well, I just know he's a gentleman because something in his manner of speech. I can tell he was well brought-up." We all giggled together excitedly and talked about the evening. When we arrived at home Papa said we should get some rest and reminded us about the Garden Party the next day. I secretly hoped Bryant would be there.

The Smiths' Ball

Dear Journal,

What a night we had at the Smiths! I'm so glad I was able to go, and now I need to settle down and collect my scattered thoughts discernibly on paper.

I was barely ready when the carriage arrived to take us, and I was feeling so excited and bouncy that it was hard to keep still on the ride. Lizzy, Liza and I talked and giggled all the way. I'm inexpressibly happy to be with them again!

When we walked into the Smiths' beautiful home, I got a thrill up my back as I saw all the lovely dressed people walking around, the music playing, and could smell the delicious supper prepared for us. As I gave my cloak to the attendant, I felt light, free, and ready for anything!

Soon after we arrived, I was delighted to be greeted by an old family friend, Captain James Taavetti. I hadn't seen him in a while, and it was good to catch up. He's in the navy, and often away at sea. His father came from Finland, and James's love of the water came from him.
"How's my handsome navy hero?" I teased him.
"Fine, fine. A little rusty on home manners, but fine." he replied.
"Nonsense. Your manners are emaculate." I countered.
He looked over towards another part of the room, where I saw Leland and Liza talking to another man.
"Sure, sure. I see you are here with your cousins. Fine young ladies they are. Oh, I see they're meeting William! He's a good friend of mine. Also a little rusty on his manners around ladies." he smiled.
"I think your manners are perfectly elegant, and you know they are." I insisted. "You act like a gentleman."
"Thank you. I appreciate that compliment. Must store it somewhere, so as not to forget it."
I laughed. James has often been teased for his bad short term memory. Just then, we saw the conversation between James's friend and Leland and Liza break up. Liza seemed to be looking for someone, and when she saw me she began moving our direction. James and I walked over to talk with her.
"Liza, this is my old friend Captain James Taavetti. James, this is Elizabeth Bennet, my cousin."
"How do you do?" James bowed. Liza curtsied and smiled. I noticed she looked a little out of sorts.
"I see you've met my friend Captain Milton!" James continued. "What did you think of him?"
"Honestly?" Liza asked.
"Hmmm, methinks my friend has been voicing his opinion on women to you, has he not?" James said in an all-knowing air (which he is also famous for).
Liza sighed. "He is not the most pleasant spoken of men."
"Nothing time won't improve." James said cheerfully. "He's here on extended furlough, as am I. I wouldn't be surprised if eight months in wonderful, wholesome society doesn't polish him up somewhat."
Then my favorite dance began, and Liza curtsied goodbye and James led me back to the floor.
"I hope I'm not taking away dances from other promised young men." James said.
"No, not at all. I am not engaged at all this evening."
"Good, good. I hope you will not be bored with me this evening. May I be your escort to dinner?"
"I would be honored." I replied.

We meet Captain William Milton

Before the dancing started Leland introduced us to a friend from Oxford. His name was Captain William Milton.
"I knew you would want to meet him Lizzy, he fought on Nile. Won a great victory there. Now he is on leave. Isn't that right Will?"
The Captain was a man of average height, with blond hair pulled back as English fashions commands. He had sharp blue eyes that seemed to look right through me.
"Yes my dear fellow, I'm afraid I caught some blasted illness the Caribbean."
"That's too bad Captain," I said, "what where you doing there? May I ask?"
"Following some French ship, twice our size, twice our gun. But we got them."
Leland smiled, "Will, I have never known you take to women before, this is a surprise. I even recall you saying that they are a "Bloody nuisance."'
My eyes widened in surprise, "A nuisance?" I asked
Captain Milton shifted uncomfortably, and then replied, "I'm afraid you misunderstood me. What I said was that women are a nuisance at sea. Its not good for their health to be on the Waves. They catch one thing or another, and when battle comes they are just plain in the way."
"Sir," I said a little hotly, "Not all women are this way. I love sailing, and wish I could more often."
"Most women that I have had escort, ruined the venture completely." He said firmly.
Just then the musicians struck up a lively country dance. Leland turned to us and said,
"Well I must leave you to find Liza, for I believe I have the first dance."
With that Leland left, leaving me standing with the captain.
My feelings had been rumpled, so bid goodnight to the captain and I went in search of Becka.

The Glorious Ball

(the dress on the right is Liza's ballgown)

"I'm so glad you ladies could make it," Leland said as he gave each of us his hand and helped us down from the carriage. As soon as we were all out of the carriage I was stunned by the magnificent lights that were hung everywhere.

"Oh Leland, it's beautiful!" I said and he gave me his arm. I put mine in his and said, "Well, it's beautiful for a small party." We all laughed.

"Well, I must say, Liza, you look beautiful tonight as well," Leland smiled and finished with, "For an unimportant young woman as yourself." We laughed once more. "Come, come inside and meet some friends of mine." Leland led the way and when we stepped inside the beautiful ballroom Rebekah gave a sharp gasp.

"It's, it's beautiful and so bright and... just beautiful!" Leland smiled as all us girl stood there and admired the brightly lit scenery and sighed happily. We felt so beautiful in our ballgowns, we felt like princess'. Rebekah took my hand, I took Lizzy's and we all took a deep breath.

"Wow, I'm so exited. A ball!" Lizzy said and she silently giggled. I giggled, too and Rebekah squeezed our hand and reminded us we were to be following Leland. We giggled again and walked a bit faster to catch up with him.

Sorry!

Hi everyone! We are sorry we have not posted in a while. It's been a busy month, eh? We will try to get back to the story as soon as possible. Please be patient with us. :)

~Eldarwen Failariel~ (Liza)