Chapter One

Sometime between last night and this morning there had been a serious change in the atmosphere. Lizzy had noticed a blue hue to the sky when she woke and was curious to know its cause. She crept out of her bed, careful not to wake her husband Darcy. She quickly dressed and moved to the balcony. As she peered out over her beloved home, she could not clearly see what had caused the change. As she turned to view the northern lands, she noticed a familiar glow coming from the far fields of Pemberly. 

Lizzy squealed in delight. “What has happened?” Darcy shot up out of bed. “Forgive me my love, I believe Jane has arrived in the northern fields. I told her she could come closer to the house, but I fear she is still to modest to show her powers. That reminds me, I noticed yesterday that little William was moving his toy soldiers around without so much as moving a muscle. What’s more, Lizzy continued, he seemed to be moving them as if he were playing chess with someone.” 

While throwing on a robe and moving to join his wife, Darcy held back a mischievous smile that was threatening to surface. “I had noticed some days ago that he was displaying some powers.“ Lizzy glared at him.  “I am sorry that I forgot to mention it Lizzy, I have been so busy preparing for the harvest I haven’t had time to think of much else, except you of course.” Darcy grinned widely and started to reach for his wife. Lizzy snatched her hand away, “Do not think you will get off that easily sir! It is important for me to know what powers he tends to display so I can arrange for the proper training.” 

“I have a feeling that his training has already begun” Darcy said hesitantly. “I received a letter from your father yesterday.” Lizzy gave him the look of indignation he was expecting. “Apparently, your father has been communicating with William. He says he heard a giggle three days ago and has been chatting with him ever since. As you can imagine, your father has been encouraging him to play chess.” Darcy let out a sigh. “He will probably be able to best me before his third birthday.”

This last comment had the result he had hoped for, Lizzy burst into laughter. “You are probably right dear, if my father has anything to do with his training William will certainly be a formidable opponent. However, I will have to send him a note and remind him to keep us informed of his planned activities.” Darcy moved to stand in front of his wife “that won’t be necessary.”

“Why ever not?” She questioned. 

Just then, the door to her sitting room crashed open. William had escaped his nurse again. “Mama, Gandpapa has arrived.”

“William, my darling, how did you come to escape the nursery again?” chided Lizzy while scooping him up into her arms and trying to stifle her laughter. “You have to remember that it is stressful for nanny to chase you all over the house. Please have some compassion for her poor nerves.” Lizzy looked at Darcy with a twinkle in her eye but as soon as she saw his struggle to contain himself she lost all control. Just as they were calming, nanny entered exclaiming “Master William, there you are! I have been searching high and low for you.” She turned to address Darcy with a curtesy, “Sir, I only turned my back for a second to grab a clean cloth and he was gone so quick and quiet like I couldn’t tell which way he had gone.”

“It’s no matter Mrs. Hughes, he is safe now. I believe we may have to hire some extra help to watch over Master William. He is getting to be a handful and we wouldn’t want to put any undue stress on your nerves.” Lizzy coughed and quickly turned her face so Mrs. Hughes could not see the smile she was so desperately trying to hide. “Thank you Mrs. Hughes, that will be all. Master William will stay with us for a while. Oh, and Mrs. Hughes, Master William’s aunt Jane and his grandfather will be visiting, please make sure they have unrestricted access to Master William and follow any instructions they give as if they were coming from us.”

As Mrs. Hughes exited the room, Mr. Bennet entered. “Papa,” exclaimed Lizzy, “what a wonderful surprise. I had no idea you were coming.” Mr. Bennet eyed Darcy suspiciously. “Hello son, I see you have grown forgetful as a married man. I am certain I wrote to you three days ago to inform you of my imminent arrival.”

“Yes, I did receive your instructions to prepare the library for your arrival. I also took the liberty of preparing your usual room since you neglected to request accommodation outside of the library. In addition, as previously discussed, the renovations to your room were expedited and completed just yesterday. So, you see, I have not grown forgetful, only a little more mischievous.” Darcy smirked at his wife. 

“What changes did you make to his room?” Lizzy asked with curiosity. Darcy explained how they had opened a doorway between Mr. Bennet’s room and the nursery. “This way, I can keep a close eye on William and be ready to explain any unusual occurrences to Mrs. Hughes. Have you given any more thought to speaking with her about our powers?” asked Mr. Bennet.

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Lizzy looked to Darcy. “We have discussed it and decided that for now, she should know as little as possible. He will be turning three in a few months at which time he will move into the school room. Mary has agreed to be his governess and we will set up a small establishment in Portsmouth for Mrs. Hughes to retire to. She has family there and has expressed a desire to be settled near the sea.” 

“What about the rest of the staff?” Questioned Mr. Bennet. 

Darcy continued this discussion with Mr. Bennet for some time. Lizzy however, had become distracted by her son. She watched him closely as he played with his wooden horse. He trotted the horse around the room and made noises as if he were the horse. He crawled all around the room on his knees and then stood by her desk. He started walking toward her with his arms open and a big smile on his face. Lizzy knelt down to wrap him in her embrace but as she drew near, he vanished. She gasped, “what happened, where did he go?”

Darcy and Mr. Bennet were caught by the distress in her voice. “What’s wrong my love?” Darcy began, but as he turned he noticed his son was no longer there. “Where did he go, he must be here somewhere!” Darcy bolted around the room searching high and low. “I cannot find him!”

Lizzy began to panic, and tears filled her eyes, “It is too soon, he cannot know what he is about. How will he ever find his way back, what if he has gone somewhere dangerous?” As a million bad things swirled in her head, Mr. Bennet knew what must be done. “We must get Jane. Lizzy, you are the only one that can reach her, speak to her, ask her to search for him. I will go to the library immediately to find any answers I can. Darcy, you must calm Lizzy. She will not be able to reach Jane like this.” Mr. Bennet opened the door and stepped into the hall. “Gandpapa, look, Auntie Jane is here.” Lizzy jumped to her feet “Jane, you found him, thank God! How did you know we were looking for him?”

“I did not find him, he found me. I was walking across the lawn on the north side of the house, as I drew nearer I was instantly connected to him, he saw me and smiled such a sweet smile. Before I knew it, he was in my arms.” explained Jane.

“Extraordinary,” exclaimed Mr. Bennet. 

“But that smile was for me.” Lizzy said with confusion.  “He was here in this room playing with his horse. He stood up near my desk and started to walk towards me. He stretched out his arms for a hug and smiled. That’s when he vanished.”

“Extraordinary,” Mr. Bennet repeated.

Darcy noticed the thoughtful expression on Mr. Bennet’s. “Why is it so extraordinary?”

“Well, I have never heard of a child developing transportation abilities at such a young age. Jane wasn’t able to do it until she turned 12 and I only recall one other ancestor that had transportation abilities, Thomas, my great uncle. He didn’t discover his ability until he was 22.”

Lizzy stared at William with love and concern. “How can we stop him from transporting, he is too young.   He may not be able to find his way home.”

“I do not know if it is possible to stop him.” Mr. Bennet went silent. “I would need to do some research at the British Museum but I am afraid I do not have the credentials needed to gain access.”

“That is where I can help,” Darcy interjected. “My family funded the mythology collection. I will write to the Head Master immediately. We will depart at first light.”

“Papa, you cannot leave now, what are we to do if this happens again?” 

“I must child and Darcy needs to go as well. Not only do I need his help, but he needs to know about our history, to understand and help where he can.”

“Yes Lizzy,” Darcy said as he took her hands. “I need to know how to be of assistance, right now I don’t understand what Williams capabilities could be and I feel helpless not knowing. How can I help if I am ignorant of the possibilities? I will send for Mary immediately and Jane will be her too. It might also be a good time to at least explain a little of what we know to Mrs. Reynolds and James. They will be able to at least help keep an eye on him.”

“I know it is what must be done, but that doesn’t mean I like it.” Lizzy looked on her husband with understanding and compassion.  “I do have one idea that may help subdue his powers until you get back. Papa, do you remember when Jane was sick. She kept having dreams and, in her sleep, she seemed to transport to her dream world. We gave her tea made from Linden flower and Chamomile.” She turned to her father, “do you think that would help?”

“Yes my dear, that should work. We can prepare a mild variation. It will undoubtedly make him a little groggy, but given the circumstances I think it is wise. Mr. Bennet could see the relief in his daughter's eyes. “But where will you find the Linden flower at this time of year?”

Lizzy and Darcy glanced at each other with a knowing look. “Lizzy, I must write an express to London. Could you be so kind as to give our guests a tour?” He gave her a wink. “Gladly,” she replied with a giggle. “Please follow me Papa, Jane will you join us?” Lizzy said as she took William from her sister’s arms. As he snuggled into her shoulder, Lizzy gasped.  All eyes turned to Lizzy and followed her gaze until they saw why she had gasped. William was still holding on to the wooden horse that had gone on his journey with him to aunt Janie. William’s little wooden pony was moving in his tiny hand.

“Extraordinary,” exclaimed Mr. Bennet. 

“Indeed,”Jane seconded. 

“Well, I guess we will just have to get used to discovering his abilities Papa,” Lizzy stated as she exited the room.

Darcy lingered behind for a few minutes. His mind was racing to grasp the consequences of what was happening. He knew that by marrying Lizzy there would be a chance that any of his children would share her powers, he could accept that. What unnerved him was the reaction that she and even her father had to William’s latest display of powers. He was relying on them to guide and educate William, but how could they do that when they didn’t even understand the extent of his abilities. With determination, he left his wife’s sitting room and headed to his study to dispatch an express to London. As the express rider departed his study, Darcy promised himself that he would not stop until he understood the entire history of Lizzy’s family and any other knowledge he could gain from any source, no expense would be too great. He would purchase the entire British museum if he had too.