Prologue

oung George Knightley was in trouble again. The precocious three-year-old had a fondness for hiding. This time he had hidden himself in the butler's pantry and fallen asleep. The chaos his disappearance caused resulted in a halt of everyday chores, while the entire grounds of Donwell was searched. The butler finally discovered the toddler behind some shelving. He gently carried the sleeping child to Mrs. Knightley.

Elinor Knightley hugged her son. Her thoughts turned to the unborn child she was now carrying. Will it be healthy? Will my bout with the influenza affect it? She had been concerned about George, but he had only had a mild case. Now he was definitely healthy and robust.

William Knightley came into his wife's room. When he saw his son, all concern left his face. "What are we to do with him?" He asked his wife. Before she could answer, George woke up. "Papa!" he said. "Mama"! Neither parent had the heart to scold him. They were too happy to see him safe and sound.

Three months later, they named the baby girl Alice. She was a quiet baby. Whenever George was around, she only had eyes for him. He, in turn, was fascinated by this tiny person and never wanted to leave her crib. The proud parents allowed their children as much time together as possible.

As William watched his children play together, he marveled at the change in his son. George was so serious and intent when playing games before Alice came along. Now his dark eyes are bright with mirth as he entertains his sister. Her blonde hair is such a contrast to George's dark brown curls. And her bright blue eyes miss nothing.

Big brother George would sit on the rug-covered floor of the sunny nursery and hold Alice protectively while she napped. When she was awake, he would make up stories for her with sound effects and funny faces. Alice would laugh and hit George with her rattle.

Elinor and William believed each of these days to be a blessing. They had had many disappointments before George was born. The addition of Alice made their family complete.

Christmas that year was more merry than any other. William and Elinor made sure that their children would have happy memories. The family walked to church. No one would have begrudged them the use of a carriage, but they felt tradition must be observed. During the service, Alice held tightly to George's finger.

Donwell Abbey was bright with candles. There was mistletoe and holly draped everywhere.

Twelfth Night brought more celebration. George and Alice were chosen household King and Queen. When the bean cake was served, George found the bean. He was then empowered to give all the orders for the day. Mrs. Knightley laughed as she held Alice. This is not to be believed. The whole staff is hunting for marbles as George rolls them down the halls. George's father did not escape his son's despotism. He was required to be the pony and transport George wherever he desired. Fortunately, William chuckled to himself, he did not think to ask for saddle and bridle, that would have been most uncomfortable. The day passed with much laughter. Evening brought guests such as the Woodhouses, the Bates' and other families from Highbury.

As he saw his family dressed in their most elegant for dinner that night, Mr. Knightley decided to commission a portrait of his family. It was begun a few days later. The end result was such that each member of the family seemed ready to step from the painting.

Not long after the holidays, Elinor noticed that Alice did not seem to be as lively. Then came the news. The influenza had caused Alice to be born with a weak heart that would not be able to sustain her as she grew. It was only a matter of time. While the parents were quite saddened, they also had concerns about George. How do you tell a little boy that his sister must go away?

"We can tell him that she will be an angel and live in heaven," Elinor said. Her eyes filled with tears at the thought of having to explain this to her son.

William's heart was breaking as well, but he bravely continued with her thought. "And we can tell him that she will watch over him. It may let his mind rest easier when he misses her."

As Candlemas approached, Alice slept more. She was getting weaker. An eminent physician came from London, but he agreed with the others before him. They considered the Knightleys fortunate that she had lived thus far.

It was nearly Midsummer when George ran to the crib in the nursery as he did every morning, calling his sister's name. He was confused when she was not there.

"Mama! Where's Alice?" he asked as he went into his mother's room and ran over to her bed. "Whassa matta mama? Why you cryin'?"

I must be strong for him. She composed herself and helped him climb onto the bed. "Don't you remember, Georgie? Alice went to live in heaven with the angels."

"Can't she ever come visit like the Vicar and Mrs. Bates?"

"No, honey..." Elinor's voice cracked. She hugged her son and felt his little arms tighten around her neck. Just then, her husband entered the room. He walked over to his wife and gently caressed her face. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. George's arms were still locked around his mother. William attempted to remove his son.

"No! Wanna be wif mamma!"

"Leave him be, William. Maybe he understands more than we think." George finally fell asleep. Only then did Elinor take him to his bed and tuck him in.

Chapter One

It was several months after the loss of Alice, when Elinor realised she was again with child. William made sure she had every comfort and no worries. She said nothing, but he was concerned that the influenza had affected her heart also. The physician from London had not been able to diagnose a problem. However, William's fears were not calmed. He was by her side every day throughout her pregnancy.

Their neighbours would call on the family and keep them entertained with the antics of the other residents of Highbury. Most notable among the social events, was the marriage of the Vicar's daughter Jane to a Lieutenant Fairfax. The couple immediately removed to London where he was assigned as one of the Household Cavalry. And it was talked about that the Vicar's other daughter Hettie, had become betrothed to a comrade of her brother-in-law.

When John Knightley arrived, he was healthy and very noisy. His parents were relieved. But not George. It seemed to him that the new baby was never quiet. How he missed his sister!

The five-year-old still liked to hide, but now he hid to get some peace and quiet. His favourite place was in the stable with the horses. He would spend hours with the Shetland ponies, Polly & Prince. James, the stable master, would pick the little boy up and set him on Polly's back, then lead the pony around the stable. George loved hearing James tell stories of Aladdin and the Arabian Nights. Being with James and all the horses is fun, George thought. And I don't have to listen to a whining brother.

That is when George made up his mind. He would go away and wouldn't have to hear John any more. He chose a time when James was busy with the draft horses and untied Polly. She would keep him company and help him find where Alice had gone. Then he climbed up the carriage steps and managed to get on the pony all by himself. They got out of the barn unnoticed and trotted down the lane. They hadn't gotten far when Polly saw the hayfield. She headed straight for the middle. George tried pulling on the rope with all his strength, but she wouldn't turn. She stopped suddenly and put her head down to eat. The boy somersaulted down her neck and sat staring at her long nose. He was too surprised to utter a sound.

Just then he heard his name. They are searching for me. He got up and ran behind the nearest haystack. I don't want to go home! John is too noisy! I wish Alice were here... He ran to the hedgerow and climbed over the stile. His little head was not visible over the hedge, so he was undetected by the search party. They had found the pony and now began to search the hay field.

George ran up to a tree. It had two trunks, one with a hole near the ground. Just the right size for a little boy. He crawled in. Oh, it was dark. He was just about to crawl back out when he heard them calling his name again. NO! I will not go with them!

He stayed in the tree very long it seemed. Finally he realised he was quite hungry. Why did I not bring food with me? When he crawled out of the tree, it was twilight. He didn't know where anything was. Nothing looked the same. He walked along the hedge until he came to the stile. At least he thought it was the same one, but when he climbed over it, the haystacks were gone. Polly was gone, too. There were many trees. It is the orchard! How did I get here? George began to feel scared. If Polly were here she would know the way home.

He started when he heard his name very close to his ear. When he turned, no one was there. He heard it again from the other side, laughing this time. On turning, he saw nothing. He had started to run away from the voice when he hit something that made him fall backward on the ground. Looking up, he saw a girl.

She was younger than he with blonde hair and blue eyes.

"George William Knightley, what are you doing out here?" Her voice sounded like mother's.

"Well, I ran away because John makes so much noise and I wanted to find Alice...Do you know where Alice is?

"George, I found you. You are lost, are you not?"

"Well...." He did not want to admit that he was.

"Give me your hand." She ordered. He meekly obeyed. They walked in silence for a few minutes. George stopped and looked at her face. Something seems familiar. She smiled and there they were...those dimples.... the sparkly eyes... "Alice!"

"Yes, George, it is me."

"Alice, where have you been? I miss you. Why do you not come and play with me?" George asked.

Alice sighed. "I can only come see you when you need me. As now when you are lost."

"Can't you make John be quiet?" George complained.

Alice sighed. "No, George. I cannot make people do things. I can only help you to figure out the correct course of action. John needs you to spend time with him like you did with me."

"But I don't want to be with him. I want to play with you."

Alice had tears in her eyes. She touched his face. "John is your brother as I am your sister. But George, I am an angel. Only you can see me or talk to me or hear me. I wish I could play with you, too." When she touched him, he felt warmth, but it did not burn. "Look here we are at the stables." He was surprised. He had not noticed where they were.

George saw Polly munching hay in her stall. He went up and caressed her soft nose. "But Alice, when will you come back?"

"You will find me in the orchard. That is where I found you."

Just then, James walked in. "George! Here you are!" He picked the boy up and squeezed him in a bear hug.

"Where have you been? We looked all over for you!" He playfully scolded. "You must be hungry. I will get you back to your parents."

Chapter Two

"Remember George, you may not always see me, but I will always be here," were Alice's last words before she vanished from his sight. George wondered Can she see me now?

"I'll be good, Alice. I'll play with John, but it won't be the same as you." He said under his breath.

James was holding the little boy's hand as they walked to the main house. "Did you say something?"

"No, James. I'm just hungry."

This time the wayward child did not escape his punishment. William hated to do it, but he picked up the willow switch he had cut. He raised it two times, however, the point was made.

The next morning Elinor was surprised to find George in the nursery with John. She was glad to see them together, but felt a stab of pain at the remembrance of past nursery play times.

The brothers spent each day together. Mrs. Knightley wondered at the change in her oldest son, but decided not to question Providence. On sunny days, she would take them with her to her flower garden. The boys would play games while she tended her many blooms.

The garden was her sanctuary. She had marked many events by planting something new. As she walked around the garden she was lost in the memories the different plants evoked. There was an oak tree in the centre. William and I planted this the day we married. It is strong and tall and will withstand many a storm. Further on she stopped again. Here is the magnolia that I planted when George was born. It will take a little care, but will bloom beautifully and give much comfort. She sat down on a bench. The wall nearest was covered in bright geraniums. This was just a small plant when Alice was born. Now it grows constantly and always has blossoms. The French lilacs near the bench were a beautiful deep purple. These were a nice gift when John was born. We had no idea how they would bloom and grow.

Chapter Three

Elinor sat down in her chair near the fire and resumed her needlework. "The boys are finally asleep. For some reason, they were unwilling to close their eyes tonight. I had to read them two extra stories." She said as she stitched.

Mr. Knightley helped himself to the port and offered one to his wife. "No thank you, dear." She met his eyes. He tossed down his drink and poured another. I will need some extra fortification to get through this, he thought. Then he took a deep breath and began.

George knew his parents would be cross with him for leaving his bed, but he could not sleep. I must speak to Papa about spending more time in the orchard. I want to see Alice. He crept down the stairs and padded quietly over to the library door. He could hear his parents talking......about him!

"But he must learn all aspects of running this estate. He cannot learn everything from tutors. I believe it is best that he participate in each and every task. It is the only way he can gain the experience." The Knightleys were having one of their rare disagreements.

Mrs. Knightley shook her head. "I disagree, William. He is just a boy. The selection of a steward is a better plan. Anything George needs to know, he can ask the steward."

"Elinor, think of what happened to your cousin. The steward, in effect, sold the estate out from under the family. He was given total responsibility. No one in the family had the necessary skills to foil his deeds. He escaped the country and to this day has not been caught."

Mrs. Knightley knew he was correct. "We will make sure that..."

"No," he interrupted. "George shall have the knowledge to use when needed. And I will not have him giving orders when he does not understand the work involved. We only have a few short years before he goes away to school. The education he gets there will be invaluable. However, it is time now for him to become familiar with the land and crops. These things are not taught in any school."

Elinor gave up. His mind was set. And she knew he was right.

George was shocked. Papa wants me to learn about the land. That means the orchard too! Now I can ask him to teach me and I need not think of an excuse. Ecstatic, he returned to his bed. But now it was excitement that would not let him sleep.

The next day, Mr. Knightley was working in his study. He heard the doorknob jiggle, then the door opened. A small head looked around the door. William busied himself with the papers on his desk.

George walked quietly into the room. He stood for a moment, then climbed up into one of the large chairs facing the desk. William watched his son surreptitiously, biting his lip to keep from smiling. The little boy's legs stuck straight out from the chair. He foot moved up and down, but the rest of him was perfectly still.

"Good morning, Master Knightley, have you come to see me on business?"

"Yes, sir." William dug his fingernails into his palms so as to not explode into laughter. His son was completely serious.

"Go ahead, I am listening." William was enjoying this game.

"Father, I think I am old enough now to help you in running the estate. Since I am the older son, I will be the one to run Donwell." George took a breath and continued. "I should like to begin by learning about the orchard."

At this William was taken aback. I had thought he would wish to learn of the animals first. He looked at his son thoughtfully. Well, this is a definite interest. I do believe this can be accommodated.

George squirmed while awaiting his father's response. What will I do if he says no? I will have to think of another way to spend time with Alice. His thoughts were interrupted when his father spoke.

"George, I think your education here will begin with the orchard. You must awaken early and accompany me on my morning inspection. Do you think you can do that?" George nodded vigorously. "Well then sir. We have a bargain." William rose, walked over to his son and shook his hand to seal the bargain. "Now, off you go. It's time for your tea."

George left the room thinking, That certainly was much easier than I thought.

Chapter Four

"George, running inside is not allowed," warned Mrs. Knightley as she tried to concentrate on her blackwork.

"Yes, Mother," her oldest son replied. She smiled to herself because she knew he would run anyway.

She looked around her sitting room. The walls were covered with her handiwork. Much of which was the result of enforced bed rest during her pregnancies. Each intricate design brought with it a flood of memories.

A loud crash followed by a cry of pain startled her from her reverie. Hurrying from the room, Mrs. Knightley found George sitting on the hall floor holding his head. Broken porcelain was scattered around him. A trickle of blood ran between his fingers and down his arm.

"Merciful heavens! What happened? Henrietta!!!" She called for her maid. "Hurry and get some cloths and a basin of water. And send Daniel for Mr. Foote."

Elinor held the damp cloth to George's forehead. The bleeding finally stopped. She looked her son. "What happened?"

"John and I were playing catch. He threw the ball, as usual the wrong way." John made a face at this statement. "And when I went to get it, I tripped on the rug and slid into the table leg," he said in one breath.

"I did not throw it the wrong way," John protested. "You were in the wrong spot."

Mrs. Knightley turned to her younger son. "So John, you are saying that you are at fault as well? What have you been told about throwing things inside?" She smiled inwardly at the expression on his face. John was caught and he knew it.

"I don't remember." He said in a very small voice.

"That is not true and you know it, young man." She continued to hold the cloth to her older son's head. He wisely was letting his brother squirm under her interrogation. "You have been told many times that you can only throw the ball outside."

John nodded his head. There were tears in his eyes. "I am sorry, Mother. I did not mean for George to be hurt."

"John, your punishment is to help Henrietta clean up the mess you made." He opened his mouth to protest, but she continued. "Your brother is just as guilty, but he has his punishment."

The cut was not very big, but kept oozing. When the doctor got there, he put on some salve and a plaster to keep it from reopening.

John had returned from cleaning up and watched in great awe. "It is not so bad, George. The bandage over your eye makes you look like Calico Jack the pirate."

"Oh, thanks John. I do not wish to resemble a pirate." Replied George sourly.

"John, please go and play quietly in the nursery," said Mrs. Knightley. "George, I want you to come in here and rest. I will not have you bleeding all over the house."

"But, Mother..." George protested to no avail.

"You will sit here and keep me company." Stated his mother firmly. George knew that it was no use to protest. "You were running, were you not." It was not a question, but a statement.

"I...I just tripped..." he replied weakly. He knew it was no use. How does she know? Does she have eyes everywhere? "Yes, Mother," he confessed. "I was running." What else can I do? She has caught me.

"Now you understand why your father and I require you to behave in a gentlemanly manner. Is that not correct?" She chastised him, but wore a small smile.

"Yes, ma'am." His head was beginning to throb.

Several weeks later, the cut had healed. But there was a slightly noticeable scar that ran through George's eyebrow. He admired the way it gave him a rakish air when he cocked his eyebrow.

Chapter Five

George's injury postponed his farming education for a few weeks. Fearful of infection, his father wanted to make sure George was completely recovered.

They began by riding over the entire Donwell estate. Mr. Knightley rode his favourite mare Beauty, named thus because she was not a beauty. While George rode Polly. He had quite forgiven her for abandoning him when he attempted to run away.

"George, there is to be a county faire in a nearby town. You and I will attend." William smiled at the joy that spread across his son's face. George did not know exactly what a country faire was, but he was overjoyed at being allowed to travel with his father.

"Are we going in the cart?" he asked. William shook his head. "Then can I ride Polly?"

"No." Said William. "You will ride with me on Beauty. She is a good horse on which to travel the distance." And I will not have to worry about you straying off the road. He thought to himself.

As they made ready to leave on the appointed day, Mrs. Knightley bustled around. She was confident that her husband would be able to handle anything. But George had never been away from home. And she had never been separated from her eldest son.

Finally, after many assurances that all would be well and the food packed for trip was fastened securely, William jangled the reins and they were off. Just for a moment, George felt a twinge as his mother disappeared from view. William, sensing this, looked down and hugged him.

"Do you want to hold the reins?" William decided that a distraction was necessary so that George would not feel sad about leaving.

"Oh, yes, may I?"

"First put your hands on mine to get the feel of it." George did so. William slowly eased his hands off the leather straps and soon George was in charge.

"Now, we shall be on this road for some time. You can let Beauty do the work. You don't have to hold too tightly or pull hard. She won't run away with us."

George was concentrating on his father's words so hard that he did not hear the post carriage bearing down upon them from behind at a high rate of speed. Suddenly William grabbed the reins and jerked Beauty over to the side of the road just as the vehicle sped past.

Scared that he had nearly injured the three of them, George started to cry. "Son, do not cry. We are safe and you did nothing wrong. This does remind me though that the most important part of the lesson is to keep eyes and ears on the road." He chuckled and George joined in.

There were no more close calls and the pair arrived safely at the faire.

George's eyes were round as saucers as he tried to see everything at once. "So many things to see." William said. "Which would you like to see first?" As William looked down at his son, he laughed. "I guess we shall go see the horses first. Is that agreeable?" George nodded his head.

William knew that he needed another pair of draft horses to work the new land he had purchased. The best place to find a good pair was at the horse pulling competition. There he would meet other farmers who might have some information on a good pair.

George sat on the top bar of the gate, his father holding him from behind. He watched in complete awe as this team pulled the weight easily across the ground. "Father! They are so strong! They just pulled six hundred stone!" Each successive team easily pulled the same weight. None were dropping out. But George didn't care. I could stay here all day. He thought.

William laughed at his son's reaction. The competition had started out at four hundred stone. Each of the twenty-five teams was able to pull that weight. As the weight had increased, teams began to drop out. The crowd would murmur encouragement to urge a struggling team on. And when that team was able to complete the pull, the crowd would clap and cheer wildly.

William said in his son's ear, "George, they get three tries to pull the weight. If they cannot do it on the third try, they must drop out." George nodded his head in understanding.

There was a break while more weight was added. At this time, William went to the owner of the team he had his eye on. He had a feeling he would make a good deal, since the team had been the first to drop out. William knew that he did not need the team to pull anymore than four hundred stone.

As the next team successfully pulled seven hundred stone, William was quite satisfied with his new team. The winning team was able to pull eight hundred stone for thirteen feet. It was a new record. George couldn't imagine anything that heavy except maybe Donwell Abbey.