Page 20 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“Well, if I am able to have a son with Elizabeth, I plan on naming my first son after you for caring for her during the past two years and for being so good to us, Richard. I will help you with whatever you need and owe you a great debt,” Darcy declared.

“One debt? Am I allowed to use that debt to ask for Miss Elizabeth back?” Richard chuckled, “I will not waste it on a useless endeavour since she will not have me! I will save it for something good, though. How many more debts do you have left with Miss Elizabeth?”

“Just one more,” he replied. “Her latest one is to ride out with her in the mornings when we arrive in Hertfordshire, with which I am most eager to comply. Bingley will be located in Netherfield which is only three miles from Ashworth and Georgiana is planning to go with me now. I know you will have another assignment until November but I hope you can come and visit us. Tell me what I should do about Miss Bingley, though. How do I squelch the rumours of an engagement with Caroline Bingley and promote Elizabeth in society?”

The two gentlemen spoke about Darcy’s future plans and deliberated to keep the Darcy Family name respectable while breaking off the understanding with Miss Bingley to be able to court Elizabeth publicly.

Chapter 13

Elizabeth could hear the whispers grow louder and could not help but to laugh. Lady Matlock had practically forced Mr. Darcy into dancing every set so far with young ladies at the Matlock Ball and she could see the severe haughtiness on his face while he stood up with each of them. She stayed closer to the gossips to listen to what was being said.

“I heard he is engaged already and is unhappy with his choice of bride so he might be searching for options before she arrives at Pemberley," she heard one woman proclaim.

Another quickly retorted, “Well, I heard that he does not like women and why you never hear of him dallying with one. He would have married by now if he truly wanted a wife.”

Elizabeth smiled to herself as she passed another lady who asked her friend, “Is Miss Grey after Colonel Fitzwilliam again? Perhaps Mr. Darcy is displeased that his cousin has an heiress with such connections chasing him while his own betrothed is only a daughter of a tradesman.”

As soon as the dance was over, Elizabeth remained where she was and saw Mr. Darcy rapidly walking towards her. Gasps could be heard as he lifted her hand to kiss it and speak with a broad smile, “It is finally our turn to dance, Miss Elizabeth. Are you ready?”

Elizabeth nodded and they walked to the centre of the ballroom. She whispered to him, “Everyone is in utter shock that you are being so pleasant to me. If you only knew how much they were gossiping about you, sir. Can you at least attempt to appear stern as you are wont?”

Darcy immediately broke into loud laughter, inciting another round of gasps, “Never! I tolerated dancing with other ladies just so I could dance with the worthiest lady of my acquaintance. After the supper set with you, I will not be dancing with anyone else. Now, are you having a pleasant time? I saw you dance several sets and you are doing very well.”

The couple could be seen conversing pleasantly while they danced and rumours spread like wildfire that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy’s heart had been completely captured by Miss Darcy’s friend, the singular archery instructor who was little-known to society but dressed very well, even if she had a serious lack of jewellery, adorned only with a silver brooch in the shape of an arrow. Many wondered if an announcement was forthcoming and if Miss Bennet would become his bride or his mistress.

Lord Matlock approached the couple after their dance ended and led them to his table for supper. “Richard will also sit with us but I wanted to show you off to the guests since you are our favourite, Lizzie. Lady Matlock wanted to ensure all eyes are on Darcy and why he had to dance so many times tonight, but it is now known that his eyes are only for you. I understand it is too early to make an announcement but I have never seen Darcy so happy to stand up with anyone and we pray everything works out for you two.” He kissed Elizabeth’s temple, “We would have loved to have you become our daughter but niece will certainly be welcome.”

Elizabeth pleasantly replied, “Thank you, my lord. You and Lady Matlock have always been gracious and have been like a second set of parents to me since I was ten years old. But nothing is set and we shall see what happens in Hertfordshire. I truly am grateful to you and have no wish to cause any rumours to spout for you and your family.”

Lord Matlock waved his hand, “Do not worry about it, Lizzie. Tongues will wag for many reasons after tonight but Richard will also be part of it and we shall have our own fun in guessing what will come of the ball. Miss Grey is smitten with my son, is she not?”

They all looked at Richard and Miss Grey who were entering the dining room and saw the blush on the lady’s cheeks. The colonel appeared comfortable with the beautiful lady holding his arm and they were smiling at each other.

“I hope they find their happiness,” Elizabeth heartily replied. “They look very well together and deserve every blessing for their future. Oh, please pardon me, I will speak with Miss Darcy and Lady Matlock for a moment. This has been the best ball imaginable, even if it is my first!”

The two gentlemen watched the young lady converse with several others and Lord Matlock said to his nephew, “I hope you win her. She always worried that she would risk blemishing the Fitzwilliam reputation and hid behind her disguise of Sabrina Fairfax, but she seems to be her true self here and to see her behaving like a lady so easily is an incredible sight. She was so set in her ways as a ten-year-old girl and never wanted to change, but here she is, attending her first ball in a ballgown and having a merry time!”

“She worked hard and expressed that her father had encouraged her to give it a try,” Darcy explained. “Her transformation is shocking but it was always her choice. I believe she only desires to be able to choose for herself instead of someone choosing for her.”

His uncle chuckled, “I believe you figured her out in three months, that which her parents could not appreciate in her twenty years. I had thought she would be a good match with Richard and even wrote to Thomas Bennet about my wish to matchmake them ages ago but she would have none of it. She wants to choose her own path and perhaps she will choose you sooner than you think. What will you do about Miss Bingley, though? Everyone is expecting an announcement and there is even a pool going at White’s of when you will wed her. Your vow to follow your father’s final wish is well-known and the Darcy name will suffer when you abandon it for Lizzie.”

Darcy took a deep breath and released it, “I must do whatever it takes and do not wish to hurt anyone’s reputation but I cannot give her up, Uncle George. I must think of Georgiana’s future as well as how it might affect Miss Bingley’s, and my friendship with Bingley might also be jeopardised, but I cannot see anything else than my Elizabeth right now. When the time comes, I will beg for yours and Aunt Helena’s help.”

Lord Matlock tapped his nephew’s shoulder, “You shall have it, especially for Lizzie’s sake. Bennet is a lackadaisical writer and we do not keep in touch often, but Lizzie begged me to not mention anything about you so he will be in utter shock when he meets you. Although I met Mrs. Bennet only once and found her quite vulgar, Lizzie is now the picture of a perfect lady and will be accepted wherever she goes. We will protect her, as we have always done.”

As his uncle left to speak with several of the other guests, Darcy watched Elizabeth and felt a sliver of doubt creep into his mind as he wondered how awful her mother must be. Hearing from Richard that her parents were far-removed from proper society and with their close ties to trade, he questioned himself what he might be sacrificing to connect with such a family. But as his eyes met Elizabeth’s when she looked in his direction, he was resolute to love her and give her everything she desired. He promised himself to thoughtfully consider every aspect of what he was risking to love her, to keep his eyes wide open instead of ignoring them, so that he would have no regrets in choosing his own future.

Elizabeth stood before Darcy and noted the gentleman’s brows furled and asked, "What has you in deep thought? Are you displeased about sitting with me for supper, Mr. Darcy?”

Darcy immediately grinned, “No, not at all, Miss Bennet. I was only thinking how lovely you are and promising myself to look at our courtship with fresh eyes. I had initially believed that whatever our situation, that I must turn a blind eye to all of our faults and only look at how I feel about you, but in speaking with my uncle, I realised that blindness will only lead to frustration and regret and I never wish for that to happen. I want to know all of you, not just the parts I like and want to accept,” and he kissed her hand.

Elizabeth could not speak for a few moments as her heart expanded in love for the man before her. After he led her to her seat and sat down across from her, she finally spoke, “Did you know that my favourite course at Oxford was philosophy? I read on the topic extensively for years and am still learning more, but all that history has given us, how we learn from our past and what emotions and actions lead us to make future actions has fascinated me. You are a wise man, Mr. Darcy, and I am gladdened to know that you will consider all viewpoints with your choices in life. Many gentlemen will decide to see what they want to see, only to regret later because their eyes become open to what they missed. What shall we do to ensure that we face our future with level heads? How do we go about making our choices until we know what is right for us?”

Darcy smiled at her and answered, “We shall talk with each other every day and not dismiss our doubts or fears and remember all the reasons why we want to be together, my dear Miss Elizabeth. And for today, we shall eat, drink, and be merry. I shall overcome my jealousy and would like for you to dance with other gentlemen to enjoy the ball like all the maidens here and to boast of your many accomplishments. You will have the last set with Richard and can reconsider what you are giving up to choose me instead.”

She faced him with a grin and mouthed, “I love you, my William.”

“And I do you, my captain,” he affirmed loudly and then greeted Georgiana, Richard, and Miss Grey who had just joined them at the table.