Page 21 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Elizabeth smiled at Miss Grey who sat next to her and asked, “Are you having a pleasant time? Miss Darcy and I are both amazed at how grand a ball is and everyone looks absolutely incredible,” she beamed at her young friend sitting on her other side.

Miss Grey answered, “It has exceeded my expectations and Lady Matlock is one of the best hostesses in the entire ton. I must admit that I have been to many balls over the years but this one has been the most pleasant, due to the presence of one particular gentleman,” and she glanced at Colonel Fitzwilliam who was seated across from her.

Elizabeth grinned, “You look very well together and he appears smitten with you! I am so pleased to see him happy. He has always been like a brother to me and I wish him the very best and I know you care for him greatly.”

Miss Grey leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I know he still cares for you and I believe he always will but thank you for allowing him to open his heart again, Lizzie. I am indebted to you for bringing him back to me.”

“Nonsense, Grace!” she exclaimed as she drew Georgiana closer to hear the conversation. “He cared for you long before he met me and only needed a reminder of his first love. It is all your doing and I am willing to wager that you will be married by next year. I do not lose often so you must trust me!”

The three ladies giggled and looked at Darcy and Richard across the table, who were watching them with smiles on their faces.

For the last dance, Richard and Elizabeth stood together and they could hear the whispers stir up louder. “Do not mind them, Colonel,” Elizabeth declared. “There have been enough rumours tonight to feed the gossips for the rest of the year. You should have heard what some of the women were saying about your poor cousin!”

He chuckled, “He is always fodder for gossip but it has been an extraordinary evening and he has danced more tonight than all of last season. I am surprised you only danced one with him, though. I thought he would make his intention more apparent.”

“We are attempting to be more proper in public, since I want him to choose the right path and not damage his good name. But you, sir, have made your intention clear.”

Richard searched for Miss Grey on the side of the room and smiled at her as they resumed their steps, “She is beautiful and I had forgotten how much she meant to me. I am grateful to you for helping me see clearly, since I know I have no chance with you. I only hope she can forgive me when she discovers that you are Miss Fairfax.”

“Oh, she knows, Colonel. I told her everything and she knows it all. I also explained to her that you were impressed with my archery skills and she has become a dedicated student! Oh!” she laughed as she made a mistake during the dance and Richard quickly righted her. “No more talking! I must concentrate!”

The colonel grinned broadly and at the next pass, spoke softly, “You will be my favourite cousin-by-law and if William ever gives you any trouble, I will give him a good beating. Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.”

They completed the dance and Richard immediately rushed to be by Miss Grey’s side, kissing her hand unashamedly in full view of everyone.

Elizabeth watched them as Darcy approached her and commented, “You are a good matchmaker, Miss Bennet. Everyone now knows that you are responsible for putting them together.”

She faced him and happily responded, “I suppose I am my mother’s daughter! She has been matchmaking since I was born and although she has not succeeded with her own daughters yet, she is known to be positively occult in the practice.”

“Well, I hope to have her work her magic on us and perhaps you and I will have the same result as my cousin and Miss Grey. Are you ready to return to Pemberley House? I will be glad to be back home in peace and quiet after the last two days here with the masses. And thank you for making this party so wonderful for my sister as well. This is the first ball I actually enjoyed in all my years,” he kissed her hand and they left arm-in-arm in search of Lord and Lady Matlock.

There were several ladies, young and old, who became jealous after seeing Mr. Darcy’s attention to the interloper who was unknown in society and they began to gossip amongst each other. “I heard that Mr. Darcy already put a babe in his betrothed and is searching for a mistress. It looks like Miss Darcy chose poorly in bringing her into Pemberley!”

“But I heard he installed Miss Elizabeth first and insisted that his sister befriend her to fool us all! And it is universally known that his betrothal is a sham! He would never have connected himself with that daughter of a tradesman if it were not for his father!” another woman announced.

A third chimed in, “No, you are all wrong. Miss Elizabeth is a proper lady and is a good friend to Miss Darcy and Miss Grey, but she has no intention of marrying anyone. Not a man, if you know what I mean! She turned down several proposals already and refuses to marry. There is talk that both Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth are plotting to make us think that they are more than acquaintances to hide their own secrets… You know, that he never liked women?”

The ill-mannered ladies began to walk away, but behind the column, a man dressed as a servant heard every word and wondered how he could use the gossip for his own advantage. He wanted to expose the vulgarities of the bon ton for their glaring prejudices for anyone not in their circles while committing their own clandestine transgressions, all hidden away in titles and wealth. And he hated them for doing whatever they wanted without suffering the consequences.

Chapter 14

“But could you not stay at Darcy House? I am to go to Hertfordshire next week and will not be able to see you for very long if you stay in Cheapside and then you are due to be in Brighton the following week!” Darcy complained to Elizabeth while preparing for their trip back to London.

She responded, “It makes little sense to stay at Darcy House for three nights, only to remove myself to Brighton! I have so many tasks to complete, including the purchase of my own carriage, which will take my full attention! I am used to staying with my uncle and aunt in any case, and after a week in Brighton, we will arrive in Hertfordshire at nearly the same time. You can live without me for ten days, can you not?”

Darcy grabbed her hand to pull her into his study for privacy and kissed her ardently after closing the door. As she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, he lifted her up by her hindside and leaned her against the door, kissing her deeper and holding her closer than ever before. He breathed raggedly as he continued to caress her hips, "Elizabeth Sabrina Bennet, I cannot live a day without you. You know not how much your touch means to me and I shall go mad if I cannot see you for so long.” He ran his lips against her jaw and neck as he pleaded, “Stay with me at Darcy House and allow Georgie to join you in Brighton so that I can visit you there as soon as my business is complete in Hertfordshire. And I have many experiences in purchasing carriages and will be at your service. Bingley was to move in next week but has an urgent issue which needs my attention immediately and I can join you in Brighton two days later and will stay at the same inn for a few days until we travel to Hertfordshire together. Could I not stay with you at Ashworth instead? How am I to survive three miles from you?”

Elizabeth laughed as she caressed his hair, “I do wish I could invite you to Ashworth. I will feel the distance keenly as well. All right, I will stay at Darcy House for the three days, but… you must take me to Gracechurch Street when we arrive in London so I can explain to my relatives in person about my plans. Aunt Madeline will be happy to see her sister and I want you to meet my uncle. And I like the idea of taking Georgie to Brighton. I planned on asking Jane to accompany me but she is needed at Longbourn and it would make it easier to travel directly to London and go to Brighton afterwards.”

Darcy beamed, “The art of compromise! I will give you some peace from my incessant attentions during the two days I am in Hertfordshire and then I will shower you with my affection in Brighton. I am hoping to meet your father so I can ask for his permission to marry you.”

“Do not dare, my William!” she laughed. “It is too early and you will have to speak to Mr. Bingley and are still supposed to give Miss Bingley a chance!”

He kissed her lips reverently while cradling her cheeks, “It is impossible, my dear. I am unequivocally in love with you and will never look towards anyone else.”

“Oh, William… Eyes wide open, remember? We must be sensible and use our minds, not just our hearts. My parents are aware of my defiance against marriage and will only think you insane to want to marry someone like me. Please do not say a word about us to anyone at all until we determine what we will do. Once you meet my family, you can decide if you still want to choose me, even with the great disparity of our station.” She grinned at him, “Perhaps I might come to my senses in Brighton to find someone more appropriate for me, since you are far too handsome and rich for my taste! You are also quite fearsome when you choose to be, you must know!”

He smiled and replied, “Never with you and you know my secret of being shy. I will meet your family and accept them, even with all their flaws, and we can be together. As soon as we are in Hertfordshire, I plan on arriving every morning at Ashworth so we can ride out together. I must fulfil your latest wish, remember? We will be discreet so that I do not damage your reputation but I will see you daily, and after I explain my change of mind to Bingley and his sister, as soon as you approve, I will make my intentions for you known to everyone and we can be together.”