Page 22 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Elizabeth nodded and they returned to the foyer where Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley had been waiting for them. After describing their plans, the group loaded into the luxurious carriage and began their journey to London which would take three days.

~*~

After unloading the carriage and taking a quick refreshment at Darcy House, Darcy, Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley chattered excitedly while on their way to Gracechurch Street. Their journey to London had been smooth, and except for a slight delay on the second day due to Darcy and Elizabeth fencing for exercise longer than planned, the group was eager for the next few days in town to complete a long list of tasks.

Darcy wondered how he should interact with Elizabeth’s uncle, since other than those working for him, he had very few chances to speak on a friendly level with tradesmen. He was not too concerned for Mrs. Gardiner, since Mrs. Annesley was genteel, but her sister had married a solicitor and Darcy simply did not know what to expect. But being resolute to be respectful to Elizabeth’s favourite uncle, he promised himself to see the good in them as well as the flaws but to accept them for her sake.

Darcy was surprisingly impressed with the Gardiner residence, as it was well-kept on the outside and located on the west end of Cheapside and in the more prosperous side of the area. He helped his sister up the steps as Elizabeth cheerfully rushed into the home and Georgiana smiled at him, pleased to see Mrs. Annesley’s excitement to visit her sister.

Elizabeth embraced her uncle and aunt who had been waiting for her arrival and greeted her four little cousins between the ages of two and seven. After making introductions, she observed Mr. Darcy who appeared to have a small smile on his face and was gratified that she had some relatives of whom she was proud. She knew her father was eccentric but intelligent and was not worried about Mr. Darcy meeting him, but her mother had always been a woman of mean understanding and her manners were shameful at times. She did not know what to expect from the gentleman whom she loved dearly but still could not fathom a life with him as his wife, and wondered if she did not marry him, if she might allow herself to be with him without the sanctity of marriage after all her sisters were married.

Her reverie was interrupted when her uncle asked, “Does your father know about young Mr. Bingley taking residence at Netherfield? Will he be upset at the fact that his friend’s son turned out to be so haughty to criticise you at the Great Monument last June?”

Elizabeth laughed loudly and responded, “Oh, Uncle Edward, I am afraid I have a terrible secret to share with you. Papa does not know it yet, but just as I went to the Monument in Jane’s place,” she looked at Darcy and smiled, “Mr. Darcy, here, went in Mr. Bingley’s stead and in actuality, Charles Bingley has yet to meet a Bennet daughter!”

Darcy coloured as he continued the explanation, “Bingley had a prior engagement and begged me to attend in his place, and Miss Elizabeth assumed I was Bingley while I assumed she was the eldest daughter. I had been very rude and have apologised profusely during the past three months, Mr. Gardiner.”

Georgiana added, “He has truly repented and I have never seen my brother so humbled by anyone before! Lizzie speaks her mind and has corrected him many times.”

“Oh, Lizzie! I hope you behaved yourself at Pemberley!” her aunt fretted, “You know you should bite your tongue more often, especially with a gentleman like Mr. Darcy!”

“She has been exemplary and I prefer that she speak her mind,” Darcy, who had been sitting next to Elizabeth, chuckled as he lifted Elizabeth’s hand to kiss it. “I respect her opinions and it has been most humbling but also welcomed.”

Elizabeth could see her relatives’ jaws slowly drop with his attention and nudged her elbow against him but continued to hold his hand and smiled, “I had wanted to wait a little longer but Mr. Darcy ruined the surprise. As you know, I have no intention to marry anytime soon, but Mr. Darcy and I are in a… something like… an informal courtship? We are on friendly terms at the moment while we decide on our future.”

Mrs. Gardiner looked at her sister and loudly asked, “Henrietta! Did you know about this?”

Mrs. Annesley nodded, “It is obvious that they are so in love and Miss Darcy is eager for the day she can call Lizzie her sister.”

“But… but…” Mr. Gardiner spluttered, “you are already engaged, sir! What about your betrothed? When Lizzie told us that she would be travelling to Derbyshire with Miss Darcy, she asked us to keep to ourselves the fact that she will be staying at Pemberley so that her parents’ hopes were not raised for her union with Colonel Fitzwilliam. But I was still concerned and had enquired about you. I was pleased to learn of your good reputation but also heard of your impending marriage to a Miss Caroline Bingley! How can you be courting my niece?”

“Please allow me to explain myself, Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy immediately replied. “I am not engaged and although I had been planning to propose to Miss Bingley eventually due to my father’s wishes before his passing, I have never been betrothed to Miss Bingley and am certain she spread the rumour herself. I will be seeing Bingley next week to explain that I will not be proposing, and as soon as Miss Elizabeth and I are in Hertfordshire together the following week, I will be certain to squelch any rumours. Bingley does not yet know that the Bennet Family resides only three miles away nor that Miss Elizabeth has been our guest at Pemberley for three months. I have the highest respect for your niece and our friendship has been discreet so that no one can accuse us of misconduct. I will protect her and as soon as I break off the understanding, I will be proud to court her publicly until she agrees to marry me.”

“What if she does not change her mind?” Mr. Gardiner turned to Elizabeth and asked in seriousness, “Do you want to marry him? You had been set to never marry since you were fifteen and why you left home then. Do you finally have a change of mind?”

“I do not know, uncle. I simply do not know at this moment. But, if anyone can change my mind, it would be Mr. Darcy.” She looked at the handsome gentleman affectionately.

“Although we will keep it a secret to allow Miss Elizabeth to choose her future, I will wait for her for as long as she needs and will be steadfast, sir. She wants to purchase a house first before considering marriage so I know I will not be able to change her mind until at least March,” Darcy beamed at the woman he loved, “but she is worth the wait.”

Mr. Gardiner relaxed at last and stated, “I am glad to hear of your dedication to her. If anyone speaks ill of her because of you, I will not be afraid to use the law to seek justice, Mr. Darcy. I know everyone holds you in high regard but I will hold you personally responsible to safeguard Lizzie’s reputation. Perhaps Mrs. Annesley can also help in that regard.”

Elizabeth speedily answered, “Yes, Miss Darcy is going to stay with me at Ashworth and of course Mrs. Annesley will be with us. Although our neighbours might question why only ladies are residing at Ashworth, once they understand that I am looking to purchase the place, it should squelch the gossips quickly and my reputation will not be in danger. I trust Mr. Darcy and I know you can, too. It will all be well, uncle.”

With Mr. Gardiner’s approval, Darcy finally breathed in relief and pleasantly spoke with Mrs. Gardiner about Lambton and his favourite sights in the north.

On their return to Mayfair, Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s hand and declared, “I would never permit your reputation to be marred, you know this. I thank you for your trust in me, my dear Miss Elizabeth.”

She smiled, “I do trust you and once you inform Mr. Bingley of your decision to break off the understanding, we shall plan a little more for our future. My uncle received word that Ashworth will be ready in a week and we can travel to Hertfordshire from Brighton together after Michaelmas to take immediate residence. I hope you will like it there. It is not as beautiful as Pemberley but the rolling hills are serene and I spent many hours riding my father’s horse or walking to Oakham Mount. The twenty-some families there are pleasant but unaccustomed to those with connections to nobility and they will be in awe of your presence. I only hope you will not be offended if they do not know how to speak to you,” she laughed nervously, praying that Mr. Darcy and Georgiana would have a pleasant two months in Hertfordshire.

“We will do our best to manage them and will find our own source of entertainment if the society there is lacking,” Darcy replied to ease her tension. “We will have excellent music from our very own accomplished ladies and can play cards and chess, and I plan on taking a good number of books with me, since I know Bingley is not a very good reader. It will be my gift to you, Miss Elizabeth, so that you might begin a modest collection at Ashworth.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy! That is so thoughtful and I planned on borrowing several volumes from my father but even his library pales in comparison to Darcy House and what you have at your disposal. I would appreciate it very much; very much indeed,” she happily exclaimed.

Georgiana declared, “Well, we will have tomorrow to shop to our hearts’ content and then must prepare for our trip to Brighton while William goes to Netherfield. I know we will only be there for a week but I am so excited! I am still in awe that you have gone to so many competitions during the past five years and are the absolute best archer in the country! There is no one better than you, Lizzie!”

Elizabeth blushed, “I cannot take credit to be the best in the country, but I have had the fortune of winning often…”

“All! Not often but all of them,” Georgiana corrected her.