Page 29 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Darcy smiled, “I will inform them that we crossed paths during my morning ride and I informed you about your sister. There is no deception about it, right?”

Elizabeth agreed and entered her readied carriage while Darcy mounted his horse to lead the way.

Elizabeth sat nervously in her carriage, wondering how ill Jane might be, since her parents and three sisters had been nearly at death’s door earlier that month. She also wondered how she might approach Miss Bingley who had been planned for Mr. Darcy for many years. She felt a spike of jealousy to think of the beautiful woman becoming Mrs. Darcy and the Mistress of Pemberley, but was resolute to allow William to choose for himself and to remain as civil as possible during her call at Netherfield.

As Darcy led the way into Netherfield, they were greeted by the housekeeper who recognised Elizabeth immediately. “How lovely to see you again, Miss Lizzie! My, you have grown to be a beautiful young lady and I would never have thought to see you like this!”

Elizabeth blushed as she replied, “Thank you, Mrs. Nicholls. My transformation is rather recent but I am still the same hoyden from five years ago. Can you take me to Jane, please? I just learned that she fell ill here last night and would like to see her.”

The housekeeper readily agreed and after excusing themselves, the women left Darcy alone in the foyer. As he began walking to his rooms to change out of his riding clothes, Bingley stepped out from his study and enquired, “What are you doing back so early? Who was that speaking with Mrs. Nicholls? Do we have a visitor?”

Darcy answered, “I happened to run into Miss Elizabeth Bennet during my ride and informed her of Miss Bennet’s illness. She is here to see her sister.”

“Oh! That is good fortune. Miss Bennet will certainly benefit from having her sister here. Miss Elizabeth… She is the one that was a pariah for taking an occupation but returned very wealthy, right? My sisters heard from somewhere that she was a paramour to a rich but elderly nobleman who died and left her his entire fortune and that she is now accepted only due to her inheri…” He could not go on, as Darcy roughly grabbed his jacket with both hands and pinned him up against the wall.

“Do not ever repeat such a thing again, Bingley.” Darcy growled in furore, “Miss Elizabeth is beyond reproach and gained her fortune through hard work over several years. She is the most respectable lady I have ever met and if I hear you slander her good name again, I will make it my mission in life to ruin you and your sisters. Do you understand me?”

Bingley rapidly nodded his head, having never seen his friend of many years react this way before. Darcy was always well-mannered, courteous to a fault, and rarely raised his voice, even during the most tumultuous times in the past. “I am sorry. I did not mean to offend and only repeated what I heard from Caroline. My sisters wanted to discourage me from taking interest in Miss Bennet and told me about her uncle in Cheapside and how poor and unqualified the Bennets are, but I did not care and believe Miss Bennet to be perfect for me. I wanted to ask Mr. Bennet about Miss Elizabeth’s situation before passing any judgement but will never repeat it again.”

Darcy released his friend and stepped back to straighten his clothes before speaking, “I am sorry for losing my temper, Bingley. Miss Elizabeth is a dear friend to my sister and Georgiana is to arrive tomorrow to stay in Ashworth and I approved it due to their closeness. I met Mr. Gardiner and his wife who live on Gracechurch Street and they are very respectable people. Tell your sisters to cease besmirching her reputation with such blatant lies, Bingley. Miss Elizabeth was able to use the funds that your father made for Mr. Bennet by investing it and grew her own dowry to make her fortune.”

He did not want to reveal his personal relationship with her so he continued, “My sister will be extremely upset to hear such false gossips and I will remove myself from Netherfield if your sisters continue to spread these lies. I am glad you are interested in Jane Bennet but do not rush. Were you not so blindly in love with Miss Grantley only a month ago? I believe Mrs. Bennet is already planning your wedding but you must slow down and not raise false hopes if you do not plan to take this seriously. Your father promoted the match but you have no need to propose marriage after only four meetings and must ensure that this is not another mercenary woman. You know Mrs. Bennet is quite vulgar and the two youngest daughters are not someone I would care for my sister to befriend.”

Bingley fixed his jacket as he asked, “Is there something going on with you and Miss Elizabeth? I know not how your sister made her acquaintance but it is rare for you to be so complimentary of anyone. I only met her once at the assembly and she was very beautiful.”

Darcy panicked, not knowing how to respond to him, and quickly answered, “She is tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt me!”

“Ah, I think she and Miss Bennet are both very pretty but I know not your preference,” Bingley commented. “I hope Miss Elizabeth will stay for as long as she is needed…”

Just then, Elizabeth walked towards them and curtsied to Bingley, “My apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Bingley. I came to visit my sister upon hearing that she had to spend the night. Thank you for hosting my dear Jane while she is ill. I thought to take her to Ashworth in my carriage but she is too ill to be moved today. Would you mind continuing to host her a little longer?”

Bingley genially agreed, “She may stay for as long as she likes, Miss Elizabeth, and I pray you will remain to nurse her back to health. I can have the room next to hers prepared.”

Elizabeth smiled, “That would be excellent, sir. Thank you very much for your hospitality.”

Bingley bowed and left Darcy and Elizabeth in order to make the arrangement with his housekeeper. Elizabeth looked at Darcy with a small smile and one eyebrow raised, “Tolerable? Not handsome enough?”

Darcy coloured brightly as he responded, “Please, allow me to show you the library where I have left your books to be delivered to Ashworth soon,” and he pointed to the way. As soon as Elizabeth entered, he quickly closed the door to lock it and cradled her cheeks with his hands. “You are so beautiful and I have never been more tempted. I am sorry you heard me lie to Bingley.” He gently kissed her lips as her arm wrapped around his waist, “I love you, Elizabeth. I am sorry I spoke such a falsehood. If you will allow, I will tell everyone in Hertfordshire how deeply I am in love with you.”

Elizabeth embraced him but shook her head, “It is too soon, my William. What you said about my family is true and I am not ready. Please keep our relationship a secret and let us take one day at a time. I must return to Jane. She is indeed very ill and I plan to call for the apothecary also. I will ask Frank to have my maid pack some clothes for me so I can stay a night or two here. How do you feel about Georgie coming here tomorrow instead? I must beg for Mr. Bingley’s hospitality to extend to your sister until I can return to Ashworth.”

“Bingley will not mind and his sisters will love it, but Georgie will hate it but she will want to be with you,” he answered as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Do you see the crates of books there?” He pointed to the corner of the library, “They are all yours. All the books in this room belong to you so feel free to grab whichever volumes you would like to read while you are here. Bingley always told me he was a poor reader but I was rather shocked that his library was utterly empty!”

They laughed together and as they separated, he kissed her hand and watched her head back upstairs to her sister’s room. He had been able to kiss her again and all seemed right with the world, at least for the moment.

Chapter 19

Elizabeth spoke with Jane who was in bed after her fever finally seemed to wane, “I do not understand why you rode on horseback instead of taking the carriage. The weather had been grey for days!”

Jane replied softly, “Mama insisted on it and said that the carriage was not available. I nearly made it here but was caught in the rain for only about five minutes.”

Elizabeth understood that her mother knew perfectly well that Jane would become ill and gritted her teeth but took a deep breath and soothed her ailing sister, “Well, it is a good thing that as soon as you are recovered, you will be moving into Ashworth and will have access to my carriage. If you should need it at any time, just let me know. Everything I have will be yours, Janie.”

“Thank you, Lizzie. I know mama can be a lot but she meant well,” Jane attempted to explain.

“I am sure she did but it was not beneficial to your health,” Elizabeth smiled. “I will take good care of you and stay the night. Rest, and luncheon should arrive in about an hour. I will go downstairs to give everyone an update, and I believe mama will be coming to see you later so save your strength. I know I will need to fortify myself for it!”

They laughed and Jane closed her eyes to fall asleep again. Elizabeth was furious that her mother would endanger Jane for the purpose of putting her and Mr. Bingley under the same roof, but as Jane had nothing but kind words to share about Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, it seemed that Jane was approving of the Bingley Family and that perhaps a match between Jane and Mr. Bingley might be in their destiny. She sighed, wondering if destiny was indeed in play and if Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley were fated to be together as well.