Page 31 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“Do you have any idea how beautiful you are? Even while wearing that old dress of yours when I first met you, all the while you don your suit and hide your hair under a beaver hat, you had gentlemen flock to your side because you are beautiful and intelligent and have more substance than someone like Miss Bingley could ever attain, even with her French maid and endless accoutrements and spending an inordinate number of hours in front of the looking glass. I would have you know that I will profess my love for you from the rooftop if you say the word, Elizabeth. I would never risk damaging your reputation but if you only allow, nothing could stop me from showing the world my dedication to you.”

Elizabeth shook her head, “I wish I had your confidence. I feel the gap too widely and my burdens are mine to carry and do not want for you to suffer on my behalf,” she put up her index finger to prevent Darcy from retorting, “Since there is another bow, let us have you practice now.”

Darcy smiled and picked up the larger bow to begin his practice but just at that moment, Miss Bingley approached with her sister and loudly declared, “So, this is where you have been, Mr. Darcy! Are you teaching Miss Eliza about archery? But I would like to learn, and since the bows and arrows are Netherfield property, could I not try first?”

Elizabeth scowled in confusion as she enquired, “But wait… You think…? What about your friends in Brighton…?”

Miss Bingley flicked her wrist dismissively as she answered, “Well, my friends might not have been in Brighton at the same time you were there and there might have been some confusion. Apologies. Now, Mr. Darcy, I know you excel at everything and must have you teach me. I heard that archery is most fashionable in town and there is even a lady captain who has won endless competitions. I would love it so much if you would show me,” she pouted her lips.

Elizabeth handed her the smaller bow that she had in her hand, “Here you are. As it is your bow, I will use it another time and will return indoors. I am sure Mr. Darcy will be an excellent teacher.”

Darcy immediately announced, “I fear I must return inside also. I am a poor archer and lack the skills and am in no position to teach anyone.” He placed his bow on the ground and was about to walk with Elizabeth when Miss Bingley released an arrow from her bow and it landed on its side near Elizabeth’s feet.

Elizabeth turned around in shock, wondering if Miss Bingley had meant to shoot her in the back, but Bingley’s sister commented, “Oh! I should have been more careful! I did not know what I was doing and could have killed you! It was entirely an accident, I assure you!”

Darcy had witnessed it all and knew that Miss Bingley had maliciously pointed the arrow in Elizabeth’s direction but she lacked the skills to aim properly at anything. He gruffly commanded, “Drop the bow and hire yourself a teacher if you truly wish to learn, Miss Bingley. Your current skill is an embarrassment and you will never compare to Captain Fairfax who is the greatest archeress in all of England.”

Miss Bingley huffed as she threw down the bow and wordlessly left with her sister, and Elizabeth returned next to Darcy to pick up the bow at his feet. She pulled out one arrow from the quiver and aimed it at Miss Bingley’s back but Darcy rushedly pushed down the bow.

“You cannot! Remember what I told you ten years ago?” He firmly stood in front of her.

“Just one, William. Just one arrow in her skinny arse,” Elizabeth argued.

Darcy chuckled, “You are still the same obstinate girl, my dear, and I love you for that. But there will be no shooting anyone. Not today, at least.”

Elizabeth turned around and aimed at one of the targets which was placed furthest out at about one hundred-fifty yards and released the arrow, confidently hitting the perfect centre. She took a deep breath and released it, “She lied about knowing my secret and will get her comeuppance. Promise me to never leave me alone with her, since I despise her.”

“I despise her, too, and she is, without a doubt, the ugliest woman of my acquaintance, inside and out. Come; let us return indoors and I will get you a glass of wine. She will not receive another kind word from me ever again,” Darcy soothed her with a smile. “I know you are displeased with your mother’s visit also but think no more of it and do not worry about Miss Bingley. She is only jealous, now knowing how close you are with Georgie and she has resorted to lying because she cannot bear to admit that you are the superior woman. My father’s wishes are moot now since I know he would have loved you and would not have pressed a future with Miss Bingley if he knew how horridly she turned out. I love you, most ardently.”

She smiled tenderly, “I wish I was better for you, my William, and I love you, too. Thank you for caring for me. It would have been unbearable to be here if not for you.”

They returned to the manor together and Elizabeth sat with Jane again, who unfortunately took a turn for the worse that evening.

Chapter 20

Darcy nervously paced in front of Jane’s guest room the following morning after hearing from a maid that Miss Bennet had a particularly difficult night and that Elizabeth had stayed up all night to tend to her sister. Surmising that Elizabeth would need to care for herself, he arranged for her maid to be fetched from Ashworth and Susie walked up the stairs at that moment.

Before the maid knocked on Jane’s door, she spoke to the gentleman, “Thank you for calling for me, Mr. Darcy. I was really worried for Miss Lizzie and can help take care of Miss Jane as well.”

“I am glad you are here, Susie. Please let me know if she needs anything at all. You know I am at her service,” Darcy worriedly replied.

The maid smiled and entered the room but it was not a minute later when Elizabeth stepped out and embraced him tightly around his waist. “Thank you, William. I know not how you knew what I needed but I needed Susie and am grateful to you.” She released him and smiled, “Jane’s breathing has improved after I administered a drop of ipecac with coffee throughout the night. She is finally resting and Susie can tend to me and watch Jane while I take a brief respite. I will miss riding out with you this morning.”

“Your rest is infinitely more important and if you would like to ride out later, I will certainly accompany you,” he replied. “Anything you need, I will do everything I can for you.”

Elizabeth grinned her approval and returned to the room while Darcy happily strode downstairs to call for his stallion, thinking about what else might please her, but stopped abruptly when he saw Miss Bingley waiting for him in the foyer in her riding habit.

“Why are you here?” he uttered in surprise.

She answered, “I know that you go out riding every morning and thought to go out with you this morning. I have been waiting for some time so that I did not miss you but you are later than your wont. You would not want a lady to ride out by herself, would you?”

Darcy did not know how to respond but thought about what Elizabeth might do and replied, “I would not want any lady to ride alone so I will call for a stablehand for you, Miss Bingley.” Seeing her about to argue, he quickly added, “I am on my way to Longbourn to call on Mr. Bennet. I have been calling on him three or four times a week and must inform him of Miss Bennet’s progress. Good day,” he tipped his hat and rushed out to the stables, hiding his laughter.

The stablehand handed him the reins and after also seeing another horse in waiting with a side-saddle, Darcy informed the man, “I do not believe Miss Bingley will be needing her horse this morning, but if she does intend to ride, she will need an escort. And if there is a next time that she calls for her horse to be saddled in the early morning, have the stable boy alert me or my valet and I will reward you handsomely,” he smiled and left on his stallion after he handed the stablehand a guinea.

~*~

“Georgie! Mrs. Annesley!” Elizabeth excitedly greeted her young friend and her companion as she opened the door of Jane’s room. “It is so good to see both of you again and I am sorry for the trouble of having you here instead of my home. How was the journey? Come and meet my sister Jane. She was very ill last night but has improved vastly today.”