Page 5 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Elizabeth smiled, “I would be happy to accept. Thank you, Miss Darcy.” She turned to Colonel Fitzwilliam and directed, “We need to finish setting up and begin this session in a few minutes.”

The colonel and Elizabeth walked towards the tables where many bows and arrows were set up to face the targets at a short distance in a large field and Richard commented, “How have you been this past week, Miss Elizabeth? It seems your archery lessons are a great success. Are you now considering travelling to all the counties across the kingdom and becoming a famous instructor?”

She laughed, “I have you to thank for this opportunity and it would be a dream to travel throughout England. And although I might have received the honorary title of Captain from winning the contest last week, it still feels odd to hear it when someone is addressing me that way. Miss Darcy is a very sweet young lady and I am looking forward to getting to know her better. I am only known by my alias to everyone here but would not mind if you would like to tell your cousin my true name.”

“Captain Sabrina Fairfax is your stage name and I do not believe you are dishonouring your family with your talent, but I am grateful for your permission,” he affectionately commented. “If you do want to tour the world to continue giving your lessons, I would gladly go anywhere with you, my dear Miss Elizabeth.”

She quirked her eyebrow and replied with a grin, “I know you are not easily dissuaded from my refusals but we will have more words later, sir. For now, let us focus on the students. As much as these ladies are pleased with having a female archery instructor for a change, they will not be able to keep their eyes off of your handsome face and we cannot risk any injuries because of our students’ eyes being distracted from the actual target!”

They both laughed together and began the class, teaching many fashionable ladies about the sport of archery.

Chapter 4

“Brother! What are you doing here? I did not think I would see you until next week for my birthday!” Georgiana ran to Darcy to embrace him in joy. “Is everything well?”

Darcy laughed, “I missed you and wished to see you, that is all! I completed my business early and Richard told me that he planned on being here for a week so I came to join the party early. You look very merry and it seems Ramsgate has been good to you, and Richard and I will ensure you will have many wonderful memories of this place before you and I travel together to Pemberley.” He turned to his sister’s companion, “Mrs. Younge, thank you for taking excellent care of Miss Darcy. I will sit with my sister and will ask for your report after dinner. Please excuse us.” The older woman, about thirty years in age, complied with a smile and left the room while the siblings continued their conversation.

“I have so much to tell you about what I have been doing in Ramsgate since I last wrote to you," Georgiana excitedly gushed, “I attended several dinner parties with ladies near my age and rode on a boat that took us out around the harbour. The music master here is excellent and my drawing has improved a little as well. The most thrilling news is that I have taken up archery lessons with Captain Fairfax and discovered that I am quite good at it! I have gone every day this week and Richard said he was very impressed with my skills after only one week and I am to have three more lessons next week. Oh! I must tell Cook to make another setting, since you are here and I also invited Captain Fairfax to dinner tonight. Give me one moment, William.”

She hurried out to talk to the cook and Darcy wondered if this Captain Fairfax was related to his aunt and if Georgiana’s heart had been captured by a dashing officer. He sighed, comprehending that his sister would be out in society in a year and wondered how he should prepare himself to face her future suitors.

Soon, Miss Darcy returned and continued sharing about her time in Ramsgate, "Richard has had nothing but praises for Captain Fairfax, but let me tell you about another person whom you have known for ages! Mr. Wickham! George Wickham is here in Ramsgate and has called on me five times during the past week. He is such a pleasant gentleman and has been telling me stories about you while you two grew up together and how close you were until he had to find employment in town.”

Darcy’s face turned grim as he steadied his voice before asking her, “Where is he now? Do you know where he is staying?”

“I do not,” Georgiana shook her head. “We met by chance next to the harbour and he has been very complimentary to me, but he came here yesterday and told me that he was unexpectedly called away to business in town and was disappointed that he had to leave when I told him about Richard’s arrival. But he felt terrible and said he had urgent business and would be gone during the entire time Richard is here but did not mention where he was going.”

“It sounds like Richard’s arrival frightened him off and I am glad for it,” her brother sternly commented. “I will tell you more of the scoundrel’s past later but you should know that he is a deceiver and dishonourable and I would like for you to stay away from him. He is a gambler and owes over three thousand pounds in Lambton alone, Georgiana. I plan on finding him and having him tossed into debtor’s prison but I am relieved he did not have an opportunity to harm you.”

Georgiana gasped, “But he was so pleasant! He was handsome and dressed very well and Mrs. Younge said she had known him for over a year. She believed he was smitten with me and that we would be very well-matched together. Captain Fairfax questioned his motives and I had planned on speaking with Richard about it tonight, but do you think he had ill-intentions towards me?”

Her brother growled, “He has no good intentions in his entire being and I am surprised that Mrs. Younge promoted him to you. You are not yet out and should not be having gentleman callers. I will be sure to speak with her and find out why she did not do her duty to protect you. Richard and I will…”

“Richard will what?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked loudly as he walked into the room. “William! I did not think I would see you until Monday! I thought you would be attending a few more balls in town before returning to Pemberley!” He laughed, “Has Bingley proposed to Miss Grantley yet or is he already pursuing another angel?”

Darcy chuckled, “He is still serious about Miss Grantley, but who knows? He might marry her next month or fall in love with another lady tomorrow. Everything he does is in a hurry but I made him promise to be in courtship for at least three months before proposing marriage. He has found an estate he wants to lease and will likely be away from town for a few months so he might marry by the end of this year.”

“Good for him! He is in and out of love often but might actually be serious about this one,” the colonel commented as he took a seat. “And Miss Bingley? Has she repented for her actions from last summer? I cannot believe the gall of that woman for believing herself so secure that she began to order Mrs. Reynolds about as if she were already the Mistress of Pemberley!”

Darcy chuckled, “I have never raised my voice to a lady before but I consider Mrs. Reynolds to be more family than some of our actual relatives so I had to protect her from Miss Bingley’s scolding. I am certain she will learn to be a better mistress once Bingley takes residence on an estate this autumn. I believe it is a large manor and they will likely move in after Michaelmas.”

“Are you still set on marrying her, then? Miss Bingley will become my sister?” Georgiana asked with a serious countenance.

Darcy nodded his head, “She has the manners befitting the bon ton and is beautiful, and of course, Father and the late Mr. Bingley were friends for many years and he considered her to be well-matched for me. But seeing her at Pemberley last summer was eye-opening and I have some concerns that I must evaluate. I am to stay with Bingley for two months once he moves into his estate and will decide how quickly to propose then. Father wanted this for me and I want to comply with his wishes but might need to request Lady Matlock’s assistance in teaching Miss Bingley if she is still deficient.” He turned to Georgiana and smiled, “Now, I will have a word with Mrs. Younge and Richard about George Wickham’s recent presence in Ramsgate,” he glanced at his cousin whose eyes were bulging and his face was immediately reddened in anger, and then continued, “but tell me more about this Captain Fairfax whom you have been lauding. You are not old enough to be out yet but is this someone worthy for whom you would wait for a full year?”

Georgiana merrily giggled as she replied, “Not me, but Richard would!”

“Georgie! I should not have told you!” Richard flushed in embarrassment but turned to Darcy who appeared severely confused. “Captain Fairfax is… Well, that is… I have yet to persua…”

Just then, there was a knock on the door and Georgiana jumped up and exclaimed, “Captain Fairfax is here! Let us not ruin the surprise!”

The butler opened the door and allowed the visitor to enter.

Georgiana immediately rushed over to greet the guest and curtsied, "Welcome, Captain! Please allow me to introduce my brot…”

“Mr. Bingley!” Elizabeth cried out, while Darcy shouted at the same time, “Miss Bennet!”

Darcy uttered in astonishment, “How are you a captain and why in bloody hell are you dressed like that?!”