Page 8 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“It was nothing formal and I did not learn as much as I wish I could have, I assure you!” Elizabeth easily bantered. “There were some who did not like the idea of a girl learning such topics but most were tolerant as long as I did not get in their way. I know very little of what I am expected to know as a lady, like dancing or embroidering or names of flowers, but now wonder if I should have paid just a little attention to those skills. My mother was constantly vexed with me and why I have not been at Longbourn for the past several years. I only spent a year there and have been residing with my aunt and uncle on Gracechurch Street near Cheapside, except when I am travelling for competitions and dread my mother’s opinions of having a bluestocking daughter when I will visit her next week.”

“Well, I will have to ask you for a great favour in a minute but let us move to the drawing room now,” Georgiana stated. “Would the gentlemen mind if we have a separation of the sexes? We ladies would like a bit of time alone, if you do not mind.”

Richard and Darcy immediately agreed and the ladies departed the dining room.

“Did I not tell you she is wonderful?” the colonel gleamed as he took a sip of his port. “That she is considering taking up gardening and dancing gives me hope that she will become the perfect wife for me. Mama said she would be happy to teach her about how to present herself in society if Miss Elizabeth is willing to learn, and as my wife, she will have the freedom to give archery lessons and attend parties with me and we can fill our days enjoying all the activities we like together. She is an incredible woman.”

Darcy thought to himself as he listened to his cousin about Miss Bennet and how unique she was but also wondered what kind of wife she would be to himself. His heart fluttered to think of her as his own but he asked, "Did she not refuse you twice already? What makes you think you can win her now?”

“I do not know for certain but I feel like she is softening, and spending the next week together will help her decide in my favour. She adores Georgie already and very much approves of my parents. As long as she is not introduced to Aunt Catherine, I still might have a chance of winning her hand!” he exclaimed.

Darcy sat quietly sipping his drink without a word, wondering if she might consider becoming sister to Georgiana instead of cousin, but shook his head in disbelief that he was thinking of someone so unsuitable as his own wife. He soon stood and commanded Richard to join the ladies, to which his cousin readily agreed, and spent the rest of the night in light conversation with the woman whom his cousin loved, who was so unlike any other.

Chapter 6

After the dinner party ended, Elizabeth stood to take her leave and embraced Georgiana. “I will not see you tomorrow but have been invited to St. Laurence-in-Thanet Church for Sunday services so perhaps I will see you there? If not, then Monday at my class will have to do.”

“My brother rarely misses church so we shall see you on Sunday, Lizzie!” Georgiana merrily answered. “I am so glad we will see each other nearly every day!”

Elizabeth walked outside with the group but was surprised to see another horse next to hers. As she turned to ask Colonel Fitzwilliam about it, Darcy spoke out, “I had my horse readied to escort you back to the inn, Captain Fairfax. I know you had ridden alone on the way here.”

“But it is only a few blocks away and I am perfectly capable…” she argued but could not continue as Darcy interrupted her.

“I will never make the mistake of accusing you of being unladylike again but also do not wish to be told that I am ungentlemanly, either,” he contended. “I will ride with you and it is no trouble at all.”

Richard groaned, “I should have thought of it first, Miss Elizabeth. Darcy, I can escort her back to the inn. Can I borrow your horse?”

“You can perform the duty next time, Richard,” Darcy answered, “since I would like to ask Captain Fairfax about Mrs. Younge as well as a few other items so I will ride tonight.”

With his cousin’s agreement, Elizabeth made her farewell and they began to trot towards the village’s inn. She started, “You can call me ‘Miss Elizabeth’, sir. I do not use my surname to protect my family but as you and I are in a treaty now and you do have the most wonderful sister after my Jane, I give you permission to address me more casually.”

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I am truly repentant of my past attitude and cannot thank you enough for your guidance to my sister regarding Mrs. Younge and George Wickham. He has been a thorn in my side for many years and will stop at nothing to get his hands on my family’s fortune. Had you met him whilst he was here? I am in need to search for another companion for Georgie but am relieved that we were able to learn of Mrs. Younge’s true nature early on. Richard and I interviewed her last night and it seems the plan was for Wickham to coerce my sister into eloping with him to Scotland, all the while Mrs. Younge and Wickham have been intimately involved for weeks. He had promised to establish her as his mistress once he had control over my sister’s dowry.”

“He is the lowest form of a human being and although I never met him, Georgie’s fancifulness of an older man while she was not yet out concerned me and I only wish I could meet him to give him a piece of my mind. Oh, if only I could shoot an arrow into his fat arse!” Elizabeth gasped as she covered her mouth with her hand and blushed profusely, “My apologies for my language, sir! That was very unladylike and I should have controlled myself better!”

Darcy chuckled as they arrived at their destination and he dismounted while waiting for Elizabeth to do the same. He waited until the stable boy took away her horse and resumed their talk, “I see that you have changed very little during the past ten years. Your archery skills have improved vastly but I do hope you took my advice to seek peace first as well as to learn to use a sword or a foil.”

“It is you! You are my William?” She immediately exclaimed but blushed again. “Not MY William but the same one who rescued me all those years ago? I cannot believe it. Of all the Williams in the world, it was you?”

“You have found me and I hope you will now truly forgive me for my blunder. I should have known you would grow up to be an extraordinary adult and it seems you have accomplished all you wished for in your life.”

Elizabeth smiled at him and asked, “Do you fence, sir? How are your skills with a foil?”

Darcy furrowed his brows at the sudden change of topic but replied, “I was the champion of my class at Cambridge and have kept up with the sport over the years. Why do you wish to know?”

Elizabeth quirked one eyebrow as she declared, “I would like to use my first wish to learn how to fence from you. Will you agree to this?”

He nodded as he answered, “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, your wish is my command. I can teach you all I know starting Monday and expect you to be a keen student. Perhaps you might arrive an hour or two before dinner for the lesson.” He reached for her hand and lifted it up to kiss it, “I have not forgotten that you proposed to me ten years ago, either. I hope you remember.”

“I was but ten years old and just an impressionable young girl, Mr. Darcy! Could we please keep that incident to ourselves? I am terribly embarrassed that I was such a foolish girl then. But I am sincerely pleased to have met you again. I look forward to our lesson on Monday. Good night. Thank you for the wonderful evening,” she looked up at him and whispered, “my William,” before rushing off inside the inn.

Elizabeth leaned her back against the door in her bedchamber and covered her face with both hands as she talked to herself, “Of all the Williams in England, Mr. Darcy is my William?” she laughed, “Of course, he is. Why not? Why not one of the richest and most eligible bachelors who happens to be related to Colonel Fitzwilliam? Oh, Elizabeth Sabrina Bennet, get a hold of yourself!”

There was a knock on the door from the dressing room and after her maid helped her prepare for bed, she lay on her mattress, attempting to cease thinking about the handsome gentleman with the valiant cousin.

~*~

On Sunday morning, Darcy dressed in his church clothes and braced himself for the constant scrutiny that always followed when he was in a public place. With his tall stature, it was difficult enough to hide amongst the crowded populace in London, but here in Ramsgate, he would stand a full foot above everyone else and knew all eyes would be on him.