Page 33 of Elizabeth’s Choice

She replied, “She is my mother’s sister!”

“Wait; she is the same Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam? I believe George, your father, mentioned Lady Anne’s elder sister who was disillusioned in believing that her daughter would marry your brother. The same one?”

Georgiana nodded, “Yes, and my brother has had a stern word with her last Spring and made it clear that he would never marry my cousin Anne. William is in lo…”

Elizabeth quickly intervened before Miss Darcy could reveal more, “Your aunt must be disappointed to lose such a suitor. Let us not talk about your brother, please. So, how long will Mr. Collins stay at Longbourn?”

Mr. And Mrs. Bennet, understanding that the topic of Mr. Darcy upset Elizabeth, changed the conversation around and spoke about the distant relative staying for two weeks and that perhaps Charlotte Lucas might be a good match, if he were indeed in the market for a wife.

After Elizabeth, Jane, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley returned to Ashworth, Georgiana spoke with Elizabeth privately in the mistress’ suite, “I am sorry I nearly blurted out your and William’s friendship. I know you still have yet to decide and Jane does not even know about it, but I thought your parents were wonderful and do not understand why you are so cautious of them. William must like them as well.”

Elizabeth laughed loudly, “No, he finds my mother and my younger sisters below him but I know he is willing to endure them for my sake. My mother was pleasant tonight only because there were no single gentlemen in presence. She is far worse if she feels the need to flaunt her daughters, except for myself, of course. You are very kind, though. Thank you, Georgie.”

“What does Jane know about you and William?” the younger lady enquired.

“Only very little, that he offended me at our first meeting and that you and I became good friends in Ramsgate so he tolerated my being at Pemberley for three months for your sake,” she explained. “Jane has very romantic ideas about gentlemen and she knows Colonel Fitwilliam pursued me but that I have had no wish to marry for many years.”

Georgiana hugged her, “Oh, I hope you will marry William. I would love it if we were at Pemberley for Christmas together.”

“I would not mind that in the least, since I love Pemberley nearly as much as you do,” Elizabeth smiled.

“I do hope we will meet Mr. Collins soon. If my aunt hired him, he will, no doubt, be an interesting character study!” Georgiana kissed Elizabeth’s cheek, “Good night. I hope you enjoy your ride in the morning with my brother. He told me that it is his favourite time of the day.”

Elizabeth closed the door after Georgie departed and thought to herself that the morning rides were also her favourite time of the day. She was eager to see Mr. Darcy to inform him of Mr. Collins and pondered if the parson might be a good match for her dear friend Charlotte.

Chapter 21

A few days later, Jane, Elizabeth, and Georgiana descended the carriage in Meryton, having left Mrs. Annesley to rest at Ashworth so that they could run several errands. They were about to walk into the first shoppe when they heard someone calling out to them.

“Jane! Lizzie!” a young lady shouted loudly, “Wait for us!”

They turned around to find Lydia waving at them and Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the fifteen-year-old girl who was far too brazen in public. But they also noted Mary and Kitty behind her, as well as a large, awkward man dressed in all black walking towards them.

“Our character study begins now, Georgie,” Elizabeth whispered. “That must be Mr. Collins.”

Lydia, without waiting for Mary who was older, made the introduction herself, “This is Mr. Collins. My sisters Jane and Lizzie, and Georgiana is staying at Ashworth with Lizzie.”

Elizabeth scowled and clarified, “Miss Bennet is our eldest sister, Mr. Collins, and I am Miss Elizabeth. This is my special guest, Miss Darcy of Pemberley.”

Mr. Collins gasped loudly and nearly fell to the ground, bowing so low to the young lady, “It is a true honour to meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard so much about your prestigious home in Derbyshire from my most estimable patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park. I had no idea you would be present in this small hamlet where I am to be the future master of Longbourn.” He turned to Jane and Elizabeth and could not stop staring at them, eyeing them carefully one at a time as he continued, “Miss Bennet’s beauty has not been exaggerated and Miss Elizabeth, you are also striking and I believe you are keeping your own home? Mrs. Bennet mentioned that you have done very well for yourself and are expected to purchase a large estate next year.”

Elizabeth could see his mind hard at work, measuring which of the two sisters would benefit him more as his wife, and scoffed at the ridiculousness but quickly hid it. “And how is her ladyship? Miss Darcy has told me a little about her aunt as well as her cousin Miss de Bourgh.”

Mr. Collins was elated to speak about the grand lady but Lydia interrupted him as she exclaimed loudly to someone at a distance, “Denny! Come and talk to us! Who is your new friend?”

Georgiana held Elizabeth’s upper arm and whispered in her ear, “That is George Wickham! Of all places in England, how is he here?”

Elizabeth saw the older man approaching and spoke to her young friend, “Act as if you know nothing about what happened to Miss Younge. Let us see if we can drive him away quickly.”

George Wickham smoothly bowed to the ladies, after Lieutenant Denny, a favourite young man from Hertfordshire, made the introduction to the Bennet ladies. “I am so very pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth,” he smiled broadly at her and then turned to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy and I are old friends, Denny. Miss Darcy of Pemberley, this is my good friend Mr. Denny who is helping me join the militia here in Hertfordshire. How lovely it is to see you again.”

He stepped forward in an attempt to hold her hand to kiss it but Elizabeth blocked his path and asked, “How gallant of you to join the ranks, Mr. Wickham. How do you know Miss Darcy? She is my special guest at my estate and her companion is not with her right now so I must serve as her chaperon.”

He grinned handsomely, “I have known her all her life! Her brother and I practically grew up together at Pemberley and I have very fond memories of Miss Darcy as a young girl there.”

“She is not yet out and is still young now, Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth retorted with a sly smile. “You would not be taking advantage of her family’s generosity by assuming more familiarity than necessary with a sixteen-year-old girl, would you? You must be nearly double her age, if you grew up with her brother!”

Elizabeth could see the man’s ears turn red in indignation but quickly assuaged him, “Once you are settled in with the militia, I am sure we will see you often and perhaps I might invite you to my home for dinner. I will be sure to invite her brother as well, who happens to be in Hertfordshire also. Speaking of the gentleman, here is your friend Mr. Darcy now!”