Page 37 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“Oh, thank heavens!” Mr. Bennet proclaimed in joy. “I initially thought you despised each other but I could tell that you always wanted to know more about Lizzie and my greatest wish might come true! Lizzie was always obstinate and left Longbourn after I talked to her about George wanting to matchmake you and Lizzie together about six years ago, but I did not even have a chance to tell her the details because she was so angry at the mere idea and stormed out! I had written to your father about my Lizzie and what a bright young thing she was, and he wrote back to say, ‘Ben,’ he always called me Ben, you know, ‘Ben, we should arrange to have Will and Lizzie meet someday and they might fall madly in love,’ he said. ‘They sound perfect for each other and she would kick him in the shins if he should misbehave and will not take any of his nonsense arrogance. Will is too stuck up for his own good and Lizzie would humble him quickly,’ he wrote to me.”

Darcy blurted out in astonishment, “YOU ARE BEN?!”

He replied with a laugh, “He called me Ben and Benjamin Bingley was Bing. We were Ben and Bing to him. Your father had an affinity to shorten everyone’s names, except for your mother, God rest her soul. He called her Annie because she was so dear to him.”

Darcy sprang to his feet and gasped, “He wanted me to marry Elizabeth, not Caroline Bingley!”

“Oh, no! Caroline and Louisa had been spoiled for many years and good old George thought they were too much of snobs for you,” he explained. “Why would you think he wanted you to marry Miss Bingley?”

“Because I am an idiot and did not make the connection that my father called you Ben! I thought he meant Benjamin Bingley,” he explained. “I also argued with him when he brought it up and refused to listen to him the day before he had his accident. I have been riddled with guilt during the past five, nearly six years, thinking that I must obey his wishes, but then I met Elizabeth and could not go through with it. I should have studied his personal journals better. I only read the last page he wrote before he passed away and believed all this time that I was meant to marry Caroline Bingley and needlessly suffered for it!”

“But I believe it made you a better man for it,” Mr. Bennet consoled the young gentleman with a smile. “From all accounts, George explained to me that you were far too serious about life and might not have taken kindly to Lizzie’s uniqueness if you had met her early on. She was headstrong at fifteen and needed to grow on her own as well.”

“I know not when she might change her mind, but may I have your permission to propose to her? She has yet to accept me after I proposed to her several times, but if she might have a change of heart, may I have your permission and blessing to court her and ask her to marry me?” Darcy enquired with a bright grin.

“You have it, Darcy. I only pray that things are going well with Queen Charlotte and that she will return soon. Jane told me that Lizzie did not seem concerned, but knowing my daughter well, she likely protected her sister by putting on a brave face, all the while anxious and fearful about why she might have been summoned to the palace. She wants to purchase Ashworth before anything else but I hope she accepts you if she loves you enough to consent to a kiss.”

Darcy coloured as he replied, “She does love me and I will give her everything she wants. For Mrs. Bennet’s earlier kind words alone, I would purchase Netherfield for you and your family. Today has been a difficult day but I have discovered the meaning of true friendship and am only eager for Miss Elizabeth’s return.”

“Well, let us scheme how to put Wickham in his place as well as this slander to rest. I believe you should be seen everywhere to show that you have done nothing wrong and not hide in your rooms but face it straight on!” Mr. Bennet advised.

Darcy laughed, “Bingley told me the same and that is my intent. He is a good man and is serious about Miss Bennet. If we are both successful, he will become my brother!”

The rest of the call was spent leisurely and they both departed Longbourn together to speak with Sir William to snip the gossip in the bud.

Chapter 23

After several hours were spent in speaking with Sir William and Mr. King, Darcy returned to Ashworth to apprise Georgiana of what he had done to clear his name. He was exhausted but felt hopeful that justice would be served as soon as Elizabeth returned.

Upon entering the house, he was greeted by his sister who excitedly ran to him, "I have a letter from Lizzie! Come and read it for yourself. It is brief but she is well.”

Darcy anxiously took the letter and it said:

Dear Georgie,

I am well at Windsor Castle and met Her Majesty and His Highness. They have been kind and I am not in any want here. I have very little time so I apologise for the brief note, but I am still hopeful to return in time for the Netherfield Ball. Please send my regards to your brother.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Bennet

Darcy sighed in relief to hear that she was well. “Thank you for sharing this, Georgie. It is good to hear that Queen Charlotte and Prince George have been kind. Our uncle and Richard were not able to find out anything so far but it seems Elizabeth is safe and that is all I prayed for.”

Georgiana smiled, “I hope she will return in time for the ball so we can put any questions about your respectability to rest. Your dancing with her will show everyone how much you love her, even if she is not ready to accept you yet.”

“I must tell you something incredible, Georgie. I spoke to Mr. Bennet and he guessed that I was with Elizabeth and I told him that I wanted to marry her, and do you know what he said to me?” Georgiana shook her head, “He said he is Ben! Father called him Ben and he wanted for me to marry Elizabeth, not Caroline Bingley! It was always Elizabeth!”

“Oh, how needlessly you suffered because you did not want Father to explain himself! Did you not say that as soon as he brought up an arrangement to meet his friend’s daughter, you became angry and stormed out without listening to another word?” she asked.

“Yes,” he nodded, “What a fool I was. Apparently, Elizabeth did the same and we both had no idea that our fathers wanted to matchmake the two of us together. But I was older and should have been more patient. I was always taught what was right and wrong but had an arrogance about me that I could make my own decisions for myself without listening to others and I thought myself so wise. With all my fortune and rank, I am nothing if I do not listen to the wisdom of the people around me and learn from my mistakes.” He embraced his sister, “Thank you for being by my side while I endure this, Georgie. My friends could still shun me and I might be all alone in the world but I know I have you and Bingley to support me. I only pray Elizabeth will return shortly and accept me.”

“She will. She loves you and did not want you to regret breaking your vow to follow Father’s wish, but now we know that he wanted you to marry her and everything will be set right. What will you do about the rumour, though?” Georgiana asked.

He replied, “Mr. Phillips is searching for the source of the rumour and if we can confirm that Wickham began it, he will file a charge for slander on my behalf. It will be Wickham’s word against mine and he has no proof. Elizabeth’s secret will be kept safe but he will say many things against me but I can endure it.”

“I will help you in any way I can,” Miss Darcy readily offered. “I will tell everyone what he tried to do in Ramsgate and he will be the one with mud on his face.”

“Thank you, my dear,” he smiled. “I am happier to have many people aiding me through this and am hopeful that it will all be resolved soon. Now, I will return to Netherfield to talk to Bingley. Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley have been avoiding me completely and I am finally enjoying being there now. They threatened Bingley with cancelling the ball and you should have seen the way Bingley handled himself! Hurst refuses to leave Netherfield and does not want to go to York so the ladies are forced to stay here until Miss Bingley repays Bingley for overspending her allowance. As soon as Elizabeth returns, with her approval, I will write to my solicitor to go to White’s and correct Father’s wishes about who he wanted for me. I will never consider Caroline Bingley for anything ever again.”