Page 39 of Elizabeth’s Choice

“How rude! You cannot speak to me like that! I am the one who should not be seen with you…” she began fuming but could not continue when Mr. Collins approached them and began staring at them both without a word.

Miss Bingley stormed off in rage and Darcy was about to thank Mr. Collins for the interruption when the parson began to speak.

“I feel it my duty to pray for your soul and to guide you from your path of sin, Mr. Darcy, and I have written to her ladyship, promising to do all I can to cure you of your proclivity towards the same sex. Lady Catherine will be aghast to learn of your nature but I informed her that I will counsel you so that you can return to your betrothed, the illustrious Miss de Bourgh, and you can live out the rest of your life as a good husband to her. I, myself, have chosen the one who will be blessed to become my wife, and I urge you to marry soon. Once I marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet, I will not only have Ashworth but also Longbourn, and I will be on equal standing with you to become your advisor so that you can win your battle against your inclination to sin. After you marry Miss de Bourgh, you will be cured of all…”

Darcy burst out laughing, unable to contain himself at the oaf’s foolish speech. “You think you will marry Elizabeth? You have lost your mind. I am offended and yet amused at the same time and can comprehend why my aunt hired a buffoon like you. You are the last man on earth Elizabeth would be prevailed to marry, Mr. Collins, and if you dare to speak one more word about her, I will demand a duel. Be off and do not bother me again.”

Mr. Collins lifted his nose high in the air and responded, “I have faced many sinners and will not back down easily, Mr. Darcy! Sinners will always choose darkness…”

But the obtuse man could not go on as the music suddenly stopped and utter silence fell in the entire mansion as Elizabeth Bennet entered, wearing a full gentleman’s attire but with an addition of a dark blue silk velvet robe, with a prominent insignia of chivalry on the left side of her chest.

“Please do not pause the ball on my account!” Elizabeth proclaimed with a smile on entrance. “But I do have an announcement to make and would greatly appreciate your attention!”

Chapter 24

Elizabeth stood in the centre of the ballroom as she continued, “I apologise for the late arrival, but Queen Charlotte required my attendance at Windsor Castle and I have just returned. Oh, may I introduce Colonel Fitzwilliam of His Majesty’s Army? He is also the son of the Earl of Matlock and will make the announcement on my behalf.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped forward with two other officers, all of them dressed in their finest uniform, and declared, “Earlier today, Captain Elizabeth Sabrina Fairfax Bennet was bestowed the highest honour of chivalry from His Highness, the Regent Prince George the Fourth, and is now Lady Elizabeth of the Order of the Garter, the equivalent of a knighthood in her own right.” He lifted up the decree with the Prince’s official seal and signet on it to show everyone and spoke tenderly while his eyes were upon her, “There has not been a Lady of the Garter for over three hundred years, but Lady Elizabeth has earned the rank for bravery due to preventing an assassination attempt on the Prince Regent as well as her extraordinary achievements in archery, and I will be most proud to call her family in the near future.”

“Your family?” Mr. Collins shrieked unceremoniously. “She will be related to Lady Catherine de Bourgh?”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the foolish man but walked towards Darcy to stand in front of him and stated, “In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. Will you marry me? Will you take me to be your wife and partner to journey through this life together?”

Darcy gave her his biggest smile, “A thousand times, yes. I have been in love with you since I first laid my eyes on you and am the fortunate one to gain your admiration. Thank you for choosing me, my dearest.”

Gasps and whispers could be heard all around but Mr. Bennet clapped his hands and approached the couple. “My daughter is a Lady of the Order of the Garter and I cannot be more pleased to approve of this betrothal! The late Mr. Darcy and I had hoped for this union more than five years ago and our dreams will finally come true!”

Elizabeth exclaimed, “What do you mean, papa? I did not know it was Mr. Darcy…”

“You never did allow me to tell you more and promptly left to reside with Gardiner,” her father explained, “but it was George Darcy who thought you would be good for his son.”

Elizabeth cupped her own cheeks in astonishment, “I thought you meant Lord George Fitzwilliam, Earl of Matlock, and his son, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she looked behind and pointed at the officer. “He has been like a brother to me and I had been adamantly against any kind of matchmaking for years. That means I was meant for you, William! It was me all along!”

Darcy kissed her hand with a grin, “Yes. It was always you but we had to choose each other. We can now choose each other, Eliz…, Lady Elizabeth.”

Mr. Bennet held Mrs. Bennet’s hand and stated, “My dear neighbours, please help us celebrate my daughter’s betrothal. As you are aware, a vicious and false rumour has been circulating but it is only slander and Darcy and Lizzie are now happily betrothed to each other. Let us forget about the vindictive gossip and look towards the future.”

Everyone cheered as they clapped their hands, and after greeting Richard and introducing him to several gentlemen, Darcy guided Elizabeth to the library so they could speak in private.

“I love you, Elizabeth,” he kissed her lips while he held her tightly in his arms, “I am so glad you have returned to me safe and sound. Thank you for finally agreeing to be my wife.”

She tenderly caressed his cheeks with both hands and replied, “Papa wrote to me that there was an awful gossip about you and how you were seen with a young man in Derbyshire. I am so sorry. It was my fault that I wore my suit and caused so much confusion…”

“Hush, my love. It was never your fault and all mine. Wickham began another horrible lie about an illicit relationship between Frank and me but I will be charging him with slander. But I cannot believe it… Lady of the Order of the Garter… It is the highest honour that can be bestowed on someone, especially one who is not of royalty! You do realise that I am marrying above my station now, do you not?” He chuckled, “And to think, Mr. Collins was prepared to make you an offer.”

Elizabeth laughed, “That ridiculous man? I met him only once!”

“He heard about your fortune and was more than eager to announce himself as the future owner of Ashworth and Longbourn,” he explained. “That was all it took for him to choose you.”

“How mercenary! But I choose you. I cannot believe it, our fathers wanted to matchmake us and it was our fate to be together,” she sighed as she looked up at him. “I love you so much.”

He kissed her lips again, “I love you. I know we must wait to marry until you purchase Ashworth but I would like to leave Netherfield. Miss Bingley has been intolerable and some of the denizens here believed me guilty. I know not what to do.”

“I will challenge Miss Bingley to a duel! Tell me who else and I will give them a piece of my mind!” Elizabeth gritted her teeth. “How dare they? Was my mother one of them? I will not tolerate such disrespect.”

Darcy shook his head, “Your mother has been my best proponent and I am indebted to her for her kindness. Bingley has proven to be a true friend and I owe much to your parents. Miss Bingley has been the worst offender but I expected little else from her so do not worry, my dear. Now that you are here and we are betrothed, all will be well. You have saved me, my dear lady.”

“My debt to you from ten years ago is now clear! I promised you that I would save you in return, did I not?” Elizabeth laughed.