Page 43 of Elizabeth’s Choice

Mr. Gardiner smiled, “Yes, that is exactly what you should do. I will keep Lydia here and Wickham will spend a week in debtor’s prison until he becomes Lydia’s husband. I cannot wait to see Lydia’s face when she learns that her five-thousand-pound dowry will immediately transfer to her husband to control and that he must pay two thousand pounds of it to Darcy who holds his debts. It was generous of you to only collect half of the four thousand he owes you.”

“I would have loved to see her live off fifty pounds a year but Mr. Darcy is very kind,” Elizabeth looked at Darcy with tender eyes. “She will live poorly as a lieutenant’s wife and will never be allowed to step foot into my home. Her dream of living in Ashworth was ridiculous, when I do not yet own it and am only leasing it. She and Wickham will have a miserable future together and they deserve each other.”

“It is the truth but I feel bad for them,” Mrs. Gardiner sighed. “If only she had been a little wiser. And Wickham will also suffer for the rest of his life with such a wife.”

Elizabeth retorted, “But he will have a life because he will be able to pay his debts and will not be sent to the gallows for his crimes. He is most fortunate to have Lydia and they are both conniving enough to figure out something for their future together. Let us talk about the archery competition. I have several ideas that will make it more unique. How about we set up a variety of targets on different distances and I know just the prize…”

Chapter 26

Two days later, Darcy greeted Bingley in the sitting room of Darcy House, “Thank you for bringing Miss Bennet and Elizabeth’s maid to town. Elizabeth was eager to have her sister here for a few days before we return to Hertfordshire.”

Bingley smiled, “I am more than happy to be of service. I am in formal courtship with Jane now and wanted to show her off to everyone here and to give you my support, since I hope to become your brother soon. I will give the courtship at least three months to show her my dedication but I know she is the one. Mr. Bennet told me about Wickham and Miss Lydia, and I understand the need for them to marry but do not fault the rest of the family for Lydia’s mistake. No one knows what happened to them yet and Miss Kitty has been confined to her room, so everyone thinks the two youngest have fallen ill again.”

“That is good news. Once the truth comes out, Lydia will already be married and the Bennet family will be able to bear the scrutiny. What is being said about Elizabeth and me?” Darcy asked.

“Everyone is in utter shock and I know I am still in disbelief!” Bingley exclaimed. “I cannot believe you are betrothed before me and to Lady Elizabeth! She is famous as Captain Sabrina Fairfax for her archery skills and for dressing like a gentleman. You have been in love with her all this time? And she has a title now! I knew you felt something for her, even when you called her tolerable, and it has all been incredulous.”

Darcy chuckled, “I did not mean it and I loved her since first meeting her. She wears her suit most of the time now and I have never seen her so happy. She is unconventional but courageous and beyond intelligent. She has a gift for calculating numbers and how she has been so successful in archery as well as with several speculations and the London Stock Exchange. She sees patterns and details that most would miss and has even corrected my ledgers in Pemberley and here at Darcy House. Our betrothal announcement just came out this morning.”

“Congratulations, Darcy,” his friend grinned, “You are gaining a unique gem and I wish you all the happiness in the world. My sisters are mortified that they thought the worst of you and have demanded to join me to make their apologies, but I told them to stay in Hertfordshire where they will be banished for some time. They were attempting to make Hurst open his townhouse but he does not want to spend his funds and I plan on evicting them from Netherfield in the new year. Caroline has been unusually quiet and it worries me that she might be up to one of her schemes.”

Darcy shook his head, “She was uncivil to Elizabeth from the beginning and told me herself that she despised me, so I have no reason to forgive her and other than as your sister, I will not acknowledge her again. I have made my intentions known at White’s already and word is spreading quickly that my father wanted me to marry Elizabeth and not your sister. Once Wickham and Lydia are married, our plan is to return to Hertfordshire to await our own wedding.”

“I am so very pleased for you, Darcy,” Bingley responded. “When will you marry?”

“Elizabeth has not yet determined when, but it will likely be March. She wanted to purchase Ashworth when she becomes of age first and I believe that is still the plan,” he explained. “I will do whatever my dear lady commands.”

“You are a mooncalf! Seeing you now, I cannot fathom anyone believing the rumours that Wickham spun since it is obvious that you are very much in love. I do have a piece of gossip I heard before leaving and I think you will find much amusement, by the by,” his friend shared. “Mr. Collins proposed to Charlotte Lucas and she accepted him. Apparently, he boasted to everyone about his intention to marry Lady Elizabeth before her arrival at the Netherfield Ball but quickly shifted his devotion to Miss Lucas yesterday. No one blames Miss Lucas, since she is seven and twenty, but Mr. Collins is a laughingstock and my neighbours fear for what will happen when he should take over Longbourn.”

Darcy rubbed his chin, “I wish there was a way to buy Longbourn from him but he is the only heir. Mr. Bennet purposely gave Elizabeth the bulk of his earnings from ten years ago so that she could purchase a house in her own name and not associated with Longbourn, and she worked hard to grow it to be able to afford Ashworth. I just wish we did not have to wait until March.”

“And is it still your plan to travel to Pemberley for Christmas now?” Bingley enquired. “You will not be staying in Hertfordshire?”

“Elizabeth wants to go to Pemberley until the dust settles with Lydia’s situation. I offered to host her entire family and it would be closer to where Wickham and Lydia will be, in case they cause any more trouble. I think Elizabeth is plotting something, though. She has had several letters coming and going and has been secretive. I hope she is not regretting our betrothal.”

Bingley laughed, “I have never seen you so anxious like this before! She truly has you wrapped around her little finger.”

“I will never admit it but do you blame me?” he chuckled, “I am a man in love and I know you will be the same way.”

Bingley nodded as he stood up, “Well, I am off to my townhouse. I will return for dinner and plan on enjoying myself at the archery contest as well. I have not practiced in ages but the prize is too good to pass and I put my name in the hat as well. An audience with the Queen is no small feat and it is incredulous that Lady Elizabeth has such connections. You certainly are marrying above your station!”

The two gentlemen laughed and Bingley was about to leave, when there was a knock on the door. Darcy opened it himself and saw Elizabeth standing and asked, “Are you back from the modiste already?” Seeing that she appeared angry, he asked, "What has happened?”

“Georgie and I just returned and I must tell you something, William,” she replied as she eyed Bingley, “and I am glad you are here also, Mr. Bingley. Your sisters are here. Miss Bingley was at the modiste’s to announce that she should be betrothed to Mr. Darcy but that he was deceived after the Bennet Family concocted the entire story about my father and William’s father arranging for us to meet. She told everyone that it was your father and the late Mr. Darcy’s arrangement and that William chose to believe my father because he fell for my arts and allurement.”

“That Caroline!” Bingley immediately turned bright red with furore. “I ought to… What should I do?”

“I have worse news,” Elizabeth continued. “I challenged her to a duel and she accepted, but on your behalf. She offered for you to take her place since you are her guardian. I apologise, but I will be shooting you tomorrow morning at seven o’clock.”

~*~

“Are you certain this will work?” Bingley asked nervously. “She has the right to kill me but I honestly do not want to die.”

Darcy placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder and calmly replied, “It will work. Trust her and do as we planned. Your sister must learn her lesson and this is the only way. Just remember what to do when the time comes.”

Bingley nodded his head and walked out to the road to wait for his sisters. Darcy stood by Elizabeth and asked, “Are you certain this will work? Bingley is nervous and I must confess I am as well.”

Elizabeth tapped her foot, “It will work if Miss Bingley gets here for the duel. She is late and I just might chase her down to strangle her instead.”