Page 9 of Elizabeth’s Choice

After gathering his sister and Colonel Fitzwilliam into the carriage, they soon arrived at the quaint church and began to walk into the chapel but saw a lady under a parasol who cut across their path. They stopped to allow her to pass but she turned to face them and Darcy’s jaw dropped when the lady was none other than Elizabeth Bennet, dressed like a proper gentlewoman.

Before he could gather his wits, Elizabeth greeted them, “Good morning, Miss Darcy! Colonel, Mr. Darcy!”

“Lizzie! How wonderful to see you and looking so pretty!” Georgiana immediately began. “Thank you for sending me your note and we would love to join you for tea after services.”

Richard smiled broadly and also added, “You look exquisite as always, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth looked briefly at Darcy who stood wordlessly and she wondered if he thought her strange to be dressed as a lady now, but she shrugged her shoulders before linking arms with Georgiana’s and entered the chapel. She greeted several ladies who were known to her through the archery classes and looked for seats but Darcy tapped her arm with one finger and spoke to her. “Captain Fairfax, we have a box pew over there,” he pointed to the side of the church. “Whenever we are here, we sit there. Please join us.”

Elizabeth quickly hid her scoff but nodded, “Of course you have your own booth. Thank you for the invitation. I would be happy to sit with your family.”

Elizabeth sat in the private box and took a deep breath, recalling the significant disparity between her own family and Colonel Fitzwilliam’s family and how unfit she was in their world. She smiled at her sweet, young friend who excitedly whispered a few gossips she heard and they focused on the reverend who stood behind the pulpit.

After church services, the group walked to the inn which was only a block away and took their place in the main dining room for a simple luncheon. Darcy looked around the modest inn and then discreetly observed the woman sitting next to Georgiana. She was uncommonly pretty even in her plain summer dress, with her hair elegantly coiffed with only a small cross around her neck, and Darcy fought with difficulty to avoid staring at her, as her dress was low-cut for the first time since meeting her and he felt heat rising from beneath his lawn shirt to see the soft skin of her neck and décolleté. He was completely distracted by her when Richard, who was sitting next to him, nudged him and asked, “Did you hear us? What do you think? Do you think it a good idea?”

“I… I apologise, I was wool-gathering and did not hear you,” Darcy flushed red, “Can you repeat what was said?”

Georgiana giggled as she reiterated, “Richard was thinking that instead of Lizzie staying here at the inn, that we might invite her to stay with us at Sabrina Cottage. What do you say, William?”

But before he could respond, Elizabeth asked in surprise, “Sabrina Cottage? I did not know that was the name of your home. Who named it?” She looked at Darcy to hear his response.

“My brother did,” Georgiana answered. “I always knew it as Sabrina Cottage. Oh! I just realised that it is your middle name. What a great coincidence!”

Darcy cleared his throat to state, “I received the cottage about ten years ago. It was my father’s gift for my eighteenth birthday.” He met Elizabeth’s eyes and continued, “I heard the name somewhere and I guess it made an impression on me. I believe its Arabic origin means ‘strong-willed’. It is a good name, is it not?”

“It is a very good name, sir.” Elizabeth laughed but quickly changed the subject, “But considering that you invited me to Pemberley for the summer, I must decline your invitation to Sabrina Cottage this time, Georgie. Your brother might find me tiresome with my wild manners and impertinence. I will be departing Ramsgate on Friday in any case and my brief tenure as an archery instructor will be complete.”

Richard commented, “I will be more than happy to assist if you wish to teach at other locations, Miss Elizabeth. I will be in Portsmouth for the next quarter to train soldiers and they would be in awe of your skills if only you are willing to join us to teach them. General Wentington thought it a good idea for me to teach the sport and I could use a good instructor to help me. As you are already a captain, the general approved my recommendation without hesitation and is willing to make special accommodations for you if you agree.”

“Thank you, Colonel. I will consider it but I am needed in my home county for a week after I leave Ramsgate. I promised my sister that I would spend some time in Hertfordshire, as it has been so long since I have been there last,” she responded. “With my invitation to Pemberley for two months, my summer schedule seems to be filling up quickly.”

Darcy scowled as he enquired, “How long have you been away from your parents? Why do you not regularly reside in Hertfordshire?”

Elizabeth shook her head, “I have been staying with my uncle and aunt in town for a good part of the past five years and it will be the first time I am returning to Hertfordshire. Colonel Fitzwilliam is already aware, but I had a break with my family due to a… disagreement… with my mother and have spent most of my time in town and in a few other counties.”

“That is most… unusual, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy responded, unable to say anything further due to the singularity of her situation. He was burning to know what the argument with her family was about but Georgiana shifted the topic of conversation.

“Did you not say you knew of a lady who might be a good companion for me? Can you tell me more about her?” the young lady asked.

“Of course, Georgie, Mrs. Annesley is wonderful and has been widowed for twelve years. She was my companion when I first left home, until last year when her daughter fell ill and she went to Essex to stay with her. Thankfully, her daughter recovered and Mrs. Annesley is back in London and is looking for a new position. I have been with my elder sister Jane for some time now and no longer need a companion but she would be a good candidate for you,” she explained.

Darcy rubbed his chin in contemplation before asking, “If you are agreeable, it sounds like you will be in Hertfordshire for a week and then returning to London? Can we trouble you for an introduction? We will be here another week and then Richard will go to Portsmouth but Georgiana and I can stop in London to meet Mrs. Annesley before going to Derbyshire. If you are willing, we can travel together north then, instead of expecting you in a month.”

While Georgiana excitedly clapped her hands, Elizabeth nodded in agreement, “That does sound like a better plan, but it would have me in Derbyshire a full month before expected. Are you certain you want me so early? I suppose I can return to London at the end of August instead of September…”

“No! You must stay the entire summer with us, Lizzie!” Georgiana insisted. “London will be too hot and my brother was planning on visiting his friend Mr. Bingley’s new home before Michaelmas so he can bring you back to London in September, since you had no set plans for the summer. Did you not say you wanted to look for a house there as well and thought to arrive earlier? I insist that you reside with us at Pemberley and will be sure to give you plenty of freedom to see to your businesses. And William can set up classes for you to teach in our neighbourhood as well. It is settled, then! Three full months in Pemberley will change your world! Richard will also be there in September and a merry party we shall be!”

Elizabeth smiled her consent and Richard beamed in anticipation of spending more time with the lovely lady, but Darcy stiffened as he realised that she would be residing under his roof for three long months. But he came to his senses quickly and stated, “It is decided, then, Miss Elizabeth, and I will gather some details from my cousin on how to arrange for archery lessons in Derbyshire. You can teach many ladies there about the sport as well as continue your education in anything else you wish to learn.”

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she answered with a bright smile and turned to Georgiana, “You will love Mrs. Annesley and I am looking forward to seeing Pemberley. My aunt grew up in Lambton and I had planned on going to Derbyshire this summer in any case. What fortuitous coincidence that you are from the same county that I had wanted to visit!”

Soon, Georgiana stood up first and gathered her belongings as she prepared to depart, “I will not only see you at the lesson tomorrow but am also excited for our dinner together. I understand you will be arriving early? See you tomorrow, Lizzie,” and kissed her friend’s cheek.

Richard kissed Elizabeth’s hand and bid his farewell while Darcy took a deep breath to settle his nerves. He bowed over her hand after his cousin was done and stated calmly, “Good afternoon, Miss Elizabeth. I look forward to teaching you how to use a foil tomorrow. I hope you will come more appropriately dressed. A gentleman would not be able to spar with a feeble lady, Captain.”

She smiled prettily as she responded, “I am no feeble lady, sir, and you are a true gentleman.”

Darcy waited for his sister and cousin to board the carriage and watched the woman who confused him constantly walk back into the inn as the horses began to trot away. He knew Miss Elizabeth was completely unsuitable to be a good wife to anyone but he desired to know more of her at every meeting. Reminding himself that coveting was a sin, he turned his attention to Richard and wondered how he could discourage his cousin from continuing his pursuit of the singular woman and which other lady might make his cousin happier instead.