Elizabeth looked up in surprise from the book of sonnets she had been perusing in Hatchard's, her favorite bookstore, as a beautiful blonde quickly bounded towards her with a look of fear in her eyes. She had no time to take in the scene before the young girl, deftly stood behind her and surprisingly stooped down behind her skirts just as two women turned the corner of the bookshelf in loud conversation with one another.
"Caroline, are you sure you saw Lady Georgiana enter this shop?" asked the blonde one as the redhead beside her sighed and stumped her foot in frustration causing Elizabeth to gasp in surprise at their appearance.
She had not expected to see Mr. Bingley's sisters in town and wondered at their presence. She knew their brother had just taken up the lease and she doubted he had quit the area so soon, so she could not fathom their reason for being in town. She hoped it was just a quick trip to town before returning to Netherfield. She did not want them learning of their plans.
"Of course I am sure, Louisa! I know the Derbyshire crest well, that was most definitely one of His Grace's carriages pulling away out front" Miss Bingley screeched.
"Maybe Lady Georgiana was getting into the carriage instead of alighting. She is not within so that can be the only explanation" reasoned Louisa Hurst, giving Elizabeth another shock as her hidden charge was identified as her future sister she had yet to meet.
Extraordinary!
"Excuse me" cried Miss Bingley loudly in Elizabeth's direction.
Elizabeth, who had started pretending to read as she hid her charge, ignored the rude outburst.
"I said excuse me" she said again louder, this time causing Elizabeth to look up.
"I beg your pardon, are you speaking to me?" she asked innocently, amused the woman did not seem to know who she was.
"Of course I am, is there anyone else in this godforsaken place?" said the rude redhead to Elizabeth's amusement, unknowingly alerting the unseen gentleman on the next aisle to the scene.
"Forgive me, I am not accustomed to being addressed by ones I am not familiar with, especially from one shouting in a bookstore as if hawking wares in a market" she said to the amusement of her charge, who she heard stifle a snicker from behind her skirt, and to the shock of the loud interlopers.
"I beg your pardon?" said Miss Bingley, aghast to be spoken to thus.
"Was what I said not clear? I apologize, but I refuse to take your lead and shout. Is there something you wanted to ask me?" asked Elizabeth in amusement.
"You!" screeched Miss Bingley as she finally realized who she was speaking to in horror.
It was that Eliza that had captured her duke's attention in that backward country. She was ecstatic when the chit left the area and the duke's sudden infatuation seemed to fade since he had no response to her constant belittling the chit in his presence.
"Clearly I would be wasting my time speaking to one such as yourself" sneered the redhead as she gave her a disgusted once over. "You remember Miss Eliza do you not Louisa? I doubt very much she would know any ladies, let alone Lady Georgiana Darcy so it shall do us no good in asking if she has seen her. Excuse us from disturbing your reading, madam. I know one such as yourself cannot afford to actually purchase the book and must be content to steal glances at the words in the middle of a bookstore" she said snidely with a look of disgust at the chit's plain attire though it was finely made and looked to be of the highest quality muslin.
"You must be correct, madam" said Elizabeth in amusement. "Although I seem to recall having a similar conversation with you after reminding you my name is Miss Bennet and not Miss Eliza once before" she said to the stifled gasp of her hidden charge who obviously recognized her name. "How you have so soon seemed to have forgotten that conversation as to one's worthiness of knowing one such as she I know not" she jabbed to the shocked ladies who had just recalled her alluding to their background at Lucas Lodge when Miss Bingley deemed her unfit to be friends with the young lady.
"I should not expect one such as yourself to know the proper comportment of the sphere Lady Georgina..."
"Proper?" laughed Elizabeth. "I daresay there is little that is proper about this exchange. From you chasing down this unsuspecting lady, addressing one you were unaware you knew so rudely, and making abrupt judgements based on nothing but an assumption of my worthiness, all propriety has been completely ignored. If this is proper comportment, I want no part of it. My governess would be appalled" she laughed. "Now if you….ladies would excuse me, I was in the middle of stealing glances at books I cannot afford to purchase and would like to continue" she said as she returned her eyes to the pages of her book, ending the conversation.
"We are obviously wasting our time, Caroline" said Mrs. Hurst, shocked at the set down her sister once again received from the shocking beauty as they marched off in a puff of silk and feathers to the laughter of Elizabeth.
"Well that was entertaining" she said as she turned to the blonde who was now standing behind her once she heard the bell over the door indicating their departure. "Lady Georgiana Darcy, I presume?" she said in her most haughty voice and her nose in the air.
"Yes" said the girl as she giggled. "I must apologize for their rudeness. I know not what came over me, but when I saw them approaching, my first instinct was to hide. Please forgive my rash and embarrassing antics" she said, immediately liking the playful brunette she had heard so much about.
"After that stimulating conversation and having briefly met the lovely ladies before, I cannot say that I blame you" laughed Elizabeth. "I take it you are not overly fond of the derelict duo?" she asked, eliciting more laughter from her companion.
"Not at all. They only pursue a friendship with me to gain favor with my brother and I was in no mood for their fawning today. I would never normally act thus."
"No, I somehow doubt you make a habit of hiding behind strange women in the middle of shops. Especially one as exalted as yourself, for you must be of the upper echelon when one can be deemed not worthy of knowing you after one glance" Elizabeth teased.
"I assure you I am of no import in the world. Tis my brother that deserves the accolades" said Lady Georgiana.
"I beg to differ, regardless of who your brother may or may not be, everyone is important and a title does not make one more so than anyone else despite what most of society would lead us to believe" she said emphatically, to the approval of the man who was still quietly listening in on their conversation from the next aisle.
"Not according to many" said the young girl.
"Which is why many could be called a fatwit" she teased. "Anyone who equates a person's value to the amount of pounds, pence, and titles they have can hardly be worth knowing and I blame you not for wanting to avoid ones such as they. To think they dared to question my comportment after causing such a scene! She sounded like a fishmonger's wife trying to get my attention to purchase her husband's latest catch, all while dressed as if she were on her way to a ball instead of shopping in the dirty streets of London." she said to the further amusement of her companion and the unseen gentleman.
"I assure you that is normal attire for her" explained Lady Georgiana.
"Oh how unfortunate though I suspected as much due to the costumes she wore while in my home county, for her ensembles can only be called thus. Does she not have friends who could advise her against her ill choices? I assure you it does her no favor though I assume she finds it normal for one befitting the station she aspires to. If she were truly as highly placed as her attitude says she thinks she is, she would know better than to try to display her wealth in such a way."
"But what is one if she is not wrapped in silk?" asked Lady Georgiana sarcastically with a fake look of horror.
"Mid-afternoon in a bookstore?" asked Elizabeth. "Sane!" she said as she and her companion erupted in laughter at the woman's expense as the hidden gentleman stifled his own laughter and returned a book to the shelf before going to join his favorite ladies in the world.
"What an interesting way to meet your new sister, Georgie" he said as he approached the still laughing ladies.
"Fitzwilliam!" cried Elizabeth as she dropped her book and launched into his arms, immediately forgetting where she was and making his sister gasp in shock.
It had been over a sen'night of agony since she had kissed him goodbye at Oakham Mount with only their correspondence delivered by his messenger to look forward to. She had not expected to see him until tomorrow when he was due to arrive in town so this was a pleasant surprise.
"Hello, my love" said the duke as he returned her exuberant hug, happy to have her in his arms once again as he shirked propriety.
"What ever are you doing here?" she asked as she stepped away from him.
"I beg your pardon? I was always due to return today" he teased.
"Fitzwilliam! Have you been deceiving me?" she cried in astonishment.
"Not so much as deceiving as wanting to surprise you" he said, happy the ruse had worked so well. "Though I dare say I am the one who got the surprise. I was awaiting my sister's arrival before going to your uncle's home to surprise you, when I heard the most fascinating scene occurring on the next aisle" he teased as his sister turned red in embarrassment.
"Forgive me for my childish behavior, brother but I was not up to speaking with them at the moment" his sister said.
"I understand since that is the very reason why I stayed hidden until they departed. So, your new sister unknowingly came to your aid?" he asked, happily recalling how well they seemed to get on so quickly, never having seen Georgie so unbridled as he listened to her converse openly with his beloved.
"Yes I was quite shocked when I heard her say her name" Georgiana admitted.
"Allow me to formally introduce you to my lovely fiancé" he said with pride. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire, this is our sister the beautiful…"
"Lady Georgiana Darcy" she interrupted in her haughty voice causing them both to laugh. "Tis a pleasure for one such as myself to meet an exalted one such as yourself" she said sarcastically as she gave a deep curtsy.
"I am pleased to deem you worthy of my notice" said Georgie in her own haughty voice, to her brother's surprise as she returned the curtsy only with a snobbish nod.
Never had he seen his shy sister so animated and teasing. It was all credit to the enchanting Elizabeth.
"So that is what you suggest? A public engagement to make it seem like a relationship of some duration?" Elizabeth asked an hour later as they had an audience with her uncle in his study to discuss their nuptials.
"Yes. Society will see an unknown beauty on my arm for a fortnight of public courting to stem rumors of a sudden marriage and talks of possible compromises. They will want to know the intriguing woman. They will clamor for an introduction and rave about your wit and intelligence, and when our marriage is announced they will expect it even if they do not like it" said the duke.
"But my sister arrives on the morrow. How would we keep this away from my family?" she asked in concern.
Jane had sent them an express all but inviting herself to town, no doubt do the fact that the duke had quit the area. The Gardiners could think of no good way to deny her without raising suspicions.
"Can we not make your sister believe that you are only in my company for the sake of your new friend Lady Georgiana?" asked the duke.
"Without knowing who you are and remembering our attraction? No. Oh! I have it. Why not let her believe that Lady Georgiana is the sister of a moderately wealthy tradesman and acquaintance of yours, uncle? A new friend I met that will give me excuse to spend time with Fitzwilliam. "
"Ah, so she will not set her cap at your duke and complicate things?" asked Mr. Gardiner in amusement.
"Exactly though her cap is already firmly set at him" giggled Elizabeth. "I am positive he is the reason for her sudden venture into town. To avoid her tagging along on our outings I will tell her that Lady Georgiana has invited me to do things that she abhors like walking in the park, going to the bookstore, going to her home to play music, things like that."
"When in fact we will be doing those things but also attending the theatre, concerts, and museums and being seeing on rotten row together" said the duke.
"Correct" said Elizabeth.
"I think that is an excellent idea. We shall do our part as well and have Jane attend other events while you are out. For instance you may go to the theatre and we would take her to dinner at a friend's at same time" agreed Mr. Gardiner.
"Capital!" said the duke. "We have a plan in place for the courtship. As for Scotland, will you be able to travel with us? I am sure Elizabeth will want her family around her. This will not be an elopement but a small wedding in front of our friends and family."
"We will most certainly be there. You propose a fortnight?" asked her uncle.
"Yes before Elizabeth is recalled back home by her father" said the duke.
"What shall we do about Jane at that time?" asked Elizabeth.
"We shall bring her along." Mr. Gardiner said mischievously.
"Is that wise, uncle?"
"Of course it is. She will be staying with us, of course she shall travel with us to my business associate's estate for a visit. By the time she realizes what is going on you will be walking down the aisle to become the Duchess of Derbyshire, of all things" her uncle teased.
The duke really liked that idea. The mean spirited harridan would not see it coming.
"I like that plan" agreed the duke.
"Even though it is a bit mean, I must agree I like it too. It will feel good to see her reaction to it all" added Elizabeth.
"Well all we need to do now is plan out this fortnight of events as well as our trip. Lizzy, if you would like to join your aunt and sister while the duke and I talk a little business that would be nice" said Mr. Gardiner.
"Does this business concern me, uncle?" asked Elizabeth.
"Yes we need to discuss settlement articles and the like" he explained.
"Then I shall like to remain. It is my future after all."
"I agree" said the duke, winning him a dazzling smile from his lovely Elizabeth.
"Very well. As she has already informed you, Elizabeth does have her own fortune to bring into the marriage. Though it will mean very little to one of your wealth, she has a dowry of 25000. I am willing to match that for the sake of appearances. We all know how brutal society can be when it comes to such a thing" started Mr. Gardiner.
"That will not be necessary. My wife's fortune is no one's business. I care not for society's opinion and 25000 pounds is a more than respectable dowry and more than what most have. I will set up a trust for any money she will bring into the marriage, giving her full control over it as well as another 50000 pounds I will add to the trust myself. If we must we can always make them believe the monies were brought into the marriage by Elizabeth, though as I said, I do not think that will be necessary. I will also be settling another 250,000 pounds on her."
"No! I can hardly even fathom such a sum. That is not necessary in the least, Your Grace" said Elizabeth in surprise.
"In the scope of things that sum is what is expected from a man of His Grace's wealth Lizzy. I assure you it is everything proper" said her uncle.
"But tis so much!" she protested
"As your uncle said, I and now we, are very wealthy. As my wife you are entitled to all that I own and that is a fair amount. Please do not fight me on this" pleaded the duke.
"I suppose I have no choice though I still think it unnecessary" she agreed reluctantly.
"Thank you" said the duke. "Now, I shall settle 100,000 on any daughters we may have as well as 150,000 and an estate yielding no less than 8000 a year on any younger sons we may have."
"Very generous" said her uncle as he wrote down the figures that guaranteed her younger sons would have at least 7500 a year not including the income from their estates.
"Our eldest son, shall we be so blessed, will of course inherit the dukedom and all its holdings including Pemberley. Our second son shall inherit the earldom and its holdings."
"Earldom?" said a shocked Elizabeth.
"Ah yes, I am also the Earl of Bedfork" explained the duke, shocked that he had not divulged it before and pleased to be marrying someone who knew not or cared not what he was worth. "The earldom does not have to be handed down to the eldest son. If I had a younger brother he would be the Earl of Bedfork instead of myself."
Elizabeth was flabbergasted. She never thought she would marry at all, and definitely not to a duke who was also an earl. Was this really happening to her? The duke could see her becoming overwhelmed and he hoped he would not scare her away. He was amused to feel thusly. His titles and holdings usually drew women to him but here he was afraid his betrothed will bolt for that very reason. He could not be happier.
"Please do not let the titles and wealth overwhelm you, Elizabeth. Tis all just worldly trumpery. The life I was born into and not the person that I am. I want a marriage of affection and to be loved for myself and not what I am worth and I have found the one woman who can give me that. Do not let the titles scare you away."
"I must admit to being a little intimidated by it but I promise I shall get used to it and stay by your side. You are stuck with me now I am afraid" said Elizabeth defiantly.
"And I could not be happier" he said with a beaming smile before Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat to remind them of his presence.
They discussed his property and holdings and the rest of the marriage articles along with the changes he would immediately make to his will as well as plans for the wedding before joining Mrs. Gardiner and Georgiana in the drawing room to make further plans.