RECAP:
Chapter 2 - We met Alexa, Lizzy's Abigail who ships Darcy with Lizzy. Our favourite couple met again and conversed with each other, still not knowing who the other was. Darcy (intentionally) forgot about the real reason he came to the Gardiner Warehouse which was running an errand for the Colonel. Three weeks had passed since Lizzy and Darcy's first encounter at the Gardiner Warehouse. Mama Darcy was introduced and she suspected that her son was finally interested in someone other than work. Lizzy could not sleep and ended up deciding that she would reveal her identity to Darcy the next time they meet.
Anyway, I'm not gonna delay it any further so enjoy reading :)
© 2019 Zest Layne
While being in a foul mood was fairly normal for his younger cousin, it was a rare case to one Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. He preferred to use a logical approach in every situation he was in rather than let his emotions get a hold of him. His playful manners also made him get used to being the annoying one rather than the one being annoyed. However, even Colonel Fitzwilliam was human too, and he was free to have his bad days every once in a while.
This day was one of those days.
First, he found out that Lady Catherine was not playing around with having his cousin Anne as Netherfield Park's mistress. When Darcy first told him about it, he was amused with his Aunt's antics – after all, this was not the first time she had saved Darcy from fortune-hunting shrews like Caroline Bingley. That was why Richard had thought that Lady Catherine was only saving Darcy in the spur of the moment.
Surely his Aunt would have concocted a better plan later on how Darcy could avoid Miss Bingley and would have made an excuse about she and Anne being indisposed so she would not fulfil her words. After all, Lady Catherine might be sometimes rude but she always kept to proprieties. Also, Anne being the mistress of Netherfield could as well be a declaration of something between her and Mr Bingley. And there was nothing between Anne and Bingley. However, there was something between Anne and himself… something of which his Aunt Catherine knew of.
This was why Richard came to know that Lady Catherine was doing this on purpose. That, and because when he tried to talk her out of it, she only responded with a smug look. His Aunt was hitting two birds in one stone – getting Darcy protected from the claws of Miss Bingley and at the same time daring Richard to act and secure Anne. And she was not even hiding her looks of triumph from him!
Of course, Richard loved Anne de Bourgh and he wanted nothing more in the world than to have her as his wife and start a family with her… but Richard also had his job… and his pride. He wanted to prove to the family that he could provide for Anne and himself. That he did not need her dowry or Rosings to be able to give her a comfortable life. While his father, Lord Matlock, was generous in his settlement on his second son, and Darcy's father was also there to support him, the Colonel wanted to ensure that all his children (should they be blessed with many) would be all provided for adequately.
He was close to achieving his goal – perhaps just another year or two more… but Lady Catherine's move changed that. He was going to have to move faster if he wanted Anne because while he had no doubt of her affections towards him, society would make it harder for him with her acting as Netherfield's mistress.
What was Bingley thinking, agreeing to his Aunt's idea in the first place? While Richard understood that Bingley's friendship with Darcy balanced their attitudes, he sure would like to smack some sense into the former in hopes of making him grow some backbone!
If his Aunt would not put an end to this ruse, then he would. He would find a way to get Anne out of this ridiculous offer that Bingley had so foolishly agreed to. It mattered not if this would make Caroline Bingley the mistress of the estate. Richard could help Darcy in avoiding her but he would not give up his Anne and surrender her to society's false expectations.
Fortunately for him, 'twas easy enough to have Bingley agree for him to tag along. What was not easy, however, was the second thing that put him in a foul mood – prying information out of his cousin. What happened on the twenty-seventh day of September, Richard did not yet know, but he certainly intended to find out.
The morning when Richard visited Darcy on the particular date mentioned, the latter was smiling before he left. A smile that was more than noticeable made Richard thought Darcy that would become a second Bingley. However, that same evening when Richard came to see his cousin and pester said cousin about his mysterious lady, gone was the smiling man.
In fact, Richard could not find traces of that man at all. He was replaced with the same old cousin Richard knew, but worse: He was more irritable, more serious, quieter… more Darcy! And by Jove, Richard would lessen his teasing if it meant having his smiling cousin back.
-p&p-
If their companions on the journey to Hertfordshire thought that Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was in a bad mood, then that bad mood was nothing compared to Fitzwilliam Darcy's. Even Caroline Bingley, who had her cap set on him, was wary of his stern demeanour and remained quiet.
Not wanting to irritate the two gentlemen further, they all agreed to their request of riding on their own horses while the others travelled in their own carriages – the de Bourghs with their parson, Mr Collins, on one and the Bingleys and the Hursts in the other.
Darcy used their travelling time to sort out his thoughts – preferably to divert himself from thinking about a certain lady whose green eyes showed itself even when his eyes were closed, the same lady whose tinkling laughter haunted him in his dreams, the first lady who managed to engrave her name into his mind.
Elizabeth…
Weeks before, there was nothing that he wanted more than to know her name. So that he could finally put a name to her beguiling face instead of calling her 'his cloaked maiden' or 'his mysterious lady' in his mind. He had thought that perhaps, once the mysteries regarding her origin were answered, then she would pester his thoughts no more.
How wrong he was… for now that he knew her name, he found it more difficult to dissuade his mind from thinking of her. It seemed that everything around him wanted to remind him of her. From the trees that reminded him of their first meeting to the roads and pathways ("I'm very fond of walking…") to his own horse ("Unlike your Boreas who is a handsome dark steed, my Apollo, to match his namesake is cream-coloured.") to the fields they passed by, ("It took me two full years to convince him that we needed to change the crops…") to –
Darcy shook his head. He really should not be thinking about her right now. Not after their last meeting…
To say that it had gone horribly wrong was an understatement.
He was just having his usual day; (well, as usual as it had been, ever since their accidental meetings at the Gardiner Warehouse) Richard was even there to bid him 'Goodluck' in hopes of seeing her that day and to his delight, she was indeed present with her Abigail.
As if an unspoken agreement, her Abigail went far enough to avoid eavesdropping on their conversation but near enough to maintain propriety. Then, began their usual discourse about whatever topic they came out with – that day, their discussion about Aristotle somehow led them to the subject of famous Kings and Queens.
At first, he suspected that she was purposely leading their conversation towards the well-known monarchs but he disregarded that thought and continued to talk to her. So what if she deliberately wanted to talk about the past rulers of the country? It would be enlightening, just like any other discourse he had with her.
It was when they had reached the topic of Queen Elizabeth I that his inkling thought – about her turning their conversation by design – was strengthened. There was a mischievous glint in her eyes that told him she was playing him somehow. His suspicions were finally confirmed when he questioned her partiality over the Good Queen Bess.[1]
"I suppose one cannot help but be partial to their namesake, especially if one of their said namesakes was a famous queen."
His first reaction was to stare at her. Then, he blinked multiple times. Finally, after seeing the amusement in her eyes at his actions, he cleared his throat and asked for confirmation. "You told me your name."
She nodded shyly at him and he could do nought but repeat his statement that was voiced out as a question once again. "You told me your name." He could not believe it. She actually told him her name. Even if she went back to her home county (which he still did not know the name of and of which she mentioned in their previous meeting), he had a way to find her again.
This time, her shy countenance was replaced with the confident stance that was now familiar to him. "I would not call it 'telling' per se. I think 'implying' was more of appropriate wording. Wouldn't you think?"
Rather than providing her with an appropriate response, he laughed. "Elizabeth, your name is Elizabeth?" At his question, he noticed the reddening of her cheeks. Realizing that he had just referred to her as her name alone, he cleared his throat and straightened. "Forgive me, Madam, or should I call you Lady Elizabeth from this point forward?"
"While I am flattered that you thought me as a woman with a title, Sir, I am normally called Miss Elizabeth – especially in the company of my eldest sister. Perhaps it would be good for you to formally address me seeing my sister is not present. Without using imaginary titles this time, that is to say."
"Pray, tell me what your last name is then, Madam?" He asked immediately. More than a few times he had tried to pry out personal information about her, but she would not give in. This was his chance to get to know her more and he certainly would not waste a second to have just that. Surely, if she did not have a title then she must be a daughter of a baron. If that was not the case and she was not from a family of title then she must still be from a well-known family.
"'Tis Bennet, Sir." Bennet. Elizabeth Bennet. He tested the name in his mind. She had an elder sister, so perhaps she was the second daughter of a prominent family. That must be why he had not heard of her yet because she was a younger daughter. But why didn't the last name 'Bennet' sound familiar to him? It should have. It should be. The beauty before him belonged in the same circles as he did, he was sure of it.
Bennet. Bennet. Bennet. Darcy repeated in his mind. He had heard of it before. That's it. With so many businesses he had to deal with, he had just forgotten it. But it was somewhere there, at the back of his mind.
"Are you perhaps one of the nieces of Sir Cromwell?" He did remember his cousin, Henry, Richard's older brother and Viscount Buxton, telling them about Sir Cromwell's nieces recently being presented in society.
The lady looked at him confused, before shaking her head no.
"A distant cousin of Sir Bradley?" His Aunt Matlock had said something about Sir Bradley's distant cousin last month, hadn't she?
She once again replied in the negative.
"Ah, then you must be a relative of Mr Kelsey." His cousin, Matilda, Richard's youngest sibling and sister, did mention attending a ball and making the acquaintance of a young lady related to Mr Kelsey, a gentleman from the South who owned a few estates around the country.
"No, Sir, I am not."
Darcy's brows furrowed. "Huh, then it must be Mr Eastoft." Mr Eastoft was one of Bingley's common acquaintances with him, and like Mr Kelsey, he also owned a few estates in the South. Darcy last saw him some two months ago, and he recalled Mr Eastoft telling him about a distant relative who will come out.
"Sir, I do not understand your line of questioning at all."
"Forgive me, Madam, I was only trying to determine your family. I'm pretty sure that I've heard the last name 'Bennet' before."
"If you wished to know, then you could have simply ask, Sir. But I believe that the reason why my family name sounded familiar to you was because of my Uncle Gardiner. I suspected you are in a business partnership with him, perhaps you heard him mention my father."
After analysing the information that was passed onto him, Darcy stared wide-eyed at the lady before him. He must have heard wrong. "Mr Gardiner is your uncle?"
"Yes, Sir."
"You do not belong to a prominent family?" Seeking some clarification could not be bad, surely his ears were playing tricks on him.
"While my family is known in our home county, we are not well-known here in town, except maybe for the connections we have with the Gardiners."
"You are in trade then."
This time, he noticed her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "While I have nothing against tradespeople, Sir, I am a gentleman's daughter."
"So… you lied." He said in disbelief.
"Lied?" Her tone was sharper now. "I did no such thing, Sir, I assure you. I may have kept my identity from you but never did I deceive anyone."
"But the way you dress –" His own voice was getting louder as well, matching hers.
"I thought we established it in our previous conversations that appearances can be deceiving. Hasn't anyone ever told you that you should not judge a book by its cover?"
"Still, you pretend –"
"Am I to repeat myself, Sir? I did no such pretences, not once – to you or to anyone."
"But –"
Darcy glared at her as she held up a palm at him. "I ask you now to stop talking, Sir. I know not what has gotten into you to accuse me of such things. I may not be a gentleman but I, too, have an honour to uphold so how dare you to besmirch me so?" This time, it was she who glared at him. "I thought of you as my friend yet you have insulted me in the acutest kind. I believe I have the right to ask you to leave immediately."
He was mad. How could he let himself believe her to be in circles? How could he let himself be easily lured by her arts of allurements? How could he let this happen? His father will be disappointed in him. He could already see it happening; his father's disapproving look, his father's calm but disappointed voice telling him that he had failed to do his responsibilities once again. Before he could delve further into his thoughts, the sight of Mrs Gardiner rushing towards them brought him back to reality.
"Lizzy, Alexa told me –" as if only noticing his presence, Mrs Gardiner curtseyed and greeted him. "My Lord."
-p&p-
If there was anything Elizabeth Bennet hated more than being insulted, it was being accused of things she did not do.
Ever since she could remember, her Mama was always going on and about how she was responsible for her twin brother's death. "It should be you who's lying in a graveyard and not my dear son." That was one of Fanny Bennet's favourite things to say and her Mama's words always made Lizzy cry.
The worse part of it was Lizzy believed her mother. As a child, when she prayed, she always asked God, why she survived and why her brother did not. When her Grandma Claire found out about this, she told Lizzy that it was not and never was or would be her fault. Lizzy doubted this at first, but her Grandma Claire had never lied to her before; so slowly, Lizzy believed her Grandma. Still, there was a part of her that felt guilty.
When she turned eight, her mother's constant "I wish you never came to our lives" only made Lizzy tear up, no sounds of sob could be heard from her anymore. It was when she turned twelve when not a single drop of tear left her eye at Fanny's constant barbs of "How you are still breathing, I do not know."
The words still hurt her but she had learned long ago to hide her disappointment and pain from everyone. However, a part of her still had hope that her situation would change. She could only be thankful that not all her family treated her like her mother did. However, Fanny Bennet was not alone in the family to accuse her of things she did not do.
Little Lizzy's life became harder when Grandma Claire had passed away. Since Claire Bennet was the one who took care of Longbourn and its tenants, the task immediately fell to Lizzy's hands. It was not new to Lizzy to help with the estate. However, doing most – if not all – the work was certainly new to her.
At first, Lizzy was surprised at her Papa's request for her to enter his study. When he had asked young Lizzy to help with the estate after her Grandmother's passing, Lizzy was only too happy to help. "This is my chance to bond with Papa." She had thought and hoped.
So when Lizzy began spending time with Papa and Mary in the study room reading or having debates, she thought that her relationships with her family were improving.
Elizabeth was only sad to know that she had thought wrong…
As years went by, the responsibilities being put upon her shoulders were growing; at nine, she helped Mrs Hill in delivering the tenants needs (at this Lizzy was already an expert. It was one of her favourite bonding times with her Grandma Claire when she was still alive), at ten years old almost half the blankets and other goodies were made by her own hands, at eleven she was the one checking the accounts of the estate, at twelve the tenants came to her to help with their problems, at thirteen she started studying growing crops and breeding animals, that was why up until now, one of the top books on her reading list was "The Complete Farmer: Or, a General Dictionary of Husbandry." In short, Lizzy was no more than fifteen when the tasks of being a Master and Mistress (except for the meal planning and room arrangements) had been placed on her.
Because of these, whenever there were failures and mishaps in maintaining or increasing the income of their estate, the blame was on Lizzy's shoulders. "Look at what you did, child." Her Papa would frown at her and then he would make sure that she learned from her failures by punishing her. Papa's punishment – not allowing her to spend time with Mary and Kitty – was much worse than the most hurtful words Mama could throw at her, so Lizzy always made sure she did her best at running the estate and per Papa's order, did her best at teaching Mary and Kitty of doing the same.
Of course, her Gardiner relations had no knowledge of these things for she had asked – nay, pleaded – with their servants and her sisters to keep it a secret. (Papa and Mama had no qualms at keeping it quiet as long as they did not have to work hard to enjoy the estate's income.) If her Aunt Maddie or Uncle Edward found out about it, they would surely put an end to it. But Lizzy couldn't have that because Thomas Bennet only ever allowed Kitty and Mary to spend time with her if it had something to do with the estate, and occasionally with music, reading or drawing.
Alexa did not approve of this deceit and it took a lot of tears before she had agreed reluctantly. Lizzy felt guilty in using their friendship against Alexa to gain her help but Lizzy could not bear to be parted by the only members of her immediate family who she knew truly cared about her.
Mrs Winters and Graham had no idea with any of these thanks to Alexa. For all her companion and footman knew, Lizzy's free times from her lessons were spent bonding with her father and sisters in the Longbourn study. In truth, while Thomas Bennet was busy reading a book, Lizzy was doing the accounts of Longbourn with Mary and Kitty assisting her. While her companion thought that she had a passion for knitting and embroidery, Lizzy was fulfilling the necessities needed by the tenants. Of course, not to make Mrs Winters and Graham suspicious, Alexa along with Kitty, Mary, Mrs Hill and some other maids were doing their fill to help, as well as the Lucases.
Speaking of the Lucases, they were the only other people who knew the real events in the Bennet Household. Charlotte Lucas and her younger sister, Maria Lucas, had always helped in providing the tenants of Longbourn if needed. Their mother, Lady Lucas, and brother, John Lucas, were Lizzy's advisors when it comes to running the estate. They were like family to Elizabeth and in return, she to them.
Lizzy was fortunate to have the Lucases, especially when her real family were still not through with the accusations that were thrown her way; first Mama, then Papa and just more than two years ago, her elder sister, Jane.
The unfortunate event occurred during Jane's stay at the Gardiner Residence two weeks after her eighteenth birthday. Lizzy thought that she finally had the time to get closer to her eldest sister and they were, for the first few days of her stay. It was not until Jane's first suitor had started paying a visit to the house that Lizzy felt her sister was straying away from her again.
Mr Kearsley, a man at the age of four and twenty who owned an estate near Bedfordshire, had begun coming to the house on Jane's fifth day in London. Of course, when she first received the news, she was happy for her sister. But Lizzy was not Elizabeth Bennet if she did not have a curious and protective nature.
So when Mr Kearsley came to the house for the second time, she had made sure to hide in one of the passages near the drawing room to see what Jane's suitor looked like. At that time, she had not been allowed to greet visitors. Her Aunt and Uncle had told her that she could only do so once she was out in society.
During her observations – for she managed to sneak on them more than three times – on the man (for up until now, Lizzy refused to address him as a gentleman), she had heard him say nothing but sweet nothings to Jane if they were not talking about general subjects. Lizzy had been fine with that for she believed that Jane deserved someone as sweet. However, when Lizzy and Alexa had been permitted to go out with Mrs Winters and Graham, Lizzy had spotted Mr Kearsley with a young woman.
Lizzy did her best not to jump to conclusions; she really did, so she investigated furthermore with the help of a reluctant Alexa. "But Miss Lizzy, why care about her well-being when she does not seem to care about yours?" Her Abigail had protested.
It was through one of these 'investigations' that she had made the acquaintance of Lady Amelia who was another young woman on a mission just like her. Apparently, she had been spying on the woman that her older brother was courting at the time.
Lady Amelia was not the real name of her friend but it was what she liked to be called whenever they were on their respective missions. The real person behind the guise of Lady Amelia was Tilly. Lizzy and Tilly had thought that it would be fun to change their names in addressing each other whenever they were spying, er observing, their quarries.
Tilly had chosen 'Lady Amelia' because she was a lady by birth and she told Lizzy that she had read from somewhere that Amelia meant 'hard working' and 'defender.' Tilly had reasoned that finding out more information about the woman her brother was courting was hard work and by doing said hard work, she was defending him.
Lizzy, on the other hand, chose to be called Miss Elvira. When Tilly asked Lizzy why she had chosen it, Lizzy told her that it was because its meaning had something to do with 'truth,' and was she not seeking truth in order to make sure her eldest was being courted by an honourable man?
Their somewhat similar intentions forged the beginning of their friendship. They were also of the same age which brought them even closer. Alexa even declared them 'dangerous' when together in company.
Unfortunately, their friendship was cut short; her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner had forbidden her from leaving the house after Mrs Winters found out that she had befriended Tilly. She was disheartened at the turnout of events but still considered herself lucky because the few times she and Tilly had done their 'observations' she found out everything she needed about Mr Kearsley.
Pushing aside the thoughts and feelings of her broken friendship, Lizzy had focused her mind on warning Jane. Tilly (who had asked her one of her brothers about him) informed Lizzy that while Mr Kearsley did have an estate of his own, it was not doing well. It had turned out that Mr Kearsley was a gambler and deep in debt. The worse part of it was that he was rumoured to have dalliances with a number of young ladies.
Of course, Jane having a kind and gentle nature refused to believe it. What had hurt Lizzy was that Jane accused, nay implied, that Lizzy was only badmouthing Mr Kearsley because Lizzy was jealous of her elder sister. "Perhaps there has been a misunderstanding. I know that you do not enjoy being watched wherever you go and mayhap you would also like to attend balls but there was no need to say such things about Mr Kearsley, Lizzy. Do not envy the privileges I have now, sister. You only need to wait two years and when you're out you'll have your turn too."
After that, Jane had shown Lizzy a couple of verses that Mr Kearsley had written for her. Her sister had thought that because she loved reading, maybe poems made by Mr Kearsley would change her mind about him. However, it only did the opposite.
While most of the poems were tolerable for they were too shallow, Lizzy could not help but find some verses that confused her greatly. It was the use of words that she found strange. When she consulted some of it to her Aunt, she had been aghast to find out what it means. How could a gentleman behave in such a manner?
After confiding to her Aunt about the poems, Lizzy proceeded to tell her of what she had found out about Mr Kearsley. If Jane would not listen, then at least her Aunt would know what to do. Poor Jane, not knowing the truth about the meaning of those crude verses!
Fortunately, Aunt Madeline had talked to her Uncle Edward about the issue and Mr Kearsley was not welcome anymore to the Gardiner Residence. However, the drama was not over yet for when Jane found out about it, she had gone straight to Lizzy's room and accused Lizzy of driving away her suitor.
"You lost your friend and now you wanted me to lose mine too!" Gone was the sweet, serene Jane Lizzy knew. That day, her sister had been replaced with a younger version of Fanny Bennet telling her how every single thing that had gone wrong was her fault.
When they returned to Longbourn, as if Jane's words were not enough, Fanny had punished Lizzy by burning all her books of poetry and a few novels in front of her. From then on, Lizzy started hating poems. She hated that Mr Kearsley wrote poems about her sister. She hated that Fanny destroyed all her books about it.
'Think only of the past as it gives you pleasure.' That had been Lizzy's philosophy. She wanted to forget about her misfortunes so much that she chose to forget every single aspect that could make her remember it. So her ones beloved poems were nothing to her now.
It had remained nothing until he had managed to get her to talk of it again not less than a week ago. The thought of him brought tears to her eyes but she refused to let them fall. Lizzy was strong and she would not let just another accuser bring her down.
It felt like her whole life revolved around being the person in the family to be accused of everything that went wrong: from the death of her twin to the condition of the estate, even the entail of Longbourn was her fault! But Lizzy had endured and dealt with it all.
So when someone, especially someone whom Lizzy considered her friend, started accusing her, she could not help but be hurt. What did she do to deserve all the blame in the world? Was there something wrong with her? Was that why even her parents could not truly love her, let alone care for her?
She did not see it coming, her world turning upside down. One moment – after she had informed him of her name – she was watching her friend smile wider than she had ever seen him before, and the next he was questioning her in a voice full of accusation.
"You lied!" Even as she lay awake in bed, miles away from London, his words echoed in her head. Who does he think he is to call me a liar?
Right, a Marquess Lizzy thought with a humourless laugh. How could she forget the moment her Aunt Madeline made the introduction?
"Niece, this is Lord Ashbourne. My Lord, allow me to introduce to you my niece, Miss Bennet." Lizzy was proud of herself for being able to do a proper curtsy and not letting her ire show. Luckily, after she had said something about how nice it was to meet him, her Aunt immediately ushered him towards her Uncle Edward's office.
It turned out that Alexa had rushed to her Aunt the moment she heard the gentleman increase her voice at Lizzy. Luckily, the only thing Alexa told her Aunt was that she needed to fix her dress for a moment and Lizzy would be left without a companion and that she was afraid that Lizzy would find an opportunity to wander outside alone again.
Afterwards, Lizzy had feigned a headache and asked her Aunt if she could head home with Alexa earlier. When they were alone in her room, Lizzy had thanked Alexa before dismissing her of her duties.
"Miss Lizzy?" Alexa called, peaking by the door. "Miss Lucas is here to see you."
"Thank you, Alexa. I'll be down in a moment." Alexa only nodded before closing the door. Lizzy was thankful that her friend had given her a few days of space to think of the situation.
She was no longer in London. She was back in Longbourn at Hertfordshire. It was time for her to forget about London and him. He now classified to the unpleasant memories so all about him should be forgotten.
Stepping out of her room, Lizzy vowed that this will be the last time she would think of him.
Elizabeth Bennet was not made for melancholy. She would not wallow in self-pity and let some stranger make her feel sad. There would be an upcoming Assembly in a week and that's where her thoughts should be focused on.
[1] Good Queen Bess - Elizabeth I was called "Good Queen Bess" in part because Bess is a nickname for Elizabeth. In addition, during her reign (1558–1603), Elizabeth maintained stability and prosperity in England, putting an end to a period of instability and turbulence.
So, there you have it! The start of the Darcy and Elizabeth we know and love.
1. Yes, I made Fitzwilliam Darcy titled in this story. Since our Lizzy is richer and more 'accomplished' as society would put it, there needs to be something inferior about her that keeps them apart – at least, in my opinion. Of course, nothing can keep them apart but at least it will be a little hard for them to be together.
2. His title Lord Ashbourne was picked from one of the cities in Derbyshire. The other names, I found it awkward to say so I chose this. The title of his cousin, Viscount Buxton, was also picked in the same way.
3. Lady Amelia was mentioned in passing back in the previous Chapter.
That's it... What do you guys think?
