Chapter 15 #2
They were replaced by Marie and Andrew and the Earl and Countess of Matlock. All four expressed their unreserved pleasure and support for the newly acknowledged, if already long-courting couple. “Catherine will have an apoplexy when she hears of this,” Lord Reggie opined.
“That, dear husband, is why she will not hear of it until William has sprung his trap. Personally, I think it is high time she is taught a lesson,” Lady Elaine stated, with certainty.
“She is my sister so I wish I could disagree with you, Elaine, but I find I am unable.” the Earl stated sadly. The four remained for a few more minutes before taking their leave.
The final group were the Colonel, Major, and Miss Younge.
Now, perhaps because she was in love herself, Elizabeth did not miss the tender looks that passed between Miss Younge and Major Wickham.
“George and I have extended leave as the doctors have ruled it is still some months, if ever, before we two old warhorses will be able to return to full duty. At least we will be here to witness when you confront those women and see my aunt receive her just desserts,” Richard grinned, rubbing his hands together as he relished the idea of justice being served, even if it were too cold for his preferences.
Elizabeth was patient, but she was aware it would not be long before she eradicated the scourge residing in her home once and for all.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
May 1, 1809
Elizabeth had regained much of her strength in the month since the attack, and her relationship with William had grown.
The Earl and Countess of Matlock were still in residence, as were Andrew and Marie, for Marie kept to her resolve that she would not leave her cousin until she was completely healthy and had dealt with the cancer at Longbourn.
Elizabeth had been allowed to leave her bedchamber, at first only to go to the family sitting room.
As her strength grew and the pain receded, she was allowed anywhere in the house.
For her, the best day had been two weeks ago, when she was allowed outside to hobble with crutches in the garden while William walked at her side.
Louisa had fallen deeply in love with Harold Hurst, although her primary motivation in visiting Netherfield was to be in her sister’s company. Mr. Hurst had kept his word and proposed a fortnight after Louisa had granted him a courtship.
It seemed love was in the air, as Hurst and his betrothed were to have a double wedding on the morrow.
The other couple was George Wickham and Karen Younge, who would marry the same day.
As had Hurst and Louisa, the two had realised they were in love as soon as they started spending so much time together.
When the couple approached the Duke, he wished them well, and although he did not ask her to do so Miss Younge had been firm in her decision to remain in post until a replacement companion could be found.
With Lady Matlock’s help, Mrs. Helena Annesley was found and hired.
Georgiana would always miss her former companion, but she grew to love her new companion as well.
Mrs. Annesley was older than her former companion but was as kind and considerate to her charge as Mrs. Younge.
It helped that Miss Younge pledged to help her replacement learn all about her charge’s likes and dislikes.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Major Wickham returned from their last foray to London.
After being re-evaluated by a panel of military doctors, they had been informed that they would never regain combat status.
The Colonel and Major Wickham were considering resigning from the army, as neither of them could imagine themselves with a desk job in the war office. They were combat soldiers at heart.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Life at Longbourn was boring for Mrs. Bennet and Caroline.
Neither had the patience to wait for Louisa to write the second letter to Mr. Philips which would grant them access to Longbourn’s coffers, although there was no choice.
The two were salivating over the prospect of being able to spend the funds long denied them.
They badgered Louisa about the second letter continually, no matter how many times she explained that Mr. Philips would be suspicious if a second letter arrived so far from the expected date of Miss Elizabeth's return.
They did not care that Louisa spent no time with them during the day and only slept a few nights each week at the estate.
Louisa would be useful in helping them attain the funds they craved, but beyond that they cared not for her.
They were much displeased she would not agree to accede to their wishes earlier than planned.
After ten days or so, they decided if waiting meant they would get their hands on Longbourn’s funds, they would have to wait.
More than a month had passed since they rid the world of Cinder-Liza.
The two were now confident they would suffer no consequences for their actions as Louisa had covered up the truth so well for them.
While they were bored and had few, if any, funds at their disposal, they were as happy as they were pleased at not having to suffer the barbs Cinder-Liza used to deliver.
Neither considered breaking the monotony by going into Meryton due to the way they were received by all those country bumpkins who were so beneath them.
Now all they had to do was find a way to gain the Duke’s notice.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Elizabeth was proficient on the pianoforte but had no chance to practice until her arm healed.
On the first day she was without splints or a sling, her cousin Gigi invited her to join her lesson with Signore da Funti.
The cousins were halfway through the lesson when the Duke asked the Signore if he could steal Miss Elizabeth away.
The couple walked outside into the rose garden on the side of the house.
Elizabeth used a crutch on her left, even though the splint had been removed and she was pain free, while her right arm was supported by the Duke.
Miss Jones trailed them at a distance, and the Duke’s huge bodyguards took up stations at either end of the path.
Once he helped Elizabeth sit on the bench under the gazebo in the middle of the rose garden, the Duke dropped to one knee and took Elizabeth’s delicate hands in his own.
“Elizabeth Rose Bennet, you hold my heart.
Since the day I requested a formal courtship, my regard, my affection, nay, my love for you has only grown in strength.
You, my love, see the man, and not my title or wealth.
You are beautiful, the most beautiful woman of my acquaintance, but that is only one of your attributes.
Your compassion, charity, empathy, and character, all make you my ideal partner.
“There is none save you I would want, or agree to have, as my duchess. I know you will always challenge me and keep me on my toes, and you will not allow me to hide in the corners of a ballroom, as I have been known to do. With you I want to be sociable so all can note I have won the crown jewel of the kingdom as my wife. My life without you would be without love, so I beseech you to accept my hand in marriage,” William poured his heart out to the lady he loved above all others.
“Even when I erroneously believed you would not look at me as a helpmeet, I already had strong feelings for you, William, and they grew into love. My love began as small as an acorn and has grown mighty and strong as a huge oak. It has been some time since I have known you are the only man I could ever agree to marry, William, so yes, a million times yes! I will marry none, save you!” Elizabeth replied, making her Duke the happiest of men.
William rose from his knees and sat down next to her. Forgetting they were not alone William brushed his betrothed’s lips with his own. The touch of his lips on hers sent her heart racing. He was about to do what they both desired and deepen the kiss when Miss Jones tactfully cleared her throat.
Both blushed as they moved a little apart. “I hope you do not require a long betrothal, Elizabeth,” her betrothed searched her eyes for her reaction to his request and relaxed at the pleasure he discovered within at his beseeching.
“I do not, William, a few weeks will be enough. I first need to clear my estate of all vermin, and then we will marry,” Elizabeth stated, matter of factually.
“And we have Lady Catherine’s arrival to anticipate on the morrow,” William stated, with resignation.
In his weekly updates, Bingley had led the lady to believe he had met Lady Georgiana and had begun to win her trust. Each subsequent missive had reported more progress, which all those at Netherfield believed would cause the lady to lick her lips in anticipation.
The last one sent reported success; he had seduced her as instructed.
Her nephew would meet her on the second day of May to hear her terms for silence.
The Earl opined that, if they listened very carefully, they might be able to hear his sister’s joy from where they sat when she received the last letter.
“Then why do we not say three weeks, William?” Elizabeth suggested. “By then both our problems will be solved, finally.”
“Three weeks it will be. I asked your Uncle Gardiner’s consent and blessing before they departed for London, so we are officially engaged,” William related.
“Sure of my answer, were you?” Elizabeth teased.
“I did have hope, my love, but I would say I was prepared, not overconfident,” William grinned.
As they mounted the steps to the house, they heard a horse at full gallop and turned to see Mr. Philips barrelling toward them. He pulled on the reins as the horse halted, sending pieces of gravel flying. He jumped off his horse and withdrew a sheaf of letters from his pouch.
As Philips reached the couple he blurted out: “They are all alive, Lizzy! Jane, Tommy, the Holder Bennets, they are all alive!” It was the last thing Elizabeth heard before her world went black.