Charles gulped at hearing Miss Elizabeth’s list of accomplishments. “No, no! I will make Caroline grovel for forgiveness. Caroline!” He turned to his sister with his face bright red from anger, “Apologise immediately. I will tell father to sign off all of your precious dowry if you do not apologise and you will have £10 to live on for the rest of your life!”
Caroline Bingley was in shock that not only was the handsome bachelor already betrothed, but to the rudest and most insufferable woman of her acquaintance. Although Elizabeth Bennet was pretty and had a good figure, she had not thought her to be a competition because of her hoyden ways.
Fearing the loss of her fortune, she curtseyed, “I apologise, Mr. Darcy, Miss Eliza.”
“It is ‘Miss Elizabeth’ to you, Caroline Bingley!” Lizzy snapped.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Caroline nodded again. “I acted irrationally and spoke in haste. It will not happen again.”
Lizzy stood closer to the crass woman who had said the words but did not appear apologetic at all and she hissed, “If you dare come near my betrothed again, I will make sure you will regret it. I will not strike a woman but I can certainly fight with words. ‘I do desire that we may be better strangers,’ Miss Bingley.” She stepped back and smirked at the pale woman. “Oh, by the way, madam, I do believe I see a freckle on your cheek.” Lizzy pointed at Caroline’s face. “Right there, yes, it certainly appears to be a freckle.”
William and Lizzy hid their laughter as Miss Bingley ran away in tears to the carriage, hiding her face in mortification from the freckle, more than from her poor conduct in front of several villagers.
“You quoted As You Like It and it was perfect, Lizzy!” William whispered, after Miss Bingley had departed in her carriage. “I had seen you this angry only once and I am glad that I was not the recipient of it this time!”
Lizzy giggled, “You are mine, Fitzwilliam Darcy, and I will challenge anyone to a fight to the death if they do not remember that.” She looked at Charles Bingley, who was sheepishly shuffling his feet in shame. “And the same goes for my sister, Mr. Bingley. Break her heart and I will put an arrow through yours!” She grabbed William’s arm and walked away with a grin on her face.
Charles broke from his frozen state when Jane wrapped her arm around his. “She means it, you know.” Jane began. “Lizzy will not actually murder you but she will find ways to terrorise you if you offend her. She is the most beloved of my sisters but we were always fearful of her wrath at the same time, because she was not afraid to place frogs in our beds or pour mud onto our heads if we angered her. Believe me that my sisters and I were very relieved when she befriended Darcy because she was busy climbing trees or fencing with him instead of finding ways to get into trouble at home. She loves Darcy and our family more than anything else in the world and I hope you will remember that if you are to continue our courtship.”
Charles lifted her hand and kissed it, “I shall never forget, Jane. I know I am still young and have another year of schooling to go, but I care for you very much and perhaps I shall ask Miss Elizabeth for lessons to improve my skills; with Darcy’s consent, of course.” They laughed heartily. “I love you, Jane. You are the kindest lady I know and I dare not lose my chance at winning you. I hope you will forgive me for my sister’s misbehaviours today. I will not allow her to interfere with us and I will tell my father what happened today. He will be mortified even though he is very ill, and I would like to keep him at peace but I will take care of my sister. I will become the head of my family and I must begin to manage my wayward sister now so she does not become a shrew. I would hate for her to have to live with us once we are married.”
“But we are not engaged, sir.” Jane softly retorted. “Are you not jumping too far ahead?” She raised an eyebrow with amusement in her eyes.
“Not yet engaged, Miss Bennet. Perhaps I will ask you three times in order to best Darcy at something. But I will propose as soon as I am of age and we will be married, even if I must beg for your hand a thousand times, my dearest, loveliest Jane.” Charles leaned in and softly kissed her cheek, not caring that there were witnesses on the courtyard of the town square, and announcing to everyone that Jane Bennet was indeed a captured woman.
Chapter 18
“You look wonderful, Mrs. Jenkinson!” Lizzy embraced the lady who was beaming in joy. “You will be the most beautiful bride and I know Richard will be the happiest groom alive!”
Laura Jenkinson blushed. “Lizzy, please call me Laura. I will be finally giving up the name of Jenkinson and I am most eager to become a Fitzwilliam. Lord Matlock still frightens me at times, as he reminds me of his sister when he looks upset, but Lady Matlock has been most kind and has been pouring me with gifts and has taken me shopping often. My mother has
