Lizzie’s Dilemma by Elizabeth Hopkins

Author:Elizabeth Hopkins [Hopkins, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-05-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

The time to depart for tea the next day came much too quickly for Lizzie. She spent half the night thinking of reasons why she could not go but came up with no reasonable solution and the other half of the night she spent thinking of the very handsome Mr. Darcy and the thought of seeing him again. She was torn between her emotions.

The Gardiner carriage pulled up to the Darcy townhouse in Mayfair and Lizzie stared in awe at the building before her. It was the largest house on the street, reaching three stories high with a beige sandstone façade. Intricate iron work surrounded the house and she could spy a garden off to the side.

“What do you think Lizzie?” asked Mrs. Gardiner closely eyeing her niece.

“It is beautiful” whispered Lizzie.

“Let us go in and hope that inside is as beautiful as the outside.”

Lizzie only nodded as she was still enraptured by the sight before her.

The inside of the house did not disappoint and although it was richly appointed Lizzie noticed that it was tastefully done. After the door was opened, the butler ushered them into a vast entryway. Lizzie took in all that she could see.

The floor was black and white marble; the walls were covered in rich oak paneling, the chairs covered in fine silk. Above all this was a sparkling chandelier burning brightly. It was a sight to behold. Material things rarely impressed Lizzie but this home had an ease about it and radiated the comfort the inhabitants felt being here.

Once they were relieved of their outerwear, the butler escorted them to the drawing room where Miss Darcy awaited them.

“Mrs. Madeline Gardiner and Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” announced the butler.

The room was done in rich shades of yellow and green and several comfortable chairs and sofas were charmingly grouped together.

Lizzie’s eyes roam the roomed and finally settled on the man standing by the fireplace. Mr. Darcy turned and his eyes met hers.

Miss Darcy had stood by this time and was approaching her visitors. Mr. Darcy approached the visitors as well.

“Welcome to Darcy house,” he said as he bowed and Georgianna curtsied. Both women curtsied likewise.

“Yes, welcome to Darcy house Mrs. Gardiner, I am so pleased that you are here. Would you introduce me to your niece,” Georgianna spoke softly as she gazed at Elizabeth.

“Thank you for inviting us Miss Darcy. May I present my niece Miss Elizabeth Bennet. This is Miss Georgianna Darcy. Mr. Darcy you have already been introduced to.”

As both ladies curtsied to one another, Georgianna glanced quickly at her brother. “You are very welcome. Brother, you already have the acquaintance of Miss Bennet?” asked Georgianna.

“Yes,” replied Darcy. “I was introduced to Miss Bennet when Bingley and I went to Longbourn for him to acquire a horse. Miss Bennet oversees Mr. Gardiner’s interests in this respect.”

Lizzie and Mrs. Gardiner sat on a divan while the Darcy’s each took a seat in chairs opposite them. It was a comfortable setting condusive to conversation.

Just then the door opened and Mrs.

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