Page 107 of The Governess of My Heart
“Yes, I did,” she said with hesitance.
“Then where did it go?”
“I told you that I remember packing it, but I cannot find it now.”
Her husband was not convinced.
“You need to find it immediately as you do not take much responsibility for anything. You could at least be careful with your belongings.”
“What do you mean by saying that I don’t take much responsibility?”
“Yes, you don’t, and let me be frank; you never care about our children.”
Lady Isabella was stunned.
“How could you say so?” she asked with tears.
“Because it is the truth. You make no effort to spend time with our children. I have not brought this up before, but it has been so many months since our marriage, and how much longer do you need to become their mother?”
But I am not their mother.
“You were so fond of them when Sophia was alive. You did enjoy spending time with them before; what happened now? Why don’t you say anything?”
“I do not feel well these days.”
“That is what you have been telling me for some months now. I have listened patiently to everything and done everything according to your wishes, but something is bothering you. What is it?”
“I still grieve Sophia’s loss.”
“You think I don’t? For God’s sake, she was my wife and just a friend to you. I married you and tried to move on for the sake of our lives. That day, I felt strongly that our union was needed because I felt you cared for me after the death of my wife.”
“I do. Please do not doubt me.”
Lord Ashton looked at her with distress.
“Did your parents object to us living with the children? Do they want us to live separately?”
“What sort of accusation is this? I cannot fathom how you could get such an idea.”
“I have the reasons for my doubts. You seem to have a lot of private discussions with your mother, and I can see both of you argue a lot these days. Tell me, what is it?”
“You are imagining too many things.”
“Something is bothering you, and you are hiding it from me. You must understand that I have stood by you all these months, even when Mother pointed out her concerns. What more do youwant me to do as your husband? Why can you not be happy here?”
“I am happy here. I just... I feel I need some time to be with the children.”
“Isabella, please do not prove to me that my mother was right all along, that I should have never married you, despite the circumstances,” he said and stormed out of the room.
Lady Isabella could not control her tears and knew all his accusations were true. She never fulfilled any of her duties after her marriage, and deep down, she was certain that she never could.
***
Elizabeth sat with the children, doing lessons, and it was about a week since they had returned to Ashton Park. The house seemed different with the arrival of Lord Anderson’s family. Elizabeth found his wife and daughter to be downright condescending towards her. Though they behaved cordially in the presence of Lady Martha, Elizabeth sensed their hostility at other times, especially in Georgiana’s company. Miss Anderson behaved rudely and made her feel unwelcome.
Georgiana felt extremely uncomfortable with her rudeness, and to Elizabeth, it was clear that Miss. Anderson was among the many women who wanted to become Mrs. Darcy by befriending his sister.
What would she say if she knew about his proposal?
