Page 115 of The Governess of My Heart
“Elizabeth, answer me, do you love me?” he growled.
“Yes, yes, I do. I love you with all my heart,” Elizabeth burst out, unable to lie to him anymore, and fell into his chest, crying uncontrollably.
Darcy held her close to him and allowed her to cry her heart out. He finally felt a sense of peace to hear her declaration.
Elizabeth could not believe she was crying on his chest, his arms wrapped around her protectively.
Nothing made sense to her as to how he became aware of her secret and knew everything about her past life and her love for him.
But she realized the truth. The anger she had seen on his face the day before was because he somehow knew she loved him but denied the same.
Darcy did not say anything, and he did not want to; he wanted her to let out all the emotions she had held within herself. She never knew how long they stood there and finally asked him the only question she had in mind.
“How... how do you know?”
And Darcy replied in one word.
“Mary.”
***
A week ago, at Lucas Lodge, after Sir William left the library, Darcy held a bookmark with a beautiful painting of tulips on it. He found it in the book of sonnets and had seen the same tulips, the color, and the style of strokes before. And it struck him immediately, as he had seen Georgiana use the same, and she had informed him that Elizabeth had gifted her the bookmark. He turned the bookmark and read the words on it.
To my
dearest friend
Charlotte.
With love,
Elizabeth
All the questions he had in mind about the Bennets, the strange behavior of Sir William while mentioning his daughter’s friend, and Mary’s sadness made sense to him now. He felt as though all the missing pieces of the puzzle had fallen into place. Just then, the library door opened, and in walked Mariah Lucas.
She had come in search of her father and was startled to see Darcy holding the bookmark.
“Miss Lucas, who made this bookmark?” he asked, not wasting an instant.
“It belongs to my sister; it was a gift from her friend,” she answered in worry.
“May I ask who the friend is?”
Maria could not reply, and Darcy did not require her to. He pocketed the bookmark and left the room.
He found Mary in the company of other ladies and waited for his moment to talk to her.
“Miss Mary, do not be alarmed. I need to speak with you in private, and it is regarding your sister.”
Mary was too stunned to speak.
“Which sist… I mean.. sir...I,” she stammered.
“You very well know which sister; please meet me at the Mount tomorrow morning,” he said, leaving with his friend.
That night was a torment to both Darcy and Mary. Each of them did not know what to expect the next morning. Mary understood from Mariah about Darcy’s question in the library.
Whatever happens, I must meet him tomorrow. This is my only opportunity to help Elizabeth.
