Page 163 of The Governess of My Heart
“Good heavens, he need not trouble himself. He has a family, and I do not need his presence.”
“You are angry now, and rightly so, but things might change.”
When it concerns him, nothing will.
Darcy and Georgiana arrived and broke their fast with the rest of the family. Lady Anderson and her daughter were absent during breakfast, and it was understood that they did not want to be present to send them off to London.
The children were still sleeping, and Elizabeth felt it was better to leave before they woke.
It was emotional for Elizabeth and Darcy to leave the family so dear to them, especially after the recent developments in Ashton Park.
“I am certain that everything will turn out well for you, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and care you have showered on the children,” Lady Isabella said to Elizabeth and embraced her.
“I hope you reconsider your decision,” Elizabeth replied in a low voice, knowing that Lady Isabella might not be present when she returned.
“We will miss you, Elizabeth; the children will be the most affected by your absence,” Lord Ashton said; he had gone past the formality of addressing her as Miss Smith and accepted her as his cousin with happiness.
They were to travel in three carriages; Lord Anderson preferred to travel separately. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana sat in the other; the third carriage was for a couple of maids and footmen.
“Georgiana, I trust you would take care of the chaperone situation with the help of one of the maids in case you are absent,” Lady Martha said, much to Darcy’s irritation.
There she goes again; I want to kiss Elizabeth before our marriage just to displease her, Darcy thought as he noticed Elizabeth and Lady Isabella smile.
Georgiana nodded her head in assurance. Lord Anderson said nothing, as he felt guilty for leaving his wife and daughter, well aware of their anger and resentment towards him. Theywere to stay in Ashton Park until he returned from London, and he hoped to stay for Elizabeth’s wedding before leaving for Scotland.
Darcy heaved a sigh of relief as he handed Elizabeth and Georgiana in, and once the journey started, he switched seats and sat beside Elizabeth, watching her blush. Georgiana smiled, looking at the couple, and gradually understood the herculean responsibility on her shoulders as a chaperone.
***
“Won’t you say something?” Mr. Bingley asked, feeling anxious about her silence.
He had arrived in Longbourn that morning with a resolve to find out if she felt the same way about him. After Darcy left Hertfordshire, Mr. Bingley spent a lot of time in Mary’s company, and it was not long before he realized that he loved her. And in her eyes, he could sense her regard for him. It was difficult for him to seek her out, as Jane constantly tried to gain his attention. But this morning, he decided not to procrastinate matters anymore. He was glad to find Mary alone as the others had gone to the village.
“Did you not hear me? I am in love with you. I have been in love with you for many weeks. Won’t you say anything?”
“I…I…” Mary stammered.
“Please do not tell me you have no regard for me; I could see it in your eyes. You have captured my heart in a way that no woman has. Every moment in your company, you gave me a new perspective on life and made me understand how difficult it would be to live a life without you. “
Finally, Mary dared to open up her feelings.
“Though my heart whispered that something changed in the way you looked at me in the past month, I did not want to entertain the thought of having a place in your heart, notbecause I am scared of heartbreak, but because I thought it was impossible for me to be sought out by someone like you.”
“Why would you say that? You are the most beautiful woman I have met in my life. When you look at me with those eyes, with the slightest smile playing on your lips, and hesitate to converse with me, my heart melts to hear the words you would say. I love you; please do not doubt my affection. Please answer me, do you feel the same way?”
“I do; I have felt the same way ever since our first meeting.”
“Will you marry me?” he asked.
“Yes, I will,” she cried with joy.
Mr. Bingley kissed her hand, unable to contain his happiness. Mary could not express how she felt; she never hoped to find love and joy, and life in Longbourn had been depressing after Elizabeth left. As happy as she was, Mary was worried about how her family would react, especially Jane and her mother.
Mr. Bingley could sense that something worried her.
“What is it? You seem to be worried suddenly. “
“It is nothing. I just feel overwhelmed with happiness now, but you still need to speak with my father.”
