Page 167 of The Governess of My Heart
Elizabeth nodded.
The Gardiners were expecting them, and Mr. Gardiner was anxious about the meeting. For many years, he had sleepless nights not understanding why his dearest sister had died without revealing who was responsible for her state. As much as he tried, he was unable to find answers to his questions.
When Elizabeth and Darcy arrived, the initial moments were tense and uncomfortable. Elizabeth introduced her relations to Darcy, and finally, her aunt embraced her with affection.
“My dearest Lizzy, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you here. My heartiest congratulations to you and Mr. Darcy on your engagement,” Mrs. Gardiner said with warmth.
Darcy and Elizabeth thanked her and sat down. Elizabeth’s cousins were overjoyed to see her, and she handed them the gifts she had brought.
Mr. Gardiner said very little, and Darcy could see him silently observing them.
“I assume Lord Anderson is also here,” her uncle asked Darcy.
“Yes, he is.”
“As far as I know, Sarah never mentioned his name.”
“Did you know, Mrs. Lewis?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, of course! She was the companion to both Fanny and Sarah for many years. But when I returned, she was no longer employed here.”
“Didn’t you try to seek her out and find something about my mother’s visit to Scotland?”
“Elizabeth, to be honest with you, I was unaware of this detail. I was under the impression that whoever Sarah was in love with was from town, and I didn’t know why I was kept in the dark about this. I know one thing for sure: Fanny definitely had something to do with this. She married Mr. Bennet as soon as I returned, and they lived with us until my father died. After that, we sold the house, and Mr. Bennet and Fanny moved to Hertfordshire after Jane was born, and they took you to raise you as their own.”
“Mr. Gardiner, do you have any details of where Mrs. Lewis resided.”
“No. As I mentioned, she stayed with our family in our house for many years. When I returned, she was no longer here, and I don’t think she lived in town, but I will do my best to find out now.”
“I have already started the process, and my cousin has been trying to find any leads regarding her,” Darcy said.
After some time, Elizabeth’s aunt took her upstairs while Mr. Gardiner and Darcy left for the study.
“Lizzy, all this is so very sudden, but I am so happy for you. Though we were never acquainted, as I grew up in Lambton, I know very well how well-respected the Darcys are. I was initially worried when you wrote about your engagement but then understood that he was aware of your identity.”
“He did not initially, but then he was in Hertfordshire recently and found the truth about who I was.”
“Did he meet your parents? I mean…” she stammered.
“Yes, he is acquainted with the Bennets.”
“We have severed ties with them after the last time we confronted them. But I was very sad to part from Mary.”
“I miss her so dearly, and I am happy at the prospect of seeing her soon,” she said, wondering what Darcy was discussing with her uncle.
In the study, Darcy and Mr. Gardiner tried their best to understand each other’s concerns regarding Elizabeth. Mr. Gardiner intended to hear from Darcy about his intentions towards his niece. On the other hand, Darcy wanted to know more about the past, hoping to find something to aid his search.
“So, once you understood who Elizabeth was, you left for Derbyshire?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“Yes, I did. As much as I wanted to confront the Bennets, I wanted to return to Derbyshire to meet her and understand her feelings for me.”
“You may deem me someone who gave up on her, but that is not true. I was unmarried when she was born, and I thought Fanny could raise her better as a Bennet. But it was a grave mistake; I repent it now.”
“I understand Elizabeth’s mother did not reveal anything about her love or travel to Scotland, but didn’t your father mention this?”
“He did not, and I do not know why. All of us were angry with her at that point, and she shut us off completely. Believe me, Mr. Darcy, I tried my best to find out who ruined her, but I could not. I am so guilty of accusing her of being immoral while she was married to him and did not have the child out of wedlock. Elizabeth cited the same reason for denying my request to stay with us instead of being employed in Ashton Park. I need to meethim; I cannot tell you how angry I am with him for what he did to my sister.”
“As unacceptable as they are, he has his reasons. According to him and the letters, she wanted to end the relationship with him.”
