Page 202 of The Governess of My Heart
“Lady Anderson, for six months, I have lived thinking that my mother birthed me out of wedlock, but I could not hate her, nor could I criticize her actions. I defended her against every accusation thrown my way. If I could not do it to my mother, neither could I do it to you,” she said, and Lady Anderson was speechless.
“I wish things were not like this for you. Mark should have married Sarah, and you would have had his love and protectionsince childhood. I am truly sorry for what has happened. All this while, the only thing that worried me was accepting you into our family, but now I understand it is the other way around. Would you have the heart to accept me as a part of your life? I am truly ashamed of what I said to you and how I have treated you since the day we met. You have taught me a lesson for life, Elizabeth; though late, it will take me to the grave as a better human being.”
Elizabeth smiled.
“You are his wife; though he states he was unhappy to marry you, both of you gave him a purpose in life, to live. I forgive you and I am glad that you will be a part of my future. After spending months feeling like an orphan, God has been kind to me, and I am now surrounded by people who care for me.”
“I spitefully declared that you will never be happy with Mr. Darcy in the future, and I take back my words. If someone as kind-hearted as you cannot be happy, I wonder who will. You will be very happy and be blessed with many children. I assure you,” she said, and to Elizabeth’s astonishment, Lady Anderson kissed her forehead.
***
“Elizabeth, listen to me. I do not care about what anyone would say; you are coming with me to Pemberley. I cannot leave you here,” Darcy argued, pressing her to leave with him later that day.
“I cannot; please do not press me. We hardly have ten days for the wedding.”
“Exactly! You are not safe here. You convinced me not to take any action against her, and if she is going to live in the same house, I cannot leave you here.”
“Fitzwilliam, please stop speaking like this; you will hurt my father beyond measure. Miss Anderson can’t do anything to me; what she did was done without thought, and I understand she isfeeling unwell and is in bed. Please, let us not create unwanted tension.”
“She tried to kill you, and you want me to let you live here? However, she feels now does not matter to me; it might be an act, and she may be planning something.”
“Did my father speak with you regarding this?”
“He did, and he thanked me for not involving the authorities. I explicitly told him you were the only reason for my decision.”
“Did he assure you I will be safe here?” she asked.
“He did.”
“Then, I trust him and want you to do the same. I understand your concern for my safety, but please do not think I am disrespecting you. I assure you that I feel safe here with my father while you need to be in Pemberley receiving the guests and helping Georgiana. I am well now and should be able to leave the room today.”
“You will not do anything like that. You will rest until you are well, and I forbid you from leaving your room.”
“Why don’t you just lock me inside and leave your valet out to guard the room?” she asked with irritation.
“That seems like a good idea,” he said for a moment, thinking about the possibility.
“Fitzwilliam, you do not understand the amount of pressure you are putting on me now,” she cried.
Georgiana intervened, unable to watch them argue.
“Elizabeth, please calm down. You must not strain yourself,” she said, worried about her health and well-being. Finally, she convinced her brother to leave Ashton Park, but Darcy was not very happy about it.
“Lady Martha, I trust you; please do not let her be alone. I do not want Lady Anderson’s daughter anywhere near Elizabeth. You cannot imagine how much it pains me to leave her now,” he said as he left.
Meanwhile, Lord Anderson sat with his wife to have a painful discussion.
“I know you cannot forgive her. Neither can I, but Elizabeth does,” Lady Anderson said to her husband.
“How can I forgive her? I might have lost both of you in the fire,” he cried in agony, “And now she knows the truth about her birth, and I am not certain if she will ever recover from this; you have only fueled her hatred with the declaration.”
“I do not think so; I think being aware of the truth will make her understand what a privileged life she has led so far. She is in a state of shock now, but I hope she will regret her actions. I promise you; she cannot harm Elizabeth anymore.”
“Her actions question her upbringing, and we must be ashamed of the same.”
“Leave yourself out of this, Mark. If someone is to blame, it is me, and I will do everything I can to correct her flaws,” she said with resolve.
Lord Anderson felt conflicted, torn between the moral responsibility to punish her and fighting the need to forgive her. But he was not willing to compromise on Elizabeth’s safety.
