Page 57 of The Governess of My Heart
“The pleasure is mine,” she replied.
As the carriage left, Darcy could sense sadness on his sister’s face.
“Georgi, you will see your friend in a few days; do not be so forlorn.”
“Yes, of course,” Georgiana said and looked forward to her next visit to Ashton Park.
In the carriage, Elizabeth sat in deep thought.
He seems perfectly cordial to me. Why did he behave like that at the bookstore? Maybe he is just acting for the sake of his sister.
She contemplated Darcy’s character till they reached Ashton Park until she got tired of herown thoughts.
Chapter 20
It was two weeks since Elizabeth’s first visit to Pemberley. Since then, Darcy and Georgiana had dined at Ashton Park a few times. Whenever Elizabeth was in Darcy’s company, she felt unsettled by his presence; even though they conversed cordially amongst company, Elizabeth could sense some scrutiny in his gaze.
Maybe he disapproves of my friendship with his sister.
The truth was, Darcy admired her. He found her very intelligent, and her interactions with Georgiana were sensible and kind. He could see that his sister was happier when she was around Elizabeth.
He silently observed Elizabeth’s interactions with the children, and she reminded him of his mother. Her approach was kind but firm, and Darcy admired how patiently she dealt with their curious questions. He was intrigued by how different she was from other women he met in his social circles.
But oddly, he felt there was more to her past than she revealed.
Her manners signify that she is well-bred. She seems well-educated. How long could she have worked as a governess at such a young age?
Darcy met her a couple of times on the trails when he was on his morning ride; there was nothing but a formal exchange between them on such occasions.
He could sense that she was uncomfortable in his company and attributed it to the fact that she did not forgive him for his rudeness at the bookstore. He wanted to apologize to her but weighed the outcome of such an act.
What if it alters the current cordial relationship that I have with her?We may end up arguing again, but what if that ruins her friendship with Georgiana?
He hesitated, not wanting to have another uncomfortable conversation with her. Days passed, and Elizabeth and the Ashton family were invited to have tea in Pemberley one weekend.
Edmund and Emily ran around the house in excitement as they had not visited Pemberley for many months.
“Mrs. Davidson, I do not want them to behave in such a way. I suggest you and Miss Smith keep them in order,” Lady Isabella cried as they entered the house.
“I do not think Miss Smith is invited as the governess here, my dear, as she has been invited as a friend of Georgiana. I don’t think you can demand her to care for the children. If you find it taxing to see them run around, you can take them upstairs with their nanny. But I can see that you are not thrilled by the prospect of spending time with them,” she said calmly.
Her daughter-in-law tried her best to calm her anger, but Elizabeth felt uncomfortable.
“Madam, Miss Darcy tells me that there are toys in the nursery. Maybe the children can spend some time there, and I keep them company,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes! There are many toys in the nursery,” Georgiana said.
Lady Martha agreed, and after tea, Georgiana and Elizabeth took the children to the nursery.
“This is a beautiful room, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said with admiration.
The walls were painted in a light shade of pink, and the curtains had intricate embroidery of roses. There were several dolls to play with, and Emily picked them up with excitement.
“My mother did the decorations for the nursery. She spent a lot of time embroidering and knitting clothes for me, andmy brother said she somehow knew I would be a girl. I have often seen him sit here in the evenings. Both my father and Fitzwilliam were devastated by her loss; as for me, I never knew her. But to date, Fitzwilliam tells me everything about her,” Georgiana said.
Elizabeth pondered on what she had heard. She could not imagine the stern-looking Darcy sitting in a girlish nursery.
There must be another side to this haughty man.
