Page 59 of The Governess of My Heart
Georgiana entered the study within a few minutes and sensed that her brother was tense.
“Fitzwilliam, what is wrong?” she asked with concern.
“Nothing.”
“Were you looking for me?”
“Yes! We should invite our guests to stay for dinner and also for the night. The storm looks bad, and letting them take the carriage back to Ashton Park in such weather is not advisable.”
“Of course! I will,” Georgiana said with excitement and left.
Darcy struggled to compose himself and did not understand why he felt so unsettled after the incident. He joined the others in the drawing room, and his eyes immediately fell on Elizabeth.She did not look up from her book, and Darcy could not determine how she felt.
“Fitzwilliam, Lady Martha has agreed to stay for supper,” Georgiana exclaimed.
“I hope the storm should pass by then,” Lady Martha said.
“It does not look so, mother. Even if it does, the roads will not be favorable for us to travel,” Lord Ashton said.
“I insist that you all stay here for the night,” Darcy said, and Georgiana pressed them to stay.
It was decided that they would stay for the night. Meanwhile, Elizabeth tried her best to compose herself after the encounter in the library.
She could not forgive herself for betraying her fear to him. The moment Darcy walked into the library, she instinctively reacted as fear overtook her whole body. The incident she thought she had erased from her memory returned to haunt her like a demon.
The words Darcy said before he left echoed in her mind.
“Forgive me for intruding on your privacy.”
What would he think of me? I must have made him feel like a rake.He knew that I feared his presence and left me alone. How am I to even converse with him cordially?
She wondered, and by the time Georgiana returned, she had composed herself. She had returned to the parlor, dreading to see Darcy. Now, she felt his gaze upon her and did not dare to look in his direction.
Georgiana left with Mrs. Reynolds to look after preparations for their stay, and Elizabeth excused herself and headed to the nursery.
The children still played happily, and Elizabeth informed Mrs. Davidson they would stay for the night.
“Do you think the change of place will make it difficult for them to sleep?” Elizabeth asked her.
“I do not think Edmund should have a problem, but Emily always finds it difficult to sleep in a different place.”
Georgiana joined them, happy with the prospect of their unexpected stay.
“I have made all the arrangements, and I am so glad to have you as our guest today,” Georgiana said.
Elizabeth smiled weakly as the last thing she wanted was to spend the night in Pemberley. Lady Martha had asked Elizabeth whether she would be comfortable staying for the night, and she had no choice but to agree.
During supper, Elizabeth had to face Darcy as he stood by the stairs as Elizabeth and Georgiana walked down.
Elizabeth had no choice but to meet his eye. However, she expected the same scrutinizing look from him, but there was nothing but concern on his face.
As for Darcy, he looked at her, and her beautiful eyes lacked sparkle.
He offered his arm and led them into the dining room. Elizabeth tried her best to relax, but she could not. She felt that fate mocked and exposed all her follies to him. She cursed herself for how she had behaved in the library.
After supper, Georgiana showed Elizabeth her room, and she was surprised to find it in the family wing.
“Should I not stay in the guest wing, Miss Darcy?” she asked.
