Page 62 of The Governess of My Heart
Elizabeth and Georgiana conversed about various topics, and the Ashtons joined them later.
“You could stay for dinner, Lady Martha,” Georgiana pressed again.
“We have already stayed longer than planned, my dear. We must return to Ashton Park before another rainstorm starts,” she said, looking at the gloomy sky.
Georgiana held Elizabeth’s hand as they left.
“I cannot express how happy I am to have you stay here,” Georgiana said with warmth.
Darcy stood next to his sister and felt the same way. He assisted Lady Isabella and Lady Martha into the carriage, and the children kissed him goodbye.
Elizabeth was the last to be handed in, and Darcy felt strange about parting from her. He felt as if she belonged with him in Pemberley. He handed her into the carriage, unable to let go.
“Please take care of yourself; I will call on you soon,” he said in a whisper, just audible to her.
Elizabeth sat down and stared at him; glad no one had heard what he said. She was baffled by the way he behaved.
As for Darcy, he cursed himself for his lack of control, and Georgiana looked at his frowning face.
“Is something wrong, Brother?” she asked him.
“No!”
“You look worried. Are the roads bad for travel? Is that what you are worried about?” she asked innocently.
“There is nothing concerning; please do not worry.”
They walked into the house, and Darcy felt an emptiness within himself. He had never felt this way with any woman before. Her presence gave him comfort, and the moment sheleft, he felt devastated. He finally realized he was in love, and the feeling tormented him.
He locked himself in the study for a good part of the morning, struggling to come up with a reason to think otherwise.
***
Elizabeth reached Ashton Park and felt unwell. She had a terrible headache, and Lady Martha wanted her to rest.
Her mind replayed the incident in the library over and over again, and Darcy’s face flashed through her mind.
Why was his behavior so altered? The last thing I need from him is his sympathy. Is he toying with me?Maybe he suspects something about my identity and wants to taunt me?
A million thoughts raced through her mind.
How long can I go on this way? I may have made the wrong decision to work here. But everything was all right before I met this man.
Confused and angry, she walked to the cupboard, reached for the leather box on the shelf, and looked at her mother’s jewelry.
Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming anger at the man who had given it to her, the man who had ruined her. She hated him; she hated her father.
In a fit of anger, she flung the box across the room, and it hit the wall and fell. As the chain flew out of the box and landed on the floor, Elizabeth collapsed to the floor and cried. She felt furious at herself and her situation.
Elizabeth looked at the chain on the floor and reached for it, crying.
She did not know why her mother wanted her to have it, and she picked up the box and placed the chain inside. Just as she was about to close the box, Elizabeth noticed that the lining at the bottom had shifted.
She pulled the base and was surprised to find another compartment inside where she found an old piece of paper. She hurriedly opened it and realized it was a letter.
Elizabeth read it eagerly.
Dear Sarah,
