Page 73 of The Governess of My Heart
“I agree with you. It was a delight to watch you, dear. The harvest ball at Pemberley is lively with a lot of dancing and music,” Lady Martha said.
“Oh! Yes! I always look forward to the harvest ball as we invite all the tenants, and it is more informal,” Georgiana exclaimed.
“That sounds wonderful,” Elizabeth replied, having no intention of visiting Pemberley again.
Gladly, she did not see Darcy until Lady Martha’s carriage was ordered, as the men had engaged themselves in the game room for the rest of the evening.
She bowed to Darcy formally when they left, and Darcy said nothing to her, well aware that she hated him with all her heart.
On the way back, he tried his best to pay attention to his sister’s excitement.
“I enjoyed this evening. I am glad Miss Smith was there; otherwise, it would have been very boring.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“You are very kind, brother, and I must thank you.”
“Whatever for?”
“Your gesture to ask Miss Smith to dance with you was so kind and thoughtful.”
“I do not understand you, Georgiana.”
“Why, you knew the other gentlemen may hesitate to ask her for a dance and stepped forward. I am certain Mr. Thorton came forward after seeing you, and she dances beautifully.”
Darcy was silent as he did not want any other justification regarding the matter.
So, she was right. Not only to Elizabeth but to everyone, it must have seemed like I was doing her a favor.
He suddenly realized he had no choice but to openly declare his feelings to her and wait for her to understand his heart.
As for Elizabeth, she sat silently in the carriage on the way back to Ashton Park.
“Next time, if you do not wish to accompany me to such an evening, you just need to be frank with me, my dear,” Lady Martha said calmly.
Elizabeth looked at her in shock.
“Forgive me; I do not understand you.”
“Well, you did not like to dance with the gentlemen, did you? And if I am right, you were annoyed when Fitzwilliam asked for a dance.”
Elizabeth was silent for a few seconds.
“You are indeed a keen observer. Honestly, I have never been excited by these social engagements, nor do I have a reason to detest them. I have accompanied you to many such engagements, but none had dancing. I was not inclined to dance today, and when Mr. Darcy asked me, I was taken by surprise.”
“Did you think he asked you just to please his sister?”
“Is that not obvious?”
“I do not think he asked you because of Georgiana. He hardly enjoys these parties, and Fitzwilliam would never do such a thing to you or anyone. I don’t think it is for his sister’s sake. You both have very similar tastes, like in books, and maybe he wanted to get to know you better.”
Elizabeth was silent.
“Again, Elizabeth, I do not want you to do anything against your comfort or wish, for my sake. But I would also want you to live a life here as a part of our family, as a part of society. I hear nothing but praise from everyone who has made your acquaintance here.”
It was the first time Lady Martha addressed Elizabeth by her Christian name, and she held Elizabeth’s hands.
“I want you to be happy here. Quite selfishly, I could say that I want you to stay in Ashton Park permanently. But that cannot be possible, as you must have a life of your own, and I am certain it will happen.”
