Page 78 of The Governess of My Heart
“I do not know, maybe because, for the past week, you have been avoiding me. You barely spoke a few words to me every day,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“Good God! Georgiana, I am so sorry,” he cried, pulling her into his arms.
Georgiana sobbed in his embrace.
“I know you have all the right to be angry with me after what I did.”
“I am not, and what should I do to convince you? I do not blame you, nor am I angry with you. Why don't you believe me, Georgiana? After all these years, do you not trust my words?”
“I did. I thought everything was forgotten. But something has happened now, has it not? Otherwise, why would you avoid me so?”
“I am truly sorry if I made you think so. My mind has been engaged in something unrelated to this matter. You must believe me; I am not upset with you. I never think about Ramsgate and trust me; I have sources following Wickham in London; he will never cross our paths again.”
“What is bothering you then?”
Darcy could not tell her the truth.
“It is something related to business. I have been pressured by some affairs, and I never realized I neglected you because of the same. I am truly sorry.”
“So, you are not angry with me.”
“Of course not. Why did you not come to me before if you thought so? You can ask me anything. You are aware of that, right?”
“She said the same.”
“Who?”
“Miss Smith.”
“Miss Smith?”
“Do not be angry with me. I disclosed the Ramsgate incident to her; please trust me, I did not plan to. She comforted me today when I was upset, and I felt better after sharing it with her.”
Darcy was shocked.
“What did she say?”
“I know you always said I was not to blame, and I thought you said so to comfort me. But when Miss Smith said the same, I felt relieved.”
She quickly explained about the nature of their conversation.
“So, she did not want to advise you on opening up to me?”
“She did not. She said it was not fair for her to interfere between us. She really respects you a lot and said so many times.”
Darcy could not believe what he had heard.
After abusing me to my face, could she easily lie to Georgiana? If she said she respects me at all, then what about her anger the other day? How could that be possible?
“Was it wrong for me to tell her the truth, Brother?” Georgiana asked, worried to see his expression.
“No, it was not, and I trust Miss Smith for confidentiality. She cares for you, and I can see her genuine regard for you. She values the person you are and does not favor you because of your wealth or status.”
“I am aware of it. Since the day I met her, I could sense her genuine warmth. I am glad she came to Derbyshire.”
Darcy had to stop himself from declaring the same. From the conversation with his sister, he realized he had a hope of redemption in her eyes.
That night, he thought about Georgiana's confession. He realized that his shy sister had finally found a genuine friend and could not stop imagining them as sisters in the future.
