Page 89 of The Governess of My Heart
“It is indeed a beautiful property, sir. We are happy to see it occupied again.”
Sir William joined them.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, I hope you enjoy Mary's company. She is one of the wisest I know for her age,” he said.
Mary looked embarrassed, and Darcy smiled at her, understanding that this was not the first time Sir William had said something like this.
“Why do you not dance, Mr. Darcy?” he asked.
“I have no intention of dancing, sir. I do not enjoy it much.”
“Oh! You must. You have so many pretty girls to choose from.”
Darcy politely declined and excused himself. Mary could see the truth in her sister’s description of him. He seemed proud and indifferent, but she caught a glimpse of his true self when he smiled at her.
I must write to Lizzy and ask her why he is here.
The rest of the evening passed swiftly. Darcy returned home tired and wanted to leave Hertfordshire soon.
However, he was also worried about his friend. From his observation of Jane and Mr. Bingley, he was pretty certain that his friend was falling for someone who did not have genuine feelings for him.
He hoped his friend’s interest would be short-lived, as in several previous circumstances, but to his worry, later that night, Mr. Bingley proved him wrong.
“I think I like Miss Bennet a lot.”
“Really?” Darcy asked with irritation.
“I know I have said this before, but she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I need to trust my heart and feelings from now on.”
“I say you trust your instinct.”
“I will. I love spending time with her, Darcy, and she is interested in knowing about me. She asked so much about my life in town.”
I bet it was to know how many houses you own there.
Darcy thought and retired, well aware that he would not get much sleep.
A few miles away in Longbourn, Mary sat down to write a letter to her beloved sister, with many questions about Darcy’s presence in Hertfordshire.
Chapter 30
The first night she spent in Grovnor Park, Elizabeth tossed and turned in her bed and was certain that she would not be able to sleep. She missed her room in Ashton Park, and her reception at Grovnor Park was nothing but formal and cold.
Lady Isabella’s parents were not pleased with the arrival of the children, along with the couple.
They had nothing much to say to Elizabeth. She spent some time helping the children settle down in the new place. Mrs. Davidson was grateful for her assistance as Edmund was restless in the new house. She hoped the children would get accustomed to the change soon.
Even though it was only for a month, Elizabeth knew her time in Grovnor Park would be stressful. She knew nobody wanted her there except Lord Ashton.
She often wondered what was wrong with Lady Isabella and whether she held a secret. Her mind was restless and she hated herself for inflicting pain on the man she loved and respected.
She did not know when she would see him again.
I am certain that he will return to Pemberley sometime. How am I to even face him when I return to Ashton Park?
Before leaving, she had written to Mary and mentioned Darcy’s proposal and why she had refused him.
Elizabeth often wondered how her life would have been had she not left Longbourn. However, she contemplated her prospects and was certain that she could never live under the same roof as her parents, who betrayed her in every way.
