Page 101 of The Governess of My Heart
But he did not know why; he approached Mary and asked if she would dance with him.
Mary was shocked and did not know what to say, and the music had already started.
She agreed and accompanied him onto the dance floor. Jane and Miss Bingley looked at them and fumed, and Mrs. Bennet could not believe her eyes.
Mary found it difficult to dance with Darcy, as she had to contain too many emotions inside her. She was afraid that she would blurt out the secret to him.
Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth is my sister. She loves you deeply as well.
She wanted to say, but she was wise enough to know that it was not that simple.
Darcy found Mary to be shy, and she tried hard to keep up with the pace of the dance.
“Miss Mary, I hope I am not going fast. Are you comfortable with the pace?” he asked out of concern.
“I am all right, sir. I am not used to dancing that much,” she said.
“Oh! I see. If you are not comfortable, I understand. I could lead you back to your friends.”
“Oh, no! I did not mean it that way. I rarely get asked for a dance. So, I never really mastered the steps.”
Darcy looked at her earnestly. There was something in her eyes he could not read. Her eyes expressed distress, and he could not make sense of it.
“I suggest you get used to it. I did enjoy your dance with my friend.”
Mary blushed.
“Thank you, sir,” she said.
“Are you liking Hertfordshire?” she asked again, not knowing what else to say to him.
“I am.”
Mary was silent.
“I will be leaving soon, though,” he added.
“You will head to Derbyshire?”
“I will eventually,” Darcy said.
“I have never left Longbourn much except to visit our uncle in town. I do not know the feeling of being away from home for a long time.”
“It is not easy, Miss Mary. I miss my sister and Eli…” Darcy bit his lip.
He had no idea how he said that to Mary.
“I mean, I miss my sister. I would be happy to be in her company.”
He noticed the shock on Mary’s face.
“I am glad you will head back soon, for your sister’s sake. I know the feeling very well, sir. Sometimes you never realize how much you love them until they leave you,” she said with pain.
Darcy could not understand what she meant. He knew her sisters were not married, and all stayed in Longbourn, so he could not understand whom she referred to.
Jane saw them both and fumed inside.
How could he dance with her? I wonder what enticed him, her preachings? How could she agree to dance with him when she knows I am set on marrying him?
