Page 108 of The Governess of My Heart
Sometimes, she wondered if Darcy would return and marry someone like Miss Anderson. The thought tortured her beyond measure, and her heart whispered that it would be difficult for him to forget her. She felt selfish for not wanting him to marry anyone else.
I have wounded him enough, and if he could forget me and marry someone else, I must be happy for him. He deserves all happiness, something that I can never give him.
She did not know how she would feel to see him again. As much as she hated the prospect, apart of her wanted to see him, be in his company, feel the warmth of his gaze, and know if he still loved her.
“Miss Elizabeth, why can we not come to the harvest ball?” Edmund asked, bringing her back to reality.
“Well, because it will be tiring for you as the guests stay at the ball beyond your bedtime.”
“But I want to come, so does Emily.”
Elizabeth smiled and explained to them that when they were older, they could attend balls. Suddenly, Emily started crying.
“Mamma might have taken us, and I want her. Why did she die?”
Elizabeth was too stunned to speak. She held Emily close and comforted her.
“Emily, please do not cry. I will see if we can take you both this time, and your father may agree.”
The little girl sobbed without control, and Elizabeth felt helpless. Georgiana entered just then and was shocked to see Emily crying.
“Oh! God! What happened?”
Elizabeth quickly explained the situation.
“Emily, you can attend the ball, and all of you can stay in Pemberley. I promise,” Georgiana assured.
They pacified the little girl and continued with the lessons. Georgiana and Elizabeth both understood their feelings. Being deprived of a mother’s love in different ways made it easy for them to comprehend what the twins underwent at such a young age.
Georgiana made it a customary habit to spend time with Elizabeth when she was doing her lessons, as it offered privacy for them to be together without Miss Anderson.
“It is indeed sad; it has been so many months, yet the children cannot forget their mother.”
“It is not an easy task, Miss Darcy.”
“Lady Sophia was very lively, just like you. She always spent time with them, but now...” she stopped and motioned Elizabeth to the window, not wanting children to hear them.
“But?”
“Lady Isabella does not favor their company. Don’t you think so?”
Elizabeth was silent.
“I know you do not like to gossip. I have hardly heard you talk ill of anybody. But you must hear my thoughts; Lady Isabella was very attached to them before Lady Sophia’s death and adored the children.”
“Really?” Elizabeth asked in surprise.
“Yes, though we were surprised by the sudden marriage between Lord Ashton and her, Fitzwilliam and I were happy that the children had someone to love in place of their mother. But since the wedding, she has been withdrawn, especially with them. Why would she be so?”
“Relationships such as these need more time; we cannot judge Lady Isabella’s feelings in this situation.”
“But, don’t you find it strange? She almost seems to avoid them.”
Elizabeth almost revealed her thoughts about the mystery surrounding Lady Isabella to Georgiana but decided against it.
I still do not have any proof of the weird happenings.
Before she left that day, Georgiana personally invited all of them to the ball, including Elizabeth. The ball was in two weeks, and Elizabeth could sense that Georgiana was nervous about it.
