Page 138 of The Governess of My Heart
Chapter 41
“Elizabeth, stop!” Darcy cried out as he ran after her. However, she rushed out of the library, unable to stand in Lord Anderson’s presence. She ran up the stairs, not knowing where she was going. She was aware that Darcy was behind her but did not stop. She ran to the upper floor, unable to find her way to her room; she opened the door to the music room and rushed inside.
Darcy finally caught up to her and shut the door behind him.
“Elizabeth, are you all right?” he cried, unable to bear her suffering. He caught her arm and swung her around.
However, she pushed him away. She cried uncontrollably, and Darcy did not know what to do.
“This is why I refused your proposal the first time. I knew I could never make you happy, Fitzwilliam; see what has happened.”
Darcy did not understand what she said.
“I did not imagine in my wildest dreams that this evening would end like this,” she sobbed. “I wanted to know the truth about my past but never imagined it would be this cruel.”
“Please do not cry. I am there for you.”
“No! I can never let you be peaceful; my past will always haunt me and haunt us. You don’t deserve to endure the misery that is attached to me. I should have never agreed to marry you, and you do not deserve to face this battle with me.”
Now, Darcy was angry.
“Enough!” he cried, pulling her close to him. His eyes gleamed with anger as he stared at Elizabeth with rage.
“How could you say this? How many times do I have to prove my love to you? Whatever you term your misery, if not yoursalone, is ours. For heaven’s sake, Elizabeth, we are engaged, and you mean the whole world to me. Don’t you dare push me away, do you understand?” he cried, shaking her to bring her back to her senses.
Elizabeth stared at him, finally realizing the torment she had caused him. She fell into his arms and sobbed.
“I am so sorry; I do not know what came over me,” she cried.
Darcy felt anguished by her suffering. He allowed her to cry her heart out as moonlight filtered through the windows.
Finally, Elizabeth calmed down, and Darcy lifted her chin and locked his eyes with hers. His heart ached to see her tears.
“I love you, Elizabeth. By now, you must know that I cannot imagine a life without you. Come what may, I will stand by you, and we are in this together. Can you trust me?”
“I do. I was so happy this evening because I could see the same happiness in your eyes. But I never anticipated this evening to end this way.”
“I am still happy; nothing can take away the happiness you have given me since the day you agreed to marry me and acknowledged your love. It pains me to see your distress, but trust me, we will sail through this together.”
“I cannot bear the accusations by that man. He is lying; my mother would have never demanded money, and everything he states is falsehood.”
Darcy was silent.
“Fitzwilliam, say something; do you believe him?” she asked in horror.
“Something seems wrong; I do not believe everything he states. But his side of the story is still unclear. I am going to meet him now, after leaving you with Georgiana. I am really concerned about your health; you do not look well at all.”
“I don’t know what else he could state regarding his relationship with my mother.”
“Listen to me; I will get to the bottom of this. I want you to rest now. You fainted some time ago, and I cannot allow your health to suffer.”
“It was because of the shock; I am well and please do not worry.”
“Can I take you upstairs now?” he asked, unwillingly to part from her. He wished they were married, as he did not want to sleep away from her that night.
Elizabeth nodded, and Darcy wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead gently.
They left together and met an anxious Georgiana in her room.
