Page 150 of The Governess of My Heart
“Please stay within the vicinity of the house. If you happen to walk farther away, you must take a maid along with you,” Lady Martha said as they headed outside.
Darcy sighed.
“No matter how tough the situation is, she doesn’t forget to warn me about being alone with you,” he said with irritation as they walked out.
To his surprise, Elizabeth laughed; it was music to his ears.
“It is so amusing to see both of you this way, and I wish I did not have to think about other matters and could enjoy this until our wedding.”
“You find it amusing that she keeps insisting on us having a chaperone?” he asked with a frown.
“No, that seems like a sensible thing from her point of view; the way you are reacting to it makes it very amusing,” she said, smiling.
“I think she does not trust me around you, and I am glad she is not accompanying us to town. I wish you could stay with me in our townhouse.”
“You very well know it would not be appropriate.”
Darcy wanted to argue that since Lord Anderson was staying with him, it would not be questioned if she stayed at his house.But he did not say anything, understanding that Elizabeth would never accept the argument, and would anger her even more.
“What happened? Are you upset?” Elizabeth asked him.
“No, honestly, I do not want to leave you alone. I would be much more peaceful to have you under my protection.”
“I am safe here; you must not worry.”
“It is easy for you to say, Elizabeth. Did you eat? You look pale.”
“I did, and I am well.”
“If you feel lonely here, I can ask Georgiana to stay with you. You need not be alone in the nights.”
Elizabeth suddenly stopped walking and looked at him earnestly.
“Fitzwilliam, I promise you, come what may, I will not decide to end my life; I know you are worried about that,” she said, witnessing the shock on Darcy’s face.
At that moment, Darcy did not care who was looking. He pulled her into an embrace, and Elizabeth felt his heartbeat as she rested her head on his chest.
Despite everything she had experienced in life so far, she wanted to live only for him, as she loved him beyond her own life.
***
Lady Martha watched the shock on everyone’s face as she revealed the details about her brother and Elizabeth. She had summoned her son, daughter-in-law, and her parents to reveal the information. She contemplated keeping Lady Isabella’s parents away from the truth. But soon realized it was a grave injustice to Elizabeth and her late mother to keep this a secret from anybody any longer.
“Mother, what are you saying? Is Miss Smith my cousin? And she was employed here all this while in disguise,” Lord Ashton asked.
“It was not disguise; she had to assume an alternate name as she had left her home because of mistreatment by her parents.”
“But why didn’t you tell me? You kept this a secret from me for so many months. I cannot believe it.”
“I did it to protect her.”
“No, you did it because you did not trust me. Ever since I married Isabella, you have been this way.”
“Enough Philip. This is not about you or us. I called you all here about my brother and Elizabeth. And, yes, Miss Smith is now Miss Elizabeth Anderson, and she is your cousin and part of our family. I hope you will treat her with respect.”
“You are still worried about me treating her with respect? What you should be worried about is the relationship between us. After hiding such a big secret from me all these months, how do you expect me to live in this house peacefully? You have fooled me; I trusted you in everything, Mother. But after my marriage, you do not have the same regard for me and have been so hostile towards my wife. I cannot believe you are capable of this; I no longer trust you, and if you feel I am cruel in saying this, so be it. I no longer have the affection I had for you as a mother. I cannot trust anyone who lies to me and can never forgive you,” he cried and stomped out of the room.
Lady Martha was tortured by her son’s outburst. She looked at Lady Isabella, assuming she would be delighted with his contempt. Surprisingly, she saw tears in her daughter-in-law’s eyes, and her parents comforted her.
