Page 174 of The Governess of My Heart
“Fitzwilliam, please, do not be angry with them,” Elizabeth cried.
“You cannot go, Lizzy. I am with Mr. Darcy in this,” Charlotte said.
“I have undergone a lot, Charlotte, and I do not believe in holding a grudge or knowingly causing another human being harm. If she is in such a state, I must go and see her if that may help her recover,” she said.
Darcy was not happy with her decision but admired her kindness.
“Lizzy, are you certain about this? Please reconsider your decision.”
“I will be all right, Charlotte. Do not worry,” she said, expressing her wish to see Mrs. Brooks to Darcy and left with them.
Darcy held her hand as she entered the house where she had once been employed, and they were led to the upper floor where she met the children.
“Miss Smith!” they cried and ran up to her. Elizabeth hugged them with warmth.
“I am glad you both remember me,” she said with happiness.
“We do and all that you have taught us,” Adam said.
“Are you going to teach us again?” Clara asked with excitement.
“Clara, you cannot ask that…” her father stopped her.
“It is all right. Unfortunately, I cannot, but I hear you have a new governess now.”
“We do, but she does not allow us to do anything except lessons. I want to paint and draw,” Clara declared.
It was difficult for Elizabeth to say goodbye to the children, but she had promised Darcy to keep the visit short. She tried hard to compose herself as she entered Mrs. Brooks’ room.
For a bright morning, the room was dark as all the curtains were drawn. Mrs. Brooks sat up as she saw Elizabeth enter. The expression on her face was blank, and Elizabeth noticed that she looked leaner and pale.
“So, you came after all? I was certain you never would; I told my husband the same,” she said with an expression of disbelief.
“Why would you say that?”
“You cannot possibly forgive me, Miss Smith. I do not know why you came.”
“How are you feeling?” Elizabeth asked.
“I don’t want to live and cannot forget that night. I considered him my brother, and he tried to ruin me in this same room. If my husband had not saved me that night, I would probably have ended my life in shame. I failed to protect an innocent woman under my care and paid the price. You left this house heartbroken, and I can never forgive myself for doubting your words. Did I do just that? No, I believed what he said and accused you of trapping him. I cannot tell you how much I regret my actions; I am not fit to be a mother. I was ashamed to ask this before, but can you forgive me?”
“I can, but you need to forgive yourself more than anything. I lived here for a few weeks, and you made a stranger like mefeel safe and happy. You trusted me with two beautiful children; what happened later was unfortunate. I was indeed angry with you for not trusting me then, but I never in my dreams wanted you to go through something like this to understand the truth,” Elizabeth said and walked up to the bed, held her hand, and allowed her to cry her heart out.
***
That night, when she retired, Elizabeth was emotionally drained, and Charlotte sat with her, not wanting to leave her friend.
“See, that is why I stopped you from going there. It must have been heart-wrenching to relive the horror you underwent, and now you sit here feeling sorry for that woman. I cannot believe you, Lizzy.”
“Charlotte, you must have seen her; I could understand her pain. Imagine being subjected to something like that, and she considered him as her brother.”
“I do not want you to ruin your peace because of her; she brought it upon herself. I have felt so guilty for allowing you to work there; if something had happened to you there, how would I have answered to Mr. Darcy?”
Elizabeth smiled.
“Charlotte, do you hear yourself?”
Charlotte finally realized her words.
