Page 176 of The Governess of My Heart
Elizabeth did not doubt her identity either.
Mrs. Lewis!
Chapter 50
“Elizabeth, allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Lewis. She has been your mother’s most trusted companion since childhood,” Mr. Gardiner said, trying to keep a neutral tone. The room was stunned by her presence.
Darcy could not believe his eyes and wondered how Mr. Gardiner had made the discovery. Mrs. Lewis walked slowly towards Lord Anderson.
“You remember me, don’t you, Lord Anderson? I still cannot believe how you could forsake Sarah after your marriage, and from what I hear, you did so because she wanted it. I did not even get a chance to say goodbye to her after her death. She loved you deeply and never wanted to marry anyone else; how could you believe she wanted to marry Thomas Bennet? I wish I had never brought her to Yorkshire that year and never agreed to your marriage,” she cried, her body trembling as she struggled to stand. Elizabeth was immediately beside her to aid the old woman.
“How did you find her?” Darcy asked Mr. Gardiner.
“I found her address here but could not trace her beyond that, just like your cousin. Then I reached out to some of my father’s old acquaintances in town, and one of them still employed a cook who knew someone related to Mrs. Lewis. With her help, I was able to find her whereabouts; I traveled to Norfolk and finally found her living in a distant relative’s place.”
Elizabeth offered some water to the old woman, and she smiled.
“You resemble her in all ways, and I still cannot believe she died so young,” Mrs. Lewis said with feeling.
“Why did you leave your employment?” Elizabeth asked.
“Once the late Mr. Gardiner found out that she was pregnant, he was furious with her and somehow understood that I was responsible for her condition as well. He threatened me to reveal the truth about Lord Anderson’s identity, but I could not. Sarah never wanted anyone to know. Mr. Gardiner was furious with me and immediately relieved me of my employment, and I was not allowed to contact Sarah in any way,” Mrs. Lewis said.
“Then how did you send the letters? I still have each one, and the envelopes have your name on them,” Lord Anderson asked.
“I may have unknowingly become a part of the cruellest deceit ever. Yes, I did send the letters Sarah wrote to you, but I promise you she never wanted to end the relationship; she was your wife and carried your child, so how could she?”
“Mrs. Lewis, I am certain my uncle has conveyed why we have been looking for you. You were my only hope of understanding what happened to my mother after her marriage. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to see you. Whatever the truth is, I want to hear it, and I cannot thank you enough for accompanying my uncle here,” Elizabeth pleaded.
“Honestly, my dear, I never wanted to set foot in town again. I have been guilty of ruining a young girl’s life because I trusted her heart and her love for the man, she thought would never forsake her.”
Mrs. Lewis seemed to be transported to the past as she closed her eyes remembering the young girl she raised.
The entire room sat in anticipation, waiting for her to continue. Lord Anderson looked at Elizabeth, and for the first time, she did not avoid his gaze; she looked directly into his eyes, silently conveying that the day had finally come for him to realize his mistake.
“I was employed with Edward’s family ever since they were young. I have been the companion of both girls since childhood and have seen them become beautiful young women. Sarah wasvery fond of me as well, and she looked at me as a mother more than a companion. The late Mr. Gardiner could not spend much time with the children due to his business, which was in trouble for many years. He entrusted both Sarah and Fanny to me. When Edward left abroad, the family became acquainted with Mr. Thomas Bennet. He immediately liked Sarah and conveyed his wishes to court and marry her.
Along with his proposal, he promised Mr. Gardiner that he would take care of his current debts. However, Sarah was not willing to marry him as she wanted to marry for love. But Mr. Bennet was persistent in his regard, and many months passed. Then, we met Lord Anderson, who was introduced to us as Mark Andrews, a traveler without subsequent connections or wealth. We met him at several social gatherings, and Sarah fell in love with him. She promised me not to say anything to her father, and Fanny did not suspect anything then. However, he did not disclose his original identity and left for Scotland, promising to return to claim her hand. As you all are already aware, she wrote to him through me, and I sent those letters to his address in Scotland. Sarah could not stand the pressure from her father to marry Mr. Bennet, and that was when we traveled to my aunt’s house in the North of England for a month. We saw him there by chance, and he disclosed his original identity to us, and they got married in Scotland as per Sarah’s wishes. She was very stubborn in her intuition; she thought that once they were married, nothing could separate them. I accept my fault as I should have never allowed it. Lord Anderson was certain that he would be able to convince his parents and return to London,” she said and stopped to look at him.
“But once we returned, he wrote stating his mother was unwell and that his father did not consent to the match; he wanted Sarah to wait for him.”
“I had only one choice before me then; I had to disown my family and leave my dying mother and travel to London, which I could not do, so I wrote to Sarah stating the same,” Lord Anderson said.
“You did, and she understood you. But once she was aware that she was with a child, she had no choice but to request you to acknowledge everything and speak to her father. Sarah had no doubt that you would come, but you broke her heart.”
“Mrs. Lewis, I never knew that she was enceinte. Clearly, her sister has forged the letters, and I don’t understand how she did it if you sent them.”
“Both Sarah and I trusted Fanny in this. Since I was forbidden to see Sarah, Fanny would bring her letters to me, and I would post them. When I left the Gardiner household, Sarah assured me she trusted Fanny and would send the letters through her.”
“Didn’t you doubt her? Didn’t you read any of them before sending them to my fath…” Elizabeth bit her lip and continued, “To him?”
“My dear, I did read the first one she sent through Fanny to make certain, and Sarah had written about her being with child in that letter. I did not read the rest.”
“I never received it. Do you have the letters with you?” Lord Anderson asked Elizabeth.
She nodded and handed them over to Lord Anderson. He quickly found the one he needed and handed it to Mrs. Lewis.
“This is the first one I received stating that she wanted to marry Thomas Bennet and accusing me of ruining her life.”
