Page 191 of The Governess of My Heart
Darcy meticulously planned every detail regarding the wedding and supervised preparations for the arrival of the guests.
Meanwhile, in Ashton Park, Elizabeth established a routine of spending time with her father whenever possible. However, Lady Anderson and her daughter avoided her company and kept to themselves.
One morning, Lord Anderson and Lady Martha summoned Elizabeth to the study.
“Good morning, my dear!” Lady Martha said.
“Good morning; I understand you both wish to speak with me. Is something wrong?” she asked, observing the look on her father’s face.
“No, nothing is. We wish to discuss something with you and decide accordingly. It is always a tradition to have an engagement party at Ashton Park for any wedding in the family, and we intend to host yours here.”
“Do you think it is necessary? Our engagement was already announced at Pemberley.”
“Well, that is what we would like to discuss,” Lady Martha said. She looked at her brother and continued, “When your engagement was announced, you were addressed as Miss Smith, and now maybe it is time to change that.”
“Elizabeth, I want to declare to the world that you are my daughter before you become Mrs. Darcy.”
“I am certain that everyone is aware of it by now.”
“Not everyone and this would be an official announcement, and I wish to do it because I owe it to Sarah. I cannot let you get married as Miss Smith.”
“All these do not matter to me, and you know that. Please do not assume that I am insulting you; the status, wealth, or rights I get because of this are trivial to me. You have already given me what I need: your love and affection.”
“I am well aware of your sentiments, but this is important for me as a father, and this is the right time to do it. Please do not assume I am doing this for Mr. Darcy as well. You are my daughter, and as late as it may be in your life, I want everyone to know that you have a father who would do anything for you.”
Elizabeth stayed silent as she knew this would increase the animosity with his wife and daughter.
“Elizabeth, what are you thinking?” Lady Martha asked.
“I am not certain.”
“All right, let’s assume you get married as Miss Smith, and at some point, in the future you regret the decision; there is no way we can make it right then. Please do not hesitate.”
Elizabeth thought about it; more than her father’s wishes, she felt she owed it to Darcy who was willing to marry her when she was a governess with a disgraceful past.
I must do this for him; after all, I rejected his proposal initially because of the scrutiny he would face in society because of my status.
“Very well! I agree,” she said, much to the joy of her father and aunt.
Lady Anderson was enraged when she heard the news and argued with her husband relentlessly.
“You will not leave before that girl’s marriage. Now you want to declare to the world that she is your daughter and Beatrice is not?” she cried angrily.
“I am only declaring that she is my daughter; I am not disowning Beatrice. Augusta, after all these years, how could you doubt my affection for Beatrice? How many times am I to tell you that Elizabeth, being my daughter, will not change anything between us? I have always protected and respected you as my wife and showered my love and affection on her as my daughter. How could you doubt that I would change?”
“Because everything changes, you never cared for her like you do now. And that girl who acted as though she despised you and did not want anything from you now behaves the opposite way. Can’t you see, everything is an act? She made you believe that she was innocent and trapped you, just like her mother.”
“Enough! I will not have you say a word against Elizabeth or Sarah. You are pushing me beyond the limit, and I do not know when my patience will run out.”
“What will you do, Mark, if it runs out?”
“I have committed many mistakes in life before, and don’t be the sole reason for me to commit another which may impact our lives forever.”
“What do you mean?” she asked in horror.
“You very well know what I mean,” he said, leaving the room as his wife sank into the chair in despair.
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