Page 195 of The Governess of My Heart
“Fitzwilliam, after your marriage, if Elizabeth visits us and wants to stay here for a day or two, nobody will stop you from staying with her. For heaven's sake, you will be her husband. Do you at least understand why we are laughing now?” Lady Martha said and continued laughing.
Darcy finally understood that he had made a fuss over nothing. Lady Martha and Darcy finally agreed to Elizabeth’s suggestion of inviting the guests to stay at Ashton Park for the night on the day of the engagement party to satisfy her aunt’s wishes.
***
Miss Anderson knew that the preparations for the engagement party were in full swing. She hated seeing her father and Darcy spend time in the same house with Elizabeth. That morning, she heard the sound of loud laughter from the parlor and knew Darcy had called on Elizabeth. It vexed her to realize that no one in the house cared about her feelings and enjoyed themselves without guilt.
How can my aunt be so happy with her? She fawns over her as if she knew her forever. I am no longer important to anyone here, not to Papa, not to my aunt, and even Lady Isabella favors her. I cannot stand this insult.
Miss Anderson ran upstairs and collapsed into her mother’s arms in agony, unable to accept what had happened to her life.
“What Papa is doing to me is cruel; how can he accept her as his daughter? And why can’t you convince him to leave before her wedding?”
“I tried my best, my dear, don’t you know that. He will not listen to anything I say.”
“Then why don’t we leave? I cannot stand how everyone treats her at Ashton Park, the importance given to her wedding, and that stupid engagement party. I cannot be a part of this; let us leave, Mamma!”
“No, we cannot. Imagine what she could do if we left your father alone here. She may even convince him to stay here forever; already, she has influenced him to…” Lady Anderson stopped abruptly. “What Mamma? What is it?” Miss Anderson asked.
“Do not worry; I will not allow her to take him away from us,” Lady Anderson said. After spending the whole afternoon in her daughter’s room, Lady Anderson took her to the village to shop, wanting her to have some peace away from the atmosphere in Ashton Park.
They visited several shops in Lambton, and in one, Miss Anderson overheard the shopkeeper discuss the upcoming wedding.
“I have not seen Mr. Darcy happier, and he has made a good choice. Who would have thought the governess he declared to marry would be the long-lost daughter of Lord Anderson? To have endured so much at such a young age, she deserves to be happy, and the talk going around is that there will be an official announcement regarding her soon, and we can no longer address her as Miss Smith,” he said to one of the customers.
Miss Anderson stood still, unable to process what she had heard.
On their return to Ashton Park, she questioned her mother regarding the same.
“Do not distress yourself with what you overheard,” Lady Anderson said.
“You know something, don’t you? Is he going to announce her as his daughter officially? Will she be addressed as Miss Anderson from now on?” she asked in horror.
Her mother could not answer her question, and as the carriage stopped, Miss Anderson ran outside.
“Beatrice, please stop!” her mother cried and rushed after her.
It was cold outside, and Lady Anderson ran after her daughter, who ran towards the stables away from the house.
Miss Anderson reached one of the sheds near the stables and tried to lock herself inside, but her mother caught up to her.
“Beatrice, what are you doing? What made you run like that? Come with me,” Lady Anderson pulled her.
“No Mamma! Maybe this is where we belong. We do not belong in Ashton Park; she belongs there. Papa will declare her his daughter; then the world will ridicule us.”
“Do not be stupid, and don’t cause a scene. It is already getting dark now. Let us head back to the house.”
“No, I am not coming unless you promise me that Papa will not make any declaration. I cannot stand my place being taken by someone else. What will my friends say back home? This is the worst thing that could ever happen to me.”
Just then, someone walked into the shed, and Lady Anderson was shocked to see who it was.
A while ago, Elizabeth had spotted Lady Anderson running after her daughter, while she had been out walking, trying to enjoy the weather before it started to snow. Elizabeth was alarmed to see her pursuit and had followed them to the shed.
“You? Why are you here? Can you not leave us alone?” cried Miss Anderson as she spotted Elizabeth.
Elizabeth avoided conversing with Miss Anderson and addressed her mother.
“I apologize for the intrusion; I was worried when you ran after your daughter. Is everything all right?” she asked, much to Lady Anderson’s irritation.
