Page 199 of The Governess of My Heart
Reluctantly, Lady Anderson left her daughter and headed downstairs when her husband summoned her. She entered the room nervously and understood Darcy’s temperament from the look on his face.
“How is she?” she asked her husband before anyone could ask her anything else.
“She is better but has inhaled a lot of smoke,” Lord Anderson said with pain.
“Augusta, why were you both there? I was under the assumption that you took Beatrice to the village,” Lady Martha asked.
“I did, we just returned and …” Lady Anderson hesitated.
“And what?” Darcy asked with impatience.
“Beatrice was upset and ran into the gardens once we returned. And she tried to lock herself in that shed, but I caught up to her. I do not know how Elizabeth arrived there, but we got into an argument. I asked Beatrice to leave, and she did. Suddenly, the shed caught fire.”
Darcy looked at Lord Anderson sternly, challenging him to question his wife.
“Do you realize how ridiculous this sounds? Why did she have to run there?” Lord Anderson asked.
“Because she was upset about the engagement party. How did you find us?”
“One of the stable boys alerted us. I cannot believe it. You should have brought her back to the house instead of arguing in that shed. How could you be so irresponsible?”
“I never expected something like this to happen. I still do not know how the shed caught on fire, but... but…” she stammered.
“What is it, Augusta?”
“She saved me instead of saving herself first. She could have easily climbed out of the window. I had almost fainted, but she helped me escape. Mark, if you had not arrived there, she could have died,” she said in a low voice, watching Darcy wince.
“I cannot accept this. How could the shed catch fire? Something is wrong,” Darcy cried, determined it was not an accident.
Just then, Lord Ashton entered.
“Is Elizabeth all right?” he asked with concern.
“She is,” Lord Anderson replied.
“We were able to put out the fire. This was not an accident; I examined the remains of the fire, and the burned-down door was latched. That is why they weren’t able to open it from inside. Someone set the fire and latched the door,” he said to everyone’s horror.
“That is, it! I have had it; who dares to harm her here?” Darcy yelled.
“Fitzwilliam, please calm down,” Lady Martha said.
“Don’t ask me to calm down. Are you asking me to rejoice that she is alive? She could have been hurt for life; imagine what she underwent in those flames. I will not spare anyone responsible for this.”
Suddenly, Lady Anderson sank into the chair.
“Mark, send for Beatrice,” she said without emotion, and the room was stunned by her request.
“You cannot possibly suspect her; how could your own daughter do this to you,” Lady Martha said with disbelief.
“I don’t suspect her; I know that she did it. The fire started moments after she left; no one could have latched the door except Beatrice,” she said, weeping.
***
Miss Anderson stood in front of everyone confidently.
“What is it? Why have you summoned me?” she asked. As much as Darcy wanted to confront her, he moved away and stood by the fireplace, clenching his fists.
“Beatrice, where were you when the shed was on fire?” Lord Anderson asked.
