Page 2 of The Governess of My Heart
Darcy was unaccustomed to anyone talking to him in that tone.
Who is she? How did she get here at such an early hour?
He knew that there were a few estates close by. But he had never seen her before.
“I am not commanding you. I am warning you that you are standing too close to the edge unless you are doing it intentionally,” he said with more patience than he genuinely felt.
“What are you insinuating?” Elizabeth asked in anger, well aware of the truth.
“Will you please step back? Then we can continue our argument,” he asked, truly worried about her safety.
“You think I was planning to jump?”
“Why would anyone go that close to the cliff?”
“It is none of your business.”
“Watch your words, madam. I merely asked you a question.”
“Is it your job to ride on the mountains and warn people enjoying the view? It must be a very exciting one,” she said sarcastically.
“I would suggest you refrain from talking to me like that. Do you know who I am?” Darcy asked, irked by how Elizabeth spoke to him.
“Why do you feel offended, sir? I merely asked you a question,” she said, returning his own words.
Darcy did not know how to converse with her. Part of him wanted to hate her impertinence, and the other half was intrigued by it.
Both stared at each other without uttering a word. The roar of the falls sounded louder with their silence.
Finally, Elizabeth realized it was time to head back. Before she walked away, she turned and looked at the falls. Suddenly, she realized how very scary it looked to stand there.
How did I even get the thought of jumping from here?
She quickly moved forward and crossed Darcy.
“I must allow the spot for other young ladies you plan to lecture, sir. I would not deprive you of such an occupation any day,” she said, disappearing down the hill.
Darcy stood rooted to the spot as he watched her leave.
“Who is she?”
Chapter 2
March 1811 Hertfordshire (4 months ago)
“Hurry now, Jane dear. We are not to be late for the evening,” Mrs. Bennet cried.
“How do I look, Mamma?” Jane asked, looking at herself in the mirror.
“You look beautiful as ever, my dear. You are the jewel of Hertfordshire.”
Jane smiled in agreement, she was the eldest of the Bennet girls, and Mrs. Bennet was still worried about why she had not gotten any eligible suitors. The Bennet family was leaving for Lucas Lodge for a supper party that night, and Mr. Bennet declined the invitation and wanted to spend time in his library.
The youngest daughters were also excited about the evening. But Elizabeth, second to Jane, sat with a book without any excitement. She was somehow different from the rest of her sisters. Her interests were uncommon to young ladies of society. She loved to be outdoors and explore nature. Her love for books always stopped her from other womanly pursuits, and her mother was always critical of everything she did.
“You are useless to this family,” she often criticized. Although hurt by her words, Elizabeth tried not to be affected, and Mrs. Bennet frequently compared her looks to Jane’s.
“You are no match to my Jane’s beauty,” she said, with the only intention of hurting Elizabeth. Jane was extremely satisfied whenever she heard this comment.
