Page 72 of The Governess of My Heart
“I do not expect you to apologize, sir. I do not expect anything from you, but please do not say you were unaware of my disregard for you.”
“I was, and I am still. If at all you hate me, you do an excellent job of hiding it. I will tell you openly to make myself clear on the subject. As you accuse me, I do not detest you. All I have is...”
He had to stop from declaring himself as the music had stopped. The dancers began to move away, allowing others the opportunity. Darcy had no other choice but to lead Elizabeth back to Georgiana.
His heart broke when he realized she had detested him all the while, and Georgiana smiled at her friend and brother as she received them.
Darcy bowed and moved away, unable to stay in her presence as her words tortured him.
She detests me.
He walked to the other end of the room, fighting the urge to turn and look at her.
Darcy had to converse with a few other acquaintances and could not stop himself from looking in her direction. He saw a gentleman talk to her, and from what he could make out, he asked her for a dance.
Darcy watched them converse for a couple of minutes, and when the music started, Mr. Thorton led Elizabeth onto the dance floor.
Darcy did not understand why he felt so angry and betrayed.
She said she had no intention of dancing with me or anyone here, but she is now. How could she?
Lord Ashton and Mr. Anderson joined him.
“Well, Mr. Darcy, is this not a fine evening? I look forward to the Christmas ball my sister always gives. Although, this year, she is not certain with the unfortunate passing of Lady Sophia,” Mr. Anderson said.
Lord Ashton looked forlorn at the mention of his late wife.
“We do host a harvest ball in Pemberley soon,” Darcy said, with no enthusiasm for the company. He tried hard to spot Elizabeth amongst the dancers, and finally, he saw her.
He felt agitated when he saw her smile at her partner as she danced. The couples moved around the room, and Elizabeth and her partner moved closer to Darcy’s side of the room.
Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye for a fraction of a second as she looked in his direction.
Her smile vanished the moment she saw him, and a look of anger and helplessness was directed at him.
Darcy finally realized that she had told the truth about her intention to dance. He understood that she had no choice but to accept Mr. Thorton’s request.
She could not refuse him, as she had already danced with me. I put her in this position.
He watched helplessly as they danced, and from his observation, he could sense that her partner made her uncomfortable.
The moment the dance ended, Elizabeth joined the other ladies and tried to act normal, suppressing her anger.
Even before she could calm herself, from the exchange between Darcy and her during the dance, Mr. Thorton had come forward with his request.
Elizabeth knew the gentleman from previous engagements at Ashton Park but was in no mood to dance with him.
Unfortunately, she knew that she could not refuse him after dancing with Darcy. She did not want people to find it oddthat she, a governess, accepted to dance with the master of Pemberley and refused another man in the same gathering.
By the time the dance ended, her anger had doubled towards Darcy for putting her in such a position.
Mr. Thorton seemed to have no other reason for asking her to dance except to flirt, and she heaved a sigh of relief as she sat down.
“You dance very beautifully,” Georgiana said.
“You rarely say that I do anything below par,” Elizabeth said in a teasing tone.
“I am not flattering you because you are my friend. I am telling the truth,” Georgiana protested.
