Page 81 of The Governess of My Heart
Darcy glanced at the book and found it very intriguing.
“Miss Smith gave it to me. She said she found it in the library at Ashton Park.”
“Did you enjoy the picnic?” he asked her.
“Of course I did. I loved having Edmund and Emily accompany us.”
“And?” Darcy asked in a teasing tone.
“You tease me so, Miss Smith, as well,” she said with a laugh, but immediately her expression turned to sadness.
“I must make the most of the time I have left with her.”
“I do not understand you.”
“Did I not tell you? She plans to travel along with Lord Ashton and his wife?”
“What? I know he is leaving with his wife to go to Grovnor Park in a few weeks. I did not know Miss Smith was leaving also.”
“She is, as the children are going. Even though it is just a month, I will miss her very much.”
Darcy did not know what to say. The thought of Elizabeth being away pained him beyond measure, and he knew he could not stop her from going.
He felt that during the picnic, she was cordial and conversed with him without hesitating like before. Darcy was unsure if Elizabeth did it for Georgiana’s sake.
He contemplated what to do, and the next morning, he rode to Ashton Park after breakfast without informing Georgiana.
When he reached the house, the housekeeper informed him that Lord Ashton had taken the children to the village, and Lady Martha was visiting a friend that morning.
“I was hoping to talk to Miss Smith; I have some books my sister asked me to return,” he said.
“She is in the parlor, sir. Please come this way,” the servant said, leading him onto the upper floor.
Elizabeth sat in the parlor, basking in the mid-morning sun through the windows. The children had left with their father, and she sat reading a book, waiting for them to return.
Suddenly, she heard the servant announce Darcy’s name and came face to face with him.
His arrival was unexpected, and she did not know why he wanted to see her. She curtsied, and Darcy bowed without a word. Elizabeth was confused by his presence.
“I have brought some books Georgiana wanted to return to you,” he said, placing them on the nearby table.
“I thank you!” she said and continued. “Lord Ashton has taken the children to the village, and Lady Martha is visiting Mrs. Chawton.”
“I am aware,” he said.
“I am not in a hurry for the books. I did tell Miss Darcy that she could return them once I returned from my trip. You did not have to trouble yourself, sir.”
Elizabeth noticed Darcy’s expression change when she mentioned her travel. He looked troubled, and she did not know what to say.
They stood silently for some time, and Elizabeth understood he did not want to leave.
Maybe he will if I sit down.
She thought, picked up her book, and sat down. Darcy started pacing the room, but he never looked away from her. His handsome features were engulfed with tension.
Elizabeth did not know what to make of his actions.
Maybe he has come to reason with me for what I said during the dance.
