Page 80 of The Governess of My Heart
Georgiana chatted away happily, oblivious to the tension between her brother and Elizabeth.
“Do you remember, Brother, the time a squirrel stole bread from our picnic basket, and Richard chased it around till it ran up the tree?”
“Yes, I do. I hope you will forgive any squirrel tempted to do so today.”
Georgiana laughed, and Elizabeth remembered having heard a lot of stories about Richard.
“You must meet my cousin, Miss Smith. He will make you laugh.”
“He already does when you describe his jokes,” Elizabeth said, and she immediately saw a frown appear on Darcy’s face.
“He is in Kent now and will join us for Christmas at Pemberley.”
“Kent?” Elizabeth asked with shock.
“Yes, he is in Rosings Park. I do not know if I have mentioned this before. My mother’s sister, Lady Catherine, lives there.”
The mention of Lady Catherine startled Elizabeth.
“Richard and my brother help assist my aunt in estate affairs, and it's not that she has no help there. There is her parson, Mr. Collins, whom my cousin has an amusing time with.”
When Mr. Collins was mentioned, Elizabeth felt dizzy. She did not pay attention to the path and tripped, but Darcy caught her hand before she fell.
“Are you well?” he cried with concern.
“Yes! Yes, forgive me. I did not notice the rock.”
“Are you hurt?” he asked, oblivious to anything else around him, his eyes fixed on Elizabeth’s face.
“No, no! I am all right,” she said, inwardly wincing at her lapse. She had not heard the name of Mr. Collins mentioned for a long time, and she was distressed beyond measure to know about the connection between the Darcy family and Kent. Darcy reluctantly let go of her arm, and Georgiana worried about her friend.
“Are you sure your feet do not hurt, Miss Smith?” she asked with worry.
“Yes, it is nothing. We can continue to walk,” Elizabeth replied, utterly mortified.
When she looked at Darcy, she could see his concern. She looked ahead, unable to hold his gaze.
Darcy had begun to understand her more and more. He could distinguish her minute expressions, and now he knew something troubled her.
Something about the mention of Kent or Lady Catherine has distressed her. She looked aghast when Georgiana spoke of Rosings. What could it be?
He always felt that there was something secretive about her and wondered what it was.
Lord Ashton and Lady Isabella caught up to them, and the party split into two.
The men walked forward, and the women followed them.
Georgiana and Elizabeth conversed as Lady Isabella said little. Elizabeth saw Darcy turn around and check on her occasionally. Somehow, the mention of Mr. Collins brought back all the horrifying memories of the past, and she was glad when the picnic ended, and they left in their respective carriages.
Elizabeth felt as if the world was closing in on her. She could not believe the association between the Darcy family and Kent.
Meanwhile, in the carriage, Darcy was in deep thought; however, when he saw his sister, he smiled.
She was busy reading a book Elizabeth had given her.
“What are you reading, Georgiana?”
“Oh! This book is wonderful, brother. It is a book about various forms of art around the world.”
