Page 91 of The Governess of My Heart
“I hope she is all right. You said she is travelling somewhere with her employer.”
“Yes, she must be there now. Thank you for bringing it; I was just about to visit you to post my letter to Lizzy.”
“You can give it to me now.”
“No, I want to read hers and see if I need to rewrite mine.”
“Very well, I will leave you to your privacy,” Mariah said and walked into the house.
Mary hurried away from the house and sat down to read Elizabeth’s letter.
It was dated a couple of weeks ago, and she read the letter with anticipation. The first part of the letter did not contain any particulars about Darcy. Elizabeth wrote about her intended travel to Grovnor Park and her daily activities. But Mary was shocked to read the rest of the letter.
“….Mary, I intended to post this letter last week, conveying that there was nothing much to add about the happenings here. But something unexpected happened since then; I do not know how I could ever contain it within myself….”
She went on to explain about Darcy’s proposal and how she rejected it.
“I made him believe that I hated him. I rejected his feelings, sentiments, and love so brutally that I cannot believe I am capable of being so cruel. But what am I to do? I do not deserve him. I could never put him and him, Miss Darcy to shame. If he marries me, he will suffer for the rest of his life. I am certain of that...”
Mary was agonized by her sister’s outburst and was even more troubled to understand why Darcy was there.
“….He left, Mary. As I accused him of ruining my life in Ashton Park, I cannot explain the pain my words caused him. He left because of me. When Miss Darcy visited me feeling depressed about her brother’s sudden departure, I was vexed….”
Mary read every sad detail with tears in her eyes.
He loves her, too. He proposed, knowing that she was a governess. Lizzy should not have rejected him.
But she understood Elizabeth’s reasoning. She knew her sister well and realized if she loved Darcy, she would always puthis happiness and welfare over hers. However, she was certain that Darcy would stand by Elizabeth no matter what.
Mary thought about it for a while and decided not to inform her sister of Darcy’s presence in Hertfordshire. She did not know how to help Elizabeth and Darcy in this matter, so she closed the letter and hurried inside. Her mother and Lady Lucas were still gossiping about the previous evening. Day by day, Mary was tired of living in the same house as her family.
Mariah whispered to her and asked whether everything was all right
“Yes, Mariah. I have to rewrite my letter, and I will give it to you later this week,” Mary said.
The next day, the Bennet and Lucas families arrived at Netherfield for the evening engagement.
Since his arrival, Darcy had spent most of his time in his room or the library at Netherfield. He tried his best to avoid Miss Bingley’s company.
As much as he wanted to stay away from Elizabeth, his heart yearned to see her again. He wanted to know if she was well and desperately hoped she was safe in Grovnor Park.
He joined the others for the evening, hoping against hope that he would not be stuck with Sir William for long.
Mr. Bingley looked forward to the evening, hoping to spend more time with Jane. He was taken by her beauty and found her warm and compassionate.
The Lucas carriage came first, followed by the Bennets. It was dark, and Mr. Bingley stood outside to welcome them.
Jane looked out the window and exclaimed.
“Oh! Mamma, we are not the first to arrive; Mr. Darcy must see us first. Oh! What horrendous luck.”
Once the carriage stopped, she tried to get down first and fumbled over Mary’s feet as she moved at the same instant.
“Ouch!” Mary cried.
“Mary, what is the matter with you? I would have torn my gown. Don’t you have any sense? Do you think I could afford such a scene in Mr. Bingley’s house? Oh! Thank heavens my dress did not rip off.”
“I am sorry; I did not think you would get up so soon.”
