Page 49 of To Go Against Her Heart
Please convey my kindest regards to Miss Eliza.
Yours,CB
Jane said nothing after reading the letter, and Elizabeth felt she was growing more and more distant from her, looking lost amidst the company. Finally, the sisters resolved to leave town in a few weeks, much to their aunt’s disapproval. With two weeksleft in town, they yielded at last to Mrs. Gardiner’s request to attend a few parties.
Jane perceived Elizabeth’s unease when she came to understand that most of their aunt’s acquaintances were aware of Mr. Harrington’s particular regard for her. But as for her sister, she cared nothing about whom she met or what they thought about her. She was certain that her aunt would never knowingly place her in Mr. Harrington’s path and had no concern about encountering him there. Most of their engagements passed without consequence. Elizabeth sensed that the whole affair with Mr. Bingley had distanced Jane from her. She knew that her sister chose to stay silent instead of expressing her sorrow to deprive Elizabeth of guilt.
Mr. Gardiner could not but perceive that both his nieces were out of spirits, and his wife assured him that such was indeed the case.
One morning, he convinced Elizabeth to accompany him to the bookstore, as it was one of her favorite places in town. Her uncle was an avid reader just like her, and ever since childhood, they had enjoyed their visit to the Hatchard’s bookstore. The owner of the store was a close friend of Mr. Gardiner, and he had often left Elizabeth there undisturbed to enjoy her pursuits in peace. This morning, Elizabeth entered the store with excitement, having not visited in over a year.
“Mr. Johnson is here. Would you be comfortable if I returned within an hour, Elizabeth? I have some business with my friend who owns a store down the street,” her uncle asked.
“Of course, please take your time; I shall be quite happy to stay here.”
The proprietor of the store, who had known her since her youth, presented to her the latest collection that had recently arrived. He smiled seeing her excitement as she browsed through the books. Elizabeth discovered a secluded corner atthe store’s end where she might enjoy her gathered selections in peace. A quarter of an hour elapsed, and being wholly engaged with the books, she did not notice that the store had received a visitor. After a few moments, she caught the faint sound of conversation from the other end. Suddenly, a familiar warmth swept over Elizabeth, bringing her mind and body to experience a state of joy. Her hands began to tremble, and her heart raced. She was unable to believe it, but her heart knew; every beat resonated with the fact that he was there. Elizabeth did not dare to move until she had no choice, as she heard footsteps approach.
Mustering her courage, she looked up at the man who stood a few feet away, equally shocked by the encounter.
“Miss Elizabeth!” Darcy exclaimed, his voice filled with shock as his eyes met hers.
With one glance at him, she instantly knew that nothing had changed in his heart or mind despite all hereffortsto push him away.
Chapter 19
That same morning, Darcy had gone to Hatchard’s after deliberately avoiding the excursion for many weeks. Somehow, everything about books reminded him of Elizabeth, and he was unable to summon the strength to visit a bookstore without being haunted by memories of her at the Meryton shop. Now he stood before her, unable to believe the vision his eyes beheld.
This is impossible. How could she be here?
“Miss Elizabeth!” he exclaimed, watching her struggle to stand, as she held on to the table for support.
They stared at one another, a mixture of shock and curiosity evident in their countenance. Darcy could not mistake the emotion he witnessed in her eyes. Apart from surprise, her beautiful eyes expressed something he had not witnessed in a long time: happiness.
“I did not expect to see you here. I hope you are well,” she finally said.
“I am and may I enquire about you and your family. I hope they are in good health.”
“I thank you, sir! Yes!” Elizabeth replied, catching her breath.
“Pardon me, how long have you been in town?” he asked in a hurry, not wanting to hear that she had been in London all the while.
“I am certain you know from Mr. Bingley about our arrival here,” she said, and witnessed the confusion on his face.
“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me, but I was not informed of the same, and honestly, I am certain that he is unaware of your arrival as well. How long have you been here?” he asked again.
“More than a month now, sir. Jane and I are staying with our uncle, and I am very confused as to how your friend is unaware of our presence here, considering we called on Miss Bingley and her sister during the first week of our arrival,” she said, finally realizing that her suspicions were correct.
Darcy looked at her with shock and pursed his lips,for he could read Elizabeth’s thoughts on the subject very well. He could not explain the joy her presence brought him, yet the ease of her conversation, entirely free from animosity, assured him she felt the same—he knew well that, had she wished to avoid him, she would have left the store long ago.
“I assure you, Mr. Bingley isn’t aware of this,” Darcy declared, cursing Miss Bingley’s interference.
“It is puzzling indeed, for Miss Bingley did write to my sister after our visit, clearly stating that her brother was aware of our presence in town,” she paused and then continued, “She did specify that he was quite engaged with you and your sister in the past weeks.”
“With Georgiana?” he asked in horror, and Elizabeth nodded. Darcy immediately did not doubt what Miss Bingley had communicated to Jane, and his anger knew no bounds.
“You were misinformed. Bingley does meet me often, but Georgiana is hardly part of our engagements. She spends much time at my aunt’s house these days. I assure you once again that we were not aware of your presence in town, and I am quite upset to understand that it is not a case of a simple miscommunication.”
Elizabeth was relieved to hear his words.
