Page 52 of To Go Against Her Heart
“Charles, I am sorry, I knew we should not have concealed this information from you, but it was done for your welfare,” Mrs. Hurst said with guilt.
“My welfare? I will be amazed to understand how. I have suffered ever since we left Hertfordshire, doubting everything about her, and she traveled here to see me to prove me wrong, and you chose to hide this?” Mr. Bingley cried aloud.
“This is very unfortunate, as I never expected my wife to be a part of such a vile scheme,” Mr. Hurst said with equal anger and continued, “What do you plan to do now?” he asked.
“The right thing,” Mr. Bingley said with resolve.
***
The next day, the Gardiner household started the morning as usual. Elizabeth sat with her cousins, enjoying a quiet morning. She loved the children beyond measure and knew she would miss them when she left town.
Around mid-morning, she was surprised when a servant summoned her to the drawing room and informed her about visitors.
Elizabeth left downstairs, quite eager to know who the visitors were. The moment she encountered the party in attendance, she could not help being startled.
With her uncle stood Mr. Bingley and Darcy, and beside him stood a young woman who smiled at her the moment their eyes met, and she could not mistake her identity.
So, I finally meet his sister!
Chapter 20
As the introductions were made, Elizabeth found it difficult to judge who felt the greater discomfort in the present situation. Darcy seemed outwardly composed, yet she sensed a quiet unease beneath his demeanor. Mr. Bingley looked completely distraught, and his eyes searched for Jane.
“I was just telling your uncle, Miss Elizabeth, that I was unaware of your sister’s...I mean…I was unaware of you calling on us, and I apologize sincerely for this misunderstanding. I should have called on you earlier.”
Elizabeth nodded, and Mr. Gardiner sent word for Jane.
When Darcy looked at Elizabeth, she met his eyes with a smile. At that moment, he knew he had done the right thing to accompany his friend that morning. Though Mr. Bingley was surprised to see Georgiana join them, he understood she was eager to make Elizabeth’s acquaintance. Now he sat in anticipation of Jane’s arrival and knew that it would not be easy for her to forgive him, although he had no part in his sister’s schemes.
Elizabeth understood within a few moments that Georgiana was no different from her brother when it came to conversing with new acquaintances. However, she perceived that the visit was prompted by a genuine regard, and not merely for her brother’s sake.
“It is kind of you to call on us, Miss Darcy; I have heard so much about you,” Elizabeth said, and she could not believe the young girl had suffered so much in life because of Wickham.
“I wish we had known about your presence in town earlier; I always wanted to make your acquaintance,” Georgiana said with a smile.
“I hear you are very fond of music and play very well.”
“Yes, I am exceedingly fond of music and devote much time to its practice. My brother did mention that you play beautifully, and I would love to hear you play,” she said, and their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Jane and Mrs. Gardiner. All eyes were on Jane and Mr. Bingley to see how they reacted to each other, and Elizabeth was worried about her sister. But to her relief, Jane handled the meeting graciously, though she was startled, she did not show her unease. But seeing the once confident Mr. Bingley struggle in her presence was a pity.
Without wasting time, Mr. Bingley sincerely apologized for being unaware of Jane’s presence in town.
Jane looked at him in shock. However, she had no intention of questioning him about his sister’s actions in the matter. As surprised as she was by his visit, the realization that he had never sought to avoid her made her heart feel unexpectedly light. Jane could also see plainly that Miss Bingley’s picture of him and Georgiana was done for her own benefit.
As much as Mr. Bingley wanted to take his seat by Jane as before, he was ashamed to take the liberty. He regretted his hasty actions in leaving Hertfordshire and knew very well that he had hurt Jane beyond measure. He sat beside Mrs. Gardiner and looked longingly at her niece.
Darcy and Elizabeth had not spoken to each other since his arrival. However, he was glad to see that Georgiana felt comfortable in Elizabeth’s company. He admired how Elizabeth allowed Georgiana to take her time to venture into a conversation, not pressing her beyond her comfort.
“I understand from your brother that you love to read.”
“Oh! Yes, I do! I cannot tell you how upset I was to understand that I missed meeting you at the bookstore,” she said, and Elizabeth laughed. Georgiana observed her brother’s smile as he noticed Elizabeth’s laughter and, for the first time, realized that he may have fallen in love with her.
“If you miss an opportunity to visit a bookstore, I am certain you have a compelling reason to be upset,” Elizabeth said, and Darcy finally found a chance to join their conversation.
“My sister enjoys poetry as much as you do,” he said.
“I am certain she takes after you,” she replied, smiling.
“Miss Elizabeth, I would like to invite you to our home for tea tomorrow. I hope you can visit us along with your sister, aunt, and uncle,” Georgiana invited, stressing each word.
