Page 72 of To Go Against Her Heart
As they sat down to eat, Georgiana took her seat by Elizabeth, and Richard sat on the other side on purpose, much to Darcy’s irritation. Darcy knew his cousin’s actions were deliberate—a subtle provocation meant to urge him to pursue Elizabeth more openly. During the meal, as the conversation drifted to her impending departure, Elizabeth caught the subtle shift in Darcy’s expression as his features darkened and were clouded with displeasure. She longed to know what he was thinking—what he truly felt in his heart and what course of action he wanted to take regarding them. After the meal, the ladies excused themselves to the retiring room where Elizabeth’s aunt enquired when she wished to depart. Elizabeth replied that she had promised Mr. Darcy the fifth set and hoped they might leave soon after, as the hour was already nearing half past ten, and she did not want to stay past midnight.
“Oh! I already feel quite tired, even though I haven’t danced. I am sure you will want to rest before your journey, and I promise to call on you before you leave,” Georgiana said, adding that she rarely had the opportunity to attend balls unless her aunt extended an invitation.
“My brother always thinks I’m too young for an evening such as this—not only because I might grow tired, but also because, as I do not dance, he worries someone might ask me to,” she confessed.
“He is quite protective of you, and I can see that everything he does is centered towards your happiness.”
“He truly is the best brother in the world, and all I wish for is his happiness,” she said, stopping herself just before she could urge Elizabeth to marry him.
To Elizabeth, it seemed Darcy’s family was well aware of his affection for her and was most eager to encourage their union. Everything seemed perfectly aligned, and obstacles appeared nonexistent as she considered her situation—yet her past loomed over her like a shadow. She knew it was solely up to her to conquer her fears.
“If you do not mind, I wish to sit down for a while, Lizzy,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“Of course, please do. I shall walk with Miss Darcy and return shortly,” Elizabeth said, then made her way around the crowded ballroom with Georgiana, her eyes searching for Darcy.
As they walked to the other end of the ballroom, they found Lady Matlock in the company of two young women, and Elizabeth noticed them smiling as they spotted Georgiana.
“Come, Miss Elizabeth, I shall introduce you to my friends,” Georgiana said as she gently pulled her along.
“Miss Darcy! What a pleasure it is to see you again after so long. I was only remarking to your aunt how greatly we have missed your company. We returned from Bath but yesterday, and I confess, I was most eager to rejoin society,” said the elegantly dressed lady with blonde hair, casting a watchful glance at Elizabeth as Georgiana still clasped her hand.
“It is a pleasure to meet you as well. My aunt mentioned your trip—I do hope it was a pleasant one,” Georgiana said graciously. “Allow me to introduce my friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Hertfordshire.” She then turned to Elizabeth and continued, “Miss Elizabeth, may I present Mrs. Harrington and her sister, Mrs. Kingston—dear friends of my aunt.”
Suddenly, Elizabeth’s worldfroze.
Chapter 28
Though Elizabeth had long dreaded revisiting her past and confessing it to Darcy, she had never imagined she would be forced to confront it in such a terrifyingly tangible form—by coming face to face with the very man who had once shattered her life beyond repair. To her, the unthinkable had happened—and she now wondered if she possessed the strength to face what lay ahead. It was evident to her from the face of the woman who stood next to Mrs. Harrington that she recognized who she was. During her courtship with Mr. Harrington, she had met his mother once but never his sister, the now Mrs. Kingston. However, it was clear to her that his sister was aware of what had conspired in her brother’s life in the past.
“It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Elizabeth. I hope you are finding your stay in town to your liking. It must be a welcome change from country life,” Mrs. Harrington said, and Elizabeth could immediately sense that she was similar to Miss Bingley in judging her. Mrs. Kingston said nothing, and from her countenance, Elizabeth knew that she was equally troubled as herself.
“I have enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s company here, and I am grateful to have made her acquaintance through my brother,” Georgiana said, and observed a hint of irritation on Mrs. Harrington’s face. Lady Matlock excused herself and left the women to converse.
“You must join us for dinner tomorrow or the day after, Miss Darcy. We have missed your company. I was telling my husband last night how fervently one misses true friendshipafter separation,” Mrs. Harrington said, and Georgiana politely declined, citing that she may have other engagements, much to the other’s disappointment.
Elizabeth struggled to stay composed, and seeing Mrs. Kingston’s discomposure did her no good.
I must leave; if he is here, I dare not remain. Not now, not in Mr. Darcy’s presence, thought Elizabeth in growing agitation. At that very moment, Mrs. Harrington pronounced what she had most dreaded to hear.
“Here he comes, and I assure you, Miss Darcy, my husband was as eager for his return as I,” she said with pride, and Elizabeth slowly turned to look in the direction of her gaze.
What she beheld shook her very soul. The sight of Darcy and Mr. Harrington walking together toward them startled her, and she felt a secret relief that Georgiana had long released her hand; otherwise, the young girl would have perceived her trembling. She was powerless to look away, as one man had come to inhabit her every thought and dream, the other was but a shadow she had almost erased from her memory.
Elizabeth knew not how she remained standing, for a sudden dizziness overtook her, and she feared she might faint.
In Darcy’s expression, she could see the same warmth and admiration, but the other’s face was laced with iciness and shock. With every step they drew nearer, Elizabeth felt her world collapse, piece by piece, and she had no hope in what was meant to transpire and knew there would be no reprieve from the horrendous encounter she was deemed to face. For months, she had agonized over the notion of revealing her past to Darcy; never had she conceived of a situation in which she would be forced to face Mr. Harrington himself—let alone with Darcy walking at his side. She earnestly prayed that no one would observe her state of distress and agitation.
As she strove to compose herself, Darcy and Mr. Harrington approached, she felt a surge of relief when Darcy immediately took his place by her side. In that moment, she realized that, however horrifying the encounter, Darcy’s presence—the man she loved—brought her both comfort and strength.
“Mr. Darcy, it is good to see you, sir, and we have missed your sister’s company exceedingly and look forward to spending time with her as before,” Mrs. Harrington said, and noticed her husband staring at Elizabeth.
“Mr. Harrington, meet Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and if I may add a good friend of Georgiana and our family,” Darcy introduced Elizabeth, and she thought fate could not be any crueler.
“It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, madam,” he said with practiced charm; yet from the glint in his eye, she sensed iciness and censure. Elizabeth resolved not to grant him the satisfaction of taunting her or to allow him the liberty to derive happiness from her state of distress.
She greeted him with a formal bow.
“I understand you spent much time in Hertfordshire, Mr. Darcy. Did you like it there? You must have surely missed our society,” Mrs. Harrington queried.
