Page 55 of To Go Against Her Heart
“I assumed Georgiana was giving you a tour,” he asked, looking around for his sister.
“She was; my sister wished to see the orangery,” she said, explaining that she desired to escort her aunt there.
Darcy nodded.
“Did you happen to see the library?” he asked.
“Yes! I did. You have a vast selection of books, and I am certain you spend much time there.”
“I do,” he replied, wanting to use the opportunity to express how pleased he was to have her visit his home.
“Mr. Darcy…I thank you for resolving this misunderstanding with Mr. Bingley. If not for you, we may have assumed that he had cut off our acquaintance willingly.”
“You do not have to thank me. I am so glad I met you at Hatchard’s that day, and now Georgiana has a chance to get to know you. I hope you are not planning to leave town soon.”
“We still haven’t decided on a date, but my aunt wishes us to stay until the end of March,” she said. Darcy felt awkward about keeping her in the hallway and reluctantly moved, allowing her to leave.
The visit ended soon, and Mr. Bingley cursed himself as he found no opportunity to converse with Jane in private. As much as he wanted to, he understood very well that if he invited her to his house, she would never visit because of his sister. He tried to openly state to her that Miss Bingley would no longer be an obstacle between them, but the subject was too difficult to discuss openly.
As Elizabeth left, Georgiana looked at her brother regretfully, wishing to spend more time with her.
“Do you think I could call on her soon?”
Darcy nodded, and Richard teased Georgiana about the same.
“Why, Mr. Bingley, you may have to return to Hertfordshire for Georgiana’s sake, as I firmly believe she may want to follow Miss Elizabeth if she returns home soon.”
Mr. Bingley smiled, sincerely wishing he had never left Hertfordshire after the ball and regretted his hasty actions. However, he failed to understand that Jane felt the same way about her actions in the carriage that spedaway.
Chapter 21
Elizabeth sat with Georgiana one morning, a week after she visited the Darcy house. This was the second time Georgiana had called on her in the past week at her uncle’s house, and Elizabeth liked the young girl exceedingly. In her observation, she was very much like her brother in many ways: reserved but very honest and warm.
“Your cousins are such delightful company, Miss Elizabeth. I can well understand why you would say you shall miss them upon your return, which, I hope shall not be very soon.”
“We have still not decided, yet I miss my father exceedingly, which is one reason I am so eager to return,” she said, noticing the slight strain of sadness on Georgiana’s face.
“Forgive me, Miss Darcy, if I have upset you; I understand you lost your father some years ago.”
“Oh! Please do not be uneasy. Yes, I miss him, but my brother always ensures I do not feel his absence. Honestly, it is he who is most impacted by the loss. He took over our estate and responsibility for me about five years ago, and as much as I am pained to acknowledge it, I have not made it easy for him,” she said in a small voice.Though Elizabeth understood the cause of Georgiana’s unease, she did not want to discuss the topic.
“He always speaks of you with pride and affection. I assure you; he does not consider the responsibility a burden. As much trouble as all of us give my father, he would never consider it a tedious task to raise us,” she said with warmth.
In every aspect, Georgiana felt comforted in Elizabeth’s company. But Darcy had not called on her along with hissister,andElizabeth wondered why he chose to stay away.She was puzzled, uncertain whether he wished to permit his sister to form a closer acquaintance with her or wanted to keep his distance because of her former request.
However, Mr. Bingley had called on Jane once during that week along with Mrs. Hurst. It was quite a surprise to Jane and the rest of the household that his sister chose to accompany him. The visit had occurred only the day before, and Elizabeth and Jane were greatly astonished by Mrs. Hurst’s heartfelt apology to Jane. It happened while Mr. Bingley and Mr. Gardiner were conversing in the study. Mrs. Hurst apologized for the shameful act of concealing Jane’s presence in town. Though she did not openly acknowledge her involvement in the scheme, she subtly mentioned that it was never her intention to cause her brother pain. As uncomfortable as the situation was, Jane accepted her apology with customary generosity, but Elizabeth perceived that her sister, who had long believed in the innate goodness of all around her, no longer felt that way.
“Would you and your sister be able to join me for dinner tomorrow, Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked eagerly, drawing Elizabeth’s attention. Elizabeth and Jane agreed; however, the next day, Jane excused herself, claiming a headache. Elizabeth, therefore, resolved to go alone; slightly uneasy about the prospect of meeting Darcy.
As the carriage reached the Darcy house, Elizabeth’s heart quickened in anticipation of seeing its master again. She struggled to understand that, as much as she yearned to see him, she knew her heart was dangerously close to breaking the wall built around it.
“I am so sorry to hear that Miss Bennet is unwell. I was looking forward to her company also,” Georgiana said upon seeing her, a little disappointed to see Elizabeth alone. She led her into the parlor for some refreshments, and Elizabethfollowed her nervously, well prepared for the possibility of seeing Mr. Darcy at any moment.
“My brother is away on some business with my cousin, and I am not certain if he will join us for dinner,” Georgiana said as they sat down and observed Elizabeth’s face to see a hint of disappointment.
I am certain she cares for him as well, and I hope Fitzwilliam is not disappointed in love. He does not deserve it,she thought.
Elizabeth struggled to hide her disappointment upon understanding the information and nodded.
