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E lizabeth stayed awake until midnight, unable to sleep.

It felt strange to spend a night in Pemberley and away from Ashton Park, and it felt like she was staying away from home.

She could hear the downpour outside and hoped the children would sleep undisturbed.

She suddenly felt unsure about everything she had believed in so far.

The incident in the library reminded her that she was living a lie and felt guilty.

She knew she had not hidden her identity and situation with Lady Martha. But now, she questioned her decision to keep others in the dark.

I thought everything was going well. I almost forgot everything that happened in London until today. What would he even think of me?

Somehow, she felt uneasy around Darcy and felt he was suspicious of her. The way he constantly looked at her affirmed her fear.

***

Elizabeth slept after midnight and woke up early. She knew she could not leave the property and walk on the nearby trails, so she headed to the gardens for fresh air.

The rain had stopped, and the morning air was crisp. Elizabeth did not see anyone down except the servants, and she knew the Ashtons were not early risers.

She left the house and reached the path that led to the gardens.

She walked along the path that ran around the length of the house, admired the property’s beauty, and stopped in the rose garden.

The flowers looked beautiful after the rain, and the scent was magnificent.

After walking for some time, she sat on the stone bench facing the lake.

She took a deep breath and promised to forget what happened the previous day.

Suddenly, she saw Darcy walk into the garden and prepared herself for the encounter.

I cannot avoid him forever!

She could see that he had returned from his ride, and as he approached Elizabeth, she could sense his hesitation in venturing close to her and stopping at a distance.

“Good morning, Miss Smith,” he said.

“Good morning, sir,” she said and stood.

“I hope you are feeling well,” he asked.

“And why would you think that I am unwell?” Elizabeth blurted out with irritation.

Darcy was silent. Elizabeth expected him to be angry at her outburst, but all she saw in his eyes was the softest expression and concern she had ever seen from him.

“I am well, thank you,” she said, unable to hold his gaze.

“Georgiana should be awake now, and I assume the Ashtons are not early risers. You could break your fast with us,” he said with warmth.

Elizabeth nodded her head.

“You have a beautiful garden,” she said, trying her best to converse with him cordially.

“My mother had a great interest in gardening, and we have retained everything to her taste.”

Elizabeth did not know what to reply to, as she could sense the sadness in his voice.

“Miss Darcy must take after her mother; she gave me a lot of insight about many flowers,” she said.

“She does enjoy gardening.”

There was another awkward moment of silence, and they looked at each other. Both of them struggled to carry on the conversation.

“Shall we head inside?” Darcy asked, offering his arm.

Elizabeth took it, and they walked indoors. They left for their respective rooms.

Just like Elizabeth, Darcy had spent a restless night and could not understand his feelings toward her. He had left for a ride in the morning, feeling unsettled as he rode into the woods and tried to get a grip on his feelings.

I admire her, and I cannot deny it. But how could it be love?

He wondered.

I have hardly known her for a month.

He was certain it was not merely an attraction for her beauty as he admired her intelligence, character, and kindness.

It will not do; I cannot entertain this thought. How can I even think this way? She is an employee at Ashton Park .

He was determined that the feelings he had developed for Elizabeth would soon pass and rode back to Pemberley with resolve. He walked from the stables toward the house, reassuring himself of the matter.

She will leave today, and in future I can limit my time in her company. My feelings will pass.

He walked along the path from the stables that led to the east side of the house and suddenly stopped.

The sight of Elizabeth sitting in the gardens captivated his attention, and he was unable to move.

He could see from a distance that she was deep in thought and could not brush aside the memory of his mother sitting on the same bench as it was her favorite place in that garden.

That instant, all his resolve had melted away, and he had walked into the gardens to see her.

He sat in his room now contemplating his stupidity.

I could have easily avoided meeting her, but I could not. What is wrong with me?

He met Georgiana and Elizabeth again in the breakfast parlor, and Darcy was silent and said very little.

Elizabeth and Georgiana conversed about various topics, and the Ashtons joined them later.

“You could stay for dinner, Lady Martha,” Georgiana pressed again.

“We have already stayed longer than planned, my dear. We must return to Ashton Park before another rainstorm starts,” she said, looking at the gloomy sky.

Georgiana held Elizabeth’s hand as they left.

“I cannot express how happy I am to have you stay here,” Georgiana said with warmth.

Darcy stood next to his sister and felt the same way. He assisted Lady Isabella and Lady Martha into the carriage, and the children kissed him goodbye.

Elizabeth was the last to be handed in, and Darcy felt strange about parting from her. He felt as if she belonged with him in Pemberley. He handed her into the carriage, unable to let go.

“Please take care of yourself; I will call on you soon,” he said in a whisper, just audible to her.

Elizabeth sat down and stared at him; glad no one had heard what he said. She was baffled by the way he behaved.

As for Darcy, he cursed himself for his lack of control, and Georgiana looked at his frowning face.

“Is something wrong, Brother?” she asked him.

“No!”

“You look worried. Are the roads bad for travel? Is that what you are worried about?” she asked innocently.

“There is nothing concerning; please do not worry.”

They walked into the house, and Darcy felt an emptiness within himself. He had never felt this way with any woman before. Her presence gave him comfort, and the moment she left, he felt devastated. He finally realized he was in love, and the feeling tormented him.

He locked himself in the study for a good part of the morning, struggling to come up with a reason to think otherwise.

***

Elizabeth reached Ashton Park and felt unwell. She had a terrible headache, and Lady Martha wanted her to rest.

Her mind replayed the incident in the library over and over again, and Darcy’s face flashed through her mind.

Why was his behavior so altered? The last thing I need from him is his sympathy. Is he toying with me? Maybe he suspects something about my identity and wants to taunt me?

A million thoughts raced through her mind.

How long can I go on this way? I may have made the wrong decision to work here. But everything was all right before I met this man.

Confused and angry, she walked to the cupboard, reached for the leather box on the shelf, and looked at her mother’s jewelry.

Suddenly, she felt an overwhelming anger at the man who had given it to her, the man who had ruined her. She hated him; she hated her father.

In a fit of anger, she flung the box across the room, and it hit the wall and fell. As the chain flew out of the box and landed on the floor, Elizabeth collapsed to the floor and cried. She felt furious at herself and her situation.

Elizabeth looked at the chain on the floor and reached for it, crying.

She did not know why her mother wanted her to have it, and she picked up the box and placed the chain inside. Just as she was about to close the box, Elizabeth noticed that the lining at the bottom had shifted.

She pulled the base and was surprised to find another compartment inside where she found an old piece of paper. She hurriedly opened it and realized it was a letter.

Elizabeth read it eagerly.

Dear Sarah,

I would begin this letter with my deepest regard for your health and well-being had the situation been different. I cannot express the agony I felt after receiving your letter. I have always believed in our love, and I wish I could say I still do.

But unfortunately, I cannot. Every hope I had in us has evaporated in thin air, and I still cannot believe it. I still cannot believe this revelation.

I cannot recognize the woman who wrote this, Sarah. Your words make no sense except ascertaining that my father was always right.

You just want money because of your current condition. I thought you were different from all the girls I met in London. But again, I was wrong. How could you even mention the thought of marrying another man?

Whatever your condition is, your decision shows me who you are. You may argue that your situation is altered, and you have no choice but to demand this from me, but I cannot sympathize with you.

It pains me to understand that nothing matters to you: our love, our dream, and the life we want to live.

I regret the day I met you. I regret the day of our union, which you hold against me. You find great pleasure in mentioning our union without any feeling of devotion. I am still wondering if you are in the right sense to write this letter. But do not doubt it, as it is from our trusted source.

Do not fret; I can settle this matter. I can settle this matter with you appropriately.

I will send a handsome sum to compensate for my reckless relationship with you. You could use it in however way you want to forget the pain I have caused you.

You may marry as you wish. Please fulfill your father’s wish and save his business. I am certain this is a pleasing prospect for you rather than being my wife. Yes, it would be easy for you to wipe away the memories you spent with me in every aspect of a union between a man and a woman.

As for this letter and the funds I am about to send you, this will be the last you hear of me.

I wish you a lifetime of happiness and joy. I would not add love, as the word means nothing to you.

Yours,

MA

Elizabeth’s hands trembled as she read the letter. She could not understand it at first, but then she realized what the letter was all about.

This was my father’s response when he found out my mother was with a child.

Elizabeth felt overwhelmed with distress and despair and could not imagine how her mother would have felt to read the same.

Whenever she had looked at the chain before, she had the slightest hope that her father was an honorable man and might have loved her mother in equal measure.

But now, she realized that her mother wanted her to know the true character of the man who had ruined her.

This letter only proves that he never valued her and abandoned her even after knowing that she was pregnant with his child. He sent her money for ruining her; it was that easy for him.

Suddenly, all the anger she had towards Darcy evaporated in thin air. Her anger turned to rage, and it was directed toward one man who was responsible for all her trauma: her father .