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“Miss Darcy informed me that he might not be present for the harvest ball,” Miss Anderson replied, her face lighting up with the mention of Darcy, and Elizabeth noticed it.

After breakfast, the women sat at the parlor.

Elizabeth immediately noticed Lady Anderson’s scowl, seeing Elizabeth accompany them.

Her daughter’s face revealed the same emotion.

Elizabeth felt uncomfortable invading their privacy, excused herself, and headed to the library.

“She seems too young and inexperienced to be a governess,” Lady Anderson mentioned as soon as Elizabeth left.

“Yes, she is young but has done remarkably well with the children. You will see soon,” Lady Martha replied.

“I agree. The children have benefited from her in more ways than one,” Lady Isabella said.

Her mother-in-law was surprised with her praise as she had never heard her give Elizabeth credit in any matter. She realized Lady Isabella had finally warmed up to her, and Georgiana’s arrival interrupted their conversation.

Miss Anderson was under the impression that Georgiana had called on her, but Lady Martha knew better. Georgiana had visited to see Elizabeth and was disappointed when she was absent from the parlor.

After a few minutes of conversation, Lardy Martha understood Georgiana’s predicament.

“Would you like to meet Miss Smith, my dear?”

“Yes, of course.”

“She might be in the library.”

Georgiana excused herself and hurried to the library. The moment she saw Elizabeth, she flung herself into her arms, and Elizabeth embraced her with equal happiness.

“I cannot express how happy I am to see you,” Georgiana exclaimed with tears in her eyes. Elizabeth felt extremely emotional as Georgiana reminded her of Mary, and she could not control her tears. “How have you been?”

“As well as I wrote to you a week ago,” Elizabeth said, and Georgiana laughed.

“I wish to know about you.”

“I have been wretched without your company. Mr. Anderson often mocks me for being a different person without the company of my best friend.”

Elizabeth was eager to know about Darcy.

“Well, I have returned, and we can spend time together. Is Mr. Dar… I mean, your brother returning soon?”

“As I mentioned in my letters, he has no plans of returning soon, and honestly, I don’t know what is distressing him. His letters prove that he is unhappy, and Richard says the same. He is assisting his friend with his new estate.”

Georgiana saved Elizabeth from agony by not mentioning Hertfordshire.

“Will you be joining him in town?”

“No, not at all. He did not mention anything about that either, but I am glad you are back.”

Elizabeth felt uncomfortable keeping Georgiana to herself, and they joined the rest in the parlor.

“There you are, Miss Darcy. Would you like me to accompany me to the village? We plan to go after dinner,” Miss Anderson asked.

“I apologize, but I must return to Pemberley. Mrs. Reynolds wants me to spend time with her looking over the preparations for the ball.”

“Oh! I see. Is there any chance of Mr. Darcy arriving before that?”

“I don’t think so.”

“You must press him. Please do mention that we are here; it may coax him to come,” she said, smiling.

To Elizabeth, it was clear that Miss. Anderson fancied him. She felt a pang of jealousy and ridiculed her feelings.

She had no right over him, and she never could.

Georgiana suggested a walk in the gardens; Miss Anderson and her mother accompanied them.

Both mother and daughter ignored Elizabeth and conversed only with Georgiana.

All the conversations were directed around Darcy.

Lady Anderson slyly asked whether Darcy was courting someone in town, and Elizabeth could sense Georgiana’s discomfort.

She understood they had been acquainted for many years, yet Georgiana felt uncomfortable in their company.

She wanted to see the children before she left, so Elizabeth took her upstairs and found them sound asleep.

“Well, they will certainly ask for you once they are awake.”

“That is all right. I will call again tomorrow; let us not disturb them. Do you have a few minutes to talk?” Georgiana asked.

“Yes.”

Elizabeth took Georgiana to her room.

“I am so sorry; I should not have suggested the walk. Both Lady Anderson and her daughter ignored you. I did not know what to do,” Georgiana said with feeling.

“Do not apologize for something as trivial as this. They have known you for many years, and we just met. Miss Darcy, I do not expect everyone to treat me as you do. Please do not think ill of people who do not prefer my company.”

“You are too kind. I felt uncomfortable, and Miss Anderson always mentions my brother. I feel so stupid when people use me to get his attention.”

“I understand.”

“I wish he would be back soon. Now that you are here, I am happy. But without Fitzwilliam, Pemberley seems so lonely.”

“I am certain he will return soon,” Elizabeth said, guilty for the misery she had caused both siblings.

The day passed swiftly, and Elizabeth only met the other household members during meals.

She received a lot of hostility from Lady Anderson and her daughter, but it did not bother her.

As for Lord Anderson, she felt a strange sense of uneasiness around him.

From his conversations, he found him to be well-learned and intelligent.

But he seemed restrained, and she only saw him smile when he met the children.

Maybe he reminds me of Mr. Darcy.

That night, she was surprised to see Lord Anderson seated in the library with a pile of books beside him. He noticed her and stood.

“Lord Anderson, pardon me if I have disturbed you.”

“You did not. Do you enjoy reading? My sister says you do.”

“Oh! Yes. I love to read more than anything.”

“I am certain the children benefit from it as well. I can see much improvement in them since my last visit,” he said with a hint of admiration.

“I thank you. They are well-behaved and eager to learn.”

He said nothing. Elizabeth took the books and headed to the door, wishing him a good night.

“Which part of town are you from?” he asked earnestly, making her stop.

Elizabeth suddenly felt nervous. A million thoughts ran through her mind. Maybe he knows Uncle Gardiner. Oh no! What do I say?

“Gracechurch Street, sir,” she replied in a low voice, wishing she had any other way to answer this question often asked.

“Your parents?”

“I am an orphan.”

“Then who raised you?”

Elizabeth was irked, but she did not show it.

“My aunt.”

He was silent.

“May I leave, or do you need a history of my employment as a governess as well?” she asked, unable to contain her sarcasm.

Lord Anderson was silent, and suddenly, his expression softened.

“Maybe we can go over the details during breakfast,” he said with a smile.

Elizabeth smiled. She did not know why, but she liked him. Again, she thought his demeanor was similar to Darcy’s.

However, she went to bed that night, tired of lying about her identity.