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Darcy did not interrupt their conversation and was happy for his friend. Though he did not have a favorable opinion of the Bennets, he had a good impression of Mary. He constantly thought about their family’s mystery and the daughter who disappeared.

After dinner, the women displayed their talents at the pianoforte, and Mr. Bingley was very impressed to hear Mary’s music. Sir William led Darcy to show his library, wanting to show him around the house.

“I am certain it is not as grand as the one in your estate or Netherfield, but it has been my eldest daughter’s favorite place in the house. I do not read much, and my eldest daughter collected all books here,” he proudly said, and Darcy was impressed.

“This is a well-stocked library, sir,” he said as he browsed the books. He found a lot of poetry.

“Ah! Those are all Charlotte’s favorites. She had a good time reading and discussing books with Miss Liz... I mean, a close friend here,” he said.

Darcy noticed that Sir William’s composure changed suddenly as he stammered.

“I can leave you here if you would love to enjoy a few moments of solace,” he said and left him.

Darcy could not understand his behavior and was glad to spend some time alone, away from the hustle and bustle of the gathering.

He opened one of the books and stopped abruptly after reading a couple of pages.

Darcy could not believe his eyes. He stood rooted to the spot as his world froze, and at that precise moment, the library door opened.

***

A week later, Elizabeth sat in the parlor with Lady Martha and the others. She could not escape the company of the Andersons, as there were no lessons for the children during the weekends.

“Is Georgiana not visiting today?” Lady Martha asked Elizabeth, and before she could reply, her niece answered.

“Oh! Yes, Miss Darcy promised she would visit us today. I admire all that she is doing for the ball in the absence of Mr. Darcy. I wish he could return soon.”

“Perhaps Miss Darcy would not feel so lonely if he married. What do you say, sister?” Lady Anderson asked.

“Well, I think Fitzwilliam’s marriage will bring about a lot of happiness not only to Georgiana but to all of us,” Lady Martha replied.

“He looks up to your words. Why have you not advised him to settle down soon? There are many young women in your sight for you to recommend,” she said, looking at her daughter, and Miss Anderson blushed.

“Yes, he looks up to me, but I do not interfere in his personal affairs to recommend suitable brides for him, and neither is he a person who would blindly take my recommendations,” Lady Martha replied with a smile.

She knew the intentions of her sister and niece, and as much as she would have been happy to have Darcy become related through the marriage, she knew he never favored her niece.

She had observed enough of his struggle in society to deal with women who hounded him everywhere to marry him for his wealth and status.

Elizabeth found the entire exchange amusing; she always admired the way Lady Martha handled people like Lady Anderson.

As expected, Georgiana arrived and beamed with happiness as she entered the room. Before she could say anything, the entire room was stunned by the entry of Darcy, who followed her.

For Elizabeth, seeing him after so many weeks was the shock of a lifetime, and she could not control her emotions. She tried her best to hide her happiness and tears and hoped no one would notice her state.

Darcy’s eyes were fixed on Elizabeth since he entered the room. Miss Anderson sat next to her, and she assumed he was looking at her.

“Fitzwilliam, good heavens. When did you return?” Lady Martha asked in surprise.

“I returned this morning.”

“Georgiana did not mention anything about it.”

“She was not aware,” he said calmly.

“Yes, Lady Martha. He surprised me this morning, and I cannot tell you how happy I am.”

Darcy greeted Lady Anderson and her daughter.

“It is indeed wonderful to see you again, Mr. Darcy. Beatrice and Miss Darcy have been inseparable in recent days,” Lady Anderson said.

“I hope you are doing well; your sister has missed your company, and I have been eager for your arrival as well,” Miss Anderson said, smiling at him.

Elizabeth could not breathe; she felt suffocated, unable to hold her emotions.

And finally, Darcy turned to her, and she struggled to meet his eyes.

“I hope you are doing well, Miss Smith,” he said formally; there was no emotion in his voice.

“I thank you, yes,” she replied, unable to say anything more. Had she known of his arrival, she would have been better prepared, but now, she struggled to hide her happiness, and a thousand questions raced through her mind.

Why did he return? What made him change his mind?

The others joined them and were equally surprised by his arrival, but Elizabeth did not dare to look in his direction.

“I am so thrilled that he chose to return, and I feel so happy about the ball now,” Georgiana exclaimed.

Lady Martha pressed Georgiana and Darcy to stay for dinner, and they agreed. Darcy expressed his wish to see the children, and Elizabeth had no choice but to accompany him and Georgiana upstairs.

Unaware of her struggle, Georgiana chatted away merrily; she was elated to see her brother after so many weeks. Darcy and Elizabeth walked in the silence. Elizabeth could not gauge his thoughts and did not dare to look at his face. The twins were happy to see him and ran up to him in delight.

“Fitzwilliam, we are coming to the ball, do you know?”

“Yes, my dear, Georgiana told me. I am excited that you both will be attending the ball,” he said, looking in Elizabeth’s direction.

To her horror, she saw him look at her with an expression she had not seen on his face before.

He looked at her piercingly, with abhorrence, as though his regard for her had vanished completely.

Elizabeth could not mistake his expression; his features expressed anger and spite. She had never seen his eyes do cold and resentful. She was tormented to understand that whatever she had hoped to happen by refusing him had finally happened.

He hates me.

She could not bear to stay in the same room as him and knew dinner would be even more stressful.

“Are you unwell, Miss Smith?” Georgiana asked, noticing her expression.

“Yes, I am well,” she said, trying to maintain composure. She knew Darcy was watching her.

Elizabeth sat opposite him during dinner, and Georgiana and Miss Anderson sat beside him.

Mr. Anderson sat beside her and conversed amiably, but she hardly noticed anything he said. Whenever she looked up, she could see that Darcy avoided looking at her. She was tired of the situation and wanted to leave the room.

“I am so excited for the ball now, Miss Smith, and I am glad you will be staying with us that night,” Georgiana said as she left.

“I must thank you for the invitation,” she said, not wanting to set foot on Pemberley. The siblings left Ashton Park, and Elizabeth could not accept reality.

The rest of the day passed painfully; she struggled to act composed.

Lady Anderson and her daughter had nothing else to discuss except Darcy’s sudden arrival and how charming the prospect of the ball was.

Lady Martha noticed that something troubled her, and before Elizabeth retired for the night, she brought it up.

“Are you not feeling well, my dear?” she asked.

“Not at all, madam, I am quite well.”

“Is something wrong regarding Hertfordshire?”

“No, I have nothing of concern regarding that.”

“You do understand that I am supportive of anything you may need or willing to listen to you if you want to discuss something, don’t you?”

“I do, and I am grateful for that.”

Lady Martha smiled; she touched Elizabeth’s cheek; it was the first time she had done that.

“Good night,” she said with affection.

Elizabeth hurried up the stairs and fell into bed. She longed to pour her out to Lady Martha, but she could not.

Life would never be the same if I revealed his proposal to Lady Martha; I cannot do it. I must hold this secret forever in my heart and probably have to watch him marry someone like Miss Anderson.

Clearly, she had misjudged her own strength in the matter. She was unable to endure his presence like before. It pained her beyond measure that the man who loved her would never come to know of her true feelings.

What is wrong with me? I let this happen. No one else is to blame, and definitely not Mr. Darcy.

The very eyes that showed concern, affection, and love now expressed anger and spite. Elizabeth could not digest the fact that he held her in contempt, but she could understand his reasons.

She cried herself to sleep that night, not wanting to wake up to see another day in a world where the man whom she loved with all her heart hated her.

The next morning, she left home earlier than usual for her walk. Her face, if anyone saw it, would reveal that she had cried a lot. She hoped the fresh air would help her feel better.

Elizabeth walked for some time, then reached a stream and sat nearby, watching the sunrise. Suddenly, she heard the sound of a rider and immediately assumed it to be Lord Anderson. To her shock, the rider was none other than Darcy.

All night, she had imagined the situations she would have to endure in his company throughout her life; never had she contemplated the prospect of meeting him in private. When he saw her, he swiftly dismounted from his horse and walked towards her.

No, I cannot talk to him. I must leave.

No matter how rude it seemed, she stood and hurried away from him. In which direction she went, she did not know; all she wanted was to escape from him.

Elizabeth half expected that he would call out to her to stop, but she heard nothing. She walked as fast as she could, and to her horror, within moments, someone pulled her and swung her around, and she came face to face with Darcy, who looked fierce and angry.

Elizabeth was so close to him that she could feel the tension in his body.

“What are you doing, unhand me?” she cried.

“How long will you run away from me, Miss Smith? Or must I say, Miss Elizabeth Bennet? ”

Elizabeth froze .