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Elizabeth held Lady Martha’s hand gratefully. She explained their plans to head to London after the ball.

“Yes, I am aware. I informed Fitzwilliam that you would stay here until you leave for town. And I assume you will stay at your friend’s or uncle’s when you head there.”

Elizabeth had not considered it but felt it was sensible. She understood it would not be appropriate to stay with Darcy and did not doubt that Charlotte would receive her with joy.

“I am happy to stay here until I leave. I am uncertain about what is in store for me in town. Honestly, I do not have much hope in unraveling my past.”

“Do not worry; my instinct says you will discover the truth. Now, I plan to keep your engagement to myself until the ball. You both have given me the luxury to witness the surprised faces that evening.”

However, Lady Martha could see that Elizabeth was worried.

“My dear, I shall not have you ruin your happiness by thinking about what people would say here. The folks in town may have some objections to this marriage, most of which I attribute to the fact that none of the girls there could impress Fitzwilliam. As for Derbyshire, I assure you, people will be happy that he is finally getting married to someone he loves.”

Elizabeth felt reassured by her words.

“I have not said this before, but since the day I stepped into Ashton Park, you have done so much for me. If not for you, I would have never met Mr. Darcy.”

“But you will not meet him again without a chaperone. And since no one else knows about your relationship, I take the liberty of being your chaperone, at least till you announce your engagement,” she said teasingly.

Elizabeth laughed and felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

The day passed swiftly, and she packed for her stay in Pemberley.

Elizabeth longed to see Georgiana, as she was certain Darcy had conveyed the news to his sister.

Everyone was excited about the harvest ball, but Lady Isabella looked withdrawn and expressed no interest. Lady Martha had helped Elizabeth pick a gown for the ball, as Charlotte had bought her a couple of rich ones to wear for social gatherings.

Elizabeth was also grateful when Lady Martha offered to buy her something new if she wanted her to.

"Elizabeth, you are my responsibility until your marriage. I may have to fight with your aunt to do my part regarding your wedding preparations. Since you are getting married here, I will consider it a family affair, and please trust me, my son would feel the same way,” she said, making Elizabeth emotional.

Miss Anderson and her mother expressed their delight in staying at Pemberley during dinner. They assumed Darcy expressed his partiality to Miss Anderson by asking them to stay as guests.

Elizabeth could hardly sleep that night, and it was the same case with Darcy. Georgiana and Darcy spent time discussing the intended trip to town that day, and Georgiana could not wait for Elizabeth to become a part of their family.

The next morning, after breakfast, the party left Ashton Park.

The children were extremely excited about the ball, and Miss Anderson openly expressed her happiness in spending time with the Darcys.

Elizabeth wondered how she would take to the news of her engagement.

However, she cared nothing about what anyone else would think; Lady Martha's acceptance meant the world to her.

She tried to compose herself as the carriage entered Pemberley.

Darcy and Georgiana welcomed them with warmth.

It took every bit of resolve on Darcy’s part to act formally with Elizabeth, and she felt the same way.

They both noticed Lady Martha’s teasing look, witnessing their struggle.

As for Georgiana, the young girl could not suppress her joy upon seeing Elizabeth.

As the housekeeper led the women to the parlor for tea, Georgiana pulled Elizabeth away from them and hugged her tightly.

“Can I call you Elizabeth, at least now?” she asked with excitement.

“Of course, Georgiana,” Elizabeth cried with equal excitement.

“I cannot tell you how happy I was to hear the news from Fitzwilliam yesterday. You will make him very happy, and I cannot wait for your marriage.”

Elizabeth held Georgiana’s hand joyfully, and they hurried into the parlor to join the others. Meanwhile, Darcy felt out of place among the men and was impatient for the ball to announce their engagement.

When she arrived, he had seen Elizabeth only for a few minutes and later saw her during dinner.

Georgiana made certain that Elizabeth was seated next to Darcy at the table, much to the irritation of Miss Anderson.

Both struggled to eat, and Lady Martha watched them with amusement.

Darcy could no longer bear it and was glad when dinner was finally over.

After lunch, the older women left to rest, and Georgiana suggested a walk in the gardens, and Miss Anderson joined her.

Elizabeth wanted to check on the children and planned to join them later.

She headed to the nursery and somehow missed the stairs to the family wing and stood confused.

She tried to return to the lower floor but reached the other end of the house.

Elizabeth had stayed only for a day at Pemberley before and felt lost in the vast house.

As she stood, she heard a voice behind her.

“Do you need my assistance, madam?”

She slowly turned around and faced Darcy, who stood by the stairs smiling at her. He had followed her with the hope of talking to her in privacy.

“I… I am trying to find the way to the nursery,” she replied, taking a deep breath.

Darcy did not speak; it seemed ages since he had seen her alone.

He took a few steps forward, and Elizabeth gasped.

“I am happy to take you there. However, if you wish to get rid of me, I can give you directions,” he said calmly.

His eyes spoke volumes of how he felt in her presence.

“Mr. Darcy, I just need directions at present,” she replied, faking annoyance.

“You need to return the stairs down the hallway and take the stairs on the left that lead to the family wing. I am certain you will be able to find your way from there.”

Elizabeth nodded and quickly tried to get away from him, but as she crossed him, he held her hand.

“I suggest you get familiar with the house, especially your way to the upper floors, to our chambers,” he whispered in her ear.

Elizabeth instinctively closed her eyes, trembling in his presence.

Within a fraction of a moment, she realized that he was gone and stood alone.

She left the place in a hurry and headed to the nursery, catching her breath.

Elizabeth had never seen this side of Darcy before, and he enjoyed taunting her a little just because she did the same to him.

That night, Georgiana sat with Elizabeth in her room. She had surprised Elizabeth with her arrival.

“I hope I am not disturbing you,” she said.

“No, not at all.”

“Oh! It is too difficult to keep this news to myself. I just saw Fitzwilliam, and he seems jealous that I can see you now.”

Elizabeth laughed, understanding Darcy’s plight.

Earlier that day, Georgiana had asked Elizabeth whether she needed anything to prepare for the ball.

She took Elizabeth to her room and showed her some new dresses to choose from if she wanted to.

Elizabeth understood that Darcy had purchased all the dresses in case she needed them and was touched by his thoughtfulness.

Elizabeth showed Georgiana what she planned to wear the next day.

It was a peach-colored gown with intricate embroidery around the neck and small flowers throughout the rest of the dress.

Georgiana liked it very much and complimented Charlotte's taste.

Georgiana spent more than an hour with Elizabeth that night talking about her past.

“I do not know what to say. You are truly brave to have faced such a situation. It is incredible how your sister Mary told Fitzwilliam the truth. I remember you mentioning her once when we were discussing music.”

“She is so much like you in character and interests, and, yes, she loves to play.”

“I am very excited to meet her.”

Georgiana was to accompany them to town, and Elizabeth was still uncertain about what to expect. However, she was elated that she would be able to meet Mary soon. Meanwhile, Miss Anderson sat with her mother, finalizing her attire for the ball.

"Beatrice, dear, you will look spectacular in this gown.”

“Are you certain? I feel the red one would be more attractive.”

“I am not certain, but this one has a better fit on your figure,” Lady Anderson suggested and continued. “Remember,my dear, Mr. Darcy has not invited us here without any intention of marrying you. I am certain he will propose soon; you must please him and his sister in all ways possible.”

“Oh! Yes, Mamma, I cannot imagine being the mistress of this grand estate. It is grander than Ashton Park. I cannot imagine what our friends would say if I settled here.”

“We are the right match for the Darcy family, and I am glad you are getting married well. It is good that you rejected Lord Fremont last month; I cannot stand his mother either. Mr. Darcy seems much happier recently, and I am certain it is because of you. Even though your aunt has not helped in any way in this match, I am certain Mr. Darcy favors you. I saw him look at you earnestly today,” she said.

In truth, Darcy had consciously tried to look in the opposite direction of Elizabeth when they arrived that morning; as luck would have it, he looked in Miss Anderson’s direction as he struggled to compose himself.

Each of them went to sleep that night excited for the next day. As for Darcy and Elizabeth, it was the last night spent as secret lovers.

The day of the ball dawned to pleasant autumn weather.

Most of Darcy’s close acquaintances and the tenants were invited to the ball.

That morning, he met the housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds, and informed her about his engagement.

He respected the old woman and had known her since his childhood, but Darcy did not want to keep the news away from her.

He watched the shock on her face when he declared his engagement with Elizabeth. Mrs. Reynolds was silent for a few seconds and then expressed her wishes.

“My hearty congratulations, sir. This is such an unexpected but delightful surprise. I am glad to hear that Pemberley will soon have a mistress.”

Mrs. Reynolds had no hesitance about the match.

She was well aware of Darcy’s character and was certain that her master would never offer for a woman if he did not truly love her.

Personally, Mrs. Reynolds had respect and admiration for Elizabeth.

She met her weekly at the church and formed a good bond because of Georgiana.

She wanted to help the couple navigate through this phase in every way.

Elizabeth was surprised to find Mrs. Reynolds alone during breakfast, waiting to congratulate her.

“Miss Smith, I offer my heartiest wishes on your engagement. I am certain the staff at Pemberley will be as delighted as I am.”

As for Elizabeth, she was grateful that until that moment, no one expressed anything but happiness with the news.

The house was bustling with energy, and Mrs. Reynolds once again met with Darcy to finalize arrangements.

She understood that the family planned to travel to town soon and return for the wedding.

Darcy was impatient and wanted to speak with Elizabeth before the ball.

She saw her enter the library with Georgiana and decided to talk to her.

However, as he entered the library, he found Lady Martha seated beside Elizabeth and Georgiana.

“Fitzwilliam, what a surprise to see you here. I wonder what entices you to join us, leaving the men alone?” she asked seriously.

Darcy looked at her in shock, but Georgiana could not suppress her laugh. However, Elizabeth was worried by the expression on Darcy’s face.

“Madam, if you would not mind, I would like to have a few words with my fiancée before the ball.”

“Of course, you can; if you do not mind us sitting here, you are welcome to spend time with her,” Lady Martha replied casually.

Elizabeth stood, and Darcy motioned her to the window. Even though Lady Martha did not look in their direction, Darcy’s irritation was inevitable, considering that she acted as a chaperone.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Yes, I did. How about you? You seem to be restless.”

“Of course I am,” he said in a low voice and looked at Lady Martha.

“Fitzwilliam, she is just teasing us,” Elizabeth said in a low voice.

“Well, I do not find it as amusing as you do.”

“We might as well enjoy it at present. Mrs. Reynolds congratulated me this morning, and I am happy she welcomes the match.”

“She does, and I have also written to my uncle and aunt. I am certain the letter reached your friend yesterday.”

“I am glad. Charlotte will definitely find a way to reach Mary without delay. Do you want me to know anything specific about the ball?”

Darcy explained that once the guests arrive, he will officially announce his engagement, and they will be the first couple to open the dance. Elizabeth somehow felt nervous and wanted to be addressed as Miss Smith.

“Elizabeth, please do not be stressed about this evening. I assure you, everything will go well, and I am so glad I can finally claim your hand."

Elizabeth nodded, and Darcy boldly held her hand, reassuring her that he would not leave her side throughout the night. They were interrupted by Lady Martha's voice, which seemed louder on purpose.

“I hope the children are not being naughty upstairs, Georgiana,” she said, still not looking in their direction.

Elizabeth watched Darcy’s face darken and suppressed her smile. He reluctantly let go of her hand and left the library.

A few more hours , he thought to himself as he left for a ride.