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T he next day in Ashton Park, Georgiana sat with Elizabeth in her room. She was aware of everything that had happened in the past few days.

“I do not know what to say or how to comfort everyone here. Lady Sophia was like you; she was kind and compassionate and kept everyone around her happy. She did not deserve this, and her maid; how could someone be so cruel? The more I see the world, the more I lose trust in it. Your past, my past with Wickham, and now what has happened here makes me lose faith in people and relationships.”

“Do not say that; the world is filled with both good and evil. We cannot lose trust in people around us because of these experiences. I was indeed mistreated by the people who raised me, but I unexpectedly found care and affection with Lady Martha. Then my life changed when I met you and your brother. The very fact that I have a future now is because there are people like you in this world.”

Georgiana smiled.

“We are to leave for town in two days, and I am so excited to accompany you and Fitzwilliam. I am happy at the prospect of meeting your sister as well.”

Elizabeth felt distressed about returning to Hertfordshire, but she knew Darcy was intent on confronting the Bennets, and she was eager to see Mary.

Darcy was impatient about their trip and made all the necessary arrangements.

Lady Martha was unhappy about parting with Elizabeth, and another matter bothered her amidst the recent developments in Ashton Park, so she decided to address it.

“I understand Beatrice is still unaware that Elizabeth is your daughter. When do you plan on telling her, considering you are leaving for London in two days,” she asked her brother.

“Augusta does not want me to interfere in this. She wants to tell Beatrice at the right moment.”

“There is no right moment for this; she would be heartbroken no matter when you tell her. You do not understand, Mark. This would devastate her, but keeping it, a secret will not help. Augusta and Beatrice look at Elizabeth as their enemy, and it is your responsibility to sort this out. Whatever happens in London, Elizabeth is your daughter; the world must know this. Don’t you feel pained when we address her as Miss Smith? ”

Lord Anderson was silent for a few seconds.

“As far as I can see, she does not want to be associated with me in any way. I can sense that she is uncomfortable about me travelling with them to London.”

“These are mere excuses. You must tell Beatrice before you leave, or else I will,” she said and left him.

Lady Isabella and her parents were absent during dinner that day, and Elizabeth was worried. She met Lady Isabella, sensing something was amiss, and was shocked to learn her decision.

“I am leaving with my parents to Grovnor Park,” she said with distress.

“What are you saying? Lady Martha did not mention anything to me.”

“She doesn’t know yet. I do not want to tell her until you leave.”

“I am certain she will not allow you to leave.”

“This decision is not mine, but my husband’s. She will have no choice but to abide by his words.”

“Think about the children; you must stay here for them.”

“They are the very reason he wants me to leave. He does not want them to be around me, someone he does not trust,” Lady Isabella said with pain. Elizabeth felt sorry for her and was concerned about the well-being of the children.

“Lord Ashton will change his mind; you must stay.”

“I have lost his trust, and I cannot imagine what I could do to make it right. As much as I want to stay here for the sake of Edmund and Emily, I do not want to complicate things and make life here unpleasant. I would have left without regret if you were to stay here, but you have a beautiful future with Mr. Darcy, and I am truly happy for you. At least you will be close to Ashton Park, and the children will be able to see you often.”

“You speak as though you will never return here.”

“I speak the reality, Elizabeth,” Lady Isabella said with sadness, and to her surprise, Elizabeth embraced her tightly, praying that the couple would reconcile their differences.

***

The next day, Elizabeth was busy with preparations for her travel.

She tried her best to explain to the children why she was leaving and was pained to see them cry after they heard the news.

She promised to return as soon as possible and tried to spend as much time with them as she was able to.

She had asked Lady Martha to arrange for someone to help with the children’s studies and decided to pick some books from the library for their future lessons.

When she entered the library, she felt a sense of sadness as she knew that her time in Ashton Park was limited, and she came to the conclusion she had stopped reading in the library in order to avoid the risk of being in the company of Lord Anderson.

She spent some time gathering the books and left them on the table.

Then, she took a few books for her journey the next day.

Suddenly, she heard the door open and saw Lord Anderson enter.

Elizabeth was caught off guard by his appearance and wanted to leave immediately, but stood rooted to the spot, unable to move.

It was evident to her that Lord Anderson was equally surprised by her presence.

However, he walked up to her and stood without saying a word.

Elizabeth struggled to compose herself; she had not spoken with him since the night she saw him outside her room and had no intention of conversing with him in privacy.

“Good morning!” he finally said formally.

“Good morning,” Elizabeth replied without thinking.

“I assume you are prepared for our trip,” he said.

Elizabeth nodded.

“I know you do not want me to accompany you all, but I have reasons for being there. I want to know the truth as much as you do.”

“I do not want to have this discussion with you now,” she said and tried to walk past him.

To her horror, Lord Anderson held her arm and stopped her.

“Listen to me now,” he cried sternly.

“I know you hate me, and I do not want to defend my actions; I just want you to trust me.”

“Trust you? Pray tell me for what?” Elizabeth asked with rage.

“For the future. You must trust me that I would not forsake you, and I am concerned about your welfare.”

“Who are you to be concerned about my welfare? Until a week ago, we had nothing between us, and in my opinion, there has been no change in that. You cannot accuse my mother and try to show sympathy for me. By disrespecting her, you disrespect me; please understand that. Maybe she had no one to support her when she was alive, but now, she has me to defend her. Defend her from your slander, Lord Anderson.”

“Don’t you dare address me that way again,” he cried as he tightened his grip on her arm.

“Then how am I to address you? Please enlighten me, Lord Anderson.”

She could see his features tighten, and the anger on his face was evident, but she was not scared of him.

“You think you are getting your revenge by treating me with such spite?” he asked as he held her closer to him.

“You are mistaken, sir. If you think I am trying to insult or hurt you, you are wrong. Because I consider you a human being incapable of any feeling in his heart, and in such a case, nothing could be done to hurt you, and in my opinion, you are not worth even that.”

“Would you have felt the same way if you had not engaged Mr. Darcy?” he asked and immediately regretted his question.

“How dare you? Do you think if I did not have his support or a future with him, I would accept you as my father? Just for the sake of your money? Please do not assume everyone to be as unprincipled as you; it is clear that you judge everyone according to the standards you are accustomed to. Unfortunately, people may not have your wealth or status, but they have morals and values, and why I am sacrificing time explaining something you have no connection with. I warn you to…” before she could finish the sentence, they were interrupted by the arrival of Lady Anderson and her daughter.

They were shocked to see the state of affairs as Lord Anderson still held Elizabeth close.

“Mark, what is going on?” cried Lady Anderson, and Elizabeth immediately freed herself and moved away.

“What is she doing here with you, Papa? What is the meaning of this?” Miss Anderson fumed.

“Beatrice, watch your words,” cried Lord Anderson. Elizabeth wanted to leave the room immediately, but Miss Anderson blocked her way.

“I want to know what she wants from you; she seems to have an art of trapping wealthy men. I can see how easily she did that with Mr. Darcy; now, what does she want from you? Is she asking you for money or something else? Clearly, she cannot leave wealthy men alone,” Miss Anderson cried with rage.

“That is enough!” Lord Anderson cried without control.

“You seem to have taken after your mother is using language as vulgar as this. It is my fault for keeping the truth away from you, as requested by your mother. But I can no longer let you slander her like this.”

“No, Mark, stop, do not say a word,” his wife warned.

“Do not say what Mamma?”

“Elizabeth is my daughter. She was born to me and Sarah Gardiner. I was married to Sarah before I married your mother, so legally, she is my daughter and has every right with me.”

Miss Anderson froze upon hearing her father’s words.

“What are you saying? This is falsehood; this cannot be true. She is a servant here. How could she be your daughter?”

She looked at Elizabeth with spite.

“I have had enough of your schemes. First, you trapped Mr. Darcy, and now my father is lying to protect you, or God knows what. This is my aunt’s house, and I will no longer have you live here. Mamma, ask my aunt to throw her out. I do not know why Papa is lying like this.”

Unfortunately, her mother could not find any excuse to deny the truth.

“Mamma, say something. Why are you silent?”