Page 68

“Because what I said is the truth. Elizabeth is my daughter; everyone else in this household knows this except you. I warn you again, Beatrice, you will not say anything disrespectful to her,” Lord Anderson cried.

To Elizabeth’s horror, Miss Anderson collapsed to the floor crying, and her mother was immediately beside her, trying to console her.

Elizabeth turned and looked at Lord Anderson with a piercing gaze, and he met her eyes with remorse.

She could not bear to stay in the room any longer and ran up to her room.

Somehow, she was not angry with Miss Anderson but pitied her.

Elizabeth wanted to tell her that the last thing she wanted in life was to claim the position as Lord Anderson’s daughter and ease her pain, but she was certain that both mother and daughter would never believe her words.

Elizabeth never wanted anything more in life after she had found Darcy’s love, but now, she wanted to solve the mystery about her mother and bid goodbye to Lord Anderson forever.

The very fact that he wanted Elizabeth to trust him enraged her beyond measure.

Whatever happens in London, no one can change my impression of him. I hope I will never have to see him in the future. He constantly reminds me of my past and my mother’s suffering.

***

In Pemberley, Darcy stood in his study and looked outside the window, gazing at the lake.

All the plans for their travel were finalized, and he had already informed Richard about his arrival.

Richard was already working on Darcy’s request to learn more about the Gardiners and their past. However, he had written to him without any news regarding Mrs. Lewis.

Darcy hoped that when in London, he could solve the matter faster.

He was impatient to confront the Bennets and make them pay for what they had done to Elizabeth.

On the day of travel, Lady Martha spoke with Elizabeth in privacy.

“Elizabeth, I dearly wish I could accompany you on this journey. But you know very well that my prayers are with you, and it lightens my heart to think that you have people to protect you. I fully trust Fitzwilliam regarding your welfare and hope you find the answers you seek. I cannot imagine how the children will cope with your absence, but do not worry; I will do my best for them.”

“I cannot tell you how difficult it is to leave Ashton Park; I did not feel such sadness even when I left Longbourn. You have given me everything, Lady Martha, and if I have found the love of my life, it is because of you. I cannot thank you enough.”

“You deserve the best, my dear, and I am so proud to call you my niece,” she said, wishing Elizabeth would accept her as her aunt.

“I feel guilty for leaving the children, but Fitzwilliam assured me we could return as soon as possible. He is impatient to…” she stopped.

“Get married?” Lady Martha asked with a smile.

“Yes!”

“Well, he is not alone; we are also looking forward to your marriage. I am so glad you will settle in Pemberley, as I cannot imagine parting from you again. I understand your sentiments regarding my brother and why you cannot forgive him. But I can see he repents his actions and wants to declare you his daughter rightfully.”

Elizabeth looked shocked.

“He had this discussion with me and Fitzwilliam as well.”

“I do not want it. I would rather stay as Miss Smith and get married than be called Miss Anderson for the sake of society. It would be a grave injustice to my mother if I accept this.”

“I understand, my dear. Please do not misinterpret my intentions, nor does Fitzwilliam want you to accept this for society. But if something changes in the future, I want you to know that this is my brother’s intention. He also wants to be present for your wedding.”

“Good heavens, he need not trouble himself. He has a family, and I do not need his presence.”

“You are angry now, and rightly so, but things might change.”

When it concerns him, nothing will.

Darcy and Georgiana arrived and broke their fast with the rest of the family. Lady Anderson and her daughter were absent during breakfast, and it was understood that they did not want to be present to send them off to London.

The children were still sleeping, and Elizabeth felt it was better to leave before they woke.

It was emotional for Elizabeth and Darcy to leave the family so dear to them, especially after the recent developments in Ashton Park.

“I am certain that everything will turn out well for you, and I cannot thank you enough for the love and care you have showered on the children,” Lady Isabella said to Elizabeth and embraced her.

“I hope you reconsider your decision,” Elizabeth replied in a low voice, knowing that Lady Isabella might not be present when she returned.

“We will miss you, Elizabeth; the children will be the most affected by your absence,” Lord Ashton said; he had gone past the formality of addressing her as Miss Smith and accepted her as his cousin with happiness.

They were to travel in three carriages; Lord Anderson preferred to travel separately. Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana sat in the other; the third carriage was for a couple of maids and footmen.

“Georgiana, I trust you would take care of the chaperone situation with the help of one of the maids in case you are absent,” Lady Martha said, much to Darcy’s irritation.

There she goes again; I want to kiss Elizabeth before our marriage just to displease her , Darcy thought as he noticed Elizabeth and Lady Isabella smile.

Georgiana nodded her head in assurance. Lord Anderson said nothing, as he felt guilty for leaving his wife and daughter, well aware of their anger and resentment towards him.

They were to stay in Ashton Park until he returned from London, and he hoped to stay for Elizabeth’s wedding before leaving for Scotland.

Darcy heaved a sigh of relief as he handed Elizabeth and Georgiana in, and once the journey started, he switched seats and sat beside Elizabeth, watching her blush. Georgiana smiled, looking at the couple, and gradually understood the herculean responsibility on her shoulders as a chaperone.

***

“Won’t you say something?” Mr. Bingley asked, feeling anxious about her silence.

He had arrived in Longbourn that morning with a resolve to find out if she felt the same way about him.

After Darcy left Hertfordshire, Mr. Bingley spent a lot of time in Mary’s company, and it was not long before he realized that he loved her.

And in her eyes, he could sense her regard for him.

It was difficult for him to seek her out, as Jane constantly tried to gain his attention.

But this morning, he decided not to procrastinate matters anymore.

He was glad to find Mary alone as the others had gone to the village.

“Did you not hear me? I am in love with you. I have been in love with you for many weeks. Won’t you say anything?”

“I…I…” Mary stammered.

“Please do not tell me you have no regard for me; I could see it in your eyes. You have captured my heart in a way that no woman has. Every moment in your company, you gave me a new perspective on life and made me understand how difficult it would be to live a life without you. “

Finally, Mary dared to open up her feelings.

“Though my heart whispered that something changed in the way you looked at me in the past month, I did not want to entertain the thought of having a place in your heart, not because I am scared of heartbreak, but because I thought it was impossible for me to be sought out by someone like you.”

“Why would you say that? You are the most beautiful woman I have met in my life. When you look at me with those eyes, with the slightest smile playing on your lips, and hesitate to converse with me, my heart melts to hear the words you would say. I love you; please do not doubt my affection. Please answer me, do you feel the same way?”

“I do; I have felt the same way ever since our first meeting.”

“Will you marry me?” he asked.

“Yes, I will,” she cried with joy.

Mr. Bingley kissed her hand, unable to contain his happiness.

Mary could not express how she felt; she never hoped to find love and joy, and life in Longbourn had been depressing after Elizabeth left.

As happy as she was, Mary was worried about how her family would react, especially Jane and her mother.

Mr. Bingley could sense that something worried her.

“What is it? You seem to be worried suddenly. “

“It is nothing. I just feel overwhelmed with happiness now, but you still need to speak with my father.”

“I plan to do it right away. Would you like to accompany me?” he asked, and she agreed.

Mr. Bennet sat in the library as usual, not wanting to be disturbed by anyone in the house, especially his wife, but when he saw Mr. Bingley and Mary together, he was more than surprised.

“Good morning, Mr. Bingley. I assume you had called on the girls, not me. But your company is most welcome on mornings like these.”

Mary felt extremely nervous about her father’s reaction and was glad her mother was not in the house.

Mr. Bingley wasted no time expressing his wishes to Mr. Bennet, seeking his approval to marry Mary.

Mr. Bennet was initially shocked to learn his declaration as he heard his wife’s plans about Jane marrying him almost daily.

He looked at Mary and saw the nervousness on her face.

Mr. Bennet was not like his wife; he did not care about whom Mr. Bingley married as long as it was one of his daughters.

He saw no reason to deny the match and consented without hesitation.

He knew his wife would not be happy that he chose Mary over Jane, but he did not care.

Mr. Bingley was delighted with his consent, and Mary felt relieved as well; she breathed a sigh and left the library after thanking her father.

Mr. Bingley left her as a happy man and promised to return the next day; he was excited to convey the news to his family and wanted to write to Darcy right away.

He was unaware that Darcy was on the way to town that very moment.

When Mrs. Bennet returned with the others to Longbourn, she was shocked to hear the news. Jane immediately became hysterical and lashed out at Mary.

“You must be jesting; this is not possible! How could you be engaged to Mr. Bingley? Don’t you know that he meant to marry me?”

Mary was not scared of her sister or mother anymore.

“That was your imagination. He saw through your ulterior motives, Jane; you could not fool him,” Mary said.

“Enough! You cannot marry him; call off this engagement immediately.”

“Why should I? I love him, and he loves me; we are not entitled to obey your requests.”

“Mamma! Talk some sense into this girl. She cannot marry him. Look at me and her; how could he dream of marrying someone so plain? Ask her to call this off,” she cried.

Mrs. Bennet hurried inside to speak with her husband again.

“Why did you give him your consent? Don’t you know that Jane wants to marry him, and she deserves it.”

“Fanny, do not be ridiculous. He is a wealthy man, and I cannot risk the chance of losing him. What if he married Jane or Mary? Who cares about it?”

“I care; Jane will be heartbroken.”

“She will find someone else. If Mary is well settled, then that is good for our family; you act as if Mary is not even born to us; she is not Elizabeth, remember that.”

Mrs. Bennet left the room angrily and could not understand how Mr. Bingley could fall in love with Mary.

How could he propose to Mary when my most beautiful Jane is available in the market?

According to the sensibilities of Mrs. Bennet, none of her daughters matched Jane’s beauty, and she could not comprehend the reality of Mary winning over Mr. Bingley’s heart and reached for her smelling salts to calm herself; little did she comprehend that her headaches were just about to get worse in future.