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“Before I left, I pleaded with her to allow me to reveal the truth to her father. But she wouldn’t; she trusted Fanny without doubt.

I think that is why she must have shared everything about her marriage and love.

Her father never understood her; he wanted her to marry Mr. Bennet and help with his debts.

Once we returned from Scotland, I even told Sarah that if she mentioned Lord Anderson’s status, her father would readily accept their marriage.

But she did not want to, “he must accept my husband for his character and not for his wealth,” she said.

Those were her words, and as far as I know, she never once doubted her future with him. ”

Elizabeth tried hard to control her tears; she did not want to cry in the presence of Lord Anderson.

“We have the proof now, Mr. Gardiner, and I don’t think we need to wait any longer to confront the Bennets.

My cousin Richard has also given me some important information regarding Mr. Bennet’s business and dealings in town.

I am certain the couple used the money Lord Anderson sent, and we can prove everything.

We must leave for Hertfordshire immediately,” Darcy cried, and Mr. Gardiner agreed.

“What is the use?” Elizabeth asked with remorse. “Whatever punishment they would get now can never bring my mother back, nor can it wipe away the pain and suffering she was subjected to.”

“They must pay for what they have done. We may not have the original letters Sarah wrote, but we can prove everything through Mrs. Lewis, and I will see to it that they confess to their crimes,” Mr. Gardiner said.

Elizabeth looked at Lord Anderson, and he was silent; she could not determine his feelings. But she had no desire to challenge or point out his fault again while the truth was out in the open.

According to Elizabeth, everything was over, and as much as she wanted Mrs. Bennet to pay for what she had done, she felt a sense of helplessness, understanding that it was too late to make things right, as the world had betrayed her mother when she needed it the most.

Lord Anderson expected Elizabeth to direct her anger towards him once Mrs. Lewis revealed the truth. But to his surprise, she did not even bother to look at him, which hurt even more.

She does not want to look at me, and I cannot blame her. I stand here as the sole reason for Sarah’s misery and death. How did I ever have the heart to doubt her love for me? If she died after childbirth, it was because of me; I broke her heart and trust.

Mrs. Gardiner, who was a silent witness to the discussion, finally asked Mrs. Lewis to rest.

Elizabeth felt overwhelmed and left the room, much to Darcy’s distress.

The men decided to travel to Hertfordshire the same day, and Darcy still wanted to confirm Elizabeth’s sentiments on the matter. He found her in the company of her cousins, and Darcy could see that she had been crying.

“Elizabeth, I do not know what to say; I am truly sorry,” he said.

“What else did we expect to hear from Mrs. Lewis? She merely confirmed all our doubts. I cannot tell you how I feel to have loved a woman who was responsible for my mother’s sufferings.”

Darcy looked at her with pity.

“She will pay for what she did, I assure you. Are you willing to accompany us to Hertfordshire? I do not want to press you if you feel uncomfortable.”

“Is he accompanying us?”

“Yes, Lord Anderson will be staying at Netherfield, and Georgiana will also join us, depending upon your decision.”

“However hard it might be, I need to be there. I owe it to my mother, and I am not scared to confront them, as I have you with me,” she said.

They were interrupted by the arrival of Lord Anderson, and Elizabeth was not in the mood to converse with him.

“Mr. Darcy, I request a few minutes to speak with Eliz… Miss Smith, if she allows me to.”

Darcy looked at Elizabeth and expected her to disagree, but to his surprise, she nodded.

He took the children and left the room.

“What is it that you wish to say to me?” Elizabeth asked him.

Lord Anderson was silent; he stared at her with his eyes expressing sorrow and guilt.

“Let me make this easier for you: I cannot accept your apology, even though the letters were forged and my mother was deceived by her sibling. I understand you had your share of burdens — a father who disapproved of your marriage and a mother on her deathbed. Say what you will, but none will justify what you did. Love blossoms with trust; without trust, there could be nothing between a man and a woman. My mother trusted you with her heart and with her honor. But what did you do? Did you even love her enough to trust her character? I do not think so. There is no use apologizing to me, sir; nothing can, and nothing will change my heart in this matter. You are as guilty as the people who raised me; please do not waste your time.”

“I have no intention of apologizing to you for what I did to Sarah. I apologize for how I treated you since that night in Pemberley. Even though you did not know who your mother was, you trusted her character. However, I knew and loved her but allowed situations and manipulations to plague my heart and judgment. What I did was unforgivable. I only want to say that I am genuinely sorry for what you have been going through in your life because of my past actions. I assure you that from now on, I will not be responsible for your unhappiness or discomfort in any way.”

“You knew nothing about me; I don’t blame you for not believing my words. All that matters to me is how you gave up on a woman who did nothing wrong but love you. I neither need your apology nor your assurance; neither matter to me,” she cried.

Lord Anderson took a few steps forward and walked closer.

You resemble Sarah with the same intelligence, strength, and character. How could I not be a part of your life?

Elizabeth wished he would leave her alone. As much as she despised him, she was beginning to feel a sense of warmth in his presence, which she did not want to experience even in a minute way.

Lord Anderson’s eyes fell on the drawings she was teaching her cousins; he had also seen Elizabeth’s art at Ashton Park.

He picked a couple of them and stood admiring her work.

“Did my mother draw?” Elizabeth asked, then immediately cursed her lapse.

Lord Anderson looked at her with a longing and walked away, not answering her question.

Suddenly, he turned around and looked at her.

“No, she did not, but I do,” he said and left the room.