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D arcy and Lady Martha had a serious discussion a few days before the engagement party, and Elizabeth felt irritated to witness their interaction, unable to convince either of them.

“Do not be so stubborn, Fitzwilliam; I am already acquainted with Mrs. Gardiner, and they are now related to the Ashton family through Elizabeth, and they must stay here,” she argued.

“I already invited them to stay in Pemberley, and they agreed; all the guests are to stay there. I do not think it would be proper to change the plan.”

“Why not? I will personally come to Pemberley and invite them when they arrive. You already have so many guests, and I would like the Gardiner family to stay with us.”

Elizabeth looked at Darcy, who seemed to be irritated.

“Elizabeth, will it be proper for them to stay in Pemberley while you are here? They are the bride’s relations, and when I think about it, Mrs. Davis and her husband should stay here as well,” she declared, looking at Elizabeth for approval.

“Lady Martha, I am not willing to change the plan for my guests, and I am sorry if this upsets you,” Darcy said firmly.

“Look at that; your future husband is so stubborn. I doubt he will ever allow you to stay here after marriage.”

“Why would she have to stay here after marriage?” Darcy asked with irritation.

“Because she is my niece and would like to spend time here too.”

“We will see about that if she feels that way.”

“Fitzwilliam, I cannot believe you are so possessive about her. Blinded by love, you are becoming so unreasonable these days. Pray tell me after her marriage, if Elizabeth wishes to stay here, why won’t you allow it?”

“Because I do not wish to part from her, even for a day,” he cried without thought as he began to feel that Lady Martha wanted to dictate everything about his relationship with Elizabeth.

To his surprise, Elizabeth, unable to suppress her laughter, burst out laughing, and her aunt joined her.

Darcy was confused by their behavior.

“What is so amusing for you to laugh?” he asked Elizabeth, not understanding their reaction.

“Fitzwilliam, after your marriage, if Elizabeth visits us and wants to stay here for a day or two, nobody will stop you from staying with her. For heaven's sake, you will be her husband. Do you at least understand why we are laughing now?” Lady Martha said and continued laughing.

Darcy finally understood that he had made a fuss over nothing. Lady Martha and Darcy finally agreed to Elizabeth’s suggestion of inviting the guests to stay at Ashton Park for the night on the day of the engagement party to satisfy her aunt’s wishes.

***

Miss Anderson knew that the preparations for the engagement party were in full swing.

She hated seeing her father and Darcy spend time in the same house with Elizabeth.

That morning, she heard the sound of loud laughter from the parlor and knew Darcy had called on Elizabeth.

It vexed her to realize that no one in the house cared about her feelings and enjoyed themselves without guilt.

How can my aunt be so happy with her? She fawns over her as if she knew her forever. I am no longer important to anyone here, not to Papa, not to my aunt, and even Lady Isabella favors her. I cannot stand this insult.

Miss Anderson ran upstairs and collapsed into her mother’s arms in agony, unable to accept what had happened to her life.

“What Papa is doing to me is cruel; how can he accept her as his daughter? And why can’t you convince him to leave before her wedding?”

“I tried my best, my dear, don’t you know that. He will not listen to anything I say.”

“Then why don’t we leave? I cannot stand how everyone treats her at Ashton Park, the importance given to her wedding, and that stupid engagement party. I cannot be a part of this; let us leave, Mamma!”

“No, we cannot. Imagine what she could do if we left your father alone here. She may even convince him to stay here forever; already, she has influenced him to…” Lady Anderson stopped abruptly. “What Mamma? What is it?” Miss Anderson asked.

“Do not worry; I will not allow her to take him away from us,” Lady Anderson said. After spending the whole afternoon in her daughter’s room, Lady Anderson took her to the village to shop, wanting her to have some peace away from the atmosphere in Ashton Park.

They visited several shops in Lambton, and in one, Miss Anderson overheard the shopkeeper discuss the upcoming wedding.

“I have not seen Mr. Darcy happier, and he has made a good choice. Who would have thought the governess he declared to marry would be the long-lost daughter of Lord Anderson? To have endured so much at such a young age, she deserves to be happy, and the talk going around is that there will be an official announcement regarding her soon, and we can no longer address her as Miss Smith,” he said to one of the customers.

Miss Anderson stood still, unable to process what she had heard.

On their return to Ashton Park, she questioned her mother regarding the same.

“Do not distress yourself with what you overheard,” Lady Anderson said.

“You know something, don’t you? Is he going to announce her as his daughter officially? Will she be addressed as Miss Anderson from now on?” she asked in horror.

Her mother could not answer her question, and as the carriage stopped, Miss Anderson ran outside.

“Beatrice, please stop!” her mother cried and rushed after her.

It was cold outside, and Lady Anderson ran after her daughter, who ran towards the stables away from the house.

Miss Anderson reached one of the sheds near the stables and tried to lock herself inside, but her mother caught up to her.

“Beatrice, what are you doing? What made you run like that? Come with me,” Lady Anderson pulled her.

“No Mamma! Maybe this is where we belong. We do not belong in Ashton Park; she belongs there. Papa will declare her his daughter; then the world will ridicule us.”

“Do not be stupid, and don’t cause a scene. It is already getting dark now. Let us head back to the house.”

“No, I am not coming unless you promise me that Papa will not make any declaration. I cannot stand my place being taken by someone else. What will my friends say back home? This is the worst thing that could ever happen to me.”

Just then, someone walked into the shed, and Lady Anderson was shocked to see who it was.

A while ago, Elizabeth had spotted Lady Anderson running after her daughter, while she had been out walking, trying to enjoy the weather before it started to snow. Elizabeth was alarmed to see her pursuit and had followed them to the shed.

“You? Why are you here? Can you not leave us alone?” cried Miss Anderson as she spotted Elizabeth.

Elizabeth avoided conversing with Miss Anderson and addressed her mother.

“I apologize for the intrusion; I was worried when you ran after your daughter. Is everything all right?” she asked, much to Lady Anderson’s irritation.

“You know very well what is wrong. Look at the state of my daughter; her current state of despair and agony is all because of you. You and your dead mother have ruined our lives forever,” Lady Anderson spat out.

Elizabeth controlled her anger and understood that she had made a mistake in being in their company.

“How can you stand before us as though you are a part of this family? Are you not ashamed of your past? You came here in disguise, trapped a man like Mr. Darcy, then trapped my father.”

“I never trapped anyone, and you have no right to accuse me of such things. You have artfully avoided the truth for your own benefit.”

“And what is the truth? Was your mother even properly married to my father? She ran away from home, married him secretly, and left him for someone else. What sort of a woman does that, and you prove very well that you are her daughter, judging by the way you behave,” Miss Anderson yelled.

Elizabeth struggled to compose herself, and she did not want to make the situation worse than it already was. She turned around to leave, but Lady Anderson blocked her way.

“Mark might believe that you are his daughter, but I don’t. Who knows how many people your mother was involved with,” she said sarcastically.

“Enough!” cried Elizabeth. “Say whatever you want to about me; I do not care anymore. I will not have you insult my mother’s honor. Don’t you have a heart? My mother is dead, and you are slandering her to enrage me?”

“What did my mother say wrong? Your past is not honorable, you know that very well. You have convinced my father to accept you, and he is doing everything to please you,” Miss Anderson accused.

“He is not doing anything to please me. After all these years, he wants to do what is right, at least for my mother’s sake.”

“Who knows what your mother did to marry him so secretly? Maybe she was already ruined, and she tricked him into marrying her. Judging by the things you have done so far, I do not doubt it,” Miss Anderson said.

“Beatrice, that is enough; you leave now. I will deal with this girl,” her mother cried. Her daughter’s words had dangerously awakened the darkest memories about her past.

“Mamma! I don’t want to leave until I know she will stop this announcement.”

“I said leave now, as you vex me. You cannot obey a single thing I say these days.”

“But Mamma! I…”

“For heaven's sake, Beatrice, leave now and don’t make me hate you,” Lady Anderson cried, and Elizabeth knew very well why she was so livid with anger.

Miss Anderson slowly walked away; tears streamed down her face as left the shed.

Lady Anderson and Elizabeth stared at each other until they heard the door of the shed slam.

“See what you have done; you have finally made me upset my own daughter. My poor girl has not been herself since the day we came here. Now tell me, what do you need to leave my husband alone? How much money do you need to convince him to stop this announcement?”

“You only amuse me with your offer, Lady Anderson.”