Page 30 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

Darcy’s opinion of Mr. Harrington worsened after the conversation with his aunt.

He heaved a sigh when he thought about Georgiana’s situation and felt distressed to understand that she may never have the possibility of finding a genuine friendship as he had found with Mr. Bingley.

His heart ached to realize that Georgiana would never be able to meet Elizabeth or get to know her.

He could sense that his friend was very much in love with Jane and felt sorry for his current state of distress, but his own thoughts were constantly about Elizabeth and her well-being.

Darcy assumed that his departure gave her the much-needed peace she required, although his heart whispered that her struggle could not be overcome easily.

Sometimes, he wondered what it would feel like to be a woman, to feel so deceived, so ill-used in love.

He hated to understand that both Georgiana and Elizabeth underwent the same torture, and he was unable to help them in any way.

He knew he ought to end his stay in town soon, yet he could not bring himself to plan his journey to Derbyshire.

The faint hope of seeing her again still lingered in the corner of his heart, and he could not allow it to be diminished.

Every night, he slept with the same hope: that somehow fate would resolve all his troubles and that one day she would find a way to give him a place in her heart.

***

Weeks passed and Elizabeth and Jane hardly left the Gardiner house during their stay there, though their aunt pressed them to accompany her shopping or to the theater.

Both were distressed in their own way, and the guilt of raising false hope for her sister tormented Elizabeth beyond measure.

For many weeks, Jane had anticipated the possibility of Miss Bingley returning her call, but, affirming all the doubts in the matter, a letter arrived, and Elizabeth, for the first time, gave up hope after reading it.

Dear Miss Bennet,

I write this letter sincerely hoping that you are in good health, as I saw you some weeks ago.

I had every intention of writing earlier but pray forgive me; I was most agreeably engaged.

Almost every day, we have been occupied with our engagements with the Darcy family, and I cannot tell you how delighted we are to see our brother in happy spirits.

He extends his wishes to your family and all our acquaintances in Hertfordshire.

I understand you planned to leave town after some weeks, and I hope you are finding the visit to your liking. I am also aware that you prefer Longbourn and your country for comfort.

I wish you well, Miss Bennet, and I promise to correspond with you even after your return. Our family is looking forward to our brother settling down soon, and I know you can understand how delighted Louisa and I are to have a sister in the house finally.

Please convey my kindest regards to Miss Eliza.

Yours, CB

Jane said nothing after reading the letter, and Elizabeth felt she was growing more and more distant from her, looking lost amidst the company.

Finally, the sisters resolved to leave town in a few weeks, much to their aunt’s disapproval.

With two weeks left in town, they yielded at last to Mrs. Gardiner’s request to attend a few parties.

Jane perceived Elizabeth’s unease when she came to understand that most of their aunt’s acquaintances were aware of Mr. Harrington’s particular regard for her.

But as for her sister, she cared nothing about whom she met or what they thought about her.

She was certain that her aunt would never knowingly place her in Mr. Harrington’s path and had no concern about encountering him there.

Most of their engagements passed without consequence.

Elizabeth sensed that the whole affair with Mr. Bingley had distanced Jane from her.

She knew that her sister chose to stay silent instead of expressing her sorrow to deprive Elizabeth of guilt.

Mr. Gardiner could not but perceive that both his nieces were out of spirits, and his wife assured him that such was indeed the case.

One morning, he convinced Elizabeth to accompany him to the bookstore, as it was one of her favorite places in town.

Her uncle was an avid reader just like her, and ever since childhood, they had enjoyed their visit to the Hatchard’s bookstore.

The owner of the store was a close friend of Mr. Gardiner, and he had often left Elizabeth there undisturbed to enjoy her pursuits in peace.

This morning, Elizabeth entered the store with excitement, having not visited in over a year.

“Mr. Johnson is here. Would you be comfortable if I returned within an hour, Elizabeth? I have some business with my friend who owns a store down the street,” her uncle asked.

“Of course, please take your time; I shall be quite happy to stay here.”

The proprietor of the store, who had known her since her youth, presented to her the latest collection that had recently arrived.

He smiled seeing her excitement as she browsed through the books.

Elizabeth discovered a secluded corner at the store’s end where she might enjoy her gathered selections in peace.

A quarter of an hour elapsed, and being wholly engaged with the books, she did not notice that the store had received a visitor.

After a few moments, she caught the faint sound of conversation from the other end.

Suddenly, a familiar warmth swept over Elizabeth, bringing her mind and body to experience a state of joy.

Her hands began to tremble, and her heart raced.

She was unable to believe it, but her heart knew; every beat resonated with the fact that he was there.

Elizabeth did not dare to move until she had no choice, as she heard footsteps approach.

Mustering her courage, she looked up at the man who stood a few feet away, equally shocked by the encounter.

“Miss Elizabeth!” Darcy exclaimed, his voice filled with shock as his eyes met hers.

With one glance at him, she instantly knew that nothing had changed in his heart or mind despite all her efforts to push him away.