Page 31 of To Go Against Her Heart (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

That same morning, Darcy had gone to Hatchard’s after deliberately avoiding the excursion for many weeks.

Somehow, everything about books reminded him of Elizabeth, and he was unable to summon the strength to visit a bookstore without being haunted by memories of her at the Meryton shop.

Now he stood before her, unable to believe the vision his eyes beheld.

This is impossible. How could she be here?

“Miss Elizabeth!” he exclaimed, watching her struggle to stand, as she held on to the table for support.

They stared at one another, a mixture of shock and curiosity evident in their countenance. Darcy could not mistake the emotion he witnessed in her eyes. Apart from surprise, her beautiful eyes expressed something he had not witnessed in a long time: happiness.

“I did not expect to see you here. I hope you are well,” she finally said.

“I am and may I enquire about you and your family. I hope they are in good health.”

“I thank you, sir! Yes!” Elizabeth replied, catching her breath.

“Pardon me, how long have you been in town?” he asked in a hurry, not wanting to hear that she had been in London all the while.

“I am certain you know from Mr. Bingley about our arrival here,” she said, and witnessed the confusion on his face.

“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me, but I was not informed of the same, and honestly, I am certain that he is unaware of your arrival as well. How long have you been here?” he asked again.

“More than a month now, sir. Jane and I are staying with our uncle, and I am very confused as to how your friend is unaware of our presence here, considering we called on Miss Bingley and her sister during the first week of our arrival,” she said, finally realizing that her suspicions were correct.

Darcy looked at her with shock and pursed his lips, for he could read Elizabeth’s thoughts on the subject very well.

He could not explain the joy her presence brought him, yet the ease of her conversation, entirely free from animosity, assured him she felt the same—he knew well that, had she wished to avoid him, she would have left the store long ago.

“I assure you, Mr. Bingley isn’t aware of this,” Darcy declared, cursing Miss Bingley’s interference.

“It is puzzling indeed, for Miss Bingley did write to my sister after our visit, clearly stating that her brother was aware of our presence in town,” she paused and then continued, “She did specify that he was quite engaged with you and your sister in the past weeks.”

“With Georgiana?” he asked in horror, and Elizabeth nodded. Darcy immediately did not doubt what Miss Bingley had communicated to Jane, and his anger knew no bounds.

“You were misinformed. Bingley does meet me often, but Georgiana is hardly part of our engagements. She spends much time at my aunt’s house these days.

I assure you once again that we were not aware of your presence in town, and I am quite upset to understand that it is not a case of a simple miscommunication. ”

Elizabeth was relieved to hear his words.

“Forgive me, I do not mean to intrude, but are you alone here?” Darcy asked, his voice expressing concern as he looked around the bookstore.

“At present, I have your company and Mr. Johnson’s,” she said with a smile, and Darcy stood dazzled.

“My uncle accompanied me here this morning, and he is visiting one of his friends down the street. He should return any moment now,” she said, and he nodded, still not looking convinced.

Darcy wanted to say so much to her, and not knowing where to start, he asked her whether she was enjoying her time in town.

“We are and intend to leave next week.”

“Good Lord! How could you leave so soon…I mean…” He stammered, and Elizabeth smiled at him.

“Miss Elizabeth, pardon me, had I known you were here all these weeks, I would have definitely called on you along with my sister. She has been very anxious to make your acquaintance, and I hope you will allow her the opportunity to do so.”

“I shall be happy to meet her,” she replied with a smile.

Upon hearing her words, Darcy could not contain his happiness, as he knew very well about her bluntness in avoiding anything she despised.

In his heart, he was certain that she was happy to see him.

As for Elizabeth, she longed to apologize to Darcy for what she had said before he left Hertfordshire, but the words refused to leave her lips.

Though at a distance, the shopkeeper observed their interaction without disturbing them. He was well acquainted with Darcy, just as with Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth.

There were a few minutes of silence between them, and Darcy finally looked at the pile of books on the table and asked Elizabeth if she visited the store often. She quickly explained that she had frequented the bookstore since her childhood whenever she came to stay in town.

“It is my most sought-after store in town as well, and my sister accompanies me often,” he replied.

“Does she enjoy reading as much as you do?”

“She does, apart from her music, books keep her occupied for most of the day.”

Elizabeth nodded and expected him to take leave, but he seemed rooted to his spot. Sensing her discomfort, Darcy addressed her.

“Would you mind if I stay here until your uncle arrives?” he asked and cursed himself.

I have always angered her by showing my concern for her well-being.

Though surprised, Elizabeth nodded. Reluctantly, he moved to the adjacent aisle, and Elizabeth returned to her seat, and her heart still raced for she perceived that his gaze was still directed at her.

As expected, her uncle arrived soon to accompany her home.

“Have you made your selection yet? Please do not accuse me of not giving you enough time,” Mr. Gardiner said with a laugh. He was oblivious to Darcy’s presence in the store.

Elizabeth smiled and glanced in Darcy’s direction, prompting her uncle to follow her gaze.

Seeing them, Darcy stepped forward, and Elizabeth immediately made the introductions. Mr. Gardiner was surprised to see him and even more surprised to understand that he had stayed behind to get acquainted.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said, surprised by the unexpected introduction.

“The pleasure is mine; I have been acquainted with your niece in Hertfordshire.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded. Elizabeth could sense Darcy’s reluctance, as always, amidst new acquaintances, but she also noticed him make an effort to converse with her uncle.

She saw that he was genuinely interested in knowing about her uncle’s business and connections in town.

She watched them in silence as they conversed for a few minutes.

“We must be leaving, Mr. Darcy. Again, it was a pleasure to meet you,” Mr. Gardiner said, and they paid for their purchases.

Much to her uncle’s curiosity, Darcy walked them to their carriage and handed Elizabeth in. She did not know why, but she could no longer avoid him as she once had, nor did she feel he deserved her resentment for the struggles she battled within herself.

Elizabeth could not believe that even after she treated him so harshly, he still had regard for her.

She saw the ache of parting in his eyes, and at that moment, she could no longer deny that her own heart felt the same.

Seeing him after all these weeks, so unexpectedly, had caught her off guard, and she could not disguise her true feelings in his presence.

When the carriage started, Mr. Gardiner saw that she seemed unsettled.

“It is a surprise indeed to make his acquaintance today. Am I to understand that his friend is unaware of Jane’s presence here?”

“As I doubted, yes! Please do not say anything to Jane yet. I do not want to raise her hopes again in this matter. I presume that, as Mr. Darcy is now informed, Mr. Bingley will not long remain ignorant of the same.”

Mr. Gardiner nodded as they reached home and Elizabeth imparted every particular to her aunt, much to her astonishment.

“So, you were right all along. Must we inform Jane that Mr. Bingley was unaware of her presence? It should relieve her from her current state of suffering.”

“I suggest we refrain from doing so, as I cannot bear to see her disappointed again. Mr. Darcy was very much concerned about this misunderstanding, and I trust him in this matter. He would definitely inform Mr. Bingley about Jane’s visit.”

“Mr. Darcy seems to have improved on you after all this while, hasn’t he?” her aunt asked with a raised eyebrow. Elizabeth had written to her aunt regularly about her life in Hertfordshire, and Mrs. Gardiner was aware of her initial resentment towards him.

“I do not have anything against him now. I trust he values Mr. Bingley’s friendship to do the right thing.”

Her aunt looked at her earnestly. From what she understood from Jane, she sensed that Elizabeth was indeed affected in some way by Darcy’s presence in Hertfordshire. She also sensed that though she looked troubled, it was not due to her past bitterness with Mr. Harrington.

Elizabeth carefully avoided discussing Darcy with her aunt and was impatient to know how he had chosen to act upon seeing her and understanding that Miss Bingley had kept his friend away from her sister.

She could not deny her regard for him and wondered why she could not keep her resolve while facing Darcy.

What must he think of me? After all my admonitions to keep away, I offered him nothing but pleasantries this day.

When she looked at Jane, Elizabeth felt guilty for concealing her meeting with Darcy, but she now knew better than to raise her sister’s hopes without solid grounds.

***

On the other side of town, Mr. Bingley angrily stormed into his house.

“Where is my sister?” he yelled at the first servant he met in the hallway. He was then directed to the parlor, where Miss Bingley sat with Mr. and Mrs. Hurst.

The moment he entered the room; he approached Miss Bingley in rage.

“Caroline, do you think I would never come to know? How dare you play with my life like this?” he asked as he shook his sister.

“Charles! What is wrong?” cried Mr. Hurst in shock.

“Answer me, now!” yelled Mr. Bingley, ignoring his brother.

“What did I ever do?” Miss Bingley asked in alarm.

“Did Miss Bennet and her sister call on us?” he asked with a piercing gaze. Mrs. Hurst tried to interrupt, but her husband stopped her.

“Answer me now, Caroline,” Mr. Bingley said, shaking his sister.

“I…I do not know what you are saying. Miss Bennet?”

“Enough! Please do not lie to me. I became aware of everything today; how did you get the courage to deceive your own brother? She has been in town all this time. Not only did you conceal this from me, but you have spitefully lied to her, stating that I was aware of her presence in town.”

Miss Bingley stared at him in shock.

How did he know?

“I will spare you the confusion. Darcy met Miss Elizabeth today, and trust me, he is even more angry than I am at present. Did you mention Georgiana in this matter? Did you say that I was not available to meet Miss Bennet because of her?”

Miss Bingley was unable to reply and looked at her sister to come to her aid. However, Mrs. Hurst said nothing.

“How could you do this to me? She would never have called upon me, had she not truly cared. Good Lord! I was foolish to believe everything you said. Now I know why she was withdrawn during the ball, you must have planted the doubt in her mind about me and Georgiana. I am well aware of your intention to marry Darcy, and you have always hoped that I would favor his sister to secure your match. I am disgusted with you, Caroline, and you know that Georgiana is like a sister to me. Darcy is enraged beyond measure, and as a result of which you are no longer welcome in his home or anywhere near his sister.”

“You have misunderstood everything. That Elizabeth is a spiteful creature, God knows what she fed into Mr. Darcy’s mind.”

“Enough! Do you deny that you mentioned to her that I was aware of her presence in town but still chose to avoid her?”

Miss Bingley was silent.

“Charles, I am sorry, I knew we should not have concealed this information from you, but it was done for your welfare,” Mrs. Hurst said with guilt.

“My welfare? I will be amazed to understand how. I have suffered ever since we left Hertfordshire, doubting everything about her, and she traveled here to see me to prove me wrong, and you chose to hide this?” Mr. Bingley cried aloud.

“This is very unfortunate, as I never expected my wife to be a part of such a vile scheme,” Mr. Hurst said with equal anger and continued, “What do you plan to do now?” he asked.

“The right thing,” Mr. Bingley said with resolve.

***

The next day, the Gardiner household started the morning as usual. Elizabeth sat with her cousins, enjoying a quiet morning. She loved the children beyond measure and knew she would miss them when she left town.

Around mid-morning, she was surprised when a servant summoned her to the drawing room and informed her about visitors.

Elizabeth left downstairs, quite eager to know who the visitors were. The moment she encountered the party in attendance, she could not help being startled.

With her uncle stood Mr. Bingley and Darcy, and beside him stood a young woman who smiled at her the moment their eyes met, and she could not mistake her identity.

So, I finally meet his sister!