“Miss Bennet, please! No, not at all! I deeply apologise if my words hurt you. I assure you they were not intended in that way. I only thought that you had already accomplished your duties better than we expected and I do not wish to take advantage of you.”
He looked distressed enough for her to believe him. Besides, he must genuinely regret his unwilling offense, otherwise why would he take the trouble to apologise to an employee?
They were by the door, only inches away, he was still holding her arm, their eyes, filled with emotions, were locked.
“Mr. Darcy, not for a moment during this assignment have I felt I was being taking advantage of. Quite the contrary. At Pemberley, I have found a place and people that make me feel appreciated and I will certainly miss them when I leave. As for Miss Darcy, I am sure her company will be to my benefit.”
“Miss Bennet, I might not always express myself clearly enough, but I hope you do not doubt my appreciation and consideration, as I hope you do not doubt that you will be missed when you leave Pemberley.”
She nodded, hoping he would release her soon, as her emotions were becoming too strong to control. He seemed to understand her, and slowly withdrew his hand from her arm, then opened the door for her.
“Thank you,” he said once more, and then closed the door behind her.
Elizabeth ran to her chamber, breathless, her heart beating wildly. Despite her wit, her strength of character and her reasoning, she could not stop wondering if he would miss her too when she left. Although she knew such a question to be ridiculous, unreasonable, silly—something in his voice sounded strong enough in her head for her to seek an answer.
Half an hour later she returned to her duties, and later that same afternoon, she witnessed Miss Darcy performing in the music room.
Bonus Story – Chapter 6
The room was unchanged, but to Elizabeth it seemed utterly different from three months ago when she had first unpacked her luggage in it. From the doorway, she looked around the chamber that had been her home for the entire summer.
Based on the initial contract, her employment had officially ended two weeks ago. She had accomplished all her duties, Darcy’s household was now complete and running efficiently, Mrs. Reynolds’ health had improved enough for her to resume her duties fully. Her presence at Pemberley had gradually become unnecessary.
However, at Miss Darcy’s insistence, with Mr. Darcy’s acceptance and after a letter sent to her uncle and aunt, Elizabeth had agreed to prolong her stay for another two weeks, a time during which she was not an employee but a guest—Miss Darcy’s friend and companion. They spent most of the time together, playing the pianoforte, reading or simply talking. They also enjoyed either long walks or drives around Pemberley Park in a phaeton. Despite her apparent fragility, Miss Darcy excelled at both riding and driving horses and she confessed it was her brother who had taught her.
After her initial reluctance, shyness and restraint, the girl slowly opened up to someone close to her in age, well accustomed to dealing with and understanding young sisters of fifteen years old.
Without any enquiry, with much patience and genuine care, Elizabeth found out that the reason for Miss Darcy and her brother’s great distress was a terrible betrayal by a close family friend.
Miss Darcy had been at school until April, when she was taken out by her brother and an establishment formed for her in London. Elizabeth was surprised to find that the girl had her own townhouse, in Park Lane, on the same street as her brother’s. From there, at the beginning of the summer, she had travelled to Ramsgate with her former companion, Mrs. Younge, who appeared to have been part of the betrayal. Fortunately, her brother had arrived two days earlier than expected and had put an end to the matter before any harm was done.
The story had been told in pieces, but Elizabeth shrewdly put the puzzle together. The betrayal must have involved a matter of the heart that had affected the young miss’s gentle soul and made her doubt her judgment and feel she had disappointed her brother. Who was the dishonourable family friend? Either he was a relative or perhaps an old acquaintance; Elizabeth did not know and did not attempt to discover his identity, since her friend had chosen to keep those details secret.
As often happens with any happy moment, the time to leave Pemberley had arrived and Elizabeth’s sorrow was stronger and deeper than she had previously imagined. The joy and excitement to see her family were heartfelt, but also burdened by sadness.
She had grown attached to the people of the household, to the tenants she had come to know, to the people in Lambton, to Pemberley itself and to the Darcys. To one of them—Georgiana—with an open heart, with all the feelings of friendship and mutual affection shared without restraint, with regrets for their imminent separation loudly expressed. To the other one—the Master of Pemberley—with deep feelings, so strong that she did not dare name them even to herself, meant to be forever buried within her heart and never revealed to anyone. Feelings that had caused her anguish during her stay at Pemberley and would surely turn into a long-lasting torment once she was gone. Shehad no expectations, no wishes, and no plans that involved him. She had too much common sense and too much wit for such silliness.
She was certain that she would not lose the connection with the Darcys, as Georgiana spoke heartily about their upcoming correspondence. It should have been enough. But somehow, while appreciating everything she had gained in the last three months, she deeply regretted what she did not dare imagine she could have.
“Elizabeth?”
She startled, turning to Georgiana, who was waiting in the hall.
“Yes? I am ready,” she said with a forced smile.
“Yes, I know… My brother wishes to speak to you, too. But there is something I want to give you.”
With much emotion, the girl handed her a small red velvet box.
“What is it?”
“Open it, please.”
Elizabeth did so and gasped in surprise and delight. It was a golden locket in the shape of a heart and inside it, a miniature of Elizabeth.
“I drew it; I am afraid it is not as good I would wish it to be…”
“My dear Georgiana, it is wonderful,” Elizabeth said, tearfully. “This is such an exquisite necklace and probably expensive, but the drawing is even more beautiful. I would be perfectly content with it alone.”
