“This is nothing more than speculation.”
“What other reasons could there be?
“Maybe he did not expect to see you again and did not know quite what to do.”
Elizabeth snorted. “Mr. Darcy? At a loss? I very much doubt it.” The very idea was laughable. “No, you must admit it, Aunt. The explanation is simple. He is angry, and he is avoiding me.”
“That may be the case, or it may not. We have no idea what his reasons are, and until we know for certain that is the case, there is no point in fretting about it.”
“You say that as if there is a way of confirming this. How do you expect to find out, when it is unlikely we will ever meet?”
Her words brought with them a cold wave of despair. How could she endure never speaking to him again? It was all very well to try and be noble and sacrifice her happiness for him, but she had not imagined it would be so painful.
It was not until this moment that she had understood herself. Now, she could no longer deny it. She was in love with Mr. Darcy, and the idea of never seeing him was breaking her heart.
“I am in love with him,” she whispered to her aunt. “What am I to do?”
Mrs. Gardiner gave her a fierce hug.
“Before you surrender to melancholy, let us see if there is a way to salvage all this.”
Elizabeth raised her head and took out her handkerchief. Her aunt’s words gave her some hope. She wanted to believe it was possible. “You think we can? How can that be, when he made it clear he did not want to see me?”
“I cannot promise anything,” said Mrs. Gardiner. “I am just asking you to give it a bit more time. I believe I have a cunning plan that will help.”
Chapter 15
The morning after their visit to the theater, Elizabeth found it impossible to get up. She could not face going down to breakfast. The very idea of food repelled her. She took up a book, resolving to stay in bed and read. Unfortunately, her resolution did not last long. She could not read more than a few sentences without thinking about Mr. Darcy.
A knock on the door interrupted her futile efforts, and Mrs. Gardiner came into the room.
“I came to see where you were. Are you still not dressed, Lizzy?”
“No. I am not quite myself today.”
Mrs. Gardiner sent her a probing gaze. “You look perfectly healthy to me. I suppose I must take you in hand. We do not like lazy-bones in this family.”
It was something Mrs. Gardiner often said to the children.
Elizabeth chuckled weakly. “I think I am allowed to wallow in my misery, for once.”
“I will not have you moping about, young lady. I will drag you out of bed if needs be.”
Elizabeth shook her head, smiling. “I will try to get up. But I warn you, I have no intention of working on my embroidered cushion.”
“It is up to you what you do, so long as you join me downstairs. As for the cushion, I am inclined to agree with you.” She paused. “I must be frank, my dear. Your embroidery skills are abysmal.”
Elizabeth burst into laughter. “Is that how you encourage me to get out of bed? I think I will cover myself with my blankets and refuse to come out.”
Mrs. Gardiner gave her a pat on the arm. “Now, now! I am sorry I have hurt your feelings.” She did not look particularly contrite.
“At least I know you will give me your honest opinion, if I need it,” said Elizabeth.
Her aunt put her arms around her.
“I am always here for you, Lizzy. I hope you know that.”
“I do.”
