Chapter 6 - Revelation #4
Of even greater concern to Hurst was the matter concerning Mrs. Goulding.
He had always been aware of the mutual attraction between her and Mr. Darcy.
A single glance at the pained countenance of Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Goulding revealed the severe consequences of Caroline and Louisa's past actions.
What they had done was both cunning and cruel.
Cunning in the sense that Hurst had never expected Caroline to possess the genius to concoct such a scheme, let alone execute it.
The cruelty lay in the fact that with a single lie, they managed to alter the life paths of two individuals and make their lives miserable.
Whichever way one examined it, their actions were unforgivable.
He intended to have a stern discussion with his wife about this matter.
It was high time for Louisa to break free from Caroline's influence.
As he glanced upward, he perceived Louisa's anxious gaze fixed upon him.
In her eyes, he discerned her apprehension regarding his forthcoming reaction.
For the first time, he felt that his opinion and approbation held significance for his wife.
Hurst was never a forceful man; he preferred to allow matters to rectify themselves rather than exert undue influence.
Angry outbursts and shouting were never his preferred methods for addressing problems. The sight of his beloved wife in such distress was insufferable.
After all, Louisa had courageously acknowledged her errors and demonstrated the bravery to publicly confess them, unlike Caroline.
It was now the moment for him to extend his unwavering support and unconditional love.
With a gentle smile, he slowly extended his hand towards her. He saw the relief in her eyes as she accepted his proffered hands.
This was indeed a significant moment in their lives.
Louisa
When she rose to confess, Louisa had only intended to divulge what Caroline had said to her in Hull. The matter concerning Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, about Mr. Darcy’s alleged insult that never transpired, had not even crossed her mind.
However, upon witnessing the emotional countenance of Elizabeth and her futile attempt to conceal her tears, Louisa decided to divulge everything.
Elizabeth had been her steadfast supporter throughout the past seven years.
It was evident that Elizabeth cared for Mr. Darcy.
With Mr. Darcy still unattached, there existed a possibility for both of them to start anew and forge a better life together.
And if her own act of bravery, the strength to withstand the discomfort of confessing her errors and facing potential reproach, could pave the way to the happiness of those two souls, then it was incumbent upon her to summon that courage.
Thus, she proceeded to disclose everything.
She felt a sense of trepidation when Mr. Darcy immediately rose as if to explode.
Fortunately, he managed to regain his composure and eventually forgave her.
There was still the matter of how her husband would react to this.
Louisa always knew that her husband esteemed and respected Mr. Darcy.
What she did together with Caroline on that day at the assembly may have caused severe repercussions in the life of Mr. Darcy.
She expected her husband to be angry with her.
He was looking down, and she knew that he was trying to suppress his anger, at least until they were alone in their chambers.
She yearned for him to look at her, even if angry.
The uncertainty was killing her. She patiently waited for him to look at her, hoping against hope that he would also forgive her.
It would be too much to expect a loving glance. Forgiveness would suffice for now.
Then he lifted his eyes to meet hers—a smile gracing his lips, and an overwhelming love radiating from his countenance.
A torrent of relief washed over her, and in that profound instant, an emotion previously unknown to her took root.
Her heart swelled with newfound affection, deep and transformative.
The experience was a revelation, almost overpowering her.
Tears of gratitude cascaded down her cheeks, and she made no effort to restrain them.
She slowly extended her trembling hands towards him, gratefully accepting his proffered hands with a beaming, teary smile adorning her countenance.
Nine years after their marriage, Louisa Hurst was finally in love with her husband.
Darcy
After retiring to his study, Darcy sought solace in the seclusion it offered, longing for some time alone to bear the weight of his heartbreak in private.
The answers to questions that had tormented him for years now lay before him.
He had long pondered the nature of the mistake he might have committed in Elizabeth's eyes, even before their introduction when she had declined his invitation to dance.
He remembered Richard questioning him about the same.
Yet, to discover that he had not erred, that Elizabeth's aversion was the result of someone else’s cruel manipulation, did little to alleviate his suffering.
Feelings of injustice and unfairness loomed heavily, despite his understanding of their destructive nature.
Though he already forgave them, anger seethed within him.
The cruelty inflicted upon him surpassed the bounds of ordinary enmity, leaving him to grapple with wounds that seemed to have no end.
He could not help but wonder how Elizabeth fared in the wake of Mrs. Hurst's revelations.
To avert his gaze from her direction was an exercise in fortitude, for his heart yearned to meet her eyes.
Yet, his mind warned of the haunting consequences that would surely ensue if he caught even a flicker of regret upon her countenance.
There was nothing to be gained by her belated regret. The die had long been cast.
Why on earth did Mrs. Hurst reveal it now? What purpose would it serve, other than to increase the turmoil within my heart? She should have kept this to herself. It was cruel to disclose it now.
Lost in contemplation, his ire flared when an unwelcome intruder opened the door to his study. Upon recognizing his aunt, he struggled to suppress his anger, rising abruptly from his seat.
"Nephew, I must speak with you. Instruct your footman to secure the door, and ensure that we shall not be disturbed," she declared as she took her seat in the chair opposite.
Something in her tone puzzled Darcy; it bore a semblance to a voice he had not heard for quite some time. It was not the genteel voice of the newly softened Aunt Catherine, but rather, the authoritative tone of the former Lady Catherine of Rosings.
And with a sudden shock, he realized that it was the first time she had addressed him as "nephew" since their time at Rosings.
Lady Catherine
Lady Catherine had always regarded her nephew, Darcy, as a young man of intelligence and discernment, one capable of recognizing what truly mattered in his life and acting accordingly. Hence, his recent conduct, ever since the arrival of Mrs. Goulding at Pemberley, left her utterly perplexed.
It was evident to her that he held a deep attraction for Mrs. Goulding.
No, it was not mere infatuation. It was clear to her now that Darcy had been in love with Mr. Goulding for years.
Yet, with a chance at love within his grasp, why is he trying to resist it so fiercely?
His inner struggles are painfully obvious, as if he were grappling with physical pain whenever the lady was in proximity.
It was as if his entire being was crying out to him, urging him to pursue the woman he loves.
But her foolish, stubborn nephew is resisting with all his might.
For what purpose? Lady Catherine was completely in the dark.
The breakfast that just completed was so eventful that hardly anyone had time to partake of it.
The actions of the Bingley sisters towards both Darcy and Mrs. Goulding were cruel.
Though Lady Catherine had played a pivotal role in urging her nephew to maintain composure and avoid uttering words he might later regret, she was taken aback by the ease with which he forgave the transgressors.
Be that as it may, that chapter was now closed, and he had a chance to start anew with Mrs. Goulding.
However, what did he do? He told her that he respected her.
Lady Catherine had never had the opportunity to fall in love with a gentleman in her life.
There was no love in her marriage with Mr. De Bourgh.
Yet even she could discern that had she been in Mrs. Goulding's place, when the gentleman she loved with all her heart declared that he only respected her, she would feel incensed.
She remained in the dining chamber for some time after Darcy had taken his leave.
Anne's parting words on her deathbed resonated in her thoughts, serving as a poignant reminder of her responsibility to act as a mother figure to both Darcy and Georgiana—a duty she had regrettably neglected for many years.
In such a situation, what would their departed mother, her dear sister, have done?
What counsel would she have imparted to her son, who appeared to be throwing away his chance at happiness?
It took her some minutes to come up with a decision. She rose from her seat and proceeded to make her way towards the study.
It is time to have a serious talk with the boy.
Darcy
Just as Darcy reclined in his seat, Aunt Catherine initiated an unexpected conversation, catching him completely off guard.
“Darcy, what are your intentions towards Mrs. Goulding?”
Darcy sat up in surprise. What?
“What are you talking about, Aunt? Why do you presume I harbour any particular intentions towards Mrs. Goulding?” he inquired.