by Bray, Ayr
Anne smiled; that was exactly what she was counting on. She dearly hoped one man in particular would be happy to see her, for she was certainly excited at the possibility of seeing Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.
All of the ladies turned to leave the room, but Anne called out to Georgiana, “Georgie, will you stay with me? I would love to speak with you.”
Georgiana nodded and stayed behind while the others left the room.
“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth called as she entered the library where all the men were gathered, “may I speak with you?”
“Certainly, my love. If you gentlemen will excuse me,” he said as he stood and followed Elizabeth from the room towards his private study.
As soon as the door closed behind them, Elizabeth let out a ragged breath. “You cannot even begin to imagine the dread I felt when I realized it was a Rosings Park carriage that had pulled up in the drive. I actually thought Lady Catherine had come to spoil our Christmas.”
“Mrs. Reynolds informed me when Anne arrived. You should have seen the look of shock upon the faces of the gentlemen when I told them. Only your father kept a straight face, and I am sure it is only because he does not know the lady himself. Do you seriously believe she allowed Anne to come alone? I am suspicious.”
“I am as well. She assures all of us that Georgiana invited her and that her mother let her come, but to be honest I do not believe it, even after Georgiana confirmed her story.”
“Did you say Georgiana invited her?” Fitzwilliam was shocked his sister would extend an invitation without first asking him, especially so soon after his wedding.
“Yes, that is what they claim.”
“I agree, something is not right. All we can do is trust them for now, but be ready for Lady Catherine to arrive at any time.”
Elizabeth tensed at the thought of Lady Catherine arriving at Pemberley. She certainly hoped the lady would not come, but she would be ready for her if she did.
Fitzwilliam opened his arms, and Elizabeth stepped into them, leaning her head against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her in an engulfing hug.
“I know this Christmas is not turning out how you originally planned, but I think the liveliness around Pemberley is incredible. This estate has been too quiet for far too long.”
Elizabeth looked up lovingly into his eyes as he bowed his head low to kiss her soft lips.
“Fitzwilliam, I know you are right. I just cannot shake the feeling that something catastrophic is going to happen. Will my mother offend your aunt? Will my sisters destroy more artifacts? Will my father disagree with Lord Matlock? Will I live up to Lillian’s and Roslynd’s expectations of how the Mistress of Pemberley should keep house? Now, on top of it all, I have to worry about the possible arrival of Lady Catherine. Oh, can you imagine her and my mother together for an entire week? Lord help me!”
Fitzwilliam chuckled and tightened his arms around Elizabeth, “You have nothing to worry about. Who cares if your mother and my aunt do not get along? Who cares if your father and my uncle disagree? Georgiana is entertaining your sisters, and now that Anne is here my aunt and Roslynd have someone to fuss over. I dare say, your mother will follow suit. In addition,” here he took Elizabeth’s face in his hands and looked deep into her eyes, making sure he had her full attention, “the only person who has any say about how the Mistress of Pemberley should keep house is the Mistress of Pemberley herself.”
Elizabeth heaved a sigh and said, “I know you are right, but I cannot help worrying. I want your family to accept me.”
“You have nothing to fear. Remember, my aunt and uncle only care that we made a love match. They are here more out of curiosity than to approve or disapprove. Regardless, I care not what they think.”
“I do!” Elizabeth exclaimed. Fitzwilliam gave her a scolding look. He began to address her, but she stopped him. “There is no point arguing over it, for we will never agree. Come, we must gather everyone in the drawing room. I think Anne will not take long to come down to see everyone.”
“Are you sure she is not too tired? I think she may need her rest.”
Elizabeth looked at him with a shrewd expression. “I highly doubt your cousin is as sickly as her mother makes her out to be. She looked remarkably well upon her arrival here, and not tired at all.”
Fitzwilliam followed Elizabeth from the study towards the drawing room were all of the gentlemen had already gathered with the ladies.
“Oh, Georgie, thank heavens you did not out me. I am so relieved.”
“Anne, why in the world are you here, and where is your mother? She would not have let you come alone. You must tell me at once.”
Just then there was a knock on the door. Anne held her finger to her lips, silencing Georgiana. “Enter,” she called.
A rosy-cheeked maid came in with a laden tray and bobbed a curtsey. “Good day, miss. Mrs. Darcy asked me to bring up this tea tray for you. Would you like me to leave it on this little table?”
“Yes, that is a fine place to set it.”
The maid carefully set the tray down and addressed Miss de Bourgh again. “Mrs. Darcy also wants to ensure you have all the assistance you need in preparations for coming below stairs. Would you like me to help you with your hair or gown?”
“No, I will be fine; my cousin will assist me.”
Georgiana nodded in agreement. The maid curtsied again and left the room, closing the door behind her.
“I hope it is all right, Georgie. I thought it would give us more time to talk.”
“Yes, but you must promise to tell me all.”
“Let’s see, where to begin?” Anne paused a moment to collect her thoughts. “I guess it all started last September when your brother chose to marry Elizabeth instead of me.”
“But I thought you did not love Fitzwilliam?”
“You are correct, I do not love him as anything more than a cousin, but do not forget that my mother has had her heart set on my marrying him since the day I was born.”
Georgiana nodded in understanding.
Anne continued. “Almost from the first moment she received Fitzwilliam’s letter announcing his engagement, she has been determined to marry me off to the first rich suitor she can find. Oh, Georgie, you should see the dastardly men she has been inviting to Rosings Park. I am tired of it. I know my own mind, and I know who I want to marry. I have come to Pemberley because he is here.”
“What? Here!” Georgiana exclaimed. “Who is he?”
Anne giggled a little. “Think about it. Who here is single and of marrying age?”
Georgiana paused a moment in thought until her eyes lit up and the words rushed from her mouth. “Richard! You are in love with Richard!”
“I most certainly am. When I think back on it, I am sure I have loved him for the past ten years at least.”
“Ten years! But why have you never said anything before?”
“Because your brother has never been married before. Mother would never agree to such a marriage if Fitzwilliam was still available. I highly doubt she will agree to it now, but I have a better chance than before.”
“I think it is a lovely idea. Do you know if he returns your affection?”
Anne’s face fell. “I do not know. I am sure he enjoys my company, for every year at Easter we spend much time together; however, I am unsure if that is because I’m the only person around or he truly wants to be with me. I have come here to take control of my destiny and to find out once and for all if he loves me, and if we can be happy together.”
The two cousins partook of the light refreshments and then quickly readied Anne to appear downstairs for her visit with the entire family.
When the ladies entered the drawing room, all eyes turned to them. The gentlemen stood, and Richard rushed to their sides to be the first to address Anne. “Anne, what a pleasure it is to have you here. Why, nothing could have prepared me for the shock I received upon Fitzwilliam telling us you had arrived. I assure you, nothing could make me ha
ppier than knowing you will be spending Christmas with us. Is it true your mother actually let you come alone?”
Anne laughed at his shock. Nothing could please her more than to receive such attention from him. “Why is it no one believes me when I say that mother let me come alone?” Georgiana knowingly smiled as Richard offered Anne his arm. The two had only taken a few steps when Lord Matlock’s commanding voice was heard.
“Because we all know your mother,” he replied as he stood and gave his niece a hug. “I agree with everyone, though; it is indeed a pleasure to have you here with us.”
Richard led Anne to the chair by the fire. Once she was situated, he pulled a second chair close to her and sat down.
The rest of the afternoon was spent by the family getting to know one another better.
Mary and Kitty joined Georgiana sitting near the window. Georgiana secretly told them to keep an eye on the blossoming romance between her cousins Anne and Richard. Nothing could satisfy the trio more than a budding romance, and for the remainder of the afternoon they watched the pair for any and all signs of admiration. Each time Anne leaned close to speak to him, and whenever Richard laughed at something she said, the girls winked at each other and smiled. Georgiana was happy for her cousin, for if her observations of the two were anything to make a judgement on, she was sure Richard returned Anne’s affections.
Elizabeth slept ill and woke Sunday with pains in her hips and neck. Sitting up in bed, she rolled her head from side to side trying to work out the stiffness. She winced at the pain, but continued the motions, understanding that all she needed was to get up and use her joints and muscles.
“Are you well, my dear?” Fitzwilliam asked when he saw Elizabeth stretching in an uncharacteristic manner.
“Yes, I am well, just a little sore. I’m afraid I did not sleep at all last night. All of the tossing and turning must have done me more harm than good.”
Fitzwilliam sat up and kneaded her shoulder and back muscles with his strong hands. Elizabeth sighed against him, his gentle ministrations working wonders on her aching body.
“You had best be careful; I am likely to make a habit out of this.” Elizabeth teased. “I did not realize my shoulders hurt so badly until you began massaging them. I hurt everywhere!”
Fitzwilliam increased the intensity of his massaging, working his hands over her shoulders, neck, and back. The combined efforts of his ministrations and her gentle sighs wreaked havoc on his masculine composure.
When Elizabeth gave one final sigh and leaned back into his embrace, he accepted her and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Pulling her close, he kissed her temple and breathed in her womanly scent. He loved the smell of her. His body craved her as he had every minute since they had married.
“Fitzwilliam, do we honestly have to get up? I would prefer to linger here in bed with you.”
“This is your house; you may do anything you choose. If you want to stay in bed all day, I will join you.” He lay back down, pulling Elizabeth with him, and then swept the covers back over them. Elizabeth giggled in his arms.
“Nothing would please me more, my dear, but I suspect we cannot. Can you imagine what my mother would say if she knew we had stayed in bed all day, together?”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “I do not care what your mother would say. This is my house, I will do as I choose.”
Elizabeth thought for a moment. “I'm trying to decide if I care or not. Normally I do not care what my mother thinks; however, I dread hearing her opinion voiced to the entire household. No, I think we must get up. She was polite and did not cause a scene yesterday, but I doubt her good behaviour would last under such temptation.”
She turned to face Fitzwilliam, wrapped her arms around him, and pressed her lips to his. Then she rose and stepped from the bed, calling Gracie to assist in her preparations for the day. Today was Sunday, and Elizabeth planned on wearing one of her new gowns. This would be the Darcys’ first Sunday in attendance at the Pemberley Chapel since their marriage, and she was sure to meet many of the Pemberley tenants and families from the surrounding area. Elizabeth wanted to make a favourable impression on all of them.
The Sunday services were beautiful. With the Christmas season upon them, the parson had delivered a heartfelt sermon about keeping hope alive. Elizabeth had been touched by the sermon, and as the final notes of the closing hymn rang through the walls of the chapel, she linked her arm through Fitzwilliam’s and rested her head upon his shoulder.
She had so many hopes for the coming year.
At the conclusion of the services, the whole party returned to Pemberley and spent the afternoon in their different pursuits of enjoyment. Elizabeth and Mrs. Reynolds had laid out holiday crafts for the Fitzwilliam children, and provided ample lace, ribbons, and adornments for Georgiana, Mary, and Kitty to trim their gowns and bonnets. Needlework and yarn was provided to the ladies, and the Pemberley library was opened to the gentlemen.
Hardly anyone noticed the couple who were missing.
Anne had been at Pemberley less than twenty-four hours when she contrived a method to get Richard alone. “Richard, the sun is glorious today. I would love to take a walk in the Orangery. I have heard of its beauty and delights and would like to experience it. Would you accompany me?”
“It would be my pleasure,” said Richard as he stood from his chair and offered Anne his arm. The two left the room together.
Their walk towards the Orangery began in silence, as Anne was somewhat distracted. Richard observed the constant activity of her free hand.
“Anne, what is the matter?”
Anne looked towards Richard with eyes full of interest. “Nothing. Why would you ask such a question?”
“No reason,” Richard said. He continued to observe her from the corner of his eye, not believing her.
“I am glad Mother allowed me to come to Pemberley for Christmas.” Anne rushed her speech, eager to occupy the silence and Richard’s inquisitive mind with other matters.
“As we all are. The entire family is pleased to have you here with us.”
Anne was little pleased with his response. “Are you happy I am here?”
“Of course I am. Why would I not be?”
Anne rolled her eyes at her dense cousin. He had not understood her meaning at all. “I know you are happy that so many of your family are together for Christmas, but, Richard, answer me this. Are you happier that I am here because I represent another member of your family, or because it is me?”
Richard paused in the hallway and looked down at Anne. He had long thought Lady Catherine had fixed her sights on the wrong cousin. For many years now he had wished he was in Fitzwilliam’s position, the eldest son in line to inherit Pemberley. He did not want Fitzwilliam’s place for wealth and influence; he wanted it for the prospective bride. Almost from her birth, Lady Catherine had fixed Fitzwilliam as Anne’s intended, and, though neither of them wanted the match, nothing else had been talked of for close to twenty-eight years.
For the past eight years, at least, Richard had thought of little else than becoming the husband of Anne, though, until this fall, he had feared it could never happen. As long as Fitzwilliam remained single, Lady Catherine would continue to believe his marriage to Anne would still take place.
Once Fitzwilliam had announced his intention to marry Elizabeth, Richard’s hope soared until a few days later when he had gone to Matlock to visit his parents and overheard them discussing a letter from Lady Catherine. They were agreeing it would be best if Lady Catherine brought Anne to London and gave her a proper coming out. They thought Anne deserved the chance for a little scene and society. If Anne came to London, as a rich heiress of an age considered well past marriageability she would be preyed upon by all manner of fortune hunters. There were many men who would take advantage of her situation, and before she or Lady Catherine would even consider the possibility of a ruse, Anne would be married off to the rogue.
In his mind, he had recited a hundred marri
age proposals to Anne over the years, but none of them had been accepted. For the first time, he truly hoped.
Richard chose his words carefully as he responded to Anne. “Anne,” he said, looking straight into her eyes, “nothing pleases me more, as a single man, then to have a beautiful single woman here, and for that woman to be you.”
Anne blushed under his attention; it was just as she had hoped. They resumed their walk to the Orangery in silence, Anne’s grasp of his arm a little tighter.
Richard opened the door and allowed her to enter ahead of him. He heard her gasp as she took in the sight before her. “Oh, Richard, this place is lovely. I have heard of the beauty of this building, but never had I imagined it so exquisite as this.” Anne looked up at the glass ceiling that allowed the light of the sun to shine through uninhibited. Rushing in, she twirled around and breathed deep the perfume of the flowers all around her. She rushed from one flower to the next, bending to take in the scent of each.
Richard watched her flutter around the plants, amusement playing across his face. He was already beginning to think of her as his Anne, and calculating how he could spend his life making her smile. Seeing her pleasure in the place brought him sheer joy. Finally, she calmed down a little and returned to his side.
“So, you like the place, do you?”
“Yes!” was her emphatic reply. “I think someday I will commission a building just like this at Rosings Park.” Her statement brought him slightly back to reality. If she believed she would be at Rosings Park forever, certainly she had never considered a life as the wife of a military man a possibility.
“I am sure it will be lovely,” Richard said.
Anne looked towards him, a little unsure of his less than enthusiastic reply. “Do you not think it is a good idea?”
“Yes, I think it is a splendid idea.” Richard could see the apprehension in her face and tried to raise his enthusiasm, if for nothing more than to see her smile return.