by APRIL FLOYD
Henry carefully offered his arm to Charlotte before doing the same for his Anne. He saw the sparkle in Mrs. Collins’s eyes as she accepted. The poor woman was unused to the gallantry of a gentleman. From his conversations on the matter with Mr. Darcy at Pemberley, he was hesitant to think Mr. Collins a man in the truest sense of the word.
As the trio walked side by side, the evening air provided a welcome respite from the oppressiveness of the great house behind them.
Anne spoke of Elizabeth and Pemberley to Charlotte since the two friends had not seen one another in quite some time. “Elizabeth is well and I hope to return to Pemberley before the babe is born, though she and Lady Anne will be in London soon. The Bennets came to stay for the holiday and may have left to return home by now. Henry and I are to be wed in the gardens of Pemberley.”
Charlotte was pleased to know of her friend’s impending motherhood and became comfortable in the presence of Henry and Anne. However, her mind was in turmoil over the idea of Lady Catherine’s plan for the couple. “I am most grateful for the news of Eliza; I have missed her so. I believe she would wish me to share my thoughts on the presence of Miss Bingley.”
Charlotte took a breath to steady her nerves and continued. “I met her here in the garden not long after she arrived. I must say, I did recall her from the assembly in Meryton after her brother had let Netherfield. I fear she is much the same now as she was then, quite disagreeable.”
Anne glanced at Henry and moved closer to his side. “I have met her in passing in London before but yes, she is most disagreeable though she does seem to enjoy Henry’s company.”
Charlotte’s brow creased with worry and she halted her steps. She must make Anne and Henry know that Miss Bingley intended to come between them. But she did not wish to reveal Lady Catherine’s plans for fear Mr. Collins would learn she had been eavesdropping on his patroness.
Henry noted the fear in the woman’s eyes and spoke gently to gain her attention. “Mrs. Collins, what has happened? Would you care to turn back? We must not keep you from Mr. Collins for much longer.”
Charlotte shook her head and swallowed the fear that gripped her as she considered Mr. Collins’s actions should she cause trouble at Rosings, especially for Lady Catherine. “I must go but there is a warning I would give first. There is a plot afoot to see you parted. Miss Bingley is a treacherous woman with no compunction when it comes to flirting with any man of means who crosses her path.”
Henry and Anne wondered at the words of the parson’s wife but honored her wish to leave them in the gardens after speaking her mind. Henry offered to walk as far as the parson’s cottage with her as the evening shadows deepened, but Charlotte refused him.
“I have walked the path between Rosings and home many times, I will come to no harm.”
Anne watched the parson’s wife as she left them and wished Elizabeth was at Rosings. Plainly, Charlotte Collins was in need of her dear friend. A letter to Darcy House would not go amiss.
She turned to Henry, grateful for his warmth and solid presence. He led her farther along the path as he considered Charlotte’s words. “The poor woman, I wish there was something to be done for her. Clearly she does not trust Miss Bingley, a mark in her favor I say. I wonder if she meant to tell us more but cannot because of her husband?”
Anne found herself in agreement with Henry. Mrs. Collins had been eager to warn them away from Miss Bingley but had seemed almost frightened. Perhaps she did fear for her husband’s position. “I believe you are correct, Henry. Her words were wise and true. Caroline Bingley is not to be trusted. Something has happened to make Mrs. Collins insist we not fall into her trap. It might be that mother and her guest are plotting against us. It would not surprise me, I fear.”
Henry stopped in the shadow of an archway covered in climbing vines and drew Anne into his arms. “There is nothing Miss Bingley nor your mother might do to keep me from your side, my dearest Anne.”
There in the gardens with Henry’s arms about her, Anne knew he would never compromise himself with Miss Bingley. He was as wary of the woman as Charlotte Collins had been. They must not linger at Rosings if Lady Catherine was not terribly ill.
“I shall send for mother’s physician on the morrow, he will have to come from London. Should he say that mother is well enough to depend upon her servants we shall be away to Pemberley. I would not stay and suffer the company of Caroline Bingley after Mrs. Collins’s warning.”
Henry was pleased to hear his beloved’s decision on the matter. He would never press her to leave her mother before she was certain of the woman’s health but he was eager to leave Rosings. “Come, let us go inside. We are both tired from our travels. We will know what to do after the physician has seen your mother.”
The couple left the garden and turned for the front door of Rosings as clouds gathered around the moon.
Elizabeth Bennet paced the floor of her room before sitting by her window with a book. She found it difficult most nights without Mr. Darcy beside her as she slept. On the morrow, she would leave Pemberley with Lady Anne. Their trunks were packed and waiting to be loaded.
She smiled as the kick of a small foot demanded her attention. Caressing the place where her babe had made his own sleeplessness known, Elizabeth found herself singing quietly to the small one residing within her womb.
When her lullaby was finished, she began to speak of Mr. Darcy and the house in London. Though her last visit to Town had been marred by the wicked deeds of Sally Younge and George Wickham, Elizabeth was not afraid to return there and make happy memories with her husband.
A light knock upon her door startled Elizabeth and she stood to cross the room. Lady Anne entered, her face alight at the sight of her new daughter with a hand on her middle. “I could not sleep and thought perhaps you might suffer the same. I wanted to sit with you and the babe in the hope we might tire one another out enough to sleep for a few hours.”
Elizabeth took Lady Anne’s hand and placed it upon her middle where the little feet were busy at play. Lady Anne gasped and pressed her hand firmly against the place where her first grandchild grew strong.
Elizabeth swiped at a happy tear as her mother-in-law laughed at the antics of her first grandchild. “He is awake too. I believe he must know we are off to join his father come the morning.”
Lady Anne took Elizabeth’s hand and led her to the chairs before the fire. “I found it quite odd that my sister would invite Miss Bingley to Rosings. I dare say her motive is to come between Anne and Henry. I cannot imagine she would have any other use for the company of Miss Bingley.”
Elizabeth agreed heartily. “If there is one to match Lady Catherine’s cunning, it would be Miss Bingley to be sure. While I have worried for Henry and Anne, I have no doubt their love will keep them safe from those two and any conniving at Rosings.”
Lady Anne was pleased to see that Elizabeth had come to such a conclusion on the matter. Now that the Bennets had gone, the atmosphere at Pemberley had become peaceful once more. Elizabeth had been able to hear herself think and thus her worries had lessened in the face of truth and logic.
Yawning discreetly, Lady Anne settled deeper into her chair. “Would you read to me, my dear? Your voice is a fine one for such a thing.”
Elizabeth retrieved her book and began to read. She settled comfortably in her chair by the fire and was soon lost in the words as they flew by page after page.
Within an hour she yawned and glanced up to find Lady Anne sleeping soundly beside her. She rose and took a quilt from the back of her chair and tucked it carefully about the woman she had come to love as much as her own mother.
She went to the window and stared at the moon before turning away to her bed. Lady Anne’s presence caused a distinct happiness in her heart and Elizabeth fell asleep whispering words of comfort to the babe still active in her womb.
In the morning, Elizabeth was awakened by Lady Anne. “Lizzy, tis early and we must hurry on our way if we hope to be in L
ondon in a few days’ time.”
Elizabeth stretched and yawned, eager to break her fast and leave for London. “Surely you did not spend the whole of the night in that chair?” she asked as Lady Anne folded the quilt Elizabeth had thoughtfully placed about her the evening before.
“I did and rested well. Your skill at reading the written word has always soothed me. I thank you for the kindness.”
Elizabeth rose from her bed. “Tis not only kindness but genuine love and affection, my dear mother.”
Lady Anne placed the quilt over the back of the chair and turned, her lashes wet and her face soft in the early light that filtered through the heavy curtains of the room.
She took Elizabeth’s hand in hers and squeezed gently. “To hear myself called mother again from such a lovely, young woman is a gift I shall cherish always. Who might have thought that lake would bring you to me when I needed you most?”
Elizabeth bit her lower lip to hold back the tears that threatened her every other hour, it seemed. She had been told by her Aunt Gardiner that a woman cried while carrying a babe to become accustomed to the joys, and sadness, every mother would see as she raised her children.
Within the space of two hours, the ladies of Pemberley were happily seated in their carriage eager for their trip to London to be done.
Lady Anne was particularly pleased to feel the fresh air rushing through the carriage. “The weather is simply perfect for our trip Lizzy. And William will be surprised we have come. We shall visit the shops and find some lovely ribbon for the baby’s gowns.”
Elizabeth found herself happier than she had been since Anne and Henry left for Kent. The nursery would be ready when they returned from Pemberley and a wedding in the garden would be the event of the season.
Chapter 30
Henry Amestrey entered the breakfast parlor at Rosings to find he had not escaped the ordeal of dining alone with Miss Bingley after all.
She was seated at the table and upon his entrance, her face became animated with delight. “Viscount, how lovely to see you this morning. A most wonderful start to my day, I must say.”
Henry nodded to her, hoping to keep his distance and finish the meal quickly. As he filled his plate and turned to sit on the other side of the table as far as he could politely manage without giving offense, Caroline Bingley stood but a few steps away.
He nearly dropped his plate in surprise, but kept a firm grip on the dish. Caroline took a step closer and he instinctively took a step back.
“Miss Bingley,” he said, “is there something I might do?”
Caroline laughed and took the plate from his hand. “My dear man, you might do all that you wish with a lady such as myself.”
Henry felt the solid wood of the buffet press into his back as Caroline advanced. She set his plate down with a clatter and closed the distance between them, her words causing him to panic. “Come now, sir, deny your attraction if you dare.”
Henry ducked as her hands came to rest upon his shoulders. She laughed and spun round to continue her pursuit. No longer caring whether he offended the woman, Henry moved quickly to place the dining table between them. “Miss Bingley! I see Mr. Darcy was correct in warning me of your nature. See here, there is but one in this house who may claim my heart and I assure you she is far more appealing than a desperate spinster with questionable motive chasing a gentleman about the room.”
Caroline pretended shock but Henry could see he had hit his mark. The woman traced a finger along the fine white tablecloth before remarking. “That may be true, but I have no need of your heart. Only your name and position.”
Henry heard voices in the hallway and called out for a footman. Caroline laughed again and slowly returned to her seat at the table. Henry moved toward the breakfast parlor doors and met the footman as he entered.
“Please have a horse ready for me, I would like to ride this morning before I break my fast.”
The man hurried on his errand and Henry followed him into the entry. Mrs. Collins had every reason to warn them against Miss Bingley as she had the night before in the garden. The woman was set upon parting him from Anne. He hoped that today, after the physician came, he and Anne might leave Rosings never to return.
Henry turned and took the stairs two at a time in hopes of speaking to Anne before his ride.
“Mother, your physician from London shall come as quickly as he might for I have sent an express to him early this morning.”
Lady Catherine scowled at her daughter, upset that the child she’d always controlled now exhibited a mind of her own. The lie fell easily from her lips. “He has been to see me recently, Anne. There is nothing to be done save rest and the passage of time.”
Lady Catherine shifted beneath her covers, the irritation of pretending to be ill causing her to become restless. A maid entered the room carrying a tray of tea for her mistress.
“I cannot abide another cup of tea,” Lady Catherine nearly shouted, startling Anne and the maid. “Come help me. I would go downstairs and break my fast.” The maid glanced at Anne before hurrying to do the lady’s bidding lest she was severely punished.
“Mother, you must not! You were so unwell last evening you did not recall my arrival,” Anne said as she hurried to her mother’s side.
“Nonsense! Leave me be. If you wish to discuss my health further, I shall be in the breakfast parlor in half an hour’s time.”
Anne left the room, unable to argue with her mother and eager to know the woman was not as ill as she had first seemed. If she was truly able to take breakfast in the parlor downstairs, the physician from London could only confirm Anne’s suspicions.
Hoping to see Henry before her mother came down, Anne looked in the library first and then the parlor. There was no sign of the viscount, but Miss Bingley sat by the fireplace. Before she might avoid the woman, Miss Bingley turned and saw her by the door.
“Miss de Bourgh, do come in and sit with me. I had breakfast with your viscount this morning. I must congratulate you on your engagement. It is quite easy to understand your attraction for he is a most attentive man. Has your mother come round to the idea of your marriage?”
Anne stepped into the room, refusing to discuss Henry with the impertinent guest. “Miss Bingley, my mother’s physician will arrive from London later today to tell us if she is well enough for Henry and I to return to Pemberley. I imagine you would be pleased to aid in her recovery if her illness is a minor concern.”
Caroline noted the dismissal of her words regarding the viscount. “I have not the experience to be useful in such a task. Perhaps Mrs. Collins might be pressed into service? She is better suited to such an endeavor than I.”
Anne turned to leave the parlor, regulating her emotions as best she could.
Caroline tried another barb aimed at the retreating back of Lady Catherine’s daughter. “Your viscount and I had a most interesting morning meal. He is quite a remarkable man.”
Anne de Bourgh turned, her face composed in spite of the anger that consumed her heart. She knew then that her mother had invited Miss Bingley to Rosings for a purpose, a very particular one at that, and the knowledge broke and buoyed her at the same time.
No longer did Anne feel the need for her mother’s approval. She knew the ache in her heart would heal because Henry would see to it. She would build a family, the likes of which she ought to have had, and would love her children unconditionally.
With her full attention on Miss Bingley, Anne smiled sweetly and sighed. “He is quite a man, Miss Bingley, and I can only hope that someday you find your own Henry. Every woman deserves the love of a good man.”
The young woman quit the parlor before Caroline might make a reply. She jumped from her seat and paced the room, angry that her words had not penetrated the woman’s heart.
If the physician arrived this afternoon and declared Lady Catherine well, there was little time left to take the viscount for her own.
Caroline left the parlor and hurried upstairs
to her guest room. She called for a maid to pack her trunks, leaving only her dinner dress and a chemise on the bed.
She would perform at dinner as a courteous guest might with no attempt to garner Henry’s attention while being most gracious to Miss Anne. After they had all retired to bed, Caroline would wait and find her way to the viscount’s room. She grinned with satisfaction at her plan and sat before the fire with a fashion magazine to bide her time.
In the afternoon, Anne and Henry welcomed the physician, a Mr. Sampson from London, and offered the man to sit for tea. He joined them in the parlor for his trip had been a surprise but he would never refuse a visit to the mistress of Rosings Park in Kent.
“Miss de Bourgh, how is your mother? It has been some time since I was last here. I hope she is well, though if that were the case my presence would not be required.”
Henry nodded to the physician and glanced at Anne before speaking. “Sir, Lady Catherine appears to be unwell but we are unsure of her malady. She has been abed since we arrived.”
The physician sipped his tea happy for the refreshment after the bustle of his trip from London. “I shall go up directly and see to her. Has she been eating and taking tea?”
Anne placed her cup upon the table between them and addressed the man. “She tolerates weak tea but was quite ill before last evening. This morning she demanded to break her fast in the breakfast parlor.”
Mr. Sampson appeared thoughtful but carried on polite conversation for nearly the half of an hour before he stood to attend Lady Catherine. “The examination should not take long. I will meet with you here to inform you of her state and my recommendations.”
Henry followed the man from the parlor and returned to sit with Anne. “Your mother came down this morning? I say, that gives me hope that we might soon be bound for Pemberley.”
Anne stood pacing before the fireplace. “If mother is well, we must go to London first. Aunt Anne and Lizzy have gone there now that the Bennets have left Pemberley. I believe Lizzy was unhappy with myself and William gone.”