“And I could not bear it if you do!” Lady Catherine called after her.
Her mother’s words reached her ears and slowly penetrated her mind. Anne, who was halfway out the door, stopped in mid-stride, uncertain of what she heard. She turned and stared at her mother. “What did you say?”
“I said, ‘and I could not bear it if you do.’”
Anne allowed the words to sink in fully before she spoke again. “Mother, do you mean that?” she asked with suspicion.
“I do.” Lady Catherine replied, clenching her jaw. “The man is a brute.”
Anne gasped, her heart bursting with relief. “And did you know that he keeps a mistress in London, whom he says he will not give up upon marrying me?” she whispered as her eyes filled with tears.
“I know, my child.” Lady Catherine stepped forward, unsure of what to do with herself. “We shall have to see what can be done.”
“What do you mean?” Anne asked, suddenly fearing that she would be forced to marry one of the other gentlemen guests.
“We shall have to see if we can find a gentleman of whom we both approve.”
Anne wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that.
“Perhaps we might even travel. Mr Watkins has talked much of India and says we would be most welcome at his home there.”
“India?” Anne couldn’t believe her ears. “Travel to India?”
“Yes, if you should wish.” Lady Catherine almost laughed at the look of joy on Anne’s face.
* * *
Despite feeling relieved and basking in a newfound understanding with her mother, there remained one last thing for Anne to do. She had to speak to Monty. To Anne’s astonishment, her mother apologised for goading her and confessed she wished to test her resolve. She also asked her to accompany her to take tea at the parsonage with her that morning. Anne quickly agreed. She knew Monty would not be fit company after her refusal and her absence would be the best solution for all concerned.
Anne found Monty alone in the breakfast room, and before he could load himself a plate of food or furnish himself with a cup of tea, she asked him to join her in her mother’s study for a brief talk.
Monty’s face was jubilant as he eagerly agreed and followed her out of the room and down the hallway to the study. Anne stood by the window and watched him fidget after he closed the door behind himself.
“Bit nervewracking, what?” He chortled, rubbing his hands together. “Do you want me to make this easy on you and say, ‘let’s set a date’? Or do you want to do things all properly?”
Anne paled. The man obviously assumed she was going to accept his proposal. The truth would come as a shock, and there was no way to soften it.
She waited until he seated himself before speaking. “Monty, yesterday you did me the great honour of seeking me out and asking for my hand in marriage.”
“Indeed, I did.” He sat back against the cushions, clearly enjoying every moment of the scene before him.
“Well, Monty, I have thought long and hard on the subject. I have not slept much all night from thinking about it.”
Monty snorted. “What’s there to think about, old girl? We rub along all right and we’ll be as rich as Croesus, or thereabouts. I don’t see what there is to think on.”
Anne looked at him. He really did look miffed as to why she needed to think about marrying him at all. As far as he was concerned, he was the perfect catch and Anne could not do better. “I came to a decision and spoke to my mother about it this morning.”
“Jolly good! The old bird is up for this match, you know. The sooner we get a date set, the better, I reckon.”
“Please, Monty. You are too fast. You forget that I have not given you an answer yet.” Anne grew exasperated with the man.
Monty sat up and shuffled himself to the edge of his seat, where he remained, staring at Anne and eagerly awaiting her response.
Anne clasped her hands in front of her and squeezed them tight. “Monty, I am sensible of the honour of your proposal and I thank you for it; however, I am unable to accept.”
Anne’s words hung in the air. Monty looked puzzled, as if unable to understand the language she just spoke.
“What…what are you saying, Anne?” Anne watched as his brow furrowed deeper. “Are you rejecting me?”
Anne took a deep breath. “I am sorry, Monty, but yes, I am rejecting your offer of marriage.”
He laughed nervously. “Are you serious?”
“Never more so.” She nodded.
Monty stood up and paced the room. “This is preposterous! Are you insane to be rejecting me?” He turned around and stared at Anne with such anger that she flinched before nodding. “How dare you!”
“I…I cannot. I simply cannot marry you.” Anne shook her head.
To her astonishment, Monty crossed the space between them in two strides and grasped her roughly. He held her with one arm around her waist, tightly to his body, and his other hand was on her face, forcing her to look at him. “You do not seem to understand, Anne. I will not be rejected by anyone, and especially not by you.”
Before Anne could respond, Monty’s mouth came down and claimed hers. He kissed her with fierce passion. Anne wriggled and tried to free herself from his grasp, but it was to no avail. She opened her mouth to scream but this only gave him the opportunity to force his tongue into it. Taking a chance, Anne clamped tight her jaw and bit down hard on his lip and tongue. Instantly, Monty pushed her away. She fell against her mother’s desk, knocking the chair over, but at least she was free of his grip.
Monty, however, did not fare so well, and his mouth filled with blood. “Look what you did!” he spat.
Anne did not care to see to his wound. She picked herself up and ran as quickly as she could from the room.
As she ran towards the drawing room where her mother awaited her, she could hear Monty screaming after her: “You’ll never get away with this, Anne! I swear it!”
FOURTEEN
_______________________________
Anne spent the rest of the day at the parsonage. During their visit, they were also invited to stay for dinner. Lady Catherine, feeling beholden to her guests, declined the invitation; however, Anne felt no such restraint and accepted. Nothing could have pleased Anne more, at that moment in time, than to be out of Rosings and away from Monty. She knew he was angry with her; he had good reason to be. She had assaulted him, after all, and it played heavily on her mind.
During tea, Henry put down his cup and saucer with a clatter and addressed her directly. “Now, let’s be having it, Miss de Bourgh. Something is on your mind and you are out of sorts.”
Anne looked at the man in surprise. Very rarely was she spoken to in such a manner, and then usually only by her mother.
“I mean it, Miss de Bourgh. I cannot sit here and watch you fighting with some unknown inner turmoil.” He smiled kindly at her. “I’ve become quite fond of you over the past few weeks, and I confess I dislike seeing you this way intensely.”
Anne blushed at his confession and looked nervously at her mother.
Lady Catherine took it as her cue to explain the torrid affair and began the narrative.
James stared at Anne the whole time Lady Catherine explained the situation. Anne grew nervous and uncomfortable under his scrutiny. She wondered if he thought any less of her once the whole story was out.
There were a few details that Lady Catherine did not know about, which Anne felt that she ought to confess. After all, it would not be long before they returned to Rosings and her mother saw Monty’s swollen lip for herself. She would much rather they heard the horrid details from her than from him.
“You really did that?” James asked, looking wide-eyed and astonished at Anne.
She nodded and hung her head, ashamed of her actions.
“Bravo!” Henry cheered.
Anne smiled at his outburst.
“I cannot condone violence, Anne,” Lady Catherine interjected. “However, his behaviour w
as improper and wholly unacceptable. You did what was necessary to remove yourself from his grasp.”
James smiled as he drank from his cup. “I can imagine he’s furious with you right now, Anne.”
Anne reddened with shame and frowned. “Yes, I imagine you are right.”
“You do not believe that you were in the wrong, do you, Miss de Bourgh?” Henry asked, frowning at her. He crossed the room and sat down next to her.
Anne looked up into his face and felt tears threaten.
Henry took hold of her hands. “Now, you listen to me, young lady, and you listen well. What you did, you did out of necessity only. Just as your mother said, you had no choice. You had to get away from him. Just think what might have happened if you had not fought him? How far would the brute have gone in his attack?”
A murmur passed around the room as they thought about what might have been.
“No, you are a brave girl. I am proud of you and I hope the sore lip serves to teach him a lesson.” He smiled kindly at her. “If I were your father, I’d horsewhip the blackguard to within an inch of his life!” He chortled and Anne was unsure if he was sincere or not in that sentiment. All the same, she was glad he said it.
* * *
After Lady Catherine returned to Rosings, Anne relaxed even more at the parsonage. The house was different from when she last saw it. There were no boxes lying here and there, but it was just as bare. She assumed a bachelor did not have need of the knickknacks that a lady’s touch would embellish the home with.
Dinner was light and simple; the conversation, wholesome and without pretension. Anne appreciated that and as they relaxed once more in the sitting room, she felt safe and cocooned there and wished that feeling to never end.
She was also glad to know her friendship with James had not suffered at all from the disclosure of what had passed that morning with Monty. She feared it had, but his behaviour towards her was unaltered. The relief she felt was palpable, and James smiled to see her warming back to him again.
Henry sat back in the settee and drank his whisky that evening while trying not to nod off. Anne was, therefore, left to the rare pleasure of conversing with James almost completely alone.
“Did your father mean what he said earlier?”
“About what?”
“About if he was my father.”
James smiled broadly. “Oh, yes. My father would never jest about such a thing. He truly is fond of you, Anne. I can see that quite plainly.” Anne’s breath caught as he stared into her eyes. “We are both fond of you, Anne. Very fond of you.”
Anne knew that her cheeks were burning but she could not break away from his gaze, neither did she wish to. Anne did not know how long she remained captivated just so, but the spell was broken when Henry fell asleep and his glass crashed to the floor.
The noise awoke him and he started. “Oh, blast it! Look what I’ve gone and done!” He looked red-faced at Anne. “Do forgive my French, Miss de Bourgh. The settee and rug are going to reek of whiskey for days because of my foolishness!”
Within minutes, however, the maid was scrubbing at the rug, while Henry castigated himself loudly. Anne smiled, despite the chaos cause by the spillage, for there was not another place in the world that she would rather be. Unfortunately, though, the light was fading and she knew she ought to return home to take coffee with her mother. She did not yet feel strong enough to leave the safety of the parsonage and the Watkinses companionship, and so invited them to Rosings to take coffee. Anne suggested, with a smile, that it would give the maid a chance to clean up without hindrance.
Henry and James were only too happy to consent, and without further ado, the carriage was called for and they all set off towards Rosings. Anne’s stomach knotted, but she could not put off the inevitable next meeting with Monty.
* * *
Lady Catherine was surprised to learn, when she arrived back at Rosings Park, that the threesome were nowhere to be seen. Walter and Charles were in the drawing room playing chess and were more than pleased to see her. However, she expected and half hoped for Monty to seek her out and plead with her to make Anne see sense and marry him. She yearned to confront the blackguard.
As soon as she was able, Lady Catherine excused herself from Walter and Charles’ presence to retire to her room to freshen up before dinner. Perhaps then Monty would come out of the woodwork and speak to her about Anne, especially considering she would be absent that evening.
Despite herself, she was curious to see the damage that Anne’s bite had inflicted on the man. He deserved everything he got, and she was proud that Anne found the strength inside herself to fight him off.
The sensation of being proud of something Anne did was entirely new for Lady Catherine, and if she was perfectly honest with herself, she liked it. She loved her daughter dearly, but always worried about her. She worried that Anne would fall sick, and her worst fear was that Anne might die and leave her all alone.
However, the events of the past few weeks, and of the last day in particular, showed Lady Catherine that Anne was made of sterner stuff than she ever imagined. She wished she had realised it many years ago. She smiled as she remembered Anne’s own words to her the day before: “I am Anne de Bourgh. I hail from hearty stock. I am not sick and I know my own mind!” Unless Lady Catherine was very much mistaken, those words were precisely what she herself would have said in Anne’s stead.
As she dressed for dinner, she reflected on the last few weeks. What changes having a group of strangers visit had wrought! She was also surprised to recognise changes in herself. She sighed as she realised now she could, perhaps, share some of the burden of running the estate with Anne. She certainly has proved herself capable.
* * *
At dinner, Lady Catherine was pleased to learn the threesome had not left Rosings Park altogether, but were out all day. She learnt from Mrs Brown, the housekeeper, that they had been, in fact, to Westerham and, as she said, “by the smell of them they’ve been in the inn all day too.”
Lady Catherine saw just by looking at them that they were all the worse for wear from liquor. However, she held her tongue admirably and gave them her most charming smile upon their entering the dining room. “Good evening, gentlemen! I pray you’ve all had a delightful day?” She deliberately avoided looking at Monty. She wanted him to sober up somewhat before she heard his side of the events, which she believed she was sure to do.
Horace seemed to be the only one among them with his wits about him. “Pleasant enough, Lady Catherine. And you?” He winced at the thunderous sound of his own voice and the resulting pain in his head.
Inwardly, Lady Catherine smiled. She always believed the excessive imbibing of alcohol to be an evil vice, and she felt they were getting what they deserved. “I did, indeed, I did. Thank you, Horace. Anne and I visited with the Watkinses today. In fact, she is dining with them this evening. I hope you will forgive her absence until later.” Lady Catherine did not care one jot if they minded Anne’s absence or not. What she wanted was to know if Monty would offer an apology or not.
She sat and the others followed suit. Walter and Charles began a discussion on their day and asked her many questions as to hers. Lady Catherine liked those two gentlemen immensely. In comparison to the threesome, they were as chalk and cheese. She warmed to the topic, finding that she enjoyed talking about the Watkinses, to her astonishment. The threesome remained silent as they ate.
Lady Catherine heard that a good, hearty meal could soak up the alcohol in a person’s belly, and it seemed to be the case. As the meal progressed, the threesome became more coherent and joined in the discussions with more frequency. By the time they finished their meal, they were almost back to their normal selves.
As Lady Catherine stood to excuse herself, Charles interjected, “Lady Catherine, it would be shamefully ungentlemanly of us to allow you to retire to the drawing room alone whilst we sat here drinking port.”
Lady Catherine raised her eyebrows and smi
led at him.
“I would beg you, Your Ladyship, for permission to accompany you now.”
Lady Catherine beamed at him. He was such a considerate man. Why could he not fall in love with Anne?
She stood aside and allowed Charles to offer her his arm, which she accepted with pleasure. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Monty roll his eyes as he reluctantly rose from his own seat and followed her out.
* * *
Once in the drawing room, Lady Catherine rang the bell for coffee and reluctantly asked that a decanter of port be brought in for the gentlemen. “I cannot deprive you of that pleasure, since you were all so kind as to accompany me here this evening.” However, she managed to whisper to Wilson to water it down a little.
The announcement of the promised port seemed to cheer the threesome up no end and Lady Catherine thanked the heavens that Monty was not to become her son-in-law. The last thing she wanted was a drunken sot in the family.
It was not long after the coffee and port arrived that Anne also arrived, back from her dinner engagement with Henry and James.
Lady Catherine smiled jubilantly. The scene was set and all the pieces were in place. Perhaps now would be a good time to encourage Monty to tell them all what had happened to his face?
* * *
To say that Anne was nervous of seeing Monty again was an understatement. She was terrified. After having forced himself upon her twice, she was deeply scared of the man. However, she consoled herself with the knowledge that they would be in a room full of people and not alone. Only a fool would try something improper in front of so many.
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