Thursday's Child

by Pat Santarsiero

  CHAPTER TWO

  Ever since the disastrous events surrounding Ramsgate, Darcy had been reluctant to leave Georgiana for any long period of time. He had been most anxious to see her again, and so upon his departure from Netherfield, he had returned to her in London.

  Hertfordshire had been a quiet diversion from the hectic pace of the city. The people were pleasant enough, but he certainly didn’t want to spend more time in their company than necessary. He hadn’t met anyone who had held his interest for anything longer than a brief conversation.

  Bingley, as was his custom, had found some delight in a young lady he had met at the small country estate of Longbourn but was disappointed when the family’s situation had suddenly changed, forcing her to leave for London. Bingley hadn’t gone into much detail about the family, and Darcy was somewhat relieved that he would not have to live through another one of his friend’s infatuations.

  Darcy was looking forward to spending Christmas with Georgiana at Pemberley. He would stay with her until Easter, when he would then travel with his cousin Richard for their annual trip to Kent to visit his Aunt Catherine and cousin Anne at Rosings. His guilt over Georgiana haunted him constantly. He wanted to provide his sister a more stable life than he had given her in the past. He knew the best way to accomplish that would be for him to marry. She would then have a sister who could be her friend and confidant, someone who would help her rebuild her self-esteem.

  After many sleepless nights, Darcy had come to a decision. On this trip to Rosings, he would propose to his cousin Anne.

  It had always been his Aunt Catherine’s greatest wish that they would marry. This alliance was desired, not for any romantic notion, but to unite the two vast estates of Pemberley and Rosings. He and Anne had always been fond of each other, but there was never a great attraction between them. He had affection for her, but only as a cousin. If she felt more, she never betrayed those feelings. However, Darcy did truly respect and care for Anne. Perhaps this was enough of a foundation on which to build a marriage.

  He was certainly a man who knew his responsibilities to his tenants and his family. For both, he would need to produce an heir to guarantee that another generation of tenants would make their livelihood on Pemberley soil and inspire confidence that not only would the estate flourish under his reign as Master of Pemberley, but for generations to come.

  Of course, his duty to family was apparent. His estate would be handed down to his progeny. Pemberley’s estate was set up similarly to Rosings with an added exception: if no male heir was produced, the estate would then be settled on the first female child born; but, contrary to tradition, should that female child marry, the estate would still remain in the Darcy family. Pemberley was not hindered by any sort of entailment.

  Anne would not be denied Rosings Park upon her mother’s death; however, should she marry, all her property would automatically become her husband’s, hence, his aunt’s obsession.

  Of course, Darcy would love to have a son to whom he could leave Pemberley, but a daughter would inherit just the same. His desire to someday produce an offspring was not tainted by a fixation to produce a male heir.

  Even though they were almost the same age, Anne knew very little of the world. Her health had always been poor, and she rarely travelled beyond the gates of Rosings. She seemed to take her ill health in stride and seldom complained. She was pleasant and good natured and, on many occasions, rather witty. She usually did not display that side of her personality in her mother’s company, as the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh would not be amused at what she considered unladylike behaviour. However, Darcy and Richard had often been witness to many of her jokes and teases. Darcy was confident that a marriage between the two of them could be, at the very least, tolerable, and at the very best, agreeable.

  With his decision to marry Anne, came the unsettling admission that he was giving up on making a match based on love. As often as he had scoffed at Bingley for falling in and out of love regularly, he knew deep down in his heart that he would have liked nothing better than to find someone with whom he could share his life.

  As the years passed, his hope of finding that special someone had dwindled considerably. Although many a young lady had professed affection for him, he had doubted their sincerity; not one had taken the time nor trouble to discover anything about him beyond his position in society and his yearly income.

  Despite the many eager attentions offered to him by the ladies of the ton, he would never allow his ardour to overrule propriety. Beauty and charm were certainly not uncommon amongst his acquaintances, and had he wanted nothing more than an ornament to adorn his arm, he could have had his choice of any number of young ladies. However, he had found that the more eager the young lady, the less interested he was. And to single out any one woman with his attentions would draw such scrutiny from his family that it hardly seemed worth the effort.

  Of course, any woman of his choosing would have to be of quality and substance, someone he would be proud to stand up with and one of unquestionable reputation. Perhaps his standards had been too high. Perhaps he had been pursuing a dream. As unlikely as it was that the woman he had invented in his imagination truly existed, it would still be a difficult task to abandon such hopes.

  Nonetheless, he knew what was required of him and that he must marry soon. He must choose a wife worthy of the Darcy name. If he had not found her by now, then she truly must not exist. With no expectations of his finding the one, he was now resigned to at least forming an appropriate and advantageous alliance that would please his family and conform to the dictates of his position in society.

  If he had to choose a wife from the “suitable” ladies of his acquaintance, he might as well choose Anne. Why not choose the path of least resistance?

  He knew many men in his position married for reasons other than love. Until now, he had believed he would not be one of them. He had truly wanted to follow the example set by his own beloved mother and father. George and Lady Anne Darcy had shared a deep love and respect for each other. Though George Darcy had come from a wealthy, influential family with ancient credentials, they were not a titled family. Lady Anne had cared little. She would marry the man she loved.

  Darcy had heard his Aunt Catherine allude many times to the fact that she and her sister had enjoyed countless titled admirers calling upon them, vying for their hands. Obviously, his aunt had not been a proponent of his parents’ union.

  After Lady Anne’s death, shortly after Georgiana was born, George Darcy was never the same. Darcy had often witnessed the vacant look in his father’s eyes, for George blamed himself for her death. When Lady Anne had become ill after Darcy was born, her doctor had expressed his fear that another child would weaken her further and the likelihood of both mother and child surviving would be slim.

  The thought of bringing harm to Lady Anne had been so abhorrent to George Darcy that he denied himself the pleasure of her in his bed for many years. But as her health had steadily improved, Lady Anne had insisted that she was now well enough to survive the birth of another child, should they again be blessed with such a gift.

  Longing to be intimate with his wife once more, George Darcy had acquiesced to her entreaties. When both mother and child had survived Georgiana’s birth, the happy couple’s joy was great indeed. However, within weeks, her health had begun to fail, and six months later, Lady Anne died. The elder Mr. Darcy had lived with that guilt for the rest of his days.

  ~*~

  Easter would arrive early this year. It was March, and there was still evidence of winter upon the ground. Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam placed his bags in the boot of the carriage and opened the door. Slipping into the seat, he shivered slightly from the cold. “It’s good to see you again, Cousin,” he said as he greeted a smiling Darcy.

  After spending the next half hour catching up with family news regarding Georgiana and Richard’s parents, Lord and Lady Matlock, Richard asked, “Are you ready to face another delightful fort
night in our dear aunt’s company?”

  “You may be pleasantly surprised this year, Richard. For once, I do not think she will be giving us her usual hard time.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Well, let’s just say, I’m about to fulfil her greatest wish.”

  “You can’t possibly mean….”

  Darcy turned his gaze to focus on an obscure point outside the carriage window. He could hardly believe it himself; therefore, he could understand his cousin’s confusion. Had he not argued against such a union for years? He turned his eyes back to look directly at his cousin.

  “Yes, I have decided to ask Anne to be my wife.”

  “Well man, don’t just sit there; tell me everything!”

  “There isn’t much to tell. I’ve given it a great deal of thought and it seems to be the only logical solution. You know how much I’ve been worried about Georgie’s fragile state since Ramsgate. She has lost all confidence since the ordeal she suffered at the hands of Wickham. She no longer trusts herself to make good decisions after being so deceived in his character. I believe that if I marry Anne and bring her to Pemberley, Georgie will improve in her company. Plus you must agree this will make our Aunt Catherine exceedingly happy.”

  “What of your own happiness, Darcy?”

  “After all of these years, I’ve come to the conclusion that there is no one out there that would meet all the requirements I would desire in a wife. I see no other choice in the matter. You know an heir for Pemberley is demanded of me. Besides, I admit a desire for a child. If I do not love Anne the way I ought, the way I have imagined a man should love a woman, at least she is my equal in stature and consequence and is someone whom I can respect. And since she brings to the marriage a fortune large enough to rival my own, I do not need to concern myself with her motives.”

  Richard raised an eyebrow. “Do you think Anne will agree to all of this, Darcy? I know our aunt has harped on it for years, but I have never heard Anne’s opinion on the subject. Also, there is the question of her health.”

  “I admit I am anxious to see if there is any improvement since our last visit. If Anne does agree to become my wife, I want it to be with her full understanding that she must eventually produce an heir. I will wait for a chance to speak to her alone before Aunt Catherine has a chance to impose her will. I am hoping there is enough mutual affection between us that Anne will not find this arrangement objectionable.”

  Richard chuckled to himself at the thought of Aunt Catherine’s reaction to Darcy’s proposal to Anne. He doubted Anne would be allowed to refuse, even if she wanted to. This was going to be a very interesting visit to Rosings indeed.

  Darcy and Richard had been very close all their lives despite the fact that Richard was a few years older. Since he was the second son of an earl, he would not inherit. That distinction went to his older brother, who would inherit both title and property. Needing an occupation, Richard had chosen the military as his vocation and was fairly happy with his lot in life. He did not begrudge Darcy his wealth and position in life, for they each had to play the cards they were dealt.

  Knowing the burden of responsibility that had fallen to Darcy after his father’s death, Richard often felt sorry for him. He always had been a serious young man and, after inheriting Pemberley, he had seemed to withdraw even further into his own restrictive world of duty and propriety.

  Upon his father’s death, he also had become his younger sister’s guardian, a responsibility Richard and he shared. Richard knew the scandalous circumstances surrounding Georgiana’s near elopement with Wickham that summer at Ramsgate. Darcy thought of Richard as a friend and confidant, for heaven knew he needed someone with whom he could unburden himself and someone he could rely upon to be discreet.

  Because of this closeness, Darcy had no reservations about telling Richard of his decision regarding Anne. He knew he could be completely honest with him in revealing his reasons to marry, knowing he would always have his cousin’s full support and unfailing loyalty.

  As they approached Rosings, Darcy inhaled a deep breath of air and slowly released it.

  ~*~

  “Is that my nephews?” cried Lady Catherine de Bourgh as Darcy and Richard entered the large parlour. Both gentlemen approached their aunt and bowed in greeting before her. She was seated on her usual “royal throne,” presiding over all who attended. As Darcy looked around the room, he saw Anne sitting quietly next to her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson. She did not look at him but stared at the floor before her. Aunt Catherine introduced the man and woman seated next to Mrs. Jenkinson, a Mr. And Mrs. Collins; the gentleman obviously a clergyman from his form of attire.

  Upon his introduction and his benefactress’s compliments, Mr. Collins immediately began his effusions. “Oh! My dear Mr. Darcy, it is indeed an honour to finally make your acquaintance. Your esteemed aunt, my benevolent patroness, has spoken of you often; it is my greatest pleasure, indeed it is my privilege, to have this opportunity to acquaint myself with you and your noble and esteemed cousin, the son of the Earl of Matlock.” While he took a moment to draw breath, Darcy and Richard used the opportunity to bow curtly and remove themselves from his immediate presence. They both acknowledged Mrs. Collins and then proceeded to address Anne.

  Darcy bowed before Anne and took her hand. For the first time, her eyes left the floor and met his own. “It is so nice to see you again, Anne,” said Darcy. “You are looking well this evening.”

  She blushed slightly at his words.

  Richard then approached Anne and gave her his finest bow. “Indeed, Anne, Darcy is correct. I am delighted to see that your health improves.”

  Unaccustomed to such attention and praise, Anne was at a loss for words, a condition that did not afflict her mother.

  “Do sit down, Darcy! There is a place next to Anne. I hope you intend to stay longer than your usual fortnight,” said his aunt.

  In Derbyshire he might be the Master of Pemberley and worthy of the deference of his acquaintances, but at Rosings his authority was not recognized. It had taken a certain amount of finesse on Darcy’s part over the years to outmanoeuvre Lady Catherine and her marital machinations. But now that he had made his decision to propose to Anne, there seemed little need to oppose his aunt’s wishes any further.

  “Our plans are not yet fixed,” said Darcy as he took his seat next to Anne. Richard tried to hide his amusement as he watched his cousin. If Lady Catherine knew of Darcy’s intent this visit, she would have done cartwheels around the parlour. Picturing in his mind such a sight, Richard turned away to hide his grin.

  Not paying much attention to the company around him, Darcy listened with little interest to Mr. Collins as he explained his very good fortune in having recently inherited an estate in Hertfordshire. Gathering what he could from his conversation, the estate had been entailed away from the female line and had fallen to the clergyman. To his delight, Mr. Collins told of his immediate possession of the property. As a sign of good faith, and because he did not wish to lose Lady Catherine’s good opinion, he had agreed to come back to Rosings until such time as the new clergyman would arrive at the parsonage at Hunsford. Something about the clergyman’s story sounded vaguely familiar to Darcy, but he couldn’t bring the exact situation to mind. As he had no desire to engage Mr. Collins in further conversation, he did not pursue the subject.

  As the entire party was staying for dinner, Darcy knew he would not have a chance to speak with Anne alone tonight. He would have to wait until tomorrow.

  ~*~

  Darcy was grateful to find Anne alone at breakfast and requested her company for a walk around the gardens.

  “Of course, Cousin, I would be happy to,” replied Anne shyly. “I shall meet you in the foyer in a few minutes.”

  When she approached Darcy who was awaiting her, he offered his arm. Upon taking it, she looked up at him, trying to imagine what he was about. As many times as he had visited Rosings, he had rarely, if ever, sought her out
for private conversation. On the contrary, because of her mother’s constant inference to a marriage between them, he usually avoided being alone in her company at all.

  Her mother’s single-mindedness in regard to a union between herself and Darcy was a constant annoyance to Anne. She might have had a more pleasant relationship with her cousin if not for her mother’s interference. How could her mother not see that her constant badgering only made things awkward between them? Surely, Darcy would have been more attentive all these years, had he not felt like every word and gesture he made towards her was being observed and scrutinized.

  The two walked some distance before a word was spoken between them. Darcy was trying to gather his thoughts before approaching the delicate subject he wished to discuss.

  “Anne … I … I have a reason for asking you to accompany me this morning. I wish to discuss a subject that is of great importance to us both.”

  Anne looked up at him and nodded for him to proceed.

  “As you are well aware, it is your mother’s greatest wish that we marry.”

  At this statement Anne blushed profusely but said nothing.

  “I have, of late, been giving the subject of marriage a great deal of thought, and I have decided that it is time that I chose a wife. I have always had affection and great respect for you, Anne. I truly believe a union between us could be agreeable to us both. I do not make this decision lightly, as whomever I choose will be the Mistress of Pemberley and the mother of my children. I have often heard your mother’s opinion of our union, but I have no idea of your feelings on this matter.”

  Again, Anne said nothing, her mind a mass of confusion upon hearing Darcy’s words. Is he proposing to me? Is he asking me to declare my feelings?

  Surmising that Anne was of a mind not to speak, he continued again. “I wanted to discuss what our expectations would be if we were to marry. I know this does not conform to propriety, but our situation is such that I would not wish to make you an offer of marriage if we could not come to a mutual understanding. Once an offer is tended, we both know your mother would not allow you to refuse, even if that were your wish. So, before I declare myself, I need to know that such a declaration would be welcomed and that you would agree to …that is …that you are aware of… that you accept the duties that would naturally accompany being the Mistress of Pemberley.”