by Robin Helm
“It is so late,” she began.
“We shall depart after we see the map, if Mr. Bingley volunteers to be our escort?” Mr. Russell said obligingly.
“I should like nothing more,” Charles said, winking at Fanny. He led the procession up the stairs where June’s rantings could be heard clearly. “Right this way,” he continued, herding the group quickly to the picture frame door. They were sure to close the door against the sounds echoing down the hall.
Lord Somerset and the colonel exchanged wary glances. The business of a woman’s labor was not for them. They much preferred combat.
“So the attic is your sanctuary?” asked Mr. Russell.
“I took it over after my sister was married,” Fanny replied.
“And here is her map,” Mr. Dunby announced proudly, leading the men with an outstretched hand towards the adjacent wall that held the map.
“Ah, yes!” cried Lord Somerset, smiling as he indexed his own campaign against Bonaparte at Waterloo. As he studied the British lines against Napoleon, Colonel Scarlett identified the lines which had included his own 5th Dragoons.
Mr. Russell preferred to stand back, taking it all in as a big picture.
“Amidst all the color, the eye cannot help but gravitate to that thin, red line,” he murmured.
CHAPTER X
Fanny was relieved to be fielding no questions or insults and was pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the military men. They truly seemed to appreciate her poor efforts to represent their years of toil.
“I told you that you had nothing to fear,” Mr. Dunby said quietly as he moved to stand beside her. “It is not the accuracy, or lack thereof, that impresses them, but rather the sentiment behind your labors. Very few are privy to know the details of their work and fewer still are those who care to know, so it is uplifting to see evidence that people do think of them and of their men.”
Minutes passed, and the men were ready to go.
“Thank you, Miss Bingley,” Lord Somerset began, “for giving us a gift on your birthday.”
Fanny smiled shyly and turned to lead the way down the stairs. The hall outside the picture frame door was eerily silent, and the group treaded softly, not wishing to disturb the miraculous peace.
“I would wager that Doctor Morrison sent for the midwife,” Fanny whispered, grinning to Mr. Dunby.
Upon reaching the foyer, the men prepared to depart. Mr. Dunby turned hastily to Fanny while the others were busily collecting hats and canes. He dropped something into her palm and closed her fingers around it, holding her hand closed with his own.
“I cannot keep this! It is yours!” she whispered in dismay, brows furrowed.
“Then I shall have to come back for it,” he replied urgently, squeezing the hand he held before releasing it. He spun on his heel and followed the others out.
Fanny stood in the foyer, staring at the looking glass hanging before her. Is this my lot - to dress up and wait for a man? I am resolved to find my own place, my own purpose. Times are changing and women along with it. A full minute passed, still she had not moved.
A knock sounded on the door. Fanny watched her reflection change to one of confusion as Wilson opened the door once more. The face then morphed into one of hesitant elation as the visitor was allowed entrance.
“Good evening,” he said. “I realize the hour is late, nearly midnight, but I was told that a Miss Bingley resides here and may have a missing piece of my family’s puzzle.”
Wilson, the butler, opened the door wider and stepped back, giving the guest full view of the foyer in which Fanny still stood. When the guest stepped further inside, Wilson gently closed the door and disappeared with no sign or expression of understanding.
“I am Miss Bingley,” Fanny said quietly, still unmoved.
The guest closed the distance with a few eager steps. He bowed.
“I am Mr. Abercromby, though I do not expect you to recognize the name.”
“Oh! But that does sound familiar,” Fanny replied.
“You see, I have this timepiece,” the guest continued, revealing a pocket watch he held in his hand. “My late father promised that it would lead me to a special young lady.”
Fanny blushed but remained resolute in playing her part.
“If only we all had such watches,” she murmured, fighting back her tears.
Mr. Abercromby chuckled.
“My late uncle also sent me on a fool’s errand to find a special girl,” he continued, willing Fanny’s eyes to meet his own.
“Your family sounds to be very strange indeed, sir,” Fanny said, unable to contain a very small smile.
“I wonder if you should know of a special coin,” he said leadingly.
Fanny pursed her lips, fighting back a smile, and looked up at her guest.
“Would this coin have been indented by a bullet?” she asked, a look of curiosity across her features.
“I believe the legend of the coin does involve a bullet,” Mr. Abercromby replied thoughtfully.
“And would this coin now bear a small hole for a chain?”
“My uncle was fond of pendants.”
“Would this coin be a French livre with the stamp of an angel on one side?” Fanny whispered, opening her hand to reveal the coin that still rested there.
“How is it possible that my great uncle, my father, and my mother all managed to find you?” he asked softly, focused intently on Fanny’s face.
“They were obviously cleverer than you,” she replied, her gaze just as intent and serious as his own.
Several moments passed while Mr. Abercromby processed Fanny’s rebuttal.
“I see I shall have to marry you, then, for I shall need your assistance in navigating these seas of mortal toil.”
Fanny scowled. “Is that your idea of a proposal? A girl’s entire life hinges on this one moment,” she began eloquently but was interrupted.
“We have a girl!” Mrs. Doyle announced from the top of the stairs. “Jane Francis,” she stated, clasping her hands to her breast in rapture before turning back to the delivery room.
“Well, I hope she does not plan on having enough children to name them after all our family,” Fanny said skeptically.
Mr. Abercromby laughed, the deep rumblings of which made Fanny smile.
“Marry me, Miss Fanny Bingley,” he said, grasping her hands protectively in his own.
She studied his face and exhaled sharply.
“I suppose I shall,” she said finally, “but we shall have to make haste, for we are already one child behind.”
The End
Mandy H. Cook (née Helm),
a former Navy nurse,
also wrote
The Gifted.
Available on Amazon.com.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Robin Helm's time revolves around music as she plays and teaches. Her books reflect that love, as well as her fascination with the paranormal and science fiction.
Her latest publication is Lawfully Innocent, A US Marshal Lawkeeper Romance. Previously published works include The Guardian Trilogy, the Yours by Design series (Fitzwilliam Darcy switches places in time with his descendant, Will Darcy), Understanding Elizabeth, and More to Love. She plans to publish Maestro in 2020.
Ms. Helm is also featured in a series of anthologies with several other like-minded authors. A Very Austen Christmas has been a Best Seller on Amazon in several categories. A Very Austen Valentine, also an Amazon best seller, was released on December 29, 2018. A Very Austen Romance will be available in June 2020.
She lives in the (usually) sunny southeastern United States.
Readers are loving Laura Hile's joyous Regency novels. Her signature style—with intertwined plots, cliffhangers, laugh-out-loud humor, and romance—keeps them coming back for more.
The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There's never a dull moment with teen students!
Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and a collection of antique clocks.
Her fiction is for everyone, even teens.
Wendi Sotis lives on Long Island, New York, with her husband and triplets. Years ago, while searching for a version of Pride and Prejudice written from Darcy’s point-of-view she’d heard about, she became thoroughly enamored with Jane Austen Fan Fiction or JAFF. In early 2010, she dreamed an idea for a story and hasn’t stopped writing since. With so many story ideas, her writing schedule has already been planned out through the year 2030! Genres include Contemporary Romantic Mysteries, non-Austen Regency stories, and of course, she will always continue to bring Darcy and Lizzy together again and again in an unusual manner.
Barbara Cornthwaite lives in the middle of Ireland with her husband and children. She taught college English before "retiring" to do something she loves far more; her days are now filled with homeschooling her six children, trying to keep the house tidy (a losing battle), and trying to stay warm in the damp Irish climate (also a losing battle). She is surrounded by medieval castles, picturesque flocks of sheep, and ancient stone monuments. These things are unappreciated by her children, who are more impressed by traffic jams, skyscrapers, and hot weather.
Chautona Havig lives in an oxymoron, escapes into imaginary worlds that look startlingly similar to ours and writes the stories that emerge. An irrepressible optimist, Chautona sees everything through a kaleidoscope of It’s a Wonderful Life sprinkled with fairy tales. Find her at chautona.com and say howdy—if you can remember how to spell her name.
Mandy H. Cook was an RN for over ten years, half of which she served in the Navy, living in far-flung places, enjoying experiencing the world while following her calling. Just before she and her handsome Marine were both deployed to different places, they married. They now have three children, ages four and younger.
She previously published The Gifted, using her nursing experience to lend accuracy to her story about an ER nurse who is handed a gift that changes her life forever. Adversity, and a long history of secrets, constantly battle against her natural instinct for truth and justice, but will the truth be worth the dare?
Mrs. Cook also contributed a story to A Very Austen Valentine: Austen Anthologies, Book 2.
CONTACT US!
Robin Helm
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Robin-Helm/e/B005MLFMTG/
Website: https://www.beyondausten.com/
Twitter: @rmhelm
Facebook: Robin Helm or Austen Anthologies
Instagram: jrhelm or @AustenAnthologies
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5210675.Robin_M_Helm
Blogging: https://robinmhelm.com/
Laura Hile
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Hile/e/B003UT6VDS/
Blogging: https://laurahile.wordpress.com/
Twitter: @LauraHile
Facebook: LauraHileAuthor or Austen Anthologies
Forum: http://beyondausten.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2967234.Laura_Hile
Wendi Sotis
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Wendi-Sotis/e/B005CSBVFS/
Website: http://wendisotis.com
Facebook: Wendi Sotis, Author or Austen Anthologies
Twitter: @WendiSotis
Forum: http://BeyondAusten.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009020.Wendi_Sotis
Barbara Cornthwaite
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Cornthwaite/e/B00J47TTZM/
Facebook: Austen Anthologies
Chautona Havig
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChautonaHavig
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chautonahavig
My blog: http://chautona.com/blog/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/ChautonaHavig
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/chautonahavig
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chautona-havig
Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/chautonahavig
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/chautona/videos
Newsletter (sign up for news of FREE eBook offers): https://chautona.com/news
Mandy H. Cook
Facebook: Mandy Helm Cook
Instagram: @hisloved1s
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mandy-Helm/e/B07KND3K8R/
AUSTEN ANTHOLOGIES
Available on Amazon.com!
A VERY AUSTEN CHRISTMAS
Four favorite authors, four heartwarming stories set in Jane Austen's Regency world.
Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite revisit Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Mansfield Park to deliver the uplifting holiday storytelling you're looking for.
A VERY AUSTEN VALENTINE
Six beloved authors deliver romantic Valentine novellas.
Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, and Barbara Cornthwaite, together with Susan Kaye and Mandy H. Cook, share variations of Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and Sense and Sensibility, featuring your favorite characters in sequels, adaptations, and spinoffs of Austen's adored novels.
Experience uplifting romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and poignant regret as these authors deftly tug on your heartstrings this Valentine's Day.
A VERY AUSTEN ROMANCE
A delightful medley of novellas, each set in Jane Austen’s Regency world. Your friends from Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility, enjoy new adventures in this lovely collection of stories by Robin Helm, Laura Hile, Wendi Sotis, Barbara Cornthwaite, Mandy H. Cook, and Chautona Havig.
Be treated to prequels, spin-offs, and sequels of Austen’s novels, along with original and supporting characters in starring roles. If historical romance is your preference, you’ll love these well-crafted stories written by beloved authors in the genre.
