by APRIL FLOYD
Elizabeth passed Lydia and turned to watch as she approached the punch bowl. Surprised to see her youngest sister quit the dance floor, Elizabeth continued her sweep of the room in search of Anne de Bourgh.
She found her on the terrace with Henry Amestrey and Mr. Darcy. “I wondered where you were, my dear Anne,” she said, and arm in arm they left the gentlemen to a boring discussion of politics.
“Lizzy,” Anne began, her porcelain complexion tinged with the palest pink, “I might never become comfortable calling you that, but Henry has said he hopes we may be married by the Summer season. He wishes to purchase an estate nearby, and I must admit it would be a dream to live within walking distance of Pemberley.”
Elizabeth nodded her head, for Mr. Darcy had spoken about the marriage of his cousin and the Viscount in their bedroom the night before. The news of Anne’s beau purchasing an estate nearby was a cause for joy. She hoped Anne would never wander far from Pemberley, even after her nuptials.
“Summer would be the perfect time to become a married woman. If he does settle on a nearby estate, Lady Anne and I will assist you in making it a comfortable home. You would marry at Pemberley?” Elizabeth’s eyes were hopeful, though she knew Anne still longed for her mother’s approval and to marry at her childhood home.
Anne was quiet as they approached Lady Anne and came to stand with her near the lovely flowers brought out for the event from the vast selection of Pemberley’s hothouses.
“My dear ones, what love and light your presence bestows on Pemberley! It would seem our guests are well pleased this evening.”
Elizabeth gave her warmest smile to her beloved mother-in-law, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “My sisters are behaving as if they were born with grace and manners, thanks in no small part to your lessons, Lady Anne.”
Anne turned to follow the nod of Elizabeth’s head. Lydia was escorted once more onto the ballroom floor for a second dance with the baronet’s son.
Anne whispered to Elizabeth. “If he asks her a third time, and she accepts, Miss Lydia may be married before I.”
Elizabeth paled at the idea, but knew Anne was only thinking as many in the room did. Three dances could be considered the beginning of a courtship.
Lady Anne’s lips thinned and she shook her head. “The girls know never to dance more than twice with the same young man. I made certain of that.”
Elizabeth turned to Anne once more and broached the subject of Pemberley for her wedding. “The gardens will be so lovely, Anne, and there is room enough for all our guests from Rosings and London. Your wedding shall be a grand event.”
Lady Anne noted the shadow that clouded her niece’s eyes and took the young woman’s hand. “What troubles you, my dear? Elizabeth is quite right, we must have your wedding here.”
Anne placed a gloved hand to her mouth, tears welling in her pale blue eyes. “I always dreamed I would be married at Rosings. Even with the terrible treatment Lizzy endured at mother’s hand, I still wish I might have my mother’s blessing.”
Elizabeth moved closer to her dearest friend and offered her handkerchief. “You must not be ashamed of your wishes, Anne. It is because of you I managed to escape an unthinkable fate. Perhaps Lady Anne might intercede on your behalf with Lady Catherine? I am sure Henry’s title and wealth, not to mention his complete devotion, qualify him as an impeccable match for the heiress of Rosings. Your mother might be persuaded now that several months have passed since the unfortunate incident we should all wish to forget, if not forgive.”
Lady Anne greatly admired the young woman her son had married. Gracefully pushing away the memory of her own abuse, at the hands of Lady Catherine and her parson, to soothe and offer hope to Anne de Bourgh displayed the regard she afforded the young mistress who had come to stay at Pemberley when Miss Elizabeth’s ordeal was ended.
Anne’s face brightened at Elizabeth’s words and the two young women left Lady Anne to mingle with their guests.
Mr. Darcy and the Viscount had left the terrace, for the winter chill was still in the air though the hope of Spring resided in the recent display of warmer days, and stood at the doors to the ballroom hoping to escape to the library before either Elizabeth or Anne might notice.
Just then, a footman rushed in and Mr. Darcy turned to meet him in the hall. An express arriving to Pemberley was always cause for concern, but it was late and he imagined there could be nothing but unwelcome news at such an hour. He took a small measure of comfort in the fact that most of his beloved relations were currently housed under his roof.
Mr. Darcy took the missive and read as Henry Amestrey stood nearby. He sighed and attempted not to crumple the paper in his hand and throw it into the nearest fire. Henry remained quiet but noted his friend’s agitation.
Lady Anne had made her way across the ballroom and spied her son and the Viscount in the hallway beyond the doors. A sense of foreboding swept over her and she hurried to find whether she was right or merely becoming delicate in her old age.
Mr. Darcy glanced up as his mother approached and moved to stand closer to Henry Amestrey. If the news in the wretched missive did not disrupt his happy home, he would be completely stunned.
Lady Anne marked the expression upon her son’s face and knew her senses had not failed her. If luck was with them, they might only deal with the express and not ruin the ball for their guests.
She took Mr. Darcy by the arm and nodded for Henry to follow. “Let us speak in the library before we are missed in the ballroom.”
Elizabeth stood with Jane and watched as Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne danced set after set.
“She has fairly blossomed at Pemberley, has she not?” Jane asked as she sipped her punch.
Elizabeth nodded and smoothed her skirts. “She seems to possess far more stamina than I for our daily walks in the gardens, an accomplishment that gives me an inordinate amount of pride. You would not connect her with the person I met at Rosings only a few months ago. ”
Jane had wondered at Elizabeth picking at her dinner the night before and her habit of napping directly after her walks with Anne each day. She glanced to her sister noting the fine sheen of perspiration above her lip. “I should think my little darling shall soon have a cousin.”
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth and Jane laughed. “Don’t fret, Lizzy. Tis only because I suffered the same as you before I knew I must be increasing.”
“You must not tell a soul, especially Lady Anne. I know she so dearly wishes for grandchildren enough to fill the house. I would not raise her hopes until a few months have passed.”
As the elder Bennet sisters whispered of babies and family, Lady Anne held court in the library. “I cannot help but wonder if this is some sort of ruse by my sister to lure poor Anne back to Rosings. I hate to think ill of my only sibling but I have seen her treachery first hand.”
Henry Amestrey glanced to Mr. Darcy as he moved to pace before the fireplace. “I would see Miss Anne to Rosings if she decides she must go, but I cannot remain there for long. I would only be in London should she require my presence.”
Lady Anne turned to her son, her brow raised. She knew he did not wish to share the news in the missive with Anne and she certainly understood his hesitation.
“William, I believe I know your position on the matter but what shall we do? If my sister is indeed in such poor health as to send for Anne, we must allow the young woman to know of it. I fear she will go, for she wishes desperately for her mother’s blessing and has said she would prefer to be married at Rosings.”
Mr. Darcy ran a hand through his hair, a sure sign of his disapproval. The missive rested in his mother’s hand and he was more than tempted to take it from her and feed it to the dancing flames of the fireplace.
“You know I have no intention of setting foot inside Rosings again, mother. And my heart is decidedly set upon keeping the women of my house safe from others who might do them harm, whether by intention or accident.”
Lady Anne turned
to the Viscount who loved her niece beyond question. “We must tell Anne, for if we hold the news from her she would have every right to mistrust us in the future. If you will accompany her there and visit Rosings as often as you might, the Darcy family would be forever in your debt, sir.”
Mr. Darcy held his tongue, for his mother spoke the truth. Anne de Bourgh must make her own decisions regarding her relationship with her mother, much as it pained him to admit. “Yes, Henry, we would be most grateful for your protection of Anne. I suppose your frequent visits might serve to soften my aunt’s heart should one exist in her withered old soul.”
Henry’s smile held not a hint of mirth as he lifted a toast to his future family members. “I shall keep her safe, by my word.”
Lady Anne folded the missive and tucked it into her reticule. “I shall meet with Anne after breakfast in the morning and deliver the news. I would not have her worry tonight.”
The trio left the library lest their guests and family begin to wonder at their prolonged absence.
Also by April Floyd
Austen Inspired
The Parson of Pemberley
No Promise of the Kind
Mr. Darcy’s Brides
Darcy & Lizzy
From Admiration to Love
Christian Fiction/Romance
Cassidy Jane
Courting Cassidy Jane
Wedding Cassidy Jane
About the Author
April Floyd is a wanderer of the world and lover of great stories who now resides in the Last Frontier with her husband and youngest child. Days are spent doing the mom thing, managing the house, and not missing the working world, although sticking people with needles can be so much fun. Oh, and the writing of books!
Visit me to view all my books at:
@aprilkfloyd
authoraprilfloyd
www.authoraprilfloyd.com/
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