Anne's Adversity

by Jennifer Joy

  It was not much of a plan, but it was a start. She would speak with Richard and try to secure sanctuary with a family who would receive both her and Nancy until she could find her father. It was a pity she could trust no one with the contents of her father’s letter. The risk of scandal was too great. But information was to be found in London, so that was where she preferred to go. To London.

  Chapter 6

  London

  “Good afternoon, Mauvier. I had hoped you would come.” Miss DeVries batted her lashes up at Luc— a tool she used to get something she wanted. She advanced until she stood in front of him. She barely reached the height of his chest and when she looked up at him through her big eyes, she seemed almost like a child. She was up to something.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of your seeking out my company, Miss DeVries?” Luc was in no mood to dance around the issue. Mr. Garrett’s warning had set him on edge and he prayed it had nothing to do with his leading actress.

  She pouted. “I see that now is not a good moment. May I speak with you after tonight’s performance perhaps?”

  Luc sighed. The uneasy feeling he had since Charing Cross grew upon entering his theater doors and there was no sense suffering all afternoon to see what she had to say. He was certain, now more than ever, that she bore bad news for him.

  “No. Let us not postpone the inevitable. If you please, accompany me to my office where we can talk. Adélaïde will join us.”

  “The inevitable? And you accuse me of being dramatic. I assure you, my news is not as bad as that.” She placed her hand on Luc’s arm in reassurance as they found their way to the back of the theater.

  Luc spotted Adélaïde just where he suspected she would be— in the dressing room with a threaded needle pinched between her lips while she marked a piece of fabric for one of the dancer’s costumes.

  At his motion for her to join him, Adélaïde instructed one of her helpers to finish the fitting and hurried to follow Luc and Miss DeVries.

  Luc settled behind his large, polished desk in his small office. The only sign of disorder in the room was the pile of manuscript plays on one side of his work space. His view from the desk revealed a wall of books to his left and a table with decanters and bottles to his right. Directly in front of him were welcoming chairs and a view of his mother and father in a portrait next to the door. The portrait helped him remember what was most important to him in life.

  “Shall I call for some tea or would you prefer something stronger?” he asked, pointing to the right side of the room.

  Adélaïde looked between her brother and Miss DeVries.

  Miss DeVries placed her hand on Adélaïde’s. “Do not look so worried. I am one of the happiest women in all of England today. Harry finally proposed and we are to marry by the end of the season.”

  Luc clapped and bowed his head with a large grin. “Well done.” He relaxed a little, but sensed that more was to come. An earl would not want his wife to work.

  “I know! I thought he would never ask!” Miss DeVries had been courted by Harry Winston, the Earl of Westershire, for almost a year. The competition for his affection had been fierce, so it was no small achievement for Miss DeVries to win his heart and his title. It was good news.

  Turning to Adélaïde, she continued, “I do hope you will help me with my trousseau. I want to be the most stylish bride of the season. Money is of no concern.” She clapped her hands together and bounced her feet up and down. “Oh, how I have longed to say those words!” she said with a giggle.

  Joining in her happiness, Adélaïde said, “You shall have the best, Alexandra. Or should I call you Countess?”

  “Oh, not yet. Harry only just proposed last night and it is not well-known. Though I dare say the gentlemen at his club know. After a lovely, romantic dinner, he went there to celebrate.”

  “That explains Mr. Garrett’s warning to me a few minutes ago then. He must have found out at the club.”

  Miss DeVries’s eyes widened. “What else did Mr. Garrett say?”

  “Nothing else. Only that I need to keep myself better informed of the goings-on in my theater and to expect bad news. There is nothing bad with you marrying an earl. In fact, as word spreads, it will only give more credibility to you as an actress and to the theater you perform in.” Luc sat back in his chair and crossed his arms in satisfaction.

  Miss DeVries shifted her weight in her seat and cleared her throat. “There is only one slight hiccup in your reasoning.”

  Luc looked up, all ears.

  “You see, my dream has always been to have a sensational wedding. Maybe it is the actress in me, but I want it to be something special— an occasion for which all the members of the ton will remember. Some of those ladies were horribly wicked to me, considering me beneath them. Well, maybe it is wicked of me, but Harry is proud of me and agrees that we should have an extravagant wedding right before everyone leaves town.”

  She looked at Luc like she hoped he could fill in the blanks and she would not have to continue. He had an idea of what was to come, but he wanted to hear it from her.

  “When exactly is your wedding to be and how does this affect your work here?” Luc prompted her.

  “The morning of the final performance of the season. So, you see, I will not be able to act that night. It was difficult for me to convince Harry to let me continue to act once we became engaged, but he agreed to let me continue until we are married.”

  “I am grateful you managed that much. It is unfortunate you will miss the most important evening, but there is sufficient time for me to find a replacement.” Luc’s mind was already in motion, mentally auditioning for another talented actress to take Miss DeVries’s place.

  “Oh, I knew you would be happy for me. Thank you. To think that only two years ago, I was a background dancer in a traveling show, scrounging for bread and a decent place to sleep as we toured the country. I am so glad you found me, Mauvier! My life is like a dream becoming reality.”

  “And you deserve every good moment that passes your way. Lord Westershire will rejoice in his choice of a wife.”

  Miss DeVries calmed down, looking solemn. “I will do my best to make sure he never regrets choosing me. Oh, but I do love him so. He is constant and so… steady in his ways. That is what I like most, I think. He makes me feel secure. I tease about the money. It is nice, I will admit. But he is so much more to me.”

  Luc knew she spoke the truth, but it would not prevent the gossips from calling her a social climber out of spite. He knew from his own parents’ experience that the snide comments would never stop, no matter how worthy she proved herself to be.

  “I wish you the best. Let nobody rob you of the joy you feel with each other.”

  She nodded her head, her eyes large. “I understand your meaning and I am ready. That is our motive in having a smashing wedding. It is a statement.”

  Adélaïde said, “Good for you, Alexandra. If people with nothing better to do than talk about other peoples’ business need some new gossip, well then, I say, ‘By all means, give them something to talk about!’”

  Adélaïde soon led Miss DeVries away so they might plan her wardrobe, leaving Luc alone in his study. His mind had already eliminated many candidates to take the place of his leading dramatic actress. She was simply too good to be easily replaced. There was also the obstacle of her petite size. Luc could not ask Adélaïde to make new costumes for only one night’s performance when she had acquired all the work of creating a new lady’s wardrobe. A countess, no less.

  The closing performance was in almost three months. Surely, he could find someone suitable in that time.

  Hours later, Luc stood in the entrance hall of Le Soleil. The first performance of the evening was soon to begin and his regular patrons would arrive fashionably early to see and be seen in their boxes. He felt it was important to establish relationships with his frequent customers, so most evenings would find Luc greeting and bowing while enjoying polite conversation in his
theater.

  When a plump, elderly woman with an outdated bonnet and cane used more for show than out of necessity walked in the front doors, Luc immediately dismissed himself from the group with whom he was exchanging pleasantries.

  Her hair refused to grey, though she was old enough to be Luc’s grandmother.

  “Maman,” Luc called as he neared her. He held his arms out as if he would hug her in front of everyone.

  Miss Beatrice’s face lit up in pleasure. The lines around her soft, brown eyes smiled upward.

  Clucking her tongue at Luc, she waved off his hug. “No public displays of affection from you. You do not want people to talk. It is bad enough that you forget yourself and call me Maman.”

  “One thing I have learned is that people will talk no matter what I do… or do not do.”

  “Yes, but you do like to give them reason to gossip. You have become quite the rascal, you know.” She tapped her cane against his shoulder.

  “You keep me accountable for my actions, or else I should be much worse,” Luc smiled and still managed to wrap an arm around her tiny shoulders and squeeze. Miss Beatrice pretended to scoff at him, but her smile betrayed her.

  “Please, let me escort you to your seat.” Taking her arm, Luc helped her up the stairs. She was spry for her age, but Luc loved helping the dear lady when he could. She had, after all, done so much for him and Adélaïde. She had received them into her home and helped them establish themselves so many years ago.

  Luc opened a velvet curtain onto a balcony which looked over the stage, affording the best view as well as the clearest sound. No hustle and bustle from the pit below. It was Miss Beatrice’s favorite spot and Luc reserved it especially for her, for she often came to his theater. He would accept no payment and after years of insisting, she had finally contented herself with providing a weekly tea for Luc and Adélaïde.

  “Thank you, my dear boy. How is Adélaïde? I was sad she could not come for a visit yesterday. I do hope she will not miss our tea next week. An old lady living alone as I do enjoys the company and it does me good to be around you young people.”

  Luc took her veined hand and caressed it between his own. “She will not want to disappoint you again, I am sure. Besides, you serve the best tea cakes in London.”

  Miss Beatrice had never married. Her father had bought her a small house in a quiet section of town when it became apparent that she would not marry. She lived off her dowry money in a respectable home in St. James. Her table never lacked good food, though her house was sparsely furnished and horribly outdated. Still, he would never dream of making her pay for her seat in his theater or missing his weekly tea with the woman he loved like his own mother.

  Her hand now warm between his own, Luc dismissed himself to go back downstairs. It was of the utmost importance to keep up appearances and stay on good terms with his patrons, many of whom held important positions in society. It was one way to ensure the continued success of his theater.

  He must have bowed hundreds of times to the ladies and gentlemen who graced Le Soleil by the time the music started and the evening’s performance began. It was a dramatic play and the music set the scene for the desperation the audience would feel for the lead actress in moments.

  As he listened to the crowd’s reaction to Miss DeVries, no little amount of desperation infected Luc. How could he possibly find another actress like her?

  Chapter 7

  Rosings

  As the afternoon continued, Anne grew anxious to speak to Richard about her changed circumstances. Her desire to quit Rosings grew as the hours dragged by and Nancy helped plan what to pack in the trunk. Her panic and despair was now edged with a bit of excitement as she anticipated her freedom.

  It was not until the sun began its descent that she heard activity downstairs. Her cousins had returned. She could consult with Richard.

  Anne arranged to meet him in the library accompanied by Nancy.

  Punctual as ever, Richard was already waiting for her when she opened the door to the book room.

  The concern on his face was immediate. “Please, Anne, are you well?”

  Anne had washed her face of the tears of that morning, but there was no hiding the feverish pink in her normally pale cheeks and the puff around her eyes.

  “Yes, I am well enough. Let us sit. I am in need of your assistance.”

  Richard nodded for her to continue.

  “You heard Mother’s threats this morning. The thing is, I am not at liberty to discuss what has upset her so much that she would cast me off, but I find myself without a home.”

  “She did what?” Richard stood from his chair and began pacing as he pulled his sideburns.

  “Mother has given me one week to leave Rosings.”

  “I cannot believe it. Why would she insist you leave? It is so extreme…”

  Anne smiled inwardly at Richard’s loss of words. It was not a common occurrence.

  “Aunt Catherine is not well-known for her reasonableness, but what could you possibly have done to deserve this?”

  Trying to sound braver than she felt, Anne straightened her shoulders. “It is a bit like a dramatic play, is it not? Errant daughter banished from her childhood home to languish in London. The thing is, I have nowhere to go and I need to avoid people’s talk.”

  Richard sat back down, squinting his eyes and stroking his chin. After a minute, he asked, “All of this from one old letter. You cannot tell me the contents of the letter?”

  “No. I am determined. It is not my secret to reveal.” Anne knew she would have to do her best to inquire about her father without raising suspicion. She would have loved nothing more than to allow Richard to see the letter, but the fewer people who knew about her father’s faked death the better.

  “Hmm. Aunt Catherine has a secret.” Richard chuckled and Anne glared at him.

  “That is enough. I am not at liberty to reveal any details. If you want them, you must ask Mother.” She knew that would silence the pest in front of her. It did.

  “As you wish. There is no need to drag me into your family feud.” He held his hands up in surrender.

  “Please, let us stay on the topic at hand.” Really, talking with her cousin was much like speaking with a child at times. She crossed her arms and looked at him sternly.

  “Very well. Does your banishment exclude the use of the de Bourgh house in London?”

  Anne sighed in exasperation. “Of course it does. Why should I ask for help otherwise?”

  Now it was Richard’s turn to look annoyed. “I have learned in my years of military service never to overlook the obvious. I merely asked to eliminate the possibility. Now, what about Darcy House? Darcy plans to return to Pemberley and has no use for the house immediately except for a brief visit on his way north.”

  “I wish it were so easy. How could I take advantage of the Darcy family’s hospitality when I so recently refused William? I do not think it appropriate. Besides, I would be horrible company for Georgiana right now.”

  “There is that.”

  Anne shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “How is William? I do hope he was not much affected.” It was a statement which came out sounding more like a question.

  “Do not worry yourself about Darcy, Anne. He is inconvenienced, but his heart is untouched. For me, I consider that you did him a favor. I cannot wait to hear about Uncle George’s reaction.” Richard chuckled again.

  While Darcy’s father, Uncle George, was much more yielding than Mother, he had made no secret of his desire for his only son to marry and begin his own family. Anne wished she could help William, but knew she would only make things worse. As much as she would have liked to help ease William’s discomfort, she had her hands full with her own problems and it would take every bit of her energy to survive. Anxiety swept through her and her temples throbbed.

  “I hope Uncle George is not too harsh with him. It was hardly his fault our mothers made that atrocious pact for our marriage. I never thought he
would feel the need to honor it and I certainly do not expect it of him now.” Anne’s head ached and the day’s events closed in around her. She wanted so badly to cry and hide in her room. To think she had been excited to leave! What a fool.

  Richard pulled his chair closer and spoke softly. “Anne, I apologize. You are in need of my help and I will gladly give it. I only attempted to lighten your mood, but I see how inappropriate that is now.”

  Anne nodded, grateful for his change of tone.

  Addressing Nancy, Richard asked, “You will go with her then?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “I am glad of it. It will not be easy. Our Anne is a babe in the ways of the world, but she will be safe with your help.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  “I will discuss this with Darcy tonight at dinner. He is not so much in shock that he would refuse to help you.” When Anne started to protest, he continued, “I will let him know that I am seeking his counsel of my own accord. Really, it is the best thing to do for you.”

  The following morning, a note was waiting for Anne. She recognized the tight, small handwriting of Richard.

  We are off to London and will speak with a family we both agreed to be suitable to your circumstances this afternoon. The name is Hepplewhite. Mrs. Hepplewhite is on various committees and campaigns in an attempt to end world hunger, provide drinking water to orphans in Africa, give homes to unwanted pets, etc… I know your desire is to leave Rosings as soon as possible. I will venture to say you can begin your journey as early as tomorrow.

  The idea came from Darcy, who was pleased to help. I thought you would find comfort knowing that you have caused no harm to others— though I do wish I could say the same for you.

  I am stationed in London for the duration of spring and possibly summer. If you require my assistance, do not hesitate to ask. I am easily found if you send someone to inquire at the barracks.