Chapter 25

As the carriage pulled away the next morning, Anne de Bourgh leaned out of the window eager to keep the Duke and Duchess in sight until her conveyance moved further down the graveled drive. Henry sat across from her and leaned forward to take her hand.

“We shall see them again when we return to Pemberley. Mother will likely set her maids to work as soon as we are out of sight. The number of trunks she will bring along to our wedding will give you pause.”

Anne smiled in spite of the tears she wished to shed. She decided her memories of the Duke and Duchess of Ayr should remain untainted by sadness and doubt. She breathed deeply and focused on the joy in Henry’s eyes.

“She may bring all that she wishes and I shall write Elizabeth to warn her. Though I believe Lady Anne will understand as her own wardrobe is immense.”

Henry wished the maid was riding in another carriage as he longed to hold Anne in his arms and shield her from the approaching cloud of Rosings. He admired the brave face she wore, but his eyes did not miss the anxious moments that passed fleetingly from her countenance when in the company of others.

“We shall see Rosings on the morrow unless you would care to delay our arrival?”

Anne contemplated the tempting offer but shook her head. “I am all that is anxious, Henry, and I must not prolong the agony. I am prepared to present you to my mother and to tend her in her illness. And then return to Pemberley to become your wife.”

Henry threw propriety to the four winds and the maid obligingly turned her head as he took Anne’s small hand in his own. He removed her glove and pressed the back of her hand gently to his lips. “My heart does thrill to hear those words, my love. My name shall shield and protect you all your days. You are mine and I am yours.”

Anne wished for nothing more than to remain at the side of this man. He was everything to her, every wish her heart whispered in the lonely years gone before. Every hope for a happy family in her future life. Every dream of a true love found in spite of her isolation.

Mr. Darcy left for London and Elizabeth struggled to remain pleasant with her sisters at the breakfast table. Her saving grace was the coming visit to Brambling. She thought of staying there the night, but did not wish to leave Lady Anne alone with her mother and sisters for too long.

She left her family to their chatter and the noise of plates and silver and called for her spencer. She would walk in the garden before calling the carriage to deliver her to Brambling. A footman met her as she stepped out into the weak sunlight and handed her an express. Her eyes filled with doubt and when she saw Anne’s hand upon the paper, she held onto the solid frame of the front door.

They were surely not arrived at Rosings yet? She dismissed the footman but he left slowly, worried for his mistress. Elizabeth leaned against the door and opened the letter slowly.

Dearest Lizzy,

First, allow me to assure you nothing is the matter. Our journey has been most uneventful, except for our time spent with the Duke and Duchess of Ayr, Henry’s parents.

I sent this express because I know you are likely going mad for word of our trip. Please forgive me if I caused you a moment’s worry.

We shall arrive at Rosings in a day’s time and I find whilst I am filled with dread, I am not afraid. Henry has been amazing at keeping my spirits up and the maid from Pemberley is wonderful. I would keep her if William agrees.

Please do not allow my aunt to plan a huge event for my wedding. I know she shall try, but I depend upon you to make her see the beauty of simplicity. Write me, my dear. Your letters shall bear me up in troubled times.

Love,

Anne

Elizabeth released her breath and hurried to the gardens, her friend’s letter in her pocket. She was grateful Anne had thought to send the express, for her nerves were worn from worry over the young woman’s return to Rosings.

She walked about the garden, recalling Anne’s wish to marry near Georgiana’s plot of yellow flowers. Hurrying along, lest she was late to Brambling, Elizabeth sought the small garden to sit in peace and think of Georgiana Darcy.

She’d never met the young woman and it pained her so. She could not imagine Georgiana to be any less regal and kind than her mother. Elizabeth drew in a breath at the sight of the woman in the garden.

Lady Anne startled as Elizabeth came and sat beside her on the cold bench. “Tis much too cold to be sitting here for long, shall we go inside?”

The woman shook her head. “I was just thinking of how lovely a wedding it would be here in the gardens near my Georgie. She and Anne were always close, more like sisters than cousins, really.”

Elizabeth smiled and took her hand, warming it in her own. “I believe Anne would be most delighted with such a plan. She feels a strong connection to Miss Darcy here that has helped her in ways we might only guess.”

Elizabeth felt in her pocket and pulled out the express to share the bit of news. “She seems to have enjoyed a visit with Henry’s parents. It is wonderful to know they are not far should she come to mischief. Still, we must see she does not.”

Lady Anne read the missive and smiled. “We’ve sent her with reinforcements and she has blossomed here with you. My sister seeks a victim for her machinations and I fear her daughter is beyond her now.”

Elizabeth stood and walked with Lady Anne to the front of the house. “Would you care to visit Brambling with me today? I planned to stay through luncheon. Jane would not mind in the least.”

Lady Anne thought for a moment and accepted the invitation. The Bennet women were a trying lot and a few hours away might be just the thing.

“I would be most pleased, my dear. Send for the carriage and I shall step inside but a moment while we wait.”

Lady Anne hurried to the parlor, hoping to find the remaining Bennet sisters without their mother. Mr. Bennet would be in the library, as was his custom whilst at Pemberley.

She entered to find Mary struggling with the pianoforte and her sisters complaining and covering their ears.

“Here! Here! Ladies,” she called and clapped her hands. “Mary, please do come away so Kitty might play for a time. I need you to follow behind the housemaid today to learn the finer points of managing a home like Pemberley.”

Mary frowned and stood silently from the bench. Lady Anne spirited her away in her embrace, knowing the affection between the young woman and Colonel Fitzwilliam warranted the education she would receive today.

Kitty was delighted to have Mary’s hands fall from the keys and began playing light, trilling notes upon the instrument. Her heart and mind soared when she played music and so today would prove fulfilling.

Lydia flounced on the sofa and listened to Kitty as though she were the lady of the house. Her attitude improved when Lady Anne fixed her with a patient eye and had her think of a list of games to play that evening in the parlor. “I am depending upon you all to make me proud, as you must.”

She left the parlor with Mary and called for the housemaid. Satisfied with her work, she turned and fled for the front door before Mrs. Bennet might appear and delay her escape.

Elizabeth took her hand and smiled. “Let us away to Brambling, I dare say young Bingley shall be far less demanding than my mother.”

Lady Anne laughed lightly and hurried into the carriage before her daughter-in-law.