“Miss Bingley!” a deep voice boomed from behind Anne de Bourgh. A moment later, Henry Amestrey moved to stand beside his beloved and shield her from Lady Catherine.
A confused Mr. Sampson appeared beside Caroline Bingley wondering at the shouting in the hallway. He looked about, shocked to find Miss Bingley in her chemise. “What has happened?”
Caroline’s mouth fell open and she swooned as the shock of her situation fell heavy upon her. Mr. Sampson caught her but she quickly recovered, pushing his hands away.
“Why are you in the viscount’s room?” she demanded of the physician. Lady Catherine backed slowly away hoping she might disappear before anyone thought to blame her.
Henry spoke up to keep a hearty laugh from ruining his chance to bedevil the she devil. “Miss Bingley, what have you done? A lady sneaking away from a man’s rooms at the break of dawn is most scandalous.”
Caroline Bingley stomped her foot in frustration. “But you were, he was, she…” Her speech faltered as she noticed Lady Catherine inching further away. “It was her doing! She called me here for some wicked scheme!”
Lady Catherine began to argue with Miss Bingley and Mr. Sampson made a hasty retreat, closing the door to his room.
Henry led Anne away from the arguing women knowing there was nothing more they need do. “I think it best we leave, my dear. Whatever Mr. Sampson decides shall be his business. Judging by the look on his face as he backed away I doubt Miss Bingley shall become Mrs. Sampson.”
Anne de Bourgh gave a final glance down the hallway and turned to disperse the maids that had gathered. “Please see that our trunks are loaded as soon as possible. And have Cook prepare us a basket to take along. We shall leave within the hour.”
Several days later, the Amestrey conveyance arrived in London and drove straight to Darcy House. Anne was eager to join her family and enjoy the spring season in Town. By summer they would all return to Pemberley for her wedding.
Henry took her hand before they exited the carriage. “Must we wait until summer for a wedding my dear?”
Anne blushed and leaned closer. “We must, Henry, but the time shall pass quickly.”
Henry’s countenance was one of sadness that disappeared at his beloved’s next words. “Do you think your parents might have us for a visit before the wedding? I would love to introduce them to Lady Anne and Elizabeth.”
They exited the carriage and took the steps to the front door of Darcy House with ease. “I shall write mother this evening. I am certain she will demand we come again and bring the Darcy family.”
Elizabeth had seen the carriage arrive and she hurried to open the door. Anne rushed into her arms, the enduring emotion of joy consuming her. It had been so since they pulled away from Rosings and set off for London. There were no dark clouds nor regrets left to mar her perfect happiness.
“Oh Anne! I was so worried when we arrived and there were no letters from you.”
The two hugged again and Anne startled in surprise as she felt Elizabeth and William’s unborn babe give a hearty kick. She pulled away and stared in wonder at her friend’s middle. “Did he…did she…I mean…”
Henry pulled Anne close and laughed. Elizabeth’s cheeks grew rosy from being the center of attention. She took Anne’s hand and placed it gently against her middle as little Darcy squirmed about. “Yes, he or she is as delighted as I am you’ve come home.”
Anne’s smile was beautiful, her face radiant, and Elizabeth stepped aside as Lady Anne touched her lightly on the shoulder.
“My Anne! I knew you’d come back to us! And Henry, dear Henry, the Darcy family owes you such a debt of gratitude. I am pleased to again give my blessing on your union.”
The happy couple finally entered Darcy House only to be welcomed by Mr. Darcy. He embraced Anne and fought to regulate his emotions, but Henry saw the relief that washed over his face. His future wife, in spite of her victory at Rosings, would need the love of support of this family to aid in the final bout of healing from her mother’s treachery and betrayal.
He and Mr. Darcy saw the ladies to the parlor and then made their way to the library so that he might share the story of their strange days at Rosings.
“Elizabeth mentioned the presence of Caroline Bingley at Rosings. I cannot imagine she was there for any other reason than to come between the two of you,” Mr. Darcy said as he sat before the fire.
Henry joined him and laughed heartily. “Indeed, it was all a ruse, just as you imagined the moment you read her missive the night of the ball. Lady Catherine was never ill. Mrs. Collins made certain to warn us away from Miss Bingley. The poor woman, I believe Mr. Collins continues his abominable behavior.”
Mr. Darcy scowled at this news and thought what might be done. “I ought to have known he would. He has no other men about to answer to, more’s the pity. I shall write the man and demand that Mrs. Collins come to London to visit my wife. Perhaps if I made my gratitude known he would comply? A few pounds would not go amiss and my Elizabeth would be most pleased. Yes, that is what I shall do.”
Henry then relayed the story of Miss Bingley and the physician, Mr. Sampson. By the end of it, Mr. Darcy had laughed and slapped his knee in great mirth. “A more conniving woman I have never met. I do hope the poor man was able to leave Rosings without Miss Bingley.”
Henry shook his head. “Indeed, I can’t imagine there was any one about to demand satisfaction from the man. Miss Bingley’s surprise at my arrival in the hallway was such that she had not imagined trapping any other man in the house save myself. Mr. Sampson likely returned to London alone.”
In the parlor, Anne relayed the same story to Elizabeth and Lady Anne. Though the women were greatly amused by the antics of Miss Bingley, Lady Anne was unable to forgive her sister this final slight. “It pains me that your mother would have a hand in such treachery once more. I thought perhaps she might have grown tired of causing destruction to those she ought to love.”
Anne took her aunt’s hand and squeezed it gently. “Mother has a deficit of character that we may never understand. But, we do have one another and what she could or would not give us we shall give one another and be thankful.”
Lady Anne swallowed hard and looked into her niece’s eyes. “Yes, what we have lost is great. A daughter and a mother are irreplaceable. Let us take comfort that one of them would wish us inordinate happiness.”
Elizabeth dabbed at her tears with her handkerchief before smiling at the two women. If you were fortunate life had a way of providing just the thing your heart most desired even when you thought you might never be comforted again.
Lady Anne had lost a beloved daughter only to be given two more in return. Elizabeth Darcy had fought against a future most horrible to be given one most wonderful. Anne de Bourgh had been deprived of the life she ought to have had as the daughter of an esteemed family only to have it returned abundantly in the person of Henry Amestrey and his family.