A month after the Bennets, Bingleys, and their assorted relatives arrived in Derbyshire, the ball at Pemberley was a smashing success were one to rely upon the word of the youngest Bennet sister, Lydia. She had thought there might only be older gentlemen in search of young wives present, but the opposite happily proved true.
Lydia had no particular need to sit out a set with the music so lively and the dance partners plenty, but her feet began an incessant aching and she glanced about for Kitty Bennet.
Her sister stood with a handsome gentleman who was the second son of a wealthy family connected to the Darcys. Lydia favored a young man she had danced with but once. His father was a baronet and Lydia hoped they might form a lasting acquaintance.
Mrs. Bennet had said they would remain at Pemberley until the springtime, and so she and Kitty would have to beg Jane and Lizzy to host several dinners and perhaps give a ball at Brambling so they might snare the young men. Returning to Longbourn without an offer of courtship, and considering the dim prospects there, did not appeal to the vivacious young woman.
Elizabeth Darcy spied 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 the Viscount Henry Amestrey and Mr. Darcy. “I wondered where you were, my dear Anne,” she said. Arm in arm they left the gentlemen to their intense discussion of politics.
“Lizzy,” Anne began, her porcelain complexion tinged 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.
“If Henry settles on a nearby estate, Lady Anne and I will assist you in making it a comfortable home.” Elizabeth’s eyes were hopeful, though she knew Anne still longed for her mother’s approval of her engagement.
Anne grew quiet as they approached Lady Anne. She left Elizabeth and went to stand with her aunt near one of the lovely flower arrangements from the vast selection of Pemberley’s hothouses.
“My dear ones, what love and light your presence gives the room! 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 with grace and manners thanks to your lessons Lady Anne.”
Anne turned to follow Elizabeth’s gaze. Lydia was escorted once more onto the ballroom floor for a second dance with the baronet’s son.
“If he asks a third time, and she accepts, Miss Lydia may be married before I,” Anne whispered to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth paled at the notion, but knew Anne was right. Three dances would mark the beginning of a courtship.
Lady Anne pushed the thought aside. “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 and there is room enough for all our guests. It shall be a grand event.”
Lady Anne noted the doubtful countenance of her niece 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 gathering 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. It is because of you I escaped an unthinkable fate. Perhaps Lady Anne might intercede on your behalf? I am sure Henry’s title and wealth, not to mention his complete devotion, qualify him as an impeccable match. 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.
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. The two men stood at the doors of 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 at Pemberley was always cause for concern and he imagined there could be nothing but unwelcome news at such an hour. He took a small measure of comfort from knowing most of his beloved relations were currently under his roof.
Mr. Darcy took the missive and read as Henry 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 floor 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 there was a reason for her feelings.
Mr. Darcy glanced up as his mother approached and moved to stand closer to Henry. If the news in the wretched missive did not disrupt his happy home, he would be utterly stunned.
Lady Anne marked the expression on her son’s face, along with the paper in his hand, and knew her senses had not failed her. If luck was with them, they might deal with the express and not ruin the ball for their guests.
She took her son by the arm and nodded for the Viscount 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 at her beloved 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 was 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 wondering if this is some ruse by my sister to lure poor Anne back to Rosings. I hate to think ill of my only sister 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 in such poor health as to send for Anne, we must allow the young woman to know of it. I fear she will go no matter what we say to the contrary.”
Mr. Darcy ran a hand through his hair, a sure sign of his disapproval. The missive rested in his mother’s hand and once more 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 set upon keeping the women of my house safe from those, including family, who would 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. Your presence might serve to soften my aunt’s heart should she prove to have one.”
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.