Anne de Bourgh was in the parlor at Longbourn when Hill ushered her visitor inside. “Miss Anne, the lieutenant is here to see you. I told him your mother is out, but he insisted he must speak with you. Shall I call for Mr. Darcy to join the two of you?”
“My cousin is busy in his study. You may wait here while we talk or go about your duties. Mother would not mind if you left the parlor doors open and finished your work in the kitchen.” Anne stood and dismissed the housekeeper and curtseyed before Mr. Wickham.
“Miss Anne, how lovely you are today! I am pleased to know you are well enough for a visitor.” Wickham smiled at her and took one of her hands and held it gently in his own. He cast a glance at Hill who remained in the room by the door that led to Mr. Darcy’s study.
“Oh, I have been healthier than I can recall since seeing Miss Bennet’s physician. She was so kind to do such a favor for me. I do hope she comes back to Hertfordshire to visit the Bingleys again.”
Lieutenant Wickham’s countenance changed for just a moment and Anne worried that she had offended him. “I know you only met her the once when you first came to Longbourn, but she is a kind lady if a bit hard to know at first.”
She smiled at him and to her great relief, he too smiled and reassured her. “I do not know her very well, and as you say, she is likely a discerning lady if she was wise and kind enough to see that your suffering was eased. It is always good to have such friends and acquaintances.”
Wickham noticed that Hill had left them and moved closer to Anne. She thought perhaps he meant to kiss her when he bent his head so close to hers but instead he whispered of his love for her. “I cannot explain the longing I have for you when we are apart, my dearest. I have never loved another so completely.”
Anne pulled her hands away and gasped. “Mr. Wickham, I assure you such words should be spoken to my cousin. He would not like that you are in his parlor seducing me. You two have become such good friends. He dines with you and the other officers once a week. Surely you would rather speak to him of this matter first?”
She stood quickly from her place on the sofa beside the handsome young man and moved towards the door where Hill had disappeared.
“Fitzwilliam,” she called while keeping her eyes on the lieutenant. By this time, he had stood and decided not to follow her.
“Miss Anne, please, I meant no offense. I was overcome with such passion upon seeing you again. A man in love must take care not to alarm the lady who holds his heart.”
Mr. Darcy entered and took his cousin’s arm and glanced at the lieutenant. “Anne, what has happened? Are you well?”
She cast her eyes downward as her cheeks flamed red. Wickham spoke up as he remained standing by the sofa. “Sir, I fear I have startled your cousin with the declaration of my feelings for her.”
Mr. Darcy turned his back on the man in his parlor so that his cousin could no longer see him. “Go upstairs and wait for me there. I will speak with him if you wish and hear what he has to say on the matter.”
Anne looked up at Mr. Darcy and gave him a small smile. “Mother would not hear of it, you know. But if you speak with him, I would not mind.”
She turned and hurried up the hallway to the stairs that led to her room above. Mr. Darcy nodded to her when she paused at the bottom stair. He waited until he saw her ascend and heard her dainty footsteps in the hallway above.
When he turned back to speak with Lieutenant Wickham, he found the man had taken a seat by the fireplace.
Mr. Darcy went to sit beside him and settled into his usual chair. He waited a moment before speaking to allow the lieutenant to gather his courage.
“What have you to say, Wickham? I expect there will be no repeat of this behavior with my cousin in my home. Her mother and I would be most upset to find you have taken advantage of our hospitality.”
The lieutenant stood and paced about for a moment. “Mr. Darcy, I have found myself in love with Miss Anne and wish to declare that I intend to ask her to be my bride. I know there are difficulties…”
Mr. Darcy held up a hand and Wickham fell silent though he bristled at the interruption. “There are difficulties that will not be easily surmounted, Lieutenant. My aunt does not wish for her daughter to wed a soldier. You could never afford to care for her. In sickness and in health is a vow you could never honor where Anne is concerned.”
Lieutenant Wickham seemed at a loss for words so Mr. Darcy continued. “Besides, there is an honorable man who has made his intentions known toward our Anne before you. I would give my blessing to him. I am sorry you were unaware.”
A gasp at the parlor caught the two men unaware and Mr. Darcy stood as Anne entered the room. “Who has come to you, Fitzwilliam, and why have I not been told?”
“Why have you come back down, cousin? I asked that you wait upstairs for me, did I not?”
“You did, but I left my knitting down here and came to retrieve it. I thought you and the lieutenant were in your study,” Anne said and pointed to the table beside the sofa.
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I cannot say at the moment, Anne. We shall speak of it when Mr. Wickham has gone,”
“Does Mother know of this? I do not think she would agree to anyone unless the man is like Mr. Bingley or a gentleman even wealthier,” Anne said as she glanced at Wickham.
Turning to their guest, Mr. Darcy asked him to leave them to discuss the matter in private. “You must not come again, Lieutenant, for it would only cause discord in my home.”
Anne stomped her foot. “Why would you turn him away? I do not know whether I care for him, but I have never had a suitor before. If this other man cannot declare himself, then I should not be bound to him. A young lady deserves to know who she might marry.”
Catherine de Bourgh entered the parlor then. “What is this nonsense about suitors? Has another wealthy friend of Mr. Bingley come to Hertfordshire?”
Mr. Darcy rubbed his hand across his face. “Aunt Catherine, Lieutenant Wickham was just leaving. Allow me to walk him out and then we might all discuss the matter in private.”
“Has he offered for my Anne? I will not have it, Fitzwilliam. You know I will never allow her to marry a man who cannot afford her care!” The lady took hold of her daughter, who began to complain in earnest, and led the girl from the parlor.
Their argument could be heard throughout the home and Mr. Darcy led Wickham to the front door. “I am truly sorry, but you must cast about elsewhere after your heart had mended. Anne will never be your wife.”