Reunited at Rosings (Sweet Standalone Pride and Prejudice Variations #5)

Chapter 9

Darcy looked up as Anne sighed. He set down the quill he had been using to jot down figures in the book before him, replacing it in its stand. “What is the matter, cousin? You’ve sighed like that three times in the last quarter of an hour.”

She smiled sheepishly and put down her quill as well. “Forgive me, Darcy. I suppose I grow a little tired.” She smoothed a hand over her hair, which her maid had arranged in a pleasing fashion, quite different from the severe styles she had once favoured. Anne had grown very different from the pale, silent figure he remembered. She moved and spoke with a confidence Darcy had never seen in her before. She had even spoken of having a few new dresses made in a colour other than the mourning black she had worn for so long. Since his arrival two months past, the changes had been accumulating slowly but surely, and it did his heart good to see her so. Perhaps his time at Rosings was coming to a close. Lady Catherine was on the mend, albeit slowly. And Anne was coming into her own as the manager of the estate. She had grown in loveliness and confidence, and he surmised she would not be long single if her mother could be convinced to give up the idea that the only suitable bridegroom was himself.

Anne winced as she looked over all the work still left to be done.

He smiled encouragingly across the desk at her. “I know it can be tedious, but you are doing very well. Surely you must see that?” Darcy stood and stretched his lower back. “I think you are more than capable of taking over whenever you please.”

Anne looked frightened by the notion. However, she also smiled at his praise. “Do you really think so? I cannot imagine doing any of this without you or Fitzwilliam to keep me in check.”

“You do not need to be kept in check. Besides, you can always write to Fitzwilliam or myself if you ever have any questions.” Darcy’s heart lifted at the thought of returning to Pemberley. More importantly, of making one stop along the way, in Meryton. He hoped he would soon have business to conduct there as well, but not the dull sort.

“Thank you,” Anne replied and stood as well. She joined him near the window and looked out. Fitzwilliam was on the green, riding at a break-neck pace. No doubt he was trying to stay in tip-top shape for when he returned to his regiment. Likely, he was also tired of being cooped up inside. The weather was unusually clear for being so close to Christmas. One had to take advantage of the fine weather whenever one could in such a climate.

“I am surprised that Fitzwilliam knows so much about running an estate, being a soldier.”

Darcy shrugged. “After all, our cousin is the second son of the Earl—the spare, if you will. He was brought up learning what was required to run an estate, just like his elder brother and I.”

“Yes, I suppose that is true. He is very adept at numbers. And when we went to visit the tenants, he was so kind and patient. I respect him greatly,” she said. All the while, she did not take her eyes off him as he tore about, sword out in battle fashion. He ripped through the green, slashing his sword at unseen foes. Darcy looked over at his cousin to be sure her delicate sensibilities were not offended, only to raise an eyebrow in surprise. She looked anything but offended.

Anne’s face held a light that he had seen only in one other woman’s eyes, and even then, he had wondered if he was imagining things. This was more than a familial respect — something much deeper.

Darcy cleared his throat. “He is certainly a fine rider, is he not?”

“He is indeed. And a fine soldier — a credit to his family and his country,” Anne agreed. She turned to Darcy and smiled. But was there not a tinge of sadness in her eyes? “We really should prepare to welcome our visitors. Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Miss Maria Lucas are coming to tea.”

Darcy’s heart leapt at the mention of Elizabeth’s name. He tried to mask his surprise, but followed his cousin to learn more. “I had not thought to see the ladies until after Mrs Collins’s churching.”

Miss de Bourgh laughed softly, going to the desk to straighten her papers. “Why ever so? It is Mrs Collins who is in confinement, not Miss Bennet. And certainly not Miss Lucas.”

Darcy laughed as well. “That is true.” It would be wonderful to see Elizabeth. It had been nearly a sennight since the baby had arrived. Darcy had to admit that it had been difficult to contain his impatience, not being able to call at the Collins’s cottage.

He went to straightening the books and papers he had been working on, and when he looked up, Anne pinned him with a knowing stare. “I am glad you are pleased,” she said.

Darcy waited for her to go on and confront him about his feelings for Elizabeth. After a moment, he let out an explosive breath when his cousin only smiled and did nothing of the kind. She kept whatever thoughts were floating around in her head to herself and headed toward the study door. “We should go to the parlour. The carriage will be arriving at any moment.”

“You sent the carriage for them?” Darcy asked. “How very thoughtful.”

“It may be sunny today, but there is a bite in the air. I would not be surprised if we had snow soon. How wonderful would it be to have snow for Christmas?”

Darcy opened the door for her and offered his arm. “Supremely.”

Their visitors were pulling around the drive when Darcy and Anne arrived in the foyer. Georgiana stood beside the window abutting the front door, looking out into the chill afternoon. “They are here!” Georgiana squealed in delight.

“Come away, Georgiana. There is no need to get so excited.” Anne waved her over and wrapped an arm around her waist.

A moment later, the butler opened the door to their visitors. Anne went straight to Elizabeth and greeted her warmly, even linking arms with her to bring her inside. “You must be near frozen! Come into the parlour, and we shall have a lovely tea.”

“Thank you, Miss de Bourgh. It was very kind of you to invite us here this afternoon.” Elizabeth’s eyes lifted to meet his as she passed by. He gave her a smile. It was very good to see how well Anne and she got along. Perhaps Elizabeth’s presence had helped his cousin come out of herself a little more, which he could not fail to appreciate. Because of her growing confidence, he would soon be free to depart. To follow his own heart.

Georgiana and Miss Lucas followed Anne and Elizabeth while Darcy took up the rear. Fitzwilliam would no doubt join them soon, having seen the ladies pull up in the carriage.

Georgiana turned as she and Miss Lucas reached the parlour door. She gave him a knowing look. “Is it not fortuitous that Miss Bennet could join us? Miss Lucas was just saying that she had to convince our friend to come along. Miss Bennet intended to stay behind and help Mrs Collins.”

Darcy frowned. “I hope she does not feel that she was coerced in coming. If Mrs Collins requires her assistance, that is far more important than our mere pleasure in her company.”

“No indeed,” Miss Lucas took over. “It took very little convincing, as our mother is there with my sister. Mr Collins is also there to attend to his wife and child. Besides, I think Miss Bennet was just as eager to come to Rosings today as I was. Perhaps more so.” Miss Lucas also gave him a significant look, and he wondered if his sister had revealed his feelings for Elizabeth to her friend. He raised a brow and was about to reprimand them both into silence when Anne called from within.

“Tea is here, everyone!”

Darcy walked in behind the girls, his heart speeding its pace as he looked at Elizabeth. He was not sure how, but it seemed she grew more beautiful with every passing day.

Tea was a pleasant affair. Even with the snow falling outside, they were cosy and warm near the hearth. He was grateful for a somewhat private moment with Elizabeth as the girls went over to the pianoforte, and Anne sat nearby to listen to them play a four-hand piece.

“I love the snow,” Elizabeth breathed, looking out the windows as the grass was covered with a thin blanket of white. “Of course, it does keep me housebound from my walks.”

“And we all know how fond you are of your walks,” Darcy remarked.

Her face lit up with a smile. “Yes, I know you do.”

She hung her head, studying her nails for a moment. Was she thinking of the day they had met unexpectedly at Pemberley? It was there he had first begun to hope. The meeting had given him the chance he had longed for, the chance to show how much he had taken her reproaches to heart. And she had not seemed unaffected by the meeting. Darcy had the pleasure of meeting her aunt and uncle and finding them to be as civil and sensible as any people of his acquaintance, and the still greater pleasure of obtaining Elizabeth’s permission to introduce her to Georgiana. He had so wanted her to meet his sister and see if they might get along. And he had not been disappointed.

She glanced back up at him and gave a shy smile. “I am sure you have so much pleasant country to explore around Rosings.”

“It is a beautiful estate, to be sure. Not as beautiful as Pemberley, mind you, in my biased view,” he said with a small chuckle. “I would be happy to show you around the grounds, if the weather will cooperate.”

“I should like that very much,” Elizabeth smiled. She took a sip of tea, seemingly nervous at his perusal. It was difficult to tear his eyes away from her lovely visage.

“I —” Darcy began but could not finish as a servant came in, clearing his throat and walking directly over to him and Elizabeth.

“Forgive me for interrupting, Mr Darcy. But Lady Catherine has asked most emphatically for an interview with Miss Bennet.”

Darcy’s stomach fell. He well knew his aunt’s opinion of Elizabeth. “We are in the middle of tea, Hopkins. Please tell my aunt that, perhaps, she will come another day.”

Hopkins looked as if he might melt into the rug. “Forgive my boldness, sir, but Lady Catherine told me in no uncertain terms that if I did not bring Miss Bennet to her suite, she would have me dismissed, sir.” Hopkins shifted from one foot to the other. The man could not have been more than one and twenty and had likely worked since he was a lad of fourteen to secure his position as a footman.

Darcy sighed. “Do not feel as if you must be under any obligation, Miss Bennet. If my aunt does insist on such an unfair act, I shall see to it that Hopkins finds a good position elsewhere.”

“No, it is well.” Elizabeth rose with admirable self-command. “I am at Lady Catherine’s service.” Hopkins looked relieved as he bowed and readied to show Elizabeth to Lady Catherine’s rooms.

Darcy stood as well and walked with Elizabeth to the drawing room door. She glanced at Hopkins, then halted outside the threshold. “Is there something I can do, Mr Darcy?”

“No,” he replied, not knowing how to communicate his feelings. No doubt his aunt planned to say whatever was necessary to get her to leave Rosings and never return. If she succeeded, he would have no choice but to leave as well, and he did not want to break familial ties. But he would. “Would you like me to go along? I know you have experienced my aunt’s temperament. She will likely be quite harsh.”

“I am not afraid, Mr Darcy. I will hear what she has to say and return forthwith.” She gave him a brilliant smile that turned his heart to butter. “Your concern is much appreciated, I assure you.”

He nodded, trying not to stare at her mouth. “Godspeed,” he whispered, allowing her to follow Hopkins, who was growing ever more anxious with every passing minute. She walked away, making him feel as if a light had left his life.

All he could do was hope against hope that his aunt would not be able to frighten her away.