Chapter X
Anne quit her sedentary pursuits before the morning was over, remembering at once that she must go out to buy some riband and muslin for a new gown. The males of the household, who had been very much satisfied with the ladies' staying indoors, attempted to protest, but Anne knew her way around their arguments much too well.
It was impossible, however, to dissuade her brother—whose profession as a respectable lawyer entitled him to a great deal of wit—from accompanying her to the shops.
"My dearest Annie," said he, "do not try to fool me. I know how much you value a man's opinion of your dress in general, and my opinion in particular. I understand your present gloomy mood but exactly for the same reason that you are gloomy I wish to lend you my arm during your walk along Bond Street."
Anne could but submit to her brother's entreaty and as soon as they were out in the hustle and bustle of London she made this confession to him, "Frankly, my dear Frank," they both smiled at her intentional pun, "I left the house with an entirely different purpose. The object I wish to purchase is by no means something as trifling as muslin but of graver importance."
Frank appeared genuinely surprised. "Really! What shall that be, dear Miss Bennet?"
Anne leaned closer to him, "I shall like to get myself a valet."
"A valet!" he exclaimed in a low voice, "A valet is a gentleman's gentleman, my dear, and so far my knowledge goes, you are my pretty sister, a young lady of one-twenty. What use could you have for a valet? Can you not see how outrageous you are?"
With a roll of her eyes, Anne responded, "Frank, my dearest, it would be even more outrageous if I was not outrageous. I have been called Outrageous Anne for these past two years, both in Bath, and London. And even at our brother's Lismore Castle, a fortnight was sufficient for the old ladies of Waterford to declare me the most outrageous creature in the world!"
Frank laughed, despite himself, as Anne continued, "This time, however, I am not as outrageous as I am rational."
"How so?"
"Well, you see, my beloved brother, this brilliant idea occurred to me this morning. London is such a dangerous place, is not it? And because it is, a handsome young lady such as myself is in need of protection—I have thus chosen to purchase a valet who will be my bodyguard."
"A bodyguard! I believe the old ladies of Waterford will find that too outrageous even for you."
Anne laughed. "I shall tell you of something more outrageous yet."
This statement piqued her brother's interest and she nodded her head discreetly to a lady across the street. "That dowager chaperon who is staring at you rather than her young charge and the poor mindless girl is just about to—oh! Such a swift halt! That gentleman is one fine coachman and that horse a splendid animal, otherwise the paper would have had one more tragedy to report about."
The bustle increased due to the closely avoided accident and the siblings squeezed through the throng to go about their business.
"Ah, London," said Anne at last, "such charming society."
Their walk to the Bond Street shops continued with such biting commentary which reminded Frank of why 'dearest Annie' was his favourite of his three sisters: she was brave to the point of being daring, especially by wearing her hair unusually but comfortably loose, secured with only short ribbons and hats tinier than was common.
The demon Darcy, who kept tagging along closely but camouflaged, followed them to a Bond Street millinery shop and while Frank conversed with the shopkeeper—an old friend of his deceased wife—Anne was endeavouring to choose a proper riband.
As she stood in a quite distant corner, Darcy appeared out of nowhere, placing his index finger over the lady's lips to prevent her yelling in astonishment. Anne almost coloured but regained her composure when a note was dropped in her palm and its author vanished as suddenly as he had come.
The note read that 'arrangements had been made' and that the lady should 'contact Mr. King of Grosvenor Square No.— who has a valet to spare.' Crumpling the note in her hand, Anne picked out a green riband and ushered her brother out and towards Grosvenor Square.