A/N - sorry for lack of communication. Busy month and we're only a few days in!
Still hoping to post a chapter a day here and I hope you are enjoying! The ebook is available to buy if you wish to, otherwise keep coming back for new chapters on the regular.
Busily working on book #3 which is as-yet title-less...
Happy September xx
"Mary, that was beautiful!" Colonel Fitzwilliam approached the piano with a broad smile. "And I am pleased to see you both getting on so well."
"How could we fail to, cousin?" Anne asked, with a warm glance towards Mary. "When your bride to be is such a charming young lady?"
Mary coloured prettily at the compliment, and said nothing.
"I wonder if you might wish for some refreshments, Mary," Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, and Anne took the opportunity to volunteer to play the piano and allow Mary a break from performing. Mary accepted, gratefully, glancing over towards Lady Catherine, who was at that moment entirely occupied in conversation with Mr Collins, and shooting sly glances towards Elizabeth and Mr Darcy, who were standing by the window, speaking in hushed tones.
"How are you bearing up?" Richard asked, with a smile, as soon as he and Mary were far enough away from the piano to not disturb Anne with their conversation.
"Well!" Mary said. "Your cousin is so kind. She has offered to sit with me a while and play while I am here: she is far more skilled than I."
"Nonsense!" Richard was unwilling to hear any such slight towards the young lady he perceived to be the most talented of all musicians.
"It is true!" Mary said, with a humble shrug. "She has had lessons under tutors I could only dream of. I most often had to find my own way." She smiled. "When she selected a piece for me to play, and I confessed I would not wish to attempt it in company, because I would struggle to manage its range without considerable practice, she insisted I must have all the practice I wished for while I am here, and my very own tutor, in her." Mary shook her head in disbelief. "I cannot possibly deserve such kindness, and therefore must put it down to her affection for you. You are fortunate to have such family."
Richard nodded, but did not entirely agree with Mary's assessment. His eyes strayed, unbidden, to Darcy, who was the true apple of Lady Catherine's eye, and wondered how Mary failed to notice that where he was welcomed, Darcy was rejoiced over. He had made peace with their relative positions some time before, and counted himself fortunate that avoiding Lady Catherine's overbearing affection also freed him from her undue interest in his affairs.
As if Lady Catherine herself had been privy to his thoughts, she raised her voice in Darcy's direction.
"What are you whispering about over there, Fitzwilliam? You know I despise whispering. It is most rude and ill-mannered to have a conversation at the exclusion of all others present."
Mary's eyes widened, as if the criticism was levied towards them as well.
"Do not fret," Richard explained. "She is somewhat invested in who Darcy chooses to associate with."
Mary frowned, and Richard drew a breath, wondering how best to quickly appraise her of the complicated associations between Fitzwilliam Darcy and his aunt, but his cousin spoke before he got the chance.
"There was no slight intended, Aunt. I was merely assuring myself that Miss Elizabeth was not unduly stifled by the heat of the fire."
"I should be very surprised if she were!" Lady Catherine exclaimed. "Why, there is barely a flicker of heat coming from the fireplace. See, I am able to sit quite close to it and suffer no ill-effects." She appraised Elizabeth with suspicion. "I do hope you are not sickening for something, Miss Bennet. Come, sit a little nearer, for I do not wish you to catch a chill from standing so close to the window. Fitzwilliam, perhaps you will see to Anne. I do not doubt she will require assistance in turning the pages of her music-book."
Thus directed, Darcy and Elizabeth parted, but not before they exchanged a look that sparked Richard's interest.
"Mr Collins assures me that the banns will be read in church this Sunday, Mary, so we must attend to hear them." He smiled. "I hope you are not unhappy with the speed with which we proceed?"
"Not at all," she smiled. "It seems like a dream!"
"For me, too." Richard laughed. "I can scarcely believe how quickly things have changed for me. To think, I was dreading my future, unsure where I might live, what I might do. Now I cannot wait to find a home - our home. And we must travel, once we are married. I am eager to show you all the places you wished to travel to and have not yet seen."
Mary looked up at him in delight.
"I do not mind where we go, Richard, provided we might be together."
"Of course we shall!" he said, gallantly. "We -"
"Richard!" Lady Catherine's voice interrupted him. "You must not monopolise poor Mary. You have the rest of your lives to talk with one another. Come here, dear, for I wish to compliment you on your playing, and learn more about you."
Mary dipped into a half-curtsey, bidding Richard a farewell, and moved closer to Lady Catherine, where she was immediately put to an inquisition on her schooling, her affection for music, and, at last, books, which subject Mary did her best to draw in her sister, in a manner that touched Richard's heart. He could see Lady Catherine was resistant towards Elizabeth Bennet, undoubtedly because she saw, as he did, the affection Darcy had for her. She would be a potential barrier to Darcy and Anne's marriage, and must, therefore, be treated with suspicion. Richard felt his nerves rise at the way his aunt insisted on arranging things to benefit her, regardless of the feelings of others. Neither Anne nor Darcy wished to wed one another - yet she would do her utmost to prevent them marrying anyone else.
Turning back towards the piano, he determined he would not allow his cousins to be railroaded into a match they would come to regret.
"Anne," he began, when she played her final chord and leaned back a little from the piano. "I am so grateful for your offer to tutor Mary, although I scarcely think she needs it!"
Anne shook her head.
"She was insistent that she needs further practice! I do not doubt it is merely confidence she requires, and as such, will do my best to build it up." She turned, momentarily to Darcy. "And how is Miss Elizabeth? I fear Mother has taken a dislike to her already!"
Darcy said nothing, his lips drawing together in a line.
"Yet Mary, she is fond of," Anne continued, sensing this a safer topic. "I am pleased for you, cousin, for I did so wish for your path to the altar to be a smooth one. There is much to be arranged in the short time before your wedding. How fortunate you are to marry just as you please!" She sighed, a wistful expression settling on her features. If Anne is as ill-disposed to this arranging of her mother's as Darcy is, surely she will help us in orchestrating a marriage that will prevent it? he thought, glancing back to where Elizabeth and Mary spoke with Lady Catherine and Mr Collins. His cousin was close to speaking of his true feelings, he thought, if only he might be afforded an opportunity.