I know you are anxious to get back to ODC but first we need a bit more of Anne. Things are relatively calm now in my household with my Lydia trying to play nice. As always, thank you for your continuing support. I know an autistic Darcy is not everyone's cup of tea. Does anyone besides me think that it is odd that in PandP that Lady Catherine refers to her nephews by their last names? I haven't been doing that but am wondering if I should, though I think the two Fitzwilliams make it too confusing; to my mind it makes sense to refer to close relatives by their first names.
Dinner with my aunt began as I have grown to expect it. She talks, we listen and occasionally she asks one person a question so that after responding she can provide unsolicited advice. We, her nephews, always thank her for the advice but typically ignore it while Georgiana feels obligated to obey it and later I have to remind her she does not dishonor our mother if she disregards the advice of her sister. Mrs. Jenkins tries to get Anne to eat but otherwise Anne is overlooked by everyone else. I wonder what my aunt would say if I told her the familiarity of the whole thing is comforting to me.
Today varied in that Georgiana decided to introduce a topic into the conversation. She waited until Aunt Catherine was momentarily silenced by chewing her meat (a technique that Edwin, his brothers, Georgiana and I employ on occasion to our shared delight) to tell her about the wonderful time she had discussing flowers with the ladies and their goal to find more wildflowers on the morrow. I was not sure what purpose Georgiana had in raising this topic; perhaps she wanted to make sure Anne was no longer ignored. She should have remembered our aunt's penchant for always offering advice.
First Aunt Catherine offered how superior her own flower beds were and how they should select roses to draw as there were no better or more colorful blossoms of ideal proportions than those found at Rosings but that they needed to delay for the most promising of the buds to bloom. She then proceeded to describe all the hues we could expect at the peak of the season, completely ignoring that the purpose of the planned excursion was to seek wildflowers.
"There is no purple." We were startled to hear Anne contribute to the conversation.
Georgiana responded, "Yes Anne, there are no purple roses. We will look for your purple flowers tomorrow."
"Well, I do not believe that roses grow in such a hue." Aunt Catherine responded, "If they did I would have some naturally! There can be no need for Anne to go anywhere or get out of her phaeton, none at all, when my gardens have the most delightful flowers, though they will be more worth looking at when summer commences."
"I will go!" Anne exclaimed and then folded her arms.
"Anne!" Edwin exclaimed, "You are upsetting your mother."
I looked over at my aunt and could see no sign that she was unduly emotional but I know I am not the best judge of these things.
Edwin tried to reason with Anne. "Georgiana can find purple flowers for you. There is no need to recklessly risk your health." I wondered why he cared if she went. I did not think her health had anything to do with it.
I could tell what Edwin could not, that there was no reasoning with her. She had her mind set and it would be very difficult to dissuade her indeed. Now this Anne was much more interesting than the Anne I knew of old.
"Surely there can be no harm in Anne taking a few steps away from her phaeton." Georgiana tried to reason with our aunt and Edwin.
"I will go!" Anne exclaimed.
"And go you shall," I promised, "I shall escort the ladies myself and keep Anne safe."
My Aunt Catherine twisted her lips before grudgingly saying, "I suppose. . ." I knew why she was consenting but it did not matter to me. We would not marry but I would help my cousin where I could.
During the separation after supper Edwin smiled at me before saying, "How gallant of you to escort dear Anne. You see now why she needs your name and protection. Someone will have to keep her within bounds after our aunt is gone, so she does not embarrass our family. Here in Kent the local populous knows of her more than they know her. She does no harm as an ill daughter and will do none as an ill wife. You will benefit greatly with the joining of the two estates. Already we have seen that Georgiana esteems her and it is good that she has taken an interest in her. Your sister will play her part well, but you must discourage her from indulging Anne's whims. She should find her things to do inside the house. Mayhap she can teach her to draw or sing? A songbird safely sings its tune without anyone seeking to know it further. Think of our family and your future."
I kept my stony visage and gave no response. Disassembling is hard for me, but silence is easier. I knew he would oppose my interest in Miss Elizabeth and thought that perhaps if he believed I was considering his advice that I could prevent interference with my own hopes and plans for my future. He spoke some more but all I could think about was seeing Miss Elizabeth in the morning.