It was only for a moment.
In the span of a few seconds, Fanny dressed herself again in the same dress from that evening.
"Hide this, Sally," Fanny handed her some coins from the bottom of her trunk. She pulled her travelling cloak over her dress and tossed a second cloak to Sally.
"Miss Price, what are you doing?" Sally asked in shock and fear. She did as she was told, wrapping the cloak tightly.
Fanny tore a page from a new diary and scribbled a note quickly, handing it to Sally.
"Give this note to Jonathan, he must deliver it to Mary Bertram personally and as quickly as possible." She prayed Sir Bertram would not be angry at her use of his servants this late at night. "Meet me at the kitchen door quickly."
Sally said no more and ran to do as she was bid.
Fanny pulled her hair into a ribbon to keep out of her face and looked around for a weapon of any kind. The closest she could find was a brass umbrella, it would have to do.
She extinguished the candle and hurried downstairs to the kitchen.
She passed by a lit fire in one of the drawing rooms but she did not slow down to investigate if anyone witnessed her flight.
In fact, she did not slow down to even think.
Outside the kitchen door, stood a boy with the hood of his cloak hiding his face. When she approached, he lifted his face, and Fanny was startled to be looking at Sally.
She gave her a once over and nodded with approval. She had to admit it was a relief, the streets were dangerous for two women at night, even with the late hours the ton set.
"Will we take the carriage?" Sally asked.
Here Fanny did pause.
It was considerably safer to travel in a private carriage, but Fanny was unsure of how long they would be out, and she was never given the freedom of using the carriage for her leisure.
"No," She answered, perhaps in an adrenaline induced conclusion.
Sally followed her as they made their way from the safety of the Bertram property. She pulled her hood and tucked her hair, keeping a speedy pace.
While London was an extravagant city, there were lewd and strange people when on foot, especially at these hours of the night.
They were already off their street before Fanny spotted a cab.
"Hail the cab," Fanny indicated with her head.
Sally motioned over the hackney and it stopped short.
They scurried to escape the dark and strange streets.
"Where to miss?" the driver asked.
"The Croft residence on Wimble Street, we have an important delivery quickly please." Fanny answered. Sally did her best to keep her face hidden and climbed in after her into the rickety cab.
The drive to Wimble Street had never been longer and her actions were beginning to catch up with Fanny. The carriage lurched and jumped in the uneven roads. The streets of London were incredibly dangerous to a young lady, and she was putting not only herself but Sally at risk as well. This driver could even decide not to take them to their destination. She had never in her life been alone in this way.
Someone could see her, assume the worst, and ruin her forever.
Additionally, all that she was doing could be in vain. What help could she possibly give? What could she possibly gain?
Her thoughts were once again overwhelming her, and she could not stop herself from shaking.
It wasn't until she recognized Wimble Street in the haze of the darkness that she was able to force her thoughts back.
The hackney squealed to a stop, and they hurried off. Sally tossed the driver the coin and they did not bother with any more conversation than necessary.
At the door, a stern butler gave them a suspicious glare.
"I must speak with Miss Croft immediately." Fanny informed him. He did not seem inclined to believe her. "Please, let her know it is Fanny Price here to see her."
Without a word, the door was firmly closed in her face.
Fanny gasped, she was certain she had seen him before on their visits. She cast a glance up and down the lonely street. The hackey driver was gone, and there were only rustlings that accompanied them now. She turned to Sally, who was making her way around the tall fence, studying the Croft townhouse.
"Sally," Fanny whispered, the darkness seemed to call for hushed tones.
Sally paid no mind and picked up a stone from the street. With terrible aim, she managed to toss the stone into the rose bushes under the front window.
"Sally!" Fanny hurried over beside her.
"Miss Croft is staying in that room, I am almost sure of it." Sally whispered. She pointed to the leftmost window on the second floor.
There was no cab to take them back to the Bertram residence, and there was little else that could worsen their situation.
Fanny picked a stone from her feet. Holding her breath, she aimed and was able to clip the window Sally pointed at.
When it sparked no reaction, Fanny repeated the throw.
The drapes parted and Anne Croft appeared within the frame in all her glory.
"Fanny?!" Anne cried out. Fanny positively sagged with relief.
Anne had already called for tea when she hustled the two into her drawing room. She could not believe the audacity of the butler. She was going to have some words with him as soon as she saw Fanny settled.
"Fanny, what has happened?" Anne asked, taking her cloak as the butler failed to do. She handed it to her girl, who appeared to be dressed in boyish garments.
"It is Mr. Crawford," Fanny explained. "There is a scandal brewing at this very minute. Sally has told me that Mr. Crawford was invited to the Rushworth residence. Mr. Rushworth caught Mr. Crawford and Maria in a compromising situation, and now he has turned them both out of his house."
"Crawford?!" Anne was amazed at how quickly Fanny came by this information, but there would be time for the details later. Time was of the essence in matters like this.
Anne rose to her feet and began to pace about.
"He would never do something so foolish," Anne could not help but speak her musings aloud. "I have never seen him as in love and devoted as he has for these past weeks. He would not betray you in such a way."
Fanny took a sip of her tea, but her hands were shaking.
"You do not believe he would do such a thing," Anne stopped her pacing to study Fanny.
Silence fell between them, so tense and uncomfortable.
"No," Fanny finally said. She was frightened, but she had faith.
Anne released the sigh in her chest and continued her pacing.
"Good," Anne ran a hand through her loose hair to keep it back. She was very happy her parents were not in the house, and were spending the night with her brother. "Even in his past when he trapezed about town as a rake, no offense meant, he was careful never to be caught in a scandal of this sort. It makes no sense as to why he would be caught with Maria Rushworth of all people."
"I do not understand either." Fanny was staring into her cup. "I know I am not as beautiful or charming as her, but I do not believe Mr. Crawford would be … making those sorts of mistakes."
"You are right, he is not that person anymore, and he never has been, not with a married woman." Anne paused in her pacing again. "But you are wrong that you are beneath Maria Rushworth in any way. You are beautiful, clever, and you have Mr. Crawford's heart in a way that she never could. In fact …"
Anne's mind was travelling quicker than she could voice it.
"In fact, this must all be Maria's doing," Anne resumed her pacing. "She was unsuccessful in securing Mr. Crawford when she was unmarried, so she married Mr. Rushworth as a punishment. Mr. Crawford was unaffected, he went and became properly in love with you. Maria must have concocted some plan to ruin him in her jealousy." Anne added a clap to emphasize. "Mr. Crawford would be bound by honor to marry Maria, because her husband will be suing her for divorce."
Fanny seemed extremely skeptical, but Anne was certain that she was correct. They had to do something before morning, when everyone would wake up to the scandal of the century.
The door rang, and Mary Crawford hurried into the drawing room and threw herself into a chair. She was so much a part of Anne's life they could disperse with the formalities.
"I received your note, Fanny," Mary fluttered about a page. She launched herself into an excited speech immediately. "You must know that my brother would never do such a thing. Not when his heart is so taken by you. There must be a misunderstanding, a miscommunication, I am not even sure what he was doing in the Rushworth residence so late at night…"
"Mary, Fanny believes in him." Anne interrupted her. "Otherwise she would not have escaped from her house to bring us together in the middle of the night."
"Is this true, Fanny?" Mary moved beside her and took her hand.
Fanny nodded to her and tried her best to give her a smile. It was when Anne realized how worried Fanny was, she was blinking nervously. She must care for Mr. Crawford to be this concerned.
"I am certain this was all Maria Rushworth's doing," Anne continued on. "It is her plan to coerce him into marrying her."
"That vixen!" Mary was instantly in her brother's defence. "I agree with you, it is a very good thing Fanny discovered this so quickly. Henry was not even home when I left the house."
"Now how should we prevent this scandal from unfolding?" Anne finally took a seat across from the two ladies. "The only thing I can think of is to create a greater scandal to distract from this scandal. Perhaps then he would not have to marry Maria."
"No, he would marry her even if London looked away," Maria shook her head. "He could not leave Maria if Mr. Rushworth sued her for divorce. He is too honorable for that."
"Then we have to avoid Mr. Rushworth filing for a divorce," Fanny said quietly.
They both turned to her. "How do you propose we do that?" Even though her cheeks blushed, Fanny continued.
"Mr. Rushworth is known for … his love of drinking …" Fanny cleared her throat. "If we could convince him, he did not see anything compromising…"
"Then Maria would be safe, as would Henry," Mary's eyes sparkled. "I will plan a visit to Maria first thing tomorrow morning. She is my sister-in-law."
Fanny nodded, and they began to plan a manipulation game. They would go to see Maria at the crack of dawn, before she could be cast out and convince Mr. Rushworth he had a night of heavy drinking. They would take a few bottles of the finest drink from both the Croft and Bertram residences to entice him into drinking again that morning. Their entire plan hinged on the hope that Maria was not thrown out of the house in the middle of the night.
Anne leaned back to listen, but she felt they could be doing more.
Fanny had travelled on the dangerous London streets alone for Mr. Crawford. To do something so brave, yet foolish was inspiring all on its own. Her faith in him was testimony of her love, as quiet and kind as it was.
Fanny's little adventure would not go to waste, Anne vowed.
Anne raised a hand and whispered into the maid's ear. As she left, Anne's heart was pounding and she was having difficulty maintaining her composure.
"Anne?" Mary broke the conversation with Fanny to cast a concerned eye on her.
Anne had not planned on telling her friends.
Yet they were watching her with so much concern and kindness. Moreover, she wanted them to know. In case anything were to go wrong.
"I have called for Mr. Lucas," Anne told them.
They both stood at the same time.
"What are you planning, Anne?" Mary's voice deepened in her seriousness.
"I will create that distraction I was talking about," Anne sniffed. "I will do my part in helping you, but I must admit this is more for me than either of you or Crawford."
"Anne?" This time it was Fanny's frightened voice.
"Fanny, you have sacrificed a great deal." Anne smiled at her, allowing herself to feel tenderness for her gentle friend. "I will be leaving tonight, it will cover any Rushworth scandal that may arise. Everyone will be too occupied to even look in their direction. It will be that much easier for you tomorrow."
"Anne," Mary rushed to her side, taking her hand. "Please think it through. This is not something that can be taken lightly. This is your life, you must think carefully."
"I have thought it through, my friend," Anne kissed her hand. "Perhaps I have thought for too long."
Fanny did not say anything, but she stood shocked.
"Come, help me pack." Anne led her friends up to her bedroom.
A/N: Hello wonderful readers! Thank you so much for reading my little story. It's turning out longer than I previously thought but no worries, I am attached to it now again after so long years. Thank you for reviews, favs, and follows! It makes me happy that other people care about these characters too. Please stay tuned!