Darcy House
London
"The master is not here, Lady Catherine," the butler said calmly.
"He will be," Catherine de Bourgh returned with an arrogant tilt of her nose. "I have it on excellent authority that he will be arriving this very day from Netherfield, and I will wait for him in the blue salon. Have one of your maids bring me tea and crumpets."
"As you wish," the man replied with a courteous bob of his head. He led his master's aunt to the blue salon, bowed her in, and retreated to the kitchen to order the requisite refreshments. The lady would, he knew, be waiting a very long time; in his own pocket, he held a letter, sent express, from his master. Mr. Darcy would not be stopping at London today but would be proceeding directly to Ramsgate. In the quiet of the corridor, Mr. Campbell allowed himself an unprofessional, very satisfied smile.
/
Matlock House
London
"Hello, Mother!"
Lady Matlock, dressed in a rose pink morning gown, had been gazing drowsily out the window at a particularly fine rosebush. At the sound of her second son's voice, she leaped to her feet and exclaimed, "Richard!"
Richard strode forward to kiss his mother on the cheek and said, "I hope you are well this fine day?"
"I am, my dear, I am!" the countess declared, now thoroughly awake at the sight of her military son. "Do sit down and have some tea! Where have you been, my dear? I thought you were planning to join us for dinner last night. We hosted the Asburys, and Lady Phoebe was most disappointed at your absence."
Richard suppressed a cringe at these words. Lady Phoebe Asbury, eldest daughter of the Earl of Solphington, had been pursuing him for the last year, and regrettably both Lord and Lady Matlock were promoting the woman as a suitable bride for their second son. Lady Phoebe was reasonably pretty with a dowry of 15,000 pounds, but she was also vain and voluble, and her mother, Countess Solphington, was well known for combining a shrewish disposition with a deep and abiding delight in interfering in the marriages of her children. Richard had decided long ago that he was not interested in taking the young woman as a bride, but no one else in the family was inclined to respect his decision.
"I fear that duty called, Mama," Richard explained with a casual wave of his hand. "I hope it was a pleasant dinner party, anyway."
The countess huffed as she prepared a cup of tea with milk for her son. "In truth, it was quite exasperating, because your aunt appeared in the middle of it."
Richard successfully managed to hide the glint of interest in his eyes and said, as he accepted the tea, "Which aunt? Lady Catherine?"
"Yes, of course Lady Catherine! If it had been one of my sisters, I would have been pleased but you know how Catherine is; so demanding and irritable much of the time."
"What was she doing here?"
"Oh, Matlock did not tell me much, Richard. She was closeted with your father for a full hour after the guests departed. It has something to do with Darcy. She is growing more and more anxious that he marry Anne and wishes for your father to exercise his avuncular authority, such as it is, in the matter. I think the whole thing is quite foolish; Darcy is well able to manage his own affairs and has never shown the least inclination to bow meekly before the dictates of his elders."
"That is true enough," her son agreed, taking a sip of tea. "Is Anne here as well?"
"No, no, Lady Catherine left her at Rosings. The poor girl really is not a good traveler, and there is no reason to drag her here to London until the matter is settled."
Richard, having obtained the information he sought, leaned back and said, "That is sensible, at any rate. However, I fear my aunt will be disappointed, as Darcy received an urgent message and has changed his plans. He departed Bingley's estate this morning as planned, but he is not coming to London."
"Oh dear yes, she will be quite enraged!" Lady Matlock exclaimed. "How very tiresome of Darcy, though he does, of course, have the right to go where he wishes. He is his own man."
"I quite agree, Mother. Now, how are my sisters?"
"They are very well! I just learned yesterday that Rebekah is increasing with another child, and Vivian is hopeful of an offer from Lord Rosewood in the near future…"
/
The Eagle's Nest
Kent
"But where are the eagles?" Georgiana demanded, looking around eagerly.
Darcy swallowed a sigh and said, "I am not certain there are eagles, my dear."
"Then why call this inn the Eagle's Nest?" she asked indignantly, following her brother into the open door, where the owner of the inn was waiting to welcome his wealthy, well born, guests.
"Perhaps there once were eagles in the area," Elizabeth suggested from behind her. "We should refresh ourselves, and later we can see if the host can tell us more about bird life in the area."
"Very well," Georgiana replied reluctantly.
/
Darcy House
London
"Where can my nephew be?" Lady Catherine demanded, biting angrily into a macaroon.
"I fear that I am unable to tell you, my lady," the butler returned stolidly.
/
Rosings
Kent
Anne de Bourgh, heiress of the grand estate of Rosings, frowned down at the folio in her hands, and then deliberately placed it on the painted table next to her.
"Have you had quite enough of Lord Byron?" her companion, Mrs. Jenkinson, inquired.
Anne chuckled and said, "Yes, I confess to great disappointment. I know that his lordship's poems are supposed to be the very epitome of culture, but I find I cannot enjoy them. Indeed, I would far prefer a novel!"
"I have several Gothic novels in my room, Miss de Bourgh, and with Lady Catherine in London, you can read them without fear of reproach. Would you like me to fetch one for you?"
Anne shook her head. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Jenkinson, but no. My head is starting to ache, and I do not think I can concentrate."
"Do you wish for some laudanum?"
"No, I think not. It always makes me even sleepier than usual, and I do not want to sleep this day away."
"I understand completely, Miss de Bourgh," Mrs. Jenkinson said fervently. Both ladies thoroughly enjoyed those rare times when Lady Catherine absented herself from Rosings; Anne because she disliked her mother's penchant for controlling every aspect of her life, and Mrs. Jenkinson because her employer wanted her to hover over Anne constantly in a way which annoyed both of them.
The door to the sitting room opened, and the women looked up the butler entered with a red coated military gentleman at his heels.
"Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam," the man announced.
Anne, eyes wide, lurched to her feet. "Richard! What a surprise!"
"A pleasant one, I hope?" Richard returned, bowing to his cousin and Mrs. Jenkinson.
"Oh yes, I am very pleased to see you!" Anne exclaimed. "But what brings you here to Rosings? I fear you have missed Lady Catherine, who went away to London only this morning."
Richard grinned roguishly and said, "That is quite all right, Cousin, because I came to speak to you. What would you think about taking a trip to the seaside for your health?"
Anne blinked at her cousin in bewilderment and then turned to stare at Mrs. Jenkinson, who asked, "What do you mean by that, Colonel Fitzwilliam?"
"The Darcys are on their way to Ramsgate even now, and they are eager to have you come along, Cousin Anne. They are spending the night at the Eagle's Nest, which is only twelve miles from here, and we can join them this evening if you are willing. The journey tomorrow will only be some thirty-five miles, which should not be exceptionally exhausting. Not that I mean to press you to come, Cousin; it is entirely up to you. But the sea is delightfully cool in the latter part of summer, and I am confident it would do you good."
Anne frowned, shaking her head in confusion. "I do not understand. Mama sent a letter to Darcy telling him to stop here at Rosings, but she did not receive a letter back from him. Mother was most displeased and indeed, that is why she went to London, to speak with Darcy."
"Oh!" Richard said, opening his eyes wide. "Well, that is most unfortunate, as Darcy's party came directly from Hertfordshire today, bypassing London entirely. He and Georgiana were visiting Darcy's friend, Mr. Bingley, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, whom you know, is accompanying them to the sea. Both ladies indicated they would very much enjoy getting to know you better, Anne."
Anne hesitated and said, with obvious embarrassment, "Do you know ... is Darcy thinking about...? I do not truly wish to ... to..."
Richard grinned and said, "I assure you that our mutual cousin is interested in nothing more than friendship between you and him. You need have no concern on that account, Anne."
Anne looked at Mrs. Jenkinson, who smiled and said, "I believe Colonel Fitzwilliam's suggestion is an excellent one, Miss de Bourgh. You have been suffering from the heat, and your mother did wish for you to accompany Mr. Darcy to Ramsgate."
Anne's eyes lit up as her face took on a look of excitement at the thought of departing without her mother. "Very well, thank you! I would be delighted to join you!"
/
Matlock House
London
"Where is that boy?" Lady Catherine shrilled. "Matlock, you told me yourself that Darcy would return to London today!"
"How would I know?" her noble brother demanded irritably. "Perhaps they were delayed in Hertfordshire! Carriages do break, and horses go lame on occasion."
Lady Catherine huffed indignantly and took a few turns up and down the drawing room. "I do dislike tardiness, Brother. It is quite exasperating. Very well, I will return to Darcy House and wait, but if he does not arrive by tomorrow, I will journey to Hertfordshire. I will not permit Darcy to delay any longer in marrying my daughter!"
Lady Matlock, who had been hovering out of sight outside the door of the drawing room, heaved a soft sigh and decided to intervene. She did not know Darcy's friend, Bingley, but as a Christian and a lady, she would be most unkind to allow Lady Catherine to descend on the hapless man if she could prevent it.
"Catherine, my dear," she said, strolling into the room and smiling at her fulminating sister-in-law, "I could not help overhear your last remark, and fear that I have some discouraging news. Richard stopped by a few hours ago and mentioned that Darcy is not coming to London; apparently something came up, and he changed his plans."
Lady Catherine's face changed from pink to purple, and her eyes protruded from her face. "What?!"
/
The Eagle's Nest
Kent
"I have never gone ice skating," Elizabeth admitted. "Is it very difficult?"
"No," Georgiana said baldly.
"Yes," Darcy said at exactly the same time, and then laughed at the sight of his sister's surprised face. "I know it is easy for you, my dear sister, but you have remarkable balance. When I was first learning, I fell down repeatedly. I do not remember skating well until I had practiced it a dozen times!"
"Truly? I had no idea, Brother! I thought you ..."
Georgiana trailed off, looking uncomfortable, and Darcy immediately put his arm around her and said, "That I learned as easily as you did? No, but there is no shame in struggling with such things, dear one. I persevered and learned to skate well, and it is indeed enjoyable."
Miss Darcy relaxed at these words and turned a beaming smile on her friend. "It is delightful, Elizabeth! There is a pond about a quarter mile beyond the peacock garden, and the servants brush off the snow, and we skate for hours! Then when we are thoroughly chilled, we rush back and drink hot chocolate in front of the fire. It is great fun."
"It sounds like it," Elizabeth agreed, then turned as the door to the private parlor opened, and the innkeeper entered with three people at his heels.
"Mr. Darcy, your guests have arrived," the man said with a low bow and retreated, shutting the door gently behind him.
"Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson, thank you for joining us on such short notice," Darcy said enthusiastically, as he and the ladies rose to their feet. "Richard, thank you for escorting them."
"It was my pleasure, of course," the colonel said cheerfully. "Georgiana, you know your cousin Anne, certainly, but may I please introduce you to Anne's companion, Mrs. Jenkinson? Mrs. Jenkinson, Miss Georgiana Darcy and her companion, Mrs. Annesley."
Anne was staring at Georgiana incredulously and said, "I know that you must be my cousin, but I can hardly believe it! When I last saw you, you were shorter than I am and look at you now! You are all grown up, Georgiana!"
"I have grown five inches in the last two years," Georgiana said, ducking her head shyly. "I fear I do not remember you well, Cousin Anne. It has been six years since you were last at Pemberley."
"Yes, that was a long journey, and I spent the first week in bed recovering" Anne said with a sigh. "I fear I am not a good traveler, especially during the summer."
"Please do sit down near the window, Miss de Bourgh," Elizabeth suggested, gesturing to a padded seat. "There is a fine breeze which is most refreshing. Would you care for some iced lemonade, perhaps, or would you like some tea?"
"Thank you, Miss Bennet, I would enjoy some lemonade," Anne said gratefully, sinking into the padded chair and letting the cool winds wash over her. She was vaguely puzzled as to why Miss Bennet was acting the hostess instead of Georgiana, but she dimly remembered that her young cousin was very shy.
Darcy smiled gratefully at Elizabeth and said, "I will arrange to have a maid bring lemonade as quickly as possible."
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth returned warmly.
Anne, who had not had time to think much in the last hours, caught her breath in amazement. Her only knowledge of romance was from the pages of the novels that she hid in her bedroom. Lady Catherine was so determined that her only daughter marry the master of Pemberley that Anne had never been permitted a London season, and eligible men crossed the doors of Rosings only once or twice a year. However, she knew Darcy moderately well, and she had never seen such an expression of affection toward anyone but his sister. So that was the way the wind blew!
Anne de Bourgh leaned back in her chair and exhaled in relief. In spite of Richard's assurances, she had been a trifle worried that Darcy was still considering her as a possible wife. Now she knew better – if Darcy's loving looks were any indication, Miss Elizabeth Bennet would become Mrs. Darcy.
Lady Catherine would be furious.
Which, upon consideration, Anne thought that her mother not getting what she wanted was a most delightful prospect.