Mrs. Wickham stood behind her daughter, brushing Esther Marie's hair and then braiding it for bed as Mary and her sisters had done for each other thousands of times throughout their lives.
"I miss Olivia," Esther said.
"I know, sweetling," said Mary, "but she does not live in Meryton. She lives in London, so she had to go home."
"Papa moved to Meryton from London," said Esther.
"He did."
"Then Olivia can also," said Esther.
"Your Papa was grown when he moved here. Olivia is still a child. Uncle Gardiner's business is in London, so his family must live there as well."
Esther frowned.
"They will visit again soon," said Mary, "But they must not neglect their business."
"I don't like businesses," said Esther.
"You don't like businesses? Why not?" asked Mary, trying to keep her face straight.
"Papa goes away to his business. Olivia has to leave because of Uncle Gardiner's business. Nancy can't play when we visit the butcher because it is a place of business," said the girl. Nancy, the child of the butcher, was often a ready playmate for Olivia, but only when her mother could be spared from the shop. Otherwise, Nancy was supposed to sit and work on her letters while her parents ran the store.
"It is true. I know it may seem difficult to understand, but businesses are the reason your papa, Uncle Gardiner, and Nancy's papa are all respectable. It gives the men money to buy what they need for their families."
"But Mr. Darcy does not have a business. Mr. Bingley doesn't either."
Mary sighed, for she had not expected to give a lecture on social classes this evening.
"No, but they still have duties. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to write letters and travel about to the estates they own to make sure everything is in order and the people who live there are happy. Otherwise, the tenants will move away and they will not have money anymore either."
"Papa says that Mr. Darcy is going to take Aunt Lizzy far away to his castle."
"I do not believe Pemberley is a castle, dearest. But you are right. Should Darcy and Lizzy marry, she will go live in the North with him. Just like how I came to live with your Papa after I married him."
"Can we visit Pemmly?" asked Esther.
"Perhaps," said Mary, "And Lizzy will likely come back to visit Longbourn, just like Olivia does."
"I'm never going to move away," said Esther.
"Perhaps not, dearest," said Mary, "But you may change your mind when you are older. Now, it is time for bed. No more questions."
Mary kissed her daughter's forehead and blew out the branch of candles at the bedside.
"That sounded like a riveting discussion," said Mr. Wickham when Mary joined him in their room.
"Hmmm, she has a prodigious ability to question everything. She should have been born a boy so she could become a solicitor," said Mary.
"I have often thought that as well," said Mr. Wickham.
As Mary needed her husband's help to remove her dress and underthings, the next several minutes were spent with him assisting her while also attempting to seduce her. It did not take much effort, for she was most willing. Suddenly, much to Mary's surprise, Wickham stopped.
"Can you?" he asked her.
"What do you mean?"
"Is it not time for your courses?"
"I do not have them," said Mary.
"It is the second week of the month," said Wickham.
"It is," said Mary, "but they may simply be late because of all the stress of planning Jane's wedding. That happens to me at times."
"Or..." said Wickham.
"Let us not consider the 'Or' yet, dearest. Not yet. I do not wish to have dashed hopes."
"Well, if we shall not yet consider the 'Or', we must continue to practice to ensure the 'Or' comes about."
"Mr. and Mrs. Collins," greeted Colonel Fitzwilliam jovially, "Good evening! I understand that I must felicitate you on your own happy event!"
"Indeed," said Mrs. Collins, as she and her husband curtseyed and bowed unison, "We thank you and congratulate you as well. Is all ready for the morrow? Can we assist in any way?"
"Thank you. It is all prepared," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "I only need to see that sermon that your husband wishes to give before the vows, then there shall be nothing more to do."
"May I ask, if it is not impertinent, where your betrothed is?" asked Mrs. Collins.
"She is resting upstairs with her maid attending her. She was rather tired by the preparations and decided to take her dinner on a tray," said Colonel Fitzwilliam.
"I hope she is well," said Mr. Collins, all concern.
"She is, sir. Do not concern yourself. She has been remarkably improved since her ordeal. I daresay her health is better than it ever has been."
"That is very good to hear, sir. We were quite concerned that she may have caught a chill from the dampness or some other malady," said Mr. Collins.
"We were most happily surprised that she did not become ill," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "Have you the sermon?"
"I confess that we have something else to discuss with you first," said Mr. Collins, gathering his courage.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was most curious as to what Mr. Collins might wish to discuss that had turned his visage so stern. He bade the man tell him what it was he wished to discuss. The next half hour was spent with Mr. Collins telling what he had heard, assuring Colonel Fitzwilliam that he was making no accusations against her ladyship, and Mrs. Collins emphasising the serious nature of the statements, for her husband was wont to downplay the matter.
"I see," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, looking at the list of statements in front of him and remembering many odd things that his aunt had done over the years. More than that, Anne had improved so greatly over the previous fortnight that the Colonel was inclined to think her not sick at all, only perhaps having a weak constitution and therefore more inclined towards catching a chill or fever when others might not.
"We know it is not proof," said Mrs. Collins, "But when Mr. Collins told me of it, I could not keep it from you and your betrothed."
"I am glad that you told me," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, "For we shall now be on our guard."
That evening, after approving the sermon that Mr. Collins had written, Colonel Fitzwilliam sent off several dozen letters to various associates. He may not have proof, but Lady Catherine would not be allowed to harm Anne any longer.
Mr. Darcy and Lord Barlow arrived at Rosings early on Friday morning. They were greeted first by Mr. and Mrs. Collins. The former gave an absurdly low bow to each of the men, inappropriate even for Lord Barlow's station. The latter was much more demur in her address, giving simple curtsies and asking about the journey hither. She was assured that the roads were good and there was no delay in their travels. Darcy thought she looked remarkably well for being married to such a toady man for three days now. Perhaps it was an uncharitable thought. He supposed that the man might appreciate that such a fine gentlewoman had agreed to be his wife and therefore take great care for her comfort. Goodness knows he had enough practice from waiting on Lady Catherine.
They then went to Rosings, where they were shown to their rooms and were able to refresh themselves. By the time they returned downstairs, many of the guests had begun to arrive.
"Mother," said Lord Barlow, bowing low, "I hope you are well." He then went to kiss his mother on the cheek and Darcy did likewise.
"I am well. Andy, Fitz, I hope the same for you," said Lady Matlock.
"Indeed, we are" said Lord Barlow, "Where is Father?"
"He is somewhere with your brother. Richard wished to speak to him about some matter," said her ladyship.
"I hope all is going to plan," said Darcy, concerned.
"Oh, I believe it is something with Lady Catherine. You know she is not pleased with the wedding. I did not inquire further."
"Very well," said Lord Barlow, "Do let us know if assistance is needed."
"I will," said his mother, before turning to Darcy, "And where is the lovely Miss Bennet? For she is Miss Bennet now, is she not?"
"She is. Her elder sister was wed only a few days ago," said Darcy, "But she remains in Hertfordshire. I with return to Netherfield with Andy soon."
"And how goes the courtship?" asked Lady Matlock.
"Well," said Darcy with a smile.
"Are you engaged?" asked Lady Matlock.
"I am not. Miss Bennet made it known some few weeks ago that she did not want to rush into an engagement without a courtship."
Lady Matlock raised her eyebrows at that, for she could not imagine any other lady who would not jump at the chance to become betrothed to Darcy. Lady Matlock left Andy and Darcy to each other's society after a little more conversation, for Lady Cowper and Lady Lightly had arrived and she wished to greet them.
"You did not tell your mother of Kitty," murmured Darcy.
"I will tell Father and Mother together," said Andy, "So Mother might temper Father's reaction with her delight."
The wedding ceremony was simple and the wedding breakfast brief so as to not tire Anne. It was revealed to Darcy and Lord Barlow that the 'business' with Lady Catherine was keeping her from objecting to the wedding. It seemed that she had worked herself into hysterics, between her daughter marrying a second son and her being removed from Rosings. This unfortunately meant that she was required to miss the wedding of her only child, much to the bride's displeasure.
As Anne and Colonel Fitzwilliam were bidding many of their friends and relations goodbye after the wedding breakfast, Anne suddenly froze.
"Dearest, are you well?" asked her husband.
She did not respond.
"Anne? What is the matter?" he tried again.
"Him," she whispered, raising her hand to point at the servant walking from the stables to the dower house.
"Darcy's groom?" asked Colonel Fitzwilliam, confused.
"He was there. He was in the cellar," said Anne in a shaky voice.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, being the military man that he was, acted quickly. He grabbed two footmen to come with him to subdue the groom. It did not take much, for Colonel Fitzwilliam had worn his dress uniform including the saber. He had not thought that he would be using it on his wedding day to threaten a man, but it was effective, nonetheless. The man went with them willingly, or as willingly as one can with a sword at one's throat.
"It weren't my idea!" cried the man.
"We just want information," said Darcy, who had arrived in the sitting room where they brought the man after he had been subdued, "Should you tell us what we need to know, you may see Australia instead of the noose."
The man agreed and began to talk.