Dear Readers: This novel does contain references to rape and abuse. I understand that these are sensitive topics, and I would not wish for any reader to suffer as a result of coming across these references without warning.
Be advised, this story is rated M.
Please do leave a review and let me know your thoughts, I am new to all this and would appreciate any feedback. xox.
Chapter 9
A short while later the sound of commotion drew Mr Darcy, Anne and Elizabeth from their quiet breakfast and out into the entry hall.
"WHERE IS MY NEPHEW," bellowed the unmistakable boom of Lady Catherine de Bourgh's voice.
"Your Ladyship, you honour us greatly, with your superior - "
"You will bring him to me at once!" Lady Catherine demanded, paying no heed to the drivel spewing forth from what was undoubtedly her husband, Mr Collins.
Elizabeth froze just out of sight, as she registered who the voice's belonged to. However, Mr Darcy deposited Anne at her side and continued his confident stride forwards towards his Aunt's domineering tones.
"But of course, your renowned eminence. Please, allow me to assist- "
"Be silent!" cried Lady Catherine, "Fitzwilliam, where have you been?" she demanded upon seeing Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth and Anne inched forward quietly until they could see Mr Collins slightly bent at the waist with his hands at his mouth, as was his way of silencing his litany of compliments and retreating a few paces. Further on, they could see Mr Darcy stood tall before her ladyship.
"Well?" Lady Catherine asked in agitation.
"I have been here Aunt." Mr Darcy replied calmly.
"And when were you going to tell me of such an arrangement? Do we not, always spend Christmas together?" she said, punctuating each question with a clash of her cane echoing from the floor to the walls.
"We wrote to you and informed you of our intentions. I assumed that is why you have come in all your state to Hertfordshire?" he responded, maintaining his usual calm.
"Do not be obtuse, Fitzwilliam, you know how it irritates me." She scolded.
"Lady Catherine, would you not prefer to sit and partake of some tea?" Elizabeth heard Jane say.
Though she could not see her sister, she assumed that most of the party would have gathered to observe this spectacle.
"Really nephew? You would prefer to mix with those tarnished by relations in trade!'
"Lady Catherine, you forget in whose home you stand." Mr Darcy warned.
"I know all about the Bingley's and the Bennet's. At least one of them made a fortune by such a stain to their lineage!" sneered Lady Catherine, giving Jane the cut direct.
"Lady Catherine, I have a great friendship with your nephew, but I will not tolerate such rudeness towar-" began Jane.
"ENOUGH! I am not come here to speak to any of you! I am here because I had to find out from my parson as to the where abouts of my daughter. I hardly know what to make of such treatment." she said dramatically, her laces trembling with her barely concealed rage.
Elizabeth watched as her husband squirm under the marked scrutiny of Mr Darcy, "I would expect nothing less from such an example of blind devotion." Mr Darcy drawled.
"Tell me, why you see it best to keep my daughter from me?" Lady Catherine hissed, doing her best to intimidate Mr Darcy, though, her stature was nowhere near his impressive height.
"I believe, that as her husband I hold more authority over Anne than you do, Aunt."
"Blast," muttered Anne startling Elizabeth, who had forgotten she was stood beside her.
Watching wide eyed, she saw Anne straighten her spine and make her way to Mr Darcy's side. Upon seeing Anne, he offered his arm and looked back fractionally, his gaze connecting with Elizabeth's and offering a barely perceptible nod, before returning to face the dragon before him.
She wanted to go into the fray, but if she did, she would be forced to stand beside her wretched excuse of a husband…
"Mrs Collins! There you are, I have been searching high and low, indeed I have! Lady Catherine de- "
"I said be silent!" snapped her ladyship tersely.
Immediately Mr Collins brought his hand to his lips but motioned frantically for Elizabeth to join him. Already in his bad graces she acquiesced and moved to his side, shivering in revulsion as she took his arm and he placed his damp sweaty hand over hers.
"Well mother, here I am. What is it that was so urgent you believed that you needed to insult our hosts in order to speak with me?" said Anne shocking those present. Only Elizabeth could see her increased pallor and the increase of her grip upon Mr Darcy's arm.
Lady Catherine's face held her shock, before her features twisted to show her displeasure as she rounded on her nephew.
"You are responsible for this! No daughter of mine would treat her own mother thus…" she accused Mr Darcy.
"I assure you I am not being manipulated, mother. We received a very generous offer to spend Christmas with our friends and we accepted. It is hardly unheard of." interjected Anne.
"I have been anxious for my daughter and yet my concern is met with disrespect! I am shocked and grieved by such behaviour from my own relatives." gasped Lady Catherine.
Being met with silence, her eyes widened with incredulity.
"Come Mr Collins, we are leaving for Kent at once!" she thundered.
Mr Collins immediately bowed his submission to his patroness and began ordering Elizabeth to arrange for their things to be packed directly. Elizabeth panicked but did not look to her sister for aid, but to Mr and Mrs Darcy, who were looking at each other with great intensity.
"My dear, Mrs Collins make haste. MAKE HASTE!" said Mr Collins, using his handkerchief to blot at the sweat gathering on his top lip.
"Mr Collins, I had not had a moment to speak to you regarding a certain matter of much delicacy, but as my wife has become fond of Mrs Collins' company. This morning we asked for a private audience with her and she has agreed to become Mrs Darcy's companion." Mr Darcy, informed Mr Collins in a tone that brooked no opposition.
Mr Collins began to splutter, finding himself at a loss of how to proceed and blissfully speechless.
"You cannot take charge of another man's wife, Fitzwilliam, have you lost your senses?" exploded Lady Catherine.
"No mother, he has not. In fact, he told me of how solicitous Mr Collins had been of my wellbeing, even volunteering Mrs Collins' assistance should I require it during my stay." said Anne softly.
"Mr Collins?" seethed Lady Catherine, turning on the now drenched stammering parson.
"Well, I – I – I…" he stuttered stupidly and looking to Elizabeth who found herself struck dumb and unable to speak or act.
"Well, Mr Collins, I think you'll find that we are more than happy to accept your wife's assistance for the foreseeable future." said Mr Darcy to Mr Collins, before continuing, "Now, I believe my wife is in need of some rest."
"Elizabeth, would you please come and read to me while I rest." said Anne gently.
"Good day, Aunt. We shall see you in the new year." said Mr Darcy as he steered Anne back to her rooms.
"Have a safe journey mother and do write to us to let us know you returned home safely." said Anne, by way of farewell and gesturing for Elizabeth to follow, which she did; her head bowed in fear of what she might see in her husband's eye. The few remaining steps before they were out of sight were torture, she could feel Mr Collins stare burning a hole into the back of her head and jumped when Lady Catherine's temper finally exploded into a cacophony of derisive slurs.
Elizabeth stood by the window and watched as Anne was seated close to the fire and covered in furs and shawls. Mr Darcy had disappeared through the adjoining door and had yet to return, if he was planning to return. Unconsciously she turned towards the closed adjoining door unblinkingly, not sure whether she wanted him to come back, or stay away, or perhaps she simply held a fear of the ever ominous adjoining doors which had for the past two years had held her husband on the other side of it.
"My husband has most probably gone to see whether my mother has departed, without leaving too much devastation in her wake- " she chuckled, before her chest rattled with a shuddering cough.
"Forgive my state of shock… I cannot believe he is gone…" Elizabeth gasped as she turned wide eyed to face Anne. "He is gone and yet I am not moved to tears, nor am I hysterically laughing. I am simply as I was…"
"Yes, I felt much the same when I married and left Rosing's Park. Give it time, you will feel… alive again." said Anne, softly.
"Will I? I have felt little flickers of my old self since I have come here, only I am a bitter and angry version of my old self. I fear that is all I am capable of feeling…" Elizabeth said with a small shrug, turning back to face the window.
"Hmmm, you will surprise yourself with your resilience,"
As Anne's voice reached her ears, the knowing tone in her voice stoked her ire once more.
"And what makes you so sure?" whispered Elizabeth working to keep her tone even.
"From my own experience- "
"You have experienced your own hardships I grant you and yes they were of a longer duration… but they were in no way comparable to mine." she threw over her shoulder.
"I did not mean to upset you, Elizabeth. I can only draw from my own experience in my meagre attempt to comfort you."
Why was she picking a fight with Anne, after all she had done for her? What is the matter with me? Thought Elizabeth expelling a harsh breath and turning towards the hearth.
"Forgive me Anne, I must appear so ungrateful! I am so indebted to you and Mr Darcy for your generosity and quick thinking. You have both saved me and allowed me a reprieve from my miserable existence- " Elizabeth halted her speech as Anne raised her hand to stop her.
"We are friends, Lizzy. I have no doubt if our situations were reversed you would have done all that was in your power to assist me, yes?" she waited for Elizabeth to nod her acceptance, "Good. We will revisit this another time, but only for you to unburden yourself if and when you feel ready. Now I was not lying in needing a companion and I should very much like to listen to you read to me, if you would indulge me?"
Elizabeth laughed and picked up the book placed on the table beside Anne, happy for the distraction. She was certain that distraction is what Anne had in mind when she had asked her to read to her. It would also not be wise to give up the charade before she was certain of her husband's departure with Lady de Bourgh.
What difference a day makes? Or even a morning for that matter? She thought to herself once Anne had fallen asleep. She looked upon the lady's delicate features. Always having heard how unremarkable they were and yet; though, Anne was pale and sickly looking, she was pretty in a charming way. I wonder… does Mr Darcy find her features pleasing or handsome? Is it a hardship for him to stay away? Surely, he must need to produce an heir…? Shaking her head to dispel her provoking thoughts of Mr Darcy, Elizabeth moved and began to stoke the fire and prevent a further chill from settling on her new saviour.
