Chapter 28
As spring arrived, Anne, Gilbert and Henry gladly moved their still vigours study sessions from the sitting room at Anne's boarding house to the open air on a secluded section of lawn. Priscilla and Stella had become part of these high spirited sessions. Henry was glad he had resisted the urge to flirt with either girl upon meeting them. He liked both, but he had concluded while both were a step above the usual class of girl, neither were someone he could see designating his life to. He was determined to take things slowly and not rush headlong into a new infatuation like he used to. Ever since he had watched Gilbert brokenly professing his love to an unconscious Anne, he had decided he was done with flirting with whoever struck his latest fancy. The next girl he was interested in he was going to hold back, until he was certain. The group was gathered and once again was watching the volley in a heated debate swing between Gilbert and Anne.
"Mr. Mackenzie? Mr. Henry Mackenzie?" a bespeckled man in a suit said approaching them. Henry paled and Anne was instantly at Henry's side and demanding of the man, "Who are you?"
"I am Mr. Timpson, the late Miss Joanna Mackenzie's lawyer," he said and then he addressed Henry. "Once it was determined you had been inducted into the orphanage under the false name of Mack, I was able to trace you to the Cuthbert's residence, who, along with their young ward, were entirely surprised to find out Henry Mack was not in fact your name, but were able to direct me where to find you and one of your professors kindly pointed you out."
"What do the Mackenzie's want with Henry?" Anne demanded angrily as Henry seemed incapable of saying anything yet. Gilbert, who had quickly moved to her side when she first went to Henry, reached out a hand to rest on her shoulder, least she fly at the man in her anger.
"It doesn't matter what they want with me, Anne" Henry said his features pale and his tone upset, finally finding his voice. "I don't want anything to do with them."
"Well Miss Mackenzie felt a bit differently about the situation then the rest of her family-" the lawyer began.
"A bit different about the situation," Anne spat. "She must not have felt to strongly about it, considering she doesn't appeared to have lifted a finger for Henry his entire life. The Mackenzies let him be put into an orphanage. An orphanage! They willingly abandoned him! They disowned his father! Stole from his mother! They have absolutely no right to try and interfere in his life now! None!"
"She said it all. I don't want anything to do with them," Henry said rising. Turning to Anne he said, "Come on, Anne. Let's get out of here."
"Miss Mackenzie left you a legacy!" Mr. Timpson said quickly.
"Don't want it," Henry said dismissivly, him and Anne holding hands tightly.
"I'm afraid I cannot just let you refuse it, Mr. Mackenzie. Miss Mackenzie was very clear about that. I made her a promise to help her right a wrong."
"A wrong? A wrong? That's what I am, is it?" Henry said angrily. " A wrong. Tell me is that more or less than a mistake?"
"Miss Mackenzie-" the lawyer started to explain.
"Why should Henry listen to you?" Anne said scathingly, her temper high.
Gilbert could not help but once again think that Anne was absolutely beautiful when angry, especially this angry. He didn't think she had been this angry when he called her carrots. Now her body was practically quaking from her anger and her and Henry had a tight grip on each other's hands. He wanted to wrap her in his arms and soothe her, protect her. Anne wasn't just angry he realized with sudden clarity. She was fighting to protect someone she cared dearly about. It was clear Anne knew more than anyone else about Henry's past, perhaps as much as Henry himself, and was furious on his behalf.
"Whatever stipulations and strings are attached to this so called legacy, I won't let them touch Henry! I won't let them, he's too good for the likes of the Mackenzies!"Anne said blazingly.
"I suggest you listen to her," Gilbert said. "If Henry and Anne don't want anything to do with you, it is time you leave." Gilbert knew without knowing what any of it was about that he had Henry's back. That he was there for Anne as she fought to protect Henry.
"This is perhaps not the best location to discuss this at. I was hoping to arrange a chance to speak to you privately Mr. Mackenzie," The lawyer said.
"Stop calling him that," Anne hissed, having noticed how Henry flinched everytime the lawyer called him Mr. Mackenzie.
"I don't want a private word with you. You're a lawyer for one of the Mackenzies, the people who sued my mother for everything after my father died, including her wedding ring. Using trickery and legal deciet," Henry hissed. "They forced us into poverty, because they didn't have enough money sitting high up in their mansion looking down at the rest of the world. My ma worked herself to death in three years time. And do you know what the great Mackenzie's did? Demanded I be turned over to an orphanage as a foundling. They denounced me as no better than a bastard when my mother sent them word she was dying, begging them to take me in. Believing somehow that someone in that family would take me in for the sake of my father's memory. They showed up, lawyer in tow, threatening all sorts of legal action against a dying woman if she dared to presume upon the connection because of her marriage to my father. I was there! I saw it! I remember it! I don't want a private word with you. I don't want anything from anyone with the last name Mackenzie. My name is Henry Mack now, not Henry Mackenzie and I'm proud of that fact. Proud not to be a Mackenzie."
"You could go on to college," The lawyer said suddenly. "Make something of yourself."
"He already has," Anne exclaimed passionately. "He's made more of himself then you or anybody could understand," she said as tears began to fall unbidden down her face.
"I won't have this conversation," Henry said a stoic glare in place upon his face. " It's upsetting, Anne. My family. My sister," he added fierecly. "She's my family. I'm glad they had me put in the orphanage. Its where I found a real family. One that has always loved me unconditionally."
"Please allow me to meet with you. Your adopted sister can join us. Do this for her. At least hear me out. You are both orphans, you could-"
"We know what we are!" Henry roared cutting him off, causing distant heads to crane toward them in curiousity.
"Get out of here," Gilbert said coldly. He had never seen either Henry or Anne this upset and at this point in time he wanted the man that was causing it to just leave.
"But-" Mr. Timpson protested.
"Out," Gilbert said clenching his jaw.
"This isn't a good time clearly. I am sorry. Mr. Macken- Mr. Mack. My apologies to you as well, miss. It was not my intention to upset a young lady such as yourself. Please forgive me," Mr. Timpson said turning to go. With a glance back he said quietly, "There are no strings or stipulations on the legacy, miss. It is your brother's free and clear to do what he wishes with. It could send him to college. I wish you luck on your upcoming exams."
Gilbert watched Mr. Timpson go with a dark glare and once it was apparent the man really would be leaving he said, "Henry? Anne?"
"I didn't mean to lie or keep you in the dark. Tommy doesn't even know. Anne is the only one who knows. Were uncommonly close, remember?" Henry said with a weak chuckle.
"You don't owe me any sort of explanation. No matter what, I've got your back," Gilbert said loyally.
"You're my best mate, I want you to know, " Henry said quietly.
"Anne," Stella said. "Me and Pris don't mean to intrude on a family matter. If you need us we are here for you, but I think right now Henry needs you and Gilbert to himself."
"Thanks girls," Anne said.
"Just remember, we're here for you," Priscilla said and each girl leaned into give Anne a kiss on the cheek before walking off, back towards the busier sections of the Academy's lawn.
"Henry," Anne said her voice trembling as she turned back to him.
"Come here, Anne," Henry said enfolding her into a hug. "I meant it, what I said. I am glad they put me in the orphanage. You and Tommy needed me. I wouldn't trade you for any of their fancy houses or food on the table. I'd rather be starving with you at the orphanage than living high with them."
"You could go to college, regardless of whether you win the Avery or not," Anne said.
"I'm not even in the running. The Avery is yours. I can't imagine anyone, including Gilbert, beating you out for it," Henry said a genuine smile breaking across his features.
