A/N: Thank you to all my reviewers. I think I replied to all of the signed reviews, but if I left you out, you can yell at me. Thank you to my anonymous reviewers too. I would reply to you, but I'm not allowed in here. Maybe I'll reply on my profile page? I don't know… I'll get around the rule SOMEHOW. Lol.
Pavlova to all those who reviewed me. Lol.
Chapter 4: Life goes on.
Annabelle sat in front of her mirror. Her long, dark, curly cascaded down her back as the maid combed it.
"Must you dress me, Maria?" She asked.
"The master orders it, miss."
"But I can do it just as well myself." She twisted around to look at Maria.
"It is his orders, miss."
"I suppose." Annabelle turned back around. "Why do I have to dress up anyway? It's just Cousin Susan, Uncle Charles, Aunt Jane and their new baby."
"Your father respects Mr. Bingley and his wife very much."
"You mean, they're great friends. But their visits never make father very happy. Why is that?"
Maria coughed delicately.
"Begging your pardon, miss, but I don't think it is my place to speak of such matters."
"But you wish to."
"It is not my place, miss."
"Aunt Georgiana never tells me anything. And Father tells me much less. So I must fall back to you to inform me of matters within my family."
Maria finished arranging Annabelle's hair. Annabelle twisted her chair around to face Maria, a guileless plea on her face. Maria laughed.
"Yes ma'am."
"Sit." Annabelle offered a seat to the maid delightedly. She bounced in her seat, waiting for her maid to start.
"How much do you know of your mother, miss?" Annabelle shook her head.
"Precious little. I do know that father has a painting of her in his study. I saw him talking to it once. But I haven't had the chance to study it. He became aware of my presence and flamed bright red. Then he shooed me away." Annabelle announced, a mischievous look of glee on her face. Maria laughed.
"Your father misses her. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley serve as a reminder to all he has lost."
"He has me!" Annabelle protested.
"Unfortunately." A gentle female voice replied. Maria sprang up.
"Begging your pardon, Miss. Georgiana! I meant no harm! I –"
"It was my fault." Annabelle interrupted in a bored tone. "I asked her to." Georgiana gave Annabelle a stern glance.
"You may go Maria." The maid curtseyed, and shot a profusely grateful, yet accusing glance at Annabelle who surreptitiously stuck her tongue out at the maid as she left.
"You look lovely, Annabelle," remarked Georgiana calmly, as though nothing had happened. Annabelle looked up at her aunt.
"Aren't you mad at me? Aren't you going to impale me on a stake and let the vultures devour me? Are you going to make me walk through a furnace? Or better yet, are you going to drip water on my head until I go completely insane?" The girl's eyes were alight with eager anticipation as she surveyed her aunt.
"Peace! I am not going to do any such thing." Annabelle's face fell. "However, a girl of twelve should learn not to partake in idle gossip."
"Yes, Aunt," chanted Annabelle with an exaggerated dutiful air. Georgiana's face relaxed into a smile.
"Poor child…" And for a reason unbeknownst to Annabelle, her normal restrained aunt reached out and enveloped the girl in a warm embrace.
"Ah. Annabelle. Come greet your aunt and uncle." Darcy greeted his daughter. "Georgiana." He acknowledged his sister.
"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Bingley. Lovely weather, is it not? So nice to see you again." Annabelle said primly. The adults were silent. Only Georgiana, who caught the exaggerated imitation of the child's grandmother, smiled to herself. "How are you? Congratulations on the successful birth of your new daughter. Pretty little girl, isn't she?You must be so proud!" Jane had caught on, and the two older women exchanged amused glances. The men looked baffled. Annabelle decided to drop the pretence and rushed to her aunt, smiling and hugging her.
"Can I see the baby?" She asked excitedly. "What's her name?" Georgiana and Jane laughed openly, while Darcy and Charles smiled confusedly.
"Christine. After Charles' mother."
Darcy sank back into the sofa as the Bingleys' were shown out. Georgiana smiled sympathetically at him. Annabelle stood, unnoticed at the edge of the room.
"I should commence life again." Darcy acknowledged. "She's never coming back."
"Don't say that, brother." Georgiana said reproachfully.
"I wish to know what happened to my wife and son. Is that too much to ask?" Darcy raged, storming out.
"And I wish you to remember that you have a daughter." Georgiana whispered. For a while, Darcy had tried to bond with Annabelle, playing the part of a father almost perfectly. Then he began to fall apart, retreating back to the study. He still talked to Annabelle, and she loved him dearly, but he didn't spend time with her anymore. Georgiana supposed that the fact that this year was the tenth anniversary of Lizzy's disappearance didn't help either.
"Is father all right?" A quiet voice from the corner floated out towards Georgiana, who jumped.
"Yes, of course." She answered, a little too quickly.
"I don't think he is," replied Annabelle shrewdly. "Do you think it would be better if I hadn't been born?" Georgiana started violently, turning to face the girl.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well… I heard…"
"From the servants."
"Yes, from them… that mother's illness started when I was born. So maybe if I hadn't been born, mother wouldn't have gotten sick, and she'd still be with father. And father wouldn't be so unhappy. He doesn't like me very much, you see."
"Never think that again." Georgiana admonished, ruffling the girl's hair. "Your father loves you very much, I'm sure."
"I don't think so."
"He does." Georgiana cast desperately around for another subject. "I must congratulate you on the excellent imitation of your grandmother." Annabelle brightened visibly.
"Did you like it? I enjoyed myself immensely!"
"It was disrespectful, but amusing."
Unnoticed by the two facing away from the door, Fitzwilliam Darcy stood in the doorway, listening to their little exchange.
A/N: Christmas Pudding for anyone who reviews!