Unseen, the mistress had watched the entire scene and never forgot the incident. She found him a place on an adjacent estate as an apprentice valet and a year later, hired him as her son's manservant. Thomas proved to be an honest and faithful companion to Darcy and was allowed perquisites not usually afforded servants; he sat in on Darcy's tutoring. His thirst for learning was never quenched and he could now pass for a gentleman though he was clever enough never to appear uppity to the other servants. He made an excellent companion but Darcy knew a day would come when Thomas would leave. He was a handsome man of five and thirty and must be in want of a wife and children.
"Thomas, would you consider yourself a happy man?"
Thomas was surprised at the question, "why, yes I do. And why not? I live on a beautiful estate, have a good and interesting position and I'm able to put money in the bank for my old age. I've also had the privilege of much travel. I've seen almost every shire in the land." He smiled, "I've even studied at Cambridge."
"But surely that isn't enough. Don't you want a wife and children?"
No sir. I love the ladies but I don't want to own one. A wife brings children which brings debt and eventual misery. Begging your pardon, sir, but the class system is firmly in place. If I were to marry she would have to be a servant like myself. And what future would our children have? The girls would go into service once they reached the age of ten. The boys would be apprenticed out and slave away for the rest of their lives. A life of drudgery would be all I could give them. No sir. A single life for me.
"You have three sisters, have you not?"
"Yes sir. They entered service when they reached the age of ten. They have a hard life as most women have if they are of low birth."
"Women don't fare very well in our society," Darcy allowed.
"My two brothers have fared a little better. They joined the navy and have done well so far though the work is grueling and dangerous. As you know, I was a cabin boy at the age of seven and had been working on ships for eight years when I came to visit my father at Pemberley. But you're right, sir. A woman of low birth will never rise above her fate."
Richard rapped on his door and entered. "You two gossiping as usual? Better get him dressed before Lady Catherine comes looking for him, Thomas. Lady Catherine can be formidable if kept waiting for her dinner."
"Pour us a drink, Richard," Darcy said, handing him his empty glass.
"Are you sure you want another? I want you in good shape tonight."
"I need some Dutch courage tonight. My day was emotionally draining. We let our cousin down, Richard, and I'm thoroughly ashamed of myself. And you should be too. The whole family should be ashamed, for that matter. What good is family if we can't protect one of our own? Anne has been left to fend for herself, with no male protection and at the mercy of an unfeeling tyrant."
Richard handed him his drink, "surely, it's not that bad, Darce."
"It's worse!" He spat. "And all because Lady Catherine wants her daughter to marry a Darcy of Pemberley! Tomorrow I want you to write to your father. I want to know exactly what Lewis De Bourgh's will says. I want to know how much money Anne can get her hands on right now."
Once Darcy was dressed and had finished his second brandy he felt a little lightheaded and it was then that he remembered he'd had very little to eat that day. He felt Richard's eyes on him, "Richard," he mumbled, "stop staring at me. I'm perfectly fine."
"I can see that", Richard retorted.
Once more the cunning Mr. Collins was in attendance, licking his fat lips as he sipped his sherry. Darcy was running out of adjectives to describe the loathsome man. Cackling cleric? No. Mr Collins never laughed; he smirked. Porky parson? Yes, that would do. Rancid rector? Rancid described perfectly the smell that emanated from his hair oil. Venomous vicar? Probably preached fire and brimstone to his hapless victims as if their lives weren't miserable enough.
Darcy was so enthralled with his silly musings that he was unaware of the silence that had descended the room. It took him a moment to realize that he had been laughing out loud. He glanced at Richard who was shaking his head and rolling his eyes. Anne was holding her handkerchief hard to her mouth, her body shaking. Lady Catherine was eying him with suspicion and Mr. Collins was busy counting the bricks in the fireplace.
It reminded Darcy of a French farce. He had to pull himself together or their scheme would never work.
"Darcy!", said Lady Catherine. "Escort your cousin into the dining room."
Absently, Darcy approached Richard whose eyes widened. "she means Anne," he hissed.
He hurried to Anne and offered his arm. She took it and whispered, "what set you off?"
"The putrid parson," he replied.
Anne giggled, "go easy on the wine, cousin. I have it on good authority that Sunday's sermon is about the evils of drink."
The charade began immediately. Darcy stared intently at Anne until she looked up, then he looked quickly away trying his best to look shy without giggling. Once she looked down, Darcy lifted his eyes to stare at her again. He hadn't yet mastered the penetrating stare of the lovelorn suitor but he was doing his best. Only once did he miss his cue. At one point, Mr. Collins had the audacity to speak to Anne. Anne looked up and Darcy glared at the cleric until Richard elbowed him. He glared at Lady Catherine. Then he glared at Richard. Finally he glared at his plate. Six courses were eaten and time slid past at a snail's pace. All Darcy wanted was to retire to the library and pour a stiff drink then go to bed and hope that he felt better in the morning.
"A fine spectacle you made of yourself, " Richard shouted. He poured three drinks and handed one to Thomas and and one to Darcy then flopped into a chair. I've never been subjected to such a mortifying sight except when my general drinks six or seven drinks too many. Lady Catherine will certainly not want such a giggling numskull for a son-in-law. All is lost," he finished melodramatically, draining half his drink
Darcy groaned, "poor Anne." She'll never forgive me."
Thomas spoke up, "begging your pardon sir, but I disagree. I never took my eyes off Lady Catherine, as per your instructions, sir. I'm convinced she thinks you're jealous of Mr. Collins."
Darcy groaned, "now I'm jealous of the malodorous minister?
Richard perked up. "Do you really think so, Thomas?"
"I'm sure I caught a glimmer of a smile and you know Lady Catherine never smiles."
Richard nodded, "Yes. The last time I saw her smile was at her husband's funeral. Well, maybe things aren't as bad as I thought."
The following morning Darcy related to Richard everything Anne had told him the day before. Richard was appalled as Darcy assumed he would be. He began to pen a letter to his father the Earl of Matlock who was the elder brother of Lady Catherine and a formidable figure in his own right. The letter he wrote was straightforward with no fanciful additions. The bare truth was dramatic enough. Richard had no doubt that his father and mother would act immediately. If not, Richard would suffer a grievous humiliation and vowed to Darcy that if his parents did nothing to ease Anne's situation, they would.
Eight days later Richard received a reply to his letter. His father assured his son that he would consult with the family lawyer and get to the truth.
A further ten days followed and Darcy, Richard and Anne continued the charade hoping that Lady Catherine would change her mind about letting Anne visit Pemberley. Richard had told his aunt that the two cousins had to share time together at Darcy's home. He tried to convince her that there was a good chance that all her dreams would come to fruition if only she would let Anne go.
They spent several days picnicking at the creek and getting reacquainted but in the evening they continued playing the game. Darcy was hard-pressed to even look at Lady Catherine his loathing of her was that intense. He couldn't help thinking of his Georgianna enduring such suffering at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and nurture her.
On a beautiful day in May, they sent Anne back to the house first. Darcy and Richard dawdled at the creek for an additional ten minutes then mounted and rode back at a leisurely pace. As they ascended the steps of Rosing's park they heard the uproar. They stopped for a moment, listening. Then Richard said, "father has arrived. All will be well."
The shouting in the study went on for several hours. Anne stayed in her room while Darcy and Richard stayed upstairs talking to Thomas.
"I saw Lord Matlock's carriage just as it entered the grounds of Rosing's Park. I ran and warned Mrs. Jenkinson to be alert to Miss Anne's return and told her to whisk her mistress to her rooms as soon as she arrived. Then I hurried downstairs just as Lord Matlock entered. Mr. Richard, your father looked thunderous. He had a thick set of papers in his hand and he waved off the butler with them then stalked into the drawing room. Lady Catherine started to greet him but he interrupted her and demanded that she follow him to the study. Out he came followed by a white-faced Lady Catherine. Into the study they went and then I heard the door slam and that's when the shouting began.
The door suddenly flew open and the formidable Lord Matlock strode into the room. "Whatever you're drinking I'll have a double."
Darcy pointed to the bottle of Armagnac and Thomas moved swiftly filling three glasses then took his place behind Darcy's chair.
"Lewis De Burgh," Lord Matlock said after taking a large swallow of brandy and nodding his approval, "left the London townhouse to Anne. She could have taken possession of the townhouse almost three years ago. He also left her twenty thousand pounds which she was entitled to when she turned eighteen. Upon my sister's death Rosing's park and all other property and monies will belong to Anne. The will is irrevocable.
"Three years," Darcy whispered more to himself then to the others. "Lost years she'll never get back. It's monstrous!."
Lord Matlock agreed. "I'm hardily ashamed for letting this happen. But there's nothing we can do about it now except to help Anne in the transition."
No one in the room was to see Lady Catherine again for the next two years. She retired to her rooms and refused admittance to her brother and her daughter; neither Darcy or Richard even tried to see her.
Anne was stunned at the news that she was now a wealthy heiress and free to live her life as she chose. She opted not to take possession of her townhouse until she felt strong enough to run her own household. She wanted to see Pemberley where it's beauty could restore her spirits. So to Pemberley they would go.