Chapter 22: Flowers for Anne
Georgiana was right that we were missed. Lady Catherine immediately inquired when we returned inside, "Where were you, Darcy, Georgiana? We thought it most odd when you did not appear for breakfast, but then I learned from your servants that you were out."
Fortunately for me, Georgiana spoke before I could, as I am not very adept at telling lies. I find it far easier to deny than to fabricate a falsehood.
Georgiana explained, "I was gathering flowers and Brother was accompanying me. I needed them so Anne and I might press and perhaps draw them." I knew this was at least a lie of omission but as I knew that her explanation was to my benefit, I chose to say nothing. I reasoned for myself that if Georgiana was now planning on doing this activity with Anne that this was not a lie.
Lady Catherine nodded, apparently accepting Georgiana's explanation. "How thoughtful of you, Georgiana, but of course blood will win out and through your veins via your mother, run a whole line of earls and your father's untitled family is most respectable. Anne certainly appreciates all that nobility offers. If she had but the health to learn the piano forte, French and the like, why no one would have ever seen a more accomplished lady."
We all nodded. We were well trained that it was far easier to agree with what Lady Catherine said about what Anne could have done had she been well, than to dispute her capabilities. However, we also knew that far more than Anne's ill health prevented her from such accomplishments. Anne is like me, but whatever it is that I am, is far worse in her. However, perhaps Lady Catherine when referring to Anne's ill health was also including whatever I shared with her. But me without my oddities or Anne without hers, well I am not sure that we would be the same people at all.
Before our trip I suggested to Georgiana, "When we go to Rosings, I hope you may try to take an active interest in Cousin Anne." When she asked why, I explained, "I feel for Anne's circumstances and how narrow her world is, but I myself have to limit my interactions with her to avoid further raising Lady Catherine's expectations of our union. You are now of an age when I think you could well understand what is needed. As greatly as I benefited from my friendship with Bingley, I cannot but think that Anne might also benefit from a friend."
Georgiana responded, "Why, I hardly know Anne at all. It has been years since I have seen her. During our last visit I was freshly out of the nursery and I think that all we did together was dine at the same table. I think you are right, that it can only fall to me, but what exactly am I to do?"
I told Georgiana, "I will do my best to guide you, familiarize you with her interests and the like. You know, I think, that she is most fascinated with royalty that bear her same name. It would be well to bring up such a topic and listen to what she has to say. She may have new or other interests now. Certainly Mrs. Jenkinson will know what they are. Perhaps a day or two of you teaching Anne that she had nothing to fear from you and that you are eager to listen to all she has to say on her preferred topics would go far growing your relationship. This may be the very thing to provide the scaffolding to allow you, dear sister, to broaden Anne's world. While Mrs. Jenkinson is nothing but patient and kind with Anne, I rather suspect similar methods to the ones that Governess Hayes used on me, might have also been used on Anne, causing her to turn inward to a place of safety. Anne can read and write, which may be a way to expand her world and free her from her gilded cage."
"I shall do my best, Brother," she had vowed. "Perhaps I can find some womanly art that Anne would enjoy."
I responded, "Whatever you try with her, you must offer and not force. From knowing how I am, I believe you will have the most success if you introduce one option at a time without any pressure for Anne to participate. Perhaps bring enough supplies for the two of you and do whatever it is yourself in her presence, allowing her to decide whether to join you. Let her, herself indicate her interest."
It now appeared I was seeing Georgiana's efforts to see to the responsibility I had placed upon her. I hoped that Georgiana's understanding of me would aid in her reaching Anne. I doubted Anne would have any interest in either activity with the flowers but at least Georgiana was trying.
Lady Catherine exclaimed, "Georgiana, go ahead and see Anne, perhaps she will be interested in what you have gathered today, but in any event, make certain that you do not neglect your piano forte practice. You cannot practice too much."
Edwin, who was also in attendance, mimed Lady Catherine's last sentence, matching her mouth movement and her other facial expressions almost perfectly. I had to look away from him to avoid laughing.
Later that day I received proof that Georgiana was cleverer than me. "Brother!" She exclaimed when she found me alone in the library. She had a bright smile spread across her face. "Anne loved the flowers but most especially the wild carrot. I had heard the former colonists call it Queen Anne's Lace. I thought perhaps that might stir some interest in her and it did. She told me, reciting something that she had likely read in a book and memorized, the legend that Queen Anne pricked her finger while sewing lace and her drop of blood formed the carrot. It was the longest I have ever heard her speak.
"Mrs. Jenkinson and Mrs. Annesley proved most knowledgeable about flowers, for between the two of them they were able to name all the ones that I did not know. Then Mrs. Annesley suggested that we make up our own legends about the flowers and how they might be connected to royalty. It was great fun. Of course, Anne did not participate in that, but I do think she was listening as she bunched her skirt up with her fingers.
"She must have been as later, when Mrs. Jenkins suggested that tomorrow Anne might like to use her phaeton to find more wildflowers from the road, Anne agreed. Oh Brother, this will be our best trip here ever!"
I nodded. It was wonderful to see some enthusiasm from my sister, to see the reemergence of the girl whose happiness was dimmed by our mother's death and George's faked love and betrayal.
As happy as Georgiana's burgeoning friendship with Anne made me, it was nothing to the true source of my happiness, a beautiful, witty brunette who was tucked away at the parsonage, close at hand and yet so far. It was difficult to think about anything else. I wondered if Miss Elizabeth was also thinking of me.
Dinner with my aunt began as I have grown to expect it. She talks, we listen and occasionally she asks one person a question so that after responding she can provide unsolicited advice. We, her nephews, always thank her for the advice but typically ignore it while Georgiana feels obligated to obey it and later I have to remind her she does not dishonor our mother if she disregards the advice of her sister. Mrs. Jenkinson tries to get Anne to eat but otherwise Anne is overlooked by everyone else. I wonder what Lady Catherine would say if I told her the familiarity of the whole thing is comforting to me.
Today varied in that Georgiana decided to introduce a topic into the conversation. She waited until Aunt Catherine was momentarily silenced by chewing her meat (a technique that Edwin, his brothers, Georgiana and I employ on occasion to our shared delight) to tell her, "Lady Catherine, I had a most wonderful time discussing flowers with the ladies."
"Why then," exclaimed Lady Catherine, "I should most certainly have been invited to partake of this activity. Why no one can have better taste and sense in what flowers are most superior than me."
Georgiana said gently, "Lady Catherine, I showed you the wildflowers I collected this morning and told you of my plans to see if Anne might like to press or draw them. She did not seem interested in doing either of those things, but we did discuss the flowers. We hope to find more wildflowers on the morrow. Anne and I plan to seek some out tomorrow in her phaeton."
"Why Georgiana, there can be no need to venture beyond Rosings' gardens. My flower beds are far superior and have the best blooms compared to those you might find by gadding about. You should certainly select roses to draw and for roses there are no better or more colorful blossoms of ideal proportions than those found at Rosings. However, I suppose you must delay a few days or even weeks for the most promising of the buds to bloom. In the summer you may find a great variety of hues, a snow white, a pale yellow, a soft peach, many varieties of pink and a deep red." I could not help but note how she had completely ignored that the purpose of the planned excursion was to seek wildflowers.
"There is no purple." We were startled to hear Anne contribute to the conversation.
Georgiana responded, "Yes Anne, there are no purple roses. We will look for your purple flowers tomorrow."
"Well, I do not believe that roses grow in such a hue." Aunt Catherine responded, "If they did I would have some naturally! There can be no need for Anne to go anywhere or get out of her phaeton, none at all, when my gardens have the most delightful flowers, though they will be more worth looking at when summer commences."
"I will go!" Anne exclaimed and then folded her arms.
"Anne!" Edwin exclaimed, "You are upsetting your mother."
I looked over at my aunt and could see no sign that she was unduly emotional but I know I am not the best judge of these things.
Edwin tried to reason with Anne. "Georgiana can find purple flowers for you. There is no need to recklessly risk your health." I wondered why he cared if she went. I did not think her health had anything to do with it.
I could tell what Edwin perhaps could not, for in that moment the look on her face reminded me strongly of myself in those times that there is no reasoning with me. She had her mind set and it would be very difficult to dissuade her indeed. Now this Anne was much more interesting than the Anne I knew of old.
"Surely there can be no harm in Anne taking a few steps away from her phaeton." Georgiana tried to reason with Lady Catherine and Edwin.
"I will go!" Anne exclaimed.
"And go you shall," I promised Anne and then turned to address Lady Catherine. "Anne and Georgiana, along with their companions, may take our carriage and I shall escort them on my horse. It would be my honor to keep all the ladies safe."
Lady Catherine twisted her lips before grudgingly saying, "I suppose. . . ." I knew what I was doing and what hopes it might be raising in my aunt and that was likely the only reason for her consent, but at that moment it did not matter to me. I would not, could not, ever be persuaded to marry Anne but as she was my cousin, a fellow person like me, I would help my cousin where I could.
During the separation after supper Edwin smiled at me before saying, "How gallant of you to escort dear Anne. You see now why she needs your name and protection. Someone will have to keep her within bounds after Lady Catherine is gone, so she does not embarrass our family. That someone should be you as her husband."
I asked, "Why are you really so eager to match me with Anne?" I searched his face for the answer, but if there was an answer there I could not make it out.
He replied, "I shall always do what is best for our family and you."
"But why is it your right to decide what that will be? Why do you think you can dictate my actions?"
"It is the only logical choice, Fitz," he told me. "She will be safe if she remains here in Kent as your wife. Here the local populous knows of Anne more than they know her. She does no harm as an ill daughter and will do none as an ill wife. You will benefit greatly with the joining of the two estates. Already we have seen that Georgiana esteems her and it is good that she has taken an interest in her; she will support your marriage."
"My sister may have taken an interest in her cousin, but not for the purpose of making a match between us," I responded.
"But do you not see, Georgiana can help you with Anne, at least for the next few years until it is time for her to marry. I do not doubt that your sister will play her part well. However, you must discourage her from indulging Anne's whims. Georgiana should find Anne things to do inside the house. Mayhap she can teach her to draw or sing? Think of our family and your future."
I wished to argue further, but then it occurred to me that it might be to my benefit to make Edwin think I was seriously considering his advice and in such a way keep him from interfering with my own hopes and plans for my future. Edwin spoke some more but I ignored all he said in favor of imagining seeing Miss Elizabeth in the morning. I wondered when next I would see her in her yellow dress. I also thought about how I might best go about wooing her and earning back her ribbon.
