He stood in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he met her gaze. His breath hitched within his chest as he took in her appearance after so long apart. She looked well. That did not do her justice, she looked exquisite. Her hair fell in loose chestnut brown curls around her rounded face; her fair skin as flawless and fair as it had always been. She wore a dress of pure sunshine, which he could not help noting, she filled in the most pleasing manner. He could not deny, the image before him was most appealing; but she had changed, and this pained him greatly. He had always held Anne as the epitome of a truly gentle soul, kind and the most sensible lady of his aquitance. But that childlike naivety he had once found so refreshing was gone. Her amber eyes were no longer bright with curiosity. Before him sat a woman; not the young girl he recalled so fondly; he was unsure if he still knew her. She had become more refined, patrician in her outward appearance, her countenance also gave little away. He could only hope that behind her non-expressive demeanour, she was still as sweet and unassuming as she had always been. For at that moment; with her chin held high, her eyes wide, enfolded in the finest yellow silk; she looked every inch the richly entitled mistress of Rosings Park. His cravat suddenly felt too tight about his neck and he tugged at it awkwardly. He should not have come.
Anne looked between her two cousins, her expression betraying none of her inner unease. It was clear neither of them had any intention of coming beyond the threshold. What had brought them at such a late hour? Her mother had told her they were not due at Rosings for another week. Anne thought she had more time, yet here he was.
Finally, it was Darcy who broke the awkward silence. "Anne," he said softly, walking towards her and taking her hand in his, "it has been too long. I would hardly recognise you. You are in good health I assume?"
Anne looked up at Darcy, although he did not smile there was a warmth behind his eyes that Anne recognised well. He bent his head and gently kissed the back of her hand.
"I am very well," she said slowly closing the volume and placing it on the settee beside her. "I must apologise for I was not expecting your arrival for another week. Whatever possessed you to come now and at such an hour!" Anne was aware his voice was becoming rather shrill. "Your arrival was not expected for another six days." Anne glanced towards her mother, who continued to sleep in her chair. "I am not prepared," she hissed.
"I assure you Anne," Darcy said, his expression apologetic, "the visit has always been planned for this next fortnight. I grant you we are a day early, for we should have spent an evening at the old George. Instead it was decided best simply to continue for Rosings. The hour it not so late?"
"No indeed, I apologise you are most welcome," replied Anne with a faint smile as she tried to compose her conflicting feelings. Her mother had deceived her. Why she had felt this act necessary, Anne did not know. "As you can see mother is resting, perhaps it would be best if we were to retire for the evening and delay the exchange of pleasantries until the morrow. I do not believe mother would appreciate knowing you had arrived to find her thus." Turning her head away from Darcy she asked Hughes, "are the guest rooms ready?"
"Yes Miss," replied Hughes. 'The valences have already been sent to each chamber alongside the gentleman's luggage as per your Mother's earlier request."
"Well then," continued Anne, smoothing down her skirt, as a distraction from her building frustration. "Perhaps you both would like to dine in your rooms, I shall have Mrs Allen send trays directly.
"I think that the most sensible idea," said Darcy, "I for one would not object to such a scheme, do you suppose Mrs Allen has any of those malted rolls?" Anne laughed, she hadn't had one of Mrs Allen's malted buns in what felt like forever. She promised Darcy that she would pass on the request, but if none were to be had, she would ask for a batch to be made when next convenient. Richard stood by the door watching the increasingly friendly exchange between cousins. Darcy continued to reminisce with Anne over childhood favourite sweet treats from the Rosings kitchen. He thought Darcy looked a damn sight more comfortable than he had in the carriage. Richard was no fool, he had sensed Darcy's earlier unease on their approach to Rosings. It was a topic of discussion Richard did not wish to be party to.
"Gentleman if you will excuse me," Anne remarked, "I am afraid I have had a rather long day and wish to retire. Hughes will you please send Mary to attend to mother. I shall see you both tomorrow."
"Till tomorrow," said Darcy bowing his head to Anne. She stood, looking up at him. He had forgotten how small she was, though she no longer appeared as young and fragile as he remembered. Smiling at her fondly he said "It is such a pleasure to see you looking well and in good health once again."
Anne gave Darcy her first genuine smile of the evening. "It is good to see you again, Fitz."
Clutching her stationary roll, Anne moved towards the door, as she drew alongside Richard he gently took hold of her elbow. Dropping his voice to a mere whisper he said quietly, "it was not my wish to carry on and arrive so wholly unexpected." Anne, refusing to meet his gaze, turned her head and left the room.
Anne stood outside the breakfast room, listening to the muffled conversation coming from behind the closed door. She felt wretched. She had barely slept and spent much of the night replaying the brief exchange from the previous evening. Why had her mother not told her they were to arrive, what could be gained from keeping such a thing from Anne. There was one aspect of the whole exchange which Anne was indeed thankful for; that she had not allowed her mother to dictate her wardrobe. Although it had not been her intention, she took some satisfaction knowing that for once she looked entirely appropriate. Well done Anne, she congratulated herself as she studied her reflection in her bedroom mirror. The yellow dress was most pleasing and she thanked her subconscious for having Hennie change her hair to a more flattering style. She had then spent the whole evening wondering what he had thought of her. Did he find her much altered? It had been years since their last meeting, and it had not been a pleasant parting of ways.
She heard Richard laugh loudly from the other side of the door. Come now, she scolded herself, you can not just stand here all morning. She took a deep breath, preparing herself. Her cousins company did not concern her, she was over her initial surprise at their surprise arrival, it was the anticipation of conversing with them alongside her mother. She opened the door quietly, her mother sat at the end of the table, her hands gesturing towards Darcy as they spoke.
"Anne my dear, we were beginning to wonder if all was well, I shall have fresh chocolate brought, I am sure the standing pot will be cold." Lady Catherine motioned towards one of the serving girls, then continued, "What a delightful surprise this morning to find my nephew's had arrived during the night. What dedication it shows, that so keen were they to arrive at Rosings, that they travelled all through the night."
"I assure you aunt," Darcy replied, "it was not all night, we reached Rosings in very good time."
Anne busied herself at the side table, taking a plate of eggs, cold ham and muffins. She sat at the table to break her fast just as a cup of steaming hot chocolate was poured for her.
"Really Anne" her mother's disapproving tone rang out loudly as she eyed the plate of food before Anne. "Neither wonder we found ourselves in such an unfortunate situation yesterday."
Anne's cheeks burned in embarrassment at her mother's reference to yesterday's too tight dress. She looked down at her plate. It was in no way excessive, she knew this, yet her mother's ridiculous expectations on her made her scold herself for being so utterly thoughtless as she had filled her plate. She dared not look up, she did not wish to see her cousins expressions. She could never please her mother.
Richard let out a load booming laugh. "Come now aunt," he called, trying to deflect Lady Catherine's attention. "Who can blame anyone for indulging when one is presented with one of the finest tables in England. I do declare I shall leave a fortnight hence rotund and happy." He stood, pushed his chair back with much flourish, and headed back to the side table once more. He began to fill his plate again with much enthusiasm, he turned to look in the direction of his audience flashing boyish grin.
"Do they not feed you in the army,' laughed Darcy leaning back in his chair and giving Anne a small smile. "Though I am in complete agreement. The table at Rosings is always vastly superior. Is Mrs Allen still with you aunt?"
He knows very well that she is, thought Anne, they had discussed her malt buns and custard tarts the previous evening. While both cousins began praising Lady Catherine for her excellent choice of table, Anne suddenly felt a wave of relief wash over her. As children the boys had always shown great skill at playing to her mother's ego. If there was one thing her mother loved, it was praise. Richard had always been Anne's saviour; as children he had his aunt wrapped around his little finger. He could do no wrong in her mother's eyes. Richards only flaw in life, her mother often repeated to anyone who would listen, was his being her brothers second son.
The conversation around Anne became more lively as the men began to argue over the best form of entertainment to be had for the rest of the afternoon. It appeared Richard seemed keen on fishing, where Darcy disagreed as felt they had let the best part of the day pass for such a pursuit. Her mother suggested various other activities, though neither gentleman seemed inclined to agree of a preferred option.
"I have a suggestion," replied Anne. Her mother turned to face her as Darcy arched his eye brow in curiosity. "What if we were to ride towards the woods of Higham, we could come back along the top road which would offer the best view across the valley. It is such a beautiful day, it would be a shame to waste any more of it indoors."
"When did you ever ride?" Richard asked the crease in his forehead deepening. "From what I recall you never were very comfortable in a saddle. That foolish cart of your yes, but comfortable on the back of a horse I think not!"
"I will have you know, Colonel," Anne teased in reply, "I am very comfortable in a great many things." Leaving Richard to take what he would from that remark, Anne, beaming at Darcy, left the room to change into her riding habit.