The dappled morning sunlight shimmered across the water's surface as Anne sketched the scene before her. In the shelter of the overgrown pavilion, Anne glanced again towards the eastern bank. The overgrown pavilion was Anne's favourite retreat within the vast grounds of Rosings Park. Her grandfather had the lake designed and constructed, with her father making small improvements during his lifetime; the lakeside pavilion being one of them. Her father had loved this spot, it was here under the creeping honeysuckle he had proposed to her mother. Anne took in the sun faded timber and overgrown shrubs which creeped and weaved their way around the wooden frame; smothering it in darkness, hidden, almost forgotten. This had once been such a happy place, now it was a painful reminder of a life once lived at Rosings.
Looking over the lake once more, Anne studied her cousin, pencil in hand. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam were deep in conversation, both content in their morning activity of fly fishing. Anne had never seen Darcy so at ease, his face so expressive; she could barely capture his likeness for it seemed too alive to be imitated. He really did seem to be enjoying his visit to Rosings this year. Anne smiled at the thought. She could not recall seeing Darcy so relaxed and easy in the company of others. Why he had even conversed openly and freely with all present at dinner the previous evening. He could have been considered the most charming dinner companion, however that role was already filled by the Colonel. It filled Anne's heart with a sense of warmth knowing that Darcy felt so happy and at ease to express his true self. It was almost like it had been when they were children. When the three of them played together enjoying bright spring afternoons and long summer days. But those days were in the past. Long gone were those happy, laughter filled days, running around together all over Rosings Park and the grounds of Pemberley. Now family honour, responsibility and duty became the everyday mantra's which ruled every decision, every action, every moment of their adult lives. Anne let out a sigh and looked at the sketch in front of her. She had captured Darcy's image well, even the recent softness in all his looks, which only added to the handsomeness of his strong features.
She ran her finger lightly over the pencil outlines of Colonel Fitzwilliam. She hadn't been able to capture him in detail, thus far she had spent too long sketching Darcy. She looked across the lake taking in his easy manner and ready smile. Normally he was such a contrast to Darcy, but today both looked as full of merriment as the other. Anne squinted her eyes against the sun and tried to focus on the Colonels face. He was nowhere near as handsome in features as Darcy. His hair reminded her of a favourite pony she had been given by her father as a young girl, his mane the colour of autumn hay bales. From his hair her eyes moved lower taking in his tanned skin and the deep creases across his forehead, resulting from too much time outdoors. His eyes couldn't be more different to Darcy's, a pale blue, no grey, the colour of storm clouds but with none of their promised anger. His nose was rather crooked due to an altercation while overseas on the continent fighting with his regiment. He never hid from battle, always to be found alongside his men. Anne admired this strength of character in him most of all, his complete respect for the men who served him. He often spoke with such warmth of the soldiers within his regiment, he knew them all; their home towns, their families, the loved ones left waiting for their return. He truly was the most agreeable man in all of England, Anne was certain of it. If only Anne would stop holding him in such high regard.
Anne continued to watch him as his smile widened, his arms becoming a flurry of movement as a fish fought and twisted on his line. The laughter and mirth of her two cousins carried across the water to where Anne sat hidden from view. Anne laid down her pencil and let out a long sigh. Rubbing her temples, she uttered "It is impossible."
"I hope I am not intruding Miss de Bourgh," came a voice somewhere behind Anne's left shoulder.
Anne instinctively jumped in her seat, quickly closing the cover of her sketchbook. She turned her head and met the dark inquisitive gaze of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.
"Oh, Miss Bennet," Anne exhaled, her shoulders visibly relaxing as she placed her shawl on top of her sketchbook, "I am sorry I did not hear you approach."
"I hope I am not intruding on your peaceful solitude?" Elizabeth replied glancing towards the large leather-bound sketchbook.
"You have found me out Miss Bennet," Anne smiled, "I have been indulging in one of my favourite hobbies, however I am embarrassed to say my skills are greatly lacking. I sketch purely for my own enjoyment. How are you enjoying your stay with the Collins's?" Anne asked, "Mrs Collins is such a kind hearted soul, I believe you must feel her lose from Longbourn society greatly?"
Elizabeth bit her cheek to check her response, was Miss de Bourgh implying that there could not be anyone else worth knowing back in Hertfordshire? Or was she merely commenting on the lose one feels when losing the intimacy of such a long-standing friendship. The look on Miss de Bourgh's face did not imply anything calculating, perhaps Elizabeth should give her the benefit of doubt, for she was not her mother. Indeed, Elizabeth had been quite surprised upon meeting Miss de Bourgh when she stopped by the parsonage in her elaborate pony cart to call on Charlotte.
She thought of Wickham's previous observations. So this was Darcy's intended bride, the future mistress of Pemberley. Elizabeth had been prepared to find Miss de Bourgh ill tempered, sullen and sickly in appearance from the passing information she had received from Wickham and Mr Collins. How wrong they had been and how false their description appeared when presented with the reality. Elizabeth found Miss de Bourgh to be sweet tempered, though slightly timid. She appeared bright and interested in many topics of discussion. Although rather small in stature, she was not so delicate in figure. It seemed Miss de Bourgh had matured into quite the young lady, with soft hazel eyes and a pale almost iridescent complexion. Elizabeth wondered if it was this complexion, devoid of all colouring, that could be misconstrued as a sickly continence. Elizabeth looked at the genteel woman opposite her, indeed she would make him a proper wife.
For the mother however, Wickham's description had been very apt indeed. During one of their private moments; Wickham had given his opinion on Lady Catherine de Bourgh quite decidedly. He remarked that she had "the reputation of being remarkably sensible and clever; but I rather believe she derives part of her abilities from her rank and fortune, part from her authoritative manner..." How true he had been in his observations, thought Elizabeth, for she had never met such a condescending, unpleasant woman in all her life. No wonder the daughter was a timid creature if her life was spent in the shadow of Lady Catherine.
"It is lovely to see Charlotte settled and in such beautiful surroundings," replied Lizzy gesturing her arms at the beautiful grounds around them. 'I believe I shall not wish to leave Rosings when the time arrives, how wonderful it must be to call this place home."
"I am glad you find the grounds here so pleasing Miss Bennet," Anne smiled as she stood gathering her shawl and sketchbook, tucking the latter firmly under her arm. "I was almost ready to head back to the house to take tea; may I be so bold to ask you to join me?" Elizabeth agreed and the two began the short walk along the woodland path, through the rose gardens and past her mother's vast clipped shrubberies.
On arrival at Rosings Anne requested tea be brought to the yellow morning room. Once seated, Anne smiled at Elizabeth from her position on the low chaise but made no further attempt to converse with her guest. Elizabeth felt it was time to try and engage the timid Miss de Bourgh in conversation. Elizabeth looked around taking in the beautiful details of the room. The room was decorated in rich gold, with varying shades of pale and deep yellow, the colour of egg yolks. All items of furniture were in dark glossy wood, intricately carved with fabrics in the same deep yellow with gold embroidered detailing. "It must have been wonderful to grow up in such a house such as this," Elizabeth mused admiring the large pair of gilded mirrors which sat either side, framing Miss de Bourgh.
"Perhaps in my early youth it was," Anne replied. "This room was a favourite of my fathers, if he was not in his study he could be found here. I am afraid Miss Bennet that a house this size, with no siblings and only one parent for company, especially a parent who does not seek the company of others, well I am sure you can understand..." Anne stopped, her cheeks slightly flushing as she realised her mistake at perhaps revealing too much to her new acquaintance. "Please do not think I am ungrateful; my mother is wonderful company and I am indeed aware of how fortunate I am to call Rosings home."
"Miss de Bourgh," Elizabeth interrupted, reaching forward and placing her hand on Anne's arm, "do not fret, I understood your meaning perfectly. I myself have often wished for a quieter home," smiling she continued, "perhaps we always wonder about the situation we do not have, it is simply human nature to be curious."
"Please, call me Anne when we are together. You are very fortunate Miss Elizabeth to have so many sisters, I would of dearly loved a sister. It must be such a comfort to your mother to have so many daughters, and you all still at home!"
"I was under the impression you have recently been away and not long returned to Rosings? Will you be remaining at Rosings after the Easter period or shall you be heading to London for the little season?"
Anne laughed. "I am afraid I will have no say in where I go. May I have your confidence Miss Bennet?" Elizabeth nodded. "I have been away from Rosings these last three years. My father's younger sister, Matilda, married a Scottish Earl taking the title Countess of Elgin, thus she left Kent and didn't return. Apart from very early in my childhood, I had never come into contact with my aunt. The Earl spent much of his political career acting as a foreign ambassador spending much time abroad, they spent a great deal of time in Constantinople. Mother and my aunt, shall we say, have little in common and neither are of the easy disposition to tolerate the others company. A year after my uncles' death I was surprised to receive correspondence from my aunt requesting my company. They have two sons and a daughter, all married, yet she sought comfort from a niece she had barely seen since she was a babe."
"And you went?" Elizabeth asked, " All that distance to Scotland to stay with an aunt you did know?"
"Yes," laughed Anne, "I must confess it was the best decision I ever made, it was not easy though. Lady Catherine did not approve. However, my aunt is just as forthright as my mother. My aunt arrived at Rosings with but one intention, to take me back with her to their Elgin ancestral seat. There was very little else that could be done, especially when I was happy to go. I managed to convince my mother it would be of benefit to my health and my aunt was rather adamant. I had been rather sickly at this point, confined to the house, rarely even entering the grounds. I do believe my aunts gregarious company and the rolling hills of the rugged Scottish landscape did me much good.
"Lady Catherine de Bourgh let you stay away from home for so long, cried Elizabeth. " Was the length of stay always intended to be such a duration?" asked Elizabeth rather astonished at the concept of leaving home for three years.
"Mother and I came to an understanding. I have never been out in the world Miss Bennet and my mother rarely leaves Rosings Park. We never attend the London season, although we have a beautiful home on Grosvenor Square. It was agreed the trip could benefit my health and I must admit, for I know I have your confidence, I wished greatly to be away from Rosings. A chance to escape just for a moment seemed an unmeasurable gift."
On the arrival of the tea, Anne took a moment to serve Elizabeth, once settled she continued, "I delayed my return many times, I enjoyed my aunt and cousins' company immensely, I had never attended balls and my aunt has a wide and varied acquaintance. After much heated correspondence I promised mother I would return shortly after my twenty-fifth birthday and here I am. I have spent the last three years away from Rosings and it was thrilling. Never have I been my own person, able to make my own decisions, but alas duty brings me home and a promise is a promise."
Arching her eyebrow Elizabeth asked, "and what was it that was promised?" But before Anne had the opportunity to reply the door to the morning room flew open and Lady Catherine de Bourgh entered.
"Anne where have you been, upon my honour I broke my fast alone this morning, how often have I told you it is not fashionable for a lady of your standing to be awake so early, you are behaving like a common house maid." Lady Catharine exhaled her exasperation and it was only then she became aware of the other ladies presence.
"Ahh Miss Elizabeth Bennet I see you suffer from the same wilful affliction as my daughter, rising with the birds and the scullery maids. Anne I shall take tea in the green room, if you will show Miss Bennet the way."
As her mother turned to leave Anne spoke out, "But mother I have already ordered tea, please join us, the morning room is so light and the view across the grounds is so pleasing."
Lady Catherine turned her head and looked down her sharp nose at Anne. "My dear you would do well to remember your place and to whom you address, if I say I wish to take tea in the green room the matter is not open for discussion. You really have become the most ungrateful...' her voice trailed off as the sound of heavy boots could be heard in the hall.
"Is that my nephew?" called her mother, her voice now thickly sweet. "Darcy won't you join us for tea, we are in the yellow room enjoying the mornings fine weather."
Her mother swept back into the morning room, her stiff formal gown encircling her, giving her even more stature as she stood blocking Miss Bennet from view of the entryway. Darcy entered the room giving his aunt a curt nod as he strolled across the room towards Anne. He smiled at her as he removed his gloves to take her small gloved hand in his. Smiling warmly, he bent over to bestow a quick chaste kiss to the back of Anne's hand. "May I say cousin you are looking exceedingly bright eyed this fine morning, the gown you are wearing is the most pleasing shade, I do not believe I have seen you in green before."
Elizabeth watched as Anne looked into Darcy's eyes with a happy open expression across her face, was she blushing? Darcy was unaware of her presence, his attention focused intently on his pretty cousin. Elizabeth felt an odd ache deep within her stomach, a deep twisting sensation she did not recognise nor wish to understand.
"Dear Darcy," Anne laughed unsure how to take such a direct compliment from her typically formidable cousin. She secretly thanked her dear aunt for her advice in the additions to her wardrobe before her return to Rosings. Filled with new found confidence Anne gestured towards Elizabeth, "Will you not join us cousin? Miss Bennet and I were just having a lovely tête-à-tête."
Whirling around Darcy's eyes met Elizabeth's, his happy countenance disappeared and a frown etched its way across his forehead. "Miss Bennet," he bowed.
"Mr Darcy, Elizabeth replied aghast to find her voice aquiver, "what a pleasure to have you join us."