Anne woke, bright eyed and alert, even after a rather restless night of sleep. She had replayed the exchange with Edward and herself over and over in her head until she felt she may burst with excitement. He cared for her, and much more than that of dear friendship, he truly cared for her; his little Anne.
Her feelings towards Edward had been coming on so gradually she had dared not hope that such a man would consider herself in such a light. She was fully aware of the gossip surrounding their intimate friendship, but she had told herself that was all it was, mere gossip. She had been foolish in love once before; enough to know now that certain feelings and expectations were not always to be trusted. Never did she think that events would transpire in such a happy way! Yet, would he make her an offer? For she was most certain she would accept whole heartedly.
Edward was exactly the sort of man every girl in London intended to marry. He was all that was good in the world, and Anne had witnessed many a pretty young woman make herself agreeable when in his presence. Caroline Bingley's ridiculous display came most unwelcomely to mind. Yes, he was handsome, titled and wealthy, yet these were not the qualities which Anne admired in him. He had long been her dearest friend and confidant. The poor man had shown her nothing but kindness in those early days after her leaving Rosings Park for that of her family's residence in Scotland. Her head and heart had been so full of Richard and her own inner torment; oh, how she must have been a most tiresome companion! Yet, Edward had been nothing but kind, patient and above all encouraging. Her new fond joy in the saddle, her bravery in attending social events, conversing with people she was not well acquainted; all these things had come to fruition due to Edwards encouragement and attention.
That she should have fallen in love with him, was not so far as to be unexpected, but that he should then return such feelings was too joyous to comprehend. To think that she may soon be able to think of him as someone so much dearer than that of friend was almost too much to fathom. She could not help but smile at the happiness she felt. Her cheeks ached from smiling, for she had done little else since leaving the Fraser's. He had been about to kiss her. Oh, how retched it was that they should have been interrupted.
Suddenly she bit her lip, deep in thought, as the smile slowly dropped from her face. The uncomfortable feeling that she had been in this position before entered into her mind. A painful, twisting ache in the pit of her stomach began to take hold, which caused her mouth to dry.
She closed her eyes, taking a small shaky breath.
'Edward is not Richard.' She said quietly to herself. 'Nor are you the naive girl he left behind.'
She scolded herself for her own insecurities. Do not let your emotions run away with you. Do not get over excited, she thought in an attempt to calm her nerves. Her infatuation with Richard had been just that. Did they not say woman never truly forgot their first loves? The feelings she had felt towards Richard had been all consuming, terrifying even, and had left her all but broken in their assumed rejection. Was that real love?
Even now, after Richards declaration in the kitchens of Rosings, and his renewed attentions towards her person when together in company, she was left uncertain. She had wished for so long that he would come back to her; save her from her suffocating existence under her mother's rule, stuck in the middle of Kent. After the initial shock of seeing him once again still handsome after so long apart, had surpassed; the strength of feelings Anne had so associated when with Richard had simply not materialised. She did not particularly feel anything when in his company, well certainly nothing as ferocious as those adolescent feelings. She did not feel happy or filled with contented joy when in his company, nor did she miss him when his company was gone. All these things she did however feel towards Edward. Perhaps this was what real love was? A mutual fondness and happiness when in the company of another.
She sat up in her bed and glanced towards the opposite end of the room until her eyes fell upon the portrait of her parents which she had removed from her mother's chamber to be hung upon the wall of her own. How happy the young lovers looked. She had never seen her mother look so content as she sat beneath the honeysuckle with her father standing handsomely by her side. She studied her mother's face. Yes, indeed there were similarities between her face and her own: not the strong Fitzwilliam jawline or eyes of brilliant blue, but the curve of the mouth and shape of the nose, alongside the pale alabaster skin resounded with her own image in the looking glass.
Her mother. Lord, what would Edward think of her mother? What would her mother think of Edward? Surely her mother could not object to such a man? Would her mother even believe Anne capable of securing the affection of such a prize amongst London society? Anne was most certain she would not. Should she write to her? With such a son-in-law surely, she would forgive Anne in her refusal to that of her cousin Darcy. Edward was a Viscount after all and her mother valued pedigree above all things.
A faint knock at the door roused Anne from her thoughts as Hennie entered the room.
"Begging your pardon miss, but it is unlike you to have not called for me by this hour, are you well? Is there anything I can bring you?"
"Oh, Hennie, I am a most neglectful mistress! I am afraid you find myself rather too at leisure this morning, and far too caught up in my own musings to realise the hour. I am quite well I assure you. Perhaps if you would have Mrs Marks send up some hot chocolate and cold cuts, we may begin? I would very much like to take a bath this morning and for you to set my hair into those very pretty little curls you do so well. I have an appointment early this afternoon to which I would like to look at my best. Perhaps the dark green walking dress with the pink trimmed bonnet which was collected from Millard's but last week?"
Nodding, Hennie left the room in search of Mrs Marks. She smiled to herself, for there was nothing she enjoyed more in the world than setting Miss de Bourgh's chestnut coloured hair into cascades of perfectly placed curls.
Anne descended the stairs sometime later with her hair freshly styled, looking as fashionable as she believed she could muster. She only hoped Edward would be as pleased with her appearance as she and Hennie had been after a long morning of titivation. With her bonnet in her hand she went into the parlour to find the small parcel which she had Hennie wrap in tissue paper earlier. Seeing the item sitting on the end table as instructed Anne turned to place her bonnet upon her head as the doorbell rang. Placing the bonnet on the seat of the armchair, she turned to be greeted by Mrs Marks holding what looked like a giant hat box.
"Begging your pardon miss, but this just arrived for you, and rather heavy it is too."
"From who?" Anne asked, following the house keeper to the sideboard where she placed the large box for inspection.
"It arrived by messenger, he did not say anything of the sender. There is a note tucked under the lid."
Turning the box slightly, Anne took the small folded piece of paper and proceeded to lift the lid. Glancing in the box, she looked up at Mrs Marks with surprised curiosity. She placed her hand inside and proceeded to pull out a gleaming golden trophy. The metal was cold against the warmth of her hand. She placed the heavy item with a satisfying thud upon the sideboard, before reading the inscription.
"It is from the Epsom Derby!" Anne cried as she tore the seal of the note. Sitting on the edge of the nearby arm chair she read;
My darling Anne
Did I not promise, in one of my more generous moments, that I should allow you to keep Aella's first place triumph upon your mantel for safe keeping? You will see it is gleaming and gold just as you for wished. From one Champion girl to another.
Yours ever
Edward
"It is from Lord Colville," Anne said as warmth spread through her person. "He jokingly promised to allow me to keep the trophy from the race at Epsom if he should take first place."
Mrs Marks watched as her mistress placed the golden cup high upon the mantle over the fireplace. It gleamed bright against the early afternoon sunlight as it streamed through the parlour window.
"Could you have my carriage brought round immediately Mrs Marks. I fear I shall be exceedingly late at this rate; I had promised to call upon Lord and Lady Fraser by two."
Just as she reached again for her pink trimmed bonnet, the door bell sounded loud once more from within the hall.
She was just about to tell Mrs Marks to say she was not at home to visitors when the all too familiar curt voice of Miss Caroline Bingley filled the air. Oh dear, not even the formidable Mrs Marks was a match against the sharp-tongued Miss Bingley. A mere moment later the parlour door opened once more as a rather red faced, and rather vexed, Mrs Marks entered the room.
"Begging your pardon miss," she said drily, "but a Miss Bingley is here to see you. Quite insistent she is."
"Do send her in Mrs Marks, could you also have the kitchen bring us some tea."
Oh, bother thought Anne; at this rate she would never get to the Frasers and see Edward before mid-afternoon at least! Perhaps she could send a note in advance of her arrival to explain for her tardiness?
"Miss Bingley," Anne smiled in welcome. "I was not expecting to receive calls this afternoon. Though of course I am most delighted to see you, I was just about to leave myself for a prior engagement."
"Oh, I am sure you can spare a moment for us to share in a little conversation?" Caroline cooed as she took a seat upon the cerise settee without waiting for Anne to make the offer to be seated. "Why it feels like such an age since you and I have had the opportunity to speak in private."
Arching her brow at Caroline's choice of words, Anne settled herself upon the settee opposite. A small table lay between them where Hennie placed the tea service. Glad for the diversion, Anne busied herself pouring the tea as Caroline continued;
"I do not possess the easy skills my sister displays in terms of open affection, but I wish you to know Anne, that your good opinion is one I hold in the highest of regard. To that end I am here to seek your council."
"Oh," Anne remarked in surprise. Handing Caroline a cup of freshly poured tea, Anne took her seat again, rather shocked by such an open admission from such a usually prickly acquaintance.
"Well of course," Anne said with genuine concern. "Is all well? Of course, I am at your service if I can in any way be of assistance."
Caroline paused for greater affect. Looking down at her lap, she fidgeted with the trim of her dress. She knew the crushed golden velvet of the gown only heightened the richness of her handsome dark features. Looking up, she met Anne's amber eyes with that of her own rich brown. She flashed her a brilliant smile which she knew made her most becoming.
"It is Edward," she replied softly, her eyes not leaving Anne's face for a moment. "Oh Anne, you and he are such particular friends I did not know who else to turn to. I know I can trust you with the utmost discretion. I was hoping that perhaps, being so intimately connected, perhaps my dear Edward has already hinted at the happy news?"
Caroline smiled in triumph as she watched poor Anne's face crumble entirely before her. She waited a moment before continuing with her farce. "Oh, by the surprised look upon your face, am I to believe he has said nothing to you of our happy news? How wicked he is, almost sinful." She laughed in a manner most girlish. "Are men not the most awful of creatures, I do believe he shall forever keep me on my toes. How one woman can be expected to keep such a man's attention, I do not know. Though I do believe I shall give it my best endeavour."
"My apologies," Anne said quietly as the painful twisting within her stomach returned most unwelcomed. "I am sorry, but I do not quite follow your meaning. What is it exactly you wish to seek my council on with regards to Lord Colville?"
"Oh Anne, Lord Colville indeed. Are we not amongst close friends? What a funny old woman you can be at times. He shall be so cross with me for sharing, for he had sworn me to secrecy; but how can he begrudge me sharing such joyous news with a friend we both hold so dear? My sweet Anne, you must know that Edward and I are practically engaged? Why I am expecting a formal declaration any day now."