A/N: I'm so sorry it takes me so long to write. I haven't abandoned this story, I just have so much going on. I'm an economics major, far from creative writing, so I apologize if I am too blunt sometimes or if my writing needs work. Thank you so much for the reviews, I greatly appreciate them. In fact, it's when I see a notification that I remember to write some more. :D
Onward then:
Maria studied the drawing room with a pleased eye. Everingham was just as she imagined. It was grand and sophisticated, but it was not as grand and sophisticated as Mr. Rushworth's estate. She was pleased at herself for the choice she had made. Mr. Crawford was handsome with a handsome income but Mr. Rushworth had proved to be a goldmine.
However, Maria did not approve of Mrs. Crawford.
Fanny, her pasty, watery-eyed cousin, sat gingerly in a cushioned seat across from her. She wore a pastel dress far too elegant for her wiry frame with no jewels but her wedding band and the cross gifted from Edmund. Fanny's awkwardness and simplicity angered her. What made her even more angry was the way Henry stood behind Fanny's chair, with a casual hand on the back of her seat.
"It is such a pleasure to see you again, my dearest cousin," Maria smiled into her tea. "I am sure it took quite a while to become used to Everingham, so severely different from what you are accustomed to." Of course she meant that it was severely different from what she deserved, but her dim-witted cousin stared blankly with a polite expression. Henry's eyes flashed, however, and it pleased Maria greatly.
"She has adjusted well enough," Henry said, clearly closing the subject. Maria raised an eyebrow.
"Truly?" She gently put down her teacup, turning her body just so. Her body was much better appreciated from the side. "How has she adjusted to a married life?" Her inquiring eyes caught the hesitation in both their features. How charming.
"Fanny has been a blessing and an absolute delight at Everingham," Maria pushed back a smirk at the uniform answer. It was truly a wonderful decision to come. Now that she studied better, she could not help but note strained air around Henry and his new wife. He was definitely as in need as she was.
She chatted about their trip, effectively speaking over any of her husband's contributions and some of Fanny's. She chatted about her new home, describing it to the smallest detail, from the grand expanse of her gardens to the brightness of the soup spoons.
"Shall we tour the gardens?" Maria asked, standing. No one commented on such rashness at someone else's home. Such was Maria Rushworth's character. The party moved to the gardens, Maria in the lead, with Mr. Rushworth trailing behind. Fanny and Henry exchanged glances. Fanny's eyes lowered to his leg.
"It is only sprained," he assured her. "It is no bother."
But Fanny was bothered. He was injured and he had a fever. More than enough reason to refuse visitors. Fanny watched Maria's swinging hips ahead of them, as she weaved through the trails leading toward the gardens and wondered.
Upon reaching the gardens, Maria turned to face them.
"I have the grandest idea!" She clapped her hands. "Fanny, shall we switch husbands for the walk?" Fanny blinked at this. "Imagine what fun. Mr. Rushworth shall walk you and Hen- Mr. Crawford shall take me."
Mr. Rushworth was not all too thrilled at the scheme and frankly, neither was Fanny. Henry's face was unreadable.
Despite their reluctance, Maria orchestrated the the walk to her desires, taking Henry's arm. Fanny watched as Maria openly flirted and laughed on Henry's arm. Mr. Rushworth was completely oblivious of his wife's behavior, satisfied with the smiles she threw back at him. Mr. Rushworth, for the record, was an awkward walking companion, never noting on the beautiful flowers or the neatly trimmed hedges and trees.
Fanny was mostly watching Henry, he remained unreadable, but she watched as he developed a barely noticeable limp. Mr. Rushworth suggested returning when the clouds became darker. Maria delightedly said there was no danger, saying Henry and she would continue. To which Mr. Rushworth responded by remaining with them as did Fanny.
Fanny could not help but agree with Mr. Rushworth as the wind picked up, whipping her hair across her face.
"H- Henry," Fanny called instinctively when she felt a few droplets. Her voice seemed to have triggered the rain because there was a sudden downpour.
Maria laughed, throwing her face back into the rain, her dress instantly soaked. Shocked, Fanny watched her cousin completely give into the rain. She could see through the thin material to her undergarments and her already protruding figure was accented even more.
Fanny jumped when an hand took her arm, thinking for a moment Mr. Rushworth had reached for her. She turned and found Henry at her side instead. She looked back over at Maria, unsure of what she had expected.
A crack of thunder made Fanny jump again, the rain intensifying. Henry pulled her into his arms without hesitation, somehow managing to pull his coat off and over her head at the same time. With the coat around her face, she could only see Henry in front of her. He looked to the side, seeming to judge something then back at her.
Without a word, he lead her back to the house. Fanny suddenly recalled her childish scheme from before and wondered if Henry thought she was afraid of thunderstorms. She was not, in fact she was more worried about Henry's health. However, such extreme sounds did make one jump every once in awhile.
She said none of this to Henry, as they managed to reach the house. Housemaids and menservants fluttered about, taking their wet things. Maria was there as well, in all her drenched glory, waving away the scandalized maids. She took but a cloth, lifting her arms to dry her hair.
Fanny was ushered from the foyer, quickly followed by Henry. Fanny's thoughts flitted from Maria to Henry, whom she was certain had a worse fever now.
Fanny bathed and changed into her favorite gown. It was a soft, generally worn, yellow dress. Comfortable after such a cold drench. She braided her hair, but then a maid reminded her she had guests so she allowed the maid to pin up her hair simply.
When she was finished and ready for dinner, Fanny found herself walking to Henry's door. She was worried for him, but she had never entered his room exempting that terribly embarrassing night. She struggled internally, between embarrassment and worry, when she noticed the door was a bit ajar.
She turned her head just so and she could see into his room. Disbelief clouded her eyes at what she saw but she quickly blinked it away. So she could see clearly inside her husband's bedroom. And clearly there he was... sitting in a chair... her cousin on his lap… kissing him.
