Henry watched his wife's retreating form from the hallway in shock. Had Fanny been possessed?
"That is however, for my husband to address as he is master of himself, but I will not tolerate teasing of my past feelings or such a horrid insult to my family."
Fanny's back had been to the gentlemen but he had known immediately that something was different. The way she stood with such authority was intriguing, but disquieting.
Both Henry and Mr. Rushworth had been startled by this. Mr. Rushworth at such an accusation to his beautiful, pious wife and Henry at the fact that Fanny knew. She knew what had happened just before dinner between Maria and himself.
Then she had spun to face them, giving them the full weight of her blazing eyes. Despite himself, Henry's heart was set aflutter, but she had not spared Henry even the smallest of glances, instead addressing Mr. Rushworth.
Henry finally registered the Rushworths' attention on him. They were in the drawing room while he remained in the hallway. As if expecting him to normalize this immediately. He guessed he could claim his wife was ill and to disregard her outburst, but he was not about to upturn her first true command as Lady of Everingham.
"I will have my man see to your travels." He gave the bewildered pair a bow. He was anxious to explain himself to his wife and he had exhausted all his manners on this tiresome couple.
Henry left, his mind already occupied with the words he would say to Fanny. What could he say? He wanted to express an apology for the Maria incident, but also explain that she had filled him with so much pride. Also somehow tell her how much he loved her. He almost tripped on the stairs by the very idea.
Upon reaching Fanny's rooms, Henry was met with a dutiful maid standing guard.
"Is there a problem?" Henry asked frowning.
"None, Master Crawford," The girl clasped her hands before her. "The mistress is not seeing anyone at the moment."
"Not…" He shook his head. "Not seeing anyone? The Rushworths are on their way out."
"No one, Master." She repeated.
"No one…" Henry paused a moment. "Including me?" He looked at her incredulous.
"No one, Master." She repeated again.
"Look, girl," He allowed himself to stand at his full height. "I am the master of this house."
The girl bowed, but straightened back up to her own full height which came to his chest. "No one, master." Her face full of determination.
Henry sighed. Had this situation occurred a few months ago, he would have certainly struck the girl and gone in anyway. It was his house anyhow. Now, however, he could not bring himself to do so. This girl's determination reminded him of Fanny not but a few moments ago and he knew also Fanny would be upset if he struck this girl. Regardless, it was nice to know Fanny had such loyal servants around her.
Henry ran a hand through his hair and asked the girl to fetch him if anything changed or if Fanny needed anything. She promised and bowed.
He returned to his rooms, wondering when he had allowed women to govern his life.
Maria was beyond insulted, she was completely livid. Her husband seemed to register her anger and mumbled an excuse about overseeing their removal from the estate, leaving her alone in the drawing room that should have belonged to her. Her. Not Fanny. Not that pale, sickly creature that crawled up from poverty using every sort of evil mechanism at her disposal.
As Maria looked around the room, she had a sudden urge to destroy the things that should have belonged to her. Those beautiful vases with freshly cut flowers, and those tasteful paintings, the elegant velvet drapes and even the dull books lining the shelves. They should have been hers. And now she was being thrown out in disgrace, from her own estate.
She rounded to the window and watched as her things were loaded onto the Rushworth carriage. They had planned to spend a few days. Maria had been so bored at the Rushworth estate, with its uninteresting company. She had planned to find some diversion here at Everingham for at least until Edmund's wedding, but Henry had resulted in such a bore and Fanny …
At this Maria, paused. Fanny had shown herself to be more than the silent child she had been. Maria had never been spoken to in such a manner. Perhaps she had never provoked Fanny enough or Fanny had developed a new temper at Everingham.
Regardless, Maria did not care. She would leave Everingham with her head held high and she would never return, or even acknowledge the Crawfords. The name was not in the same caliber after Fanny took it on anyhow.
There was, however, a possibility that it seemed as if Fanny gave her an order and she was obeying it. It left a horrible after-taste in Maria's mouth.
Remembering Fanny's speech, Maria formulated a plan. It was simple, but it at least settled Maria's insecurities. Calling a servant, she asked for a pen, ink and paper.
