Edited by nanciellen

PPP

The bedchamber was dimly lit by the rays of the afternoon sun; an extremely thin and pale lady of about thirty was lying between pillows, and sitting next to her was a lady of about fifty who was sitting reading a book aloud to the younger woman.

Seeing Darcy walk in, Anne smiled weakly and said softly to Mrs. Jenkinson. "Maria, please, I would like to talk to my cousin alone."

Mrs. Jenkinson nodded, leaving Anne's bedchamber and closing the door.

"How are you feeling, Anne?"

"Without help, I do not have the strength to get up of this bed anymore. Please, sit in the chair where Mrs. Jenkinson was sitting."

Darcy obeyed and Anne began to speak, "I am glad you came, Darcy. What I am going to tell you is very delicate, and I couldn't make up my mind if I should tell you or not." She took a deep breath. "I know that two years ago you proposed to Miss Bennet at Hunsford and she turned you down."

Darcy's eyes widened in surprise and he asked, "How would you know that?"

"Mrs. Collins' maid is a 'spy' for my mother; she overheard your conversation with Miss Bennet that night and told my mother all the details."

"Is that all you wanted to tell me?"

Anne shook her head, "No; what I want to tell you is something else but it is the consequence of your feelings for Miss Bennet. May I continue?"

Darcy nodded.

"As you already know, my mother's great dream was uniting Pemberley with Rosings so that we would be one of the richest and most powerful families in the Kingdom. The other reason was that if you married me, my mother could stay and lord over Rosings for the rest of her life."

Darcy nodded again, and Anne continued, "On the other hand, for the past couple of years our uncle, Lord Matlock, has been pressuring my mother to have me marry either the Viscount or Richard since the Earldom is facing severe financial problems."

"Why wouldn't your mother want you to be a Viscountess?"

"My mother knows very well that the viscount would probably throw her out of Rosings right away and I would not be surprised if he sells the estate or loses it in a bet."

Darcy nodded, knowing full well that the Viscount was a very irresponsible man who was very fond of gambling and whoring.

"I strayed off topic." She took a deep breath, and continue, "My mother knew that Wickham was in Meryton and that Miss Bennet was somewhat fond of him. So, she hired him to ruin Miss Bennet or one of her sisters in exchange for £1,000. My mother thought that if Miss Bennet was ruined you would forget about her and you would marry me."

Darcy was taken by surprise; he could never have imagined that Lady Catherine could be behind the ruin of the Bennet family. "So that was why Wickham eloped with Miss Bennet's younger sister."

Anne nodded her head.

With difficulty, Darcy asked, "Do you know where Wickham and Miss Bennet's sister are?"

Anne shook her head. "All I know is that Wickham showed up here at Rosings a few months ago and asked my mother for more money. He was wanted by the militia as a deserter and had to leave England as soon as possible. He threatened her that if she did not give him money, he would tell you everything."

"Did your mother give him the money he asked for?"

Anne shook her head. "I don't think she did, Darcy. I would not be surprised if she gave him away to be hanged as a deserter or if she herself hired somebody to kill him."

Darcy grew even more pale; he couldn't believe her aunt was capable of having someone killed. "Are you sure, Anne? What you say is very serious."

"Of course, I am sure, I heard several of the conversations myself and I know what my mother is capable of." She looked into his cousin's eyes, "I also know that it was my mother who hired someone to start the fire at Pemberley so that you would get away from Miss Bennet for good."

Darcy furiously clenched his fists, three people had died in the fire and his aunt was responsible. Lady Catherine had to pay for her crimes! Taking several deep breaths to calm himself, he replied, "Thank you for telling me all this, Anne. Do you have any evidence that I can present to the magistrate?"

Anne shook her head. "I do not have any evidence and I do not have the strength to go to a trial, and no one is going to believe an invalid." She sighed. "I am telling you this because I know I am dying, and I want to die with a clear conscience." She took a deep breath, "My mother is a tyrant, she destroyed so many lives and I do not want her to continue living in Rosings. In order to bequeath you Rosings I need for you to marry me, Darcy."

Darcy's eyes widened in surprise, and Anne continued speaking, "it is the only solution I can think of since I would not be surprised if my mother falsified documents to continue living in Rosings until she dies."

Darcy took a deep breath, and so many images came to his mind... From Elizabeth's tearful face when she learned that her sister had eloped with Wickham; to the fire at Pemberley. It was all his aunt's fault…and she had to pay for what she did!