Author's Notes: This chapter got away from me a bit, but I promise Rose and John will meet again soon. (Rose will be leaving home in the next chapter... :)
I have been struggling a bit lately, so if you are still with me and enjoying this, please leave a review - just a couple words would be wonderful! They really do give me the confidence and motivation to keep writing! And much love to all of you who have reviewed!
Beta'd by lastincurableromantic
At last Mr. Collins again prepared to return to home to Hunsford. Rose made an effort to be friendly whenever she saw him, knowing he received little kindness from the other occupants of the house, but she could not even think how to approach the elephant in the room: his surprising and fast-approaching marriage to her friend. Several times he had seemed on the verge of saying something to her as well, but his nerves always won out.
Then he was gone, and Rose's regret was pushed aside with the approaching Christmas holiday and the arrival of her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Her uncle was a good-natured, honest man who made a fair living at trade yet had the manners and generosity of a gentleman. His wife, Harriet, had always been a favorite with her nieces and had developed a close friendship with Rose and Donna as they grew. She was kind and smart and, even though she was several years older than Jackie, the girls often found her more understanding and easier to talk to.
"Oh, my dears! It's so good to see you again," their aunt greeted them, bursting forth from the carriage to embrace Rose and Donna in turn. They had heard the buggy's arrival upstairs and rushed out to welcome their relatives. Rose beamed. She had always adored Aunt Harriet's exuberance and directness. Harriet was just as opinionated as her younger sister, but put her persistence and intelligence to better use; she was always championing one cause or another, trying to make life better for someone.
Hustling them towards the front door, Mrs. Gardiner called out a cheery greeting to the rest of the family, who quickly gathered in the sitting room to share the latest gossip and quiz her on the current London fashions. Her husband ambled after them with an amused smile, letting the girls have their 'catch-up.' Pete stopped him just before he entered the room, motioning silently for him to follow. He soon found himself happily hidden away in the relative quiet of Pete's study, where they alternately discussed world affairs and shared a companionable silence.
Jackie had, of course, quite readily conveyed her latest grievances to her sister, though Harriet had already heard most of it from her nieces' letters. She hummed sympathetically in all the right places and patted Jackie's hand, yet took the first opportunity to spare the girls by changing the subject. It was quite natural, after all, for a mother to worry over her children, though the she and Jackie might disagree a bit over what was "best" for them.
When Harriet found a moment to speak with Rose in private, she voiced her concerns about Donna. "I do hate what has happened with your sister. It sounds as if they might have actually made a good match. But I suppose it is quite common, unfortunately, for a young man to become taken with a girl for a short time, yet when circumstance separates them to forget her. Men. Quite fickle, if you ask me," she sighed.
Rose's eyes blazed, and her aunt was startled by the intensity of emotion in them. "Yeah, he's fickle alright! But it was no accident, Aunt! Meddling, the lot of them - his sisters and his "supposed" friend! And he let them lead him away, even though he was madly in love with her!"
Fortunately, her aunt managed to keep her amusement in check, instead fastening her niece with a stern look. "Madly in love, Rose? You know such words are just as often applied to a fleeting fancy as a real attachment. Did you see any evidence of this madness?" she continued, her interest quite evident despite her teasing smile.
"He was drawn to her from the start," Rose replied, and Harriet's smile faded at the sadness in her voice. "Well, it was mutual, really. They were drawn to each other. Each time they met they became more lost in their own little world. By the end of his visit they hardly took notice of anything else, even when you spoke directly to them. It was quite ridiculous, really."
Rose smiled softly before reality crowded back in, her eyes seeking out her aunt's. "She was finally starting to open up to him, to be herself. And I'm worried that this rejection might hurt her more than we know." Tears welled up behind Rose's eyes at the unfairness of it all.
"Oh, darling, come here," her aunt soothed, wrapping her arms around Rose, who willingly leaned into her side. "Our poor Donna. Honestly, I'd rather it had happened to you, dear. You would have laughed it off sooner. Perhaps... do you think she'd be willing to return to town with us? A change of scene might be just what she needs."
"Oh, that's a marvelous idea, Aunt! I'm sure she'd love it!"
"Of course, she shouldn't hope to run into this Mr. Harkness there. We live in a very different part of town and move in separate circles. It would be most unlikely."
Rose snorted. "Nearly impossible, I'd say, as he is now staying with his friend. I'm sure Mr. Smith wouldn't think of stooping so low as to even walk by Gracechurch Street, much less call there, and since Mr. Harkness seems incapable of acting on his own behalf, I think you should be safe."
"Good. I think that's for the best. But what about his sister? Aren't she and Donna friends?"
"I don't think you have any cause to worry there, either. I fear her affection was even more fleeting and less genuine than her brother's."
To their great relief, Donna eagerly embraced the chance to get away for awhile, probably as much to escape the constant speculation and gossip as anything else. She had fully convinced herself that Mr. Harkness' kindness to her had been just that, and her only thought of him now was a sense of relief that, if she went to visit his sister, she'd run very little risk of seeing him there.
The Gardiners stayed for a week, during which Jackie enjoyed playing hostess, keeping them so busy with dinners and outings that they were rarely at the house. They met with the officers rather often during this time, giving Mrs. Gardiner leave to observe Mr. Saxon, of whom she had heard so much. Her shrewd eyes noted with concern the close friendship between him and Rose, but she did not see signs of anything deeper.
She soon found her own reasons for enjoying his company when she learned that he had grown up near her childhood home of Darbyshire. While he had not been there for years, it had been even longer for her, and they had fun comparing the names and faces from their memories. She remembered the late Mr. Smith fondly; he had been well-known and loved in the neighboring village for his kindness and generosity. She had mourned his loss then, and did again now, as it appeared by Mr. Saxon's account that his son fell far short of his dear father's memory.
As Rose helped her to pack her things the day before they were to leave, Harriet gently broached the subject of Rose's relationship with Mr. Saxon. "I hope you will not mind me asking, Rose, out of love for you, that you guard yourself against any stronger feelings towards Mr. Saxon. I will admit, he is quite charming and friendly, but it would not be a wise or prudent choice, with so little income on either side."
Rose looked up, a bit surprised by her aunt's somber advice. "You are very serious, Aunt Harriet. Are you worried about me?"
"I am quite serious, Rose, and no, I'm not terribly worried about you just yet. But you should be careful."
"I should. And so I will make every effort to see that he does not fall in love with me," Rose quipped, brown eyes dancing merrily.
At her aunt's reproving glance, Rose tried to adopt a more solemn tone. "Alright, Aunt. Forgive me. I can only jest because I am not in love with him, though I'll admit I do enjoy his company. But I can see why you would warn me. It is so unfair. That awful Mr. Smith! I will try not to disappoint you or my family. Yet people often fall in love and marry without assurance of fortune or security. I cannot promise that I will not one day abandon everything else for love. To be honest, Aunt, I want that more than anything, to feel that way for someone. That nothing else mattered as long as we were together. But," she stipulated, seeing both understanding and worry in her aunt's face, "I do not feel that way for Mr. Saxon. And I promise not to be in a hurry about it, okay?"
Harriet sighed. "I suppose that'll have to do, dear. I'd expect no less of you, to be honest." She cupped Rose's face in her hand, thinking how similar they were: headstrong and bright, and unwilling to settle for something simply because it had always been or because it was expected.
The Gardiners left the next day, taking a subdued but smiling Donna with them. Rose stood in the road watching them leave and felt hope stir within her against her better judgment. She couldn't help it; it was part of her nature. She raised a hand in farewell, grinning hugely as Donna leaned out of the carriage, waving with child-like abandon as they turned the corner that took them out of sight. If only Jack could see her once again... Remembering the look of adoration on his face when he was with her sister, she just that knew she hadn't been mistaken. He'd been pulled in by her, and maybe, just maybe if they met again, his affection would be rekindled and he would fight for her, for them. Like he should have in the first place.
Two days later Mr. Collins returned, this time staying with his soon-to-be in-laws. The town buzzed with the usual joyful hub-bub of an approaching wedding. Even Jackie found it within her to hope that they would be happy, if they could.
While Rose prepared for the wedding, her emotions were tumbling about tumultuously inside her. Regret and loss were the strongest, though, and she desperately wanted to clear the air with Martha before her friend left. No, Rose. She did need to apologize, but she would not allow her selfishness to intrude upon her friend's happiness today. There would be plenty of time for talking later, she told herself.
Once at the church she found herself studying Mickey curiously. He looked quite handsome, but what she noticed the most was the brilliant, genuine smile that lit his face, which somehow stretched wider as his bride entered the room.
Martha was radiant. Rose's breath caught in her throat, tears of joy streaming down her face at the undeniable love she saw before her. She could read it in their faces, could hear it as they spoke their vows. She laughed at herself a little, thinking how even the people you thought you knew best could still surprise you, and how happy she was for that.
She waited beside the path outside the church with the rest of their family and friends, knowing that a quick hug might be all she could get in before the couple was whisked away to Hunsford.
She was surprised, therefore, when Martha, who had been making happy yet hasty goodbyes on their way to the waiting carriage, practically rushed her, pulling her into a tight hug. They shared teary laughter as they embraced, wordless relief and forgiveness passing between them.
Rose pulled back first, still clinging to Martha's hands. "I'm so sorry. I should've known, should've trusted you, Martha. I am so happy for both of you," she managed through her tears, including Mickey with her radiant smile. His look of surprise soon changed to tenderness as he watched them together, and he surprised her when he mouthed a silent "thank you."
"Thanks, Rose. And yeah, you should have," Martha joked, but there was no anger in her voice. "We'll write, okay? And my father and Tish are going to visit in March. I'd love for you to come, too."
Rose willingly agreed as the happy couple were pulled down the line, and minutes later they began the journey towards what would now be their home. Rose begged off from her family to wander alone through the fields she and Martha had run through as children, not minding the stillness nor the chill in the air. All she knew was the lightness that had suddenly returned to her heart.
The next few weeks saw a flurry of correspondence at the Tyler home. Martha and Rose, true to their word, wrote each other often. Rose was delighted by the easy renewal of their friendship and looked forward to the letters detailing her friend's new life in the parish. She could sense a slight disappointment from Martha in the way her husband had slipped back into old habits. Of course she knew that true change took time, especially when one returned to a familiar setting and the reign of a rather tyrannical patroness. He was trying, however, with much encouragement and support from Martha, and her friend seemed, on the whole, quite cheerful and content.
Donna had written to confirm that they had arrived safely in London. Rose waited rather impatiently for her next letter, hoping that it might bring some news of Mr. Harkness. Unfortunately they were both disappointed in that, as Donna had still not heard from him or his sister. She explained it away by claiming that her letter to Reinette must have gotten lost. Rose hoped rather than believed that to be true.
The next week Donna had paid Reinette a visit when business happened to bring the Gardiners into that part of town. 'Reinette seemed out-of-sorts, saying that while of course she was pleased to see me, I should have let them know I was in town. So my letter must indeed have gotten lost.' Rose huffed in disbelief at that. 'I asked after her brother, who is well but so often off with Mr. Smith that they hardly see him. She and her sister had to leave soon after I arrived, but I expect that she will return my visit in the next day or so.'
With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Rose realized that if Jack were to ever discover Donna's presence in town, it would be purely accidental.
No such happy accident occurred, however, and the letter Rose received more than two weeks later effectively sealed the matter. Rose heard nearly all her suspicions confirmed, and she had never hated being right more than in that moment. Donna had waited at home every morning for two weeks, expecting Reinette to call, but had not received so much as a note until she showed up that morning.
'I'm really not even sure why she bothered to visit, Rose. She was cold and reserved, treating me as if I were a stranger. It was plain that she took no pleasure in seeing me and made no mention of visiting again. I cannot understand it, after she made such an effort to befriend me when they were at Torchwood. I know you love me too much to gloat, but you saw the truth of it. I am so angry and hurt right now, Rose. She has treated me badly, but I still feel sorry for her, because I believe she acts only out of worry for her brother. She admits to his knowing I am in town, yet he has not called or written. How does she not realize that I am nothing to him?
Oh, I miss you terribly, Rose.
My aunt and uncle are both so kind and attentive to me, and they send their love to the family. I am delighted that you and Martha have made up, and I hope you have a wonderful visit with her and our cousin and find them blissfully married. Yours ever, Donna.
The sadness contained within her words brought tears to Rose's eyes, though she was glad that Donna was no longer fooled, by the sister at least. While she was not very surprised by the change in Reinette's behavior, she felt sorely disappointed by Jack and angry with herself for trusting him and encouraging her sister's affection. Rose's arms ached, desperate to comfort the sister who was miles away and suffering from a broken heart.