August 25, 2014 – Short chapter, but it was the natural stopping place. I will post again on Wednesday and Friday to make up for it.

Chapter 4

About a week after the arrival of the de Bourgh ladies to Perryton, Georgiana Darcy arrived in the company of her elder brother. Following Lady Catherine's demand that Georgiana come to live with her at Rosings Park after her father's demise – and Darcy's adamant refusal to consent to such a scheme – the relationship between the mistress of Rosings and the master of Pemberley had cooled considerably. Only lately had both sides resumed their previous levels of communication. Darcy did not stay long at Perryton. Business called him back to Derbyshire, but he knew his sister was looking forward to seeing her favorite cousin and thus had taken the time to bring her to their Uncle's estate.

Anne had taken a strong liking to her youngest cousin. The time she spent at Pemberley after the death of her uncle Darcy had only strengthen her fondness for the girl. Having grown up without a father, Anne could understand some of the feelings of unsettled absence Georgiana suffered. Yet that was not what had drawn Anne, four years older, to Miss Darcy. Anne saw in Georgiana a young girl who could be painfully shy and desperate for female companionship. She sought to provide that companionship.

Her reasons were not wholly selfless. With the need for a friend, she could sympathize. Like her cousin, Anne had no sisters in which to confide. Her wealth also contributed toward her feelings of isolation. Her mother would never stand for her to befriend the child of a servant or tenant. If Anne were pressed for the person she considered her closest confidant, she would truthfully reply that it was her housekeeper! Aunt Anne Darcy had once been that to her, and when that lady died, both she and Georgiana lost someone very dear. So, whenever the family gathered, Anne was able to put aside the differences in age and maturity and delight in Cousin Georgiana's company.

Of course, Anne's acceptance of Georgiana – a mere "child" in the eyes of Lady Newman – in the drawing room, made Matilda Fitzwilliam even more insufferable and Anne took every opportunity to remind her of their differences of birth.

"Lady Newman, how wonderful it must be to be secure in the knowledge that your children will enjoy their childhood in Perryton!" Anne enquired one afternoon. "I am sure Cousin Georgiana will agree that there is nothing finer than the freedom of a country estate. I spent much time as a girl wandering around the grounds at Rosings. It is a shame that you were not afforded the same opportunity. Living your whole life in Town must have been stifling. Did you ever long for a ride in the countryside?"

"I assure you I felt no such dissatisfaction. There are many amusements found in Town that are unknown in the country. My father saw to it that I wanted for nothing."

"Yes, it is comforting to have the best of everything."

Anne turned to address her mother.

"Mother, do you remember first time I took my phaeton and pony for a drive around Rosings?" she asked.

"How could I forget?! You were determined to run the poor thing through its paces."

"The groom you sent with me was ready to take the reins from me at the slightest sign of trouble," she said with chagrin. "Tell me, Lady Newman, do you enjoy driving?"

Anne knew the woman neither knew how to drive nor wished to learn.

"I prefer to let my coachmen do their jobs."

"Oh, but you miss the thrill of the wind in your face and the feel of the strength of your team through the leads. Do you not agree, Georgiana?"

"I must certainly do!" she cried.

Anne was pleased to see that her young cousin's face lit up with unsophisticated joy and she continued thusly –

"Fitzwilliam began teaching me to drive this summer. I have been pleading with him for a few years to let me learn. He finally relented and even accompanied me on some trips to the more remote parts of the park."

Georgiana realized she was the center of attention and lowered her eyes in a closer examination of the pattern of the carpet. Anne, sitting next to her, discreetly squeezed her hand. She felt a little guilty using Georgiana in her game of annoying her other cousin – but only just a little.

"Now that you have witnessed our cousin's enthusiasm, Lady Newman. Perhaps you might persuade your husband to give you lessons. I cannot imagine Martin saying no."

"Lord Newman has more important matters to attend to," she insisted, distain apparent in her voice. Anne was quick to respond.

"Forgive me, Cousin, helping my uncle with Perryton must take up much of your husband's time." Here Anne paused for effect. "Well, it is the lot of all of us who own a grand estate. Fortunately, my uncle and my cousin Darcy have found a very capable steward to run mine. Mama and I are very grateful for their assistance."

"Anne certainly is aware of her fortune as heiress of Rosings, Lady Newman. It will make a fine inheritance for a second son, one day." Lady Catherine added.

"Speaking of Anne's matrimonial prospects, have you set a date for her presentation or her coming out ball?" Alice Fitzwilliam asked, effectively changing subjects.

"I was speaking with Harold about his yearly visit yesterday. He wanted to confirm his plan to travel to Rosings with Fitzwilliam at the beginning of April. Since the season should start almost immediately after Easter, I think we will seek a date for her ball in the middle of the month and her presentation in early May."

"Ten more months, Anne. They will be gone before you know it," Aunt Alice opined.

"I am looking forward to it. I wish it could be sooner, but Mama insisted that I would not come out during the Little Season."

"I should think not!" Lady Catherine looked scandalized at the mere thought. "It will not hurt to wait the extra three to four months."

"And she has promised a few trips to Town and the theatre and opera this winter," Anne enthused.

"Certainly within allowable activities for a young woman not yet out, as long as you have the proper escort. Harold and I will be in London some of that time. We would be happy to accompany you and Anne, Catherine." Lady Perryton offered, and then added, "Martin and Matilda will be in Town then, as well. Surely Martin will agree to do his duty to his cousin?"

"Undoubtedly," Lady Newman replied and said no more.

Conversation continued about Anne's upcoming birthday and her coming out the next year. Her aunt and her mother debated the merits of certain fashions with her cousin Matilda adding more to the conversation. Georgiana quickly became bored but tried desperately not to show it, afraid she would be sent from the company of the adults if she did.

Anne took pity on her, and skillfully extracted herself from the conversation to speak with Georgiana.

"Such talk of finery and lace loses its charms after a while."

"I am very interested to learn all I can, Cousin," she said in all sincerity

"Georgiana, dear, I am not."

Anne gave her a significant look, combined with the ever-effective raised eyebrow.

"Oh…"

"Would you like for me to make our excuses and, say, go riding?"

Georgiana's eye grew wide and she nodded her head.

"Mother," Anne said, interrupting the conversation she had just abandoned, "Georgiana and I wish to go riding, with your permission of course."

Before Lady Catherine could answer, her sister-in-law spoke up.

"Let the girls go, Catherine. I think a little exercise will do them good."

"Very well, but do not go far and take groom with you. It would not do for you to become lost. Georgiana's brother would never forgive you."

"That is assuming I was found again. Come Georgiana, we must change while the servants are preparing the horses."

~~~/~~~

Lincolnshire being… Lincolnshire, the terrain was too flat for the ladies to get lost if they had ventured out alone. The groom needed only to stay a respectable distance away whilst the girls allowed their mounts to wander about the estate.

This was not the first time the two had gone out riding together. The past few years they had explored both Rosings and Pemberley this way. Obviously, there was much more to see in Derbyshire than Kent, but that did not discourage the girls when they were together in the south.

Georgiana and Anne had also been correspondents for several years. Anne thought fondly of the improvements in penmanship and in the crafting of words she had observed in her cousin's letters. Georgiana had last written about the changes to take place come autumn.

"Has your brother decided on what school you are to attend?"

"If he has, he has not told me. I so wish I did not have to go. I would prefer to remain at Pemberley. You never were sent away from Rosings."

"That is only because my mother did not trust anyone else to see me become a refined young woman of superior breeding and intelligence."

Georgiana giggled; Anne had finished her sentence perfectly mimicking Lady Catherine's voice.

"You should not speak so, Cousin."

"You, Cousin, only say that because your guardian's voice is too low to do justice."

Georgiana responded by saying, in as deep a tone as she found possible, "I have no idea what you mean."

Anne laughed and her horse shook its head in response.

"Careful, if my mother knew you were becoming capable of such impertinence she would make Cousin Darcy keep you as far away from me as is possible."

"But then where would I go when you married him?" Georgiana asked in mock horror.

"Please, not you too! It is bad enough that Mama is constantly hinting that such a match is my one true duty in life without my intended's sister forwarding the same."

"Would it be such a horrible fate being married to Fitzwilliam?"

"I am in no hurry to be married to anyone. Mama may push me towards your brother, but I am just as capable of pushing back. I plan to enjoy my first season without any promises to anyone."

"What does Aunt Catherine say to that?"

"Plenty, I assure you. Not that I always listen."

"Anne!" Georgiana scolded. Anne just laughed and urged her horse into a trot, calling on her cousin to catch up.

~~~/~~~

All too soon for Anne, it was time to return to Rosings. She said goodbye to Georgiana – who would be leaving Perryton for her new school – and took leave of her other cousins and her aunt and uncle.

The time in Lincolnshire had been well spent. Despite her protestations to Georgiana, much had been planned for Anne's first season. Shopping trips to town had been arranged and a date for her ball had been set. Anne even came to an unspoken truce with Lady Newman. They still did not call each other by their Christian names, but Anne had ceased to bait the other woman. Anne was no fool, and a rather good judge of character; thus, she was able to sense how much Martin really did like his wife. Matilda Fitzwilliam was a proud and pampered woman, but she made her husband content in his marriage and that was worthy of Anne's respect.

Anne supposed she had better get used to meeting such people once she was out. As Miss de Bourgh, she did not want for wealth or connections. She could be discriminating in her eventual selection of a mate; women like Lady Newman were not so fortunate. What she had not lacked in fortune, she had lacked in family. That was the reason why her match to Cousin Martin was so well made. Anne silently thanked her mother and her dearly-departed father. She, at least, would never be forced to choose a husband by any reason other than the inclination of her heart.

End of Part I

Part II will end with us back to the Prologue in the story timeline.