August 27, 2014 – And so we begin Part II of this tale. In this section we will meet many original characters. Two of them are perhaps my favorite creations. And a bit of a spoiler/hint as we enter the Season, remember that Pride and Prejudice was originally called First Impressions for a very good reason. This chapter is a bit short. Ah well.
A Mother's Favorite Wish: Part II
Chapter 5
The months between when the de Bourghs left Perryton and the following Easter passed predictably slowly for Anne. The family had reconvened at Rosings for her seventeenth birthday. Once that soirée was complete, they traveled to Derbyshire. It was Lady Catherine's fondest wish that Darcy would approach her for Anne's hand, but he seemed in no hurry to fulfill her fancy. He was, as always, the polite and ever so correct host.
With the female branch of the family, Lady Catherine observed more success. Anne did, at least, enjoy spending more time in the presence of her youngest Darcy cousin. Georgiana was able to cast aside her timidity in the company of Anne and the two young ladies took long rides and drives around the vast estate. Many times, they surprised Georgiana's brother with the remote locations in which he would often happen upon them.
After saying goodbye to Pemberley, Lady Catherine took Anne to London to begin preparations for her coming out. This consisted of seemingly endless trips to the drapers, modistes and whomever else Lady Catherine deemed essential to the cause of Anne's triumphal season.
There were also several excursions to the opera and to the theatre. Either the Earl and Lady Perryton served as their escort, or his son, the Viscount, and his wife Lady Newman did the duty. Lady Catherine tried to cajole Darcy and Captain Fitzwilliam into the party, but neither man, noticeably single, would consent. Darcy would receive his family in his home, but he would not help facilitate any rumors by appearing in public with his not-yet-out Cousin de Bourgh.
The approach of spring hasted Lady Catherine back to Rosings. Her brother and nephew were expected to join them for their yearly inspection of the estate. Lady Catherine was surprised when her other nephew, Captain Fitzwilliam, joined the pair. He had come at the invitation of Darcy, who wanted a companion closer in age than the Earl.
The three gentlemen arrived in good spirits, fortified in numbers to face Lady Catherine's sure hints that Darcy would make Anne the best of husbands. That young lady was not inclined to agree. To her mind, her cousin Darcy had never shown her any marked preference. She was just as likely to engage Andrew Fitzwilliam in interesting conversation as she was Fitzwilliam Darcy. Surely this was not the attitude of a potential admirer? To him, she was just his "little cousin Anne" and no more.
Anne could not have been more wrong in her conjecture; her cousin Darcy had noticed her. How could he not? Her form had matured into one a man could not help but notice. She had a natural grace of movement that became more and more pleasing with each meeting.
And then there were her eyes.
Men could drown in them if they were not careful. Her bright, expressive eyes gave a glimpse of the intelligence, humor, and vivaciousness that was uniquely Anne.
Oh yes, Fitzwilliam Darcy had noticed his cousin Anne de Bourgh. How could he not as he watched her mature into a beautiful young lady?
He also remembered his comment five years before that he would allow her to become a woman before he decided if he would pursue her as her mother, and his, desired. Though seventeen and "almost-out", she was not ready for marriage – let alone courtship – at this time. She needed to be exposed to more of their world. She must face the ton. Only then might he know if they could be happy together.
The woman he married would need to be strong of character as well as strong of body. The duties of the Mistress of Pemberley were not simple, nor were they few. She must be a capable hostess, able to hold her own in the drawing room. Not that he was too enamored with society, but one day his wife would need to bring their children into those same drawing rooms he would rather avoid. She also must be intelligent enough to provide him with companionship and beautifully enough to fire his desires. In short, everything he hoped Anne to be.
Yet there was one more reason why he would wait until the end of the season to consider marriage: Anne deserved a chance to live for herself and explore society without the encumbrance of a declared suitor. She should be free to accept the attentions of men without worry of another's jealousy. After she had her taste of the world, then she would not wonder what she had missed if they did marry. To win such a woman was worth the wait, and required that he let her go before returning to lay claim to her affections. That was a woman worthy.
~~~/~~~
One night before the men left, Lady Catherine was intent upon securing Anne's partner for the opening set of her coming out ball.
"Darcy, have you asked Anne for the honor of opening the ball?"
"Aunt Catherine, far be it from me to presume…"
"Catherine, Anne will be dancing with me. I am her nearest male relation and her guardian," the Earl said as he turned to address his niece. "Of course, this is predicated upon your wishes. Will you dance with your old, decrepit uncle, Anne?"
Anne smiled brilliantly.
"With the risk of scandalizing my two worthless cousins, there is no other I would wish to dance the first time in public with than my scoundrel of an uncle."
"Anne!" exclaimed Lady Catherine.
"Mother, you know Uncle likes to believe he is a reformed rake who occasionally regresses."
"Anne!" her mother repeated, at a slightly louder and more indignant tone.
The deep laughter of Harold Fitzwilliam filled the room.
"Anne, you must not sport with your mother so."
"Stop encouraging her, Harold."
"Sister, whether I am encouraging her matters not, for your daughter takes after you; she will have her say in any matter."
Anne distinctly heard her cousins Darcy and Fitzwilliam choke back their laughter. Flashing her male relatives a triumphal grin, she schooled her features into her most innocent look as she turned to face her mother.
"I was just teasing my Uncle, Mama. Truly. He and I had already discussed the matter when we met last. I thought you had been informed."
"She had been," the Earl muttered, casting an accusatory look at his sister.
Lady Catherine chose to ignore his comment, instead focusing on her nephews.
"But you must dance with your cousin Darcy."
"Only her cousin Darcy? I say, what about me, or Martin?" asked the newly minted Major Andrew Fitzwilliam.
Lady Catherine glared at him.
"Stop being ridiculous, Andrew; we were speaking of Fitzwilliam."
Major Fitzwilliam ignored her implications.
"I would then like to take the opportunity to claim a dance with you Anne. The supper dance?"
That request earned him another glare from his aunt.
"Come now, Aunt Catherine! We all know how unsocial and taciturn Darcy is at a ball. What worse fate could I sentence my dear cousin Anne to than to oblige her to spend dinner having to make Darcy talk?"
Anne laughed and accepted his offer. She glanced over at Darcy; he did not appear upset with losing those particular dances to his relatives.
"Then you must ask Anne for the final set, Fitzwilliam," Lady Catherine demanded, her machinations in ruins on this occasion.
"I would be very honored if Anne would agree to your proposal, Aunt."
"Should you not be asking me, Cousin?" Anne challenged.
"Forgive me. Would you save the last set of the evening for me?"
Darcy's address was very formal. If Anne had been standing, she would have been tempted to drop him a courtesy. Instead she dipped her head.
"Gladly, sir."
What happened next surprised Anne. Darcy acknowledged her acceptance with a returned dip of the head, all the time holding her gaze. His eyes then darted towards Lady Catherine. When he saw her turn her attention back to the Earl, Darcy looked back at Anne and winked. Anne was so surprised that she thought she had imagined it. She looked at Darcy but he was attending something Lady Catherine had just said. Anne would have sworn she imagined the whole thing had she not glanced over at her other cousin. Andrew was staring at Anne, biting his fist, clearly trying not to laugh. He then winked at her and she knew Andrew had seen their cousin's gesture.
What in the world was going on?
~~~/~~~
Tired of the odd behavior of her cousins, Anne sought out the housekeeper. Perhaps Mrs. Stuart could help unravel the mystery of those insufferable men. They sat together in the Housekeepers office drinking tea.
"I tell you, Mrs. Stuart, it was almost like they had planned the exchange."
"Maybe they did. You should be grateful."
"How so? A lady does not liked to be force-marched into granting the prime dances to partners she does not wish."
"You do not wish to dance with your uncle or cousins?"
"No, no. I knew I would dance with my uncle as well as with my cousins, but honestly, what if I wished to be escorted to dinner by someone else I met at the ball?"
"I see now. You are imagining being introduced to some handsome stranger and allowing him to sweep you off your feet."
Maggie looked pointedly at Anne.
"I never said that."
Anne could deny words unspoken, but she could not deny the blush on her cheeks.
"Hmm. Since you asked me, I will give you my opinion. I think the Earl and the Major were very clever."
"Clever?" Anne asked, incredulously.
"Yes. Tell me this, do you want to marry Mr. Darcy?"
"I have no idea that I want to marry at all, let alone him!"
Maggie set her teacup on the table and folded her hands in her lap before focusing her attention slowly on her young friend.
"I have served your mother since before you were born. I know her as well as her closest confidants. Do you honestly believe she has not spoken her wish for you to marry Mr. Darcy to anyone?"
"Oh…"
"My guess is that everyone who will be at the ball will know what her plans are for the two of you. To open with Mr. Darcy, or to go to dinner with him would set tongues to wagging. He must dance with you at least once and it seems to me that the last set was the best choice for you."
"I had not thought of that."
"Obviously, but this is why you have me to come to for advice," she smirked. "Old Maggie has been around long enough to know a thing or two about the ways of the gentry."
"You have certainly taught me as much about life as my own mother."
Anne smiled wryly. Maggie patted her hand.
"Try not to be so hard on her, dear. Remember, she loves you in her own way."
"As long as she gets her way."
Both smiled.
"Would you care for more tea?"
"No, I have taken enough of your time today."
"You are always welcome, Miss de Bourgh."
Anne smiled a friendly smile. She knew Mrs. Stuart was sincere and she appreciated the offer. Maggie Stuart may have been a servant, but she was also a valued friend.
~~~/~~~
Faster than Anne would have thought possible the summer before, she was in the de Bourgh barouche on the way to London. Mrs. Jenkinsen, had gone on ahead with most of their luggage. Lady Catherine wanted this time alone with her daughter before the maelstrom on the Season began. Since her brother and nephews had left, Lady Catherine had spent hours recalling the past eighteen years.
She remembered her frustrations with her inability to conceive and the feelings of inferiority as other woman married around the same time bore their husbands' children. It took all the years between then and now for her to come to understand that her motives for her purloining an heir for Sir Lewis were more than a simple distaste for the marriage bed. No, deep within she had always wanted to be a mother and it had been a long time since she had considered of Anne as anything other than her own progeny. In many ways, she was. She may not have had the Fitzwilliam blood flowing through her veins, but she did have the Fitzwilliam aristocratic manner. She was intelligent and of strong character. Like Lady Catherine before her, Anne held to her convictions and would not be swayed by some weak-minded fool. She was also, thank God, a beautiful woman. She looked nothing like her family, that was too much to wish for, but she was certainly a credit to her adoptive family line.
After leaving the environs of the Park, Lady Catherine began her speech.
"Anne, dear. The day has finally come."
"So it has, Mama."
"It seems like only yesterday when you were first placed in my arms and now look at you. Men will find you irresistible."
Anne smiled at the thought.
"You know my wishes. You will not find many men as eligible as your cousin Darcy."
"I have told you, I do not wish to marry my cousin!"
"Which is the sole reason we are going to Town now."
"Would you have denied me my Season?"
"No, but I would have felt safer if you had already come to an understanding with Darcy," Lady Catherine said with a sigh. "Anne, you will meet many men in the next few months. Most of them will not be worth your notice. They are neither wealthy enough nor as well connected to match your own. They will whisper sweet nonsense in your ear and try to catch you as surely as a spider catches its prey. As Darcy's intended, you would have been spared most of the unwanted attention you shall receive."
"I know that I must be wary of fortune hunters."
"And the same is true of Darcy. Many women have set their cap at him over the past few years and he has steadfastly not allowed himself to be trapped. I know you are not ready to have him, but please, do not reject his protection when in society. Your family will all look after you; nevertheless, you have a responsibility to the family to refrain from knowingly placing yourself in compromising positions. I have not spent the last years overseeing your education for you to ruin things now."
"Mother, I am no child to be put upon see easily by men," Anne defended herself.
"Nonetheless, those men will try anyhow."
Lady Catherine grabbed her daughter's hand, which surprised Anne.
"I want you to enjoy the next few months. It will do no harm to dance and flirt a little. I am not so old that I do not remember the thrill of seeing the admiration of a man. I ask that you remember your duty to me and all the family to bring honor to our houses."
"You know I will try not to embarrass you."
"Yes child, I know. But sometimes you are too much like your father, outspoken and hardheaded."
"Why thank you, Mother," Anne replied with saucy grin.
"I did not mean it as a compliment."
Lady Catherine tried to keep a stern look on her face; she failed. Anne's vivacity had, slowly, over the years, brought out in Lady Catherine the ability to laugh at herself. Of course, it was a trait only exhibited in the presence of her treasured daughter. No one else would believe it possible.
I really did enjoy writing this Lady Catherine!