August 29, 2014 – Late night last night. First football game of the college season and my son's first game in the ASUSDMB. It's been a dream of his for years to be in that band and his parents could not have been more proud. Anyway, I'm pretty tired right now. I got to bed in the wee hours of the morning so forgive any egregious typos.
Thanks for sticking with me. I've noticed my numbers are way down for this story. I'm not surprised. This isn't your normal P&P fanfic.
Time to meet one of my favorite original characters and for Anne's first ball.
Chapter 6
It was a few days before Anne's ball and Lady Catherine sat in her study reviewing the list of tasks she wished the staff to accomplish before sundown. She was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come," the great lady said with unquestioned authority. She was shocked by the identity of the interloper.
"Close the door, Stuart!" she hissed
Maggie dutifully did as she was requested, though she would have done it anyway. She was in no hurry to undermine her position at Rosings with the gossip of the servants in Town. Calmly, she walked over to the chair facing her mistress's desk and sat down with her hands folded in her lap.
"I did not give you leave to sit in my presence."
"I have missed our daily conferences as well, your ladyship." Maggie said, ignoring Lady Catherine.
"Why are you here? I did not summon you to Town! What about your duties at Rosings?"
Lady Catherine was working herself into a temper.
"I have closed the house for the duration of your stay in London as instructed. Once I was satisfied that everything was in order and I could afford to be missed, I hurried to assist you here."
"I have everything firmly under control, as usual. Mrs. Barker has no need of you."
"As I gathered when I spoke to her. Good! Then I can devote myself to Miss de Bourgh's needs."
"Mrs. Jenkinsen and her maid are perfectly capable. You are not needed and shall return to Rosings at once. Be gone, before I am of a mind to let you go."
Maggie unfolded her hands and placed them on her knees as leaned forward.
"We both know you cannot do that without my consent," she said.
"I have not asked for much these past eighteen years. I have served you faithfully and kept all of your secrets. I have watched over your daughter as a second mother. I am here because she means as much to me as she does to you and I would like to observe her moment of triumph. Do not worry; I will not interfere, nor will I be seen. I have been a servant too long to not know my place. Please, allow me this and I will return to Kent after the ball."
Throughout the speech, Lady Catherine's hard visage softened. If she had a weakness, it was Anne. It was obvious that her housekeeper held her daughter in great affection. And she had been very loyal...
"Very well. Speak to Mrs. Barker and apprise her of the situation. Anne will be surprised to see you."
Maggie stood and curtsied, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"As surprised as you were. Thank you, Ma'am. I will see my counterpart and then go to Miss deBourgh. Thank you."
Her Ladyship nodded her head and then turned her attention back to her list. Maggie left and as soon as the door was closed, Lady Catherine dropped her pen back on the desktop and began rubbing her temples. Eighteen years ago, she had made a bargain with the devil. For most of those years, the devil had hidden her horns. Yes, Stuart loved Anne as much as she did and Lady Catherine highly doubted she would betray their secret. Still, leave it to Stuart to pick a perfect time to remind her that, despite the housekeeper's absolute devotion to Anne, those horns were still sharp and very, very dangerous.
~~~/~~~
Anne was surprised see Mrs. Stuart, and very happy too. The prospect of a ball seemed a little less intimidating with her there. In reality, there was very little for Maggie to do – other than stay out of the way. Anne's maid and Mrs. Jenkinsen saw to almost everything. The ball gown had been finished and delivered weeks ago. Pieces from both the Fitzwilliam and de Bourgh family jewels had been selected. The only uncertainty seemed to be how the young debutante would wear her hair. Maggie spent an entire day keeping Anne company whilst her maid tried different styles and Lady Catherine was summoned after each one to pronounce judgment.
"I do think that becomes you very well, Miss," Perkins, Anne's lady's maid, commented after she put the final touches on the third attempt.
"I agree." Maggie turned to the other female in the room. "What do you think, Miss Darcy?"
"I like it," the girl shyly replied.
"You liked the two before!" Anne teased.
"But you looked beautiful in each style."
"Have a care, Miss Darcy; flattery will get you everywhere. I may put in a word with your brother to let you spend the night here, after all. I know you want to spy on all the elegant ladies and handsome gentleman." Georgiana giggled. Anne turned her head from side to side, looking at her reflection in the mirror. "I do like this one the best, though. Shall we summon my mother again?"
"I will bring her," Maggie volunteered. Before she left the room she looked back at the young woman being primped with as much pride as the lady she was going to see.
Lady Catherine hurried in for what was hoped to be an approval.
"Do not just sit there, stand up and let me take a good look at you." Anne rolled her eyes, and stood. Lady Catherine walked closer. "Turn around," she commanded.
Anne complied, with a shake of her head.
"Yes, this is the best by far, it will do nicely one you bring down a strand on the back of her neck," Lady Catherine said, finally satisfied with the arrangements. "Finish preparing her, Perkins."
After Lady Catherine had left, Anne sat down and let her maid go to work.
"I must admit to feeling, with my mother circling about as she was, like a prized filly at Tattersall's!"
~~~/~~~
It was nearly time. The family had arrived before the guests.
The earl, his sons, and Darcy were waiting as Anne practiced coming down the stairs and making her entrance.
Uncle Fitzwilliam met her at the bottom of the steps and offered her his arm. He smiled as she placed her hand on his coat sleeve and covered hers with his.
"You look enchanting, my dear. Your father would have been so proud."
"Thank you, sir." Her voice was bit unsure. "I only wish he could have been here."
He patted her hand and steered them towards the other two men. "I look forward to our dance. I will leave you with these two. Try to behave like a gentleman, son."
Major Fitzwilliam had by that time managed to regain his composure he lost when he first saw Anne, although his appreciation for Anne's beauty still shown in his eyes.
"Perhaps I should spare you the trial of a season and whisk you away to Gretna Green. As you know, a second son needs to marry very well."
Anne laughed.
"Oh, I could never marry you."
"Why not?" he teased, pretending to be affronted.
"Because I like you too well to fall in love with you."
Major Fitzwilliam threw back his head laughing, then asked, "And what of our cousin Darcy?"
Anne arched her brow.
"My mother likes him too well."
Even Darcy smirked. Not wishing to be out done by his cousin, Darcy ventured into the exchange, asking, "How about your cousin, Arthur de Bourgh?"
Without hesitation Anne quipped, "I could never accept my Cousin Arthur; I am afraid he is already in love… with my estate."
The man in question had just arrived. He walked over and drew Anne's hand up for a kiss. Only she saw him wink at her.
"Why Anne, how could you be so cruel? Of course I fell in love with Rosings before I had a chance to fall for you. I have known it longer."
"Arthur, I believe you know my cousins?"
"It is good to see you again, Captain… I mean Major Fitzwilliam. Always a pleasure, Darcy." After exchanging the appropriate greetings with the rest of the party, Arthur de Bourgh addressed Anne.
"Have you room left on your card for a poor relation?" he asked.
"The one with a notorious reputation of a rakish fop?" Anne lightly smacked his arm with her fan. He rubbed his arm and executed another bow.
"The very one."
"Arthur, you are neither poor, nor are you a fop. Rakish, however…"
"Shhh! Ladies are not supposed to know of these things, Cousin," he said in a stage whisper.
Anne laughed in delight. Her other two cousins watched the exchange with a small amount of alarm, wondering if Anne knew what she was doing. Arthur de Bourgh really did have a reputation for being a scoundrel, yet she must dance with him.
"I am free for the second, if you wish it."
"Which of your cousins has the honor of opening with you?" Arthur de Bourgh glanced at the other men, as if sizing up the competition. Neither looked too happy to see him.
"Neither. My uncle has engaged the first. Major Fitzwilliam has asked for the dinner dance and Mr. Darcy has claimed the last."
"Then I shall be happy with the second. Now if you will excuse me, Lady Catherine seems to be coming and I will leave you before she chases me away."
With that, Mr. de Bourgh left them to face the displeasure of Anne's mother. Neither Darcy nor the major seemed happy to be left behind to face Lady Catherine's upcoming diatribe.
"I see my wayward nephew has arrived and wasted no time in seeking you out."
"He was invited, Mother."
"I suppose he came to claim a dance?"
"We are holding a ball," Anne said, just managing not to roll her eyes.
"Anne, be on your guard. I would put nothing past the man. Darcy, Fitzwilliam, see to it that Mr. de Bourgh does not importune Anne. It is your family duty." Before anyone could respond, she continued. "I should tell the servants to be on the lookout to make sure he does not walk away with some of the silver."
Certain she had made her point, Lady Catherine left to speak to her butler.
"She conveniently forgets that Arthur is as nearly related to you as we are," the major said once she was gone.
"Anne, his reputation is not, well, reputable," Darcy warned.
"Oh I know exactly what kind of a man Arthur is, and he knows I know it. Fear not, for I am certain he has no designs on me. We have always acted this way toward one another. He loves playing the rogue in front of Mother."
Neither man was completely convinced of Anne's safety where it came to Arthur de Bourgh, but not wishing to belabor the point, they allowed the conversation to progress to other topics. Lady Perryton came to greet her niece, relieving the two men of the burden of keeping Anne entertained and too distracted to become nervous over the impending crush of people expected on her big night.
~~~/~~~
The ball was finally underway and Anne was being led around by her uncle to greet guests. The music would begin soon and until then, men came forward asking for introductions and a place on her dance card.
One introduction surprised her. Her cousin, Viscount Newman and his wife, approached in company with an unknown gentleman.
"Cousin, may I introduce Lady Newman's brother Mr. Rupert Harris? Harris, this is my cousin Miss Anne de Bourgh of Rosings Park."
"We have met before, Newman, but I doubt Miss de Bourgh would remember me. It was at your wedding."
"Of course, but that was a few years ago."
"I think I remember you now, Mr. Harris, although I do not believe we spoke more than a few words of greeting then."
"I should like to speak more than a few words this evening. May I be so bold as to claim a dance?"
"Certainly, sir."
"Thank you. And does my brother dance with you this evening?"
"Martin? No!" Anne laughed. "He has vowed that the only married man I shall dance with tonight is my uncle."
Mr. Harris clapped the viscount on the back.
"A very noble gesture, sir. On behalf of all the eligible men in attendance, I thank you."
The earl could not resist.
"Noble? Bah! My son thinks he has found the perfect excuse to spend the night playing cards."
"My lord will dance with me," declared Lady Newman.
Her husband brought her hand to his lips.
"As I have promised, my dear."
Anne was ready for the conversation to end.
"Until our dance, Mr. Harris."
The earl, able to take a hint, excused them and moved away.
Lady Newman commissioned her husband to bring her a drink. When he was gone, she turned to her brother.
"Anne de Bourgh is not your type, Rupert."
"What is my type, Matilda? She is rich."
"True, but she is a bit of a shrew. She thinks very highly of herself and her position in life."
"She has a right to do so. The heiress of Rosings is quite a catch."
"And she knows it!"
The tone of her voice spoke as much as her words. He suddenly understood his sister's words and a look of comprehension came over his face.
"Ah, I see now. You were not good enough for her cousin?"
Lady Newman pursed her lips.
"Worry not," Harris said with complete self-assurance. "I am very used to people who look down on me because we have made our fortune in trade. Your match has helped tremendously, but father reminds me I need a wife just as connected as your husband. Why not Miss de Bourgh?"
"She is not some simple minded girl, Rupert, and it has long been said that she is intended for Darcy. Since birth, even."
"The more the challenge, then."
Lady Newman looked exasperated and she replied, "Do not say I did not warn you."
Viscount Newman returned then with punch for his wife.
Harris nodded to his sister.
"Understood."
~~~/~~~
The musicians struck the first chord and the dancers began to form the set. Anne stood at the head of the line opposite her uncle waiting for the steps to begin. Lady Catherine looked on the scene, a tear forming in her eye. It seemed like only yesterday she had held her daughter in her arms for the very first time. Any guilt she may have felt way back then in robbing another family of the joy of a daughter was quickly and conveniently put down with the triumph of success.
A servant walked up and offered her a glass of wine. Her ladyship accepted without ever taking her eyes or musings off her daughter.
She, Catherine Fitzwilliam de Bourgh, had done it. The thought now though, brought an unexpected twinge of remorse. What would Anne's birth parents have thought if they could see her at that moment? Would they feel as proud of her as she did? She doubted it, for they were not the ones responsible for rearing such an accomplished young woman. Watching Anne smile as she made her way through the dance, Lady Catherine knew there could be no mother in all of England who could have done the same.
Next up – Charles Bingley makes his first appearance.