September 17, 2014 – Did someone mention that they were looking forward to the Bingleys? Muahahaha
Chapter 14
Charles Bingley was always welcome at Darcy's townhouse. The butler, Clayton, had orders to allow the gentleman entrance into the house even when the master was not "at home" to visitors. Bingley was a pleasant man and Darcy valued his friendship. Darcy also felt a bit responsible for the younger man, having already rescued him from a few scrapes of the romantic kind, for Charles Bingley was a man who fell into love quickly. Darcy felt that if he could keep Bingley from proposing to his latest flame until he ..had a chance to fall out of love, Bingley would eventually find a woman who was not solely after his money.
When Bingley was announced, Darcy was surprised and pleased. When Miss Caroline Bingley was announced as well, Darcy was taken aback. Bingley had always called alone.
He should have had an idea that this was no normal visit when Bingley would not look him in the eye when he greeted him.
"I did not know you had returned to Town. Last I heard you were visiting family in the North."
"We arrived but yesterday," Caroline Bingley answered for her brother.
"I am surprised you have time to make calls today, Miss Bingley. I believe your sister's wedding is in a few weeks."
"Louisa is out shopping today, but when Charles said he was going to see if you were here, I insisted he bring me along. As we have just arrived, I have not had a chance to read the papers at all and I had hoped to hear news of the comings and goings of the ton."
Miss Bingley seized the opportunity to capture his arm and place her hand in it. Darcy did appreciate the proficiency of her action. Few women could accomplish the feat with such aplomb at such a young age.
"You should have accompanied your sister; surely the shops she patronizes today will hold more information than what you might glean here."
"Then you simply must tell us what you have been amusing yourself with as of late. Charles always looks to your example."
Darcy looked sharply at his friend, with the feeling that Bingley had not told his sister the news of his betrothal to Anne. Bingley looked like a young boy caught stealing treats from the kitchen. Darcy was about to reveal his news when Lady Catherine and Anne were announced. He felt Miss Bingley tighten her grip on his arm. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her look at Anne in a way that reminded him of a dog sizing up its competition. Darcy then looked at his friend and saw him trying to make himself as inconspicuous as possible.
Darcy knew that if Bingley continued to allow his sister to order him about, as she most likely had that morning, he would be in for difficulty later. He would be unable to control Caroline and she would, by her self-serving actions, put him in situations more awkward than this.
Very well, Darcy thought, perhaps this is as good a time as any for another lesson.
Uncharacteristically, Darcy started speaking before Lady Catherine had a chance to say a word.
"Lady Catherine, Cousin Anne! What a delightful surprise, I had not expected you." He had known they were coming, and they were momentarily puzzled by his declaration. "Allow me to introduce to you my good friend, Charles Bingley and his sister, Caroline. This is my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, and her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh. Aunt Catherine, I do not know if you remember Mr. Bingley, but Anne met him last Season. Anne, Mr. and Miss Bingley have just arrived in Town from Scarborough for their sister's wedding. They were very gracious to call so soon after their arrival." Darcy winked at Anne and Lady Catherine as a signal to play along with his little charade as he made no effort to kiss Anne's hand, the first time he had not since their betrothal. Of course, his mode of address already alerted them that some mischief was about. Their engagement had been announced weeks ago and he had ceased calling Lady Catherine "aunt" before he left Kent.
Miss Bingley curtsied at the introduction, but did not release Darcy's arm. No mean feat! Anne arched her eyebrows at the display. Lady Catherine pursed her lips, though whether it was in annoyance or amusement was uncertain.
"A pleasure, your ladyship."
Anne turned to Mr. Bingley. He looked miserable.
"Mr. Bingley! Allow me to offer my congratulations on your elder sister's nuptials. She weds soon?"
"Uhm, yes. In a few weeks," he stammered. "We are very much looking forward to gaining a new brother." Caroline wrinkled her nose at her brother's pronouncement.
"Well, you know what they say, one wedding often leads to another. I wonder who will be next to enter into the married state?"
Darcy nearly choked, stifling his laughter; Anne had quickly caught on.
"Yes, Cousin Anne! You never know when you will meet the one destined to become your spouse." Darcy smiled down at Caroline – who in turn caught her breath and clutched his arm harder.
Lady Catherine "hmph'd" and sat down on her favorite oversized chair, the one that had always reminded Darcy of a throne. He kept it in the room for his aunt's sake.
The party conversed for nearly fifteen minutes. Darcy politely endured Caroline Bingley's interrogation, and then asked her about her coming out into Society. She happily told him of their plans both before and after the wedding and hinted she would be pleased to dance with him when they were at the same events.
"Ah, Miss Bingley, that would all depend."
"On what, sir?" she asked, stepping into the trap he had patiently laid.
"The wishes of my fiancée, of course."
Charles Bingley groaned. Caroline shot her sibling a dark look.
"You are engaged?"
"Of course. How careless of me not to notice. I should have realized you had not known, otherwise you would have undoubtedly offered us your congratulations earlier."
"Undoubtedly! I wish you joy, Mr. Darcy."
"And Anne?"
"Anne?"
"Miss Anne de Bourgh. I thought everyone knew we were intended for each other since Anne was a little girl."
"I had not… that is…" Caroline Bingley squared her shoulders as she turned to face Anne. "My congratulations on your betrothal. Had I but known, I would have offered them earlier."
Bingley could no longer remain silent. Blushing, he went to stand before Anne. "You must forgive Caroline, I must have dreamt telling her your excellent news. I too would like to offer my congratulations, Miss de Bourgh. My friend is a most fortunate man to have secured the promise of your hand in marriage."
Anne extended her hand and Mr. Bingley bowed over it, being careful to release it as soon as he could politely do so, knowing Darcy was watching him.
"We will leave you now. Come, Caroline."
As they were walking out, Bingley pulled Darcy aside. "I cannot believe you strung along Caroline like that, Darcy!"
"Perhaps it was beneath me, but you both needed the lesson. You should have told her of my engagement and she should not have made such a fool of herself over me. Really, such behavior does neither of you credit and if she is not careful, she could find herself in a difficult situation. Not all men she will meet are honorable. Fortunately, Anne was very gracious. She had every right to tell your sister to stop hanging onto her betrothed." Darcy gave his friend a very pointed look.
"You are correct. I will speak to her after we leave." Bingley's smile returned. "But let me offer you my congratulations as well. Miss de Bourgh is a fine catch."
"That she is. Thank you. Am I still invited to the wedding?"
"Of course." The amiable Bingley had returned; he slapped Darcy's shoulder. "Caroline wishes it!"
~~~/~~~
The weeks wore on and soon it was approaching the end of the year. Darcy had attended Louisa Bingley's wedding and wished the newly married couple well. He also made a concerted effort to dance with Miss Caroline Bingley whenever they attended the same assemblies and balls. Anne knew his conscience played on him for the little drama he had orchestrated in his home. Fortunately, Miss Bingley recovered from her mortification and wisely accepted Mr. Darcy's proffered olive branch. She used his attentions to entice other men into her company. There were many "fish in the sea" who would overlook her connections with trade in exchange for her handsome dowry. She may have been disappointed, but she was no fool.
It was decided that Darcy needed to return to Derbyshire to attend to Pemberley. He wanted to leave before winter storms hit the North, making travel difficult at best. Georgiana would remain at her school. Lady Catherine decided to tarry in Town for a few more weeks and then return to Rosings until the wedding.
Before he left, Darcy managed to find some time alone with Anne. Mrs. Jenkinson had proven to be a very conscientious chaperone. She said little in company, but she doggedly would not let the couple out of her sight. Mercifully, Lady Catherine had intervened and allowed the cousins a few moments of privacy.
Not much was said, as they were more agreeably engaged; their lips battled for supremacy while their hands roamed in exploration of their torsos. Darcy dared to reach lower to hold Anne's posterior, pulling her even tighter against him. Before the lust veered out of control, Anne broke the spell over them laying her head against Darcy's wildly beating heart.
"Why did I ever want to wait until spring to be married?" she gasped.
"If you had capitulated to my suggestion, we would be married by now and instead of having to steal these moments alone. I fear if we keep this up, I will disgrace myself."
"When we are together like this, part of me wants you to do just that. Then the rational side intervenes and we are left putting our clothing to rights. Oh Fitzwilliam, this will be a long three months."
~~~/~~~
And so it was. The two lovers had to content themselves with letters for the first two months until Darcy was able to return to Kent. Along the way he stopped to collect Georgiana from her school. She would return there after the wedding.
~~~/~~~
The weather still held remnants of winter, but the days were not so cold that Anne was unable to resume her tours of the estate. She knew every inch of Rosings, both inside the noble house and outside in its grand park. Anne was aware that she would not be spending much time here anymore. Her place would be at Pemberley. Yes, they would return to her childhood home, but only for a short time each year. How long until she would start to forget the way to the secluded glen where she and her beloved nearly lost all their restraint? Years down the road, would she still be able to find the spot where Fitzwilliam proposed and sealed their fate with love's first kiss?
Maggie found Anne sitting on a log under the canopy of the massive trees that populated the grove.
"Miss Anne! There you are. Your mother has requested your presence."
"Mrs. Stuart! What are you doing here? Could not another servant come to find me?"
"Yes, but I wanted to come for you." Maggie tipped Anne chin up. "You look sad, child. Whatever for? You marry tomorrow. Are you having doubts over your choice?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Anne smiled at her old friend. She would miss Maggie's calming presence.
"Dear Mrs. Stuart. However would I have managed without you? No, fear not, I am very excited to be marrying Mr. Darcy." Anne's face took on a dreamy look. "I love him so very much. My mood comes from the realization that when the sun sets tomorrow, nothing will ever be the same."
"The changes have already begun, child. It was inevitable. You are a grown woman, Miss Anne de Bourgh, no longer the little girl who cried for old Maggie when she scraped her knee."
"I did that rather regularly, if I recall correctly." Anne had a wistful look on her face.
Maggie laughed. "You were always involved in some mischief; that is why you were so adorable." She stepped closer. "Looking at you now, I see a beautiful woman in the bloom of her femininity. Think fondly on the past and look to the future with anticipation."
"How did you become so wise so young?" Anne said fondly.
"Miss, if you serve a woman like your mother for as long as I have, you get many opportunities to learn a few things."
Anne laughed. "I have never understood why Mama has allowed such impertinence from you. She certainly would dismiss any other servant."
"You do know I would never say such a thing in front of any one but you."
"Or her."
"…Or my mistress, but only when she needs to hear it from me. Lady Catherine and I came to an understanding long ago. She knows she has my complete loyalty and thus allows me to speak my mind occasionally, but never in front of other servants. They can be the worst gossips."
"Worse than the fine ladies of the ton?"
"Nearly. The Quality must have their vices."
"Of which there are many." Anne became reflective again. "I will miss our talks, Mrs. Stuart. You have always had time to listen to me."
"I will still be here when you come back to Rosings. I am the only servant who remains from before you were born. If I have served your family for this long, why would I leave now that you are married?"
"Truly? Are there no others from the days when my father was alive?"
"None, Miss. I alone remain. But come, your mother has summoned you and we have delayed long enough."
"Mother always wants to see me. I will be glad when tomorrow is over; there will be no more wedding plans to discuss!"
~~~/~~~
"Ah, there you are. Where have you been all morning?" demanded Lady Catherine.
"I was walking, as I normally would do on such a fine day."
"I will have to place Mrs. Jenkinson and Stuart as a guard over you in the morning to see that you do not accidentally wander away. Heavens! What would your fiancé think if you were late for your own wedding?"
Anne kissed her mother on the cheek. "I have no intention of going out for a walk in the morning; I have more important things to prepare for."
"Yes, well, it is high time we talk about some of those things. As a married woman you will be expected to… welcome all the attentions of your husband. I will not lie to you as my own mother did. It can be unpleasant and painful, especially the first time. There will be blood, but you must not complain. It will be over soon enough and then you can send him to his own chambers."
Lady Catherine went on to explain the activity in more detail. Anne listened attentively, though what her mother told her was not much more than she already knew. There had been that one morning in the glen a few weeks ago when she and Fitzwilliam had nearly gone too far. She knew the differences between a man and a woman and how they would come together to make a child. Only her soon-to-be husband's sense of honor had kept them from experiencing this already. It had led to some awkwardness between the two of them, but as always, good sense won out and they had talked about what had happened, and what would happen when they were safely man and wife. Since then, Anne had looked forward to it.
However, it saddened Anne that her mother had obviously not had any good experiences with her father. Perhaps that was why she was an only child.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Lady Catherine asked when she had finished her lecture.
"No, you have done an admirable job of being honest with me about what to expect."
"I am sorry to disappoint you with the realities of your duty."
"I will be fine, Mother. I know how to manage my husband," Anne said, trying to reassure her mother. It was not often Anne saw Lady Catherine look so forlorn.
Lady Catherine replied skeptically, "Let us hope so."
~~~/~~~
Fitzwilliam Darcy handed his bride into the awaiting carriage. All of their family stood outside Rosings to wish them well. The wedding had been lovely, though Anne was a little worried about her aging parson, Mr. Lawton. The spry old gentleman was able to perform the service with a clear voice, but he did have a little difficulty standing without the aid of the pulpit to hold. After she and her new husband had signed the register, they had returned to Rosings for a wonderful wedding breakfast. Anne Darcy thought her mother never looked so joyful.
Many of the servants had turned out to watch their young mistress leave her home as well. Anne was truly loved by them and she would be missed. Their consolation was her promise to return to spend part of the year at her childhood home. The estate was now completely hers and her husband's. Upon the marriage, the trust that oversaw her inheritance had ended. Fitzwilliam and Anne Darcy were the new master and mistress of Rosings; Lady Catherine de Bourgh was merely their representative now. She would continue to rule over the great house, and everyone expected nothing much to change in the daily running of the household, but her word was no longer the final decree. That privilege now belonged to the new Mrs. Darcy.
Despite the change in circumstances, two women were very happy and very much relieved. For so long, both had lived in anticipation of this momentous day. Lady Catherine watched with pleasure as her new son-in-law took his bride away. Maggie Stuart too looked at the scene with fondness. Each had the same thought as the carriage drove away.
If, in spite of all their careful planning, the truth of Anne's birth came to light, she would be safe. Fitzwilliam Darcy would stand by his wife.
~~~/~~~
End of Part II
And ... we are finally back to the Prologue.
FYI Part III is 10 chapters long. It's intense and emotional, but that doesn't mean that it is full of angst. It should be pretty obvious where we have been heading and on Monday we'll finally arrive. Then it will be "hold on to you hats" time. And yes, I promise there will be a very long author's note at the end of Chapter 17.