September 22, 2014 – Before we jump in I just wanted to say a few things.
Again, thank you to all who took a chance and stuck with this story after the awful beginning I put you all through. I really did need to write it that way. The story just flowed from that beginning and if I hadn't done it, this would not have followed. And for the faithful following that have been leaving reviews, I really appreciate it. If you are logged in I've left you replies if possible. Check your personal messages if you didn't know your comments were being answered.
We are about to reach the point where Anne finds out that she was adopted. I cannot claim to understand the emotions a person goes through when they learn this, whether as an adult or a child. I did my best, though, to put myself in 'Anne's' shoes. I think we all come to a point in our early adulthood where we question our place in the world and struggle to find peace with our little corner of it. That was my inspiration. It's not easy and not always rational but most of us muddle through it and come out whole in the end. So if you have a hard time understanding why Anne acts the way she does, think about that time in your life when you wondered who you really were. If we are very lucky, we have our own Darcy by our side to help us along.
And on that note, it is time to begin. Hang on folks; we've finally reached the main event.
Chapter 16
"No, we are not going to Netherstone!" Anne glared at her husband, hands on hips, defying him to question her.
"It is Netherfield, and yes, we must!" Fitzwilliam answered, matching her glare with an equally determined look of his own.
"Netherstone, Netherfield, what does it matter; we are not going."
"And as your husband, I say that we are." He pondered the odds that she would meekly acquiesce to his decree. They were too small to even hope.
"Are you out of your senses?" Anne huffed. "Elizabeth is only two months old!"
"I promised Bingley a long time ago that whenever he had an estate, I would be the first to visit him."
"Even Charles Bingley would understand why we must decline at this time!"
"I gave him my word – I will not break it."
"What about Georgiana?"
"We had agreed that she would return to London with Mrs. Annesley to stay with our uncle. I see no reason why that should change. In fact, we could travel with her to Town and then continue to Netherfield. Bingley has informed me the estate is about 20 miles from London."
"Fine, have it your way. Elizabeth and I wish you, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley a safe trip. Please be back at Pemberley by Christmas." She tried to walk past him but he would not allow her, carefully grabbing hold of her arm
"Anne, all of us are going. I do not understand why you are so opposed to the trip. It is one day less than if we were traveling to Kent. If, after we see Bingley's estate, you wish to continue on to Rosings, we can always make our excuses that we need to visit Lady Catherine."
Anne carefully removed his hand from her arm, but did not make a move to leave again. "We have only just rid ourselves of her company. I thought she would never leave after Elizabeth was born. I love my mother, but two months in the same household, now that I am mistress and a mother, is too long. Thank God she took Mrs. Jenkinson with her."
"You did not care much for your former companion." Darcy sensed the opportunity to change the conversation.
"She was much more to the taste of my mother. I did not dislike her, I simply did not like her."
"Is there a difference?"
Anne rolled her eyes. Sometimes she found Fitzwilliam so infuriating. "Of course, I would rather have been left alone than forced to sit with Mrs. Jenkinson. She is a very dull woman."
"Thus perfect for her ladyship, for Lady Catherine seldom requires an answer. Though I think your mother suffers for the lack of your company. There is no one left at Rosings who will dare defy her."
"Stuart will." Darcy cocked his head in disbelief. "Well, if called for, Mrs. Stuart is not afraid to question Mother."
"In my experience, the only thing that prods your esteemed housekeeper to challenge Lady Catherine is you. However, I must add that your mother is much the same as Stuart; when it comes to her daughter, Lady Catherine de Bourgh thinks nothing and no one is good enough."
"Except for you."
"She wanted me for her son-in-law," he said smugly.
"I wanted you for her son-in-law…eventually."
"You have me," Darcy reached over and took his wife in his arms, "and I shall never let you forget it." That pronouncement was followed by slow and sensuous kisses that left Anne's legs unable to support her. "We leave in a fortnight for Hertfordshire, yes?" Darcy whispered.
Anne did not realize what she had agreed to until later.
If Darcy thought the discussion over, he was mistaken. Anne still thought it ludicrous to subject a newborn to such a journey. Eventually he was forced to appeal to his wife's fondness for Caroline Bingley, or rather, her lack thereof.
Unlike her former companion, Mrs. Jenkinson, to whom Anne was indifferent, Anne disliked Caroline Bingley. She found Miss Bingley to be well educated and accomplished. However, the chit was an unmitigated social climber of the worst kind; she did not believe anyone thought of her as anything but a lady born into the highest circles, instead of the daughter of a tradesman that she was. It was not that Anne had anything against people in trade. Heavens! Her cousin Arthur de Bourgh's money came from that source. Anne merely despised people who were too quick to forget where they came from. Acceptance in the ton came with time, not with attitudes of unearned superiority.
So when Darcy told Anne that Sir John was to be among the party, Anne could not leave her friend to the mercy of Miss Bingley. Anne liked her former admirer too much to subject him to a house party where he would constantly be in company with that woman with no one but Bingley and the Hursts to rescue him.
And so, in the second week of October, the Darcys were on the road to Hertfordshire via London to stay with Bingley and his family at his new estate.
~~~/~~~
The timing of their arrival at Netherfield could not have been any better. Darcy had sent word ahead of when they would arrive and Bingley had used the intervening days to hurry back to London to gather his sisters Caroline and Louisa, and Louisa's husband, Mr. Humphrey Hurst. Sir John Whitby made up the last of the party. They arrived a few hours before the Darcy-crested coach rolled up Netherfield's main drive. Their host was there to greet them and dote on the little child, and soon enough they were settled in their rooms. Counting two-month old Miss Darcy, they had an even number of eight for the dinner table – not that Miss Darcy would be anywhere but asleep in the nursery during the evenings.
Miss Bingley gloried in presiding over the table, though she claimed the meal was not up to her normal standards. Seeing that they had only arrived that afternoon, the mistress of the manor promised a marked improvement once she had a chance to put the staff to rights.
"I think they have done an admirable job, Caroline. And with your excellent instruction, anything that may be lacking will quickly be amended," Bingley said with a jovial air.
"Will there be any sport tomorrow?" Mr. Hurst asked.
"I need to speak with my gamekeeper, but if not tomorrow then someday soon. Besides, we do not want to tire ourselves out and not be able to attend the ball at the local assembly rooms. We have all been invited."
Anne noticed Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst give their brother pointed looks, which he ignored.
"A ball? You never mentioned a ball, Bingley." Darcy said carefully.
"It must have slipped my mind; I was so happy to see you I forgot to tell you."
"I do not know how he forgot; it was all he could talk about when he was in Town." Sir John laughed. "We had a devil of a time making him stop! He must have asked me four times if I were bringing my dancing shoes."
"Your old ones or your new?" Anne asked, delighted at the jovial turn in the conversation.
"Why both, Mrs. Darcy. I shall leave it to you to command which ones I wear."
"You have charged me with a very weighty responsibility, sir!"
"The toes of the maidens of Hertfordshire are at your mercy, madam."
"Will everyone be attending the ball?" Caroline queried.
No one spoke in the negative, not wishing to offend their host by remaining behind. When Bingley saw the response, his smile broadened.
"Excellent! I love a country dance. Caroline, Louisa, Mrs. Darcy. I hope to dance with you all! And perhaps, Mrs. Darcy, you can convince your taciturn spouse to take a turn with you as well?"
"You may rest assured, Bingley, that I will dance with my wife and all the ladies of the party, if they are so inclined."
"Only do not ask him to stand up with a woman he has never met before. He is likely to say something rude," Anne teased.
"I could never imagine Mr. Darcy doing such a thing!" Miss Bingley cried, horrified that Mr. Darcy's own wife could say such a thing.
"My wife teases me, Miss Bingley. Pay her no mind. And you, Sir John, will you dance with the local populace?"
"Most assuredly, for as soon as Bingley and I walk through the door, the matrons will know we are single and in possession of a good income."
"And therefore in dire need of a wife," Anne added.
"Not so dire, I thank you, Mrs. Darcy. But we will be introduced to many young ladies and expected to dance. I am not opposed to such a diversion." Sir John noticed that his hostess was looking at him rather intently. "While I have the chance, will you be so kind as to dance the first set after we arrive, Miss Bingley?"
Miss Bingley was satisfied. "Certainly, Sir John."
~~~/~~~
That night, after Anne had checked on Elizabeth, Anne and Darcy retired for the evening in Anne's chambers, since those rooms were connected to the nursery.
"What are your impressions of Netherfield?" he asked his wife.
"You mean Netherstone?" The name of the estate had become a joke between the two.
"One of these days you will forget yourself and say that to Bingley."
Anne sighed in defeat. "I suppose you are right." Then she pouted for good measure and Fitzwilliam felt it incumbent upon himself to tickle the impudent frown off her face. She lay on her back, nearly out of breath from the onslaught.
"Enough! I surrender – we are at Netherfield Park!" Darcy sat up with a look of triumph on his face. "That was entirely unfair, sir! Your arms are much longer than mine."
"You brought it upon yourself. Now, tell me your impressions of Netherfield."
Anne sat up and fluffed the pillows before she leaned back against them.
"It is nothing to Pemberley or Rosings, of course, but it is a pretty little estate from what we have seen. The house is large enough to meet Bingley's needs, if a little outdated in décor. That is not surprising since he is only leasing the place."
"You approve?"
"From what I have seen, I do. Yet I know nothing about the rest of the estate other than what we saw on our way to the house and what we could see from the windows. Will Bingley have much to say in the matters of his tenants and the land?"
"I believe so, which is another reason why I was so insistent on coming. He has little experience being anything more than a young man of fortune with little responsibility."
"He is very fortunate to have such a friend."
Darcy snorted, "And he repays me by dragging us off to a country dance the day after we arrive!"
"Oh please! I happen to know you like those dreaded country balls. You always dance with me when we attend them in Derbyshire."
"That, my love, is because I know you enjoy it."
"And will you dance with anyone else tomorrow?"
"Only the ladies in our party. You know I do not like to dance with women with whom I am not acquainted."
"That is true. Three to six dances are all I may expect to see from you."
"There is an advantage to being an old married man. I will not be disappointing any young ladies since I am off the marriage market. Sir John was correct when he said he and Bingley would be dancing all night."
Anne thought for a moment before answering. "I do not think I ever told you, but before we were married, Sir John told me he was not very fond of dancing."
"Really? That is most surprising! Since our engagement I have seen him dance numerous times."
"I encouraged him to do so, and to wear normal shoes!"
Darcy laughed, he had heard about Sir John's special dancing pumps. "Do you think he still owns that pair?"
"I doubt it, but at least he can laugh about it now. Hmm, maybe I should suggest he procure another pair especially to dance with Miss Bingley."
"Has she decided to have him?"
"I do not think so, but she appears to be wavering. Sir John is too kind to let her know he has no interest in a way that will leave no doubt. Perhaps you should speak to Bingley?"
"I doubt Sir John would care for my interference on his behalf."
"No, I suppose not." Anne yawned.
"We should sleep now; it has been a long and tiring day." Darcy made himself comfortable beneath the covers. "Goodnight, love."
Anne kissed her husband on the lips and then rolled to her side to tuck her body against his.
"Goodnight, my beloved husband."
~~~/~~~
The gentlemen did not end up shooting the next day, but plans were made for a few days later. Instead, the day was spent in leisurely pursuits in anticipation of a night of dancing.
Alas, when the party gathered, Darcy had to make excuses for him and Anne; Elizabeth needed the attention of her mother. He told the others to go ahead and that he and Anne would join them in Meryton later, if the baby had calmed enough by then.
Sir William Lucas, one of the leading men of the area, was the first to greet the diminished Netherfield party and offered to introduce them. Bingley immediately accepted and Sir William led them to a group of women that included his wife, Lady Lucas, and a Mrs. Bennet and their daughters. Bingley looked at the one matron, clearly puzzled.
"I am sorry, madam, you are very familiar to me, but I know we have never met. I would have certainly remembered your charming daughters."
"They are charming girls." Mrs. Bennet beamed with pride. "And do you plan to dance, Mr. Bingley?" she inquired.
"Why else would I have come! Miss Lucas, would you care to dance the next with me, and Miss Bennet, the one after?"
Both agreed.
Bingley heard someone clear his throat behind them. He had quite forgotten about anything other than Miss Jane Bennet once she had consented to dance with him.
"Pardon me, this is my good friend Sir John Whitby."
"Ladies, it is my pleasure to meet you all. And Miss Bennet, since my friend is engaged to dance the next with him, might I claim the honor for this set?"
Miss Bennet demurely accepted. Sir John had to refrain from rolling his eyes; he saw the jealous look Bingley threw at him. Charles Bingley was smitten at first sight. And so it begins again. Wait until the Darcys arrive, he mused.
As they moved down the line, Sir John questioned Jane about the neighborhood and then asked her about her family.
"Papa stayed home with the younger ones. Only Mary, Kitty and I are out in society. Kitty is further down the line. She loves to dance."
"And Miss Mary, I do not see her now."
"She rarely dances." Miss Bennet blushed.
"I noticed she carried a small book," he gently prodded. He could see that Miss Jane Bennet was a very quiet and private person – or at least she appeared to be.
"She is rather fond of reading." Just then Sir John spotted the woman in question in the corner of the room.
"What volume has her so engrossed now?"
"I believe it to be a moral tract. Mary is very… decided in her beliefs on upright behavior. Had she been born a man, I would have thought her destined for the church." Miss Bennet blushed again, "Oh, you must not think of her as a bluestocking, she is only interested in improving her mind."
Sir John tried to put her at ease. "I do not think less of any woman with a thirst for knowledge. In fact, there is another member of our party, soon to arrive with her husband, who is one of best read women I know."
"There are more coming?"
"Only two; Mr. and Mrs. Darcy's daughter was causing some consternation when we left. I expect they will arrive shortly."
The dance ended and the Darcys had not yet arrived. Bingley claimed the lovely Miss Bennet and Sir John, intrigued by the conversation with his last dance partner, asked Miss Mary Bennet to stand up with him for the next set. Like Bingley, he felt as if he had met the Bennets before. Miss Mary Bennet definitely reminded him of someone.
"Thank you, Miss Bennet, for agreeing to partner me. Your sister told me you do not care much for dancing."
"I am rarely asked."
"Perhaps it is because you bring a book along and sneak off into the corner where only the most determined will find you?" He raised an eyebrow in challenge. Mary Bennet looked at him warily. "You have nothing to fear, your secret is safe with me. You see, there was a time when I preferred to stand on the sides of the room."
"What made you change your mind?" Mary asked, intrigued.
"I met a beautiful young woman, lively and full of mirth. She was also kind and generous. She taught me to laugh at myself and to not be afraid to be who I was. I would have married her if I could."
"Why did you not?"
"She fell in love with someone better suited for her."
"That is a very sad story, Sir John," Mary answered with feeling.
"Do not feel too sorry for me. She knew she was not the right woman for me and I rejoice in her happiness. She and her husband are some of my dearest friends.
"I choose to think of what I would have lost had she accepted me. I do not think we would ever have loved each other and I know I would never have had her husband's respect. We are all better for it, Miss Bennet."
"Not many men could be so magnanimous."
Sir John shrugged. "It is all I know. But enough about that – tell me more about yourself."
Mary Bennet began, as fluently as she could, to tell Sir John about her life at Longbourn, her family's estate. They became so engrossed in the conversation and patterns of the dance that neither they, nor Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet noticed when Anne and Darcy arrived.
It had taken nearly a half-hour to settle little Elizabeth. By the time Anne was ready to leave, they were an hour late. Fortunately, they were able to slip into the room with no fanfare. The din of the music and conversation was fairly loud and their companions had not noticed. However, when the music stopped, both Bingley and Sir John had spotted them and were bringing their partners over to greet them.
Darcy and Anne noticed the woman on Bingley's arm. How could they not? She was stunning; a classic beauty if ever there was one. In contrast, the young lady Sir John escorted had a pleasant face, if it could not be called pretty. Anne and Darcy were struck by a strong sense of familiarity when they were introduced to the Misses Bennet. Bingley insisted they meet the mother.
Sir William, Lady Lucas and Mrs. Bennet were standing together when Bingley brought the rest of his party and Mrs. Bennet's two daughters to them.
"May I present my good friend, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and his lovely wife, Anne Darcy."
When they had finished with the formalities, Mrs. Bennet looked first at Mr. Darcy and then at Mrs. Darcy. She originally was admiring Mrs. Darcy's gown but something drew her to look more intently at the fine lady's face. Mrs. Bennet started and stared until her complexion paled and she felt very woozy. She tried to reach out to touch Anne's cheek but fainted before she could do so. Sir William was forced to catch her before she could crumple to the floor. However, before she fainted, Mrs. Bennet uttered the words that left the six younger people who witnessed it in confusion and left Sir William and his wife in astonishment.
"My Elizabeth…"
Yeah, I really did do that.
Chapter 17 on Wednesday with the long promised long author's note at the END of the chapter.
In the meantime, feel free to whine and pout. I do love reviews!