Update ch 39

Elizabeth enjoyed her walk to her favorite bench at Rosings before she pulled Darcy's letter out of her pocket. She fingered the seal that would be hers for a moment before gently opening the letter.

"Darling Elizabeth,

"Your stratagem with your father worked perfectly. I was at his mercy and very nearly worried for my life and future. As you insisted, he accepted my suit after a time and warned me to be on my guard in the future. I will not underestimate your letters in the future.

"By the by, after Georgiana comes out, we shall host your youngest sister for a season. I should have realized your father's talent at billiards would match yours. I shall not be caught unawares again. Nor shall I imbibe your father's brandy with such haste again. I would ask him who his supplier is, but I feel that Gardiner would be more forthcoming.

"Your family has been all that is welcoming. I spent two nights at Longbourn, and I made a round of morning calls with your mother. Hopefully, you will be with me the next time I am paraded around the village. Your neighbors wish you every happiness and expect us to visit often. Your mother also hosted a dinner so that I could be her special guest. Everyone was enjoying excellent health when I last saw them. I returned to London without incident and hid in my study for a time before alerting Richard of my whereabouts. Perhaps I will ensure he comes with me when I next must be in Hertfordshire. Miss Lydia and Miss Kitty would enjoy seeing such a distinguished red coat, and your mother would be thrilled to host the son of an earl.

"Richard continues to search for Anne without luck. I hope her letter is correct, and I will see her at the ball, married. I should have liked to be at her wedding. I should have liked even more to know it has taken place so that I could spend my time with you instead.

"As part of his search, Richard has taken Georgiana out for ices at the hotels to make his search less obvious to gossipmongers. Georgiana was delighted by the attention. She wrote to me while I was at Longbourn of how much she enjoys her cousin's company. He must be really attentive to her for her to care more now than before.

"I have now read two of your letters to your family. I have seen your playful nature and look forward to your teasing in my next letter. Your last was too full of my aunt's diatribes for my taste. Also, you must tell me if my aunt reads any more of my letters. You did not directly tell me last time, but I wormed it out of your letter. I know her behavior does not bother you and that you can acquit yourself admirably with wit and humor, but I would prefer you to be the only recipient of my letters. You must also tell me if she insults you for my actions. She is on thin ice with me."

"Your servant, Fitzwilliam."

With a smile, Elizabeth read the letter through once more before pocketing it to read a letter that had also arrived from London, this time from Jane.

"Dearest Lizzy,

"I have met your future sister. Miss Darcy and her cousin came upon us in the park when my aunt and I were walking with the children. As you will no doubt be aware, she is not as proud as one soldier had made us believe. She was quite shy, in fact. If not for her cousin, we might not have spoken for so long. I almost sensed that she did not wish to introduce her cousin, but that cannot be. I cannot think there are any nefarious schemes that would keep our families apart.

"At any rate, we were invited to the wedding, because we are practically family, and she is sorry her aunt will not be in attendance due to some illness at Rosings. I certainly hope you are all well. Please write quickly to let me know all have recovered.

"Miss Darcy is a gem. She and her cousin returned with us to my aunt's home. Henry had miss-stepped and splashed mud on Miss Darcy's petticoats in a silly game, so we had offered her shelter to recover her dress. Her performance on the pianoforte was extraordinary. The children were in raptures, and they sang with Anne and me through more songs than I could remember. Anne's voice is lovely. She and Mr. Warden will make quite the couple, for I hear he also plays remarkably well, according to Anne. I was a little worried when Anne began coughing after the first couple of songs, but she recovered with tea and honey and insisted she was well.

"The last song they sang was a lullaby, and they successfully put Henry to sleep on the sofa. We had to tiptoe to the door so that they could be on their way. My aunt was astonished that Henry had been able to calm so well. She says he has not napped in ages.

"I know you are wondering, so I must add that Mr. Bingley visits nearly every day. I have been on my guard, for I remember how he hurt me, but I am taking your words to heart. At any rate, I am not certain my heart listens to my commands to take time. He is so attentive, I must believe his affection has withstood our separation. I shall not be any more forward with him, especially not like Lydia would behave. I trust her youth must be her excuse. At her age, you were still climbing trees.

"I must end here, for Henry is waking up, and he shall want to play chucks again, for I had promised him a round.

"Your sister, Jane."

Elizabeth barely finished the letter. After the second paragraph, she was walking towards the house as she read the last. She finished the letter before she reached the steps of the house, so she was able to pocket it firmly before skipping up the steps. In the hall, she asked where Lady Catherine could be found.

The butler promptly directed her to the lady's sitting room where she seemed to be making a list. She looked up with annoyance. However, her scowl was met with a broad smile from Elizabeth.

"Lady Catherine, your daughter is to be married tomorrow."

"How can that be?" Lady Catherine stood and nearly knocked over the ink well on her desk in her haste. "He would have told me!"

Before Lady Catherine could embarrass herself further, "It would appear that Richard and Fitzwilliam have not caught on to where Anne is hiding. Anne and Georgiana seem to be conspiring together."

"That little…" Lady Catherine stopped. "No doubt this is your influence!"

Elizabeth laughed. "I cannot claim any such influence. I have been here. I have never even met Miss Darcy." Turning serious, she asked for an express rider. "Fitzwilliam needs to know where Anne is hiding. He mentioned that he would not like to miss her wedding."

"An express rider!" Lady Catherine bellowed. She paused, and Elizabeth looked at her in question but wisely said nothing. "No, there is no need. It is early. We have a good coach. We can be in London by nightfall. I should be there for my daughter's wedding. Have your bags packed. We must leave in two hours." She strode to the side of the room where the bell pull was located. "There is much to do."

"Shall I ask for the butler to summon an express rider? Surely you wish to alert the inns where we must change horses that we are coming so that a private room shall be ready." Elizabeth asked meekly. Privately, she hoped she could get a letter to Fitzwilliam with the same rider without Lady Catherine being made aware of it. She had deliberately said not to tell Fitzwilliam.

Thankfully, Lady Catherine agreed, so Elizabeth summoned the butler and gave him his task. When the express rider arrived, Elizabeth had her short note ready for delivery.

"My dearest Fitzwilliam,

"Oh my! That is a mouthful. I shall likely think of a way to shorten your name to suit me better. Fitz. Will. William. Liam. Fitzy. Any would do. I shall practice to determine which I prefer. Of course, you had better make your preference known before my mind is made up should you have any names you do not like.

"Now that I have your attention, I must tell you to stop searching hotels for Anne. She is not in a hotel. She will be married on Saturday, tomorrow. I may have mentioned it to Lady Catherine, so expect us to descend upon your doorstep in a few hours after you read this express. If you wish to find Anne, I suggest you spend more time with your sister, especially if you hear excessive giggling.

"While you may not be happy to have more time with your aunt, it was necessary. She was in a right sour mood at having been found out. Her daughter's absence affects her more than she would let on. If you think hosting her is a hardship, be glad that I am coming with her. I shall see my future home in a few hours. I am excited. I have missed you.

"Yours, Lizzy

"p.s. Do not even think of calling me Eliza or Beth. I shall not sway on this matter."

Mr. Darcy was exhausted when he arrived home and found the express rider from Rosings. His heart raced at the thought of a calamity befalling his Elizabeth, and only the fact that the letter was written in her hand allowed his heart to calm. By the end of the letter, his hands were shaking for a different reason.

Quickly, he summoned the butler to announce the impending arrival of not only Lady Catherine but also the future mistress of the house. The butler's eyes widened in shock for only a moment before returning to their customary calm appearance. Mr. Darcy wondered which arrival was more of a shock, but he put his thoughts aside as he immediately climbed the stairs, intent on having a conversation with his sister.

AN: I decided to skip a week and get them together in London. I hope you are all pleased. I have two weeks of school left (less than, since today is Tuesday), and then I hope to devote my time to writing. I do not know how much is left. I want to get them to the wedding, but that should not be too far off. There may only be 10 chapters or so left. I don't like to drag my feet through after the engagement too much, but I wanted to finish Anne's story before D&E marry.