"Anne, what say you?"
"Hmm?" She raised her head from starring at her tea cup to find several eyes directed at her person. Oh, heaven's she had not been paying attention.
She glanced at Bea, hoping that she would be kind and take pity on her; however, the other woman simply beamed at her, her eyes slightly glazed.
She blushed under her friend's clear adoration. Although desirous to keep the news of their engagement private until her mother had been informed; after sharing the news with Darcy, it only seemed fair to allow Edward to share his news with Lord and Lady Fraser. The couple were naturally delighted, as fond of Edward as if their own boy. To be honest Anne did not mind, for she too was exceedingly fond of the pair and had taken great pleasure in their happiness at the news. If only her mother could have been more like Bea. However right now, in a room full of women rather too astute for their own good, she wished Bea would stop looking at her so. The woman's joy at the news was exceedingly apparent, it took all Anne's composure not to smile back with crazy abandon. Add to this her growing concern for the unknown Bennet girl and she found herself to be quite distracted. She could only hope Darcy found her in time for a scandal to be avoided.
"I am afraid I must apologise, I have quite a lot on my mind. Could you repeat the question?" She asked tentatively.
"Heavens child, where is that good sense of yours today," remarked Mrs Drummond-Burrel ; "I am speaking of the flower pillars and arch for the entrance to the grand hall. I was under the impression you were well acquainted with Mr Fenwick and his team; I was dearly hoping that I could leave such an item to your supervision." She looked down her nose disapprovingly; "though it would appear at present perhaps such a responsibility would be unwise to bestow."
"Oh, Gertie hush," laughed Lady Fraser. "I am sure the girl simply has other more exciting events occupying her mind that is all." She smiled ignoring the curious glances from the other ladies present around the table. "I am sure Miss De Bourgh will be more than happy to oversee the floral arrangements for the masquerade. Is not that the case Anne?"
"Oh, certainly I am more than willing. I have indeed already spoken to Mr Fenwick and he is currently drawing up options. If you will permit it, my cousin Miss Darcy is due to arrive back in London end of this week; although she is not yet out and hence unable to attend the ball, I am sure she would take much joy in assisting me. She has quite the eye for colour. I doubt my renovations of Grosvenor Square would have gone half quite so well without her advice."
"Very well, then I shall leave the matter to you. Perhaps you can persuade her brother to attend for I have yet to see his name on the guest list. Now Mrs Avery, tickets. We must discuss tickets! The ball is but a fortnight away and we still have not sold half as many entrance tickets as I would like. Remember ladies this is the Mayweather charity event, not a night in Almacks, all of ton should and will be in attendance."
Anne watched as Mrs Avery wrinkled her nose in distaste. The woman was such a snob she thought with displeasure. She would have scolded herself for such an unkind observation however it was entirely true and so justified. Mrs Avery disliked everyone and anyone who was not unequivocally 'ton'. It had taken quite some time to get her to warm to herself and Anne still felt the woman only tolerated her due to her rank and her close friendship with Bea. It puzzled Anne why anyone would spend so much time and effort focusing one's prejudice towards other when there was no real reason to do so. She reminded her exceedingly of Miss Bingley; so intent on appearing superior, so dismissive of others, when in reality they themselves fell rather short of the mark.
Miss Bingley, Anne had rather mixed feelings about the woman. On one hand she was a rather spoilt, tiresome creature who seemed her own worst enemy. Yet, what else could the girl be when faced with the constant snub and censure from those women deemed superior society?
Anne was not certain she would be able to entirely forgive her for the untruths she had implied about herself and Edward; still, she was not the sort of woman to wish the girl harm. Though her faults were plentiful, it was still she who told Edward of Richards deceit; for who knows what sort of misunderstanding could have taken place otherwise. Anne had not spoken or seen her cousin since they parted ways at Rosings. In truth she was not entirely sure when she would be ready to see Richard again.
Edward waded through the crowds of Greenwich, picking his way slowly in the early evening rush. He was rather exhausted. Who had thought but four days ago his happy calm existence, entirely focused purely on himself and Anne, would have been thrown apart so extraordinarily?
He had left for Epsom the following morning after calling on the Fraser's with Anne to share their happy news. Thankfully he still knew quite a few useful chaps in Epsom Spa, which was only more advantageous due to his being known to have been rather generous to those on his staff after his taking the title at the races. It had taken two days to track the necessary information and upon arriving back in London this morning he was quite certain he now had the right address; a Mrs Younge of Edward Street.
He had sent word for Darcy to meet him on the square near St Nicholas Church. Seeing how agitated the gentleman had been, he thought it unwise to allow him to go on his own. Rounding the corner, he saw Darcy already pacing in front of the parish. Upon seeing Edward, he stopped his task, his gaze most determined.
"Tell me you have news, have you found them?"
"I am afraid not quite, though I have the address to which Wickham came upon his arrival in London. I cannot guarantee if the gentleman and his companion will still be within."
He looked at Darcy, the man looked rather awful. Just exactly what was his relationship with this young Bennet girl? By all accounts the girl was no more than a mere child. The idea did not sit well with him.
"Darcy, we are to be family; if there is anything you wish to inform me about this, this young Miss Bennet, I am asking you to do so now."
Darcy looked at him somewhat taken aback. He had barely slept in days, both he and Bingley chasing down every lead, gambling debt and unpaid bill found to be linked to the name Wickham. Each time they had simply come up short and lighter in purse. If Colville had found a clue to his whereabouts why on earth was he wasting time interrogating him?
"Wickham is my responsibility, if I had not deemed myself above dealing with him his true nature would have been known by all and this unfortunate event with the younger Miss Bennet could have been entirely avoided."
"Yes, but I wish to know your involvement with Miss Bennet."
"I really do not think that pertinent."
"The fact that you believe so, only makes the matter more so."
"I love the woman Colville, surely you of all people can understand that. I would do anything to fix this mess and save her reputation. Even if it she will not have me, I owe her this."
"You have offered for this Miss Bennet?" Colville asked surprised, still thinking of the young girl of sixteen. "Darcy she is but a child!"
"What the devil? Heaven's no," he cried suddenly realising Edwards train of thought. "How could you think such a thing, it is her sister, Elizabeth. It was she who told me the news of her younger sister eloping with Wickham. I knew I had to do something to fix this unfortunate mess, and here we find ourselves. To answer your question, I offered for the elder Miss Bennet, though I am afraid she did not look upon myself favourably."
He hit the ground with his cane recalling her rejection and the charges she lay at his door, how those words had tortured him. "Upon seeing her again, I must confess, my wishes have not changed. I vowed I would do all in my power to change her opinion of me, then this came to light. I could not allow Wickham to ruin the happiness of another young woman and her family."
"So, this is something of a pastime for dear Mr Wickham I take it? Running off with young silly girls?"
Darcy scoffed, "It would appear so."
"Well perhaps this Mrs Younge will lend some light on the situation."
"Mrs Younge!" Darcy all but exploded. "You have found a Mrs Younge! What the devil are we doing standing here, make haste take me to her at once." His fury was unmistakable as his thoughts turned to that deceitful woman and her hand in almost ruining the life of his own dear sister.
"Darcy be calm. Why do I feel there is even more to this tale than you have already shared? If you wish me to help, you must trust me. I am a better ally when I know the particulars. You must calm yourself, for right now I do not know what to think."
Darcy gripped his cane and clenched his jaw in an attempt to control his building anger. Colville was right, he could not afford to lose his head now; but Mrs Younge! He had never even considered Wickham's connection to the former governess to run so deep. He sighed meeting Edwards inquisitive gaze.
"What I am about to tell you is entirely confidential. Not even Anne knows the particulars. A year ago, Wickham almost ruined the happiness of my own sister." And with that Darcy told Edward everything; from Wickham's desire for money, his attempted entrapment of Georgiana and her dowry, to the unfavourable lies he spread about his own person.
"So, you see," he finally concluded, "I cannot just stand by and allow him to carry on as I always have. He must be brought to justice and held accountable for his actions."
"It is shocking indeed that a man could behave in such a manner and be so brazen in his actions. You have my word I shall do all I can to aid you in this matter. You must forgive me for ever doubting your intentions."
"How were you to know my involvement with the Bennet family. I am sure I would have drawn a similar conclusion. But I must find them and do whatever is in my power to control the damage to the girl and her family."
"Do you believe in doing this to help her sister Miss Elizabeth will change her mind and accept your offer?"
"That is not my intention. I have no desire of ever telling her my involvement, whatever happens. I only wish to make things right. Now let us be on our way, take me to see Mrs Younge."
Caroline watched as Agatha folded and packed the last of her things within her travel trunk. Lord, she had never been so desirous to leave a place in her life. This realisation was exceedingly irksome for Pemberley was in fact the one place she desired to be most of all, though not in the current company. They would depart for London the following morning, thankfully as Mr Hurst would also be one of the carriage occupants, this meant Montague would need to accompany them the entire route on horseback. Apart from when they stopped and dined on route, Caroline could avoid him completely. In two days, she would be back in London and all dealings with Montague could be entirely forgot and his company all but avoided. Her brother may need him, but she certainly did not.
She touched her lips absentmindedly as she recalled their exchange once more within Darcy's study. They had agreed to never speak of it again and for his part he seemed at present to be honouring such an agreement. She had spent this week utterly and entirely avoiding him, only partaking in conversation at dinner just enough to not raise any suspicion to the others present. It had been a rather tedious week. Lord if she ever were to be mistress of Pemberley she would need to ensure adequate house guests to keep the conversation lively when stuck in the middle of nowhere in deepest Derbyshire; for as cruel as it were, her sister and Georgiana were not exactly scintillating conversation.
Lord to be stuck for two full days in a carriage with her sister! How would she cope, likely not well. She knew she lost her temper too frequently at her sister, it was not her fault she was as simple as she was ridiculous. Lord she would rather ride with Montague! She felt herself jump at such a thought. Lord no, she would never wish for such a thing, she detested the man. The sooner she was no longer in his company the better.
She looked at the clock on the mantle, it was approaching five. She had one more thing she had to do this evening before she dressed for dinner. Picking up her reticule, she headed towards the kitchens in search of Mrs Reynolds.
A Little note... well from me!
Hello lovely people!
I can't call this an author's note as that would be being rather too presumptuous about my skills on the old keyboard (would you laugh if you knew I wrote this on my phone on lunch breaks from the office )
I can only thank those who still read my ramblings. I love every comment and I am amazed how invested some of you seem to get! The amount of people who read each chapter in the first 24 hours of posting is ridiculous! Every comment and message is so sweet and truly such a joy so I thank you all!
Yet again just to clarify those asking... this is my second story, and just like the first, it focuses on the minor P and P characters with just enough Lizzie and Darcy to keep the original story line in check. There are hundreds of E&D stories so I'm afraid you will need to allow me this little indulgence to go a bit off-piste as they say.
For you clever people who came to this story from my last, yes we have found Anne and Edward again! And moving forward I intend to still weave then in and out of this story when I so desire! I suppose I'm selfishly creating a little made up P and P universe, introducing characters as I see fit to bring a bit more story to those who we don't get to know much about in the original.
On this... Although Caroline's tale is maybe only half way through... I have been thinking who might get their story told next. I need to decide as I feel it will guide in part how this tale unfolds. Feel free to let me know... first off would anyone even like another book in this parallel world series? And secondly should it be about the fate of the forgotten Bennet sister Mary? Or perhaps what in the world became of Charlotte?
Happy to hear your thoughts ;) stay safe all
Y X
