Pride and Prejudice
Fan Fiction
I am My Father's Daughter
Previously
Anne walked down to the dower house and, for the first time she looked at the house, really looked at it. It was far too large in her book for one person. She would have preferred the guest house. However, Anne knew her mother's personality -not to mention mentality. What other choice did she have? She hated playing her mother's game but -in this matter- it had to be played. If Anne did not allow her mother to stay at Rosings Park, let her choose where to live, then all Anne's plans would crumble- she just knew it.
Attempts to Undermine
Ch. 12
Anne turned in slight disbelief when she saw Jason Chance coming her way. It made her wonder two things. What had her mother said to him? And what had his true reaction been when Mr. Darcy had spoken to him? It did not seem possible that there had been enough time for both of them to have talked to Lord Chance's son already.
"Yes?" Anne spoke stiffly to the gentleman. "How may I help you?"
"We are getting ready to eat. I did not see you in the dining hall. I told your mother I would come get you."
"Thank you for your consideration, but... " Anne smiled sweetly. "I am eating alone tonight."
"Who is cooking for you? All of the servants are up at the main house."
Anne fought her blood from boiling; this had her mother written all over it. This so-called gentleman was nothing but a willing pawn to be used by anyone who could - eventually - give him a pocketful of money. Well, she could not stop her mother's choice of reactions. However, Anne could choose her own. So, she smiled sweetly, but did not weaken in her resolve to stay the course which had been set.
"I thank you for your concern. But, in spite of what some appear to think, I am capable of cooking a meal. Hence, I prefer to eat a simple one tonight. I will not starve." Anne walked up the stairs, ignored one very shocked 'honorable' man outside.
Anne's eye lit up as she saw Mrs. Barnett had left her favorite blanket folded neatly on the sofa with a note on top.
My Sweet Anne,
I left this before my departure. I got the feeling your mother would choose here and not the guest house. If not, well, you will still find this for you know me well. Your mother will find out my husband and I are gone in the morning. I hope the help we gave you was enough. If things do not work out with the cottage, move to Meryton. Susan's parents are living just outside of that town, in a home not far from their relatives. They will point you in the direction of someone who will give you employment if needs be. Who knows, if it does come to that... you may surprise us all and get a job without our aid.
We also thought, for the first night on your own you should not have to cook. You will find it in your room.
There are a few small gifts from us in the smaller room upstairs. They are not much, but you deserve it. The items were meant to be tossed out. However, I had not the heart to see it gone. They belonged to your father even said so on his deathbed he wanted you to have them. So, though I had considered quitting your mother's household, I determined to stay on for your sake. Why your mother refused to give them to you I do not know.
We, however, as promised, will not be leaving England quite yet. You know where we will be- and for how long. If you need us just contact us and we will come to your aid.
Love
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett
Anne took the blanket, hurried upstairs, and unlocked the door to her new bedroom. Going inside, she set the blanket on a chair. She couldn't help but chuckle as she opened up a trunk at the foot of the bed; her supper was inside. Pulling it out, Anne put it on the bed. As she did, a hand-carved wooden box was spotted in the basket. Taking it out, she sat down on the bed and opened it up.
First, she pulled out a silver thimble and a framed sketch of her father. The frame was not large, nor the sketch, but it was eerily accurate. Placing the items on top of the drawers, Anne went back to the box and proceeded to take out the only item left in the box: a chain that could easily be used for a pocket-watch And there was a silver locket. Opening it up, she was shocked to see a sketch also inside it - one of her mother and a baby. Anne could only assume was her, for it was a dark-headed infant girl. A fig of lavender had been pressed around the side of the picture.
Who had drawn the picture? Why had her mother not kept them? If they had been meant for Lady Catherine, well, Anne could have blamed her actions on grief. However, they had been meant for her daughter.
Anne's first reaction was to be furious, but then she took a deep breath. She vowed she would not take the path her mother had chosen so long ago. However, that did not mean Sir Lewis's daughter did not need to cool down. Hence, she took the basket downstairs, putting most of the food up, leaving out only a couple of the sandwiches and a piece of fruit. She then put on a coat, took the food she'd left out and went for a walk.
The wind was not whipping hard, but it was cold. Anne might have turned around, but figured she might as well get used to the cold while still on property she knew rather than in strange territory. This being the case, Anne kept on walking. The gardener's dog ran past her before the gentleman walked by. He waved, surprised but not shocked to have heard of the latest turn of events.
"Your mother's in a high dudgeon." The servant chuckled. "I dare say the reason she is not creating more of a scene is because Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam are here. Also, Colonel Fitzwilliam's new girl, Lady Janet Peters, just arrived within the hour."
"That would close my mother's mouth, for the time being...how long is Lady Janet supposed to be staying?"
"Just a couple of days. Her parents are coming after that. Personally, I think..." The gentleman lowered his voice. "Colonel Fitzwilliam plans on asking her father for her hand in marriage."
"How old is she?"
"Twenty. And she is quite the wealthy young lady. However, more than that, they seem quite suited to each other. I am sure there is a young man around here willing to marry you."
"If that is the case, I wish them well. As to my own mate, time will tell on that one." Anne walked away truly wishing Richard and Lady Janet well. Though, once again this 'chance' meeting had her mother written all over it. This particular gardener never walked home. If she had not come out herself, ten to one he would have come to the guest house with a 'reason' to be there - and then used the same tone which had just been used with that last sentence being delivered for her mother and Jason Chance.
Anne pushed all that aside, determined to enjoy the rest of her walk and the food she had brought with her.