Lady Helen gave a knowing smile. “You are right, Elizabeth. Most women fall in love with Phillip very quickly. He is handsome, amiable, wealthy, and titled. He and Richard both have lively wits and polished manners. They have been hunted all their lives, Phillip for his position and fortune, Richard for his looks, his masculine form, and his charm. Society ladies know that Richard must marry for money, yet they still flock to him, contented to flirt with a handsome man. Anne knows his reputation with beautiful women, and I believe that is why she hesitates. She is not convinced that he is serious and perhaps fears that he will not be faithful to her.”
Elizabeth sipped her tea. “Have you spoken with Anne directly? Have you told her that Richard is in earnest?”
Lady Helen shook her head firmly. “No. I am his mother. Of course, I should say the best of my son, but she would not believe it from me. She must see it for herself. That is why I think it is an advantage that both Stanton sisters are here. If Richard does not flirt with either of them, Anne may begin to believe that he is sincere.”
She leaned closer, her voice lowering. “Richard even wrote to me recently, asking for advice.” Her expression softened intoincredulity. “Can you imagine it? A man of his years, full-grown, accomplished, and so much at ease with women, and yet at a loss with Anne! His famed address has failed him where she is concerned.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Perhaps it is well for him to meet his match. A little set-down may not do him harm, if it forces him to work for once.”
Lady Helen relaxed, laughing in turn. “Perhaps you are right, my dear.”
They ate for a while in companionable silence before the conversation turned to their upcoming excursion. Lady Helen set down her teacup and said, “Elizabeth, I should like you to draw close to Anne, to discover, if you can, what holds her back. My younger son is a good man. I know him. Once he gives his heart, he will be faithful. He will leave all other women behind, settle into family life, and prove himself to be both a good husband and father. But first, he must persuade her.”
Elizabeth reached across and laid her hand upon her aunt’s. “I will do what I can to speak with Anne and learn her mind.”
Her expression brightened as she added, “Shall we plan to leave for Windermere in three days’ time? Now that Anne and Richard are here, I see no reason to delay. Three days’ rest should be sufficient for Anne after her journey.”
Lady Helen inclined her head in agreement. “Yes, three days will do. I shall let the others know at dinner this evening.”
The two ladies shared a look of quiet satisfaction as the morning sun glinted through the windows, illuminating the first threads of their plan.
That evening, the household gathered in the grand dining room, and candles twinkled in the sconces. It was midway through the meal, as a fresh course was being set before them, that Lady Helen spoke. “I have determined, after speaking with Mrs. Darcy this morning, that we shall leave for Windermere in three days. Anne will have rested sufficiently by then, and the journey ought to be very manageable.”
There was a murmur from the young women. Abby turned bright eyes toward her sister. “Anise, I have wanted to see the lakes since Papa promised to bring us.”
Phillip raised his glass in approval. “A month at the Lakes will do us all good. Fresh air, fine scenery, and good company to enliven it. I call that an excellent plan, Mother.”
Richard gave a nod, though his gaze flicked instinctively toward Anne, as though to measure her response. She colored slightly under the attention, then smiling said, “I shall have seen more of England in this single month than in the whole course of my life.”
Darcy, seated at the head of the table, remarked in his dry manner, “It has been some twelve years since I last visited there. Life and its duties have a way of intruding upon such pleasures.”
Elizabeth caught his eye and smiled; she would see the lakes with Fitzwilliam.
Chapter 83: Travel to Windermere
Elizabeth stood at the entrance with Darcy, watching as trunks were secured to the two carriages.
Phillip walked up and said, “The entire household has been thrown into an uproar, cousin. Are we bound for Windermere, or embarking upon a military campaign?”
“Both,” Darcy replied dryly.
Phillip grinned. “I shall be glad of it either way. A holiday to the Lakes with good company will be vastly more entertaining than being hunted at endless balls, routs, and card parties.”
Abby and Anise descended the steps together, and Phillip moved forward at once. He greeted them both, then offered his arm to the quieter sister. “Miss Anise, are you well? You appear a little discomposed.”
Anise flushed, her gaze fixed upon the ground. “No, my lord. I am perfectly well, thank you for your concern.”
Abby, walking on her sister’s other side, slipped her arm through Anise’s. “My sister is not so free in manner as others, my lord, but she is feeling quite well.”
Irritation flickered across Abby’s face, quickly masked by her usual poise. Elizabeth and Lady Helen caught it, their eyes meeting for a moment, Elizabeth’s amused, but Lady Helen’s held concern.
Georgiana followed, reticule in hand, and turned to her sister. “I hope I have not forgotten anything important. I spent more time packing books, sketchbooks, and pencils than on which gownsto bring. I mean to sketch a remembrance of this holiday with family.”
Elizabeth turned to the girl. “Never fear, my dear. Should you want for anything, I will lend it. My maid packed more than enough for two of us.”
Richard emerged with Anne upon his arm, and they stood together next to his mother.
Darcy surveyed the gathering. “Very well, the carriages are packed. Our servants left two hours ago and will arrive at our lodging in time to secure our rooms and our dinner. The grooms stand ready with our mounts. Lady Helen, we are ready to depart.”
