“But, Your Ladyship. Miss de Bourgh is well. Her only malady is a weak constitution. With an equal amount of rest and light exercise and fresh air, she will live a long and happy life.”
“Thurston,” she said, ignoring the doctor and calling to her butler. “Remove this man from my home and bar his admittance again. He is slandering my daughter!”
“But, Lady Catherine,” the confused man cried as he was forced from the room, “your daughter is hale. She must be allowed to—”
Thurston shut the door behind him as a smirk directed at his mistress quickly flashed across his countenance before returning to the room to await his next orders.
“Contact the papers and besmirch that man’s name. I want him to understand that one does not disagree with the widow of Sir Lewis de Bourgh on the care of her daughter. Is that understood?”
“Yes, m’lady.”
“Now, Thurston, remind Cook we must begin planning for the wedding breakfast. I want menus prepared with Darcy’s favorites—lamb, fish, meat pies.Everythingshe has ever cooked that he has enjoyed.”
“Yes, m’lady,” he said as he retreated to the safety below stairs.
“I do hope they will not bring that upstart Caroline Bingley to the wedding. Her brother may be friends with Darcy but they are from trade. And she is hanging out for my nephew. Whilst he is engaged to my daughter!” she muttered to herself.
There was a rustle from the other side of the room, and Lady Catherine turned sharply to investigate the source of the noise.
“Anne? Anne! Girl. do not hide in the shadows. What are you doing there?”
“Mama, I have been sitting here for nigh on an hour. Do you not recall our conversation before the doctor arrived?” Her voice was quiet but firm, alluding to the strength of the young heiress. “I have been occupying my time reading while you finished your discussion with him. I must say, I believe the doctor made a good argument. I feel better now than I have in many months. Quite possibly, this illness has departed and I am healed. If that is the case—”
“Anne—” her mother slammed her wooden cane on the floor “—you cannot know what the doctor was saying. I am your mother. I know what is best for you. He was a charlatan and you are ill!”
“If that is the case,” Anne continued, “maybe we should postpone the wedding. I believe Darcy is concerned about his estate. Let us allow him some time to prepare Pemberley for a mistress and not marry in such haste.” The words died from her lips when she saw her mother’s face.
“Such haste? Such haste? Anne, you are five and twenty!” The folds of skin across Lady Catherine’s forehead and the corners of her eyes were full of menace as the vein in her temple pulsed. “Postpone the wedding? What nonsense! This marriage has been planned since your infancy. It is long expected by all of society, and it was the express wish of both your mothers. You will not disappoint me, girl.” She rapped her cane again and glowered at her only child.
Anne raised her chin and took a fortifying breath. “But, mother, I do not love Fitzwilliam as a wife should love her husband. I never have nor will I ever.”
“Love?Who said anything aboutlove? Your life is not a novel. Darcy will do his duty. We do not marry for love. With this marriage, you will combine both our great families.” She scoffed at the idea. “Love. Do you think I loved your father? You will marry Darcy and unify our estates, making us one of the most powerful families in the realm.” She sniffed, standing to go upstairs and dress for the remainder of the day. “Love. You had better get that notion out of your head. Darcy will come again in a month’s time to begin preparations for the wedding. I want no further mention of postponement, do you understand? We now have only a little over two months before the event, and I will not have it ruined by such drivel!”
Lady Catherine did not wait for a response, instead propelling her body out the door and up the stairs before her daughter could respond.
Anne’s gaze wandered out the window to a small patch of blue sky. “Then I will be trapped in a loveless marriage to a man, who although I respect, I do not cherish. And he, who I do cherish, will never know.” She sat there in quiet contemplation before Thurston announced Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Richard.” Anne beamed. “What brings you here, my dear cousin?” She extended her hands to him, and he walked forward and took them in his own, leaning forward to kiss her cheek.
“Hello, my sweet. I was given two weeks leave and decided to see my favorite cousin.” The twinkle in his eye made her blush.
“You had better not repeat that in front of Georgiana. She will be devastated.” They both chuckled and sat together on the sofa.
Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam was a second son, and though born into wealth and privilege, knew any happiness and advancements in life would be of his own doing. He had earned his rank, after his father purchased his lieutenant commission for him. Yet, he would still need to marry an heiress.
If only Richard would see how our temperaments suit, we would be the happiest of couples.
“Anne, how are you feeling? My mother said you were to have seen the doctor today. Yet look well.”
“It depends on who you ask.” At his questioning gaze, she continued. “Mother seems to believe the doctors do not properly diagnose me. This is the third one in the last month who has claimed I am healthy and only need fresh air and exercise. But she is determined I am ill!” Anne shrugged her shoulders. “She does not believe I can become well, and therefore I cannot.”
“That is most perplexing.” He eased back in his seat before turning his steady mien on her. “She is most likely anxious because of your upcoming wedding to Darcy.”
“Yes, possibly so. I told her this very morning that we should postpone the wedding if I am not in good health, but she objected.” Had Anne not returned her attention out the window, she would have seen him start.
“And why is that, dear cousin? Do you not wish to marry Darcy?”
A catch in his tone made her heart skip a beat, as she looked at him with lowered lashes. He looked as if he wished to speak more when Thurston walked in the room.
