* * *
Hours later, Anne strode up the stairs with Mrs. Jenkinson’s harping beside her: “Hold onto the banister” and “Walk slowly, lest you trip.”I will not trip! Today is the rebirth of my existence. I have tasted freedom from my mother and will not fall back into the miserable world I have always known. This is how it feels to be my own mistress!
She almost whistled while walking through the door and only stopped short at the sound of a raised voice from the sitting room. Her bravado left her, and she stood paralyzed before sinking into a chair in the hall.
“Has she returned?” Lady Catherine called at the servants laden down with packages alighting the stairs to their young mistress’s room. “Where is she? Anne?”
With a rustle of silks and the clicking of shoes, in stormed her mother with a concerned Colonel Fitzwilliam behind her. “Where have you been, girl? Get up out of that chair! It is for the servants!”
Anne rose from the seat, attempting to maintain her dignity and air of assurance. “Mother, what are you doing here? I believed you to be at Rosings!”
“And is that why you were off gallivanting throughout London? Well, thank heavens the carriage wheel broke and we returned for the barouche. You might have been kidnapped and taken to Gretna Green! Then where would we be? Darcy would refuse to marry you…”
“Mother, there is no need for these hysterics,” Anne replied with forcefulness. “I merely went out to shop.”
“Unaccompanied?”
“Of course not! Mrs. Jenkinson was with me, and we went to Madame Claudette’s. I must return in two days when the new fabric arrives from the drapers. I was quite safe.”
“Why would Thurston say you were off to view the exhibit with Colonel Fitzwilliam, and yet he is here waiting for you with me?”
Anne looked from the retreating butler to the scattering maids before catching the eye of her cousin. “Why, I—”
“Yes, I was to meet Anne and her companion but was detained at White’s. My dear cousin was only consoling herself with feminine pleasures upon my obvious lack of manners.”
A grateful smile stole across Anne’s countenance as Lady Catherine whipped around to the colonel.
“And you could not have informed me of this while I was waiting? While the house was in uproar?”
“I am truly sorry, Aunt. Allow me to make it up to both of you by accompanying you on a walk in the park?”
Lady Catherine sputtered. “A walk in the park? Have you no sense? A walk in the park will not do. Anne is more fatigued than is good for her. I will have to cancel my travel back to Rosings tomorrow to assure her health improves.”
Panic was evident in Anne’s voice. “Oh, Mama. You are all kindness, but I assure you that is unnecessary. Do not allow this misunderstanding to halt your responsibilities.”
“It was fortuitous that I returned when I did.”
Richard swallowed a chuckle before replying in a serious tone. “I can assure you I will do all in my power during your absence to guarantee Anne’s safety.”
“Including no delays at White’s?” She made an inelegant snort before continuing on her tirade. “That is all well and good but I will contact Darcy without delay. He is her affianced and has the responsibility to ensure her protection. You” —she sniffed, waving a hand— “are merely her cousin.”
This was not the first time Richard had been easily dismissed from his aunt’s notice nor was it the first time Anne felt the sting for him, but he turned to her and gently smiled before responding to Lady Catherine. “As you say. However, I am certain Darcy has matters of business to attend to for the next few days while I am a man at leisure.”
Lady Catherine harrumphed. “You had better be prudent, girl. But, with Richard here to look after you, I will continue with my plans and leave on the morrow.”
Anne silently exhaled the breath she had been holding and allowed her mother to titter on about everything and nothing at all, as she followed both her cousin and matriarch into the drawing room.
Chapter 12
“What a lovely night toattend the theatre,” Lizzy whispered under her breath stepping out of the carriage and taking Mr. Darcy’s hand. “I only hope our country manners do not cause whispering, sir. Will not members of thetonbelieve you have been accosted by wild savages?” She laughed softly at his arched brow.
With careful consideration, he smiled, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, “My dear Miss Bennet, youmustbe unaware that I am bringingyouamongst the savages.”
She laughed at his wit, drawing attention to their little party. As all eyes bore down on her, she was grateful her aunt Madeline had loaned her a gown acceptable for a night in the private box of Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley. The blue, crepe silk with ribbon embroidery was more sophisticated than was her custom, and the fine carriage and the elegant man escorting her gave Elizabeth courage, elevating her amongst the other theatre goers—above what she could ever have imagined.
It is true, Mr. Hamilton is a handsome man, but he does not have the presence which Mr. Darcy has. Nor even the inclination to escort me to events! Although I am allegedly marrying him.
She wrinkled her nose at the unwelcome thought. Only the day before her young cousin apprised her of the conversation she had overheard between Mr. Hamilton and her aunt.
