“We shall see about that, Nephew! This may be your reality, but it is not one that I shall readily accept, and I suspect neither will the earl.”
“‘Tis your choice, for I have nothing further to say on the matter. Do not expect me for dinner, since I plan to spend most of my time in Anna’s room and shall take a tray later in my own. There is one other thing, however. While I am speaking my mind, you may as well know that I will not condone the way you treated my daughter when she was ill. Anna told me that you did not like her crying and would not send for me until she stopped. She is but a child, and never again will you threaten her in such a manner. I hope I make myself clear.”
“Perfectly. You would spoil that child and have her raised by a country hoyden. Go, leave me! I am seriously displeased, and if your mother, my dear sister, was yet alive, she would be ashamed of your actions, just as I am.”
“Suit yourself, Aunt. Those are my final words.”
“That may be, but you have not heard the last of this from me, Fitzwilliam Darcy!”
CHAPTER SEVEN
TURMOIL
Rosings Park
Sunday, The Next Day
William had spent much of the previous night and early morning hours in Anna’s room. Shortly after midnight her fever returned, and again she had trouble breathing. She was scared and tried not to cry, but her throat hurt and it was difficult for her to swallow. If only he was in Town and able to consult with Mr. Mitchell. Assessing his daughter’s situation shortly after his arrival, he had sent an express to the physician, asking that he make the journey to Kent if it was feasible.
Last winter when Georgiana was plagued with a respiratory ailment, Mr. Mitchell’s apothecary provided William with some eucalyptus leaves he had acquired from an Italian supplier. Inhaling the vapours helped with her congestion, as did crushing the leaves and adding them to a poultice for her chest. William had brought some of the leaves with him hoping the treatments would be equally beneficial for Anna. As before, he held his daughter in the rocking chair and continued his story.
“Princess Elizabeth and her family lived in the south, so it was far warmer than our home in the north. Her father’s kingdom did not have the high peaks or the vast forests which we do. Instead his lands were filled with rolling hills, and there was an abundance of farm land. On the path to Oakham Mount, the princess would pass meadows filled with lavender and wild flowers, which she often picked and stored in her basket. And in the same basket, she carried a small sack filled with nuts and seeds, since it was her habit to feed the birds and squirrels as she walked along humming a merry tune or singing a simple folk song.”
“Papa,” Anna whispered, her little voice still scratchy, “do you think Princess Elizabeth would sing to me like you and Aunt Georgie do if she were here?”
“Why, yes, sweetheart, I know she would. If you remember, I said the princess is very fond of children, and a little girl named Anna would warm her heart, just as she warms mine.”
“Oh, Papa.” She snuggled into his chest and hugged him tightly. “I love you, and I love the princess, too.” After a time she looked up at him and innocently asked, “Papa, do you think you could find the princess and ask her to be my new mama?”
William again pulled his daughter close, tears misting in his eyes. “For you, sweet one, I promise, I will make it so. When you are well enough, I shall return to Town where the princess and I will wed. Then, when I come back to get you, you shall meet your new mama and the three of us will travel to the seaside and stay at the cottage with Aunt Georgie. Would you like that, little one?”
“Oh, yes, Papa. I would like that very much and Dolly too.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “I am glad for we shall all be very happy, I know it.”
Despite the horrors of what he was now facing, William wanted to marry Elizabeth very much and was looking forwardto having her become a permanent part of his life. There was no question in his mind that she would love Anna and be a balm to his weary soul. He had experienced much sadness with the death of his parents, his difficult marriage with Anne, and ultimately her death and that of his infant son. In William’s mind, marrying Elizabeth would be a new beginning for his little family. Discounting the trials that might lay ahead, Elizabeth was a strong woman, and he knew she would be a blessing to him and Anna and to Georgiana.
Morning
Having risen later than usual after a long night, it was nine-thirty by the time William completed his ablutions and looked in on his daughter. One of the maids was now attending her, since her nurse was resting. Anna looked so small and frail all bundled up in the large bed; her pretty blond hair was in a long braid, and she clutched her dolly while she slept. Taking the chair at her bedside, he could hear that her breathing was still a bit laboured. He would have the maid prepare more of the steamed herbs and ask for yet another poultice for her chest. Holding her small hand in his large one, he gently stroked each one of her little fingers. Leaning over to kiss her forehead, he thanked God that she was no longer fevered. It broke his heart to watch her suffer, and he prayed she would soon be well.
Glancing towards the window, it was easy to see that what had started off as a gloomy morning had become a steady rain with the possibility of a severe storm. William had thought to take a short ride while Anna slept, but with the change in weather, he retreated to his room to complete some much needed correspondence. Before leaving Town he was able to pen a quick note to his solicitor asking him to begin preparing thesettlement papers, and he had sent another to his uncle the Archbishop requesting a special licence for his marriage, but nothing more. Since arriving at Rosings Park, William had been so preoccupied with Anna’s wellbeing that he had yet to write another letter to Mr. Gardiner or even inform Georgiana of what took place at the ball. He hated to give the news to his sister by letter, but she would understand that he could not leave Anna.
Although William was sure Georgiana would like Elizabeth, he also knew that she would be shocked by how he found himself in such a position to marry. Given the circumstances, he had decided against sending for her to attend his wedding. At present, the situation he found himself in was yet too raw. As it was, he would have to tolerate Mrs. Bennet as best he could, as well as the disdain that was sure to be emitted by his immediate family. Lady Catherine had already made herself clear on that point, and he expected no less from his uncle the earl.
Hopefully, his time in Kent would not be longer than a few more days. It distressed William that he was not able to speak to either Mr. Gardiner or Elizabeth in person. In reviewing their predicament, it was very apparent that the compromise had been perpetrated by Eliza and Mrs. Bennet. Still angered by what they did, he had no desire to ever see either woman again. Unfortunately, they were Elizabeth’s family, and therein lay the dilemma. Perhaps he could avoid seeing the Demings, but once he married Elizabeth, her mother and younger sisters would be his. How could he possibly subject his daughter or Georgiana to their hoydenish ways? Yet, it would be cruel to deny Elizabeth any of her family. He would have to learn to endure their company, but how? Needless to say, he would give it more thought over the coming days.
Unhappily, there was still his aunt to contend with. Before returning to Town, he would make his preferences known to those who would be caring for Anna. He did not want LadyCatherine taking out her frustrations with him on his child. Oddly, since the incident with her physician, his aunt had not come by Anna’s room, nor to his knowledge had she sent a servant to find out how her granddaughter was faring. In his nearly eight and twenty years, he had never met a more unfeeling woman. It was hard to believe that she and his mother were sisters, for Lady Anne had been everything that was good and kind and would have doted on her granddaughter.
Late Afternoon
After completing his correspondence, William spent most of the afternoon with Anna. His child was yet very ill, but as before, she rallied when he attended her. He told her stories, sang to her, talked more about Elizabeth and coaxed her to have a little chicken broth and some warm bread with butter. After rocking her to sleep and placing her back in her bed, William decided it would be a good time to secure riders who could deliver his letters on the morrow.
Much to William’s dismay, the rain had not let up but had escalated into a severe thunderstorm. Taking a large umbrella from the back of the house, he hurried down the sodden path and made his way through the gusty wind and rain to the stables.
Arriving there, William noticed there were very few workers in attendance, which was understandable considering the weather and given many had not returned from the village. Being the Sabbath, this was the one day Lady Catherine had traditionally allowed her servants and other workers to spend time with their families.
Nevertheless, he was anxious to make arrangements for his letters to be transported. Shaking the water from his greatcoat,he saw old Jackson, one of the stable hands who immediately came forth.
