“A family,” the little girl sighed with contentment.
Elizabeth sat in the rocking chair, still holding the child close, and began to hum a familiar tune causing Anna to look up at her in wonder. “Mama, Papa always sings that song to me when he puts me to bed. How did you know?”
“Lavender Blueis a favourite of mine, too, and one my Grandmamma would sing to me when I was a small child like you. Would you like it if Papa and I sang it together?”
“Oh, yes, Mama.”
Elizabeth smiled at William, who nodded. “Very good, we shall both sing, but it is late and you must go back to sleep. And tomorrow, when you awaken, you and I shall spend the entire day together. Would you like that, little one?”
“Yes, Mama. Dolly and I would like that very much.”
While William and Elizabeth softly sang the child’s favoured song together, William covered Anna with a small blanket and knelt beside the rocking chair, taking one of her hands in his. Watching his daughter continue to snuggle into Elizabeth’s embrace, he nearly lost his composure when he heard Anna whisper, “I love you, Mama.”
Soon after, Anna was sound asleep and Elizabeth was able to put her back into bed. Before leaving the room, William pulledhis wife close, saying, “Elizabeth Darcy, today you have made me the happiest of men, and I love you more than life itself. God has blessed me and my family beyond measure, and I am grateful.”
A little later, when it was time for William to take his leave, Elizabeth pulled her husband to the side and tenderly whispered, “Dear, dear William, my heart is so full of love for you and Anna. Please be safe. We shall be waiting for you to return with Georgiana.”
William’s Bedchamber
Although William and the others had left hours ago, sleep did not come easily to Elizabeth. Her thoughts were filled by William and all she had experienced in the last two days. Not until she wandered into his room and lay on his large bed was she able to find any solace. Leaning into the pillows, she could still smell a hint of sandalwood from when the two of them had lain together mere hours before. Would that she was still in his arms, holding him close and offering comfort. The man had faced so many trials during his short life, and here he was off to face yet another.
Reverently touching the emerald cross about her neck, she said another prayer for his safety and for her new sister. William had promised to keep her informed once he knew anything, and she hoped it would not be long. Deciding to spend the rest of the night in his room, she pulled a blanket over her weary body and closed her eyes. As she drifted off, her dreams were invaded by the loving father who sangLavender Bluewith her in his deep baritone and of the sweet little child who called her Mama.
First light came early, but Elizabeth did not mind, as there was much to do on this new day. Stretching, she kissed her husband’s pillow before swinging her legs over the side of thebed. Since it was so dark when they arrived, this would be her first chance to take a glimpse of Rosings Park. Moving to the window, Elizabeth pulled back the curtains and looked over the expanse of the formal garden below. In the distance, she could see a small pond and a fountain with running water. Perhaps she and Anna might take a picnic there later in the afternoon, weather permitting. Her windows were moist with the morning dew, but the sky was clearing and it looked to be a fair day. For now, she would return to her room and seek the assistance of her maid, since she was not sure when Anna would awaken or when Lady Catherine would want to see her.
Just then, the patter of little feet running in the hallway alerted her that Anna was also an early riser. All at once there was a frantic tapping on the door.
“Papa, Papa! Mama is not in my room and Dolly and I think she might be lost. Please open the door and help us find her,” the little voice pleaded.
Opening the door and stooping down, Elizabeth cheerfully said, “Good morning, Anna! I am not lost, and I was wondering when you might wake up.”
“Mama!” Anna squealed with delight, putting her little arms around Elizabeth’s neck.
“Come, sweet child,” she said, picking up her daughter. “Papa is away for now, so let us go into my room. I will send Molly to let Nurse know where you are.”
At that moment Anna’s nurse breathlessly appeared at the doorway and very apologetically said, “I am so sorry, Mrs. Darcy. I am Anna’s nurse, Mrs. Potter. Miss Anna is often up at this hour, and today she escaped my notice before I could see her properly dressed. If you like, I can take her and have her change into something more suitable before she joins you.”
“Thank you. For now, she is fine. Anna and I shall remain for a bit in my rooms. Perhaps you can return in half an hour andassist her then. I think it would be nice if the two of us were to break our fast in the sitting room this morning and shall ask for trays to be sent up. Would you like that, Anna?”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Mrs. Potter, I would also like for you to join us. It will give us a chance to become better acquainted, and you may tell me about Anna’s daily routine.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Putting Anna down, Elizabeth took her hand and guided her through the sitting room and into her bedchamber. “This is a lovely room, is it not? The colours are quite cheerful.”
“It is very pretty, Mama. My room is green,” she said with disappointment. “Grandmamma says green is the best colour for sleeping, but I would like it better if it was pink.” Then smiling she continued, “Papa let me have pink curtains and they have pretty flowers on them, like in our garden.”
“The curtains sound lovely. As for green, do not forget it is also the colour of nature and therefore makes a nice complement to the flowers on your curtains.”
“Yes, Mama.” She smiled sweetly.
“It was quite dark when I visited you last night, so I would like you to show me your room this morning. But first we shall have a little tea party while we break our fast. Dolly may join us, and I think one other.”
“One other?”
Sitting Anna on her bed Elizabeth said, “Yes, her name is Janie. Let me show you.”
