“They had both been five years in the navy. They had served on the same frigate and not long after I employed the men who make sure my wife does not step out of line, they came to my notice. My man of business had found the men who are in Bath. When I told him in addition to them, I needed some of the best guards for Anne possible, he recommended Biggs and Johns without reservation.”
“Biggsis an appropriate name.” Bennet swirled the dark amber liquid around in his glass. “How do Darcy and his son do? Is Darcy still a hermit at that estate of his?”
“He is and the way he is living has rubbed off on his son which has resulted in aloof, taciturn, and sometimes downright arrogant behaviour by William. In my opinion, if Anne is watching from heaven, as I think she is, she is neither too happy at the way Darcy has withdrawn from life, nor at the way her son is following his father’s example.”
“I only met her that one time when she and Darcy escorted Giana, or Gigi as she was known then, to come spend time at Oak Hollow. From what I remember, she was a little shy, but she was happy, and once she got to know you, an outgoing lady.”
“You have summed up my late sister’s character rather well. This past Christmastide when we were all at Snowhaven, William did attend for two or three days, but Darcy did not come, not even to spend Christmas day with us.”
“I know if, goodness forbid, my Fanny was called home to God before me, my heart would be rendered from my chest. However, I am well aware she would see it as a betrayal if I did not give my life its all. She would haunt me if I was not the father I should be to my girls.”
“That is something I can well believe of your Fanny. If only I had found a woman who I could have loved and respected. One who returned the sentiments with full measure.”
Bennet said nothing in response. It was a similar sentiment his friend had expressed many times over the years since they had met and become close.
After a few moments, Bennet grinned. “Should we set up the chessboard again?”
“We will play this evening perhaps. Allow me to savour what for me is a victory.”
The friends lifted the glasses of port and saluted one another before each taking a small sip.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Why are we stopped at…Oakham Mount, Lizzy?” Anne enquired as she watched her friends hand the reins of their mounts to the grooms who had accompanied them.
“You remember I promised you that you would join us on the summit one day?” Elizabeth smiled.
Anne nodded. “But Lizzy, you know…I cannot walk up and…down, unless you have a few…days available for each way.”
“That is why I made a plan.” Elizabeth nodded to Anne’s huge guards.
John Biggs smiled to the vivacious miss and retrieved the seat and back they had removed from an old, discarded chair. With aid from Longbourn’s carpenter, a piece of lumber was attached to the bottom front of the seat with wood extending either side allowing for someone to hold onto it.
There was a second piece of lumber, of similar shape, thickness, and length attached near the top of the backrest on the rear side.
Brian Johns stood across from Biggs, each man held the protruding wood on his side, keeping the seat at the height of a normal chair. That way Anne would be able to sit without any bending.
“Anne, please sit,” Elizabeth requested.
Knowing how strong the two men were, or certainly they looked it, Anne lowered herself into the makeshift chair slowly. As soon as she was seated, Jane looped a belt around Anne to help secure her.
With the belt buckled, in one swift move, Biggs took hold of the two front pieces of protruding wood, while at the same time Johns had his hands on both rear pieces. As soon as both men were happy, Biggs released his one hand, twisted until he gripped it with his hand behind him and soon was standing, his face to the path. He lifted the front a little and Johns lowered his hands by the same amount. The effect wasAnne was reclining, her back leaning to the rear, and her legs raised at an angle to the ground, but felt quite comfortable.
With Jane and Elizabeth in the lead, the two men carrying Anne on herthrone,they were followed by two Lucas and three Bennet sisters.
To make sure Anne would be safe, the walk was slower than normal. The group of girls and the two guards reached the summit in about double the time it would normally take, but no one had any complaints.
Biggs and Johns righted the angle so Anne felt like she was seated on a normal chair. The men switched their hands so they were standing either side of the makeshift sedan chair. Mary unfastened the belt and Anne stepped down onto the summit.
“Lizzy, this is…wonderful, many…thanks,” Anne stated gratefully.
She had never thought she would ever see the top of the hill. It was exactly as Lizzy had explained it would be, not that she doubted Lizzy’s word. The summit was more or less flat. There was a stand of oak trees—no doubt the ones which leant themselves to the name of the eminence. Although the leaves had not started to fall from the trees yet, they were already starting to change colour. After all, it would be autumn in but a few short weeks. Anne noted the two benches under the trees Lizzy had told her about. There were boulders, some larger than others, at various points around the summit.
Elizabeth pointed to a large one near the one side of the hill’s summit. “That is the one facing the east where I sit to welcome the sunrise when I come early in the mornings,” Elizabeth explained. “Come, Anne.” Elizabeth took one of Anne’s hands and slowly led her under the trees to the one side of the hill.
From there they were looking down on Meryton. They were standing close to the boulder Lizzy indicated before.Elizabeth pointed out Netherfield Park beyond the town. She led Anne to the northern side of the hill while pointing out various estates and the lush rolling farmland dotted with tenant and manor houses. To the west was more of Longbourn and estates beyond it. As they walked more to the southern side, Mary pointed out the Bennets’ house. As they continued the slow walk—making sure to stop and allow Anne to rest and breathe whenever she needed to—around the summit, they moved to a position that looked southeasterly.
“You can see Lucas Lodge between Longbourn and Meryton,” Charlotte pointed out her home.
