“You wanted to convey your sympathies. Say what youcame to say and then please leave,” Darcy stated.
“Yes, that. I was sorry to hear about my godfather’s passing. I also wanted to know what I was bequeathed in his will,” George stated nonchalantly.
He had expected much, but not the derisive laughter from the prig and his two uncles.
“For one of around twenty, it is sad your memory is so poor,” Sir Lewis mocked. “You know full well my late brother withdrew as your godfather once your perfidy came to light. My brother Matlock has the right of it, you are delusional.” Sir Lewis turned to his brother and nephew. “Do you think we should send him to bedlam? He is clearly insane.”
“My uncles can attest to the fact your name was not so much as mentioned in the will. Now please leave,” Darcy related.
George Wickham could see he would get nowhere in his quest for easy wealth, well certainly not in this room.
With a scowl on his face, he turned and stomped to the door, pulled it open, and with two footmen following close behind, headed towards the main doors. Once outside, he stopped and looked back at the house, in the direction of where he knew the study was.
“You will be sorry you crossed me,” he threatened towards where Darcy sat.
Seeing the two large footmen starting to move towards him, Wickham turned and walked as fast as he could back towards his father’s cottage.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth was keen to welcome her friends back the day they arrived from Derbyshire after having to travel there due to the death of Mr. Darcy, Giana’s father. There was no missing how drained Anne looked from travelling. Elizabeth was aware Uncle Lewis had added an extra two days of travel—each way—to make the journey a little easier for Anne.
When she exited the de Bourgh coach, Anne was leaning on Jenki’s arm for support while the big guard Biggs was giving her support on the other side. “Anne, what do you need?” Elizabeth enquired worriedly.
“I think Miss Anne only needs good and uninterrupted rest and then she will regain her energy,” Mrs. Jenkinson stated.
Whether it was what Mrs. Jenkinson desired or factual, Elizabeth did not know, all she knew was she prayed it was what would occur. Before Elizabeth could say another word, she heard her mother begin to direct things.
“Mrs. Jenkinson, allow Biggs to assist you in taking dear Anne up to the chamber she uses at Longbourn so she may have as much rest as she needs to recover,” Fanny ordered. Next, she pulled Georgiana into a hug. “Giana you poor thing. We are all so very sorry your father has been called home to God. He was such a good man. I am very regretful we only met the late Lady Anne that first time when we were introduced to you.”
“I especially miss Mama. I love my late Papa, but I hadhardly seen him since Mama passed away,” Georgiana stated sadly.
Georgiana was dressed in a black muslin gown. Before she departed Pemberley with Uncle Lewis and Anne, two mourning dresses had been made up and three of her older gowns had been dyed black.
Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie were to remain at Pemberley for a few more weeks. She was to remain with Uncle Lewis, Anne, and her friends for now. In a fortnight they would make for Rosings Park where she would reside until her guardians came to join them. Giana would discover what the plans after Rosings Park were once her aunt and uncle arrived.
Elizabeth waited back to speak to Uncle Lewis. She was very concerned about Anne. In the years they had been friends, never had she seen Anne looking so very haggard.
Sir Lewis did not miss the look of concern on Lizzy’s face. “It was the journey, nothing more Lizzy, I promise you,” Sir Lewis stated guessing what she was about to ask.
“That will allow me to rest a little easier,” Elizabeth visibly relaxed, although she still felt some worry for Anne. “Do you still want Jane, Mary, and me to accompany you to Rosings Park when you depart?”
“Yes, we do. Unless your parents have changed their minds,” Sir Lewis confirmed. “I assume you will be bringing Penelope so you are able to ride in the groves again. I know you like to walk there as well.”
“Mama and Papa have not rescinded their permission, and yes, you know me well enough to know how much I enjoy walking and riding in the groves, and visiting the glade,” Elizabeth smiled widely.
She loved taking her exercise on the paths at Longbourn, especially going up to the top of Oakham Mount, but she had become enamoured with Rosings Park. Especially the groves, glade, and the replica Greek temple on the hilloverlooking the mansion.
When she entered the house, Elizabeth was shaken from her reverie by Jane. “Lizzy, what did Uncle Lewis say about Anne?” Jane enquired. Their three younger sisters were listening intently.
She related what she had been told. “We should wait until Jenki tells us we may visit Anne and then we can see for ourselves all is well with her,” Elizabeth suggested.
“In the meanwhile, we will spend some time with Giana,” Kitty decided. She and Lydia made for the stairs to go to their friend.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
By the next day, much to everyone’s relief, not least of all Sir Lewis’s, Anne was back to her normal—such as that was—self. Mrs. Jenkinson still wanted her to rest for another day to be safe, so after a short visit she began to herd the visiting girls from her charge’s bedchamber.
“Jenki, if you will allow it, I…would like Jane and…Lizzy to remain,” Anne requested.
