“Do you want to forgive and see your mother again?” Jane questioned.
“My life will not…be long. Yes, I suppose…I would like that,” Anne decided.
“Then you know you need to speak to your father,” Elizabeth stated.
Anne knew what had to be done. She could only hope Papa would not be angry at her for the omission of not revealing the letters to him before.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Annie, I have known since the first letter your mother sent you that she has been doing so. My guards report everything to me, remember?” Sir Lewis told his daughter with a smile. “I am not upset in the least. I am aware you have never responded to any of the letters and I knew you would come to me when you felt the time was right. Let me assure you, I know not what the contents are. That is your private business.”
Anne handed her father the twelve letters in date order. “Here they…are, Papa,” Anne stated simply. Sir Lewis read from the first one to the most recent one.
“She certainly sounds contrite,” Sir Lewis stated. “If I am to consider a change where she would be allowed in your company again, I will meet with her in Bath first, and I must be convinced of her sincerity. That is why it needs to be face-to-face.” Not for one second did Sir Lewis believe his wife had changed, or even had the capacity to do so. However, his love for his daughter was so great, he would see if there was a way for Anne to get to know her mother.
“When will you…go see her, Papa?”
“After we return to Rosings Park and once your aunt and uncle have arrived.”
“Should I write to…her?” Anne wondered.
“If you want. I will take the letter with me when I go to see her.”
With that decided, Anne went to join her cousin and friends and Sir Lewis went to inform Fanny and Bennet of his decision.
Chapter 12
Lady Catherine knew not what to make of her husband calling on her at the house to where he had banished her. Had he not written in his letter she would never see him again?
She schooled her features. Was it possible her campaign to convince her simple-minded daughter she had changed was about to succeed? ‘I will have to show deference to my dunderheaded husband during this meeting,’ Lady Catherine told herself. ‘If he suspects anything, I am sure he will leave me to languish here.’
Plastering a smile on her face, she tried to look as welcoming as possible when Sir Lewis entered the room.
“Catherine,” Sir Lewis greeted his wife curtly.
“Lewis how good of you to come see me,” Lady Catherine simpered.
“Let us plainly understand one another,” Sir Lewis bit back as he sat in an armchair opposite his wife. “Like it is referred to in Jeremiah 13:23, a leopard is unable to change its spots. I am not fooled by your act Catherine; you always did think yourself so much more intelligent than you are. The only reason I am here is for Anne. She believes in redemption and so far I have chosen not to disillusion her by sharing my opinions on the matter with her.”
As he spoke, Sir Lewis noted the way his wife’s face got a more and more pinched look with every word. He shook his head, she really believed she was able to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.
He agreed with Elaine and Matlock her words rang false. They too concurred if he could have safeguards in place, and as long as she behaved, it would not hurt for Anne to come to know her mother in whatever time was left to her in the mortal world.
“If you believe I am dissembling to my daughter,” Lady Catherine responded imperiously, “why are you here?”
“Because unlike you, I love Anne and will do anything to facilitate her enjoying whatever time God grants her before He calls her home.” Sir Lewis went silent for a few moments. “Read this, and then I will tell you my plans.”
He slid Anne’s letter across the low table between himself and his wife.
Lady Catherine retrieved the letter, broke the seal, and began to read.
26 August 1805
Mother,
I truly want to believe you have the capacity to change. In addition, it is my Christian duty to forgive.
As I am not sure how many more years I will have before the damage to my heart and lungs claims my life, I would like to know you.
