Mary Bennet felt as if she was floating on air when she thought about her fiancé. A few days after her birthday—her nineteenth—Richard declared his love for her, which she told him, in no uncertain terms, she returned in full measure.
Like Jane and Andrew before them, they decided an official courtship would accomplish nothing that had not already been accomplished. Hence, Richard had dropped onto one knee and proposed. It had been ever so romantic and Mary had accepted him with alacrity, then when Richard spoke to Mama and Papa, permission and blessings were conveyed without delay.
It had not pleased her to learn Richard had been forced to wait a year before declaring himself, however much she understood her parents’ reasoning for imposing that particular restriction. There were no more parental restrictions, but there was a reason Mary and Richard had not set a date yet.
Thinking of Anne made Mary very sad. There was no doubt their cousin was nearing the end of her all too short life. As happy as they were, they were not so insensitive as to have the most joyous day of their lives when Anne was so close to leaving the mortal world.
The main worry Mary had was when Anne passed how Lizzy would react. She would need all of their support which was another reason for them not to choose a date yet. All of the Bennet sisters had become very close to Anne over the years, but none of them shared a bond similar to the one betweenAnne and Lizzy. The two of them could not have felt closer had they been sisters by blood.
Each night Mary prayed for a miracle. She begged Him to heal Anne so rather than mourn her, Anne would be at her wedding and live a long and full life. So far, God had not granted her prayer. Nevertheless, Mary still kept asking every day.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Fanny and Bennet were seated in the study to discuss the report Philips had provided regarding the potential lessee of Netherfield Park. For a few months now the estate had been solely owned by Bennet thanks to a few years of exceptionally good profits at both estates. Even though he had tried to insist Gardiner be paid more than he had invested, his brother had flatly refused.
“Thomas, is there anything in the report which would disqualify Mr. Bingley?” Fanny asked.
“No Fanny, I see nothing of concern,” Bennet averred. “Even had Richard not assured me regarding his friend’s character, I would have accepted him as a tenant.”
“What of the sister?”
“She is no longer a weight around his neck since Mr. Bingley set her up in her own establishment. Richard has told many stories about the woman and her unswerving hunt of his cousin.”
“Did Richard not say his elusive cousin will be one of the party at Netherfield Park if Mr. Bingley is awarded the lease?”
“Yes Fanny, he most certainly did. Like his late father, the current Mr. Darcy is an avid chess player and bibliophile. I look forward to finally meeting him.”
“Jane did report although he is reserved, he is a good sort.” Fanny paused as she thought of their grandson. “I cannot wait to see Tommy again. I am sorry we missed his first birthday in July, especially as he had begun to walk and talkjust before the celebration.”
While worry for de Bourgh and Anne had kept the Bennets at home, they did not regret remaining near their friends.
“You will see him soon enough; Jane and Andrew arrive in less than a sennight.” Speaking of Tommy’s young life which was stretched out before him caused Bennet’s thoughts to drift onto a much less pleasant path. “Is it just me, or have you noticed de Bourgh looks like he has aged many years in the last few months as Anne has moved closer to being called home to God?”
“It is not you alone. Elaine and I spoke of it before Mary’s ball after she sent that imposter on her way. Like we do, Elaine does not believe Lewis will long survive Anne’s passing. He is fighting to remain alive for her.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Lady Catherine had to fight to contain her glee. She was almost free! Her daughter, who had lived more years than she had believed possible was near her end, and if she was any judge, and with her unmatched intelligence she was, her damned husband would not be long for the world once Anne was dead.
The best thing was no one would be able to accuse her of wrongdoing. Yes, it was many years past the date she had intended before that girl had interfered, but all of her patience was about to be rewarded. She smiled to herself as she thought about the will that would give everything to her.
A few months past, her simpleton of a husband had agreed to permit her to go into Westerham and Hunsford no more than once a week to either town. Thankfully when she entered a shop, the guards would stand at the entrance and back doors, but leave her unmolested in the establishment.
Using her vast intellect, she had paid one of the lowly tradesmen in Hunsford to post a letter to the solicitor who hadcreated her will.
In the letter, she had provided instructions for the changes she desired and sent him fifty pounds. She had written she would be in a certain shop in Westerham in a sennight and for him to leave a package for her which included the completed will.
The fifty pounds had been sufficient and when she had gone to the shop, her package was waiting for her.
For the last three months, she had the document that would give her everything she both desired and deserved. It was worded exactly as she had instructed her solicitor. He had tried to tell her the clauses were irregular, but she had ignored his advice and commanded him to do exactly what she instructed.
All she needed was for her daughter and husband to hurry up and die.
She had tried to take her rightful place as the leader of local society, but so far, it had not gone according to her plan. It vexed her greatly that she had no visitors from the neighbourhood, or from anywhere for that matter. Even Lady Metcalf, who she had considered a friend at one point, never called nor responded to her notes.
At least she was left alone at Rosings Park, except for the guards, whom she would sack, along with all of the rest of the staff and servants as soon as everything was hers.
That useless man had taken Anne to be at Oak Hollow for her final days more than three months past. She had objected to them going, or she had made a show of doing the same as she was supposed to be a caring mother, after all. It would give her the utmost pleasure to sell that estate as soon as may be after his death. She knew how much he and Anne liked the estate so it would give her a measure of revenge to be rid of it. Even better, she would have it divided into smaller farms and sell each one so the name of the estate would be wipedfrom the face of the earth!
