For a moment my husband and I were dumbfounded, a rare moment when my husband was bereft of speech.
“Are you sure?” I asked cautiously.
“As sure as can be, ma’am,” Pip said. “And right funny it was to see her lift her skirts up to make sure she didn’t get any mud on them.”
We were silent for the rest of the walk back. Wilberforce and Julia were then released into the affectionate and loving care of Sam and Abel. Pip was let off with Mr. Collins’ big coat, scarf, and cap, and promised candy and sticky cake at Christmas.
My husbandI headed back to our home, to change and get ready to go over to Rosings.
“Whywould Lady Catherine let Wilberforce go?” William asked.
I decided to respond cautiously, in case his sensible response was only temporary.
“Do you think Pip was telling the truth?” I asked.
“The Lord,” said Mr. Collins, “has always seemed particularly fond of children. I don’t think he was lying to us.”
I could not deny this, and thought it better not to press the matter.
“I am not sure,” I said. “I am hoping to investigate further. It is all beyond me at this point, I am afraid.”
I saw a little frown line appear between William’s brows, and he said nothing, which was most unlike him, only put an arm around me and helped me in the door, where I was able to gratefully warm my frozen toes by our warm fire.
8
“Try not to spend too much time with your wife. I carefully portioned out the time I spent with my late husband Sir Lewis de Bourgh and as a result I wholly revere his memory.”
-Lady Catherine de Bourgh
When I had warmed up, Mr. Collins and I went over to Rosings, and everyone except Lady Catherine went outside to gather holly and evergreens to decorate Rosings.
I was pleased to see some color in Anne’s cheeks. She looked worlds better than she had just a few days ago. Her eyes even looked brighter and happier.
“Anne, how are you feeling?” I asked.
“Why, very well!” she said in surprise, sliding a sideways glance at me. “I feel a bit guilty,” she admitted. “For not taking the cordial.”
I couldn’t let her backslide into taking it now!
“I have a better idea,” I said firmly. “I have a cordial my motherswearsby, and it tastes much better than that one. With a modern, up to date recipe.”
“Modern?” Anne perked up, her shy eyes glowing with excitement.
“Yes,” I smiled. “I’ll bring some over tomorrow.”
It was only elderberry wine, but Anne didn’t need to know that. The main thing was to make sure she didn’t take whatever awful concoction her grandmother had insisted on.
I saw Anne’s quick, unguarded smile as she looked at Mr Crawford, and I knew she loved him back.
Lady Catherine never saw what she did not want to see, so it was no surprise that she was oblivious to her daughter falling in love with a mere country solicitor.
Mr. Radcliffe and Sir Francis were still engaged in their silly rivalry and they didn’t even realize that Mr. Crawford had already won!
“Don’t strain yourself,” jibed Mr. Radcliffe, looking at the few branches and twigs in Sir Francis’ arms.
“Brains, my dear fellow,” said Sir Francis, tapping his head. “Brains means that I am letting you great big fellows haul the big bundles while I talk to Miss Anne.”
But I saw that Mr. Crawford was the one who helped Anne over little streams and around big drifts of snow.
