“Anne was another species if you ask me. She was exactly as all girls of eighteen should be—pure, innocent, and brimming with dreams and ideals. I am certain that Fitzroy was captivated not only by her beauty but by her nature—so unlike the girls and young women who surrounded him. He had likely suggested they slip away from the ballroom, seeking refuge in the vast gardens, as he and so many others had before. Yet once alone with her, he came to understand the truth: she was not a girl for a fleeting dalliance, but one meant for a lifetime.
“They had known each other for scarcely two hours, yet already there was a quiet sense of belonging between them. Anne told me she could scarcely recall how it all unfolded—onlythat their emotions were overwhelming as if they had stepped into a dream and forgotten the waking world.”
In that atmosphere of love, Darcy took advantage of the little pause Lady Edwina requested. While she and Georgiana were absent, he took Elizabeth in his arms. He wanted to feel her body next to his, and she searched for his lips; for the first time in their relationship, she initiated the tender gesture. so he captured her lips and gently taught them how to mingle and surrender to his desire, and what Elizabeth thought would be only a kiss became passion and desire.
Edwina entered just moments after they parted, but her experienced eye could see the result of their embrace. She wondered whether Elizabeth had succumbed to him yet but then decided she had not. The girl was much too affected after a kiss, as it was evident that they had been kissing in her absence. A woman would have been more composed after a little kiss, and she congratulated—in her mind—the young girl for being so decided as to wait for her wedding night to be with him. She was sure Darcy also appreciated this attitude since it defined his beloved. Elizabeth was in many ways similar to Lady Anne. Still, fortunately, thirty years had passed since Lady Anne could not marry her love because someone had decided otherwise.
“She never told me about the ring or their intention to marry. It was more of a girls’ discussion, and she confessed her hope to marry him, but there were no plans or proposals. At least, this is what I knew, what she told me. Strangely, she concealed such an essential matter from me. Their courtship lasted two months.”
“They met at a ball?” Georgiana asked.
“Yes. The old duke had a ball every year on March 25. London society was present, and anyone who did not receive an invitation could be considered cut from society for at least a Season.
“You must understand that the old duke had an important influence at court. George III was the first king of the Hanover family, born in England, to speak native English. All his relatives had a horrible accent and often spoke German. It was decided when he was a young prince that he would be surrounded only by English children and, later, young English gentlemen. Fitzroy’s father and the young George were close in age and became good friends. They studied together, travelled together, and played together. I think the king understood that the duke was not interested in politics. That was not the kind of favour he wanted. It turned out that the duke’s dream was to marry Fitzroy into royalty. He failed with the king’s daughters, but the king offered him, as compensation, the hand of a Hanover princess. The marriage was decided between the parents and—”
“And this love of theirs could ruin the duke’s plans,” said Darcy sadly. “I begin now to understand the sorrow that appeared so often in Mama’s eyes.”
“If they intended to marry, as the ring shows, I understand why she kept the secret even from me. Fitzroy’s father was powerful and vengeful, and he could destroy lives as he pleased. Anne kept her secret even after they were separated—to protect her new family. She left London and St Albans and went to live at Pemberley, never to meet Fitzroy again.”
“But how? And why?” asked Georgiana, her questions almost incoherent but well understood by the party around the little table.
“My dear, thirty years ago, a girl in our society married only if the parents agreed, and when they decided on a husband, no one could refuse. There were a few love matches, but they were the exception. It is hard for you to understand, but society has evolved, and love is more important now. It has a certain value it did not have. I would say you are lucky.”
“Lady Catherine told us that, together with Lady Anne, they decided to marry Anne de Bourgh to Darcy.” Elizabeth was speaking from the fears that she could not overcome.
Lady Edwina stared in disbelief from Elizabeth to Darcy. “What are you talking about? Anne wanted her son to find his great love. She would never impose such a burden on him. Not her! Now that you know her story, you see how important love was for her.”
Lady Edwina spoke again, almost in a rage. “No! That intriguer lied to you as she has more than once in her life!”
“Do you think she had any involvement in their separation?” Georgiana asked.
Lady Edwina was somewhat sceptical. “Their separation was decided at the highest level where your grandparents or aunt had no access. Your mother married Darcy that summer. Fitzroy married in Hanover and stayed there for a long time. They were separated from each other in exact arrangements. George Darcy received many privileges around Pemberley. Even the way Darcy was selected was planned because I am sure Anne had a choice among the suitable bachelors, but Pemberley is almost three days from London by carriage—five by horseback. They wanted Anne as far away as possible.”
“Unfortunately, we shall never know more than you told us,” Georgiana said with visible sorrow.
“I would not be so sure.” Lady Edwina smiled. “Anne wanted you to know more than I know.” And she pointed her delicate hand with its beautiful ruby stone to the pile of letters on the table.
“The ring,” Georgiana said, looking at the emblazoned ring still on her finger.
“Yes! The ring, the letters—we know that Fitzroy asked her to marry him. No man would give such a ring tojustany girl. Everything your mother told me was going in that direction. Sheonly kept the proposal a secret. I am sure now that they were engaged.”
“Without the old duke’s consent?” Darcy remembered the duke gazing at him with benevolence and affection. It was not the look of a distant acquaintance but of someone closer. His Grace saw in Darcy his long-lost beloved!
“It seems that, even after thirty years, His Grace has tender memories and feelings for Mama,” Darcy continued. “I could see it in the way he treated me. And his protection frees us from the never-ending gossip our marriage would have produced.”
Georgiana was looking at the letters on the table. “This was not an unimportant relationship between two young people, nor does it matter that it lasted only two months. It seems their love survived forever. We need to read the letters to know more. I am convinced it is Mama’s wish: she wanted it not as mere confidence but as a sort of restoration. With her well-known delicacy, she did not want to hurt our father but wanted us to know she had loved and was prevented from being with the love of her life.”
“She wanted to recover in death the right to her love…” Elizabeth whispered tearfully, and they all agreed as a powerful tension filled the room.
“The secret unveiled.” Lady Edwina sighed. “Perhaps it was a triumph for her wounded love.”
No words were sufficient, nor were any necessary. so much—too much—had been said for one day. They all needed to rest after such an emotional conversation—to reflect and prepare for the secret Lady Anne wanted to unveil and share with them from beyond the tomb.
For Darcy, there was nothing else he wished for except Elizabeth. He desperately needed her company to soothe his tormented mind and soul.
Therefore, while the others retired to their chambers to prepare for dinner, he stayed only moments in his before following Elizabeth to Lady Anne’s apartment.
∞∞∞
