“There are some papers your mother wanted Fitzroy to have. They are sealed and tied with a ribbon. I do not know what we should do about them. I do not understand why she did not leave a single word besides the letter from the solicitor, as if she left it for destiny or us to decide to go further with her memories…or not.
“We call him the duke, but back then, he was not. His father lived for three more years, but when he died, it was too late for them. Perhaps those letters were written after their separation and never sent. In any case, we can read only the letters intended for us. As for the others, you can decide whether you will give them to the duke.”
They silently waited for Lady Edwina to continue. “Do you want me to read the letters?”
Again, nobody spoke. They wanted her to make the decision. Edwina smiled as, around her, three children waited for her to choose.
“Elizabeth, you should read them since you are the least involved, my dear!”
Lady Edwina’s tone was a sweet command; she wanted to see whether Elizabeth was strong enough to take on such a role.
Elizabeth looked at Darcy, but his face was blank—unwilling or unable to express his feelings. She remembered the earlier discussion and decided that Lady Anne indeed wanted the world to know her story, and a mother’s ‘world’ was herchildren. She also remembered how close she had come to losing Darcy, and tears appeared in her eyes as she took the first letter.
“At the time, Fitzroy was a marquess, of course, but he used his family’s arms,” Lady Edwina said.
Indeed, the family crest was at the top of the letter. Elizabeth could see the green griffon so masterly transformed in the ring Georgiana still wore.
My dearest,
Elizabeth stopped and looked at Lady Edwina, seeming to need permission.
“Continue, my dear,” she spoke with a smile. “It is indeed the first letter. Some do not have dates, yet Anne was scrupulous about putting them in order.”
“He called her ‘my dearest’ after their first meeting…” Georgiana whispered—not a reproach but a wonder. She was imagining the kind of love that springs to life instantly at such intensity. No incertitude or analysis but a feeling understood and accepted by both…after a ball.
My dearest,
I could not possibly sleep. I do not need rest, food, or air, love is enough for life.
I am under a spell. I need to see you as soon as possible. I shall find a solution.
Fitzroy
“I covered up for her during those first days.” Edwina smiled at the memory. “My God, I almost forgot that part of the story! I had an old aunt, Countess Edwina of Rothes—I take my name from her—they were wealthy, with no children but many nieces and nephews waiting around for their inheritance. The count and countess were two old people living in their own world, surrounded by dogs, horses, and an army of servants.
“My mother received an invitation that week from the countess for us, the young ones, to spend a few days on their estate. The dear old woman preferred children and young people who were less aggressive when it came to their inheritance. Lady Anne was so desperate to see Fitzroy that I feared she might elope and start a scandal. Despite my illness, I announced that we would go. It was not far from London, five miles or so, a splendid ancient mansion surrounded by a vast forest. My mother was enchanted by my decision and forgot I was ill. The invitation was so rare that we agreed to go.”
I will wait for you outside, close to the park entrance on your street.
Please come to the door, just for a second so I can see you, or send me a message about where and how we can see each other!”
I love you
Fitzroy
“Oh, my God!” Lady Edwina was almost shouting in her emotion. “Fitzroy was in a carriage close to my house! He had just sent the coachman with the letter, waiting outside for her answer. At first, I was terrified because I knew Fitzroy and the young gentlemen of his age and rank. They were at that time totally unrestrained, going from assembly to assembly all night long, and not the most decent ones!
“Meanwhile, Anne was a rosebud, pure and innocent. Suddenly, I was the only one capable of defending her. She wrote a short message that we were going to my aunt’s estate and he could follow us. She was happy, but I was terrified. I needed to talk to Fitzroy and persuade him to find another victim. Anne was sleeping when we arrived in front of my aunt’s manor, overcome by fatigue. I jumped from our carriage andwent like a mother lioness to his carriage, which was still a little distance away. I was ready to tell him I would go to his father or the king or God, only to renounce her and return to London. Unfortunately for what was to happen later, in the carriage, I found not the young marquess—the future duke—but a young man desperately in love. It was so evident that my suspicions fell away, broken like crystal glass. He was as much in love with her as she was with him. I can say that even now, as an old lady who has seen a lot in her life, I can remember no love like theirs.”
Lady Edwina was reliving the excitement of those days, painting a picture they all could enjoy.
“My aunt and uncle liked Fitzroy because, for once, a young person did not want anything from them like the rest of us did, so they were full of benevolence, not needing to hide from false flattery. When he said that he accompanied us, they joyfully invited him to stay. We spent a memorable week at the Rothes mansion. The atmosphere was so different, and at first, I thought their love changed the air within that stone building, but there was something different.”
Lady Edwina held the letters, gently playing with them like a fan.
“They exchanged five more messages during the first day and night,” she said, giving Elizabeth one.
I can hardly wait for the morning; come, my love, we should walk before breakfast.
