“I am so sorry for Mama,” Anne whispered. “I did not know that the fortune had increased. Mama never told me anything. I am not a simpleton, I knew I was the heir, but Mama led me to believe I cannot do anything without her approval. And the truth is, I never wanted to know…I never wanted to do anything by myself.”
“Your income is probably around seven thousand pounds per year,” Darcy said. “In the last five years, I have managed Rosings as carefully as Pemberley.”
“I know you have, Cousin,” Anne responded, wiping her tears. “And I hope you will continue to help me. I shall never be able to understand the business of the estate. If you leave my side, I shall be lost.”
“I shall never leave your side, Anne. As I said, you are as close to me as a sister. I shall always take care of you, and you may always count on me,” he assured her. Unexpectedly, Anneapproached him and stretched out her arms, gently placing her head on his shoulder, while Darcy embraced her.
“Do not worry, Anne, you will not be alone,” Lady Matlock added. “You have Darcy to help you with the estate, and you have all of us to help you with anything else you need. And I am sure Catherine will calm herself by tomorrow — if not completely, at least enough to carry on a reasonable conversation. She has no other choice. She will have to learn to accept that things are not always as she wants them to be.”
Darcy was not as trusting as Lady Matlock; he knew too well the depths of Lady Catherine’s resentment and her vengeful temper.
Apparently, Anne was of the same opinion, and she voiced it.
“Mama will not calm by tomorrow, dear Aunt. She will not calm down unless she has her way. She might mind her manners if she has to, but her resentment will not easily pass.”
“Then she will remain alone, my dear. You must only think of yourself, as you said.”
“These last few days, I have realised that I have not lived until now,” Anne said. “I just allowed life to pass by me, waiting for it to end. I have always assumed I shall die young…but, as short as it might be, I wish to feel something of what life really means.”
Anne’s confession broke Darcy’s heart, and he could see the distress on the colonel’s face and the tears in the ladies’ eyes.
“I am not a doctor, but I doubt you should think of dying, Anne,” the colonel said. “I do not know much, but in recent days, you look different. Your cheeks have caught a little bit of colour, your eyes are brighter, you smile more often. And — forgive me for saying so — your figure in this gown looks lovely. I feel you might have gained a little bit of weight already.”
Anne laughed through her tears, and her cheeks coloured from embarrassment and apparent delight.
“You have always been a charming tease and quite skilful at flattering ladies, Cousin.”
“Well, I cannot be called either charming, a tease, or a flatterer,” Darcy intervened with a smile, “and I admit I have not noticed any changes in your figure, but your face does show an improvement, Anne. I believe Dr Harris’s treatment is helpful.”
“And perhaps the fact that you have ceased being lonely, Anne,” Georgiana suddenly interjected. “Loneliness is never helpful, nor comforting.”
“I know, my dear. Now, I know,” Anne responded.
Darcy stepped back, while the ladies comforted each other.
He had felt terribly guilty imagining how his aunt had offended Elizabeth, and he was deeply worried for her. But Elizabeth was strong, confident, clever, and witty, and, as proved by her father’s letter, she would not allow herself to be affected by Lady Catherine’s rudeness.
In her endeavour to hurt Elizabeth, Lady Catherine had exposed her daughter to great danger, and — strangely enough — by doing so she had allowed Anne to see life in a new light.
“Darcy, will you join us on the ride?” Lady Matlock enquired.
“No, I am very sorry, Aunt. I must return home, as I expect Mr. Gardiner’s visit.”
“I do not believe I have met the gentleman.”
“You certainly have not, but I hope such an opportunity will arise.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are such lovely people,” Georgiana added. “I enjoyed their company immensely when they visited Pemberley.”
“If they are Miss Bennet’s relatives, they must be lovely, as she is,” Anne added, drawing an approving smile from Darcy.
“Miss Bennet? Are we still talking about her?” Lady Matlock asked, arching her eyebrow.
“We are,” Darcy responded. “She is indeed worth talking about. I am glad Georgiana and Anne approve of her since I see nothing wanting in her.”
“I can testify to that,” the colonel responded, increasing Lady Matlock’s frown.
“Darcy, is there anything you wish to share with us?”
