Elizabeth laughed. “That is because we spend so much time in the sun. Your skin has taken on a little color.”
Anne raised her arm and regarded it. “It does appear so, rather than the sickly hue I once had. You know my mother would not permit me out, for she fears for my health. She is convinced I will take a chill, as Papa did.”
“Is that why you had me come up the servants’ stair on that first day?”
“Yes. I am accustomed to slipping out, though I can never remain long, for she would send for me. Now you are here, she imagines we walk in the rose garden or pass the hours reading in the beech grove.”
Elizabeth laughed. “We do those things.”
“We do, and what she does not know will not trouble her. Our morning run and our evening walk to view the constellations need not be mentioned, for she fears the night air, and the ghost.”
“A ghost? Does Rosings have one?”
“No, Lizzy, but it is a secret, and you must say nothing.” Miss de Bourgh raised her brows in askance.
“Very well, you have my promise of discretion,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.
“Kent is known for the free trade. Many of the tenants and shop clerks hire themselves out for a night run. The gentlemen look the other way, for fear the gangs will turn upon them. Mamma is unaware, but several of our tenants are involved. One in particular, my friend Benny, has trusted me with a secret. The revenue men ride the northern routes, so the smugglers have taken to the lanes that skirt the base of the bluffs that run along the borders of Rosings Park.”
Elizabeth’s interest stirred. “We have not seen the bluffs, and I have never known anything about smuggling. Are the bluffs far?”
“Not far.”
“Then we shall take a basket and walk there today, and you may tell me all about the free trade.”
“Today, Mamma visits Lady Grace. They are much occupied with the Harvest Home festival, so she will leave at nine and remain away for most of the day. If you were not here, Lizzy, she would insist I accompany her. I always plead illness rather than endure such visits. One might perish of ennui, seated in a corner with nothing to read and nothing to do but listen to two old women reminisce over former days.”
A pang struck Elizabeth for her friend.
“We must not speak of our walk, for if Mamma knew how far I can go, she would soon require my attendance at every tedious call she is bound to make.”
“Very well, Anne. I shall keep my counsel.”
It was late morning when the two young women reached a charming folly, overrun with a climbing rose.
“This is a delightful spot, Anne. You ought to have the gardener cut back the climber, for it obscures much of the view.”
Anne smiled. “I shall do it for your sake. I can never enjoy it except in secret, since Mamma must not know I can walk so far. Still, I will have it trimmed this week and say my friend is fond of walking and requires a place to rest while she admires the prospect.”
“Thank you, Annie. I shall bring my book and read here. It is a lovely spot.”
“You would leave me alone at Rosings?”
“No. I speak of when you grow tired of me and send me back to the parsonage, and to the verbose rector.”
Miss de Bourgh laughed. “That shall never occur, for I will not let you go until you marry and must join your husband.”
“You are generous, my dear, but I imagine your mother will send me away when your cousins arrive.”
“She will not, if I tell her I cannot live without you. My mother holds you in high regard because my health and looks have improved. Those are her words. She credits it to the excellent companion who attends to me.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Companion? Am I your companion then?”
“Lizzy, you are my companion in the same sense that Fitzwilliam is my betrothed.”
They both giggled. “What a fine joke, Annie.”
“Ugh, mother insists upon dressing me in the antiquated style she prefers, but I admire your manner of dress. The modiste comes tomorrow, for Mamma expects me to be properly attired for my betrothed, yet I cannot endure these severe gowns another year.”
