“Tomorrow? You would marry me tomorrow?”
“Yes, Annie. We have always loved one another.” He laughed softly. “Do you remember how you used to follow after me everywhere?”
“Yes.”
“The others would ride ahead, but I always remained behind, waiting for you. Even then, I wished to protect you. We have been apart many years, yet it seems to me that nothing between us has changed, save that you are grown now and very beautiful.”
She rested against his chest. “Richard, I have missed you these many years. I have spent hours on my knees, begging God to send His angels to protect you. I prayed for you always.”
“Did you, Darling?”
“Yes, I did. After all, He sent angels to Daniel when he languished in the den of lions. Why should He not send them to you?”
He bent and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Thank you, my darling, for your prayers. They brought me safely home. I saw so much during the war, so many fine men lost. But for the grace of God…”
She slipped an arm about him and raised her eyes to his. “Oh, Richard, you returned to me safe. And now you say we may marry. Do you speak in earnest? We may marry tomorrow?”
“Yes, though it would ease matters if we married the day after. Tomorrow I could ride to London and procure a common license. It may occupy most of the day…”
“No, do not ride through the night. Wait until morning and then return. Mr. Collins shall marry us. I will make the arrangements here. What if Mamma should pass while you are away?”
“Then have Garvey prepare her body for burial. I shall arrange everything upon my return. But we shall marry whether she lives or dies. It will be a quiet ceremony, and our marriage will allowus to remain together. I shall be here to attend to all matters. Do not fear, Annie.”
And so it was. Richard Fitzwilliam and Anne de Bourgh were married quietly in Hunsford Church, with Mrs. Collins and Mr. Darcy standing as witnesses. The colonel had gone away to London and procured the license while Anne kept vigil at her mother’s side. They both considered it a mercy that Lady Catherine’s condition remained unchanged, though Dr. Miller urged caution, declaring it still too early to know whether she would recover.
After the wedding service, the Rosings party returned to the great house, but Mary remained behind. She walked beside her husband back to the parsonage to pack a few additional gowns to last her through the end of the week.
“Mrs. Collins, when do you mean to return home?”
She lifted her eyes to her husband, who stood at the entrance to her chamber regarding her with disapproval.
“Sir, I can hardly abandon my sister to the care of servants and strangers. What would the family think of us?”
His expression softened. “But of course. We must always attend to appearances. How fares Miss Elizabeth? Will she recover? Does she require prayers for the sick?”
“Dr. Miller says she improves, though she remains very ill and requires continual treatments. I sent for my elder sister, and she arrived last evening. She sat up with Elizabeth through the night, and I was able to sleep for a few hours. Once Lizzy no longer requires care throughout the day and night, I will return to you, sir.”
Mary hesitated, debating whether she ought to disclose Lady Catherine’s condition. The family had not summoned her husband, but in the end she chose to tell him, fearing he might resent her if he learned she had kept the news from him.
“Sir, Lady Catherine was struck down last night. I know not whether it was a faint or an apoplexy. I know not her true condition, for the family does not speak of it.”
Mr. Collins fell silent, genuine concern crossing his features. “I must go at once and offer my services to the family. I may provide spiritual comfort and pray for her ladyship.” He then asked, “Does Miss Elizabeth also require my services?”
“No, sir. She sleeps through much of the day and night. Miss Georgiana attends her when I am absent, and now that Jane has arrived, Lizzy has all the assistance she requires. I believe, sir, your efforts would be better directed toward Lady Catherine.”
“Yes, certainly. The great lady of the estate must command my services before one of lesser consequence.”
Mary lowered her eyes and answered only, “Yes, sir.” She knew she must keep him far from Elizabeth. She had observed his attraction to her sister from the moment Lizzy first came among them. Mary resolved to watch over her sister and ensure that Mr. Collins came nowhere near her.
Downstairs in the drawing room, the men celebrated quietly. Darcy raised his glass. “To long life and marital felicity.”
Richard grinned and drained his drink. “I am happy, Darcy. Annie is a clever little minx. I shall never know boredom with her for a wife. She is far livelier than I ever imagined.”
“Yes. Our aunt kept her too much under her command. If Lady Catherine recovers, she may remove to the dower house, or we may settle her at one of the watering places, Ramsgate, Bath, or Weymouth. I am sorry your wedding day has been clouded by so melancholy a circumstance.”
“It is well, Darcy. I am a very happy man.”
Both gentlemen rose as Dr. Miller was shown in.
