“Are you not betrothed to Mr. Darcy?” She kept her face as still as possible, but could not stop a small tremor from her voice.
Anne turned to Elizabeth, her eyes wide. “Oh, Lord, is that story still going about?”
“My cousin, Mr. Collins, mentioned that your mother had said something of the sort.”
Anne rolled her eyes and groaned. “Poor Darcy! No, there is nothing of the kind. Mother likes the idea, but she is the only one who does.”
“He seems eligible enough,” Elizabeth ventured.
“You know him? But how?”
“He is visiting a neighbour of ours, a Mr. Bingley. And another of your cousins is visiting as well, Mr. Fitzwilliam.”
“Oh, Reggie, poor old thing; of all the people to inherit an earldom. But what an odd coincidence! Oh, yes, Darcy is eligible enough, but – well, Lizzy, should I not have some sort of romantic feeling when I see him? For I confess that though he is quite handsome to look at, nothing within me stirs. Am I wrong to expect that? Have I read too many novels?”
“No, I do not think you wrong at all,” Elizabeth said, firmly. This was certainly not the right time to confess that she herself had all those feelings for Mr. Darcy! The memory of her fingers tingling was still quite fresh in her mind.
Anne stared at her with narrowed eyes for a moment, as if suspecting something, but then went on,” Not to mention that I shall have my hands full with Rosings Park and have no interest in being the mistress of Pemberley as well.”
“You will inherit Rosings?” Elizabeth was delighted to learn that Mr. Darcy was not engaged – at least, not to Anne de Bourgh! – but she was now astonished as well.
“Technically, it is already mine, and has been since my last birthday. But Mama takes so much pleasure in being the mistress of the estate, and she rather fears being relegated to the dower house. For my part, I see no need to burden myself with it until I must, so we have both been content to leave things as they are.”
Elizabeth was too confused to speak. Finally, she said, “I still do not understand. You are the mistress of an enormous estate, and you cannot go to London? From what I understand, you have relatives there, an Earl and a Countess. Are you estranged from them?” Elizabeth then realised she was likely speaking too freely, and she shook her head. “Forgive me, Anne. I have no right to ask such questions.”
“No, no, you are quite right,” Anne said. She pulled on the reins, bringing the phaeton to a halt. Then she turned to face Elizabeth, with tears beginning to gather in her large brown eyes. “The Matlocks would be more than happy to host me. It is just that – that – I am afraid!”
With four sisters, Elizabeth had vast experience with female emotions, and she reached out and hugged Anne without hesitation. This released more tears and more words, and soon Elizabeth understood that Anne de Bourgh, who had never been taught anything about how to go on in society, could not imagine how she would get on in London. “I would be a laughingstock,” she told Elizabeth, wiping her eyes. “My clothes are all wrong, I cannot dance, and I have no idea how to behave with other young ladies!”
“You could be taught to dance easily enough,” Elizabeth said, firmly. “And your aunt would doubtless see to it that you were properly attired, instructed as to how to pour tea and whatever else, and then introduced to the right people. You could marry, if you like! With Rosings Park as a dowry, you would have your pick of eligible gentlemen!”
Anne made a face. “I do not want someone to take me for my dowry; my parents had such a marriage, and I can tell you that it was not pleasant to witness. No, I want someone who will love me!! I want those feelings we spoke of! I want my heart to beat fast, and my colour to rise, and all those lovely, sentimental things! And I will settle for nothing less!”
Chapter Seventy
The next morning brought news from Meryton. At last! Elizabeth thought, as she took the letters upstairs and opened the one from Jane.
My dear sister,
Things are no better here, I am sorry to say. Papa has given me two weeks to bring Mr. Bingley to the point, and then I am to return to London to try to get one of my earlier suitors to make me another offer. None of them will have anything like the three thousand pounds that Papa needs, but Papa says even a thousand would be a big help.
Mr. Bingley visits faithfully, but he is quite preoccupied with his visitors, and I suspect he cannot think of anything else until they are gone!
Oh, of course, you do not know about all the visitors! Of all things, the Earl and Countess of Matlock have come to Netherfield Park in order to meet Charlotte Lucas, who is now betrothed to their eldest son, Lord Worthing, though he calls himself Mr. Fitzwilliam! He was at the Lucas’ last card party; I am certain you met him.
Mama is furious, of course, for she cannot possibly compete with Lady Lucas, who will have a Viscount for a son-in-law! And though she says nothing, I think she blames me for not having captured the man myself. Lizzy, he never so much as looked at me! What was I supposed to do?
Perhaps I should just go to London now; there is nothing here but unhappiness.
In any case, dearest sister, I hope you are finding some relief in Kent. As sad as I feel for you and myself, I am everything delighted for Mary! Please give her a hug and a kiss from me.
Your own,
Jane
It was all Elizabeth could do to not throw herself on her bed and weep after reading such a letter. Poor Jane! The kindest, sweetest young lady on earth! She deserved so much better than a loveless match with a merchant in London!
It was some time before she could bring herself to open her next letter.
