Page 24 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

VEHEMENTLY AGAINST THE MATCH

A n hour later, Darcy sat alone in his study, staring at his tea, having just learnt the felicitous news that Fitzwilliam had proposed to Anne…

and she had accepted him. He was happy for his cousins, even if he remained angry at Anne and Lady Catherine for what they had done, how they had behaved.

Anne’s angry outburst at Elizabeth’s presence was odd, but apparently her fear of Darcy spurning her and leaving her to live a lonely life as a spinster at Rosings, with her haranguing stepmother, had long haunted her. Well, those fears were at an end.

Fitzwilliam’s clear delight and obvious relief underscored to Darcy his own desire for companionship.

He was tired of being alone. Once Georgiana had married, the constant music in his life had been silenced.

For almost two years, there had been no melodious chords from the pianoforte drifting down the hall, either at Pemberley or in London.

No social engagements to which he needed to escort his sister.

His life was quiet, his days filled with silence.

Now that he had a glimpse of what it might feel like to have Elizabeth by his side here at Pemberley, he wanted more of it. Sitting here alone at his desk, he felt the absence of her keenly.

Seeing her with the Dorset children had brought a warmth to his heart that had not been there in many years. Learning patience was going to be difficult for him, but he would wait for her heart to catch up with his. She was worth it, of that there was no doubt.

He was lost in his thoughts when he heard shouting.

“I will not stand for it!”

The voice was so strident and so loud, it could only be coming from one person: his very angry aunt. He rubbed his eyes and groaned as he rose from the chair.

He followed the sounds of raised voices down the corridor to the yellow parlour.

Upon reaching the door, he could hear Fitzwilliam within, pleading his case in a considerably less strident tone.

After such a pleasant outing with Elizabeth, all he wanted was an evening devoid of discomposure and volatility.

He thought of a cottage not far from the main house, where a beautiful young woman would be settling into her new home.

It must be infinitely more peaceful there.

Yet he was here, and he knew he should stand at his cousin’s side in this.

As he entered the room, his aunt cried out, “You are not fit to be husband to my Anne!”

“Anne can make her own choice of a husband,” averred Fitzwilliam. “I love her, and I have for years. Does that mean nothing? ”

“No!” Lady Catherine practically roared.

Anne was gripping Fitzwilliam’s hand, holding on for dear life. Her stepmother had demanded loyalty to a fault—pushing his cousin into the behaviour she exhibited to Elizabeth—and Darcy knew this silent but defiant gesture was causing Lady Catherine to verbally flog them both.

In his most authoritative voice, he interjected, “May I be of assistance?”

Anne turned to look at him, silently pleading for help.

“Might we take a moment to catch our breath, and discuss this matter like the civilised family that we are? As it is, we are giving the servants quite a show.”

Both his cousin and his aunt paused. It was Anne who broke the silence.

“I love him. I have for a very long time, and it was only because you used my own father’s words against me that caused me to disregard the yearnings of my own heart and bend to your wishes.

But I was wrong to do so, and you are wrong to attempt to forbid this.

I have long reached my majority, and my father left Rosings to me. ”

Before Lady Catherine could speak, Anne reached out her hand, “You became my mother when you married my father, and I have tried to be your dutiful daughter. However, I should not have allowed you to dictate my life. My father would have never allowed it, and you do not have the authority to do so.”

Lady Catherine stared at her coldly before storming out of the room in a swish of petticoats.

Anne stared after her for a moment, then turned to Darcy.

“I do not know how to apologise to you for this…for many things. I apologise for our attempts to force your hand and for bursting into your home in such a way. ”

She looked down, seeming ashamed. “I cannot defend what I did, and I would not ask for forgiveness from you. I felt myself helpless and Lady Catherine is so very strong-minded, I bent to her wishes, time and again. That is not an excuse, and I hope one day we may put this behind us.” She looked up to him now.

“But I must speak of Miss Bennet, and you must listen, in spite of what you must think of me at this moment. I know she loves you, Darcy. I know it, I can see it. If not for me, things between you may have been different. This is a second chance for Fitzwilliam and me. Let it be one for you and?—”

They were interrupted by the butler, who announced Lady Catherine’s imminent departure. But Anne’s words left him wondering if perhaps she was right in her assessment of Elizabeth’s feelings towards him. Could he let himself hope?

Anne sighed. “I will go speak to her. If she wishes to return to Rosings?—”

Fitzwilliam grabbed her hand. “Pray do not leave. Leave her to her tantrum if that is how she wishes to behave.”

“I cannot. I must try to settle things with her.” She looked up at Darcy, her brow again furrowed in chagrin. “I know I also have much to say to Miss Bennet—and I will—but if we are leaving, it will need to be said in a letter.”

“She would appreciate hearing from you,” Darcy said. “I wish you happiness, Anne. Both of you,” he added, glancing at Fitzwilliam.

She turned towards her betrothed, who gave her a look of understanding. “While you attend to Lady Catherine, I will be attending to matters regarding our upcoming nuptials. We will be together soon, I promise you.”

Fitzwilliam bent towards her, clearly intending to kiss her; Darcy turned away to give them privacy and soon heard Anne say, “Do not keep me waiting long. I have waited eight years.” When he turned back, it was to see her quit the room.

“As have I.” Fitzwilliam said quietly as the door closed. He turned to his cousin, clapping Darcy on the shoulder. “Well then! Not as we imagined it, but this day has just improved three-fold.”

“And how do you reckon that?” Darcy walked over to the brandy intending to pour them each a glass. He needed one, and he did not doubt his cousin did as well.

“You are disengaged, I am engaged, and Lady Catherine is leaving, all within a day!”

Darcy forced a smile. “Happy times indeed.”

Fitzwilliam accepted the brandy from him and sipped, eyeing him as he did. “You do not sound nearly as happy as I would have hoped.”

“No, I am. I am happy for you, and Anne, naturally. You both have the love you deserve, whilst I…”

“You have the love of your life nearby for the first time in many years. Does that not please you?”

“It does not please me to know what she has been through. It does not please me to know that things might have been different if Anne had not intervened. Sometimes I wonder at my own sanity bringing her within arm’s reach when I might not ever be able to make her truly mine.”

Fitzwilliam patted his cousin on the shoulder. “We will see this through, Darcy. Stay the course, man.”