Page 37

"Anne, there is no need for you to remain here watching me work.

As you can see, I am quite well," Mr. Darcy said to his cousin, his tone firm yet restrained.

He had no desire for Anne to linger around him constantly.

"Do not flatter yourself, Darcy; I am not one of your admirers.

I am here solely because, otherwise, my mother would give me no peace.

'Anne, you must remain by your betrothed's side.

Now that he is unwell, you should prove what a considerate young lady you are,' she said, mimicking her mother's voice with theatrical exaggeration.

"If I were not looking directly at you, I would have thought Lady Catherine herself had entered the room," Richard said, laughing heartily.

"Fitzwilliam, do not laugh like a commoner.

You may be only a second son, but you are still the son of an earl," Anne replied dryly, which only made her cousin laugh more.

"I am pleased that you are both so amused, but if you have not noticed, I am attempting to work through these ledgers," Mr. Darcy interjected with mild irritation.

He was still recovering from his fall—his back ached slightly, and his ankle remained somewhat swollen.

He blamed the foolish accident on his own distraction, preoccupied as he had been with troubling thoughts.

To worsen matters, one of Rosings' servants had witnessed the fall and promptly informed Lady Catherine, who—as expected—had overreacted dramatically.

Declaring the accident severe, she insisted he remain at Rosings for another fortnight to rest. But Mr. Darcy longed to return to London, and despite the lingering discomfort, he preferred to press on with his work in the hope of leaving as soon as possible.

"Would you like something to drink, Darcy?

Perhaps a blanket or a cushion for your back?

Please, tell me what you require," Anne asked politely, though her tone suggested a hint of irony.

"Why are you doing this, Anne? Please, desist and allow me to work in peace," Mr. Darcy replied, his patience waning.

"As I said, because my mother instructed me to remain at your side and ensure you have all that you need.

That is what a properbetrothedshould do.

" "You are perfectly aware that our engagement exists only in your mother's imagination.

I sincerely hope you understand that and harbor no false expectations," Mr. Darcy said emphatically.

"You have just broken my heart, Darcy. But fear not—I believe I shall survive the anguish of knowing I shall never be your wife.

Why do you not tell my mother what you have just told me?

That way, I shall only have to endure the heartbreak of rejection and be spared her endless complaints," Anne responded with a sardonic smile.

"Anne has a point," Richard added, amused.

"I promise I shall speak to her before I depart, Anne.

However, I must say that I did not appreciate your tone…

Believe it or not, there is more than one young woman who would be pleased to become Mrs. Darcy.

" "If they have seen Pemberley, heard how magnificent it is, and know of your ten thousand a year, I have no doubt they do.

But I have my own estate and can see you as you truly are—and I do not like what I see," Anne replied with a smirk.

"I shall admit, you are handsome—but that is not enough to satisfy a clever woman, Darcy.

" "I am neither handsome nor vain, and I am clever," Richard said, provoking another burst of laughter from Anne.

"Not all women are ambitious or seek husbands solely for wealth or status.

You ought not to believe everything your mother says, Anne," Mr. Darcy remarked.

"And you, Darcy—would you marry a woman without fortune?

" Anne asked directly. "I am sorry, but I must return to my work," Mr. Darcy replied evasively.

"No, he would not," Richard said, winking at Anne.

"I thought as much, Fitzwilliam. Darcy, you already possess wealth and an estate, yet you still expect your future wife to bring fortune and connections into your family.

Fortunately for me, I shall be free the moment you either inform my mother that you will never marry me or find a wife of your own," Anne concluded.

"Now, give me that book—I shall help you with the expenses and income.

If my mother would permit it, I assure you, you would not need to travel here every spring.

" For the next hour, Anne, Richard, and Mr. Darcy worked through the ledgers and studied maps together.

Anne enjoyed these moments of honest conversation with her cousins—something she had never experienced with her mother.

Having been a sickly child, she had learned early on to occupy herself with books, reading, and writing.

She shared many of her mother's traits, tempered by a kind heart.

Anne had learned that it was often wiser to listen than to speak, and it was through this quiet resilience that she had managed to endure life with Lady Catherine—and, somehow, find contentment in it.

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