Page 44 of First Impressions (Passion and Perseverance #1)

“The breakup was traumatic, as I’m sure you’ve read about.

Not that it wasn’t for the best; it’s just that Darcy has always been good at being independent and forging his own way.

I, on the other hand, for various personal reasons have and still continue to live under my mother’s rule; so, when we split, she was irate and blamed the entire thing on me.

Even though I didn’t want to date Darcy, I didn’t want to suffer her disappointment either.

Anyway, long story short, over the years we grew back into our old friendship, and since Darcy didn’t want to be bothered with a serious relationship, he would never correct anyone who assumed that we might still be together and I, likewise to avoid my mother’s wrath, continued to allow her to believe that we are together.

” Here, Anne moved her gaze from her clasped hands that were resting in her lap, up to meet Beth’s wide-eyed stare, “But I can assure you that we are not, nor will we ever be, engaged.”

Beth looked at her for a moment letting the information sink it. Her story made sense. Knowing firsthand how Mrs. DeBourgh had treated Beth to get what she wanted, and how she had threatened her if she didn’t, she felt sorry for the woman sitting in front of her, trapped by her own mother.

“Don’t get me wrong, I love my mom but she can be harsh when things don’t go her way,” Anne added quickly.

“So why do you let her continue to believe that you and Darcy are going to be engaged soon if that’s not going to happen?” Beth didn’t understand why she just didn’t tell her mom that they were never getting married and let her get over the relationship once and for all.

“Because of you,” was her response.

“What? I don't understand. ”

“We were going to tell her; Darcy wanted to be there with me to give me support in case she freaked out, but then at your family’s ball she was watching Darcy closely, and Darcy was watching you closely,” she sighed.

“Ok…” Beth said, still not understanding the problem.

“If I tell her now, she will blame our ‘break-up’ on you and she will be out for blood. I’m sure she’s already threatened you in some form or another since you began working with her; I know she was looking for information on Darcy and I assume you gave it to her, which is why we ended up at your ball in the first place. ”

“She is exceptionally persuasive,” Beth agreed, not admitting specifically to spying on Darcy for her. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if Darcy ever found that out.

“He’s trying to protect you from her and her revenge.

She’s believed my whole life that I would marry William Darcy; I don’t know what she would do to the person she thinks stole that from her.

It’s partially our fault for letting this ruse continue for so long, but then I guess Darcy never thought he would want something different.

Anyway, so to protect you and I guess in some ways to protect me, he’s trying to figure out how he can take the blame for ending our relationship because he’s the only one she would be too scared to go after,” Anne looked at her with sadness in her eyes.

“We made our bed and now we are being forced to sleep in it,” she lamented, “I’m just sorry that you had to be dragged into the middle. ”

“I see,” Beth said slowly, “So you’re really not engaged to him?” Out of everything that was the only fact that her mind, or was it her heart, was clinging to.

“No,” Anne gave her a large ‘I want you both to be happy’ smile, “We definitely are not.”

“Ok, I’m sorry. It’s just a lot to take in. I mean, I had some inklings about your mother’s character and what she wanted to accomplish, but I just never realized the extent. I’m sorry,” the pity she felt for Anne really starting to seep into her response.

Anne brushed her off, “Please, I’m used to and prepared for it. I’ve lived with her for 30 years now, so I know what I’m in for.” It still clearly upset her but she was putting on a brave face and changed the subject, “So, have you seen him? Or talked to him?”

“Ahh... briefly, since that night… but we haven’t talked much. Some things have happened with my family since then that he might be responsible for and I just don’t know what to make of it all right now. Especially with everything you just said, it’s a lot to process.”

Anne shook her head. “He’s so stubborn. I keep telling him… well, never mind. He’s a good man, though, in spite of how he comes across.” Her praise came across as more of a plea to believe her, than an actual compliment.

“We should go before someone comes looking for us. I just had to apologize in private before we had to work together all this week with only my mom’s misinformed assertions to guide you.”

As Anne stood up, Beth felt herself walking over to the other woman and giving her a hug. “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say, feeling overwhelmed with her emotions. All she could think as they left the room was that Darcy wasn’t dating anyone; he didn’t want Anne. He wanted her.