Page 40

On Tuesday morning, Anne joined the rest of the group at breakfast. Elizabeth and Darcy both noticed that her looks were greatly improved.

Her cheeks had a more natural bloom, her eyes had all but lost their dark circles, and Jenny had arranged her hair in a natural, feminine style that accentuated her delicate features.

She asserted cheerfully that her burn was healing nicely and did not hurt very much at all.

“I have slept so well!” she exclaimed. “And this morning I have such an appetite.”

“You shall have as much as you like of whatever you like.” Elizabeth passed a heaping platter of ham and followed it with the eggs. “My mother would insist upon feeding you porridge with rich cream and plenty of sugar.”

“That sounds delicious,” replied Anne. “And I will have some just as soon as I finish these lovely eggs.” Anne set down her knife and fork.

“At home I was not permitted such foods. My mother said they had too much grease and heaviness. Breakfast was a soft-boiled egg and dry toast, though the other things were on the table. The thought of porridge with cream and sugar sounds like heaven. Mrs. Peterson has told me that nourishing food will aid my recovery from the injury.”

“And what of other meals, Anne?” Elizabeth had always enjoyed her food, and her mother was noted for keeping an excellent table.

“I ate mostly the white meat of chicken and certain delicate fish. Beef and other meats were supposed to be too difficult for me to digest, and for vegetables I had peas when they were available, potatoes without butter, and winter vegetables such as turnips. Most fruit was forbidden. The cook often made me up a gruel to soothe my digestion. But I have always felt a little hungry.”

“Here you shall have all you want. If you do not feel well, you need not eat. Otherwise, eat your fill and enjoy your food. Everything is wholesome and good. Mrs. Peterson may suggest special dishes to help you recover from your injury.”

Charlotte, too, looked well rested and less nervous. “I should consider returning home, now that Miss de Bourgh is in such good hands.”

“Mrs. Collins, I am sure you would be pleased to return to your husband and to the parish. But you are safe here. Do me the honor of accepting my protection until the difficulties at Rosings are resolved. I am certain Mr. Collins would agree with me.”

Charlotte wondered how she had ever regarded this man as aloof or standoffish. “Of course, you are right, Mr. Darcy. I thank you, and so will Mr. Collins.”

“If you like, we can send a man to Hunsford for your trunk. If you would be so good as to prepare a list of the items you require, he can be on his way within the hour and will return before evening. I am sure one of the maids at the parsonage can pack for you.”

“How kind. I will do so directly.”

“Anne, is Jenny helping you find all you need to wear among Georgiana’s things?”

“Yes. I will need to go shopping eventually, but so long as Georgiana does not mind, I can borrow her things.”

Their guests soon dispersed, and Elizabeth joined Darcy in the library.

“Let us take a turn in the garden. The morning is still cool and fresh.” Darcy offered her his arm, and they stepped together out of the French doors.

The garden was like a small jewel. The noise and traffic of the city could be heard but did not intrude.

Elizabeth sighed luxuriously. “I have not yet begun to appreciate this enough. I should come out here every day to spend time.”

Her husband kissed her. “We can also spend time here together. We no longer need to hide from family and chaperones. Now we can hide from everyone.” They sat together on a bench, and his eyes grew serious.

“Elizabeth, I must leave you for an hour or two to go to my uncle.

It concerns the damages to the various families.

I thought Anne and Mrs. Collins could use this time to rest and refresh themselves after their long day yesterday.

“The trial of Wickham’s hired men might be held as soon as today because the midsummer session of the assizes is almost at an end.

I believe they will be convicted, and if that is so, they will be hanged.

Wickham has avoided that death, though not by much.

It grieves me for the sake of both my father and old Mr. Wickham that George Wickham has met such an ignoble end, but it cannot be helped. ”

“Now, here is something much more pleasant.” Darcy reached into his pocket and brought out a letter. “I have had a letter from Georgiana, and she encloses a note for you.”

Elizabeth smiled as she opened her note.

“She is the dearest girl!” she exclaimed as she finished reading.

“She welcomes me to the family, tells me how glad she is to have me as a sister, and cannot wait until we are together at Pemberley, where she says we will have music every day. Here, you may read it for yourself. I will confess that I, too, wish we were at Pemberley.”

“It will not be long now, dearest. ”

“Do you suppose Lady Catherine was doing something to Anne’s food?” Elizabeth’s eyes held a thoughtful look.

“I think it more likely that she was being constantly underfed. Anne had a severe attack of the measles when she was already into her teens. Georgiana and I both had them as children and recovered quickly, but I remember that Anne was sick for weeks. It seems likely that her mother has used the illness as a means of restricting her diet and depriving her of fresh air and exercise. Mrs. Peterson and the cook will rise to the challenge when it comes to good food. Anne is resting well, and her appetite is good. She has always seemed too thin and small to me.”

“She is already enjoying the food. And she is eating well.”

“There is one more thing. Included in my uncle’s note this morning was an invitation for all of us to accompany him to the theater this evening. That is to be followed by supper at the Piazza.”

“How thoughtful. I feel sure Anne and Charlotte will be as delighted as I am.”

“It is a thoughtful gesture. I feel sure he wishes to lessen the burden of what is to come. It will not be easy for any of us.”

“I have something to tell you that I have been postponing, and now that I have recalled it, I want to be sure you know of it so you may tell the Earl if you think he needs to know.” Elizabeth sighed and gathered her thoughts.

“The young woman in the dungeon at Audley Street who was so badly injured is a gentleman’s daughter.

Her name is Arabella Grant, and she has been held captive for several years, Fitzwilliam!

First in various places by Mrs. Younge, then in the house in Audley Street when it was opened. ”

Her husband had gone white as a sheet. “That is not possible, Lizzy. Arabella Grant died five years ago. . .”

“Yes. I know. In a horseback riding or hunting accident or the like. Only she did not die, my dearest love. She was disowned by her family. Fitzwilliam, what is the matter?”

“Dear God. It cannot be.” Darcy turned away from Elizabeth.

After a long moment, he spoke. “She must be there because of me. Six years ago, I came to London with my aunt and uncle for my first Season. I was introduced to Miss Grant, who was also here for her first Season. Her mother had been a schoolfellow of Lady Catherine. Miss Grant and I shared two sets of dances—country dances—at Almack’s.

I was invited by her parents to attend a large dress-party at their house here, and I sent flowers and paid a morning call on Miss Grant and her mother the following day, as is customary.

It was commonly understood that she had fallen in love with a young gentleman whose name escapes me, and I lost sight of Miss Grant soon after that, and then heard of her tragic end that same autumn. What happened to her?”

“Woefully similar to all of our stories.” Elizabeth took her husband’s hand and held it.

“She was abducted by Wickham from a park near her father’s home.

He assaulted her viciously, at knifepoint, and when he had done with her, he took her to Mrs. Younge.

She has been engaged in her present occupation since then, always entrapped by Mrs. Younge.

Her family found her, but when they learned of her circumstances, they disowned her and told the world that she had died in the horseback riding accident.

Now she is twenty-three. The gentleman who found her is still very much in love with her.

He is a younger son, and he gave up a position as secretary to a nobleman because of her.

He works now as a clerk in a counting-house, saving every farthing to redeem her.

He visits her once each month, pays for her time, and spends an hour in conversation with her.

He has never behaved improperly toward her.

I believe she honestly looked forward to the time when her youth had fled so that they could marry and be together.

She ran afoul of Mrs. Younge over a bill, and she was handed over to the abuse and suffering I told you about. ”

“What is his name?”

“Robert Mason. His firm is Conklin and Pierce, a counting-house.”

Darcy’s eyes mirrored his troubled spirit.

“I am glad you told me this, Elizabeth. I will consult with my uncle about what is to be done for her. Would you—could you—send around a note to her? Assure her that help is on the way and that her plight has not gone unheard. I will instruct Parker that if Mason wishes to call on her, he is not to be turned away and that no expense should be spared towards her recovery.”

Elizabeth placed her forehead against her husband’s so that they were eye to eye. “Hear me, Fitzwilliam. This is not your fault, and you must not blame yourself. This is the fault of George Wickham and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Blame them.”