Page 40 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“I could not be happier for you and Miss Elizabeth. Never have I seen you in such good humor and so often since meeting Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley nattered, shaking Darcy’s hand.
“It all bodes well for our future felicity, indeed,” Darcy said. “Do encourage Miss Bennet to go shopping with Elizabeth and my aunt. She can aid our betrothed in assembling their trousseaus.”
“Brilliant, Darce. Absolutely brilliant. I will tell Jane once they are done speaking amongst themselves.” Bingley slapped Mr. Darcy on the back. “I gave the draft to the countess earlier this morning.”
“To be there when my daughters, who consider twice every guinea they might spend, receive their stipend. Your assurance that my Lizzy will be able to empty a warehouse with the sum is more than even my wife has imagined. And that they must face a countess should they attempt to be difficult about spending your money? Well done indeed,” Bennet acknowledged.
“Elizabeth has already agreed, so she cannot deny the suggestions my aunt makes,” Mr. Darcy whispered out of the side of his mouth.
Bennet called for wine to toast the couples, quite enjoying the arguments he imagined his daughters might make.
Chapter 16
A Frank Conversation Between Anne and Charlotte
“Miss Lucas, thank you for agreeing to take a stroll with me through the gardens,” Anne said.
“It did seem you were quite intent on talking with me, though if it has anything to do with what happened—” Miss Lucas eased when Anne shook her head no. “Then I am at your disposal, Miss de Bourgh.”
“There is one aspect I want to discuss. It will break all rules of propriety, as we are only new acquaintances. But if we are to be dearest friends, and I know we shall, I ask you to call me Anne.” She felt Miss Lucas tense when she linked her arm through hers.
“While my curiosity is engaged, I am uncertain I can appreciate a conversation that ignores all rules of propriety.”
“But I mean to break them all,” Anne said with humor. “I promise, however, to stop speaking should you feel too scandalized.”
“True, we shall be friends. With this in mind, I invite you to call me Charlotte. I confess again, I am intrigued…Anne.”
Although her new friend stumbled over her Christian name, Anne clasped Charlotte’s arm to her side to show her appreciation for the concession.
“Charlotte, you must prepare for what I am to tell you… I have been married to Richard for these four years.”
Anne held fast to her arm when Charlotte attempted to pull away. “Please, allow me to explain. Your attraction to my cousin was unavoidable, even had you known. It was instant, and may even be mutual, I would not presume to know. But, for my own sake, I am glad to know you. I understand you are an excellent friend.”
“I… I do not understand.”
“I would be shocked if you were not confused. My mother was adamant that I marry Darcy, but he is too stern and quiet, and I am too reticent. If he and I were to marry, we might exchange good morning and goodnight, but nothing else said between us each day for weeks on end.”
“There are worse circumstances,” said Charlotte.
“But I cannot bear an heir, which both Pemberley and Rosings Park require.”
Charlotte looked away with embarrassment.
“I know it is an intimate detail, but necessary for you to know the truth.”
“It is the hope of every man to have a son. I see my father’s pride in being able to give my brother Lucas Lodge. I cannot imagine the pride a master of Pemberley or Rosings Park might claim,” Charlotte said, cautious in her allowance for the continuing of this conversation.
“Indeed. But my marriage to Richard is…in name only. Our uncle Saul is an archbishop. The one request I ever made of him was to perform our ceremony. Once done, I couldnotmarry Darcy.”
“True.”
“Richard has a safe in his room at Rosings Park where the papers are kept. If my mother had attempted to force Darcy’s hand these years while Richard had been away, I would have opened the safe. But only if he or Darcy were present, so even if she had destroyed them, someone other than our uncle, who has many matters to consider for the church, would know the truth. The marriage would have been exposed, and she would have given into a tirade the likes of which I never want to witness. Still, there are times I considered telling my mother just to end her claims that I was to marry Darcy.”
“I am certain it would cause you unimaginable heartbreak to lose one who is both a husband and your cousin in war.”
“Oh, I am not explaining myself well, so I shall resort to risking offense in favor of clarity. Richard will inherit. As a wife in name only, I asked him to be discreet while conducting any affairs in case our marriage must become known.”
“I am not certain I should be the one you discuss this with.”
