Page 75 of Through the Eyes of Love

Elizabeth placed more pillows under Miss de Bourgh’s head. “Miss de Bourgh, I am Elizabeth Darcy. Pray tell me what I can do to help you? You are chilled—may I cover you with a blanket?”

“I knew Darcy would marry a kind-hearted woman. Pray, call me Anne since we are cousins now.”

“If you promise to return the compliment. Now tell me what I can do for you?”

It was obvious to all that Anne’s clothes were excessively big on her. Was it to make her appear more robust or because she had recently lost a great deal of weight? An older woman, who had gone unnoticed by Elizabeth until now, stood silently in the corner—she had to be Anne’s companion.

“Iwouldlike a blanket and some hot tea. I am quite tired and should like to rest. Mrs. Jenkinson has a tonic that helps me sleep.” Elizabeth called for a maid to fetch a blanket and then sat beside Anne and took her cold hand in hers.

Lady Catherine had watched in silence while her nephew had carried her daughter into the cottage, but when Elizabeth sat next to Anne, she became agitated and twitchy. “Take your hands off my daughter, you demon!Ishall decide what my daughter needs, not you—a grasping country chit who tried to elevate your lot in life by trapping Anne’s betrothed with your arts and allurements. Anne is of noble blood and I shall not have my child’s rightful place usurped by you or anyone else. I shall brook no opposition on this matter.” Her cane struck the floor. “Darcy will marry Anne!” Elizabeth put her hand to her chest and swallowed hard.

“Mother, I have told you a hundred times, I never wished to marry him, and he feels the same way about me. We love each other as cousins and nothing more.” Anne’s voice grew weaker with every word she uttered. “EvenifI desired it, I would neverhave the strength to be the mistress of Pemberley much less give birth to an heir. I am ill and I need my tonic.”

Lady Catherine pointed towards Elizabeth. “Darcy’s heir will be born soon enough and you need never be concerned about him imposing on you. Fitzwilliam, Idemandyou talk some sense to your betrothed.”

He shook his head, his lips pinched together. He was clearly frustrated at his aunt’s thick-headed determination. “On many occasions, Anne and I have told you how we felt about your plot—it was never going to happen! Ihavea wife and shall have no other. Elizabeth’s and my child will be the heir to Pemberley and I shall listen to no more of your senseless drivel!”

Lady Catherine stuck her nose in the air. “I am the closest relative you have, and this is the respect you show for our family. Where is your honour?”

“On my honour, Elizabeth and Georgiana are my closest relatives, and I have had enough of your nonsense. We must attend to Anne.”

“You are not to touch her! Anne, we are leaving now.”

“No.”

“You are welcome to stay as long as you wish,” said Fitzwilliam. Now that was a decision Elizabeth could support.

“Anne, I said we are leavingnow!”

“I am staying where I am, madam. I shall never listen to your demands again.”

Lady Catherine glared at her daughter and visibly seethed. “You. . .you ungrateful child! I have had you treated by the best physicians in England, and you think this country nobody can help you? Very well, I wash my hands of all of you. You will never be allowed to enter Rosings again. But mark my words, Darcy—whether you marry Anne or not, I shall have this marriage dissolved!” Lady Catherine spun around and pounded her cane with her every step as she left the cottage without another word.

* * *

Darcy knelt beside his cousin.“Annie, are you warm enough?” She smiled and nodded. “After you have your medicine and some tea, I shall take you upstairs to rest. Mrs. Jenkinson can care for you there.”

Anne caressed his scarred cheek with tears in her eyes. He was surprized he let her do it without a sense of shame about his appearance. “I am so thankful you are well. Richard wrote to me about the fire, and I was so frightened for you. This trip was worthwhile to see you so happily married, with a baby on the way. Darcy, it fills my heart with joy.”

He took her hand and kissed it. “You are here and all will be well.” The tea tray was brought in, and Anne’s companion added a tonic to her charge’s cup. He sat on the other side of her from Elizabeth and they helped her sit up long enough to drink it.

“Are you ready?”

Anne’s eyes were soft. “Yes. I should like to rest now.”

He lifted her and carried her up the stairs to the unused mistress’s room, then placed her on the bed and covered her with a blanket. Before she surrendered to sleep Anne said in a whisper, “Ask Jenkinson about Mr. Gilroy.”

* * *

When he returnedto the drawing room, Elizabeth looked up from her conversation with Mrs. Jenkinson. “I just learnt why your aunt subjected Anne to such an arduous journey. Lady Catherine has refused to give her inheritance to her until she has married you. Your aunt saw no need to prepare her daughter to take the reins of Rosings because she maintained Anne wouldbe living at Pemberley after you were wed. Lady Catherine came here to force your hand. Perhaps she did not believe we were really married and thought she could convince you to marry your cousin. Anne’s clothes are intentionally made too large for her because your aunt believes it makes her daughter look healthier.”

“If Anne came to Pemberley as my wife, Lady Catherine would continue to control her estate as long as she was alive. My aunt has no right to deny her of what is rightfully hers. According to her father’s will, Rosings legally became Anne’s when she turned five and twenty, which was years ago. That womanis greedier than I ever imagined—her hunger for power has nearly killed her only child just so she could continue to rule Rosings.” Darcy paced while he turned his attention to the lady seated beside his wife. “How ill is she? Is there anything we can do to improve her health?”

Mrs. Jenkinson sighed. “Anne has always been weak, but her condition seems to be worsening. This trip has been. . .well sir, it has not helped.”

“Who is Mr. Gilroy? Anne told me to ask you about him.”

“He is an apothecary in Hunsford whom she and I met a few months ago. We were riding in her phaeton and stopped to speak to him. He could easily see she was unwell and suggested some tonics that might improve her strength. Anne asked him to come to Rosings as soon as possible, but when he arrived, Lady Catherine refused to allow him in the house. She claimed onlysheknew what was best for her daughter.”