Colonel Fitzwilliam's Dilemma (6 page)

“Mr. Asquith is responsible for the changes.” Lizzy canted her head. “It seems odd Lady Catherine would employ a man about whom she knows so little, and one who could so easily turn her daughter’s head in directions Lady Catherine almost certainly would not wish it to be directed.”

“I believe Lady Catherine knows a fair amount about him. She told Fitzwilliam he is the son of Sir Marius Glover’s plantation manager in Jamaica. That gentleman valued Asquith so highly he paid for his son to be educated in England alongside his own boy.”

“Really?” Lizzy arched a brow. “Well then, Mr. Asquith will have much to talk to Mrs. Sheffield about when she comes to dinner tonight with the Briars. I understand her late husband made his fortune in Jamaica.”

“Perhaps Mrs. Sheffield is known to him. That ought to make for interesting discourse.”

“Ah, so you think there is something about Mr. Asquith’s background he doesn’t wish to have commonly known?”

Will leaned over Lizzy and kissed her brow. “I did not say that.”

“You didn’t have to.” She reached up and stroked his jaw. “My letter to Charlotte Collins, asking her what was known about him in Kent, has already been sent. Hopefully, Charlotte will satisfy my curiosity and reply by return.”

Will sent her a teasing smile. “Which will do nothing to stop you from asking your own questions.”

Lizzy had no reply to make. She was too taken up with her husband’s lovely smile to find the breath for words. Whenever he looked at her in that particular way, her insides melted, desire blossomed, and she fell in love with him all over again.

“I know what you are thinking.” He wagged a finger at her. “And the answer is no. You have a houseful of guests, and you are in a delicate condition. I will not place added demands upon you.”

“I thought I was the one doing the demanding. Besides, it will do the baby no harm.”

“I have business to attend to and must leave you for the morning.” Damnation, Lizzy thought, he really did mean to reject her. So much for her feminine wiles. They appeared to be losing their appeal already. “Promise me you will not over-exert yourself.”

“Your aunt will ring a peal over me if I attempt to do so. The thought of a tedious lecture about the responsibility I bear for the Pemberley heir will be enough to keep me in line.”

“Then for once I have reason to be obliged to my aunt, provided you do not treat her lecture as a challenge and disregard it.” Will’s expression darkened. “I beg you not to make me worry about you, my love.”

Lizzy reached up and kissed his lips. “You have just said the only thing that will make me obey you. You start to understand my character and know precisely how to treat me.”

“Thank you. Now I must go. I will see you at luncheon.”

Lizzy watched her husband leave, lay back and closed her eyes for a moment, breathing in the masculine aroma that lingered on his pillow and which was so uniquely him. It was ridiculous really. They had been married long enough that she ought to be over her initial infatuation with him. Goodness only knew being mistress of Pemberley ensured she had plenty with which to occupy her time. Lizzy hugged Will’s pillow to her breast, making a mental note to ask Jane if she still felt obsessed with her Mr. Bingley and missed him the moment he left the room.

Laughing at her foolishness, Lizzy rang the bell. Jessie brought up her breakfast tray and then helped her wash and dress. Lizzy went down but none of her guests were anywhere to be seen. She glanced out of her sitting room window and noticed Anne de Bourgh sitting alone in the herb garden, a sketch pad on her lap. Anxious to speak with her alone and equally anxious to avoid Lady Catherine, Lizzy slipped out a side door and joined her.

“I hope I am not disturbing you.”

“Not in the least, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Oh please call me Lizzy. We are related now, after all. And I hope I may address you as Anne.”

“I would like that. So few people do. They are too afraid of what my mother will say if they presume to be familiar. Besides, I have never had any close friends.”

“Well I am not afraid of your mother and so Anne it is. And you now have a friend in me if you will allow it.”

“With the greatest of pleasure.”

“That’s settled then.” Lizzy smiled. “What are you drawing?”

“I was trying to capture a likeness of those herbs growing against that fountain, but I think I am being too ambitious.”

“Let me see.”

Lizzy examined Anne’s sketch. It was rudimentary, but still better than anything Lizzy could have achieved.

“What do you think? There is no necessity to be kind. I know I have a long way to go before I will not be ashamed of my efforts.” Anne said. “If that ever happens.”

“I am no expert, but there is a certain rustic charm in your image. I am sure Mr. Asquith will be able to tell you what to do to improve it, but you wouldn’t thank me for offering you advice. I cannot draw to save my life.”

Anne appeared surprised by the admission. “I thought there was nothing you could not do.”

“Did you really?” Lizzy blinked. “What a very strange image you have of me, but it is hardly deserved. I am not nearly as accomplished as you appear to think. I am very outspoken I suppose, which people often mistake for confidence. It is just that I never have been able to hold my tongue, especially if I think someone else has spoken out of turn or has been unjust. That trait has landed me in all manner of trouble.” Lizzy emitted an embarrassed little laugh. “But it is hardly my fault if I always have firm opinions upon every conceivable subject.”

“Whereas I never have anything to say that people wish to hear.”

“That once might have been true, about you’re not speaking, I mean. But since your health has improved, I can see a vast difference in you.” Lizzy smiled. “I believe Mr. Asquith must take some credit for that.”

Anne blushed. “Yes. I was terrified of him when Mama first engaged him as my tutor. I never would have expected her to do such an unorthodox thing.”

“I must say it surprised us too.”

“He was very kind right from the start and very patient. Most surprisingly of all, he did not treat me like an invalid.” Anne paused, lost in reflection, her sketch abandoned. “People had been treating me as though I was a weakling for so long that I suppose I had started to believe I was. But Mr. Asquith made no allowances for my supposed infirmities and I gradually started to feel…well, normal I suppose.”

“Then he is to be congratulated, because I see a completely different side to you.”

“Thank you, but I am still very dull and uninteresting.”

“No you are not.” Lizzy patted her hand. “Never think that way.”

“Mr. Asquith has taught me to aspire to things I had always supposed were beyond me, but now I…well, perhaps that wasn’t such a good thing. If one does not have expectations then one cannot be disappointed when they are not realised.”

“Because you cannot have your heart’s desire?”

Anne’s head shot up. “Whatever do you mean?”

Lizzy smiled. “Mr. Asquith is very elegant, very charming. Were you to have formed an attachment towards him I can quite understand how it would have happened.”

“Is it that obvious?” Anne shot Lizzy a startled look. “Mama would dismiss him on the spot if she had the slightest notion. I am here because…well I am not supposed to know but I’m not quite the numbskull Mama supposes me to be.”

Lizzy’s heart went out to the poor girl. “I am sure your mother only has your best interests at heart.”

“Yes, I dare say.”

“You must not feel pressured to do things you would prefer not to.”

“I am not you, Lizzy. Besides, I have always known what is expected of me.”

Lizzy didn’t quite know how to respond, but seeing Mr. Asquith approaching, their intimate conversation had to end anyway, which was probably just as well.

“We are friends now Anne,” Lizzy said, standing. “Please feel free to talk to me about anything at any time.”

“Thank you. That means a great deal to me.” Anne paused. “As I said before, I have never had a friend to confide in and I am only now beginning to realise what I have missed.”

Lizzy returned to the house thinking that was one of the saddest, most poignant statements she had ever heard. Having grown up surrounded by four sisters, not having a confidant would have been unthinkable. Poor Anne. Born into all that money and privilege and yet she was lonely and completely lacking in self-confidence.

***

Jane and Mr. Bingley arrived in the middle of the afternoon. Lizzy and Will greeted them with informality and great affection. Jane looked tired and drawn.

“I should not have asked you to come,” Lizzy said, feeling guilty as the sisters embraced. “The journey was too much for you.”

“You are as bad as Charles. It is only ten miles. Besides, I am curious to meet Lady Catherine.”

“She terrifies me,” Kitty said, taking her turn to hug Jane. “I don’t know how Lizzy finds the courage to stand up to her.”

“It is that or allow her to dictate, which is unthinkable.”

“Who is that gentleman?” Jane asked, glancing through the drawing room window and seeing Mr. Asquith assisting Lady Catherine and Anne from the carriage that had taken them into the village.

“A very good question,” Lizzy replied. “And one I would like to know the answer to myself.”

***

Joshua spent the day with Darcy, which gave him a legitimate excuse to avoid squiring his cousin Anne. Seeing Darcy at his most efficient, handling the management of his estate with skill and intelligence, reminded Joshua that a similar future was his for the taking. All that was required of him was to marry his cousin. Common sense told him to grasp the opportunity with both hands and thank Lady Catherine for her benevolence.

So why did he hesitate?

Darcy made no mention of the possible union, but it was as though he was trying to show Joshua what he could expect if he decided to go ahead. He would be a fool not to, he thought, sitting astride his horse and surveying Darcy’s land which stretched as far as the eye could see. So too did the land attaching to Rosings.

Joshua could see changes for the better in his cousin. She was no longer a timid church mouse, and occasionally offered up an opinion of her own when there was the least likelihood of its being heard. She made no effort to single Joshua out and her response when he had addressed a remark to her the previous evening had been stilted, almost indifferent. It was evident the prospect of their union held no more joy for Anne than it did for Joshua. It had not previously occurred to him that she might be as averse to the idea as he was, having assumed she would do as she was told by her mother because she always had in the past.

Joshua slid his arms into the coat his man held out for him and stood still as Cox brushed imaginary specks from the shoulders. His next move ought to be to speak privately and candidly with Anne, discover precisely how she felt about her mother’s proposal and then decide how best to proceed. Anne looked a great deal better than she usually did and no longer hid beneath several layers of shawls for fear of catching a chill. She had altered in subtle ways and as Joshua tripped lightly down the stairs he determined to discover who or what had wrought such changes in her. He was equally determined that Anne would speak honestly about her feelings. He understood Lady Catherine’s determination to see the Rosings estate pass into capable hands but those hands would not be Joshua’s if they came at the expense of her daughter’s happiness. He did not love Anne de Bourgh but he did feel a duty of care towards her and would not force her into a loveless marriage against her will.

Darcy, Bingley, and Asquith we
re already in the drawing room. Joshua was received warmly by his host and accepted a glass of whisky from him with a nod of thanks. Turner and Halstead followed on his heels and were provided with refreshment also.

“Our neighbours are joining us for dinner this evening,” Darcy told them. “Lord and Lady Briar and Lady Briar’s sister, Mrs. Sheffield. Did you happen to know Mrs. Sheffield’s late husband, Asquith? I believe he made his fortune in Jamaica.”

“The name is not familiar,” Asquith replied, shaking his head. “but then a lot of Englishmen have interests in Jamaica. I am acquainted with only a few of them.”

“Yes of course, but sometimes these coincidences happen.”

Joshua’s instincts told him Asquith had not answered Darcy’s question honestly but what possible reason would he have to lie about it? Not that it mattered to Joshua. He had problems of his own to wrestle with and dismissed the matter from his mind.

“How are you enjoying your new estate, Bingley?” Joshua asked instead.

“Very much indeed,” Bingley replied with great enthusiasm. “It is exactly right for us in all respects. I shall enjoy sharing it with my family, although my sisters seem quite determined to remain in London for the present time, which I own surprises me.”

“They probably want to give you time to adjust to married life,” Darcy said hastily. “After all, they were always with you in Hertfordshire, as was Mrs. Bennet.”

Bingley pulled a wry face. “That is certainly true.”

Joshua said nothing, but knew the real reason why Bingley was denied his sisters’ company. Miss Bingley had recruited Wickham to help her undermine Eliza’s position during a house party at Pemberley a few weeks previously. Supposing Darcy to have made a mistake in marrying Eliza, which she believed he himself had come to regret, she had also convinced herself that she was the true object of Darcy’s affections. It was Darcy’s contention she was quite mad, an opinion which was supported by the best medical brains in the business.

Darcy’s price for not informing Bingley of his sister’s treachery was that she undergo treatment for her condition. Mrs. Hurst had taken it upon herself to ensure that happened. Miss Bingley would never be invited to Pemberley again of course, so how that could be avoided if she returned to the north and resided with her brother was a problem Joshua didn’t envy Darcy having to wrestle with. There could be no doubt that Bingley, if he discovered the truth, would be devastated. Joshua knew Eliza was especially keen for it not to come to light, at least until after her sister’s confinement.