Page 60 of Shields and Roses

Richard bowed again. "Is our visit so unusual?" he asked. "I have just returned from the Continent and, having some accumulated leave, thought it only proper to come pay my respects to my aunt. When Will learned of my intent, he decided to join me in making you a short visit."

Lady Catherine glared at Darcy and snorted slightly, conveying disbelief. "I am surprised that Fitzwilliam would tear himself from the delights of the Season. Do not think me ignorant of your search for that Rose woman and your flagrant disregard for your betrothal to Anne."

It was now Darcy's turn to bow. "I learned I was deceived by appearances," he said in as humble a tone as he could manage. "Miss Rose was not at all who I believed her to be. I can safely say that I have finally come to my senses."

That final phrase, the one that Lady Cather had so often used when insisting on the supposed betrothal between Darcy and Anne, did the trick. With an irritated wave of her hand toward the nearby settee accompanied by what was almost a smile, she said, "Sit. Sit. I am tired of craning my neck to look at you."

They took their seats, both doing their best to avoid allowing relief at having passed the first test to show on their expressions. They would have to keep her thinking she had them where she wanted them.

They spent the next half hour and more undergoing an intense grilling regarding their recent activities and current plans. Lady Catherine also asked several questions and offered even more criticisms regarding the arrangements Darcy had made for Georgiana and his foolishness in removing her from school the year before. Darcy thought they did well in answering her questions without revealing either their plans or their suspicions.

When the inquisition seemed to be winding down, Darcy said, "Richard and I should like to pay our respects to Anne, if we may."

As he had hoped, the request distracted her from whatever else she had planned to ask. The half-smile appeared on her face again as she waved him away saying, "Yes, yes. Of course you would wish to see her. She is in the conservatory with her companion. There she can enjoy the flowers without too much harmful exposure to the outside air. I expect she will be happy to see you. Richard has no need to go along. He can have no interest in Anne."

"Of course I would wish to greet my cousin," Richard said, deliberately ignoring the implications of her statement. "Since she is your daughter, by offering respect to her I show my respect for you." He stood, as did Darcy.

"Oh, very well," she said testily. "Be off with you then, but do not stay very long in her company. I am sure Fitzwilliam has much to say to his cousin. Dinner is at the usual time. I expect you both to be punctual." As the two men bowed politely, she waved her hand again in a brushing motion, sending them away without another word.

They exited the room and silently made their way down the corridor towards the conservatory. Richard gave his cousin a triumphant grin, but both knew better than to discuss the recent interview anywhere they might be overheard.

Entering the conservatory, they found it occupied by Anne, Mrs. Jenkinson and another woman Darcy thought might be Anne's personal maid. By all appearances they had been deep in discussion, but the three fell silent and looked up as Darcy and Richard stepped through the door.

"Richard! You came," Anne exclaimed as she recognized them. "I am so glad you are back and safe. And Will, thank you for passing on the message, although I am surprised to see you came along with Richard."

"I thought it was the right time to visit," he replied. He and Richard were now close enough to converse quietly, but Darcy was not sure how much he could say in front of the maid.

Anne looked at them both quizzically. Understanding her unspoken question, Richard replied to her look.

"Have no fear, Anne. Will has learned a great deal in the past few months and is now firmly on our side."

"And that of the Bennets?" she asked.

"Definitely that of the Bennets," Darcy confirmed, thinking of Miss Elizabeth.

The relief was clear on the faces of all three women. "I am very glad to see you both, then," Anne said.

"Are you well, Anne?" Richard asked. "Your mother said you were here to avoid being exposed to the outside air."

Anne grimaced. "I am perfectly well, thank you. As I wrote in my note, Mother has greatly restricted my movements. I am now forbidden to drive out in my phaeton. I think someone finally informed her that I not only drive, I meet and talk with people. She has given me several lectures on the evils of consorting with the neighbors."

"Which neighbors would that be exactly?" Richard asked teasingly. Darcy realized his cousin knew far more about the situation, so he kept his mouth shut and listened in hopes that he would learn.

"She particularly mentioned my cousin, Sir Phillip. You know how she feels about him and his mother."

Richard nodded. "I know she hopes he will simply drop down dead before he has the chance to marry and beget a legitimate heir. She has never forgiven him for being born and inheriting the baronetcy and the estate, even though he cannot claim Rosings Park until after she is dead."

"Very true. Sir Phillip has learned to be a cautious man. He has been the target of a few odd accidents over the years that were almost certainly at my mother's direction. His saving grace has been that she is very careful to avoid any actions that could be traced back to her. All the same, it is hard to say what she might do if he were to announce a betrothal with anyone."

"He is still a bit young for that," Richard observed. "After all, he is not even one and twenty. What about his friend? Has she learned anything there?"

To Darcy's surprise, Anne blushed slightly. "No," she replied. "So far as I can tell, she knows nothing about Martin, although if you will help me, that can change soon."

"What did you need us to do?" Richard asked.

"We were just discussing that when you came in. Martin and I had arranged to be married tomorrow. With help from Polly and Mrs. Jenkinson, I have been slowly transferring my personal goods to the dower house. Sir Phillip and his mother have then taken care of transporting them on to the house in which Martin and I plan to live after the wedding. The original plan was that we would go out for a drive tomorrow morning and none of us would return. I would, of course, send word to Mother once there was no chance that she could undo the marriage, but I would be done with Rosings Park for good. However, even though one of the men in the stables also reports to Uncle Peter, he cannot circumvent the orders my mother has given or help me sneak out."

"Hmm," Richard said. "While speaking with your mother, Will may have said he had come to his senses in a context that your mother took to mean he was finally willing to agree to marry you, although that was not at all what he actually meant."