A Summer in Scarborough: A Pride & Prejudice Sequel by Anna Ferreira

Author:Anna Ferreira [Ferreira, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-06-16T20:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER twelve

Anne prepared to dine at Number Eight with the liveliest pleasure. Even the oddities of Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley, and the strange picture that Mr. Hurst was sure to present, could amuse instead of revolting her, if she could share her enjoyment with Georgiana.

And perhaps with Mr. Jeffries. He was sure to be present, and with his talent of blunt but diverting speech, she was sure to be well entertained through the evening. If she could only keep Lady Catherine from insulting him- and, in truth- the entire Hurst family, she would have nothing to wish for.

Lady Catherine was in spirits that evening, and even troubled to say, “You look well, Anne,” without prompting.

“Thank you, your Ladyship,” Anne said as she smoothed her dress, having held it out of the way as she descended the stairs. “And you look positively magnificent,” she added.

It was perfectly true. Lady Catherine was both tall and strong, and in her gown of purple silk, glittering with diamonds and garnets, she looked ready to attend any gathering in the land. The ostrich plumes rising above her headdress nodded formidably at the room, and her looks were remarkably fine for a woman of her age.

Anne was torn between admiration of her mother’s appearance and worry that her manners would be found wanting. Her feelings toward Lady Catherine were always a mixture of such when they went into company. But she, an unmarried woman, must have a chaperone, and though Mrs. Jenkinson filled that role perfectly well in matters of walking out, shopping, and receiving callers, she was not quite fine enough company for dining out.

It was almost enough to make her think of marrying. But not to someone like Sir Henry, Anne reminded herself as they left the house in a parade to shame the finest royal retinue. There were footmen before their party and behind them, all carrying lights and looking like living statues in their bewigged livery.

They entered Number Eight to the accompaniment of their names, shouted out that everyone might know of their arrival. Anne looked about her, pleased anew at the house. It was only a little smaller than Number Twelve, and decorated in the same fashionable style. At least the Hursts understood the importance of appearance, and did not shame their guests by inferior surroundings.

Their manners were not quite so satisfactory- full of anxious elegance and confiding without warmth. As they entered the drawing room, Miss Bingley was seated upon the sofa, looking about to see if anyone was looking at her, though she was also laughing and talking with her sister. But everyone rose to bow or curtsy to Anne and Lady Catherine; they were such a small party that it would have looked strange not to.

But Anne took greater pleasure in the sight of Georgiana coming toward them. The other guests had returned to their conversations, but her cousin broke away from the little group with whom she’d been standing, and reached out to Anne.

“Anne I have not seen you for an age!” she said brightly, her face wreathed in smiles.

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