Reunited at Rosings: A Christmas Pride and Prejudice Variation by Langford Beatrice

Author:Langford, Beatrice
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Song Sparrow Press
Published: 2024-11-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Darcy looked up as Anne sighed. He set down the quill he had been using to jot down figures in the book before him, replacing it in its stand. “What is the matter, cousin? You’ve sighed like that three times in the last quarter of an hour.”

She smiled sheepishly and put down her quill as well. “Forgive me, Darcy. I suppose I grow a little tired.” She smoothed a hand over her hair, which her maid had arranged in a pleasing fashion, quite different from the severe styles she had once favoured. Anne had grown very different from the pale, silent figure he remembered. She moved and spoke with a confidence Darcy had never seen in her before. She had even spoken of having a few new dresses made in a colour other than the mourning black she had worn for so long. Since his arrival two months past, the changes had been accumulating slowly but surely, and it did his heart good to see her so. Perhaps his time at Rosings was coming to a close. Lady Catherine was on the mend, albeit slowly. And Anne was coming into her own as the manager of the estate. She had grown in loveliness and confidence, and he surmised she would not be long single if her mother could be convinced to give up the idea that the only suitable bridegroom was himself.

Anne winced as she looked over all the work still left to be done.

He smiled encouragingly across the desk at her. “I know it can be tedious, but you are doing very well. Surely you must see that?” Darcy stood and stretched his lower back. “I think you are more than capable of taking over whenever you please.”

Anne looked frightened by the notion. However, she also smiled at his praise. “Do you really think so? I cannot imagine doing any of this without you or Fitzwilliam to keep me in check.”

“You do not need to be kept in check. Besides, you can always write to Fitzwilliam or myself if you ever have any questions.” Darcy’s heart lifted at the thought of returning to Pemberley. More importantly, of making one stop along the way, in Meryton. He hoped he would soon have business to conduct there as well, but not the dull sort.

“Thank you,” Anne replied and stood as well. She joined him near the window and looked out. Fitzwilliam was on the green, riding at a break-neck pace. No doubt he was trying to stay in tip-top shape for when he returned to his regiment. Likely, he was also tired of being cooped up inside. The weather was unusually clear for being so close to Christmas. One had to take advantage of the fine weather whenever one could in such a climate.

“I am surprised that Fitzwilliam knows so much about running an estate, being a soldier.”

Darcy shrugged. “After all, our cousin is the second son of the Earl—the spare, if you will. He was brought up learning what was required to run an estate, just like his elder brother and I.

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