The Three Colonels by Jack Caldwell

Author:Jack Caldwell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9781402259739
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Published: 2012-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Rosings Park

A miserable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam rode slowly through the town of Hunsford towards Rosings Park. As he passed the Clarke household, he barely acknowledged the wave of welcome from the inhabitants.

Such a greeting is not surprising. Thanks to me, your income just doubled, he thought with uncharitable bitterness.

Richard’s uncharacteristic bitterness sprung from his expectations for his short visit. Whitehall had been most desirous of his return to duty, and it had taken much of Lord Matlock’s influence to secure this short leave. Richard was exceedingly thankful for his father’s efforts, for he could not bear to sail to the Continent with his regiment without first taking his leave of Anne. That meant admitting his feelings for his cousin, but the earl and the viscount had chosen to be kind rather than caustic. Richard knew well his hypocrisy; he loved nothing more than to tease, but he had little tolerance for it being aimed in his direction.

Richard was melancholy enough at leaving Anne now, just as he finally knew his heart, but to face her gatekeeper again—his harridan of an aunt—after their last interview was a price painful to pay. But pay he must if he meant to say good-bye to his beloved.

Within a few minutes, he passed the parsonage and saw the Reverend Mr. Collins attending his garden.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam!” he cried, “how good to see you again so soon. What a pleasure it is to have the company of such an august gentleman as yourself, unselfishly serving our king…”

Richard allowed the man to prattle on. The vicar meant well, and Mrs. Collins was a good friend to Anne. Within a few minutes, the lady of the house came out to join them. “Colonel, you are welcome indeed! Please take a few moments to step inside and take your ease.”

Something in Mrs. Collins’s demeanor encouraged Richard to agree to her suggestion. Richard knew he had chosen well when Mrs. Collins declared to her husband, “Mr. Collins, what are you about? The meeting of the church lay council starts within the half hour!” She effectively shooed the man upstairs to make himself presentable before returning to their guest.

“I am glad we have these few moments to talk in private,” Mrs. Collins began. “Things have been very strained at Rosings since you left. Your orders have improved things in the village, I dare say. Even Mr. Collins will agree—in private—but Lady Catherine has been… very unhappy since your departure in February. I am afraid Miss Anne has taken the brunt of her abuse.”

Richard turned white with anger. “Is that so? Why has my father not been informed?”

“Because Miss Anne would not permit it,” came a voice from the hallway.

The two turned at the sound. Mr. Collins, wearing an unreadable expression, stood at the foot of the stairs, his cravat in his hand to be tied.

“Mr. Collins!” exclaimed his wife. “I—”

“Charlotte, you do not need to explain. I know why you sent me away.” He crossed over to her and laid his hand on her shoulder.

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