Of Family And Friendship: By Charm or By Choice? continues... (Pride and Prejudice Continues Book 2) by Shana Jefferis-Zimmerman

Author:Shana Jefferis-Zimmerman [Jefferis-Zimmerman, Shana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-23T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

The day after Kitty’s miserable evening of entertainment, Anne confided to Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, and Richard what she had learnt from Mr. Allbrook about receiving his professional approval to assume control of Rosings. All three pronounced themselves relieved at her desire to continue with her improvements and ready to assist. Over the next few days Elizabeth repeated the instructions she had provided to Mary, Kitty, and Georgiana about managing the household accounts. She had to alter her lesson however to inform Anne that as a single woman of independent means, she would also be playing the role of the husband in assigning the budgets for each account. Richard spoke with Anne at length about a variety of topics including his horse breeding operation as well as what had been most surprising to him about owning his own estate. Fitzwilliam began sharing some of the letters from his steward with Anne. He patiently explained why the steward had written each letter and what his response had been.

Soon Fitzwilliam received another letter from Mr. Atkins, which he opened with some trepidation.

Sunderley Manor, March 14

Dear Mr. Darcy,

I have thankfully arrived safely at Sunderley and been able to attend to Lord Sunderley in his time of need. My father is quite ill and is confined to the sick-room. My brother, sister-in-law, and nephew have repaired home as well after my brother secured a curate to stand in his stead at Lambton Church. My brother’s letter informing you of such will likely reach you before this one does. I am grateful for another opportunity to come together as a family, even in such dire circumstances as these. My father’s fate is by no means certain and we pray that he may yet rally as he has done before.

His lordship has asked me to write to you with his entreaty that Miss Bennet be invited to Sunderley Manor to wait upon him. I can only hope that he has experienced some change of feeling over our disagreement of the past few weeks. Miss Bennet’s presence would also be a tremendous relief to her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, as well as to me. I hope she will accede to this invitation, with of course your and Mrs. Darcy’s permission.

Yours, etc.,

Mr. Samuel Atkins

Fitzwilliam went in search of his lady and his sister-in-law and soon found them in the music-room from whence he asked them both to read the letter. The ladies were torn between their concern for Lord Sunderley’s welfare and their wish that he may have had a change of heart relating to his son’s desire of attaching Kitty.

“Fitzwilliam, do you not think she must go?” asked Elizabeth.

“I do, provided she wants to go. Kitty, what are your wishes?”

“I feel I must go, but I want to be there. Not merely because I have been requested by his lordship, but I think I could offer some relief to my family.”

“Very well then. You should begin your packing and I shall order the carriage so that you may depart at sunrise to-morrow.

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