Chapter 27 #2
The Bennets, Darcys, and Fitzwilliams entered the largest of the drawing rooms, where in addition to Anne, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, the Bingleys, and the Hursts were present. They were informed the Gardiners would arrive on the morrow.
Lord and Lady Hilldale were at Hilldale where they would remain for the foreseeable future. Marie Fitzwilliam, had disappointed her son David, who had ordered a brother, by presenting him with a little sister named for her two grandmothers, Rosamond Elaine, who would be known as Rose Fitzwilliam.
“Lizzy, I thought Fanny was exaggerating when she said how large you are with child. Are you sure you are only between your sixth and seventh months? Your belly is enormous.” The Countess rushed over and felt Elizabeth’s stomach for any sign of concern.
“With children, Aunt Elaine. And yes, we are as sure as we can be about the timing of my pregnancy. Both the local midwife and the accoucheur have confirmed it.” Lizzy smiled ruefully.
“Are you sure you are well enough to travel, Lizzy? I would hate to think my invitation for you to visit Rosings has placed you or your baby, I mean babies, in jeopardy.” Anne looked at her cousin worriedly.
“Anne, I promise you if I did not feel well, and I did not have the permission of Sir Fredrick, we would not have made this trip.
Besides my not wishing to do harm to myself or my babies, you know William would have bound me to a bed to stop me from coming if he was not convinced by the accoucheur that neither myself nor the babes I am carrying would be hurt by the trip.
“We took every precaution. We spread the trip to Longbourn over five days so there were many stops, making the trip was as leisurely as possible. You may not know, but we remained at Longbourn for me to rest for two days before coming here. Also, if anybody would like to go see the coach, William had it modified at the coachworks in Lambton so one half is a bed for me to use so I am not sitting all of the time. Truly, every precaution has been taken, and some invented for my comfort,” Lizzy related.
“I was worried when they arrived at Longbourn and I saw how big my petite Lizzy is, but when she and William explained everything to me, both Thomas and I felt a lot better,” Fanny stated in support of her second daughter.
“There is some news I would like to share.” Anne blushed as she asked for the attention of her family. “With Uncle Reggie’s blessing, I have entered into a courtship with Mr. Ian Ashby.
“As both of you know, William and Richard, we have known each other our whole lives as his father, the Earl of Ashbury, was very close to my father, and the countess Lady Gillian was friendly with Lady Catherine for some years until that lady managed to alienate her as she did all of us.
His brother and sister, Lord and Lady Amberleigh, the Viscount, and their three children live at the Amberleigh estate, also in Surry.
“Before you think he is after my fortune, he is not.
He is wealthy in his own right thanks to an inheritance he received from an uncle who died without issue.
There is a nice sized estate in Surry called Sherwood Park with a clear six thousand a year.
We have long had a tender regard for one another, but we both knew until I took control of my inheritance and exerted my will, we would have to wait.
“Lady Catherine is no longer an impediment, and after waiting for some years, I have a sneaking suspicion I will be betrothed around Easter. In addition, Hunsford’s new pastor used to be the curate at the living bestowed by Sherwood Park, so I knew he was a good man, and I could trust him with the duties for our parish. ”
There was an explosion of joy for her future as Anne accepted the expressions of joy and hugs from her much expanded family. Not only was Anne looking healthier than any of the Darcys or Fitzwilliams remembered, but they could see she was glowing with happiness.
After the cacophony of all who loved her trying to express it over and again, Elizabeth Darcy asked her husband to join her on a short walk in the gardens as she felt she needed to stretch her legs a little. They were joined by the Bingleys, Tom, James, Kitty, and Georgiana.
“Not only has Anne made the house into a home, but I see a vast improvement in the gardens as well. Under Lady Catherine’s reign of terror, a gardener would be discharged with no character if she thought a blade of grass was out of place.
Like everything else, she thought she was able to control nature.
“I see Anne has instructed her gardeners to make the gardens less managed and more in tune with the surrounding natural flora and fauna. I know how much you like the natural Lizzy; you would have hated the gardens as they were,” Darcy told his wife as they viewed the gardens they meandered through.
“That is enough walking for me William, the babies are kicking a lot now, so please help me back to the drawing room.” Lizzy stopped unexpectedly.
“Are you well, Lizzy?” Jane hurried close.
“I am, but when you are as large as I am you will also notice it is hard to walk for too long,” Elizabeth stated.
Seeing the look of concern on her husband’s mien, she assured him all was well, reminding him that he knew she tired much faster at this stage of her pregnancy.
Bingley informed the four young people the Darcys and the Bingleys were returning inside. Darcy told them to only walk in sight of the house and to be back before teatime.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The next morning the Gardiners arrived before ten as Rosings Park was only three hours from London.
Once the Gardiners had changed, the group set off for the folly, set on a hill with a nice view of the estate for a picnic lunch.
A number of the group rode on horses, but the four pregnant women and the countess, Mrs. Gardiner, and Mrs. Bennet rode in carriages.
The folly was made to look like a small Greek temple, and there was a nice level area at the top of the hill where tables and chairs for those that wanted them were set up. For the more adventurous and those not older or with child, there were blankets and pillows.
The estate’s kitchen staff, under the direction of the cook, had provided a spread that included cold sliced beef and mutton, meat and fruit pies, sweetmeats, cheeses, fresh bread, and an array of libations from water to ale.
Just after the party assembled again, a lone horseman arrived, and after he left his mount with one of the grooms he walked up and greeted Anne with a kiss to her proffered hand.
By the becoming blush, everyone that had not yet met him assumed correctly that this was the gentleman courting her, Mr. Ian Ashby.
Once she had been greeted, Anne introduced her suitor to the assembled group. He was a good-looking man just shy of six feet tall, shorter than Darcy and the Fitzwilliam men, but a good height for the diminutive Anne de Bourgh.
On seeing him, both Darcy and Fitzwilliam remembered they had met him at Trinity, he had had a sterling reputation, and from what they knew he was a very honourable gentleman.
It dawned on Darcy his erstwhile friend George Wickham had tried to charm some funds out of Ashby when they were at Cambridge at the same time. Luckily Ashby had been intelligent enough to see right through Wickham’s false facade.
This memory elevated Ashby in Darcy’s opinion. Ashby was two years ahead of Darcy, so they had not the opportunity to know each other better. It turned out that Ashby had approached Anne soon after her return to Rosings Park from Pemberley in January.
Without the interference of Anne’s mother, their relationship had blossomed and progressed to the point they were now at. Seeing the looks that passed between the two, it was a relief for all those meeting Ashby as Anne’s suitor to see there was genuine affection between them.
After a leisurely meal, a number of groups walked in various directions for some exercise many preferred after a good meal. The four pregnant ladies and their husbands remained relaxing at the spot where they had eaten.
Fifteen minutes later, the group that was seated saw a very happy-looking Ashby approach the Earl where he was standing and conversing with Bennet and Gardiner.
He said something to the Earl and then Ashby and the Earl walked a small distance from the other two gentlemen.
After a short discussion, the Earl shook Ashby’s hand.
As soon as this occurred, a joyful and beaming Anne joined them.
“Ashby requested Anne’s hand in marriage, and she has consented. He requested my blessing, which was bestowed with pleasure. Welcome to the family, Ashby, and Anne, I wish you joy,” the Earl announced to all that were not exploring.
“Thank you, Uncle Reggie. I never believed this day would come, but I am so very happy, and I know Ian will always take care of me and our family.” As she mentioned a possible family, Anne blushed a deep red.
“Congratulations Anne, and soon-to-be Cousin Ashby, when will you wed?” Lizzy smiled at Anne warmly.
“We are thinking in about a month, Lizzy.” Anne raised her hand to forestall what Elizabeth was about to say.
“Before you say it, we know a lot of you will not be able to come as you will either have birthed your babes or will be entering or nearing your lying ins. As much as we would love to have all of my wonderful family here to celebrate with us, we would rather not wait. We delayed years because of Lady Catherine, so I do not want to waste any more time.”
“Anne, I have a question.” Fanny walked in close.
“Yes, Aunt Fanny?” Anne linked her arm with Fanny’s as she had become more than grateful for the affectionate woman’s closeness.