Chapter 13 #2
Unbeknownst to her, Anne de Bourgh overheard everything her mother said.
She was aware that her cousin had met someone years ago, though she had not heard the woman’s name or anything else about her.
Now, she knew that the lady’s name was Elizabeth and that she and Darcy were apparently on their way to Scotland.
That brought a smile to her face, for she had little desire to marry her cousin.
No, Anne had her own plans. She would not be dragged into her mother’s schemes.
The moment Lady Catherine announced her intended departure, Anne would feign illness, preventing herself from being forced to join her mother on the journey.
She knew her mother would object, but Anne was well-versed in circumventing her mother’s will.
With quiet steps, she retreated to her room, her mind already whirring with ideas. Once her mother was out of the way, Anne would set her plans into motion—plans that had nothing to do with her cousin and everything to do with securing her own future.
Anne moved swiftly to shut the door to her room, her usual lethargy replaced by a sharp sense of purpose now that she had a plan. Her eyes scanned the space as if seeing it anew. If she was going to act, she would need to be ready as soon as her mother was gone.
For years, she had been the quiet, unassuming daughter, her supposed frailty and sickliness used as an excuse by her mother to control her every movement.
But Anne was neither as weak nor as helpless as Lady Catherine believed.
Over time, she had learned how to feign her ailments, appearing just ill enough to avoid travel or unpleasant social obligations.
Her mother had rarely questioned it—Anne had been sickly as a child, and Lady Catherine had assumed her frailty would continue into adulthood. But now, Anne had a strength of will her mother had not foreseen, and she was ready to use it.
She rifled through the letters hidden in the drawer of her writing desk, letters she had kept secret from her mother.
One in particular, from a gentleman in London, held her attention.
He had expressed interest in her—more than a casual interest, in fact.
The family was of good standing and possessed considerable wealth, and most importantly, the gentleman had little interest in society, a notion Anne found quite agreeable.
Her mother would be furious if she knew Anne had been corresponding with the son of a baron behind her back, but Lady Catherine had become too obsessed with Darcy’s future to pay much attention to her daughter’s affairs.
Once Anne's marriage plans were settled, her mother’s objections would be meaningless.
Sitting down, Anne began penning her letter to the baron’s son, informing him she would soon be free from Rosings Park and in a position to meet him in London.
She kept the tone light, knowing he would understand the deeper meaning.
With Lady Catherine out of the picture, she could finally escape both the stifling hold of Rosings and her mother’s relentless ambitions.
As she finished the letter, her mind wandered back to her cousin.
Leaning back in her chair, Anne allowed herself a rare smile.
Soon, she would have control over her own life.
If Darcy and Elizabeth were to face the wrath of Lady Catherine, then that was their problem, not hers.
Although Anne had never met Elizabeth, it was clear she was no ordinary woman to have attracted Darcy’s interest and held it for years.
Anne felt a quiet relief at the thought of Elizabeth becoming her cousin’s wife—she was certain Darcy harboured no interest in her, nor she in him.
In truth, the two had occasionally discussed Elizabeth in years past, though not recently.
Setting pen to paper, Anne began drafting a note to her cousin Richard to warn him of her mother’s latest schemes.
The name Wickham had reached Anne’s ears before, always spoken by her cousins with evident anger. She knew little of his connection to Darcy or what role her mother might play in the matter, but she deemed it wise to alert Fitzwilliam that her mother was in contact with the man.
After tucking the letters into a locked section of the drawer, Anne stood ready to begin her preparations. However, before she could move to do so, she heard a soft knock on the door and called for the person to enter.
When Mrs. Jenkinson entered, her gaze was full of concern. She had been Anne’s companion for years, originally tasked by Lady Catherine with overseeing Anne’s health and wellbeing. But over time, Mrs. Jenkinson’s loyalty had shifted, becoming an ally rather than a mere watchdog.
“Mrs. Jenkinson, I need you to prepare for something,” Anne said, her tone unusually firm. The older woman raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden decisiveness in Anne’s voice.
“What is it, Miss Anne? Are you feeling unwell?” Mrs. Jenkinson asked, stepping closer and scanning Anne for any signs of illness.
Anne shook her head. “No, not unwell—quite the opposite, in fact. I am making plans. My mother will soon leave for Pemberley to confront my cousin Darcy, and once she is gone, I intend to leave Rosings.”
Mrs. Jenkinson gasped, clearly shocked by the declaration. “Leave, Miss Anne? Does your mother know of your intentions?”
“No, and she must not,” Anne replied swiftly, glaring at the servant who was her only friend.
“Not until it is too late for her to stop me. Right now, she is focused on Darcy’s marriage to Elizabeth Bennet.
She will leave for Pemberley within days to confront them.
Once she is gone, I shall make my way to London.
Rosings is mine and has been for several years now, but I have allowed her to continue to run it.
It is time I took care of what is mine. My plans have been ready for some time; I merely needed a way to get my mother out of Rosings so I could put my plans into action. ”
Mrs. Jenkinson furrowed her brow in concern. “London? Alone? Miss Anne, this is highly irregular! Your health!”
Anne sighed. “I am healthier than my mother believes, as you well know, Mrs. Jenkinson; I refuse to stay trapped here any longer.”
Mrs. Jenkinson hesitated, wringing her hands. “But, Miss Anne… what will you do when you arrive in London? Surely, you cannot go without protection?”
“I have a plan,” Anne repeated calmly, her resolve clear.
“I have been corresponding with a gentleman, the son of a baron. He has shown an interest in me, and once I arrive, we will meet. He does not know the true nature of my situation, but I believe I can persuade him to marry me quickly. Once that happens, my mother will have no authority over me.”
Mrs. Jenkinson’s eyes widened further. “A gentleman? Oh, Miss Anne, this is all so sudden. Are you certain?”
Anne nodded, a small but confident smile playing on her lips. “Yes. More certain than I have ever been. My mother has spent my whole life planning for me to marry Darcy, but he does not want me, and I do not want him. It is time I take control of my own life.”
Mrs. Jenkinson’s concern softened into something like admiration. She had witnessed Anne’s quiet strength for years, but she had never imagined she would take such bold steps. “If this is truly what you want, Miss Anne, I will help you however I can.”
“I knew I could count on you, Mrs. Jenkinson,” Anne replied. “Now, I need you to help me prepare for my mother’s departure—and after that, my own. Once she leaves for Pemberley, I will be ready to leave for London.”
Mrs. Jenkinson nodded, her loyalty to Anne unshaken. “Very well, Miss Anne. I will see to it.”