10 #3
Jane would have loved to have shown the letter to Susannah, but instead she read out the parts that affected her; obviously she could not divulge what Celeste had told her of her attachment to the Colonel.
Indeed, she felt guilty that her worries had been so clear to her mother.
She thought she had dropped but the slightest hint.
“That is so kind of your papa but I think I will spend a few quiet weeks at home. Travelling is so very tiring and I shall need to visit Northumberland once the new addition to the Courtney family has arrived. Here is a letter just arrived from Catherine that I have yet to read. I am sure it will give me more details of the happy event and how she is faring.”
Jane gave a worried glance at her companion. She did not like the flush on her cheeks or the continued cough.
“I shall miss your company in London, but I can well understand that you may long to get home, to your own bed. I will write to Mama today telling her of your wishes. I have a long list of clothes that she will need to bring down from Pemberley for me. If Papa’s business affairs take longer than he expects, we could be in London for several weeks and the cold weather will soon be upon us.
There is mention of a winter ball—Bennetta cannot bear to think of the ballroom at Matlock House not being used when she is living there. ”
Susannah bent over her work once more, wishing she did not feel so poorly, wondering if she dare ask how Jane was now feeling about Anne’s behaviour earlier in the year.
Nothing had been said and her companion had lost that air of desolation and grief which had so alarmed her family; hopefully her despair and feelings of betrayal were now all in the past.
She wondered if the attentions of Dr Moore had played their part?
Compliments and warm words from an attractive man would always help to heal a broken heart, but she was very concerned that Jane did not read more into his behaviour than was wise.
She had the strong feeling that Dr Moore’s admiration was fixed in a different direction and worry flared through her mind at the thought that even more heartbreak might be in store for her young friend.
Jane stared into the fire, enjoying the warmth on her face, watching the flames licking around the logs.
So Anne was attracted to Archer Maitland—she couldn’t understand why that made her feel so irritable.
He had made it clear that he admired her.
Indeed, Jane had always felt that every time they met, Archer had been comparing her to her sister and not in a favourable fashion.
No, they were both arrogant, self-satisfied characters and would no doubt make a good marriage. She was probably just annoyed because if Anne had feelings for Archer, then why had she flirted with Digby, spiriting him away from her?
Jane dug her fingers into her palms; could it truly have been done with the best of intentions? Had Anne, in her proud way, seen through Digby, deduced that he had no moral fibre and would have married any girl as long as she had the surname of Darcy?
Well, at least Lady Goddard would be pleased if the match happened. It had been obvious to Jane that the old lady was anxious for her son to take Anne as wife. To her astonishment she found that tears were burning her eyes as she realised Archer could one day soon be her brother-in-law.
Just then the door opened and a footman announced, “Mr Archer Maitland.”
The man who had so recently been in her mind strode into the drawing room, brushing rain drops from his coat, his dark hair plastered against his forehead, his riding boots spattered with mud, bringing with him a gust of cold air and the scent of autumn woods.
“Miss Darcy—Miss Courtney—I apologise for bringing the damp weather into your snug surroundings, but the weather overtook me on my ride. I am sure that a countryman would have realised rain was imminent, but I am afraid I am too much a city dweller these days to heed the signs, hence my wet condition.”
Susannah stepped forward, smiling, begging him to take a seat near the fire.
She rang the bell and requested fresh tea for their guest. Having made a formal greeting, Jane retired into confused silence.
This was the first time she had seen Archer Maitland since the night of the Green Man festival.
Did he still harbour feelings of anger towards her for putting them in danger?
“We have missed seeing you, Mr Maitland. I trust your holiday has been a restful one.” Susannah was making a valiant effort to keep the conversation alive, but her cough was troubling her.
“It has been interesting, let us say,” Archer replied evenly. “But now it has come to an end. That is the reason for my visitto pay my respects and say that I shall be returning to London tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, certain events have transpired that require my presence.”
Jane bit her lip; to her it was quite obvious—Anne would be on her way to London by now, she had probably written to Archer telling him of her whereabouts and from the speed in which he was leaving Dorset, it was obvious that he was keen to be in the same general vicinity as her.
“Your grandmother will miss you.” Jane forced the words out; she could not sit here in silence: he would think his leaving was of consequence to her in some way.
Archer’s dark gaze turned in her direction. “Not for long—she is intending to remove to London for the winter season. The weather here by the coast can be very wild and cold.”
“We, too, are heading for London,” Susannah said, then stopped as another cough would not be denied.
“I for only a few days on my way home to Derbyshire, but Jane will be in residence for some weeks. Goodness, they are taking their time bringing tea. If you will excuse me for a few minutes, I will see what is causing the delay and send word to the Colonel that Mr Maitland has come to pay his respects. I know he will be keen to speak to you, Sir.”
Pressing her handkerchief to her lips she hurried from the room: there was silence, then Archer said, “Miss Courtney does not sound well. I hope she has not taken a chill.”
Jane frowned. “So do I. That cough is worrying and she cannot possibly travel to London if she is ill.”
“And the Colonel is still not back to full health?”
Jane nodded, aware of the concern in his eyes. “He keeps to his rooms for a large part of the day, but dines with us in the evening.”
“He will miss you and Miss Courtney when you leave. But then he will have Signorina Celeste’s company.”
“No, Celeste is to travel with us to London, Sir. My parents are keen to meet her.”
Archer stood up abruptly and walking to the window, stared out at the rain sodden gardens. “I had hoped to find Andrew here. I need him to know that we are leaving earlier than he anticipated. He needs to make his farewells to all his new found friends.”