Chapter Fifteen
Anne was utterly refreshed after the recent delights of the house party.
She had been in fine looks at the ball, and though she was snubbed by Captain Wentworth, she danced with several handsome, agreeable gentlemen.
She won the game of phantoms with her ebullient new friend, and she had even done herself proud last night during their musicale.
There were inevitably moments of unpleasantness caused by her family, but it was much the same when they were at home.
Here, at least, their behavior was tempered by the affection of her new friends.
Anne felt lighter, somehow younger, seeing adventure and possibility in every new day, her optimism tempered by the wisdom of her age.
But despite the sagacity that anchored her buoyant spirits, she made one miscalculation that morning.
Anne noticed Elizabeth’s odd humor and erratic behavior the night before, and she supposed her friend must be sorry to see the Gardiners preparing for their return to London.
The weather had been clear the day before and it was sunny today; the roads would be safe to travel.
The Gardiners were pleasant people; Anne envied her friend such affable kin, though she might have even been a little sorry to see her own relations depart such a merry party. Surely this must account for Elizabeth’s surliness.
They had another hour before their party would embark upon a yachting excursion along the coast on Lady Rosamund’s pleasure craft. Many of the guests were eager to be outdoors after so much rain, and Anne walked with Elizabeth through the garden.
“I hope you did not have too tearful a parting with your aunt, dear Lizzy.”
Elizabeth let out a huff of exasperation. “I am sorry to see my aunt and uncle leave us, but….” She grumbled and looked away, then let out a petulant huff. “Perhaps it is for the best.”
Anne could easily imagine that a young lady at a matchmaking party might think fewer chaperones a fine thing, but the Gardiners were not old enough to be overbearing. “Surely you will miss their encouragement.”
Elizabeth bristled at this. “Of their encouragement, a little goes a long way.”
“Whatever can you mean?”
Elizabeth made no immediate reply; she was silently fuming, her expression severe. Finally, she spoke tersely. “My aunt had much to say about how charming Mr. Darcy has suddenly become.”
“I suppose he has – that is, I never saw him before, but he is apparently much improved from what you have described to me. He was flirting with you when we played chess the other day, and of course he danced with you at the ball. I suspect that he was on to you when we played the game of phantoms – I think he wanted you to win.”
“Can you not be a little vexed, for my sake? It is all so confusing! Why should he act that way now, when it is too late – he never behaved so well before!”
“Is it too late? You cannot prefer that he bear you any ill will, as… as that would be very unpleasant.”
“As Captain Wentworth clearly does, do you mean? Ugh! I truly hoped Jane and I might meet a party of pleasant strangers – and I daresay you wish the same – I nearly asked my aunt and uncle to take me away with them!”
Anne gasped. “I am glad you did not! Come, Lizzy, you must take some of your own advice – you have coaxed me into fine spirits despite my own reasons to despair. I should think my situation rather worse, for I have been met with hostility and not hopeful gallantry.”
“Hopeful… ugh! No, it is too ghastly, Anne. I have never been so uncomfortable, so confounded by my own failings.”
Anne shook her head in confusion. “Your failings? I could see how he might say such a thing, but why should you?”
Elizabeth let out a weary sigh. “It is too much to explain – I have not the words. Forgive me, Anne.” At that, she turned and fled back to the house.
Anne walked on alone, wondering how she might have offended her friend. Jane approached her a short time later, and at once apologized for Elizabeth’s boorishness. “Lizzy has been agitated ever since she realized it possible that she would meet with….”
“Mr. Darcy? She confided in me a little, but there must be some missing piece to the puzzle. I cannot understand how somebody so jovial should grow so anxious. She has advised me on my own discomfort, and yet her behavior is not at all what she prescribes.”
Jane gave a wry smile, her cheeks turning a little pink.
Anne comprehended that her companion was not comfortable saying anything unkind, but she gave her a gentle nudge.
“You may speak freely with me – your words will stay between us. You are her sister – it must pain you far more than it does me, to see her so disconcerted.”
“It does, though I daresay you comprehend that her willingness to dispense advice and assistance far outstrips her inclination to receive it. We shall have to wait out the tempest and let her work it out on her own.”
Anne gave Jane a sly wink. “Work out that she regrets refusing Mr. Darcy?”
Jane gave her a sad smile. “I think she does. Poor Lizzy! She does not like to admit when she is wrong, though I shall own it is a rare thing. Her judgement is generally sound, when not clouded by the bias of her own feelings.”
“We are all fools in love,” Anne agreed.
“I suppose that is true. I… I have done something rather foolish myself – you are the best person I might ask, and yet the last person I should wish to burden….”
Anne took a deep breath, but kept her countenance calm. “You may speak to me of Captain Wentworth, if you wish.”
“You are too generous; I thank you. I hardly know what to say. I fear I may have made a misstep, last evening. Lady Rebecca spoke to me, I believe on Mr. Bingley’s behalf.”
“They seem to be intimate friends.”
“I should wish them well, if they were anything more, truly. She frightens me, but I like her. Indeed, she is just the sort of sister-by-marriage I should like for Miss Bingley. Oh!” Jane brought a gloved hand to her mouth, but her eyes shone with mirth.
“What did she say to you?”
“She hinted that perhaps Captain Wentworth's behavior to me is borne out of a desire to evoke a reaction in your sister.”
“My sister?” Anne shook her head in confusion. “I am sure he has cause to resent my relations, though I hesitate to suggest he wishes to provoke me and arouse my jealousy, if that is what you mean.”
“You?” Jane gaped, her eyes moving as if combing through a rapid series of thoughts and impressions. “Oh, dear. Oh, no. I think I have made a dreadful error. You?”
Anne nodded. She could easily account for Jane’s mistake – while she had endeavored to be civil to her former beau, her father and sister were habitually frigid to anybody they considered beneath them.
“There is no reason for any awkwardness between us. I wish you well – I hope your misapprehension has not caused any… problems….”
“Not exactly. But Elizabeth believes Frederick’s behavior to me is performative, and then Lady Rebecca suggested the same.
I consulted my aunt about it, but she is an old friend of his sister, and she was so optimistic that it only increased my doubts.
I spoke to him last evening and I fear I may have been too guided by the doubts planted in my mind – he was affronted, and now I have spoilt everything. ”
Anne considered Jane’s dilemma, finding not envy in her own hearts but pity.
She wished to offer sound counsel if she could.
“I cannot claim to know him well, not after so many years. If you believe his sister favors a match between you, perhaps she might be better able to smooth things over. She was even matched with the admiral at one of these house parties some years ago, so she must certainly understand that aspect of your situation. I do know that Captain Wentworth has always been devoted to her. If you are mistaken about his ulterior motives, I am sure she will help you make amends, and if you are not – well, perhaps she might advise him against misleading you any further.”
Jane smiled brightly. “I had not thought of that – that is, I had not dared…. You do not think it too forward of me?”
“Anybody could see your good intentions. You have some time, I think, before our boating party.”
Jane thanked her effusively and then hurried away. Anne was again content with her own thoughts, but she had happier company when it was time to walk down to the cove where the sailboat was moored. Colonel Brandon fell into step beside her, lamenting that Elizabeth was not to be of their party.
Anne was not surprised that her friend had claimed the excuse of fearing the open water, given her ill humor; she was, however, sorry for the Colonel’s disappointment.
“I hope you will be patient with me if I am similarly affected. I have never been on a boat before, and with three seasoned sailors amongst us, I shall appear rather silly.”
The colonel was silent as he took her arm, guiding her down the stone steps set into the cliff face, winding down to the shore.
He slowed their pace until they had fallen behind the rest of their party.
“I hope you will allow me to hazard a guess that Miss Elizabeth’s absence is influenced by some gentleman amongst our party?
I cannot believe her to be so easily daunted by our excursion. ”
Anne studied his sullen expression, wondering if he were inquiring out of personal interest. She had come to esteem the colonel – not with the same youthful passion she had once felt, but a steady and curious regard. He was thoughtful and kind – she hoped his concern was purely borne of friendship.
“I suppose you know what sort of mischief your friends, our hostesses, like to stir up at their parties.”
He gave a knowing nod. “If it would be helpful for me to speak to them on your friend’s behalf….”