Chapter Eighteen #5
“You have been uncharacteristically indiscreet. All of Sanditon is aware of it and is convinced that you and she are destined to realize your feelings have been genuine all along. For my part, I had some little fear that she might have had mercenary intentions toward you, for I do not know why she would agree to such a scheme—knowing that she also agreed to write my letters makes me wonder if she is simply a hopeless romantic.”
“She is not mercenary—is this why you treat her with such disdain?”
Anne rolled her eyes. “I envy that Georgiana came to like her so quickly, when your sister has never given me half a chance. And I cannot help a little snobbery; it is a miracle my mother’s company has not made me much worse—Penelope’s influence, I think.
Oh, read the note—I meant to do you a good turn. ”
Darcy hesitantly took the missive from her, broke the seal, and began to read it. His mouth hung agape. “You knew she had loved me and wished to make amends by uniting us—before a certain fortune hunter sank her claws into me.” He frowned at these words and shook his head in disbelief.
“That is why it is enormously amusing, preposterous, and absolutely riotous to me that the lady you have loved in your letters is the very same woman you have been wooing this last fortnight, rather than a rival.” Anne grinned at him, perhaps the first truly joyful expression she had ever bestowed on Darcy.
This turn of events was a bright light of jubilation after an arduous few weeks.
“I am happy it shall turn out well for you, truly. You are in love with Miss Bennet, are you not? You have never looked at me the way you do her—not that I ever… well, anyhow. But I am curious, Darcy. If the writer of those letters had been any other lady, who would you have chosen? The writer who pined from afar, or the impertinent princess of the hotel? I had hoped to right the wrong I had done Miss Lucas, but I did fear you would choose Miss Bennet. This, at least, would prove that you could not have been so lovelorn over me because of the letters, if an acquaintance of a fortnight could supplant me. My conscience is now clear.”
Darcy’s countenance darkened. “It does not matter. There is still the threat of your aunt exposing a secret that would destroy me, and my sister.” He studied her for a moment, and she could see in his eyes the moment he concluded that her contrition was genuine and decided to trust her.
“Richard has invited Lady Margaret to Sanditon.”
Anne laughed. “And you will finally permit her to murder my mother? A solution befitting the problem.”
“Perhaps you and Georgiana may yet be friends; you are both shockingly bloodthirsty,” Darcy drawled.
Anne smirked at him. “My goodness, Miss Bennet is giving you a sense of humor. My heartiest congratulations, Darcy.”
He stood and paced toward the window, likely prepared to brood out of it.
Before he could lament, Anne rose and clapped her hands with excitement.
“Oh, I like this! And only seventy-eight days until I am free—perhaps then we can all be friends, and banter in such a way. It is strange, but pleasant. I might always remain a little spiky, but I would like to help you find a way to be with Miss Bennet. Knowing she is Miss Lucas has entirely revised my opinion of your lady. Penelope read me passages from her letters from time to time—she has hidden depths.”
“They are not hidden from me,” Darcy muttered. He turned from the window with a tortured look on his face. “I love her, Anne. She was much dismayed at the discovery, as I was—I confess I came here to vent my displeasure, so that I may be gentler in discussing the matter with her.”
“Happy to oblige,” she quipped.
Darcy ignored her. “But I can give her no further reassurance than that I hope the dowager countess has some information about Lady Catherine that may neutralize the blackmail.”
“Richard’s idea, no doubt, as with the false courtship.” Anne gave her cousin another merry smile. What a fine day it was shaping up to be!
Darcy nodded. “Until our aunt arrives in Sanditon, I must appear to be compliant with your mother’s wishes.”
Anne laughed. “Oh, we should have had this chat ages ago! But then, you would not have fallen in love with the same woman twice, and I love that fate for you. But must we wait on Lady Margaret? Could we not threaten to tell Lady Denham that my mother bribed Miss Denham? Or I could tell her the truth about Penelope and I, though the thought of it frightens me out of my wits—but I would do it, if my cousins all supported me. I could threaten to make a public scene with my lover if she breathes a word of that secret which would destroy you.”
Darcy gave her a wary smile, and then they both jumped at the sound of Penelope’s exaggerated laughter in the corridor. “I do nothing rashly,” he said, gesturing to the door that led out onto the public terrace overlooking the sea. “And I suppose I owe Richard some share in bringing her down.”
They stepped outside, their conversation now well within the bounds of propriety amongst the other hotel guests taking their tea, just as the key clicked in the lock.