The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,30
It seems we are all to take after our father’s side, apart from yourself.”
“Ironic, is it not?” Prudence asked.
“A little. Does your father have family in Manchester?”
“Yes. He was born there and has three brothers,” Prudence said coolly.
“Are they all in the industry?”
“Of course. Most people in Manchester have some connection to the cotton industry. It isn’t the cotton capital of the world in name alone.”
“Quite. He must have seen many changes.”
“There has been a lot of growth. Not all of it good,” Prudence admitted.
“Our aunt says you don’t live in the centre of town.”
“No. It’s not too wearisome of a journey, but we have the benefit of being surrounded by greenery. Aunt Catherine says that your estate is the finest in Derbyshire.”
“I am sure the Duke of Devonshire would have something to say on that score,” Darcy said with a smile. “His estate at Chatsworth is far grander than Pemberley, but I prefer the location of my home.”
“Yes. I can understand that. It’s been a pleasure to visit Rosings, but I would not like to live here. It is too quiet for my tastes. I’m not used to being idle.”
“Tell me. How do you fill your days?”
Lady Catherine stood to indicate her withdrawal, and Prudence looked at Darcy with a thin smile. “You shall have to wait until another day before I have the opportunity to shock you as to my daily routine,” she said. “Please excuse me.”
Darcy waited until he was left alone with his cousin. “I hear Mr. and Mrs. Collins are to join us.”
“The evening has got even brighter,” Fitzwilliam responded.
“Too harsh, Fitzwilliam. Come. You will rally,” Darcy coaxed.
Fitzwilliam stood. “Do you know something, Cousin. I don’t think I shall. Please send my apologies to Aunt Catherine. I have the urge to find a quiet corner and empty the contents of a decanter of brandy.”
Darcy watched as his cousin left the room. It was worse than he thought. Fitzwilliam was acting in some respects as he had done when Elizabeth had turned down his first proposal. He’d not known what to do with himself. Sighing, he stood. He would have to join the ladies without the expectation of Fitzwilliam’s easy banter and laughter. That he had partly caused his cousin’s withdrawal made him feel remorse at being the one to give pain to another. Yes, it had been Aunt Catherine who had issued the express, but he hadn’t needed to respond to it. For one who had suffered as a result of an uneasy route to happiness, he could only be saddened at his involvement in inflicting upset on one who meant so much to him.
That he thought it was right to point out the error of Fitzwilliam’s judgement did not completely assuage the guilt.
Fitzwilliam would come to see they had been right.
*
Prudence was raging. She hardly ever lost her temper, but it was bubbling under the surface now as she marched across the small area of her bedchamber.
Only her inbred constraints prevented her from banging on Fitzwilliam’s door and demanding he be honest with her.
She sighed. She didn’t need him to say anything. They’d been irresponsible in betraying their affection for each other, and Aunt Catherine had reacted to it. Prudence was not a fool; she didn’t need an explanation of the situation to work out what had gone on. Darcy had been brought in to warn Fitzwilliam away from her.
He might be willing to allow family members to interfere with his life, but she had no such considerations when making life choices.
All of a sudden, the familiarity of her home and friends seemed too far away, and she longed for a return to all that was precious to her. Only there could she start to feel something other than let down and disappointed at the way Fitzwilliam, the man she loved, had capitulated.
The following morning saw Prudence looking tired from a restless night. An air of discomfort and unhappiness settled on the group as a whole.
She’d taken Anne out, and although the quiet cousin had done all she could to rally Prudence, there had been no changing the sombre mood. Gathering together in the drawing room, it was left to Lady Catherine to lead the conversation.
Turning to Prudence, she smiled at her niece. “I have received some news in this morning’s post that I know you will appreciate.”
“Has Papa written to you?” Prudence asked hopefully.
“No. Better than that, although I’m sure you will wish to write to him with your news,” Lady Catherine said.
“Oh?”
“An