The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,33
once I did not care that we were to be poor? All I wanted was to spend the rest of my life with a woman who can make me laugh, make me want to kiss her, and to whom I confessed things I’ve never spoken to another living being.”
“Tell me what to do to make it right.”
“There is nothing any of us can do, is there? If we try and make amends, she would reject our appeal. If by some miracle we could convince her of our sorrow and beg her forgiveness, she would never really believe that it wasn’t purely because she had told us about the money. As she said, it all comes down to that.”
“Surely it is worth a try, Cousin?” Anne asked.
“I have told her often enough that I need to marry for money, and I could, no, I should have already proposed, but I did not. How the devil can I convince her that my regard is genuine?”
Darcy had never seen his cousin look so wretched. “She will believe you in time.”
“I would not insult her by trying to convince her of any falsehoods I might utter. I’ve told her enough times that I needed a fortune, and I panicked when we kissed in the long gallery and she mentioned that we could be forced to marry. That does not sound like a man to be easily forgiven.”
“You have kissed?”
“Yes. A number of times. You see, Darcy, I was not lying when I said I loved her.”
“In that case, I am truly sorry,” Darcy said.
“It is a little late for that,” Fitzwilliam said walking out of the room.
*
Prudence was glad to secure a place on the stage. Being surrounded by people meant she had to force herself to suppress the emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.
She had been so angry with them all, it had helped to carry her through the packing of her portmanteau. Even when Anne had sought her out, she’d managed to maintain her control.
Anne had been in tears as she’d watched Prudence gathering her clothing. “Please do not leave. We can sort this out. I know Darcy is sorry, and Fitzwilliam is wretched.”
“It is too late, Anne. Too much has been said that cannot be unsaid,” Prudence responded, not looking at her cousin.
“But I will miss you!”
Prudence paused and wrapped Anne in an embrace. “And I will miss you. I would invite you to visit me, but I know you would never be allowed.”
“Will you write? Please?”
“Yes. Of course. But do not be surprised if my letters do not reach you. I feel your mother will not encourage any contact between us.”
“I shall inform the staff that my letters shall be kept separate from now on!” Anne said. “It is about time Mother realises she cannot interfere without consequences.”
“Anne, don’t make your life difficult on my account,” Prudence said gently.
“I will never forgive mother for how she has treated you. But it is more than that. She will ruin my life if I let her. I have never been so happy as I have since your arrival at Rosings. You have shown me how to enjoy myself, and I do not wish for that to stop,” Anne said.
Prudence was impressed with the determined set of her cousin’s chin and smiled at the words. “I wish you all the courage in the world. I hope you learn how to maintain what you have achieved recently. Remember this Anne. I might have made the suggestions, but it was you who took the risk in agreeing to the schemes. If you had been caught, your mother’s wrath would have been aimed in both our directions, which I think you realised.”
“Yes. I knew she would seek to make me regret my decisions. Usually she achieves it through making me feel guilty and unsure of myself,” Anne admitted.
Enveloping Anne in a second embrace, Prudence squeezed her. “Please believe me when I say you are a wonderful person, and underneath your fragile appearance, you are a very strong young woman.”
“I am not self-assured. Nor impregnable, as I would wish to be.”
“Of course, you are!” Prudence insisted, holding her cousin at arm’s length. “I buckled after being with your mother for only a few weeks. You have stood her barrages for years!”
Anne laughed and moved away from Prudence, wiping her wet eyes on her handkerchief. “I suppose so, if you put it like that. Oh, Prudence! I shall miss you so very much!”
“Do not say anymore, Anne, for