The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,34

I am close to turning into a watering pot, and I refuse to be a wet goose.”

“Can you not forgive Fitzwilliam? We both know his feelings are sincere.”

Slamming down the lid of the portmanteau, Prudence stood, picking up her pelisse and throwing it roughly around her shoulders before slipping her arms into the sleeves. “No. It’s more than that. Marriages go through troubles, and I need to have a husband by my side who will support me and defend me when necessary. Fitzwilliam did not stand up to them when it mattered, and that I cannot forgive.”

“Then I am sorry for the both of you, for I have never seen him so happy as when he is in your company.”

“He’s the type to be jovial wherever he goes.”

“Yes. He has a pleasant nature,” Anne admitted. “But he has never glowed before. He is truly besotted with you.”

“It’s time for me to go,” Prudence said, not reacting to Anne’s words. “Please let me leave without your waving me off. I wish to remain brave.”

Anne sniffed, but capitulated to Prudence’s wishes. A footman entered the room and carried the luggage downstairs. They exchanged a brief final embrace, and Prudence quickly left the room without looking back.

Walking downstairs, she was relieved to see it empty but stiffened when the door to the study opened.

Darcy walked out of the room. “Miss Bamber. Cousin, would you be good enough to give me a moment before you leave? Please?”

Prudence sighed. “I cannot see that there is anything left to say to each other.”

“I would like to apologise,” Darcy said. “I should have listened to my wife more and my aunt less.”

“I think I should like your wife,” Prudence said. There was a slight twitch of her lips, but she was in no mood to smile.

“She is wiser than I. I should have learned that by now, but it seems I am still to be a dunderhead,” Darcy admitted. “I am genuinely apologetic that I jumped to the same conclusions that my aunt did. I have no excuse to make.”

“In the long-term, it does not affect me,” Prudence lied. She inwardly doubted if she would ever be the same. “But I think you owe a bigger apology to Fitzwilliam. You did not know me, so presuming much is not a surprise, but you have known him all your life. Your behaviour and interference towards him is less forgivable, but no doubt the relationship you have shared will help to ease the pain you have caused. We do not have that connection, nor history.”

“And that is a regret. I had hoped to know you better.” Darcy walked across to Prudence. “I shall beg Fitzwilliam’s forgiveness again and again, but I also beg yours. I know when I am in the wrong, and I wish you would tell me how to make amends. Could I persuade you to visit Pemberley and meet my wife? We could try again?”

“Perhaps. I am not in the right frame of mind to think sensibly at the moment,” Prudence admitted. “When I have returned to normality, I am sure I shall rally.”

“I hope so. I would like you to visit.”

“There’s one thing you can do as a service, if you are willing.”

“Anything.”

“Do not abandon Anne. She has been speaking her mind to her mother, something I am led to believe is a recent occurrence. I would hate to think she returns to being completely browbeaten by our aunt. I think Anne would be less inclined to ill health if she had more freedom. Perhaps you could invite her to Pemberley?” Prudence asked.

“Aunt Catherine would never countenance it,” Darcy laughed.

“And you are guided by her every command?”

“When it is to do with her only daughter, it is more difficult to overcome her wishes.”

“Then Anne is doomed to be miserable. A real pity, for she is a lovely girl. Goodbye, Mr. Darcy. It has been an interesting experience,” Prudence said with a slight curtsy before walking to the open door.

She let the tears fall when the carriage left Rosings behind. It was inevitable that once free of the tension, she would allow herself some time to wallow in feelings of despair. He had not tried to stop her. She was sure it would not have changed her mind, but it stung that he’d allowed her to leave without trying to see her. She was contradictory, and she cursed herself for it, but she could not alter her wish to have seen him one last time.

Now she