The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,47

day, but I don’t think that will happen after the way things ended between myself and Mr. Darcy.”

“Oh, I don’t know,” Fitzwilliam smiled. “Elizabeth is determined to see you as soon as she is able after her confinement. She is a very strong-minded woman. By far one of the best of my relatives.”

“You might like to visit my mills in the coming days after you’ve sat with your cousin. A sick room is not the place for an active man like you,” Mr. Bamber offered.

“That’s very kind of you, sir. I would like that a great deal. I must admit I have never been this far north before and have never set foot in a mill.”

“You will soon see we don’t bite.”

“You shall have to protect him from the mill girls, Papa. They will be on a par with the French army for their ability to cause fear in a young, single man.”

“He will revel in it.” Mr. Bamber laughed at the expression on Fitzwilliam’s face.

*

Prudence was already seated with Anne when Fitzwilliam entered the sick room after he had breakfasted.

She looked up in surprise. “I did not expect to see you so soon.”

“Your father was quite clear that he considered remaining in bed a wasteful time of the working day, so even though I am to remain here and not travel with himself into the mills, I was expected at breakfast,” Fitzwilliam responded. He sat down with a sheepish look. “I admit, I haven’t risen this early in many months.”

“Well, I am sure Anne will be glad to know you are nearby.”

Fitzwilliam reached over and took Anne’s hand in his own. “Dear Anne, I wish you would come back to us. Life will not be the same without you in it. I, for one, would miss you so very much.”

Prudence had to blink away the moisture the heartfelt words brought to her eyes. “I remain hopeful,” she said quietly.

“It has been so long.”

“Yes. But she isn’t as robust as we are, so it will take her longer to fight off the fever. That is my hope anyway.”

“I pray you are right. I promise to always supply you with whatever fancies you decide upon if you beat this fever, Anne.”

“I hope for your sake that she cannot hear you, or you could be sorry you uttered those words.”

Fitzwilliam smiled at Prudence, which made her insides flutter, much to her annoyance. “I would do my damndest to achieve my promise.”

“I should think so.”

“It is time I left you alone. I don’t wish to tire Anne,” Fitzwilliam said, standing up. “I shall visit again later.” Walking to the door, he turned before opening it. “Miss Bamber?”

“Yes?”

“Our family are in your debt. All of us, and we thank you most sincerely.”

“I am doing this for Anne.”

“I understand and can expect no more, but I realise it must be costing you to be civil to the likes of Darcy and myself. I would probably struggle if our roles were reversed.”

“Thankfully, they are not.”

“Yes. Quite.”

The door closed behind him, and Prudence turned her attention back to her cousin. “Oh, Anne, I wish I could speak to you now. I would tell you that, although I am every type of numbskull, I still feel as strongly for him as I ever did. Please wake up and tell me I am a buffoon, for there is no one else I have been honest with.”

*

After spending another three days near to Anne, Fitzwilliam decided that, after an early morning visit to Anne, he would venture out to the mill. He had felt confined over the last few days. Prudence remained with Anne during the day, and things were still distant between them, and although he had explored the area on foot and on horseback, he had not travelled far, feeling guilty at being too far away from Anne.

Finally accepting that things were not going to change in the short term, he came to the conclusion that a trip to the mill would probably do him good. He travelled in the carriage with Mr. Huxley and Mr. Bamber. The tension had eased a little between himself and Mr. Huxley. Giving the steward credit for giving loyal service to his aunt and understanding the way his aunt reacted, plus his own unrequited feelings, led him to be more understanding after his initial anger had abated.

Fitzwilliam had never seen anything like it when they traversed the streets of Manchester. Yes, he lived in London, but for the most part, he remained