The Colonel's Spinster - Audrey Harrison Page 0,52

Huxley that Anne has been awake and invite him to sit with me. It is clear that Anne wishes to see him, and I think it’s only fair that we abide by her wishes,” she said dully.

“As you wish,” Fitzwilliam answered. He moved to the door. “Let me send him up to you.”

Prudence sank into her chair when Fitzwilliam bowed and left the room. Blowing out her cheeks, she looked at Anne, who was still sleeping. “I cannot arrange my own happy ever after, for common sense will not let me, but I can certainly try and help yours,” she said.

*

The evening meal was a less tense affair than it had been over the previous evenings. Mr. Bamber, as usual, had asked of Anne’s progress.

“She is waking regularly and looking brighter each time,” Prudence said, tucking into the veal pie, which was nearest to her.

“That is good. The fresh air here will do her good once she’s up and about.”

“I should make arrangements for her removal as soon as possible,” Fitzwilliam said.

“I doubt she will be fit to travel for some time yet,” Prudence said quickly. “She would not be able to stand a relapse.”

“That would mean we shall be imposing on you for quite a while. We are already trespassing on you a great deal.”

“It is not intruding in any way,” Mr. Bamber said. “She is family. She stays for as long as is needed and beyond if she so wishes.”

“Thank you.”

“It is no trouble, and I know Prudence will enjoy a bit of female company around the place. She spends too much time in the presence of my cronies rather than people her own age.”

“As our closest neighbour in age is Selina, I can do without female company, thank you very much. She only speaks if it is to have a dig at something or someone,” Prudence said.

“I’m surprised you haven’t put her in her place. You were an expert with Lady Catherine, and half the time, she didn’t realise what you were doing,” Fitzwilliam said.

Prudence laughed at him. “That’s outrageous! I did nothing of the sort!”

“She did,” Fitzwilliam said to Mr. Bamber, enjoying the response his words had caused. It was the first time her eyes had sparkled at him, and although it had increased the ache of longing in his chest, he was glad to see her old playfulness return.

“Talking of your aunt,” Mr. Bamber stated, “she needs to be made to come round to the idea of the joining of Miss Anne and this young man,” he said nodding in Mr. Huxley’s direction.

“Why?” Fitzwilliam asked, all laughter gone.

“Come. You must see your cousin’s situation? You cannot have forgotten this all started because they were found together.”

Fitzwilliam frowned at Mr. Huxley. “Lady Catherine would never countenance a marriage to you.”

“I know that,” Mr. Huxley responded.

“Yet you behaved inappropriately.”

“To my shame, I did. I would defy any man who is truly in love to be able to resist kissing the one he cares for above all others.”

Fitzwilliam flushed at Mr. Huxley’s words, but did not stop glaring at the younger man.

Mr. Bamber had watched the interchange with amusement but thought it prudent to intervene. “It seems that your aunt has little choice about what she will and will not accept. If the girl was compromised, and it is public knowledge, then there’s little to be done except arrange an early marriage.”

“She still has a long way to go with her recovery yet,” Fitzwilliam pointed out.

“You’d rather her have a relapse or even die than make an imprudent match?” Mr. Bamber asked with interest.

“No! Not at all! I am just pointing out that we have jumped from celebrating her consciousness to marrying her. It seems a little premature.”

“Might as well start planning for that, young man. For if I know anything, as sure as the sun will rise in the morning and set at night, if there is chance for gossip from a family who does everything to avoid it, the tittle-tattlers will take exceptional pleasure from spreading rumours,” Mr. Bamber said.

Fitzwilliam rubbed his hands over his face in despair. “You are perfectly correct. There are many whom Lady Catherine has upset in some way or another. They will take great joy in this situation.”

“Then you had best start a plan to limit the damage to that poor girl. She could do a lot worse than Huxley here. He’s a hard worker and an intelligent lad.”

“I doubt those are factors Lady Catherine will consider as benefits,” Fitzwilliam responded