London home. My father is the butler, and one of my brothers is apprenticing as a steward there.”
“Is that why you are going to London—to see your family?”
The young girl nodded. “Yes, as well as the fact that I frequently go back and forth as needed.” Anna turned to look out the window. “When I was younger, I had a secret hope to someday become Miss Darcy’s personal maid. My grandmother taught me everything she knew about being the personal maid of a mistress, but so far I have not had the opportunity. I was too young when Miss Darcy began to require one, and she has been very happy with Ellen.”
“So you go where you are needed and do what is needed?”
Anna nodded. “I am frequently allowed to serve as a personal maid to guests who for one reason or other are without one while at Pemberley or in town. I truly enjoy tending to the ladies, helping them look pretty.”
“If you enjoy that so much, could you find employment elsewhere being someone’s maid? Certainly you have good experience and would likely get a good recommendation.”
Anna shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose I could, but working for the Darcys has been too good. I have heard too many stories about masters who treat their help harshly and with very little respect. I could not bear that. I would prefer to work for the Darcys doing what they need, rather than work for someone else, even if it was doing what I enjoy doing. I am still young and hope that one day there will be a position for me.”
She gave Elizabeth a sly smile. “I have always hoped that Mr. Darcy would consider me for his wife’s personal maid…” she let out a chuckle. “…if he ever decides to take a wife.” She shook her head and narrowed her brows. “There are so many women who have made fools of themselves over the man. He sometimes seems oblivious to it all, but then I think there are times he does see it and finds it appalling. Some wonder if he will ever find a woman who will love him for himself and not merely for his fortune, his estate, and his standing in society.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips as she listened. She wondered if the young girl had heard any of the speculation about her and Mr. Darcy in regards to the letter that was found. By her words and open expression, Anna did not seem to have any knowledge of it. Elizabeth hoped that word had not spread amongst the servants.
The time in the carriage that first day passed quickly. Elizabeth and Anna commented on the passing scenery, a poem Elizabeth read, or the food they enjoyed that had been sent along. They made two stops before making a stop at an inn for the night. Elizabeth was grateful for Anna’s company. They ate their evening meal together in the inn, and Elizabeth was adamant that they share a room. As they prepared for bed, Anna found herself doing those things a personal maid would do, and Elizabeth kept reminding her that she was solely required to accompany her to London, nothing else. She did concede, however, to allow her to arrange her hair the next morning. Elizabeth thought to herself that she would very much enjoy having someone like Anna attend her.
They continued on their journey early the next morning after a hearty breakfast. Elizabeth was more inclined to eat, as she was enjoying Anna’s company and was very well pleased with the way in which the young lady arranged her hair. She also knew that sometime this afternoon she would be home—at least at her aunt and uncle’s home. She would see Jane, and nothing could diminish her anticipation of that.
Elizabeth became more reflective the closer they came to London. Anna seemed to sense that and left her to her thoughts. Those thoughts prompted her to consider the possible scenarios she would encounter when she arrived. The most likely of these were that Lydia had not been found and no one knew anything more than what had been initially conveyed in the letter. There was also the possibility that she and Wickham had been found in a disgraceful situation and her family would already be suffering the dire consequences of that. Elizabeth found it difficult to hope that Lydia had returned home on her own volition, leaving Wickham before anything happened. She knew both her sister and Wickham too well to hope for that.
As Elizabeth nervously rubbed her hands together in contemplation, she knew her own chances of marrying for love were now lost. The one man she now loved would never consider an alliance with someone having such family members as those two. She would somehow recover, but it was Jane for whom she had the greatest concern. She wondered how loyal Mr. Bingley would remain toward her. A disgrace such as this would surely give him the right to break off their engagement. What he would do in this situation would certainly signify whether he put his love for her above all else.
At length, Elizabeth observed that they had reached the outskirts of London. They passed by an increasing number of houses, and they encountered more carriages travelling on the road. Her heart quickened its pace, seeming to mimic the bustle upon the city streets. It was now only a matter of time before she would know which of her conjectures were true.
As she kept her eyes to the window, she began to see sights that she recognized. Looking at Anna, she asked, “Will you be going directly to the Darcys’ town home after leaving me at my aunt and uncle’s?”
Anna nodded. “Yes. I have been at Pemberley over a month now, so I am eager to see my family.” She folded her hands and placed them in her lap. “I have nowhere else I would rather go.”
Elizabeth soon saw the park in which she often walked when visiting her aunt and uncle. Then they passed the row of homes that lined the street around the corner from their residence. The carriage made a final turn and stopped in front of their home.
A broad smile appeared on Elizabeth’s face. It was good to finally be at a place she could call home! She would soon see her family, and no matter Lydia’s outcome, she would have Jane and her aunt and uncle to help her bear it!
The door opened, and the driver helped her out as the manservant retrieved her luggage. Before turning to walk up to the house, she looked back in at Anna. “I do hope to see you again. Thank you for making the journey here pleasant. I appreciated your company and everything you did.”
“I did nothing out of the ordinary. But thank you for your kind words.”
Elizabeth started for the house, but stopped. Looking back at Anna, she said, “Please thank Mr. Darcy for me. Tell him I am most grateful.”
Anna nodded. “I certainly shall.”
Elizabeth turned, and her chest briefly tightened at the mere mention of his name. Her eyes took in the modest house the Gardiners called home. It was nothing to Pemberley, but it had all the warmth and love one could ever want. Her heart swelled with the anticipation of seeing those she loved, despite whatever had befallen them.
The manservant, having deposited her bag on the step of the Gardiner home, knocked. Just as Elizabeth stepped up to the door, it opened. “Miss Bennet!” cried Nichols. “It is good to see you!”
“It is good to see you, too, Nichols.” She stepped in and handed her light shawl to him. “How goes things? How is everyone?”
Before answering, he gave directions to the manservant as to where he could take Elizabeth’s things and then turned to Elizabeth. “I believe you will find them all in good spirits. They are in the drawing room, Miss Bennet.”
“Thank you, Nichols,” she said with a smile. “There is no need to announce me. I shall see myself in.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Elizabeth could hear voices as she walked briskly toward the door, but the one she readily recognized, despite the fact that she had not seen her in almost a twelvemonth, was that of her mother. Her raised, high- pitched exclamations caused Elizabeth to inwardly shudder, knowing they could mean just about anything.
As Elizabeth stepped through the door, her mother sat directly in front of her. Spotting her daughter, Mrs. Bennet brought her hands together in a loud clap. “Look here! Lizzy has arrived!”
Elizabeth walked directly over to her, taking her hands in hers. “Hello, Mama. It is so good to see you.” She leaned over and kissed her mother on the cheek. Her aunt and Jane were seated on either side of her mother, and as she reached out to grasp each of their hands, Mrs. Bennet continued.
“It is good to see you, too, Lizzy, but what news we have to tell! We are all quite delighted with all that has transpired. It has all turned out so splendidly!”
Elizabeth looked at her mother, relief flooding her. Waiting for an explanation, she then looked questioningly at her aunt and sister. Mrs. Bennet answered her unasked question with, “Lydia is to be married! Is that not the most wonderful news?”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened as she released the hands of Jane and her aunt. The contrast between her mother’s joyous expression and the more sombre expressions of Jane and her aunt spoke volumes to her.
Elizabeth shook her head as she slowly asked the dreaded question: “To
