“’Tis nothing.” Richard was sure that Anne knew nothing of the condition of Rosings and did not want to alarm her.
“It is a chart of some sort.” She peered closely at the document.
“Nothing to worry your pretty head—”
Anne’s head jerked up, fire in her eyes. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I would ask you not to patronize me in such a manner! I know I am but a poor woman, but Rosings is
Richard was taken aback. All his life he had known Anne as quiet and sickly. She had just reminded him that she was also the daughter of Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
“Forgive me. I had no intention of patronizing you.” He drew closer to her. “This is a table I am drawing up. As I am new to the particulars of Rosings, and owning a preference for organization, I was compiling—”
“A chart of accounts, a listing of income and expenses. I see,” she finished for him, surprising the colonel yet again. She looked up with a small smile. “’Tis not so different from running a household.”
Richard had to own that it was so. His opinion of Anne rose.
She looked about at the papers. “You have quite a task before you. Tea will be served soon; that is why I came looking for you. Perhaps after we eat, I may assist you.”
Startled, Richard blurted out, “You? Oh, no, I will see to it—”
“I beg your pardon?” Anne’s head came up slowly and her eyes narrowed. “Do I understand you to say that I am
“Peace, Cousin!” Richard cried, cutting off the lady’s protests. “Forgive me; I misspoke again. I only wished not to inconvenience you.” Seeing that she still was not mollified, he added, “Think of what my aunt would say should she learn of your being involved in such a task.”
Anne frowned for a moment and then brightened. “But nothing is easier! All Mother needs to know is that you returned to the library to finish your task while I choose to read this afternoon. We shall be safe. Mother never enters the library.”
Unable to overcome Anne’s reasonable solution, the colonel surrendered. “I would be very happy to have your assistance this afternoon, Anne.” He grinned ruefully at her bright smile of thanks. She would have to learn the truth about Rosings sometime.
Four hours later, Richard sat in a wingback chair, reviewing their labors with satisfaction. The chart was not perfect; already he could see areas where it could be improved. Richard was pleased to see that Anne had anticipated some of those improvements in the notes she made in the margins.
He glanced at his cousin, still sitting at the desk. They made a good team, he thought. He could not have accomplished so much without her assistance. Anne decided that it would be best that Richard review the documents while she entered the information into the chart. Her steady penmanship and probing questions served very well, and Richard became familiar with far more details than if he had tried to do the task himself.
Of course, he was almost undone by Anne reaching into her reticule and pulling out a pair of spectacles. At his questioning look, she admitted that she needed them for close work such as reading, sewing, or writing. Anne was clearly embarrassed as she put on the spectacles, obviously under the impression that they ill suited her. Nothing could be further from the truth as far as Richard was concerned. To his eyes, she looked rather adorable, especially when she looked at him from over the rim as they hung near the end of her pert little nose.
The chart was a good beginning; already Richard could see patterns and tendencies. Various solutions already germinated in his head. The ride he planned to take in the morning would settle many things in his mind.
Anne’s thoughts were different as she now gazed at her cousin, his long, fit body stretched out, feet on the ottoman. She was startled to learn how things were at Rosings. She had felt that there was something amiss, especially during her visits to the village of Hunsford, but she had not known before how badly conditions had deteriorated. She hoped that Richard could find a way of setting things right, but for her part, she was worried.
It was hard, however, to think of land and harvests and contracts when before her was such a sight of masculine beauty. Richard’s ruddy complexion, grown tan by his years out-of-doors, complemented his sandy red hair and light blue eyes. He sat in the chair in complete relaxation, as only a man who had known hardship could relax. His body was lean and well formed; his years in the saddle had suited him very well. He gave every impression of a man of action, ready to defend all that he loved, yet still in possession of a kind heart. Anne sighed. There was no use in losing herself to such thoughts, so she resumed her work.
After a few minutes, Richard looked up to see Anne rearranging the many stacks of paper the two of them had spent hours on.
“Anne,” he asked, “what are you doing?” His breath almost caught in his throat as she looked up at him from above those spectacles again.
Unaware of the effect she had on him, Anne replied, “I am preparing the papers to be put away.”
“They are already arranged. Why change them now?”
She looked at him as though the answer was obvious. “They were arranged by type—bill, contact, letter, map. Would it not be more convenient in the future if they were filed away by name?”
All afternoon Anne had surprised Richard by her forethought, and not for the first time, he wished she were mistress of Rosings!
“Oh!” cried Anne. “It is almost time to dress for dinner. Mother will be expecting me. Richard, I will finish this task later. I expect we will see you in a few minutes in the sitting room.” With that, Anne swept out of the room.
The weather the next morning had moderated, though the clouds threatened snow. Richard found the ride with the steward around Rosings holdings to be enlightening, but he was left with as many questions as answers. One parcel of land was particularly vexing: The current tenant, aged in both body and custom, was unable to grasp modern methods of farming. Richard decided to ride into Hunsford, so he bid the steward good day and rode towards the village.
On the road, Richard espied the de Bourgh carriage apparently proceeding to the same destination, so he spurred on his horse to join the vehicle. His surprise was complete to see Anne and Mrs. Collins in the carriage, and that Anne’s hands held the reins.
“Good day, ladies!” he cried. “Where are you going? Shopping, I dare say.”
“You may well say so, sir, but you would be mistaken,” replied his well-bundled cousin with a cheeky smile. “We are to visit some of the tenant families in the neighborhood. Would you care to join us?”
“I should like it of all things. Lead on!”
The first stop was at the humble cottage of Mr. Clarke, one of the younger farmers, a man described to Richard by the steward as having ability but little land. The group was greeted at the door by Mrs. Clarke. Slightly flustered, the lady escorted her visitors into a small but neat sitting room.
“Ladies, how kind of you to visit! Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Clarke will be so disappointed that he missed you, but he is attending to business in the village. May I offer you some tea? It would only take a moment.”
Anne smiled. “Thank you, but do not trouble yourself.” She held out the basket she had brought in. “This is from Mrs. Collins and me. It is not much—some sugar, preserves, a bit of spice.” She did not mention the bread and chicken. “The children will like the cookies, I dare say.”
“Oh, Miss de Bourgh, you’re too kind. I cannot accept—”
“Please, Mrs. Clarke,” said Mrs. Collins, “’tis but a gift.” The parson’s wife glanced at the children looking from around the corner. “There are
The requisite protest expressed and the expected rejoinder made, Mrs. Clarke accepted the basket with good grace and not a little bit of relief. Their larder had been getting bare.
Richard watched the exchange in quiet approval. Anne was growing in his estimation with every passing day.
