Silence descended upon the room. The five ladies knew that the visit of an officer was often to deliver the worst sort of news.
Caroline’s face became a stone mask as she rose and slowly followed Roberts out of the room. First Rebecca then the others followed. They beheld a short captain in a red coat conversing with Caroline in the vestibule.
“Lady Buford? Captain Castlebaum at your service. I am charged with delivering this letter to you.” He held out an envelope.
Caroline saw at once that the writing upon it was in her husband’s hand. Taking it with trembling hands, she willed herself not to tear it open on the spot. “Thank you, Captain. We are at tea. Would you care to join us?”
“Thank you, no, madam. I must be off. Happy to have been of service to you.” The half-crown in Denny’s envelope with the directions would be reward enough.
Caroline grasped his arm. “God bless you, Captain.”
“It was an honor, my lady.” He bowed and left.
Caroline turned and mumbled, “Pray excuse me,” as she made her way directly into the library. The other ladies followed at a discreet distance and stood silently outside the closed door. A few moments later, they were distressed to hear the sound of weeping from within. Ignoring propriety, the four entered the library to find Caroline softly crying on a sofa, the letter in one hand.
Mother Buford reached her first and embraced her daughter. “Oh my dear, oh my love!” She could think of nothing else to say.
Caroline hugged her tightly. “Oh, Mother! All is well, all is well.” She smiled through her tears.
Anne and Mrs. Jenkinson alighted from the de Bourgh carriage that had carried them back to Rosings from their short trip to Town. Anne walked up the front steps of her ancestral home with a new assurance. Rosings had always been the place she grew up; now it felt like home—
“Mrs. Parks,” Anne greeted the housekeeper. “How fares the house? Any mishaps during my absence?” She handed her traveling cloak to a footman as Mrs. Jenkinson saw to the luggage.
“No, ma’am,” reported the housekeeper with a touch of pride. The tone of her voice betrayed the fact that to her mind, it was well worth fifteen years of dealing with Lady Catherine to see this confident young lady assuming her rightful place.
Anne smiled as she handed her hat to the butler. “No trouble at all? Not even from my mother?” She began to remove her gloves.
Mrs. Parks smiled in return. “No, ma’am.
Anne turned slowly. “I beg your pardon?”
“Why, you know—Bath.”
Anne blinked. “I am afraid I do not comprehend your meaning. Am I to understand that Lady Catherine is not in residence?”
Mrs. Parks was confused. “No, ma’am, but—”
“Did you say she was in
“Miss de Bourgh, your mother said you were aware of her plans! She was very insistent—”
“I know nothing of this!”
Mrs. Parks’s hand went to her face. “Oh, dear!”
Anne thought for a moment and then walked quickly to the parlor. Throwing open the door, she went directly to Lady Catherine’s writing desk. Sure enough, there was a letter for her.
Mrs. Jenkinson and Mrs. Parks watched in amazement as Anne doubled over in laughter. Instead of answering their entreaties, she handed them the letter. Mrs. Jenkinson started giggling as she read, but the housekeeper was aghast.
“Ma’am, should I have a new team assembled for the carriage?”
Anne looked up. “What—whatever for?”
“So that you may go to Bath to collect Lady Catherine.”
Anne could not stop laughing but put her hand out. “No, I do not think so. I think Mother can handle this on her own.”
“You want me to send
“Yes, if you would be so kind,” Sir John replied. He had just received Caroline’s express and had to respond quickly.
Denny was conflicted; he wanted to say no, and he had the right to do so, but the look in Colonel Buford’s eyes convinced him. “All right—but this is the last time, sir.”
“I understand, thankee,” he said as he handed over the envelope and the required half-crown.
After a farewell dinner with his family, the emperor walked down the steps of the
He had also secreted over one million francs’ worth of diamonds in the coach, just in case.
And so, with protection, wealth, and his lucky star, the emperor set out to secure his throne with one last mighty victory.
Anne helped her extremely subdued mother out of the hired coach that had brought her from Bath. She offered the use of her arm and helped Lady Catherine up the front steps into the house. With no greeting to or from the staff, the two women walked slowly up the stairs to the older woman’s suite of rooms. Once there, Anne instructed that Lady Catherine’s luggage not be brought upstairs until requested and then entered the sitting area behind her mother.
