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Chapter 11
Anna shook her head. It could not be true! David, the clever and spunky boy who loved running and playing, could not go blind!
"It isn't true!" Anna whispered, but knew that she was giving herself false hope. Isabella suddenly stopped hugging her, and held her at arm's length so that she could look at her.
"You know it is true." Isabella stated firmly, but gently.
"NO!!!" Anna yelled, trying to escape from Isabella's grasp. She was suddenly being shaken very hard.
"Stop it Anna!" she cried, "Stop it! Do you think that this is not hard enough for me without having you break down? You know it is true. David cannot spend the rest of his life thinking that his eye sight will return because you say it will!" Anna stopped crying.
"I don't want to go to the party today." she said hoarsely.
"We have absolutely no choice in that matter. Mrs. Smith is our hostess, and she invited us to her little party. It is your birthday, you know." Isabella said. "We have to accept this. We have no power over it. David will still be David, he just won't see."
Anna tried to control herself, and the girls went into their rooms so that they could wash their eyes, which were red from crying.
Anna and Isabella had composed themselves by dinner. Anna decided to put the letter out of her mind until the next day, so that she could enjoy her birthday and the party as much as possible (which wasn't really very much). Isabella showed no signs of gloominess, but she was rather quiet the rest of the day. Jennifer and Nancy came to them an hour before the party to ask about how they looked, and to go over the list of guests.
"Let me see...not many people are coming, but, oh yes! Your second eldest brother is coming. How old is he?" Nancy said.
"Ahh -- two years older than I am." Isabella replied
"And how old is that?" Jennifer asked.
"Nineteen, I think. The last time he wrote to us he was in the army," Isabella answered.
Anna was not glad that her brother Thomas was coming. He liked to flirt, and most girls would flirt with him as he was very good looking. She knew that he had always behaved honorably, because he was not the sort of person to behave as only a married man should, and so preserving the name of Wickham from becoming an absolute disgrace. They had lost all trace of their brother George, Jr. for he never wrote and their last letter had been returned. She stopped thinking, and listened again to Nancy.
"...And Mr. Hitchcock is coming too. You know that he has been calling on your mother?" she was saying.
"Yes."
"Well he is coming today, and no doubt will talk about her. He always does. He says that your mother is most eligible." Nancy continued.
"Mother?" Anna thought. She did not remember that they had any fortune at all. Truth be told, they were now living off the charity of relatives. Anna was very puzzled. She remembered the conversation that she had with Marianne, Sarah and Emily. Emily said that it had been a mystery. Was it really? Anna pushed the thought aside again, and remembered her promise to herself -- that she would prove her father innocent of the accusation he lost his life over (particularly, the accusation of meddling with a farmer's young wife).
"I'll deal with that first."
"What did you say?" asked Jennifer as she looked at Anna strangely.
"Oh I was thinking out loud. I'm very sorry," Anna mumbled, but Jennifer was already talking to Isabella again about how many young gentlemen were coming to the party. Isabella too looked at her strangely, as though she had caught what Anna was thinking. Just then Mrs. Smith called to them. Mr. Hitchcock and his daughter had arrived. The four girls went downstairs to greet the first guests.
Mr. Hitchcock was a good looking and very polite older gentleman. He worked as an attorney and had very good business because he was very good at his profession. His particular expertise was in the area of preparing and executing wills and therefore, had had the privilege of visiting most if not all of the great estates in Yorkshire and its neighboring counties. Mr. Hitchcock had one son and a daughter by his first wife. His son, Colonel Hitchcock, was at the moment in a different city, but his daughter, Janet, was in town. Isabella and Janet were very close friends and she and her father were pleased to hear of the Wickham girls' arrival in York. It was generally said that the Hitchcock children were brought up very well, despite the fact that they had lost their mother. Mr. Hitchcock was a very respected man in York.
"Good evening ladies," he said to Anna and Isabella. "Is your mother not here?"
"No, she is with our brother who is very ill at the moment," Isabella said smiling. She had always liked the Hitchcocks very much, and was not against the idea of him becoming her father. Anna, however, always found his company rather boring, and too insincere. Isabella had the ability, or perhaps naivete to mingle with many different kinds of people without noticing any insincerity or dullness.
"I am very grieved indeed at these sad tidings," Hitchcock said, and Isabella thanked him graciously. Janet Hitchcock then greeted Isabella. She was a nice girl, but by no means what Anna would call a good influence for Isabella. Most of their friends tended to be silly or conceited. Janet who was clever and rather witty, was also a little conceited and lived for looking nice at public places. The only thing that Anna really liked about her was that she could carry on a very decent conversation due to her education, which was very good. A person could learn a good deal about England's history from her and Janet was the only person Anna ever listened to if she talked of fashions. Her taste was very good and the way she talked of clothes and fabric was not ridiculous. Anna supposed that she had acquired her knowledge of England's history and some of its laws from her father.
As everyone began walking into the sitting room, Anna lingered for awhile in the hallway. She was thinking of David and had to compose herself before going into the room to have fun. Just then, her brother Tom Wickham walked into the hall!
"Anna!" he exclaimed, apparently very surprised to see her.
"Hello, Tom. How are things faring for you?" she replied.
"Not well at all I'm afraid," he replied solemnly. He opened his mouth to say something when Mrs. Smith came to welcomed him and they were both ushered into the sitting room.
"What was it that you were saying to me about you welfare when we first met?" Anna asked Tom in a quiet corner of the room.
"I was going to tell you about what has happened to me since father's funeral in May," he said to her in a quiet tone of voice.
"Has something bad happened?" Anna asked.
"Nothing to the family. Just to me," He looked at Anna, as if asking if he should continue. She nodded her assent and he continued, saying, "You know that I was in the Militia a little while ago in Derby? Of course you do as I answered your letter. Well, I did some odd jobs in the summer, working in shops a little, or helping someone out on a farm when I was off duty. Don't look so surprised either Anna! I earned a nice sum of money. One night, I got drunk (Anna winced at this bit of news) and gambled it away. That was not the half of it though. Earlier that day I had agreed to hold some money for a fellow soldier as well as the Captain of my regiment (I can't remember why). Yes Anna, yes. I lost it too. You may imagine what the Captain did. Anyway, I was fired and sent away penniless. I was able to pay back the captain's money, as it was not very much, and I found that I still had some money left. But when I was sent away, I had nothing. I eventually came here, and have been living with a friend. After that day, I made a vow never to get drunk again, or gamble for that matter."
"I am quite shocked Tom!" Anna exclaimed.
"You would be. It has been hard for me, but I must say that I've found that I've learned a good lesson. I have repented, and now am living a better life. Yes I am quite serious. You can believe me Anna, I have decided to lead a good life. I am now out of money, but fortunately am not getting into any new debts or breaking any hearts."
Anna was happy that both her sister, and brother had repented their silly ways. She had no hope for George though, and her mother's character was fixed. At least, she would have her sister and brothers to talk to from now on. The rest of the evening passed very quickly. Before Tom left, he told them where he was staying: on Shambles street with his friend Mr. Cobbler (Isabella had giggled at the name) who was a shop owner. The girl's promised to keep in touch with him, and tell him if there was any sign of improvement in David. They promised and he and the rest of the party left.
The next day, Anna was in a very dismal mood. She thought constantly of David's condition, and it grieved her very much. That day, Isabella received a letter from Miss Hitchcock, inviting them to come and stay with her as companions while her father was away in London on business. Isabella decided to accept the invitation, and it was determined that they would leave in two days.
Chapter 12
The next day, Anna decided to make an investigation. She needed to go down to Shambles Street and visit her brother. She walked, as their house was very near to Shambles St. and so came to the butcher's shop of Mr. Cobbler's. She was let in, and went to see her brother in his room upstairs. She knocked quietly on the door, and opened.
"Hello Tom. I need to ask a favor of you," she said.
"And what is that?" Tom asked amused.
"I need to get a carriage so that I can go to the countryside. I'm going to the Carter's Farm." Tom paled.
"Why do you want to visit them?" he asked, very disturbed.
"I need to ask Mr. Carter a few things. Also, I hear that they are selling very good honey and -- "
"You want to go visit the murderer of our father?" Tom almost yelled.
"I need to find something out."
"Why?" Tom bellowed.
"Because. Will you take me there?"
"No."
"Tom!"
"I'm not going to the home of the man who killed my father, and see his pretty young wife and think about WHY the duel was fought in the first place," Tom cried.
"That's why I'm going! I want to prove as much as I can that there was no circumstance. In any case, I don't want you to go into the house with me, or even to go through the gateway. Just drive me there, wait by the road, and take me back. It is something I really must do," Anna said in exasperation. Tom sighed, but Anna knew she had won.
"I need to go today," she said. Tom rolled his eyes and Anna smiled. He said that he needed to ask Cobbler for his small wagon, and then they would go. Tom was able to procure the wagon from his kind landlord for a short time and they soon set off.
As they neared the Carter Farm, Anna became nervous. How would the farmer take her coming to visit? Certainly not kindly! Would he answer any of her questions? Anna wondered, and became more nervous until they came up to the lane where Tom would drive no farther and Anna would have to go the rest of the way alone.
She hopped out of the wagon, and started going up the lane. The gate opened and shut with a loud creak and click. As she came up to the doorway, she had to force herself to take her steps. She wanted to run far away from the man she was about to see...away from her father's supposed 'mistress'. Her hands felt cold as she knocked on the door. A small pretty girl of about Isabella's age opened the door.
"Yes?" she asked. Anna stared at her thinking of how pretty she really was.
"Yes?" the woman said again, breaking Anna's thoughts.
"I - I've c-come to see Mr. Carter," she stammered.
"And who are ye?" she answered in a strong Yorkshire accent.
"My name's Anna."
"Mrs. Carter. Right this way if you please," she said, and led the way to a small room. By the fire sat a tall, husky man. He was not what one would call handsome, but he had a kind face and eyes, which were now looking at her with curiosity. This discomposed Anna the most. She had expected a man who was very hard and cold. This man looked nicer than unpleasant.
"Hello! Maggie, who is this?" he said in a deep voice.
"This girl calls herself Anna." Mrs. Carter replied.
"Well Anna, what is your business here?" he asked.
"If you please, Sir, I came to buy some honey," she squeaked hardly above a whisper. Mr. Carter smiled, and brought her a small jar. She gave him the money she owed, and was turning to leave to house forever when she turned and came to stand near Mr. Carter.
"Mr. Carter, I have come here on very important business."
"And what might that be, lass?" he asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"My name is Anna Wickham," she said firmly. Carter paled.
"Now Miss Anna I -- "
"No, no Mr. Carter, don't! I did not come to speak to you with revenge in mind. I just needed to confirm that the circumstance of your duel with my father was really as I've been told," Anna explained. She was beginning to become quite embarrassed and doubt her decision to come. This man looked as if the reason he fought with her father was because he really had meddled with his wife...or...could her father himself have been the challenger? If so, why? A shadow passed over the man's face.
"It really was so Miss Anna."
"Where you the challenger?"
"No."
"You are not lying to me?" Anna asked, searching the man's face.
"No." and Anna knew it was so. But then she was startled when Carter began saying:
"A man came to my house one day. His name was Hitchcock. He came to inform me that he had seen my wife and your father together one day in a barn. Seeing that my wife had been away in York visiting a friend, I was very angry. I found your father and confronted him on the matter. He did not deny the evil deed, and I must admit, I said some very cutting things about him. To protect his honor, he challenged me to a duel. We met at the place he chose. My brother Charles served as my second. I believe it must be your older brother -- a young man by the name of George Wickham, Jr. -- who served as your father's second. We took our paces and I was ready to fire when your father turned the pistol about, and shot himself." Anna gasped. "I'm sorry miss, to have to tell you, but it was so. Mr. Hitchcock and your brother were there and can verify that I am telling the truth. We agreed not to talk about it so as not to hurt you all. No one ever said that I actually killed the man, only that 'He died in a duel over a farmer's young wife.' My wife in fact, ran away with another man. I've just recently remarried. I'm very sorry to have to tell you," he said, looking at Anna with concern etched on his face. She was pale, and then suddenly said:
"Mr. Hitchcock?"
"Yes, that was the man. Do you know him?" the farmer replied.
"I-I w-well yes I do but-"
"You see, later we found out that your father had lost a great deal of someone else's money, or stolen something and was going to get in trouble with the law. He killed himself because he thought dying would be easier than going to prison. I later found out that it was not him who had an affair with my previous wife...she left with me for the true villain. I am terribly sorry, lass, to have to tell you," Carter explained.
Anna put her hand up to her mouth, and turned slightly away from him to attempt to compose herself. She thought of all of the nights her father had been away...gambling obviously. She thought of Mr. Hitchcock...Mr. Hitchcock! Why would he tell this farmer that her father was having an affair with his wife? Why would he be a witness at the duel and never say a word to them?
"Miss? Are you all right, miss?" Carter was asking. Anna nodded, and then thanked him. She had absolutely no doubt of the truthfulness of his story and told him so. She now realized that her family had been told a falsehood her father's death. She thanked Mr. Carter for the information, assured him that no hard feelings remained, took her leave (nearly forgetting the honey) and ran outside to Tom. She told him everything, but made him promise not to tell a soul. It would be scandalous for the tale to be known right now and there were a lot of questions left to answer about Mr. Hitchcock's involvement with her father's death and now his interest in her mother.
Later that evening Anna did tell Isabella what she had learned. She was shocked to say the very least...they both agreed that they could not understand Mr. Hitchcock's involvement. Why would he accuse their father to Mr. Carter unless it was true? Is it possible that deliberately set her father up? No no! It could not be so! Mr. Hitchcock was a good sort of man and very respected professionally and as a person. Such a man was not the kind to do such a dreadful thing. Or was he?
Chapter 13
Anna shook her head. It was not possible. There was absolutely no reason for Hitchcock to set her father up like that. Anna refused to think so ill of him.
The next day they were to depart for the Hitchcocks' house. Anna was happy to be leaving because Mrs. Smith's two daughters were getting very irritating. She was not however happy to leave Mrs. Smith's company, for she was a favorite person with her. They would leave that night. Mrs. Smith had decided to have a little tea before they left, and had invited several people. Anna had a rather bad headache and was not really looking forward to the occasion.
Lydia came over to visit them that morning, and brought the dogs. Anna had absolutely forgotten about them ever since she found out David was sick.
"I brought them over because Gaila has been stealing food from the pantry and kitchen and so has Coaco. You really must keep the with you Anna." Lydia complained.
"Yes mamma. Tell me how David is doing?" Anna asked nervously.
"Oh he still can see if that is what you mean." Lydia said. "He said to tell you that he is doing alright, and that the doctor says you can come and visit him in a week."
"We'll come." Isabella said, and Lydia took her leave.
Later that day...
Only a few guests had come for the tea party. Miss Hitchcock came and the two girls would leave with her when she left. Everyone was sipping tea pleasantly when another guest arrived.
"Ah here they are!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, and went into the hall to meet them. The rest of the guests were left to wonder who it was, and Anna and Isabella were also ignorant of who 'they' were. They waited patiently, but Anna noticed that Jennifer and Nancy were both sitting nervously, anticipating the arrival of the guest. Anna looked towards the door just in time to see Marianne Brandon and her youngest son walk into the room. Everyone rose and bowed or curtsied, but poor Isabella forgetting that she had a cup of tea in her lap spilled it's contents on herself, and she quickly left the room with Anna following to assist her.
"Did you do that on purpose?" Anna asked as soon as they were in Isabella's room.
"No! Why would you think such a thing?"
"So you were not at all affected by Jeff's coming?" Anna exclaimed.
"I was very shocked at seeing them."
"So you are not at all attracted to him?" Anna prayed.
"No."
"I think you are."
"You're a very silly girl!" Isabella cried indignantly as she slipped into a new dress, and Anna started to button her up.
"Then why were you so embarrassed by their coming to the party?"
"I do not know. Well you should understand. It is very uncomfortable being around him anymore, and wondering if-"
"He still loves you?" Anna finished for her, and Isabella blushed. "Well maybe you just helped lower his regard for you by spilling tea all over yourself when he comes into the room. He'll think you did it to escape seeing him." Isabella gave her sister a menacing look, and then started going back down stairs with Anna following.
They entered the parlor and excused themselves for the accident. Jeff Brandon did not look at them at all, but Marianne B. came over the sit by Anna.
"How are you Anna?" she inquired.
"Oh I'm very well thank you. What brings you to York?"
"Mostly I wanted to visit my son, and I wanted to see you." she answered nicely. Anna felt very flattered.
"How is your family doing?" Anna asked.
"My eldest son is doing fine. He is preparing for his upcoming marriage."
"And your younger son?"
"You may see for yourself, and then I will answer your question." Anna glanced at him. Jeff looked rather pale, and sad. He was now being talked to by Jennifer. He looked really annoyed, and Anna felt sorry for him.
"He looks rather unwell." Anna confided in Mrs. Brandon, and she nodded.
"If I may say -- but do not take me amiss -- but I believe that your sister has broken his heart." Mrs. Brandon whispered, and Anna nodded.
"I had not thought that he was so very attached to her. We were not in your company for so very long." Anna observed.
"My youngest son is able to hide his emotions, but they are very deep and strong. I think the fact that your sister was changing so much for the better was very interesting for him to watch. He admired that she could even change...and then when she became so nice a girl." Marianne B. said.
"I am actually surprised that Isabella shows no signs of affection for him. It is unfortunate that Christopher had been the one to rescue her."
"Indeed." Mrs. Brandon replied, and glanced over at Isabella, who was watching them intently from across the room. Both woman and girl blushed.
"Isabella really has big ears." Anna whispered, but was surprised when Isabella got up and went over to where Jeff and Jennifer were talking to join in the conversation. Anna noted the tilt of Isabella's nose, and saw that she had over heard and was offended. Jeff's look of surprise was evident when she addressed him and began talking.
"Well Isabella and Anna. I believe we must depart now." Miss Hitchcock said, rising.
"Oh yes! Thank you Mrs. Smith for your hospitality." Isabella said, also rising.
"Miss Isabella!" Mrs. Brandon began, "I was wondering if sometime this week you would be so kind as to visit us...you and your sister. And Miss Hitchcock if she will. We would be delighted to have you." Isabella thanked her and received their address.
"We will see you on Thursday then!" Mrs. Brandon said, and the girls nodded smiling. Jeff however was silent.
As the girls rode in the Hitchcocks' carriage, Anna thought on Mrs. Brandon's behavior. She was a matchmaker! My goodness! Being a matchmaker, and detective at the same time is very confusing! What will come up next? Anna wondered.
They soon arrived at the Hitchcock's house. They lived in a very nice part of town, and had a nice house with a yard. Anna and Isabella approved greatly. Janet Hitchcock led them inside. After the girls had settled in their rooms, they went downstairs to the parlor where Janet was sitting and talked a little. The two puppies they had brought with them with Janet's permission, and they were sitting with them.
"Do you have any servants?" Isabella asked.
"Yes we have. But I'm afraid that our maid who does the cleaning around the house is sick today, and so out rooms are a little more dusty than usual." Janet explained, and then she and Isabella went on to a different topic. Anna's mind wandered about different things,
and she did not pay attention to what was going on around her. Suddenly, a great crash was heard across the hall! The three girls rushed the room the noise had come from.
"This is my father's study." Janet said.
All of the girls gasped at the sight that met their eyes. Gaila was standing on top of his desk, licking her lips. A broken teacup lay on the floor, and papers were scattered everywhere.
"Gaila!" Anna cried very frustrated, and pulled the dog off the table.
"She's made a mess!" Isabella cried in dismay.
"We'll help you put the papers back in order Janet." Anna offered.
"You may do that. Isabella, please take this dog into Anna's room for me. She must have gotten a piece of toast that my father had this morning before he departed for London Since our maid is unavailable, I'll take this broken cup into the kitchen and dispose of it. Anna, would you be so kind as to clean up the papers a little? We'll be right back to help you." Janet said. The two girls left the room, and Anna started to pick up the many papers and books scattered across the floor.
It seemed as though Gaila had stood on some sort of pile, and had slipped. Hardly any papers were left on the desk. Anna glanced at the papers as she gathered them into a neat pile. They were all mostly letters and lawyer cases, but so many of them! Anna wondered how one man could keep track of everything. Anna shook her head, and glanced down at a rather think piece of paper. It have put together and held by a piece of string, and looked like a will. Anna, very interested, glanced down at the writing on the first page. She gasped and whispered aloud as she read:
'Will of George Richard Darcy of Pemberley'
Chapter 14
How? What was this? How could he have her uncle's father's will? It could not be true...but it was! Anna read a little father...the estate was now the property of Fitzwilliam Darcy, the heir of Pemberley...Anna was astonished, and quickly set the will aside, and stacked the papers on the desk hastily. She then grabbed the will, and ran up to her room. Luckily, she did not share rooms with Isabella, but still to be safe, she shoved the papers under her pillow and rushed back downstairs. She was back in the room just in time. The two elder girls came back in just as she had begun gather a few more of the papers. Anna couldn't speak when Janet asked how she was doing.
Old Mr. Darcy's Will!?!, she thought.
Anna looked at Janet and mumbled that she was finished. Janet, seeing that she was flustered said that she must be tired. It was already late, and Anna agreed to Janet's suggestion about her going to bed early. Isabella however did not want to go to bed, and the two older girls went back into the parlor to talk more as Anna went upstairs to her room. Once in her room, she shut the door and locked it. Gaila and Coaco wagged their tails happily at the sight of their master, and Anna bent down to pet them. She then lit a candle, and pulled the will out from under her pillow to look at it. She could not tell if it was the real will because a signature was there, and the date was there, etc. She was not sure because she had not ever seen Mr. George Darcy's handwriting.
"But why would he even have a copy of it?" Anna wondered, skimming quickly through it. She suddenly started when she came to her father's name.
"It can't be!" she whispered, and read through what was said. But then remembered what she had learned about what had happened between the Wickhams and Darcy's. Her father had declined any interest in the church, and had spent the money that Old Mr. Darcy had given him. Or if it was not spent, it was lost. As she read on, she suddenly gasped and read:
If Mr. Wickham should marry, but have a very early death, leaving his widow and children penniless, I now say this: If his widow should have no children, she will be given 5000 pounds. If the unfortunate lady however has more than four children, she shall be given the sum of 20,000 pounds...
Anna paled and felt dizzy. She closed her eyes for a minute and remembered things said to her before about the relationship between Old Mr. Darcy and her father. And his attachment to Mr. Wickham was to the last so strong, that he desired that a valuable family living should be his as soon as it was vacant...20,000 pounds should Mr. Wickham's widow have more than 4 children. That would mean five thousand pounds each...it was utterly unbelievable.
Anna feeling no longer any dizziness wondered why Mr. Hitchcock should have the will and why he would want it. Then suddenly it hit her like a bolt of lightning. Mr. Hitchcock wanted her mother's fortune! But how could he have possibly known before hand? How could he have even ever heard of Old Mr. Darcy's will, and the widow Mrs. Wickham's fortune? Anna began rapidly reading through the rest of the will until she came to the end. There was Mr. George Darcy's signature, and the lawyers a Mr. Chole, and a witness, Mr. Pratt, and another witness Mr. Hitchcock. Anna leaned forward to look closely at the writing...Mr. Hitchcock, the apprentice of Mr. Chole the lawyer! Suddenly, Anna saw everything clearly. Mr. Hitchcock had been present during the signing of the will and then it's reading. It being a very interesting will, he copied it so that he could use it as a studying tool. He kept it with him for no reason at all. Then, finding out that the Wickhams were in the same town, he chose to indulge his son in the idea of marrying Isabella. That way he would have a wife with a fortune of five thousand pounds. But then when Mr. Wickham himself died, leaving Lydia a widow and him a widower, it was an even better idea to marry her. That way he got the fortune, and not his son.
"The insufferable man!" Anna cried, her mind racing. She had to find out if this will was a real copy, and if everything written here was true. To do that she would have to go back to Pemberley and see the real will. That was going to be hard, but Anna immediately sat down to write a letter to Marianne.
At Pemberley the next day...
Marianne sighed as she looked out of the window. It was raining again. It had been raining for the past week. Sarah had left to go back to Bingley Manor, and Marianne was bored. There was nothing going on, no reason to go into her secret passages and see what the grown ups were doing. She resumed reading her book on the window seat that over looked the gardens. How she wished to go outside! How she wished that Sarah was there, or Anna, or even Isabella! Anna had not sent her a letter in a while, and Marianne was beginning to feel neglected and rather downcast. She had not even sent her a letter on her eleventh birthday that had been a few days ago! Yes, Marianne was very out of spirits. Just then the door was opened by the maid. She was holding two letters in her hand, and gave them to Marianne and curtsied.
"Thank you Betty." Marianne said, and she left the room as Marianne eagerly tore open the letter from Sarah. It was short, informing her that she had arrived safely at Bingley Manor, and how she missed her very much. Her letter finished, she turned her attention to the second one, which was from Anna, but had a strange address. It was very thick, and Marianne opened it eagerly. She was very sad when she read about David, and was interested about them going to the Hitchcock's for a visit. She then came to an interesting part of the letter.
...My dearest Marianne, I have some very important news for you, but I am afraid it is too delicate a subject to send in a letter. I have just uncovered some very, very important news, which concerns my family and yours. I must beg to come to Pemberley for a very short visit, and explain the problem to your father and mother, and to you of course. I have enclosed a letter addressed to your parents inside. Please give it to them immediately. I remain your faithful friend and cousin,Anna Elizabeth Wickham
Marianne picked up the sealed letter addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and held it up. She was greatly tempted to break the seal and read it's contents, but constrained herself. She took the letter for them to her father's study.
Mr. Darcy was in the study, and luckily for Marianne so was her mother. Marianne gave them the letter and left the room, glad that she had come in the study in time to see her father kiss the hand of his wife. Marianne was happy that they were so much in love with each other even after so many years of marriage. Meanwhile, Elizabeth was breaking the seal of the letter.
"What does she write?" Darcy asked, moving closer to Elizabeth to get a good look at the letter.
"She says only that she has some family business with us that is very important. She wishes to come to Pemberley for a day of two so that she may discuss the matter with us. She says it is very urgent." Elizabeth replied, looking at her husband with concern.
"Then I believe she must come immediately. I will send her an express and send the carriage for her right away." Darcy said, also concerned.
"Right way?" Elizabeth teased as he kissed her tenderly.
"Yes, right now." he said after a moment, and returned to his desk and began to write a reply to her message.
At the Hitchcock household, the next morning...
Anna quickly stepped into the carriage that her Uncle Darcy had sent for her. Isabella was not going with her, and Anna was nervous about traveling alone. She was bringing the dogs with her, and a small bag with a few clothes, and the will. She was happy for an excuse to go to Pemberley, even for a very short period of time.
After a few hours, the carriage rolled up to Pemberley. Marianne was there waiting for her as soon as Anna stepped out of the carriage.
"Anna I'm so glad to see you!" Marianne said as the two girls hugged.
"And I you." Anna replied. Marianne was delighted to see the puppies had come too, and escorted Anna inside where Darcy and Elizabeth were waiting for them. Anna was led up to her room, and left her things there. They all ate supper, and then it was decided that Anna would meet them in Darcy's study in five minutes. Anna agreed, and ran up to her room. She came back downstairs with the will, and entered the study. Darcy and Elizabeth were both present.
"What is the matter Anna?" Elizabeth asked was feeling. Anna began to explain how she had found the copy, and what she had read, and what she assumed and guessed. Elizabeth was in a state of shock when she ended, and Darcy was very grave and silent. He then left the room for several minutes, and came back with the real will.
"Is that the real will?" Anna asked.
"It is. Now we may compare the two." Darcy answered. They all inspected the two wills, and decided that the one Anna had found at the Hitchcocks was definitely just a copy. A very good copy, but a copy none the less. Everything written on it was exactly like the real one. After they had finished, Darcy exclaimed:
"I do not see how I could have forgotten about the fortune Wickham's widow was to inherit. I suppose I was overcome with grief and did not pay attention too much of the will at all. I'm sorry Anna."
"Do not be, for this puts Mr. Hitchcock in a questioning light, and also gives us a glimpse of his true character. But what am I to do?" Anna said.
"Let's discuss that tomorrow." Elizabeth said, and Anna went back to her room. She found Marianne waiting for her there. They talked for a little while, and when Anna had finished the tale, Marianne said:
"So Emily was right! It really was a mystery. Now you've got to look into Mr. Hitchcock, and find out about him. Besides that, you must break up him and your mother, and get Isabella and Jeff together! I do wish that I could help you!" Anna glanced at her companion.
"Maybe there is a way that you can..." Anna said. Marianne looked sharply at Anna.
"There isn't a way unless I came and stayed with you. I don't know if my parents want that." Anna nodded, sighing.
"I will ask them though!" Marianne suddenly exclaimed.
"What?"
"I'm sure my parents don't want you to go through all of this alone. I mean...your brother's illness, and Mr. Hitchcock and your mother. I don't think my mother and father want you to handle this alone. They just might let me go back with you and stay with you."
"But I'm not even staying at our house now. I'm staying with Miss Hitchcock." Anna said. Marianne gave her a sly smile.
"If we wrote them today, then we'd get their answer tomorrow, and then could leave. That is if my parents consent."
"I do not know if Miss Hitchcock will like the idea."
"You do not think that she will be honored by my coming to visit them? She must think herself high above others!" Marianne exclaimed in a joking way. Anna smiled.
"You are right, I do think that she would be honored to have you visit them."
"Then it is settled. I'm going to ask mamma and pappa now. I'll be right back." Marianne said, and left the room.
Marianne came back all smiles.
"My mother says that it is time she went to visit your mother anyway. We will all go to York together, and then you and I will go the Hitchcocks." she said.
"Oh that is wonderful news! I'll write to Miss Hitchcock now." Anna exclaimed happily.
"Is Mr. Hitchcock going to be there?"
"No, why?"
"I wanted to observe how he acts. That is all." Marianne said. "I am so very glad I can go! My father would go, but her has business in London. I can not wait to help you solve the rest of the mystery!"
Chapter 15
Marianne Darcy and Anna Wickham were welcomed into the Hitchcock household with great joy. Janet was flustered, and offered Marianne the best room in the house. Marianne refused the offer, and wanted to stay with Anna. She was nervous about being away from her parents for the very first time, and felt the most comfortable with Anna. Janet granted her request with many 'of courses', and it was quite settled. That night, Anna and Marianne stayed up late whispering in the big double bed that was in the room.
"I say we should go investigate now while everyone is asleep!" Marianne said. Anna shook her head.
"But suppose we were caught?"
"Who is going to catch us? I really think that we should look at those papers on his desk some more. Besides that, you need to put away the will." Marianne assured, and so Anna agreed. The girls both crept downstairs to the study door. Marianne's hand was beginning to tremble as she held the candle. Anna, who was holding the will placed her hand on the doorknob. It slowly creaked open, and the girls slipped inside, shutting the study door with a soft click.
"I'm scared." Anna whispered. Moonlight shone softly through the window. A strong wind rattled it hard, and both girls jumped.
"Mind the candle Marianne!" Anna exclaimed when they had both calmed down. She then took it from her, and lit a second candle on the desk. Marianne looked at the great stack of papers.
"So many!" she whispered. "Even more than my father has."
"Mr. Hitchcock is a lawyer." Anna whispered back, and placed the will on the desk. "Do you really think this is the right way to handle this? By going through all of his papers for another clue?"
"Do you have any better idea's?" Marianne said rather rudely, and Anna cast down her eyes. "I'm sorry Anna. I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I don't think there is any other way unless you want to tell him what we've discovered." she quickly shook her head. "Let's start."
The girls divided one stack of papers, and looked through them all not finding one clue. As they began looking through the last stack of papers, Marianne gave a little cry of delight, surprise and anger.
"What is it?" Anna exclaimed.
"Your father's will!"
"But my father had no will."
"Yes, yes he had! This will was recorded a few days before his death! It says here that Mr. Hitchcock was the lawyer, and witness. The second witness was some servant."
"Give me that!" Anna cried, and grasped the will. They each had one hundred pounds from him. He had saved some money! It was not all gone. Her heart suddenly felt icy. Mr. Hitchcock had hidden this from them.
"The blasted villain! Wait until I tell my father, he'll -- " Marianne began, but Anna shushed her.
"Put the papers back!" Anna cried desperately.
"Why?" Marianne asked, and then she heard it too. There were voices talking in the hallway. Their fingers quickly pushed the papers into an untidy pile, and they stacked them as neatly as possible on the desk, and blew out the candles. The two frightened girls climbed underneath the desk, and huddled together.
"What is today's date?" Anna whispered.
"August the 25th, 1833" Marianne whispered back.
"Then it is Mr. Hitchcock come home from London." Anna said.
"He won't come into the study will he?" Marianne gasped, her voice shaking. Anna shushed her, and they sat quietly for five minutes. They voices drew nearer, and the girls heard footsteps in the hall coming towards them. As Anna was grasping Marianne's hand, she felt it become cold. They glanced at each other as if to say: 'Please let him pass by! It is late, and must be past midnight!' The footsteps did not pass however, and stopped at the door. It creaked open, and Mr. Hitchcock came in carrying a candle. He shut the door behind him, and walked over to his deck. He sat the candle down, and took off his glasses. He then wiped his forehead, and went over by the window, beginning to open it. Marianne saw her chance, and acted quickly. She grabbed his glasses, and blew out the candle in one swift moment. The room became pitch black, as a cloud had covered the moon. Hitchcock turned, and began his way to the desk, tripping over a stool. The window banged shut with the wind, and Hitchcock gained his balance. His eyes became used to the light, and he lit the candle. Everything was as it should be, only his glasses were on the floor. As he reached down to grasp them, his head bumped against the desk. He suddenly noticed that a fragment of white material caught under the desk's leg, although no one was there. 'Strange'. He thought, and then sat down at his desk to fix his disordered stacks of papers, no doubt somewhat scattered around because of the wind.
Marianne and Anna shut their bedroom door quickly behind them, gasping for breath. Marianne's hand grasped tightly to the candle, and Anna sank to the floor.
"How did you ever manage to blow out that candle on time? And what did you throw the glasses on the floor for?"
"Practice. The glasses were put on the floor because we needed a little extra time to get to our room with out him coming out. I didn't know what to do really. Thank goodness for the wind!"
"Yes, at least we weren't caught!" Anna exclaimed.
Chapter 16
The next morning at breakfast, there was great joy expressed by Janet and Isabella when they saw that Mr. Hitchcock was home. Anna and Marianne faked as much surprise and happiness as possible and no one thought anything amiss. Isabella announced that it was time to visit the Brandons, because Mrs. Brandon had written a letter the other day and invited them. Marianne could also come of course, for she wrote in the letter that they could bring a few friends. Anna sighed. So many things happening at once were so hard to handle. She would have to sit down in her room for a few minutes and catch up on a few things in her brain before she did anything else that morning. She excused herself, went to her room and sat down.
Mr. Hitchcock has my father's will, and is keeping it a secret, he wants to marry mamma because of her fortune...David is sick, but getting better...Isabella is going to see Jeff again...She shook her head. There were so many questions she could ask, and so many things that needed to be solved.
Anna went back down stairs after a few minutes, and joined everyone in the morning room. Mr. Hitchcock was telling something to her sister:
"...and I will go over to visit them today, while you are gone to the Brandon's. Janet wishes to remain here, as my son is also coming home today. Is there any message you would like me to give them?"
"Yes, please tell mamma that I love her, and tell David we will come to visit him in two days time." Isabella answered, and they continued their conversation. Anna went over to sit by Marianne.
"What are they talking about?" Anna whispered to Marianne.
"Mr. Hitchcock is going to pay a visit to your mother this afternoon to speak with her on an important matter." Marianne whispered back.
"Oh." Anna said, and then turned to him. "Mr. Hitchcock? Would you tell my mother that I would need to speak with her soon about our financial problems? I'm afraid I've uncovered something rather important."
"Yes of course my dear, but you may give me the message and I will tell her for you. I would understand the problem better than you would, being a man of the law." Mr. Hitchcock offered.
"Oh no thank you, I will tell her myself. I think that it should be someone she really knows who should be handling things, (like our money problems). Someone who is part of the family. You would not (I think) understand what I want to tell her, or if you did you would not tell her exactly what I want said." Anna replied coolly, and Mr. Hitchcock looked offended, but Anna turned back to Marianne. Both girls left the room after that and went back upstairs.
"That was not a very clever move Anna." Marianne said.
"I didn't say anything wrong."
"Oh no, of course not! You only openly showed that you did not welcome him into your family, and did not trust him!"
"But I don't Marianne."
"I don't either, but after last night I should think you would have learned to be a little more on your guard." Marianne exclaimed.
"You can not order me around Marianne, though you may be the daughter of Mr. Darcy! I'm thirteen now, you're just barley eleven!" Anna yelled. Marianne took a step away from her with tears of hurt in her eyes. She continued, "You can't possibly understand anything as big as this that doesn't involve you. You're not old enough to understand!"
"So I'm a little child, and you're a woman now? If you are so very clever and grown then act like it! Real ladies never yell at people when they are vexed. You should have been more careful this morning! You know it to be true, I know it, and now Mr. Hitchcock knows that you are hostile towards him! That really helps our situation, besides the fact that last night you caught your gown on a nail or something, and left a scrap of it under Mr. Hitchcock's desk! You wouldn't even know about your father's will if it weren't for me. You wouldn't be on any good terms with Mr. Hitchcock today if I hadn't rescued us last night. And furthermore this does involve me! Hitchcock had a copy of my grandfather's will! He had no right to it, but he had it, and still has it." Marianne lashed out, a tear rolling down her cheek. Anna sat down, shocked.
"I'm sorry Marianne."
"It's a little late to say that now. All my life I've had people treating me like the baby of my family. Even my mother. I'm the very littlest child of the Darcy's, and am treated like it. No one lets me go anywhere. I've never even seen London except from the inside of a gate! I thought we were friends, that you didn't think of me as a small child. Was I mistaken?"
"Marianne..."
"Don't 'Marianne'me! Everyone does that too." she said, and turned to the window and began staring out of it.
"I'm sorry. I really am. I've never thought of you as someone younger or lower than me. I didn't want to admit that what I said in the morning room was a very foolish thing to do. But I'm admitting it now. I'm terribly sorry Marianne."
"And I'm sorry for being so angry with you. Now let's get ready to go visit the Brandon's. We have to cook something up so that we can get Jeff and Belle together!"
"You are right! Should we perhaps make an accident happen to her? He may perhaps rescue her." Anna exclaimed. Just then Isabella called for them from downstairs, saying it was time to go.
"We'll think of something on the way there." Marianne whispered to her as they stepped into the carriage.
Chapter 17
The clouds rumbled with thunder as they approached the hotel where the Brandons were staying.
"It is a lucky thing that I've brought my boots and umbrella!" Isabella said. Anna said yes that it was, but Marianne sneezed.
"Do you have a cold Marianne?" Anna cried in dismay.
"Only a slight one. I think it must be all of the traveling." she replied, but sneezed again.
The carriage rolled up to the hotel. As they walked in, Marianne lagged a little behind Isabella, and tugged on Anna's sleeve.
"What is the plan?" she whispered.
"I do not know. There is not enough time to think something up. I do not know if Isabella is in love with him anyway. But on the other hand, I have not spent much time with her during these last few months." Anna whispered back as they entered the Brandon's rooms.
"Good afternoon Isabella, Anna, and Marianne Darcy! I did not expect to see you here in York! Where is your mother?" Mrs. Brandon exclaimed.
"My mother is at present visiting with my Aunt Wickham. I am staying with Anna and Isabella at the Hitchcock's home." Marianne replied.
"How very interesting! Mr. Hitchcock was the lawyer that helped us look over my husband's will when he died. He read it to us in fact." Mrs. Brandon mused.
"That is very interesting indeed." Marianne said, and glanced quickly at Anna, but she showed no sign of alarm, but only asked:
"Is your son Jeffry not here? I thought we should have had the pleasure of his company."
"Yes, he is coming, but will be a little late I'm afraid. We are to be leaving York soon, and his friends from the army are giving him a farewell party. He should be here soon." Mrs. Brandon explained, and Isabella looked uncomfortable.
"When will you be leaving Mrs. Brandon?" Isabella inquired.
"The day after tomorrow. Jeff will come with me, for he has decided to go into trade and leave the army forever. He will soon travel to London to be partners with a cousin of yours Miss Marianne. The name is Gardiner I believe. Old Mr. Gardiner has resigned his business to his son."
"Indeed?" Marianne exclaimed, and then they went on to another topic. A servant knocking on the door interrupted them. He stepped in and said:
"Ma'am, I'm afraid we have a bit of a problem with the Miss Wickham's carriage. One of the horses was upset by a dog, and has over-turned the carriage. It is broken, and the horses are unable to pull it anymore on account of them both being cut. All of our carriages are being used at present ma'am."
"Thank you for informing me, you may go now, and we will call you when you are needed again." Mrs. Brandon said.
"What an unpleasant occurrence! How on earth will we be able to travel back to the Hitchcock's home?" Marianne exclaimed, but she was really pleased. This might mean they would have to stay extra long, giving them more time to throw Jeff and Isabella together.
Jeffry Brandon himself entered the room just then.
"Oh Jeffry, we are in a bit of a fix!" his mother called as he entered the room. "The Wickham's carriage has been over-turned on account of one of the horses being frightened, and they have no way of getting home."
"They may use my carriage, but I'm afraid there is only room for two, besides the driver. One person will have to walk." Jeff answered.
"Oh Isabella! Would you let Anna and me go in the carriage? If you have not already observed, it has started to rain. I have a slight cold, and Anna has on slippers that will be ruined. Since you have nice thick boots and an umbrella, would you walk?" Marianne quickly asked. Anna gave her a sharp look.
"Oh Isabella, I'm sorry that you must walk!" Mrs. Brandon exclaimed.
"No, it is nothing at all. Marianne is right, she has been sneezing all morning, and I did bring along my umbrella, and wore thick boots as I saw it looked like rain." Isabella assured her.
"Jeffry, would you be so kind?" Mrs. Brandon hinted, and Jeffry replied that he would be very happy to escort Miss Wickham home. Anna then stared openly at Marianne. How did she know when to act, and when to be silent? Anna wondered, as Mrs. Brandon handed her a cup of tea, saying that they would have some tea and cookies before they took their leave.
The girls left in ten minutes. The rain was pouring down very hard. As they left the room, they heard Isabella insist that she leave immediately, as it was their last evening at the Hitchcock's. Anna and Marianne rode home in silence. They waited by the window for over an hour before Jeff and Isabella appeared coming down the street. They were laughing about something. The rain had not relented, and Isabella was slipping so much that she had to grasp onto Jeff's arm. Her dress was extremely muddy, as if she had fallen down. They then reached the door. Both Marianne and Anna rushed down stairs, only in time to here:
"...Until tomorrow then." and Jeff was out the door, and Isabella was peeling off her soaking shawl.
"What have you been doing all this time?" Anna cried when she came up to Isabella.
"Mrs. Brandon insisted that I say another half an hour, and so I did. The rain let up a little during that time, but then began pouring again five minutes after we were out of the house! Oh, I slipped and fell about five times before Mr. Brandon offered me his arm. The streets are really very muddy, and it was very hard to move about." Isabella explained breathlessly.
"I see. How was your walk? Marianne and I saw out the window, and it seemed as though you were enjoying yourselves."
"We laughed very hard when ever I fell down. It was so embarrassing, and yet when Mr. Brandon described what I looked like, it was so funny, that I could not help laughing!"
"So you did have a pleasant walk, despite the weather?" Marianne asked.
"Yes it was very nice. Now please excuse me, I need to change before Janet and her brother come downstairs." Isabella said, and hurried past them to her room.
"I'm glad they are on friendly terms again." Anna said slowly.
"Who is this brother of Janet's?" Marianne asked.
"He is a very nice young man, who Isabella at one time was very fond of." Anna replied.
"Did he also like her?"
"No, he did not. But I do not know what he'll think of her now that -- "
"That she's changed? Yes, I'm glad we are leaving for your mother's house tomorrow. It is good because it will not give Isabella any time to form any kind of relationship with Mr. Hitchcock's son." Marianne said, and Anna began to look nervous. The mere thought of being connected to Mr. Hitchcock was a very horrible idea. Isabella would not love him would she?
Chapter 18
That night, Anna decided to have a talk with Isabella about Jeff. She found her in her room late that night, combing her long chestnut hair and humming in front of the dressing table. Those were both good signs Anna thought for some reason.
"Hello Isabella!" Anna called to her as she entered the room, and Isabella turned, startled.
"Shouldn't you be in bed?" she asked a little flustered. Anna went over to the bed and sat down.
"It's not very late, but everyone is asleep. I saw your light was on and came in. You're also up late! Pray tell me, why are you still combing your hair? I thought the maid had finished with it an hour ago!" Anna asked slyly.
"Are spying on me?" Isabella teased playfully. You're warm Anna thought, raising her eyebrows at Isabella.
"What were you thinking of? I've heard you play that tune before, I mean the one you were humming."
"Oh! Yes I played that for the Brandon's today. While we were there, after you had gone Mrs. Brandon asked me to play for them." Isabella explained.
"Really? Mrs. Brandon? I'm rather surprised that she did not play herself."
"But she did! She played me a song that she had written, and she and Mr. Brandon sang to it."
"Indeed? And did they sing well?" Anna asked, watching her sister intently.
"Oh Mr. Brandon sang excellently! I've never heard such a beautiful voice!"
"Yes but I really meant how Mrs. Brandon sang. I've heard so much about her singing, and so I am very curious. But I am glad that Mr. Brandon sang nicely."
"No doubt his mother taught him how to sing, for she too sang excellently. It was truly heavenly." Isabella said, her eyes sparkling at the remembrance. Anna smiled.
"I didn't think you though so very highly of Mr. Brandon." Isabella's head tilted up.
"Which one are you talking about?"
"Oh come now Isabella! You know I mean Jeff! You can not possibly still be in love with Christopher. He is a good man to be sure, but was so very reserved. Besides he is much to old for you!" Anna exclaimed.
"I do not know what you are talking about! I do not harbor any feelings for Jeff. Even if I did, I would not say so. Jeff is still angry with me. I do not care for him." Isabella said, but blushed as she said. it.
"I'm glad we talked about it though. I was beginning to worry about you." Anna said, but didn't believe a word she said. Isabella was not telling all of her feelings, and Anna did not ask her anymore questions. Jeff and Isabella would somehow come together. Anna said good night, and went back to her own room, and fell asleep.
Anna was asleep when Marianne woke up in the middle of the night. It was very late, and the moon had risen very high and was casting a creepy light in the room and onto the street outside. Marianne couldn't fall completely back asleep, and so she got out of bed and went downstairs. She actually was half-asleep, and so she wandered about the house a little before fully awaking. When she realized fully where she was, she headed back in the direction of her room. On the way, she passed by Mr. Hitchcock's study. The door was a crack open. She saw light coming from the crack, and so decided to see what Mr. Hitchcock was up to so late at night. She grasped the door handle, and peeked in.
He was holding a very beautiful diamond ring up in the air. It sparkled in the candlelight. Marianne gasped. Where had she seen that ring? It looked so familiar. Marianne shook her head, and leaned forward a bit, opening the door a tiny bit more. Mr. Hitchcock did not see her. He was sitting at his desk his back turned to her. He then slid the ring into a pouch and pulled the drawstrings together. He stood up, and Marianne backed away from the door a little. Something inside her was screaming run! run! But she did not move. He put the pouch into his pocket, and picked up a paper. Marianne leaned forward again. She saw that the paper was a will, (for Mr. Hitchcock and his desk were close to the door). She made out that the will was Mr. Wickham's! He suddenly peered at the will, and started to scratch at it. What is he doing? Marianne thought, but then saw. There was a large piece of dried candle wax on the side of the will. It was golden on one part, and green on the other. The candle from his desk, and the one from their room! Marianne realized with a sickening feeling in her stomach. Hitchcock was obviously puzzled, but he set the paper down and began to turn around. Marianne gasped, and backed away from the door, stretched out her arms, and stared blankly into space. Mr. Hitchcock opened the door.
"Miss Marianne!" he cried in astonishment. She did not respond.
"Marianne?" he exclaimed, and she blinked her eyes. "You are sleep walking!" he called to her Marianne tried hard not to smile and succeeded. He took her arm, and led her to her room, and to the bed where Anna was sleeping. She sat up in bed, and rubbed her eyes.
"What happened?" Anna asked groggily.
"She is sleep walking Anna. I'm so sorry to disturb you. Let me lay her down on the bed." Mr. Hitchcock explained, did so and left the room. Marianne let her breath out and glanced at Anna, who was already asleep again.
"That was a close one!" she whispered to no one she thought, but heard someone walk away from the door.
Chapter 19
Marianne looked towards the door. Hearing nothing more, she thought no more of it and passed into a dreamless slumber.
The next morning they departed for home. Their week was up and frankly speaking, Marianne and Anna were glad to leave the Hitchcock's home. Marianne had told Anna about what she had seen last night, and Anna tried to think of all the places she had seen a diamond ring. They both could not think of anyone with a missing ring, and so gave up the matter and concluded that Marianne's imagination had gotten the better of her. After all, if you've seen one diamond ring you've seen them all, (as Marianne said). She also told Anna about the will. Anna was shocked to think that her father really did save some money for them! Mr. Hitchcock had hidden it from them? Anna could hardly believe it.
Mr. Hitchcock was not there when they departed, but they found him at their mother's house. He smiled as all three girls entered the room.
"Ladies! I am glad to announce that my proposal of marriage has been accepted by your mother, and I most humbly ask your permission," he said, grinning like a fool.
"Congratulations!" Isabella cried, and ran up to her mother and hugged her.
"Well Anna, what do you say about my husband-to-be? He is very handsome, don't you think?" Lydia cried. Anna blinked, and Marianne crept into a corner.
"Mother, you cannot marry Mr. Hitchcock." Anna slowly said, with great agitation in her voice. Lydia giggled. "I'm not joking, Mama! You must not marry him!" Anna cried.
"Well you have no right telling me whom I shall marry or not. The deed is done! I will marry Mr. Hitchcock!" Lydia cried, and looked at Mr. Hitchcock. They smiled at each other, and Mr. Hitchcock took his leave. Anna shook her head in disbelief, and then she ran from the room with Marianne and Isabella close at her heels. She had suddenly realized what it would be to have Mr. Hitchcock as her father. He was the cause of her father's death...murder! He had hidden her father's will from them, even when they were in great need. Then Old Mr. Darcy's will...he was a crook. Anna saw what he was, and the realization that her soon to be father was involved in serious criminal activities. She began to walk towards Elizabeth's room. She needed to know, and her mother needed to know, but Anna could not be the one to tell her. Suddenly she heard David's voice calling.
"Mother! Mama come here, I need your help," he called. Anna suddenly knew that she had to see David first, before any long talks, and so she went up to his room.
His head turned towards her at the sound of the door opening. His eyes stared blankly into nothingness.
"Mama is that you? I'm cold," David called, and Anna's eyes filled up with tears. She felt Marianne come up behind her and reached for her hand. Marianne took hold of it and gave it a comforting squeeze, although her own eyes were stinging. She had never seen David before, and he had never seen her. The heart breaking thing was that he never would see her, ever. Anna let go of her hand and walked over to the bedside.
"Hello David, it's Anna."
"Hello Anna. I cannot see anymore, did you hear about it?"
"Yes I heard David. I'm so sorry," Anna said and tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Everyone says that," David said with bitterness in his voice. "I hate pity, but cannot help living in self-pity. I hate life."
"Don't say that David! Everything will be alright," Marianne said, coming to the bed and standing by Anna. "You can still be David Wickham, even if you cannot see."
"You mean I'm blind. Who are you anyway?" David spat out.
"Marianne Darcy, your cousin." David made no reply.
"David, did you hear? Mother is to marry Mr. Hitchcock."
"Good for her. She can marry him if she wants to, even if he's a total block head."
"You don't like him David?" Anna asked happy that David was not blind in all ways.
"I heard him telling Mama how sorry he was that a fine boy like me should be blind. That I should be put in a special school, and carried around like a baby. Mother did not want to though. He thinks blind people are blind because they have sinned. He says I am blinded because my father killed himself," David coldly replied. Anna couldn't say anything and Marianne bit her tongue until it hurt.
"You can still live David. There are plenty of blind people in the world. You're not blind because of something you did, or Papa did. You just got sick. I'll be your eyes from now on if you like," Anna said, and David nodded yes in reply. He then said that he wanted to sleep, and the girls left the room as Lydia came in.
Anna and Marianne then went downstairs. They found Isabella and told her to come with them because they needed to talk. Then they all went into Elizabeth's room and began telling her the story.
They talked for the rest of the day, explaining every single detail to Isabella and Elizabeth. Isabella was on the brink of tears at the end of the tale, and Elizabeth was very agitated and sorrowful.
"Will you please speak to my mother? She cannot marry him, and I am sure that she will not want to when she hears that Hitchcock is responsible for my father's death," Anna pleaded. Elizabeth nodded, and went over to her desk and began writing hastily on a piece of paper.
"Who are you writing?" Marianne asked.
"To your father. I need him to come here immediately," Elizabeth replied, and Anna sighed with relief. If her Uncle Darcy came everything would be put right. Elizabeth finished the letter, and gave to a servant to be sent as fast as possible. They then went to Lydia's room to speak with her about Mr. Hitchcock's true character.
Elizabeth knocked on the door more then once before opening it. No one was there, so the girls began to search the house for her. They searched everywhere, and did not find her. Lydia was gone!
They all met back in her room after twenty minutes of searching the rooms and street. They had found nothing, and no sign of where she had gone. Elizabeth then inspected Lydia's room. She found none of her clothes in the drawers, and on her chest was a note addressed to Elizabeth, Isabella and Anna. Elizabeth read the note aloud:
Dear everyone:I am going to Gretna Green, and you all most know with whom. Hitchcock thinks it is best that we marry there, and not have a big ceremony. From then on we will be traveling to America to his plantation. David is going with us, he will give me away at the wedding, and then help me around the house in America. Is it not as fine a joke as when I first married? I would have laughed, but it would have given us away.
Lydia
"They are going to America!" Isabella cried.
"How long ago was it when we began talking?" Elizabeth asked, and was answered almost four hours. Marianne sprang from her seat and ran to David's room. He was gone and so were all of his belongings. She came back to the room and told them that he too was missing as Lydia said he would be. Anna, upon hearing that news, burst into tears.
Chapter 20
Elizabeth comforted Anna as best as she could and sent an express to their brother Thomas. He arrived shortly after the letter was sent. The letter had reached him very quickly and informed him of the situation and the scandal. He immediately said that he would go visit a few ports and see if any of them had a ship sailing to America and set off. Mr. Darcy arrived the next morning and was also informed of the whole situation. Darcy set off for Gretna Green to intercept the couple. He soon sent word that nothing could be discovered about them except that they had, indeed, married. Tom came back to the house after several days of searching with the report that they were gone. He explained that a Mr. and Mrs. Hitchcock with a little blind boy had left the day before on a ship sailing to America. The family was soon joined by Mr. Darcy who returned from Gretna Green.
"I am resolved to go after them," Tom announced. "There is another ship sailing next week and I will be on it. You all can be assured of my mother's safety, for I will look after her and David."
"In the meantime we must have a meeting and conclude where all of you will go now that your mother is gone. You cannot possibly live here alone," Darcy said, and Elizabeth agreed. Tom said that he would at present stay with his friends and finish his job. Isabella and Anna did not know what they would do.
"Well you must come and live with us!" Marianne exclaimed and gave her father a pleading look. "We have enough room, don't we Papa?" Darcy rubbed his chin thoughtfully and gave Elizabeth a questioning look. She smiled and he did also.
"Of course you may stay with us for as long as you wish!" Darcy said and Marianne could hardly sit still.
"You will stay won't you?" Marianne asked and Isabella said that for the present they would accept the Darcy's kind invitation.
The trip to Pemberley was not a very cheerful one. Anna and Isabella were both in low spirits since the departure of their mother and Mr. Hitchcock. Anna was especially upset about David's having been taken with them. She would never see him again, and it hurt her to realize that he left just when he had needed her the most. Although she did her best, Marianne could not help ease this pain and Anna realized she must console herself.
When they arrived at Pemberley, Anna was given the room right next to Marianne's. They even had a door leading to each other's rooms and could visit together as much as they liked. The puppies Cocoa and Gaila were allowed to stay in the house on the condition that they were kept in order. Isabella was given a room near JaneAnne's and they were becoming very good friends.
That first night at Pemberley Anna could not sleep. She kept thinking about how her mother had left and how everything was so different now. She got out of bed late that night and looked at the crescent moon. It was so beautiful, and cast such soft light in the room. Anna began to realize that things were not so very bad. Her mother may not have a very terrible life in America. After all, Tom was going to be there and he would help. David would not have been happy away from his mother had she left him. Indeed, Anna thought, he would have taken all of this very badly. She and Isabella however would do better here at Pemberley. They would see the Brandons more often than they would have and that was good for Isabella. Anna would now be able to be herself and to have the help and guidance she had always wanted. Her world began to look brighter, and not so dark. Anna had always imagined that every time something special or good happened in her life it always seemed to be overcome by something bad. This time, however, the light was here to stay. Anna lay back down and fell asleep. This time, the light that streamed through a window in Anna's world would not squandered by more darkness. That night she dreamed of a room all closed and dark. She was groping for a window to open. Suddenly, she found it and opened. Outside everything was bright and warm. The next morning, Anna came down to breakfast cheerfully, looking forward to a life of happiness.
The End.