The Heiress of Rosings

Chapter two - A proposal for Ann

“So, you say our cousin Mr.Darcy is now married. Do they seem very happy?” Ann asked as they slowly meandered thru the Fall garden, stopping to admire some brightly colored dahlias and chrysanthemums, then picking a handful of cone flowers, bachelor buttons, and dusty miller to arrange into a bouquet. Mrs. Jenkins was following along at enough distance to chaperone while also giving some measure of privacy.

“Yes,” He replied solemnly, and without elaborating.

“I am indeed happy for them, and wish them well!” Ann told Henry, to his great surprise. “Miss Bennett, or should I now say Mrs. Darcy, is a lively young lady with many excellent qualities. I am sure she will make our cousin very happy. Far more happy than I would have done.”

“You have many excellent qualities, as well!” Henry insisted as they strolled slowly through the garden, but not in a way that entirely convinced Ann. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“It is universally known that a single young woman of great wealth is always found to be the loveliest and most charming woman in the room, and yet when Miss Bennett stayed in Hunsford last spring, both you and cousin Darcy seemed to flock towards her, despite her lack of wealth. You can not deny it! If even my wealth along with my so called excellent qualities cannot compete with a poor woman of low connections amongst her peers, what hope do I have of attracting the attention of any man who isn’t a fortune hunter?”

“I would be most happy to marry you!” Henry suddenly insisted, to Ann’s great surprise. “Do you consider me to be a fortune hunter?”

“My dear cousin!” She exclaims, with a small humorless laugh. “Are you mocking me, or is this a serious marriage proposal?”

“Oh, well it was my intention in bringing you out here to declare my intentions,” Henry confessed, obviously flustered by Ann’s forward manner. “But it seems to have gone all wrong somehow.”

Ann laughed and began to tease him. “Oh, poor cousin Henry! Have I ruined your declaration of undying love for me? Were you working up the courage to confess all of your deepest desires and feelings for me?”

Henry stared at her for a minute. “Do you have any idea how your smile transforms your entire face? It is one of your best features! And this walk in the garden has added a bit of pink to your cheeks. You could be one of the most beautiful and captivating women of my acquaintance if only you didn’t always appear so sickly and cross.”

“Our cousin didn’t fall in love with Miss Bennett because of her beauty,” Henry continued with great feeling. “It was due entirely to her happy disposition, her playful wit, and the genuine affection she has for the people she cares about. Elizabeth Bennett didn’t ever pretend to have a high regard for anyone unless they had earned it, and not because it was due to them by some circumstance of birth or situation.”

“I see,” Ann said, having lost her sense of humor for the moment.

The couple walked on silently for several minutes until they came upon the Greek temple that was situated so prettily next to the lake, where Ann decided to take a seat on one of the decorative stone benches that lined the interior. Henry remained standing.

“You have many attractions to recommend you besides your wealth, but I feel as if you keep your true self hidden,” Henry remarked. “Why is that?”

A look of sadness crossed her face, and she said nothing for a moment. “I suppose I’ve never really been given the opportunity to just be myself. Mother is always there, telling me how to behave, what to wear, what to read, what to think, and who to be friends with. Even what to eat and in what quantities. I sometimes feel as if she only ever had a daughter so she would have someone to lord over for eternity!”

“I’m sorry to have brought it up. I knew what she was like, but had no idea it was as bad as all that!” Henry sat down beside her and took her hand. “I promise I would never treat you that way if we married. I would be a considerate husband, and wish only for your happiness. What do you think? Do you think you could marry me?”

“Honestly,” she began slowly, building up confidence as she went along, “I should wish for it above all things, IF this proposal was a result of your deep and honest regard for me. However, I suspect the idea of our possible marriage was not your own and instead the result of pressure placed on you from either friends or family. Tell me truly, who desires our union?”

“It was talked about between myself, cousin Darcy, my father and brother George right after the wedding at Longbourne, and there may have been drinking involved. So I don’t recall exactly who’s idea it was originally. But I’m not at all opposed to the idea! It certainly has merit.”

“Yes, it does,” Ann stated truly. “From a purely indifferent perspective, it makes perfect sense! I have money and property. You have a title as well as just enough money and property yourself to not be considered a fortune hunter. And in addition to all this, you are quite tall and have a pleasing appearance. Anyone would consider you to be quite a catch!”

“And yet I sense that you do not.”

“Actually, my dear cousin, I do!” She replied in an agitated manner. “But the difficulty is that we do not love each other. And I desire love. I only just now escaped one betrothal to a man my mother wanted me to marry, and have little desire to jump into yet another betrothal to another man my mother wishes me to marry. I don’t wish for a husband who has been foisted upon me out of convenience.”

Henry gave her a kiss on the forehead. “You deserve to be loved, and I’m sure love would come in time.”

“Perhaps.” Ann stated softly, and with a deep felt sigh. “Were there any other options brought forward? Or am I to be left moldering here at Rosings Park for the rest of my lonely days? Companion to my aging mother. Being told constantly how to behave, and to be reminded daily of all my failings as a woman. Why was I not born a son, with the ability to go forth in the world and choose my own destiny?”

“Very few people have that ability, man or woman,” Henry replies. “But you are in luck! The Darcy’s will be spending the winter season in London with the intention of introducing Georgiana into society. They very much wish to invite you as well. The Darcy’s have many rich and single friends amongst their acquaintances, so perhaps you might meet someone interesting.”

“And so might you! Will you be in town, also?”

“Absolutely! I’ll be there to dance with you at every ball and sit next to you at every play and opera performance until you realize I am the best man of all your acquaintance!” He said, and they both laughed as they started their walk back to the manor house. Ann was left confused as to whether he was serious in his proposal or not.

But it does not signify, she thought to herself. As far as Ann was concerned, Henry had done exactly as he had been instructed to do, and that would likely be the end of the matter.