A Most Convenient Marriage: Chapter 1

Anne stood in front of the cheval mirror as Hennie tugged firmly on the stiff fabric.

"Hennie please," Anne exclaimed as she took hold of the mirrors frame to stop herself from falling. "You are pulling me so hard I shall faint," she laughed bracing herself as the girl continued her assault on the garment.

"Tis the dress Miss," said the young maid, "I don't know why it will not sit right, I am sure something amiss has happened with those washerwoman." The girl made one more attempt to pull the puckering fabric down over the curve of Anne's hips. The dresses fabric, stiff and unyielding, simply gathered in a most unsightly fashion above the waist, refusing to move.

"Hennie," soothed Anne, looking up at the young lass who towered above her. "There is nothing wrong with the dress," Anne studied her reflection. The dress was at least two sizes too small. It was not that Anne felt herself to have increased in an unbecoming manner, on the contrary, after her period of poor health, the reflection gave Anne much reassurance.

"I am afraid it is me who is wrong," laughed Anne in an attempt to reassure the young girl. "The dress simply no longer fits."

"But Miss, Lady Catherine gave specific instructions that you are to wear this dress, her ladyship picked it out special, she was most insistent no other dress would do."

"I have not worn this dress in over three years," exclaimed Anne looking down at the offending item. The dress, a heavy woollen, dark grey item with deep blue lace work on the collar and sleeves, was as unbecoming now as it had been when Anne last wore it. "Hennie," Anne asked softly, "where are all my most recent dresses? Where are all the new dresses brought back with me on my return to Rosings? I do believe not all my trunks have not been brought to my rooms and unpacked. It would appear a great deal of items are simply missing from my wardrobe."

The young maid lowered her eyes to the floor,

"Hennie," Anne asked again more firmly, "where are all my things?"

"Her Ladyship requested the trunks be taken to her chambers Miss."

"I see," replied Anne coldly. The assumption that after her arrival, three days ago, all her possessions would simply be unpacked in her dressing room was grossly naïve on her part. Anne should have known her mother would interfere.

"Please Miss do not think badly of me," the maid pleaded, her cheeks flushing. "Her Ladyship had the butler take possession of the trunks as soon as the footmen brought them inside from the coach, she gave me only one trunk to unpack, for it were mostly books and the like."

"Calm yourself child," Anne said trying to stop the girl before tears began to fall. "I am not displeased with you, please do not fret. I shall discuss the matter with mother directly."

"Perhaps I could try and alter the dress before you are needed to join her Ladyship..."

"No," interrupted Anne, "that will not be necessary. Hennie you may leave, I can finish the last few items of my toilette on my own."

With a quick nod of the head the girl backed towards the door, gave a quick curtsey and darted from the room. Poor lass thought Anne, her mother was not someone you wished to disappoint.

Anne let out a slow, steady sigh. So it began. She had been home for three days and her mother had already shown her hand.

"I do not think I can do this," Anne spoke to her paling reflection. The dress dug uncomfortably into her sides. She moved to sit at her vanity but as she lowered herself to the seat the fabric pulled across her arms and chest so unforgivingly she feared she would burst the seams. She rose again slowly and stood as still as she could. Heat rose to her face and her eyes began to tear. Do not do this, she willed herself, do not let emotions get the best of you. She looked back into the face of her reflection, her eyes clouded over. Had we not got over this she asked herself. The mirror image stared back at her with a vacant expression. How could she be back here? She had been home only three days. She would not let tears threaten all her good work of the last three years. She could not let that happen, she would not be so affected ever again. She looked again to the mirror. Closing her eyes against the ashen faced woman looking straight back at her, she scolded herself for this momentary lapse of weakness. "You are better than this," she said aloud, "what would Aunt Tilly say if she could see you now?" A more sobering thought entered her head. "What would Edward think if he could see you for what you truly are?" she asked the girl in the mirror.

She thought of the last time she had felt so helpless and weak. It had been in this very room. She had spent so much of her time hiding away, feeling sorry for her own misfortune, feeling entirely inadequate. She recalled the weeks spent confined in bed, shying away from all company, not wishing for anyone to see her in such a pathetic state. However she was not the girl she had once been. She was no longer the sickly, painfully shy girl who did not speak her mind. Why the last three years had been proof she was so much more than that.

Three loud consecutive knocks echoed round the room. Anne glanced at the door a slight panicked feeling tightening in her chest. Before Anne could even fathom a response the door swung wide, her mother filling the entryway.

"Anne where have you been, the Collins and their young cousin have been here this last half hour. I mean really Anne, I must insist on the importance of punctuality, it is very unbecoming for a young lady to have such a blatant disdain for time keeping. It would appear your aunt neglected her duties immeasurably during her overseeing of your..." Her voice trailed off as she took in Anne's appearance. "Pray child," exclaimed Lady Catherine, "What in heavens name have you done to your dress!"

"Mother I can only apologise for my lack of time keeping and was not aware we were receiving guests. As you can see I have had an issue while dressing." Anne glanced down towards her waist, "it would appear this particular dress no longer fits. As I recall it was measured and made during my period of poor health, I am afraid at that time my waist was indeed much neater than we find it now.

Lady Catherine scowled at her daughter, "Yes it would appear your appetite came back with much gusto while you were away, perhaps it would serve you well to be more observant in your overly indulgent nature now you are home."

Anne bite her lip, as heat rose to her cheeks. She felt the familiar tightening in her chest and worry in her stomach. Turning her face away from her mother's scorching look, Anne caught her reflection in the looking glass once more. Where once her eyes had been sunken, her cheeks hollow, her skin grey and waxen; the reflection looking back was much softer in appearance with full cheeks and creamy fresh complexion. Her figure she could not deny had altered. Her hips had widened, her body softened and she had filled out eradicating all the harsh bony protrusions that had developed over the two years she had been unwell. She no longer looked small and childlike.

She was very aware of her mother's attitude towards how a woman of high society should look in appearance; delicate, petite, fragile even. Although exceedingly petite in terms of height, Anne could no longer be described as waif like. She had come out the other side of her most trying years and she was in her opinion, all the better for it. If only she could explain all this to her mother.

"I will send Mary to you at once, she is an expert with a needle. I shall make your excuses with the Collins's and will expect to see you for dinner. Her mother turned, walking towards the door.

"Mother," called Anne, bracing herself. Taking a deep breath she continued, "Where are all my trunks from my return from my Aunts? I had many new additions to my wardrobe while away. I would much rather wear one of my new dresses rather than..."

"You dare to assume that under my roof I would allow you to wear such items as you deemed fit to bring home," her mother retorted. "You would be the gossip of every servant."

"What can you mean," Anne asked her temper rising. "Mother I can assure you there is nothing untoward or improper within my wardrobe. Why my aunt took a great deal of time and care helping me expand my wardrobe. I promise you everything is entirely appropriate for a woman of my situation and in keeping with the latest London fashions."

Lady Catherine raised her hand, a gesture Anne knew only too well, she stopped talking and nervously chewed her bottom lip.

"My dear Anne", her mother began, although there was no hint of tenderness in her use of the endearment. "You have always worn what I have chosen for you, after all I am the one who deals with the dressmaker and I am the one who has an eye for matters such as these. No matter, Mary will soon see this right, we can review your other dresses tomorrow and adjust as appropriate to avoid another situation such as this."

"Mother with all due respect, I do not wish to wear these old dresses. I wish to have my own clothes and insist you return my trunks to me this instance." Anne head her chin high to meet her mother's steely gaze. Her spine tingled and her palms began to sweat.

Her mother eyed her coldly. "It would appear my dear Anne, you are still over tired from the long journey to Rosings. Perhaps it would be best for you remain in your suite for the rest of the evening or until you are of a more pleasing disposition?" Her mother strode towards the door.

As Lady Catherine's hand reached for the handle, Anne attempted one more appeal.

"Mother, do you not think a woman who shall likely very soon be much out in public; the object of much attention; a woman of sizeable fortune, wished to be held in the highest of regard; should not that woman be seen as the epitome of current society fashions?" Her aunt's words of encouragement echoed in her head, giving her much needed inner strength to continue. "I do believe a woman such as that, one who not only fulfils her duties with the utmost decorum but also can be seen as the arbiter of good taste, well that woman would indeed deserve such a prize as to be the mistress of two large ancestral homes finally united." Anne held her nerve, "I do believe men are just as aware of the latest trends and fashions as those of the fairer sex, no man wants a silly wife." She watched as her mother's hand continued to hover over the door handle.

A promise is a promise thought Anne hoping to have piqued her mother's interest. Her mother turned slowly to look at her. Instead of lowering her eyes and shrinking under her mother's critical stare, Anne kept her chin high and gaze steady. She would not allow her mother to see weakness, although the contents of her stomach gave her much unease.

Her mother stood a moment, her mouth twisting as she contemplated her next retort. "Perhaps I under estimated your understanding in such matters,' her mother continued to meet her gaze. "I will have Hennie collect your trunks and unpack your wardrobe shortly. On reflection you may choose a dress of your own liking and join me and our guests for tea in the green room."

Anne sighed softly, the dread in her stomach easing. "Thank you mother."

"However," Lady Catherine interjected, "I shall review your wardrobe once unpacked and we shall visit the modest in order to add items which I deem appropriate for the future mistress of Rosings Park." With that her mother left.

Anne exhaled slowly, had she just bested her mother? She wiped her cold sweaty palms down the front of her hideous dress. Her aunt had been right. In order to conquer the beast you had to play by its rules. Anne felt mentally exhausted but also rather giddy, perhaps this would mark a change in the dynamics of her and her mother's relationship. Perhaps her mother would start to see her as mistress of her own mind. She knew she had touched on the one area her mother would find difficult to resist. The one outcome her Mother desired most of all; to see the wealth of Rosings Park and the great estate of Pemberley finally united.

Anne was unsure how long she stood contemplating what had just occurred between herself and her mother. Deep in thought she chewed her bottom lip as she looked out of the window over the lawns and clipped shrubberies. She twisted her hands together anxiously as she analysed every aspect of their exchange. The door opened but Anne, so deep in thought, paid little attention, as her maid and several other members of the household staff placed Anne's trunks in the centre of the room.

"Begging your pardon Miss," Hennie began trying to gain Anne's attention, "do you wish me to start unpacking this very moment?"

Anne turned from the window and looked from the trunks to Hennie. She smiled at the maid. "Hennie I do believe I am exceedingly late for tea with mother and her guests. Perhaps if you would help me change firstly, then you may concentrate on unpacking my wardrobe thereafter?"

"Of course Miss," said the maid as she began to open the trunk next to her. Lifting the lid, she looked down and carefully lifted out the top item, an evening dress in deep emerald velvet. "Oh, Miss it is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen," said the maid her eyes wide as she caressed the soft fabric.

Anne laughed pleased at the maid's reaction. "Yes my Aunt has a keen eye when it comes to finalising dresses and is a great advocate that woman of a certain age should not shy away from bold colours. However, as beautiful as this dress may be, it is not suitable for tea in the green room with mother," Anne teased as she took the dress from the still awe struck young girl. "Hennie will you please help me find a day dress in pale yellow, I think it may be in the trunk with the blue buckle."

As Hennie began to explore the contents of the mentioned trunk, Anne ran her hand over the emerald green dress now lying on the bed. She had worn the dress but a fortnight ago. Her aunt had thrown a small ball in advance of Anne's departure back to Kent. It had been an evening filled with friends and much laughter. She felt a hollowness in her stomach as she thought of those happy friends she had left back in Fife. She thought of Edward and their last exchange, would he ever forgive her?

"Is this the one Miss," asked Hennie as she held up a pale yellow dress, the colour of English Primrose, and matching white lace gloves covered with small embroidered yellow roses.

"Yes that is the very one," Anne smiled, "I think that will do very nicely. Now quickly help me out of this awful thing and into the yellow. Also I wish to wear my hair in a different style, I shall try and explain what I desire as we dress."

Several minutes later Anne sat at the vanity, the yellow dress adding a golden flush to her otherwise pale complexion. Hennie began to undo the severe chignon she had styled Anne's hair in earlier, at the request of her Ladyship. After retrieving the curling tongs from Anne's trunk, Hennie was now in the process of using the heated rod to add curls around Anne's face. Anne guided the young maid, giving her simple instructions which resulted in a low loose chignon to the base of Anne's neck with her soft chestnut brown curls framing her face.

"Oh, Miss you are the most elegant thing I have ever seen," Hennie exclaimed handing Anne the delicate lace gloves.

"Thank you Hennie, but you greatly exaggerate," laughed Anne as she pulled her gloves on. "Though it is indeed a great improvement on my earlier choice of dress. Could you please continue to unpack my things, for I really must go down to mother."

Anne descended the stairs and headed towards the green room. As she drew closer, she hesitated and stopped. She felt the familiar sense of unease wash over her. She had never enjoyed meeting new people. Being in company she did not know always exasperated her nervous disposition. Taking a moment, she breathed deeply in and out to steady herself. She placed her gloved hand over the door handle and before she could over think the situation any further entered into the room.

Her mother's pale blue eyes were on her in an instant, scrutinizing her appearance from revised hair down to her kid slippers. To Anne's great surprise her mother simply smiled, giving Anne a small nod of approval. Her mother turned to address her guests. "Mr Collins may I present my daughter Miss Anne de Bourgh."

"Miss de Bourgh," the slight gentleman, dressed in the style of a Clergyman, bowed so low his nose almost brushed the carpet underfoot. "May I take this moment to bestow my most heart felt of best wishes to you and your superior Mother on your long awaited return to Rosings. I flatter myself for I am sure no such vision of femininity has ever graced such a home as deserving as Rosings Park. Why your return to the grandeur of Rosings must be such a relief after the wilds of Scotland. Pray your absence from home can only be described as a travesty, for it has deprived the British court of its brightest ornament."

"Mr Collins," her mother interrupted firmly, "that will do. Anne my dear, may I introduce Mrs Collins and their young cousin, Miss Elizabeth Bennett visiting from Hertfordshire."

Anne gave a small cutesy in the direction of the two woman, catching the eye of the youngest lady, Anne smiled warmly.

So this, thought Elizabeth, was the famous Miss Anne de Bourgh.