Anastasia

The Last Day

A trip to Molloy Park had been planned for lunch that day, but by eleven o'clock great grey clouds had covered the sky and at noon the rain began falling in sheets. The outing was cancelled - one poor groom having been sent from Fawley with the message. The news was unfortunate, for the Campbells had to return to London the following morning, and it seemed as though they would not have a chance to see much more of the country. 

To occupy themselves, the ladies took to various activities in the music room. Felicity played, Stella and Rebecca read, and Adelaide and Anastasia stared across longingly towards Fawley, while making light conversation. 

When the rain had lessened a little, the younger gentlemen at Fawley called on the young ladies at Avondale, much to their delight. Anastasia and James were seen to converse with each other, for the first time. They sat in a corner, slightly away from everyone else, where they could observe the party and comment on it.

"What do you think of them?" James asked, looking thoughtfully at Robert and Adelaide, who sat next to each other, quietly talking. "I never imagined Adelaide would settle for anyone, and certainly not anyone who had her parents' approval."

"Love has the power to make us do things we would never otherwise do."

James grinned. "And when did you become such a philosopher?"

"Adelaide once vowed to me that she would never allow a man come between her and the Cause. And now she's going to live miles and miles away, far from Mr Asquith and his supposedly liberal government."

"Perhaps she will bring the Cause to South America, then."

Anastasia grimaced. "Only if Robert first succeeds in his campaign to end the abuse of the Indians there." She breathed in deeply. "Adelaide is willing to give up fighting for the vote in England to go with him. Of course, there she will continue to fight social injustice... It is sudden, I know, but they are very much in love."

"How do you know?"

Anastasia gave him a funny look. "It's quite obvious, is it not? Oh, I remember Robert once telling me you're not much of a romantic, but I do have proof; Robert told he me he would always choose to marry for love. And Adelaide vowed never to marry."

"He told you I was not much of a romantic? How was it that such a thing even came about?"

She laughed. "It was long ago, when I first met you. Do you remember how much I disliked you then? Charlotte was flirting with you, and I worried she would become seriously attached. Robert, however, assured me you didn't even realise what she was doing. Now I recall it, you were talking to her quite in earnest about something or other."

"I see... Ah, Richard is beckoning to you," James pointed him out.

Anastasia looked across to Lord Terbridge who was indeed calling her over to him. She signalled that she would be with him shortly.

She hesitated. "I hate to go."

James frowned. "Why?"

"For I have had ample time to converse with Lord Terbridge these past few months, but I have not properly spoken to you for almost a year."

James grinned. "Did you really miss me so much?" he asked teasingly.

"There! I have missed your smile," she said, wishing she would no longer blush when she said such things to him. "You have been far too serious of late."

Unfortunately, this caused his smirk to falter. "You know, Anastasia, I was in no mood to enjoy myself with you and - and the rest of our party. I thought if I could distance myself from you - " He stopped and seemed to change his mind, finishing with, "Let us go to Richard together."