Life might have settled down for Anne and Annie if it wasn’t for the constant letters which Mariana continued to send to them. She was constantly reminding them in her letters they both wrote that she was no longer in the picture. Yet, she would tell them she was.
Anne didn’t want anything to do with her. Yet, she seemed to ignore the message they continued to send to her. They didn’t know what to do. It was becoming a bothersome task. Something which took up time which was precious to them.
Ann had a few ideas which they considered. She suggested they visit Lawton Hall. Only Anne could see that would be problematic because it was there where all their troubles began. After much discussion Ann had to agree. If, Mariana had Anne alone even if it was only for a few minutes there would be consequences which Anne wouldn’t be able to account for.
So, that idea was thrown to the side. Anne suggested inviting Mariana to Shibden. When she told her aunt. Her aunt was firm with her answer. ‘I don’t want that woman in our home ever. Another idea was scraped before it got off the ground. They could see they were running out of ideas. How would they ever stop Mariana from inveigling herself into their lives? If, only. ‘How about writing directly to Charles?’ Anne hadn’t thought about doing that. ‘What could he do though? He has tried to tell her you’re not interested in her any more. Did it help?’ Anne shook her head. ‘I have no idea what we should do?’ Annie smiled. She had a wonderful idea. ‘Let’s travel. At least she would know where we are and we can tell Marian to destroy the letters she sends to us. Could we do that?’
‘You’re not just a pretty face, Annie.’ Ann blushed.
They packed their travel bags and made plans to leave a few days later. Anne instructed her aunt and sister what to do with the letters Mariana would send them while they were away. She was hoping that Mariana would give up. Only she knew that wasn’t possible. Was it?
They were holed up in a barn during a rather harsh storm when word reached them from Aunt Anne that Mariana was in Halifax waiting for her to return to Shibden. She arrived a few days after they left. Anne was completely flummoxed. She didn’t know what to do. Annie was in tears. ‘Will we ever be rid of this woman?’ Anne shrugged. She didn’t have an answer that would calm her wife down. Anne wondered if she would ever have one. Mariana seemed to think Anne was hers and no one else could have her. Only Anne continued to remind Annie that there was no one else in her life now. Only Annie. Yet, the incident at Lawton Hall would always be in the back of their minds and for obvious reasons Anne doubt if Annie really did trust her as much as she said she did. Was it possible that Annie had doubts about her? She didn’t know. They hadn’t talked about it since Annie had forgiven her. Anne didn’t’ think she need to talk about it any more since there wasn’t much to talk about. Wasn’t there? Or had she missed something? She didn’t know.
Annie looked at her wife. ‘I think we need to talk. I know Mariana wasn’t your first love. Was she?’ Anne frowned. ‘How do you know that, Annie?’
‘I am not as innocent and naive as some people make out I am. You are much older than me. So, I am assuming you have had many lovers in the past. Only you are here with me and I am grateful for that, Anne.’ Anne blushed. ‘I don’t know if I should talk about my exes. That being said I can say there have been many. What I want you to know, Annie. Is that none of them can raise a candle to you.’
‘What does that mean, Anne?’ Anne looked at her wife wondering if she could be that innocent. ‘It means that none of them are as good for me as you are, Annie.’ Annie smiled. ‘Only we still have this problem with Mariana. I honestly don’t know what we are going to do. I wish I did, Annie.’
Days later they were comfortably relaxed in their small apartment in Paris. It was there second trip there. They were enjoying themselves only there was this niggling problem they had regarding Mariana. They didn’t know what to do. Their lives were on hold until they could find a solution to their problem. Only Anne didn’t think it was possible. She had broken her promise to Annie and given Mariana the impression that her wife didn’t matter when she visited her and they had sex. Only from the moment Anne had made Mariana come she realised that she shouldn’t have visited Lawton Hall.
Anne knew they couldn’t stay on the continent for too long. They would need to go back to Halifax and Shibden. She wondered if Mariana was still lurking in Halifax waiting for her to return. She didn’t know. Only she was beginning to feel like a caged animal. She looked over at Annie. She was huddled in the corner trying to think about something else other than what she and Anne had to deal with . She didn’t know how to get Anne to tell her the truth about her relationship with Mariana. Anne had mentioned that they had been together for quite sometime. She didn’t say how long. Yet, she could remember from the rumours she had heard that they were in the 20s when they met.
Anne had never been specific on how long they had been together. She knew Mariana married Charles Lawton. What she didn’t know was when.
Annie had no idea when Anne sat beside her. She didn’t know until she felt warm, strong arms wrap around her. ‘Annie, are you we okay?’ Annie nodded. ‘Are you sure? I have been watching you and you seemed worried about something.’ Do I? Annie thought. ‘I guess I am not very good at hiding how I feel.’
‘Annie, tell me what you are thinking. I need to know. I want to tell you all I can about me.’ Annie was quiet for a while. Anne looked at her wondering if she would ever ask Anne what she wants to know. ‘Anne Lister, you have nothing to worry about. I love you, I am married to you. I just want to know how long you were with Mariana and why you continued to see her after she married Charles Lawton.’ Anne looked at Annie. How was she going to answer this question without sounding as though she was a love sick puppy?
‘Annie, Isabella Norcliffe introduced me to Mariana 20 years ago. We had only been together for a short time when she married Charles. She seemed to think he would be more financially stable them I was. No, she doesn’t love him.’ Annie gave her a puzzled look. ‘Why did you keep going back to her?’ Anne shrugged her shoulders.’Anne, that isn’t an answer. Please tell me.’
Anne didn’t like to appear vulnerable to anyone, not even her wife. Yet, she could see this would help bring them closer together and cement their relationship because they had to be seen as comfortable around anyone. Especially someone like Mariana who was more than likely try to pull them apart. ‘I don’t know why I did what I did. She would call and I would run to her like a love sick puppy. I could never understand why my aunt could see through her when all I saw was someone who loved me. I know that sounds silly.’ Annie frowned. ‘No, it doesn’t sound silly, Anne.’ Annie wrapped her arms around Anne and kissed her cheek.
‘Anne, even though you have told me. I still find it hard to believe that someone like you was swayed to doing that she wanted you to do.’ Anne frowned. ‘What do you mean?’ She asked sincerely. ‘I have always thought you were someone who when she made up her mind would do whatever she wanted with her life. Only it seemed as though that wasn’t the case with Mariana. She pulled the strings and you were her puppet.’
Anne buried her head in her hands. She knew that would happen. She knew Annie would see her weakness and throw it back at her. ‘Anne, I didn’t mean to hurt you.’ Annie said as she wrapped her arms around her wife. ‘You’re the one person who gives me hope that I can do anything with my life.’ Anne smiled. ‘I know I can do whatever I want now. Can’t I. darling?’
‘Yes, you can. I was blinded by her in so many ways. I never thought it would be like that. She always promised we would be together when Charles dies. That hasn’t happened. I don’t think it would have ever happened if I had stayed with her. Now, I have you and she isn’t happy. Is she?’ Annie shook her head. ‘So, we need to go home and deal with her. Yes, I would love to stay her and forget she exists. We can’t do that. My family needs us because they are fed up with her constant visiting to see if I am home.’ Annie nodded. Only she was still unsure what would happen when they arrived back at Shibden. Yet, she knew that Anne was with her 100%. She would never do anything to make Annie doubt their relationship was as solid as it was.
Their flight home saw faster than Annie had hoped it would be. She was hoping they would have more time to talk about what they were going to do when they reached Shibden. Yet, it seemed all Anne wanted to do was sleep. That was okay with Annie because Anne had hard slept the night before their flight due to having no idea how she was going to deal with Mariana when they returned to Shibden. Anne had called and asked Marian to be there at Manchester Airport when they arrived back in England.
When they landed at Manchester airport Marian was there to meet them. She looked at though she hadn’t been sleeping well. Annie gave her a hug when she met them at baggage claim. ‘Are you okay. Maz.’ Annie whispered in her eye. Marian shook her head. ‘That woman has been at Shibden everyday for the last two weeks. She stays there all day. She’s probably there now. Poor Aunt Anne. She’s had to deal with her more than anyone else.’ Annie shook her head and retrieved her phone. She turned it on and called their aunt. ‘Aunt, don’t say anything just answer yes or no to the following questions. Is she there now.’
‘Yes,’
‘Is she wanting to see my wife?’
‘Yes.’ Annie was puzzled. Why would someone do this to another person’s family just so they could get that someone to do whatever she wanted. ‘Aunt, do you think it would be safe to leave her there with father?’
‘Yes.’
‘Can you walk to the main gate?’
‘No!’ By this time Mariana was looking at Aunt Anne wondering what was going on. ‘
Who are you talking to?’
‘I am not talking to Anne. If that is what you are wondering.’ Well, she was telling the truth. ‘Aunt Anne was too frail to walk too far. ‘Can you get Booth to take you into Halifax. Just tell Mariana you are going to visit Mrs Rawson. Okay. Call me back when you are on your way.’ Annie said as Marian drove them to Halifax.
Aunt Anne disconnected the call then called for Booth. ‘I need to go out. Can you take me please, John?’ John nodded and walked to the barn to get the car. ‘Where are you going?’ Mariana asked. ‘To see Mrs Rawson.’ Aunt Anne looked at Mariana. She knew she didn’t believe her. She tried not to show how nervous she was. ‘Ready, ma’am.’ Booth called.
They were on their way into Halifax when Aunt Anne noticed that Mariana was following them. She called Annie. ‘I am on my way but I think we are being followed by Mrs Lawton. Give Anne your phone please.’ Annie passed her phone to Anne. ‘She tailing us. What should I do now, Anne?’
‘Just get Booth to drive around and around Halifax for a few minutes then get him to take you to Stoney Royd. Hopefully she will have gotten sick of following you and leave.’ Aunt Anne shook her head. ‘I doubt that will happen but I am prepared to try anything right now to get her out of my life.’
‘Okay! Then let’s try that. We will be at Stoney Royd waiting for you no matter what happens, Aunt.’
‘Good, I need to call Nelly to tell her I am going to visit.’ Aunt Anne disconnected the call and called Nelly. ‘Hi, Anne,’
‘Hi Nelly. I know this is sudden. I will just say Anne is being stalked by Mariana Lawton. Anne is on her way there with her wife, Annie Walker and her sister, Marian.’ Then Nelly heard a car pull up outside. She stood up. ‘I think they are here. I will see you soon, Anne.’
‘Bye.’
‘Bye, Anne.’ Nelly disconnected the call and answered the door. Anne, Annie and Marian were standing at the door. ‘Come on it.’ She said as she motioned them inside and closed the door. ‘What is going on between you and Mrs Lawton, Anne Lister?’
‘She wants to see my wife and take her away from me. Anne doesn’t want anything to do with her. She is with me now. ‘ Nelly looked at Annie. She wondered if Annie knew about Anne Lister’s past. ‘So, you trust her, Annie?’ Annie nodded. ‘We have had our moments but I have learned to trust her more than I have ever trusted another.’
There was another knock on the door. ‘I wll get that.’ Anne said. ‘It’s my aunt. She said Mariana was tailing her.
Anne answered the door. She could see Mariana pull up beside Booth as she motion Aunt Anne inside and closed the door. They walked to the sitting room where Annie, Marian and Nelly were sitting. ‘Now, what will we do?’ Annie asked as Anne sat beside her.
Mariana pounded on the door. She screamed out that she knew Anne was there and wanted to see her. She wouldn’t let up until Anne answered the door. She was surprised when Nelly answered the door. ‘I know Anne Lister is here. I want to see her now.’ She demanded. ‘Young lady, I would be careful what you demanded from me. Yes, Anne is here but she doesn’t want to see you. Ever again.’
‘I want to hear her tell me that to my face. She has avoided me for long enough. I don’t think she has the courage to do that.’ Then Anne and Annie appeared. Anne needed Annie for support. She knew she couldn’t do this alone. ‘Why is she with you? I want to see you alone, Anne.’ Annie looked at Mariana. ‘This is as alone as you’re going to get. Aunt Nelly, please stay.’ Nelly nodded. ‘Anne Lister, is my wife now and since you are married I don’t see why you need to demand her attention as you do.’ Mariana swallowed. ‘How dare you speak to me like that? You do know Anne and I have been together for twenty years now.’
‘Yeah, I know all about that. Anne told me.’ Anne stood and listened. She was surprised by what Annie was saying. ‘You think I won’t fight for what is mine. You are sadly mistake, Miss Walker.’ Anne frowned. ‘She belongs to nobody. So, you can’t demand anything from her. Can you?’ Anne smiled. Her wife might not seem brave but in that moment she was showing more courage than Anne had ever imagined. ‘Why isn’t Anne speaking for herself?’ Can’t she do that?’ Annie looked beside her to her wife. Anne was fuming. Only she knew that no matter what she said Mariana wouldn’t believe her. So, she kept quiet. ‘Anne, doesn’t want to talk to you right now or ever. She told me that.’ Mariana looked at Annie. She was tempted to spit only Nelly looked at her. If, you dare spit on my nieces I will have you thrown out.’ Mariana flinched. She looked at Mrs Rawson. She didn’t know how serious Mrs Rawson was.
They eyed each other down. Neither would budge. Anne and Annie stood by and watched. Then they felt arms wrap around them. It was Aunt Anne. She was standing behind them to support them.
‘I think you need to leave, Mrs Lawton. As you can see Anne is happy with Annie and she doesn’t need you now. Go back to your husband. He needs you. Leave us alone. Leave Anne alone. She doesn’t want you in her life.’ Aunt Anne said. ‘I want to hear Anne say that. Only Miss Walker said she doesn’t want to speak to me.’
No one knew when Marian appeared. She stood next to her sister. Anne was surrounded by family. She felt loved as she hadn’t felt in a long time.
Annie leaned in and kissed her cheek. That show of love from her wife gave her the courage to speak. ‘Everyone has spoken for me. Now, I speak for myself. What we had wasn’t good for either of us. I felt like a dirty whore. Annie is my wife now. I don’t want you anymore. So, go home to Charles. Accept that we aren’t together anymore. We can still be friends, Mariana, nothing more. The only person who will be with me in bed is Annie. Go!’ Mariana didn’t move. She wasn’t going to go. Anne could see that. They were at a stalemate. Annie held her wife close to her. She could see what Mariana was trying to do.
Mariana wasn’t going to leave until Anne left with her. ‘Can’t you take a hint when it is thrown at you, Mrs Lawton? You don’t own my sister. As Annie said she is her own person and should be able to live her life the way she wants. What is wrong with that?’
No one noticed Nelly leave them. They had been trying to get Mariana to leave. It wasn’t until she came back into the foyer and told them she had called the police about an unwanted intruder that they realised she had left the room.
Mariana frowned. She didn’t leave peacefully. She was so angry with Anne and Annie. ‘I will get you, Anne. I don’t care who I hurt to do that. I will get you and you will be mine.’ Annie looked at Anne. She wondered if they should move to another country. Yet, she knew Anne didn’t want to leave her ancestral home and she knew she couldn’t force her to do that. They had to make a decision. What would they do about Mariana’s threat. She knew Anne would never go back to Mariana. Anne had promised her that. Only Annie felt that she would lose her wife no matter what happened. She wept silently beside Anne. Mariana sneered. ‘You can cry all you want Miss Walker. I will get what is mine. I don’t care about you. I want Anne back.’
That was when Aunt Anne spoke. ‘You need to hear this Mrs Lawton. She isn’t something you own. She doesn’t belong to you. You made your choice. She has a life she wants to live with Annie. For goodness sake let her do that. Would you?’ Mariana looked at Anne. It seemed she was about to give up and let Anne be. When she leaned in a tried to kiss Anne. She was just about to lock lips with Anne when Annie and Aunt Anne pushed her away.
‘Can’t you take a hint and take a hike, Mrs Lawton.’ Annie said just as Nelly opened the front door and let the police in. ‘Mrs Lawton. I think there is someone who wants you to go home with him.’ Mariana’s eyes bulged when her husband appeared at the front door/ ‘Come on, you silly woman. You need to come home with me where you belong. Anne doesn’t want you in her life anymore. Can’t you see that.’ Charles said. ‘You need to take care of your wife, young lady. If, she is important to you and never invite my wife to Shibden even if she begs you to do that.’
‘I won’t, Mr Lawton.’ Annie said. Yet she would have liked that they could have been friends. Only Annie knew now that wouldn’t happen. Ever. ‘I think we could all do with a drink, something stronger than tea or coffee. What do you say?’
‘Yes please,’ Anne said. She was the one who would have lost so much if Mariana had won that battle. Anne was exhausted. They walked back to the sitting room when the police, Mariana and Charles had left. Anne sat on the sofa. She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep. Annie sat beside her and rested. She put Anne’s head on her shoulder. ‘Do you think she will bother us again?’ Annie asked. ‘I certainly hope not. She has upset Anne so much she is so exhausted. I think we should let her sleep for awhile. Would you like something to eat, ladies?’ they all nodded. Nelly rang a bell and her housekeeper appeared. ‘Yes, ma’am.’
‘Could you make some sandwiches for the ladies and me?’ Nelly asked. ‘Yes, ma’am. I will be about twenty minutes.’
‘Thanks!’ They all said.
The housekeeper delivered the sandwiches twenty minutes later. They put some aside for Anne whenever she would wake up. Annie’s heart hurt because her wife was crying in her sleep. No one else could see that. Annie looked at Aunt Anne. She could see Aunt Anne had been crying. ‘Will Anne be okay?’ Annie asked. ‘Yes, I am sure she will. It’s just been too much for her to deal with. I imagine she thought she would lose you.’
‘It’s not like the time she went to Lawton Hall. I am passed that. I know she didn’t do anything she wanted to do and I encouraged her to go.’ Annie said. ‘She seemed so scared. I tried to get her to talk to me just after the police arrived with Charles. She wouldn’t. I hope she doesn’t think I will leave her. I love her.’
They chatted while Anne slept. It was early evening before she woke. Annie had her head resting on her shoulder. ‘Annie, are you still here. Please tell me you are still here.’ Annie lifted her head. ‘I am still here, dearest Anne. I always will be here. You haven’t lost me and never will.’ Anne sat up and wrapped her arms around Annie. She kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for trusting me again. I don’t know what I would do without you.’ Marian looked at her sister. Surely Anne had forgotten where she was because in that moment she was the most vulnerable Marian had ever seen her.
Anne looked around at everyone who was there. She thanked them all for helping her and Annie. She was so grateful that Mariana would never be part of her life again.