Page 89 of May I Have the Pleasure
“Are we to be friends, then?”
“Yes, I believe so, if you can find it in your heart to let it go.”
“That I can do.”
“Do you think you could call me Elizabeth? I have had three surnames in a row that I despise. I picked the least objectionable but hearing them less will not be amiss.”
“Very well. Pray, call me Fitzwilliam. Let us see to your estate. I have just the man to replace your steward. He will take instruction from your present man well, and they may end up working together harmoniously for years. Shall weleave for Sussex in a fortnight? I have some chores to do for Rosings, and you may begin your education by watching those as I explain. Lord Mawbry rode your estate and talked to your steward on his way home, and your estate will not collapse in the next month or two.”
“I should like that very much.”
“What will you do after we have your man engaged and you have learnt to be an estate owner.”
“I believe I will be fully engaged in resurrecting the estate for the next several years at least, and I will be in mourning for at least this year, and probably the next. I believe I have a lot to learn, and the estate is badly in need of care and attention. Perhaps next year or the following, I might tour the continent.”
“That seems a promising idea. I shall wish you safe travels.”
“Thank you, ah… Fitzwilliam.”
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Sweetwater—May 1814
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“Charlotte, welcome to Sweetwater! I am so happy you could come.”
“Lizzy, I am overjoyed to be here. You are the most exciting person I know.”
“Haha. It is so good to see you. How long can you stay?”
“As long as you will have me.”
“About that—I hope you will stay with me until you are well settled, or forever if that is your desire.”
“I take that back! You are not the most exciting person I know. You are the maddest.”
“Perhaps so, but I depend on you, my friend. Pray, consider Sweetwater your home.”
“Thank you. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“I will extract my price, Miss Charlotte Lucas. Just you wait. I do not know what it will be, but I will be repaid.”
“I tremble in my boots.”
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“Charlotte, you remember Mr Darcy.”
“Miss Lucas, it is a great pleasure to see you again.”
“Mr Darcy, a pleasure as well.”
“Charlotte, Fitzwilliam will be teaching us to be estate masters.”
“I take it back again, Eliza. You are back to being the most exciting person I know, but that does not absolve you of being the maddest.”
“You forgot deadliest!”
