Page 96 of May I Have the Pleasure
“I have no idea. My solicitor and Uncle Gardiner took care of the particulars. I am not quite up to reconciliation with her specifically, or the rest of the family generally.”
“You can certainly hold a grudge!”
“Do you blame me?”
“Not in the least. Tell me though, how did you manage to extract me so fast? I would have thought a week insufficient for my mother to pack and send me off.”
“It was simple really. I sent my scariest looking footman, who is actually as gentle as a lamb but frightening looking. He had a letter with the seal of the Earl of Mawbry, with a few lines saying your presence was kindly requested in town on a matter of some urgency, but the coach would bait the horses and leave inexactlyone hour, whether you were in it or not.”
“That explains much. Mother was fussing and screaming and bothering and calling for her salts and trying to stealevery best dress in the house for the full hour. I finally just got in the coach with the clothes on my back.”
“It matters not. I would have sent all the clothes back anyway. You need to be dressed better if you are with me.”
“I have very little money.”
“Of course not. This is my gift. You can keep everything should you ever go back to Longbourn, but you are far likelier to go to your husband’s house. You will also have an allowance from my estates, so do not be concerned.”
“I am not ready for marriage, Lizzy.”
“Of course not! Nobody of your age is!You have time, and I have patience. I can assure you of one thing. Marriage should be done slowly and carefully if at all… very slowly… very carefully.”
-------------
“Why me, Lizzy?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why did you rescue just me?”
“You consider this a rescue?”
“Do not pretend to be Lydia. You do not fool me.”
“Very well. Do you remember the few months between when I left Longbourn and when you all finally found out about Mr Collins and my inheritance?”
“Remember it! That was the second most shameful period of my life. Much worse than my chasing around after Lydia when we were younger.”
“Second most?”
“The week before your wedding was the worst. I will never forgive myself for that.”
“You will! I insist! To that end, I will answer your question. You were theonlyone in that house who wrote me with genuine contrition and sympathy in those months when you had nothing to gain from it. You arestillthe only one who has ever apologised once, let alone a dozen times—oh, and bythe way—I never want another one. Consider yourself absolved. It all worked out for the best, in the end.”
“It is difficult.”
“I know, but you must think of the past only as it brings you pleasure.”
“I shall try. I know you have said that many times in your letters. Have you written anyone in the family besides myself.”
“I am afraid not. Some things cannot be forgiven. I will not throw them into the hedgerows, but neither will I ever step foot in Meryton or Longbourn again.”
-------------
“Kitty, I am to offer you a choice… I will be perhaps the first person ever in your life to do so.”
“All right, I will bite.”
“I would like you to go with me for the next year or two and learn some things I may be able to teach you. We will bring a companion to teach you some of the things that you never had a chance to learn, and I will teach you about managing estates myself. I learnt from the best master in England, so it could be valuable but difficult for you. Somewhere along the line you may find a suitor—or not, it shall be your choice. If you agree to this scheme, it will be a lot of work, and I will expect a great deal—more than you ever thought you were capable of.”
