Page 99 of May I Have the Pleasure
“Oh my! I completely forgot about those beasts. I hope they are not a burden!”
“To the contrary, I took the liberty of putting them out to stud, and I ride them regularly. They are fine animals.”
“That is good, as I intend to give them to you.”
“You cannot give everything away.”
“I suggest you have a conversation with Charlotte about my stubbornness. It might save you some vexation. It is little payback for what you have done for me.”
“Do not forget you are talking to the nephew of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. You will not win this argument.”
“Never?”
“Never!”
“What about if we compromise?”
“What do you have in mind?”
“Split the stud fees in the middle. You keep half and send the rest to Uncle Gardiner to increase my investments.”
“Agreed.”
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Warwickshire—November 1815
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“Charlotte, thank you for coming. Colonel Fitzwilliam, thank you for escorting my friend. I hope I did not cause any undue problems by asking for you personally. Your general did not seem to think it a terrible inconvenience.”
“My pleasure, Lady Mawbry. Escorting Miss Lucas was a pleasure, and my commanding officer considers a request from you an order.”
“Still the big teaser I see!”
“Guilty as charged, ma’am!”
“This estate is lovely, Lizzy. I like it almost as much as Sweetwater.”
“Thank you, Charlotte. You know I would much rather have Lord Mawbry occupying it than myself, but it is quite beautiful. I am to understand his Julia did the decoration, and I cannot find a single thing I would change.”
“If there is anything, I have yet to see it.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, may I introduce my sister, Miss Catherine Bennet.”
“Miss Bennet. It is an honour to meet you. I have heard much of you, and none of it exaggerated, I assure you.”
“My pleasure, colonel. Lizzy has told me so much about you.”
“It is nice to see you again Kitty… ah, Catherine.”
“I am still Kitty to you Charlotte.”
“Please refresh yourselves, and I shall see you for tea. I have a rather unorthodox request to make. Kitty, I believe you have your lessons?”
“Of course. I shall see you at supper.”
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