The Adventures and Misfortunes of Matilda Brumhurst - Section II

    By Josephine

    Beginning, Section II, Next Section

    Chapter The Sixth

    Posted on Friday, 28 May 1999

    Before Lauren Arrived at Dinner That Evening, Quite a Bit had Happened at Most Fortuitous Times.

    No Sooner had the Bingleys Managed to Find Living Quarters for Sir Ian, Mr. Fenwick, and Jane's Tulips, then Carriage Wheels were Heard on the Gravel, and Jane went Bounding Down the Stairs to Greet her Dear Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, and Georgiana Darcy, Who (Though Receiving Most Gratefully the Attentions of Jane Bingley) Went Almost at Once to Seek out her Friend Kitty Bennet.

    The Later Afternoon Was Similarly Occupied in Welcoming Relative Strangers to Netherfield, as The Admirals Arrived in a Most Timely Fashion, for Seafaring Folk. Their Wives Seemed to Be Well-Bred and in Each Other's Most Special Confidence, a Situation that Gave Jane Bingley Some Rest.

    'Oh! how Wonderful!' thought She. 'For I will do My Best to Entertain Them, and Of Course They are Known to the Fenwicks and Miss Brumhurst; However, it is Always Nicest to Have at Least One Good Friend at One's Side when Facing a Large Party.'

    There were Cordial Introductions All 'Round; Excepting the Small Moment of Jerome Fenwick's Appearance, Which Seemed to Disconcert, if Not Worry, Mrs. Wentworth; and Indeed, if One Looked Closely Enough, One Could Attest to the Heightened Temper of the Admiral Himself.

    'Interesting, Indeed,' Mused Mr. Palmer (For Though He Said Little, He Heard Much, as Often Happens in Such Cases), 'That the Admiral Should Feel So Strongly Against the Son of a Family Friend. Perhaps there Was a Complicated Engagement, or Some Other Small Unpleasantness, that Will Soon Rectify Itself.'

    Mr. Bennet, However, Having Also Noticed the Discomfort of the Wentworths, Hoped Most Fervently that the Issues Involved Would Come to Light, and to Best Advantage During Dinner, So as to Amuse the Assembled Party, which Until this Time He had Found to be Quite Amiable and Dull.

    Mr. Bennet's Desire for Sport Would have Been Well Satisfied if He Could Only have Heard the Discussion that Transpired in the Billiards-Room In the Late Afternoon, While the Ladies Were Dressing.

    The Colonel, Sir Ian Malcom and Jerome Fenwick Were Playing a (Rather One-Sided) Game of Billiards, with the Two Latter Against the Reader's Dear Friend (Whom I Have Decided is Less Responsible for the Previous Vicious Rumours than was Formerly Supposed; for Else He Would Occupy A Much More Villainous Place in this Tale Than I Should Like Him To), the Colonel.

    'So, It is True, Then?' Questioned Sir Ian (in Such a Tone as Would Strongly Indicate that as the Author, I Have Decided Not to Reveal the Conversation In its Entirety As Yet, and You the Reader have Only Recently Joined in the Observation of the Three Men).

    'Indeed,' the Colonel Replied Most Amiably, 'for Why Else Would I have Used Tulips? It is the Signal We Agreed Upon, that I have Her Trust Again; and I Believe No Time Would be Better. She is Indeed a Most Sensible Girl, and Will Do What is Best for Everyone Involved. I Would, if I Were You, Waste Not a Moment in Beginning My Suit.'

    Jerome Fenwick, Who Seemed Far More Pensive than Either of the Other Men (for Reasons of His Own, No Doubt), was Appealed to for His Opinion as to the Timeliness of the Whole Affair, to Which He Replied,

    'Sirs, I Have Very Little Sway Here, Being the Youngest and No Doubt Least Worldly of Those Present; However, I Must Say that Miss Brumhurst's Very Nature, in Being so Sensible and Generous, is Not One to be Trifled With; Indeed, I Would Think it Most Cruel. Have we Not Done Enough? - Do Not You See-'

    However, His Next Words Were Cut Off by the Entrance of Mr. Bingley and Mr. Worthington, who Joined the Game Until it Was Almost Fair (for Mr. Bingley's Assistance at Most Games was Often Enough to Turn the Tide for the Team Suffering Without the Benefit of His Efforts), and All Clandestine Conversation Planned by the Three Men Was Most Obviously Postponed.

    They Were Well Into their Second Game When a Footman Appeared, Announcing the Arrival of the Ladies in the Dinging Lounge, and thus the Inevitable Precipitation of the Evening Meal.

    Lauren Brumhurst Arrived in the Fenwicks' Carriage, in a Gown of Pale Grey, with a Black Gauze Shawl and a Black Ribbon in her Hair; for As Much as She Knew the Colors of Mourning Were Slightly Inappropriate at the Dinner Table, she Also Felt the Need to Remind all Her New Acquaintance that One Person in the Brumhurst Household Still Kept the Memory of Her Loving Sister Close to Her Heart.

    Lady and Mr. Fenwick, Respecting and Admiring the Subtlety and Manners Such a Gesture Indicated, Had Also Moved to Chuse Subdued Colors for the Evening, for as Lady Fenwick Pointed Out,

    'The Grief of Such a Friend Must be My Grief, As Well.'

    Lauren Accepted This Display with a Gratefulness Akin Almost to Tears; for She Dreaded the Actions of her Abominable Family So, that Had She Not Such Friends to Count On, She Might be Tempted to the Same Scandalous Act Her Sister had Performed.

    When They Arrived at the House, there Was a Most Palpable Difference in the Air Surrounding It; it Was at Once More Jovial, and More Reserved; and Lauren and Mr. Fenwick Shared a Brief Look of Confusion, and a Glance at Lady Fenwick; From the Set of her Mouth as She Alighted, the Change in the Face of Netherfield had Not Escaped Her Notice, Either.

    They Entered the Great Hall, and Were Greeted Almost at Once by the Bingleys and Kitty Bennet. After a Brief and Touching Re-acquaintance Between the Two Betrothed, Talk Turned to the Recent Arrivals, as They Made Their Way into the Dining Room.

    'Sir Ian Malcom,' said Jane, 'Seems to Have Every Thing that is Deemed Necessary in a Gentleman.'

    Kitty Took This Moment to Lean Towards Lauren and Whisper, 'If Jane Wished to Praise The Gentleman, I am Sure She Could have Done Much Better.'

    Lauren Wondered Briefly if Kitty had Chosen that Moment to Spread a Bit of Gossip; but From the Look of Concern in Her Eyes, Lauren Could Tell that Kitty had Offered the Seemingly Flippant Remark by Way of Warning.

    She Had Not Time to Think Properly on this Remark, or Respond to It, Before They were at the Door to the Lounge, ad Mrs. Bingley Paused and Said Something in a Quick Whisper to Lady Fenwick, Who Almost Blanched Before She Could Recover Herself Enough to Say,

    'I Understand. You Could Not Have Known. I Thank you For Your Kind Concern, and Your Offer of Excuse for Me is the Mark of True Friendship; However, I Hope to Be Able to At Least Be Civil to my Own Flesh and Blood.'

    Mr. Fenwick Gave a Startled Whisper of 'Jerome?' - but Before His Question Could be Answered, the Doors Were Opened, and the Party Walked into a Parlour Containing the Bennets, the Gardiners, Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Palmer, Admiral and Mrs. Wentworth, Admiral and Mrs. Croft, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Sir Ian Malcom, Jerome Fenwick, Anne Waltmire, Miriam Barrett, and Mr. Worthington.

    Chapter The Seventh

    Posted on Sunday, 6 June 1999

    There were Quite a Few Moments of Stony Silence on the Parts of Every One Present; and Mr. Worthington was Not Unaware of the Direct and Communicative Glance Thrown his Way by Miss Brumhurst; and Neither was Miss Brumhurst Unaware of the Slightly More Ambiguous and Less Heated Appraisal of Sir Ian Malcom. However, By and Large it Must Be Said that Most Eyes in the Room were Fixed Upon Jerome Fenwick, Who, After Recovering his Voice, said to Himself in a Manner Most Shocked -

    'Oh! 'tis She! - I had Not Even Expected - had Not Hoped-'

    At That Moment, However, Jane Moved Forward to Begin Introductions, and Jerome's Comment went Unnoticed by All, save Georgiana Darcy, Who Happened to be Standing Quite Nearby.

    Lady Fenwick Greeted Mrs. Wentworth with Warmth and Decorum, and Accepted with Gentle Happiness the Acquaintance of the Crofts. The Admirals, in Their Turn, Caught Up on Old Times with Their Young Friend Gregory. Lady Fenwick Took Mrs. Wentworth's Arm for the Remainder of the Introductions, and All Seemed Perfect (to the Quiet Dismay and Disappointment of Mr. Bennet) Until She Happened to Turn, and in Doing So Found Herself Face to Face with Her Son Jerome, Whom She Had Studiously Avoided Until this Point.

    'Madam,' said He at Once, 'I am Glad to See You Well.'

    'My Thanks,' replied the Lady Coolly.

    'Indeed, Madam,' continued the Most Uncomfortable Jerome, (in Such a State of Obvious Chagrin as to be Called Prodigal, were His Name Not Already Jerome), 'There is Much I Would Like to Discuss with You. - I Believe Such a Conversation would Prove Most Enlightening, and Perhaps Even Conducive Towards a Better Understanding and Deeper Friendship Between Us.'

    'I Believe, Jerome, that Any Change in Circumstances Between Us Should Be Conducive To Better A Friendship Which at Present dos Not Exist.'

    Jerome Coloured at This Response, and Unfortunately, Before He Could Reply, Lady Fenwick was at That Moment Called Away to Be Introduced to Mr. Worthington, Miss Barrett, and Miss Waltmire. This Introduction Left a Slightly Embarrassed Mrs. Wentworth in the Company of a Most Embarrassed Mr. Fenwick. 'Forgive Me, Madam,' he Addressed Mrs. Wentworth, 'I Realize that I Placed You in a Most Awkward Position Just Now; However, I Could See No Other Way to Convince My Mother to Speak with Me. Oh! - I am a Ridiculous Creature; a Pariah, Not Fit to Speak to My Own Mother. - What Shame - What Disgrace!'
    At First, Mrs. Wentworth Knew Not how to Answer This (Being that His Reputation had Led Her to Believe that Apologies in General Were Beyond his Capacity). After a Moment, However, She Chanced to Look at Him, and Saw that Any Shame to be Had From a Conversation with This Man Would be His Own, and so Spoke in the Gentle Voice for Which She was Most Duly Praised.

    'If I May be so Bold, Sir, Perhaps Lady Fenwick's Somewhat Reserved Behavior is Maintained in Accordance with Societal Dictates, and Not Necessarily the Dictates of her Own Heart.'

    'Oh, My Lady, How I Wish it Could be So!' cried Jerome. 'Unfortunately, I Believes Truly Thinks Me the Worst of Men, as I am Sure You Must All Do. And While I am Not a Good Man, I Hope to Yet Prove Myself Above Some of the Many Reproaches I have Received.'

    Sincerely Moved by the Gentleman's Speech, and Intrigued by the Allegations and Hints it Contained, Mrs. Wentworth would Fain have Inquired Further Into the Matter, had Mrs. Croft Not Begged Her Presence at a Card Table.

    Across the Room, Lauren was having Hardly Less Difficulty Maintaining Composure. After a Short-lived, Sweeping Relief at the Absence of Her Family (a Circumstance Gregory Assured Her Would be Rectified by Noon the Day after Next, at Most), she Found Herself Quite Put Out by the Presence of Mr. Worthington, whose Acquaintance She Believed Herself to have Severed Earlier that Day. And Yet Here He Stood, his Fiancée on His Arm in a Manner She Found Most Hypocritical, Greeting Her with the Utmost Civility, as Though Their Earlier Conversation had Not Even Occurred! It was by Turns Befuddling and Frustrating, and for a Good Quarter Hour, Lauren was So Flustered as to Not Notice the Constant Presence of Sir Ian, Quite Close to her Person at all Times, Never Speaking, and Yet Never Turning his Attentions to Any Other. When Lauren Finally Came To Herself Again, and Noticed his Continued Presence, he Bowed to Her and Declared,

    'My Lady, I Would Like to Introduce Myself. I Am Sir Ian Malcom, of the ------ Grange, and I Would Like to Present Myself as a Suitor for -'

    'Miss Brumhurst!' cried Mr. Worthington Quite Suddenly, 'I do Declare Myself Quite at a Loss For a Partner at Cards, for My dear Miriam has Been Stolen Away by Mrs. Bennet and the Gardiners, and I Notice that My Cousin Mr. Palmer is Gathering Players.'

    'Indeed, Sir,' replied Lauren, 'I do Declare Myself Afraid to Partner You. - for I Would Not Wish to Tip the Scales of Favor in the Mind of Miss Barrett. If You Must Needs Have a Partner, I am Sure Sir Ian Would be a Safer Choice, and Most Happy to Oblige You. I Must Greet My Friend's Son, as a Family Duty. If You Will Both Excuse Me.' And With That, She Crossed the Room to Jerome (whose Attentions, it Seemed, had Been Usurped by the Colonel), Leaving the Two Gentleman to Walk to the Card Table and Seat Themselves Against Mr. Palmer and Anne Waltmire.

    Lauren, Meanwhile, was Trying Hard Not to Faint, or do Any Such Thing that Would Disgrace her in the Eyes of Any One Present; However, it was a Valiant and Trying Effort. The Nerve of Sir Ian, to Declare Himself so Shamelessly, so Lovelessly! - She Almost Felt Gratitude Towards Mr. Worthington for Interrupting Them So Felicitously. However, in Her Haste to Flee from Such a Lack of Manners or Regard, She did Not Realize that She Had Expressed a Preference for Jerome Fenwick's Company Until she Was Before Him; and Heard the Colonel Saying,

    'Buck Up, Man! What does it Matter, Which Girl? I Don't Understand Why You're So Upset. Charm, Sense - I am Sure Both Girls Are Possessed of-'

    'And There Lies the Problem!' Interrupted Jerome. 'One is Possessed of Such Womanly Graces. The Other, I am Afraid, is Simply Possessed!'

    He Followed the Colonel's Eyes to Miss Brumhurst, and Turned Them Quickly Away. "Good Evening, Miss Brumhurst,' he Muttered.

    'Good Evening, Mr. Fenwick. Good Evening, Colonel.'

    The Colonel Bowed to Her Most Genially, and Slipped Away to Georgiana's Arm; Though it Must Be Said that Georgiana Regarded His Arrival With Something Less than Elation.

    Jerome, After a Few Moments of Silence with Miss Brumhurst, Turned to Her. 'Are You Not Afraid to Be Seen With Me? - For if You Have Not Heard, I am a Man Disgraced.'

    Lauren, Refusing to Colour Under Such a Comment (for Having Known Him as a Child, she Knew his Use of a Sharp Barb as a Refuge from Embarrassment), replied only, 'No, I am Not. Whatever Time and Experience have Done to Change You from the Boy You Were, of Him I Hold Only the Best of Memories; and I Will Endeavour to Create only More Such Pleasant Memories, by Refusing to Dwell on Unpleasantness.'

    'Unpleasantness!', Scoffed Jerome. 'You Call what I Have Done "Unpleasantness"?'

    'I Have Just Done So.'

    'Yes; Whether or Not You Believe Your Own Words Has Yet to be Proven.'

    'There will be No Need of Proof, Sir; for Having Said it, You Should Know it to be the Truth; for Better or Worse, I have Never Spoken a Word Otherwise in My Life.'

    'That is So.' Jerome Seemed Almost Pleased by Such a Remembrance; and the Conversation Might Have Continued, had not Kitty Bennet and Gregory Fenwick then Approached the Pair and Asked them to Cards, for it Seemed the Indicated Entertainment of the Evening.

    'Even Mr. Palmer Plays,' said Kitty.

    'Indeed!' Laughed Lauren, 'the Game Must Have Been Most Challenging.'

    She Would Have Declined, but Fear of a Confrontation Between the Brothers, and Fear of a Renewal of Attentions on the Part of Sir Ian, Should She Appear Unoccupied, Drove her to the Gaming Tables. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley Sat Together on the Couch, Talking Softly, Enjoying Words Together, Blessedly Uninterrupted by Mr. Bennet Reading in a Corner.

    There was Peace for a Few Minutes, until Sir Ian Stood, Quite to the Surprise of Mr. Palmer and his Cousins, and Said Quite Loudly,

    'I Say, Mr. Worthington, Your Assured Talent at Cards Seems to have Fled You This Evening. I Ask the General Company to Spare Me Another Such Hand. - I Insist on a Change of Partner. Miss Brumhurst, Would You be so Kind?'

    Chapter The Eighth

    Posted on Tuesday, 15 June 1999

    'Indeed, Sir,' Lauren Replied, Rising, 'I Will Lend you My Partner, Jerome Fenwick. I Ask Only that You Treat Him Kindly.'

    Mr. Palmer Grinned and Coughed Once, Before it Could be Stifled.

    Sir Ian Reddened, but Bowed and Said Only, 'My Thanks, Fair Lady.'

    Jerome, Not at All Offended by the Request on His Part, and Indeed Quite Impressed by the Deftness of Miss Brumhurst's Escape, Acquiesced to the Change in Partners Readily; the Switch was Soon Seen to, and it Happened that Mr. Palmer and Anne had Grown Tired of Cards; Anne Begging Instead to do Her Needlework, and Mr. Palmer Claiming the Necessity of Letters of Business. It Being Next to Impossible to Play Whist with Only Two Players, the Exodus Left Lauren and Mr. Worthington Alone at the Table Across from One Another. The Discomfort was Palpable.

    Mr. Worthington Said at Length, 'I Hope you are Well, Miss Brumhurst.'

    'Indeed, I was Quite Well, I Thank You.'

    'That is Well.'

    'It is Most Interesting to See You Here this Evening, Sir. Pray, how did Such a Thing come to Pass?'

    'Yes, I had Thought You Might Find My Presence Rather...Unorthodox.'

    'Indeed.'

    'Mrs. Bingley was Kind Enough to Invite the Three of Us, Largely, I Believe in an Effort to make Mr. Palmer Feel more at Home than He does at Present.'

    'Our Hostess Indeed Seems to be Most Attentive to the Feelings of the Great Majority of Her Guests.'

    'I Apologize for Any Discomfort this Causes-'

    'I do not Desire any Apologies from You, Sir.'

    'Indeed,' said He, and his Tone was So Decisive, So Unwilling to Admit Debate, that Lauren Found Herself Listening Despite Herself, 'I Shall Give Them in any Case, for My Sake if not for Your Own. I Will not have You Think Ill of Me. If the Invitation had Been for Myself Alone, you May be Sure I Would have Declined, in Deference to Your Wishes. However, it Included Two Ladies to Whom I have the Most Binding Ties, and Whose Opinions I have no Right to Supercede. I Accepted Because I Guessed Their Desire to Attend, And While You May Think Me a Coward, I Hope not to be a Victim of Accurate Censure as to My Lack of Feeling.'

    Lauren Made a Proper Reply and Excused Herself, Amazed at the Change that Had Befallen Him in so Short a Time. 'Perhaps,' She Found Herself Thinking, 'Perhaps I have Judged Him too Harshly. Perhaps the Invitation he Extended was Simply a Momentary Lapse of Judgement, Rather than a Calculated Slight.'

    She Joined Anne on the Sofa, and Picked up a Book, but Realized Before Long that it Was a Book She had Read Already.

    There was a Small Noise at Her Shoulder, and She Turned to See Mr. Palmer, Book in Hand.

    He Smiled and Said, 'I Find that Some Books are Like Good Friends, and Never Cease to be Interesting. However, I Believe the Book You Hold is not One of Them. Perhaps this Tome will be More to Your Liking.'

    She Accepted the Present Gratefully, and Realized that it was a History of Europe from the Middle Ages until the Present Day. Remembering the Academic Conversation They had Enjoyed at the Inn not Long Ago, Lauren Felt Most Flattered at Being Shown Such Attentions.

    Anne was Not Unaware of the Significance of the Gift, Either, and the Two Ladies Once Again Fell into Conversation; Before Long, they had Joined Arms for a Turn About the Room.

    They Overheard, in Passing, Miriam Barrett say to her Partner Mrs. Bennet, 'Madam, I Pray You, No More! Though I Must Agree with Your Doubts in the Matter, I Must Say I Care Not Nearly as Much as Yourself When nor If your Daughter Mary Should Ever Wed!'

    Mary, at her Place at the Pianoforte, Heard the Remark, and her Fingers Froze Above the Keys a Moment, just Long Enough for the Room to Realize what Had Been Said.

    Mr. Worthington Moved from the Place he had Adopted Near the Fire, and Whether His Face was Red from the Heat or from Embarrassment is Left to the Reader to Determine. In Any Case, He Took His Lady's Arm and Led her from the Table, Where an Astute Mrs. Bingley Took her Place Almost Instantly; and with the Quickly Given Assurance on the Part of Mr. Palmer that Anne Would Receive a Carriage Ride Home When the Time Came, Miriam Barrett and Mr. Worthington were Quickly Gone.

    Mr. Bennet Seemed to be the Only Person Amused.

    Miss Waltmire and Miss Brumhurst Continued their Conversation in Hushed Tones, and the First Thing Said by Anne was a Sigh of Regret -

    'Oh, Poor Stephen! He Suffers So Much, Sometimes, I do not Know how He can Bear It.'

    'Bear What, Miss Waltmire?' Inquired Miss Brumhurst.

    Quite Surprised, Anne Replied, 'Why, His Engagement, of Course. Has He not Told You?'

    'No, Indeed. It Must have Slipped His Mind,' Said a Most Confused Lauren.

    'Of Course, Forgive Me, I had Assumed it was Common Knowledge Here; it Certainly Was in the -----shire in Which They Reside. His Mother and Hers were the Best of Friends; When His Mother was on Her Deathbed, Her Last Request was For a Joining of the Houses. Stephen, Good Man, Could not Refuse, and Became Engaged to Her as Soon as the Period of Mourning had Passed.'

    'So...So You Mean to Say that There is No Affection in the Match at All?'

    'Well, There is Affection for Steven's Money on the Part of Miss Barrett, if That is What is Required for Such a Match.'

    'Most Times, that Would Indeed be Enough,' Sighed Miss Brumhurst.

    'But Poor Stephen. As Long as I Have Known Him, He has Only Wanted Love to Make a Marriage, and the Knowledge that He Will Have to Live Without It has Taken all the Drollery out of Him. He Begins to Resemble My Uncle Palmer More Daily.'

    Lauren was Amazed that This was the Truth of What Mr. Worthington had Been Trying to Say. Indeed, in Their Talks Alone, he had Seemed Most Animated and Jovial, though in the Presence of his Betrothed she Did Remember a Certain Pallor Settling Over Him. She Began to Feel a Bit of Sympathy for a Man Bound by Honor to a Loveless Marriage.

    She Found Herself Asking, 'But...He Seems to Be so Caring, so Attentive. How can He Seem So, and Not Feel for Her?'

    'I Suppose He Feels it His Duty to Make Their Lives Together as Amiable as Possible,' Replied Anne Dryly.

    'Indeed? And You do not Think Well of Their Chances?'

    'I have Seen My Share of Loveless Matches, Miss Brumhurst. I have Been a Near Victim of Two Myself. And I Know it is Far Better to Remain an Old Maid as I am Now, than to Accept a Husband you do not Truly Love. I Only Wonder that Miriam Barrett, who Loves Money but is No Fool, has not Come to the Same Conclusion Herself.'

    The Colonel, During this Enlightening Conversation, had Been Talking with Georgiana Darcy, or Rather To Her, for She Seemed Strangely Cool and Disinterested in His Opinions.

    'Have I Done Something to Offend, Madam?' he Inquired.

    Georgiana Replied, 'Sir, I Must Ask Why You Chose to Bring Jerome Fenwick Here, and for That Matter Sir Ian.'

    'Are They not to Your Liking, Madam,' He Joked, ' - Shall I Have to Send for More Young Bachelors?'

    'Sir, I Pray You to Send Me Nothing of the Sort if Your Mind is Scheming as I Know it to Be at this Moment.'

    'I do not Know of What You can be Speaking- '

    'Eric Richard Edward Andrew William Fitzwilliam, I Have Known You Since You Pulled My Curls in Church when I was Five Years Old. Please Credit Me with Enough Knowledge of Your Character to Know When You are Scheming.'

    'Did Mr. Fenwick Say Any Thing of Import to You, Georgiana?' asked the Colonel, Suddenly Serious.

    'Indeed Not; But I Would Fain Have the Meaning of Some of His Remarks Explained to Me.'

    'Suppose I Told You that Those Remarks Were Made in Reference to Business Affairs, and Did Not Concern You?'

    'And then Suppose I Replied that I was Not Aware of Any Respectable Business that Exploited Young Ladies, and if My Cousin Were to be Involved in Any Business that Was Less than Reputable, I would Be Forced to Inform not Only My Brother, but Lady Catherine de Bourgh, of the Insult to the Family Name?' Georgiana Smiled Innocently.

    The Colonel Laughed for a Moment; However, He Soon Became Serious, and Said, 'Georgiana, if You Were Ever Truly Against Me in Battle, I Would not Stand a Chance. I am Outwitted, and so I Shall Surrender to You in This.'

    And With That, He Escorted Her into the Library and Explained the Situation Entire.

    Before the Night was Through, there was an Exchange of Heated Words Between the Cousins, Regarding This Most Significant Revelation; but On Parting, there was a Bond of Secrecy, and Georgiana's Mind was Soon Scheming as Much as the Colonel's.

    As the Company was Breaking up for the Evening, Hours Later, Lauren Gave a Note to the Footman Attending Mr. Fenwick's Carriage, Urgently Requesting a Meeting for the Next Morning, in the Meryton Gardens - a Place that Would Hopefully Not be Harboring Too Many of the Company Prone to Eavesdropping.

    She Knew that She Must Set Her Mind at Ease on Several Crucial Points, and Hoped that Jerome, Being so Close to the Situation, Would Both be Able to Provide Answers.

    She was Well Aware of the Impropriety of the Note, and the Implications Within; However, She Would Not Insult her Hostess by Requesting a Meeting in his Estranged Mother's Home, and She Certainly Would Not Approach Any Thing Relating to Sir Ian for as Long as She Could Help It. And While Both Theories were Sound, and Evidence of Good Sense and Sensibility, Lauren was Left with Very Few Options as to Meeting Places.

    Therefore, the Meryton Gardens it Would Have to Be.

    Chapter The Ninth

    Posted on Tuesday, 15 June 1999

    The Next Morning, Lauren Slipped into Her White Day Dress, Black Jacket, Bonnet, and Scarf, and Slipped out the Door Before Any Within Could Inquire as to Her Destination.

    The Meryton Gardens Held Only One Occupant this Early in the Morning, and He did not Look Particularly Interested in Botany.
    Jerome Fenwick, Upon Receipt of the Note the Previous Evening, Had Struggled to Keep his Curiosity at Bay, a Feat Whose Difficulty was Matched Only by the Necessity of Keeping the Note a Secret from Sir Ian, Who Had Shared the Carriage.

    Jerome, Coming from a Good Family, and Having the Best Education to Be Found by Those Whose Interest in Academics Ebbs and Flows with the Tide of Naval Adventure, Had Grown into a Somewhat Sensible Man - though a Little Prone to Flights of Fancy Regarding Romance and Adventure on the High Seas. He had Soon Discovered that the Sea was Much More Trying on Himself than on His Brother Jerome, and Attempted Other Avenues of Amusement. These Youthful Excursions, Unfortunately, Earned Him a Reputation as Something of a Cad, For, while Enjoying Life to the Fullest No More than the Colonel had Ever Done, Jerome Lacked the Easygoing Friendliness that Made the Colonel's Escapades Amusing, and Instead Left Him with Only the Censure the Restricted Often Give the Free.

    As He Reflected on These Lapses of Judgement, He Sighed as He Recalled the Latest Action that Had Brought Him Almost to Ruin at the Hands of His Family, of All People. And While He Respected the Opinions and Sense of His Mother, Her Disapproval He Felt Most Keenly as a Reproof Misdirected.

    A Voice Behind Him Said Softly,

    'Ah, Old Friend, to Sigh So Early in the Day does Not Bode Well for Tales of the Previous Evening.'

    Turning, Jerome Beheld the Face of His Old Friend Lauren, Who Appeared Less Embarrassed than She Might have Been, had She Not Put Her Utmost Trust in Jerome's Discretion as to This Meeting. The Evidence of Such Trust Put Jerome at Ease Immediately.

    After the Proper Introductions Had been Made, Jerome, Unable to Contain his Curiosity, Began, 'Madam, May I Inquire as to the Reasons Behind This Meeting? I Have Been Unable to Sleep With Wondering.'

    'I am Sorry if I have Caused You Any Discomfort, Sir, but There are Some Very Interested and Befuddling Circumstances that I Would Love to Have Explained.'

    Jerome Laughed, 'Indeed, I Remember that Even as a Girl You Hated a Mystery, and Would Solve it Come Tea or Your Governess to Claim You. You Would have None Until All was Explained to Your Satisfaction.'

    'I am Glad You Recall So Clearly my Most Unladylike Tenacity, Sir, for it Might serve You Well to Remember Such Instances, Should My Curiosity Seem at Times Unwarranted.'

    'And Pray, What can I Do to Relieve Your Agony and Set Your Mind at Rest?'

    'Sir, "Agony" is Perhaps too Strong a Term. Instead, I am Simply...Desirous of Disclosure.'

    'Well, That Brings Everything into a Different Light. Pray, Continue.'

    'I Might Ask About Your Journey Here with Sir Ian Malcom. Did He Ever Mention Any Thing to You About the Purpose of This excursion, Besides the Obvious?'

    'Indeed, He Mentioned Some Thing About Purchasing Fabrics.'

    'Indeed? Purchasing Fabrics Seems to be a Most Popular Pastime of a Sudden. Was there...Anything Else?'

    Clearing his Throat, Jerome Asked, 'In What Sense Mean You, Miss Brumhurst?'

    'Were You Present in the Drawing Room Yesterday Night, When he Introduced Himself?'

    'I Was. However, So Much Happened - Mr. Worthington and Miss Barrett Quarreled, Georgiana Darcy and the Colonel Quarreled...Even the Bingleys Seemed Less than Perfectly Attuned. And I Need Not Mention Your Affairs with Mr. Worthington, nor Those I Witnessed Between Yourself and Sir Ian Malcom.'

    'Then You Witnessed Our Meeting?'

    'I Did.'

    'And You Must Still Ask Me the Purpose of My Inquiries?'

    'I Assume We Now Speak of His Presentation of Himself as a Suitor.'

    'Indeed, Sir.'

    'What Would You Know that He Has Not Already Divulged?'

    'I Would Know to Whom he Presented Himself, Sir, for as Georgiana Darcy was Kind Enough to Mention-'

    Jerome Inwardly Flinched, for the Colonel had Told Him Just Last Night of Her Sudden Involvement in the Scheme, and He Feared it Greatly. To Now Involve Some One Who was Almost Family Scared Him More than He Could Bear.

    '- You Yourself Made an Exclamation Indicating Your Surprise at My Presence.'

    'Yes...I Must Admit, I Had Expected Your Sister.'

    'And Pray, Which of Us is Possessed?'

    After Jerome's Colour had Faded, He Said, 'Miss Brumhurst, Sir Ian Malcom Intends to Make Your Sister his Wife.'

    Lauren Gasped.

    'I Know,' Replied Jerome, 'That This News Must Come as a Surprise. However, News Will Soon Follow that Will Be Even More So, and I Hope This has Prepared You Somewhat.'

    'Sir, I Would Beg that Such News Be Revealed Immediately, for I Assure You My Surprise Can Not Be Any Greater at the Present Moment.'

    'Are You So Surprised that Sir Ian Wishes to Marry Your Sister?'

    'No, Indeed. I Am Simply Surprised that He Felt it Necessary to Approach Me for Permission, when My Family Entire is in Town, Including my Sister, and She Would Certainly be Able to Give a More Candid Response.'

    'I Am Afraid that Sir Ian as Not as...Subtle as He Could Be. However, I Believe you Will Soon Find that He Has Done as He Saw Fit, Although the Outcome May Not be All you Were Expecting.'

    'Sir, I Charge You, I am Not a Student of Cryptography. Codes and Riddles Please Me Not at All. I Beg You, No More Hints. Tell Me What I Must Needs be Told, and Set Both Our Minds at Ease.'

    Jerome Could Not Look Her in the Eyes as He Replied, 'I am Sorry, Madam, but I Have Been Sworn to Secrecy. I Beg You in Return, Remember Your Kindness to Me Last Night, and Judge Me Not by What You have Heard; Instead, Respect the Pact I Have Made.'

    'I Shall, Sir, if That Be Your Wish.'

    Lauren and Jerome Parted on Both Sides With More Questions than Either had Arrived with. In Lauren's Mind, Sir Ian's and Jerome's Apparent Necessity for Utter Secrecy Seemed the Indicators of Less than Reputable Business Transpiring; Also, She Found Herself Almost Fascinated by the Number of Quarrels Last Night had Contained. In Jerome's, He Wondered if She Would Use This Meeting to Her Advantage, for He had No Doubts She Could in a Moment. He Also Found Himself Hoping that, After the Affair was Brought to Light, as it Must Be Soon, Marriage to a Member of the Fenwick Family Would Be Appealing.

    Dinner that Evening Suffered the Presence of Agnes Brumhurst, Who Seemed to have Been Excused from Any of the Family Business that Still Detained Lauren's Parents, and Entertained the Absence of Miriam Barrett, Who Apparently had Taken Ill Quite Suddenly. Lauren Watched All Conversation Between Agnes and Sir Ian with a Suspicious Eye, and Prayed that She Saw More than What was Present; However, from the Muted Look of Horror on the Face of Lady Fenwick, Lauren Judged Herself to Be Most Sorrowfully Correct in Her Assumptions.

    Later That Evening, in the Drawing Room, Lauren was Absorbed in Her Book for Some Time Before the Gentle Entreaties of Kitty Bennet on Mary's Skill at the Pianoforte Led to Another Session of Dancing, and as the Pairings of the Bingleys, the Gardiners, the Crofts, the Wentworths, Kitty and Gregory, Mr. Palmer and Lady Fenwick, Mrs. Bennet and the Colonel, and Anne and Mr. Worthington were Already Quite Decided Upon, and Jerome was All but Forbidden to Take the Arm of Any Single Lady, Sir Ian Found Himself With a Choice of Ladies: the Two Brumhurst Sisters, or Georgiana Darcy.

    However, as Agnes Walked onto His Arm the Moment he Made a Move to Offer it to Any of the Ladies, Georgiana and Lauren Were Left to Themselves; and Lauren, Knowing her Duties, Set Aside Her Book and Engaged the Shy Miss Darcy in Conversation.

    It was a Good Hour Later When Lauren was Momentarily Freed from All Conversation by a Shifting in Groups for Card Tables or Fireplace Seats. In Picking Up Her Book Again, Lauren Found a Loose Leaf, which She At First Feared to Be a Missing Page, but Soon Realized was a Letter; Unfolded and Unaddressed, and Seemingly Written in Greatest Haste, Given the Quality of Handwriting. Lauren, Despite Herself, Removed the Letter and Read it.

    There was No Hint of the Intended Recipient Beyond,

    My Own,

    So Lauren Continued (Which Indeed Seems Slightly Presumptuous, dear Reader, I Know, but Having Such a Desire to Solve Any Mystery, We Can Assign this Breach of Propriety to Her Curiosity, and Leave it as Such).

    The Letter Read,

    My Own,

    I Have Been Moved - Nay, Have Been Forced - to Use This Letter as the Only Means Available to Me of Expressing to You Even a Fraction of What I Hold for You in my Heart. If There had Been Any Other Way - But Circumstances Have Made Any Other Means Impossible.

    There Have Been Words Between Us, Madam, of Which I Am Not Proud. Indeed, Their Memory Now is Shameful to Me. However, it is Neither My Own Remorse Nor Your Pity Which I Long to Entertain or Court. Instead, I Beg You For Some Sign, However Slight, that You Might Not Have Meant All You Said, Either. Is There Some Chance that Your Words were Spoken Merely in Anger, or in the Feeling of the Moment? Might I Flatter Myself that, if We were to Talk Again, There Might be Less Ill Will Between Us Now than there Was Then? I Hope, I Pray, My Heart Burns to Believe this is So.

    I am Unspeakably Sorry for All I Have Done, and in Finding this Letter I am Sure You Will Find Very Little About this Suit that is Noble, but True Love is Seldom Mindful of Propriety, and You are Aware, I Know, of the Impossibility of My Circumstances. Realize that a Letter Such as This, if - Oh, God, I Pray! - You Find It, Must be the Only Proof I Can Give You that I Love You, I Adore You; Without You Near, I Despair; With You This Close - Heaven Help Me, I am In Agony, Yet Burn with Hope.

    Please, Give me a Sign, a Signal. If You Remain Silent on This Subject, I Shall Soon Be Aware of Your Hatred of Me, and While I Shall Never Stop Loving You - Indeed, I Can Never Love Another, Having Known You - I Will Never Again Beg Your Attentions. However, Our Hearts are So Attuned that I Will Know a Signal for What it Is - an Invitation from Heaven Itself to Come and Claim My Earthly Reward - My Life with You.

    I Pray You, I Beg You, I am Yours Forever.

    The Letter Was Not Signed.

    Chapter The Tenth

    Posted on Thursday, 1 July 1999

    Lauren, to her Great Chagrin, Came Quite Close to Fainting Upon Finishing the Letter; and She might Well have Succumbed to the Urge had Georgiana Darcy not Asked her, in a Most Concerned Tone,

    'Why, Miss Brumhurst! - Are You Quite Well?'

    At This Exclamation, the Dancing Lulled Significantly, and Might have Stopped Entirely had Agnes and Sir Ian not Insisted that Mary Keep Playing. However, a Group of Concerned Friends soon Gathered in Numbers Large Enough to Ensure the Untimely Disappearance of the Portentous Letter.

    Lauren, of Course, did not Immediately Notice the Absence of the Letter, for Which Oversight the Reader can no Doubt Find it Possible to Forgive our Heroine. (And also, dear Reader, Perhaps our Dear Heroine was Plagued by Nagging Doubts as to the Intended Recipient of that Letter being Herself - However, to Discuss that Issue would Require Deep Psychological Probing, and Since this Story is Intended only as Entertaining Diversion, such a Measure is Unnecessary.)

    A Good Quarter-Hour had Passed Before Lauren even Thought to Look Around for the Letter; and, upon Ascertaining its Utter Disappearance, her First Thought was One of Relief; her Second of Despair, and her Third of the Extraordinary Care being Shown her Person by Jerome Fenwick.

    He had Quite a Fast Hold on her Hand, and had Positioned a Pillow Beneath her Head, and was Consulting with Mr. Bingley on the Possibility of Sending for a Doctor when Lauren Gently Assured Him that Such a Measure was Quite Unnecessary.

    'Oh! Miss Brumhurst,' He Exclaimed, 'I was Quite Worried. What Could have Been the Occasion for Your Sudden Illness? And do You Fell Quite Yourself Again, or Should I Send for - I mean, Should Mr. Bingley Send for a Carriage to Escort you Home?'

    Lady Fenwick Quickly Assured Jerome that, in Any Case, the Only Carriage to be Sent for was Her Own, as Miss Brumhurst was a Guest of the Fenwick Family; and During this Civil yet Cool Conversation, Anne Waltmire Approached the Couch and Slipped the Letter into Lauren's Hand. Lauren Smiled her Gratitude at Her Friend's Tact and Unobtrusive Procuring of the Document; and Since She had No Desire to Know Immediately the Identities of Any Others Who had Read the Letter. Anne Understood the Smile, and Responded to it by Whispering,

    'I do Believe, Miss Brumhurst, that This Belongs to - '

    'What is That?'

    The Cry Came from None Other than Agnes Brumhurst, who had Taken it Upon Herself to Tend her Sister as Soon as it Became Obvious that She was to be the Centre of Attention for Some Time to Come. Naturally, Therefore, Any Thing Agnes Could Come Upon to Shift the Interest to Herself was, in Her Estimation, Well Justified.

    So it Came to Pass, that, With an Introduction of

    'Why! 'Tis a Letter, No Less! Who Would have Ever Thought Any One Present Capable of a Love Letter? Well, I Must Say, What an Interesting and Cryptic Tone It Has! - and What a Mystery it Presents, Doesn't it, Little Sister? - I Say, What a Diversion it Will Be. Come, Let Us Discover the Author and the Intended Recipient, Shall We?'

    - the Letter was Read Aloud to the Entire Party.

    Chapter The Eleventh

    Posted on Tuesday, 27 July 1999

    Lauren's Shame is quite Obvious and therefore Unnecessary to Note at this Juncture; what is More Interesting is that, even Through her Shame in Having a Sister of Such Frayed Moral Fiber, Lauren took it Upon Herself to Note the Countenances of All Present as the Letter was Read.

    Her First, and Perhaps Most Perfunctory Observation, Noted only Puzzlement on the Faces of the Bingleys.

    'That is Well,' she Thought. Such a Letter not only Seemed Indicative of Greater Marital Difficulties than She Wished to Contemplate, but Also Seemed a Tad too Passionate for Someone of Mr. Bingley's Temperament.

    'And Besides,' she Reasoned, 'He has Already Claimed his Earthly Reward with Her.'

    The Next Couple To Draw Her Attentions were Her Friends Kitty Bennet and Gregory Fenwick; and While Kitty Looked Slightly Less than Amused, she Seemed not in the Least Put Out by the Contents of the Letter, and Lauren Knew Enough of the Relationship's Felicity through Being on Such Intimate Living Terms with Them that to Even Consider the Besotted Gregory Fenwick Capable of Love for Another was More a Source of Amusement to Lauren than a Source of Embarrassment.

    So Lauren Continued; and in Perusing the Assembled Company, it Came to her Attention that the Only Persons Present who Seemed in the Least Put Out were Herself, Anne Waltmire, Mr. Worthington, Jerome Fenwick, Sir Ian, and Colonel Fitzwilliam. 'Of Course,' she Sighed, 'Almost Every One Unmarried Wears the Perfunctory Blush of Shame and Embarrassment.'

    The Letter was No Sooner Completed than Lady Fenwick Stepped Forward and Took Possession of the Letter, Folded it Neatly, and Slipped it Into her Own Pocket.

    'Indeed,' said She, 'the Letter was Diverting, Miss Brumhurst, in the Extreme. Why, only Look at Mr. Bennet, Who has been Kind Enough to Display the Mirth I am Sure We All Feel at the Moment.'

    The Lack of Merriment on the Faces of the Remainder of the Company, However, were Quite Enough to Suggest to Agnes that Perhaps her Idea of Entertainment was Far too Sophisticated for Such a Motley and Stratified Company. She Therefore Retreated for the Evening, Awaiting Either the Departure of her Troublesome Sister or the Arrival of More Distinguished Company.

    It was not Soon After the Letter-Reading when the Admirals and Wives Conferred and Quickly Decided to Lighten the Mood of the Evening through Humourous Stories; a Game, which, to be Quite Honest, the Four of Them had Begun Some Time Earlier.

    'I Say,' declared Admiral Croft, 'this Evening is Quickly Becoming Confusing. Come, to the General Company I Extend an Invitation to Storytelling! The Past is Always Comforting to Men of My Age.'

    'Oh, Sir,' replied his Wife, 'Tales of Your Past Might Indeed Prove to be Far Less than Comforting.'

    'Ah, Croft, I'm Afraid I can Find No Argument to Protect You. Your Wife has Checked me Once Again!'

    'Wentworth, I Must Say I Would have Expected Far More from You. However, Since I know You Enjoy Picking and Choosing your Challenges,' With a Knowing and Genial Nod to Anne Wentworth, who Smiled Gently, 'I Exempt You from the Merriment to Come. You shall, Under No Circumstances, Henceforth Enjoy this Evening!'

    From across the Room, Mr. Palmer Looked up From his Paper and Said, 'Indeed, Sir, Would You be Kind Enough to Grant Me a Similar Exception?'

    Laughingly, Permission to Not Enjoy the Evening was Duly Given by the General Party, and Once Again Preparations were Made to Begin, when Lady Fenwick Declared Herself Unworthy of Discussions of the Past.

    'I am Afraid a Lady of My...Status is Far too Likely to Remember a Greater Deal of the Past than She Would Care To.'

    Anne Waltmire, Seated Beside Lauren, whispered, 'Indeed, With So Many of her Dearest Present, Discussion of Previous Events might Lead to A Most Gruesome Confrontation. Why, Lives Could be Lost, Surely!'

    Once her Laughter had Subsided, Lauren Replied,

    'I am Most Grieved to Disappoint You, Miss Waltmire, but the Circumstances Surrounding the...Less than Ideal Past of Lady Fenwick are Far Less Exciting and Romantic than you Appear to Expect them to Be.'

    'Indeed!' sighed the Young Lady. 'I must Admit that such a Revelation is Most Surprising. Why, from What I have Heard, I must Say that-'

    'I Must Beg your Pardon for my Impertinence, Miss Waltmire, but Which Stories, Exactly, have You Heard?'

    'Oh - But I have Been Quite Insensitive. I am Referring to the Unfortunate Circumstances Surrounding The Planned Elopement of Your Sister. Jerome Fenwick - Who would have Thought him Capable of Such a Despicable Thing?'

    Lauren Blinked and Replied, 'I am Sorry, But I Must Admit a Lack of Understanding.'

    'Why, Jerome Fenwick had Intended to Elope with Your Sister Matilda; However, Upon Hearing that a Scandal was to Break, he Tried to Convince Her to Break the Engagement and Simply Steal Away with Him. And that is the Cause of - the Scandal Surrounding Your Family. Am I Wrong in This Understanding?'

    Lauren, Void of Retort, Stood Quietly and Made Her Way Across the Room, Past the Avid Storytelling of the Admirals (of Which she Caught only

    '- Told ME He had Indeed a Reason to Return Quite Swiftly, and to Never Fear, and to Enjoy a Happy and Healthy Life. That was Months Ago, and I have Yet to Understand the Gentleman's Name, Let Alone what He Meant!'),

    and Approached Jerome Fenwick, Who was Standing Rather off to the Sidelines, Watching the Storytelling - and Perhaps more Especially Agnes and Sir Ian's Particular Private Enjoyment - with a Morose Expression; and Without Any Gentlewomanly Pretext, Leaned in Towards Him and Said,

    'Sir, I Would Speak a Word in Your Ear.'

    The Tone of her Voice Startled Jerome Very Much Indeed, and He Led Her to a Deserted Card Table as a Gesture of Privacy.

    'Madam, Please Speak.'

    Mr. Worthington, Seeming Almost Impossibly Serene Without his Fiancée Present, Soon Occupied the Seat Vacated by Lauren, Directly Facing his Cousin Anne.

    'Dear Cousin,' He Began in Puzzlement, 'Why are you Blushing? It is Most Becoming, Certainly, but We are Family; Why Suddenly Such a Sensibility?'

    'Sir, it is Perhaps Because We are...so Close, that I Colour as I Do.'

    Leaning Forward and Taking her Hands, Mr. Worthington Seriously Replied,

    'Now, Cousin, is There Substance Beyond the Obvious Contained in that Remark to Which I Should Particularly be Attuned?'

    Attempting a Smile, Anne Countered, 'Indeed Not, Sir, Surely.'

    However, the Strange Palpitations of her Heart, and the Tightness of her Throat, Told her that Indeed, There had been a Part of her that Wished Most Fervently that the Letter had Been Written Her by her Fair and Occasionally Witty Cousin. However, there Was a Fear in her Heart, that the Letter's Intended had Been Miss Brumhurst - for had it Not been Found in her Very Tome? - that Prevented Anne From Inquiring any Further, in Case the Answer Would be in the Affirmative, and Anne's Long-Standing Hope of One Day Making a Small Portion of her Remaining Life a Married One would be Crushed by One she Now Considered the Closest of Friends.

    And if She had Chanced to Glance up at the Subject of her Ruminations at That Moment, she Would have Seen her Cousin Wearing an Expression Quite Akin to Disappointment, and her Dear Friend an Expression Quite Akin to Anger (or as Much so as a Lady is Permitted).

    Chapter The Twelfth

    Posted on Friday, 6 August 1999

    Lauren, having Managed to Attain her Captive Audience, found Herself at Quite a Loss as to How to Begin the Discussion of Any Thing. In most Circumstances, her Wit was Admired for its Eloquence and Airiness. However, when the Conversation Centred around Some Thing so Close to her Heart, She found it Most Difficult to Broach the Subject. (It Must be Said, as Well, dear Reader, that Her Anger was No Doubt a Factor in her Lack of Conversation.)

    At Last, She Began, 'Sir, it has Come to my Attention that there are...Circumstances Surrounding the...Surrounding the Legacy of My Dear Sister, that would Fain be Explained to Me Posthaste.'

    'Madam, I would not Dare Incur your Disapproval in Any Thing; However, the Letter made Public not Long Ago-'

    'Is of No Consequence at the Present Moment, Sir,' Replied Lauren, although her Thoughts were Engaged in Thoughts of Quite Another Nature. "Could it Be," she Wondered, "that Jerome Himself Wrote the Letter? No! And to Whom? - But this is Nonsense! What Care I For that Gentleman's Romantic Fancies?"'

    Jerome Bowed Slightly and Said,

    'As You would Have it, Miss Brumhurst. However, in Order to Defend Myself, I must First Know the Charges. I Beg your Indulgence.'

    Lauren, Colouring Intensely, Related the Story Told her by Her Friend Miss Waltmire. Jerome, whose Colour was Also Heightened, Seemed Hardly More Composed, a Circumstance which Speaks Well in his Favour.

    'Now, Sir,' she Concluded, 'An Explanation.'

    Jerome Attempted to Smile and Jest, 'Indeed, Miss Brumhurst; for I Know how Strongly You Dislike a Riddle.'

    'Mr. Fenwick,' she Responded, 'I would Ask You not to Incur any Familiarities of the Past; for while I Endeavour to Think of You Fondly, what had been a History of Small Gambling Debts has Now Expanded into the Ruin of My Sister. If this be the Case, I Must Say that You Shall Never again have My Forgiveness or Friendship.'

    'No!' Jerome Exclaimed, Leaning across the Table to Capture Lauren's Hand (an Act Which Attracted Lady Fenwick's Attention) - 'I Would Never have it So. Miss Brumhurst, I Realize I have not been Completely Open with You-'

    'Indeed.'

    '- However, I Assure You it was done for the Best, and Without Any Intention of Giving you Any Worry or Harm. Miss Brumhurst, are You Familiar with the Circumstances of Your Friend and my Brother, Michael Fenwick?'

    Puzzled, Lauren replied, 'I Believe he was Involved in the Navy in Recent Years.'

    'Indeed. And, for a Short While, I too Intended to Become a Seafarer. However, My Talents did not Lie off England's Shores, and I took the First Opportunity to Escape the Profession, I am Sorry to Say. However, my Brother Michael was Kind Enough to Let me Room with Him in his House in Bath for a Time, Pending any Serious Idea of My Future Engagements.'

    'Sir, While I Find your Family History Fascinating, it is Your Conduct Regarding my Sister that I Wish to Explore. Pray, Speak on That.'

    Sensing her Extreme Agitation, Jerome Quickly Continued, 'In Any Case, My Brother Soon made known to Me his Infatuation with a Young Lady from a House of Landed Gentry, though the Fortune was Somewhat Depleted. He Took to Gambling in Order to Amass a Fortune "Worthy of his Love for Her", as He put it. However, his Skills at Sea were Far Superior to His Skills at the Card Table, and He Managed to Lose Quite a Large Sum. Fear kept Him from Admitting the Debt to My Mother; However, his Wealth from his Victories at Sea was Quickly Becoming Limited. I Therefore took his Debts Upon Myself, and My Mother Paid off all My Brother's Creditors Thinking I was the Gambler who had Spotted the Family Name.'

    Lauren, who was Nonetheless Annoyed at Jerome's Lack of Direct Contribution to her Curiosity, Found Herself Sympathising with his Plight. Her Tone was Softer when She Again Prompted,

    'Sir, my Sister.'

    'Yes, Miss Brumhurst, of Course. With my Brother's Debts Paid, and all the Money I could Offer Him, he Felt Prepared to make a Suit to the Family. However, at the Last Moment -'

    At that Moment, the Door Opened, and Everyone Rose at the Prospect of Unannounced Guests.

    The Travelers, All Four, Entered the Suddenly Silent Room.

    After Nary a Moment, Though, Mrs. Jane Bingley Cried out -

    'My Dear Sister! - You are Home!'

    For it was None Other than the Darcys Themselves!

    Lauren Found Herself Unsteady on her Legs, for She Recognised the Other Travelers. Jerome's Blanch, as Well, was Evidence of It.

    But it Was Mrs. Darcy who Smiled and Stepped Forward, Saying to the Party Entire,

    'Forgive Our Tardiness, but Our Companions Dearly Wished to be Present, for Quite Obvious Reasons. Might I Present to You, Admiral Michael Fenwick and Wife -

    Matilda.'

    Chapter The Thirteenth

    Posted on Friday, 6 August 1999

    It is to Agnes' Great Credit that She Fainted Straight Away, and that Mary did Chuse to Tend to Her in the Side Parlor, so that Neither Jewel-like Temperament Would be Altered by the Great Confusion that Followed.

    However, Sir Ian was the First of the Party to React, when he Raised his Fist to Sky and Cried Out in a Most Agitated Manner -

    'Fenwick! I Warned You! I'll have Your Knighthood for This!'

    To Lauren's Great Astonishment, it was Jerome who Stepped Between the Frightened Newlyweds and the Angry Sir Ian and Called for a Stop.

    Mr. Bingley Stepped Forward, Smile at the Ready, and Addressed Himself first to Darcy, with,

    'Well, Darcy, Glad to See You Back, I Say, Life is Never Quite so Exciting without You Present,'

    and then to Jerome Fenwick, with,

    'And Sir, I Suppose You Would Like to Explain the Situation to the Rest of the Party, for I Feel I am without a Large Part of a Puzzle Before Me.'

    Jerome Bowed and Related the History he had Recounted to Miss Brumhurst. However, he Continued with,

    'However, Before the Suit Could be Offered to the Family, my Brother was Approached by That Man, Sir Ian, Who had Seen Matilda at an Assembly Hall, and Hearing that She was a Lady of Land and Great Fortune, he Determined to Have her for Himself.'

    At This Remembrance, the Shy Matilda (dressed Most Becomingly and Modestly in Light Blue and Lavender) Recoiled and Shuddered Slightly.

    Sir Ian Stepped Forward, crying,

    'None! I Will have None of This! It is All Lies!'

    At this Outburst, Mr. Darcy Stepped Forward Quickly and Placed his Cane in the Path of Sir Ian, Saying Softly,

    'Sir, I Would Not Make that Claim if I were You.'

    Jerome Continued, 'He Made Threats - He Vowed he Would Bring the Courtship to Light and Blacken Both Family Names Should Either Party Resist his Attempts to Marry poor Matilda. However, Miss Bennet-' and Here he Nodded to a Blushing Kitty Bennet, 'Couriered a Letter from Michael Outlining a Plan for Matilda to Pretend a - Most Unfortunate Act - and Allow Me to Escort Her in Secret to Bath, for a Clandestine Marriage. I Couriered the Wedding Proposal - the Letter Which is Unfortunately Familiar to You all, Now.'

    'Indeed?' Inquired Michael. 'And How?'

    Lady Fenwick Looked at her Son and Replied,

    'Sir, All Will Be Revealed at a More Convenient Time.'

    Jerome, Whose Recounting was not Yet Over, Continued,

    'Sir Ian, However, Believed the Scandal that the Colonel and Miss Waltmire were so Kind as to Make Known to the General Populace.'

    'And has Since Set his Affections Elsewhere,' muttered Lauren, Unheard.

    'In Any Case, I am Glad to See You Both Again,' he Concluded.

    Michael Smiled and Replied,

    'Indeed, Jerome, I Apologise for your Many Sacrifices, and I Cannot Thank you Enough for All You Have Done.'

    'Indeed,' said Mr. Palmer, 'I Must Thank You, Sir, as Well. Never have I Been So Amused at a Dinner Party.'

    Admiral Croft Quickly replied,

    'Sir, I Take Offense! - You Are Forbidden to Enjoy Any Thing Tonight!'

    That Cleverly Placed Comment Allowed for the Settling-in of All Concerned Parties, and while the Darcys and the Bingleys Caught up on Many Missed Letters, Lauren Approached her Beloved Sister and, in a Fervent Embrace, Exclaim -

    'Oh! Dear Sister! - How Glad I Am to See You Again!'

    Matilda Smiled and Replied, 'And Father Shall be as Well, do not you Think, for Mourning Clothes are Unusually Dear.'

    Lady Fenwick Interrupted the Merriment to Congratulate her New Daughter-in-Law, and Mention the Addition of the Wedding Announcement to the Engagement Announcement, set for the Following Day. However, Matilda Quickly Declined the Honor, Saying,

    'No, Indeed, Lady Fenwick - I am Most Flattered at Your Attentions; However, While I Love Your Son most Dearly, the Circumstances of Our Union are Best Kept...Discreet for the Moment, I Believe.'

    Matilda then Took her Husband's Arm to Be Introduced to Kitty Bennet, Leaving the Two Ladies Together.

    After a Moment, Lauren Sighed and Said, 'Lady Fenwick, I never Would have Believed that a Simple Engagement Announcement Would have Caused Such Varied Tidings.'

    Lady Fenwick Smiled and Replied, 'Dear Lauren, My Happiness for You knows no Bounds. Indeed, the Evening has Proven to be Most Enlightening for Myself, As Well. It Appears one is Never Safe in Assuming Wrongdoing.'

    'Indeed.'

    'And,' Continued the Lady, 'I am Glad at the Sensible Woman Michael has Married.'

    'Yes,' Lauren Smiled, 'My Sister is Indeed Possessed of Every Virtue. I am Happy for Her and for Michael.'

    In a More Serious Tone, Lady Fenwick Looked at Lauren and Said,

    'My Dear Girl, You are a Daughter to Me, as I am Sure You are Aware, and I Must say that the Union of Our Houses is Joyful to Me. However, I Understand any...Concerns or....Feelings of Confusion you May Entertain. Know You Will Always be Welcome at Our House.'

    'Thank You, Madam,' Replied Our Heroine.

    Across the Room, Michael Fenwick's New Acquaintance in Kitty had Led to a Recent Introduction to Mr. Bennet, Still Hovering by the Fireplace.

    'Young sir,' Said the Elder Gentleman, 'I Must say that, Should you Ever Find Yourself in Financial Straights Again, your Letter is Evidence that You Could Earn Quite a Comfortable Living Writing Sensational Novels.'

    The Engagement Announcement the Next Afternoon, Held on the Netherfield Grounds, and Attended by the Party Entire (and most of the Meryton Townspeople), was a Joyful Affair for All but a Few Officers with Broken Hearts who Had Difficulties Concealing their Grief at the Sudden Ineligibility of their Beloved Kitty Bennet.

    Afterwards, Travel Plans were Arranged for a Majority of the Guests (the Darcys Would be Staying On, as They were Inexplicably Exhausted, Even after a Half-Year Honeymoon, and the Bennets and Gardiners, and Georgiana Darcy and the Newly-Forgiven Colonel, were All More or Less Permanent Residents for the Time being, Until the Wedding). The Fenwick Party, the Second-Largest in Attendance, Had Decided to Remain in the Country House to Aid in the Wedding Plans; an Act Which, While Generous in the Extreme, Left Lauren Without Any Means Returning Home.

    However, Mr. Palmer Quickly Offered a Space in his Coach, Which was Gratefully Accepted.

    'For,' as Lauren Told Herself, 'Though I Love all the Fenwicks Dearly, I Believe Absence Might Make This Heart Indeed Slightly Fonder, as Well as More Resolved to Current Circumstances.'

    Mr. Palmer's Coach Arrived as Planned the Next Morning, and She Found Herself in the Welcome Company Not Only of Mr. Palmer (of Whom She was Becoming Slightly Fond), but of Anne Waltmire as Well.

    Chapter The Fourteenth

    Posted on Tuesday, 10 August 1999

    After the Requisite Exclamations over the Revelations of the Past Evening, Lauren Inquired Gently about Anne's own Role in the Plans.

    'Indeed, my dear Miss Brumhurst, I must Admit my Extreme Sorrow for having Not the Liberty to Discuss the Truth with You Previously. I was Approached by the Colonel and Asked to...Support the Story Wherever Possible.'

    'And, Pray, how did the Colonel come to be in the Confidence of My Sister and Michael Fenwick?'

    'Why, Through the Darcys, of Course.'

    Lauren, Highly Confused, could only Repeat, 'The Darcys?'

    'Oh, yes Indeed,' sighed Anne. 'It was the Most Romantic Thing. You see, Michael's Travels in the Navy led him to Italy, and During his Stay There, he had the Fortune not Only to be Acquainted with the Darcys, but to be Fondly Remembered by Mr. Darcy as a Cambridge Schoolmate.'

    'Why, what Loyalty on the part of Mr. Darcy! - to Speak with Such Familiarity to a Member of the Forces.'

    'Oh, Miss Brumhurst, do not Teaze. Mr. Darcy is in Fact a Most Pleasant Man, his Cousin the Colonel Informs Me.'

    Not Insensitive to the Sudden attentions by the Colonel on the Part of Miss Waltmire, Lauren smiled and Said, 'It seems, my Friend, that the Colonel informs You of a Great Deal.'

    Mr. Palmer Looked up from his Book to Add, 'In my Opinion, Anne, the Colonel informs You of Entirely Too Much.'

    Anne Demurred in the Proper Fashion, but the Colour in her Cheeks did Not go Unnoticed by her Friend.

    The Tale was Resumed with,

    'In Any Case, the Acquaintance was Renewed, and the Darcys were Soon Privy to the Despicable Behavior of Sir Ian Malcom, and of Course they Aided in Any Way they Could.'

    'By Transporting them Both to Hertfordshire?'

    'And Ensuring Jerome Fenwick's Vigilance over Sir Ian.'

    'But the Colonel...the Tulips...oh, it does Leave so Many Questions!' exclaimed a Most Frustrated Lauren.

    'Oh, Indeed Not. The Colonel was Instructed to Placate Sir Ian in Any Way he Could, until the Fenwicks could be Properly Married. Many Symbolic Interchanges were Necessary to Distract the Gentleman from the Reality of his Losing his Hold on Miss Matilda Brumhurst.'

    'From Whence Symbols Sprung his Charming Introduction to Me, I've no Doubt.'

    Mr. Palmer Smiled and Coughed.

    Anne Laughed and Said, 'But I am So Glad that All has Settled in for the Best. Why, even Cousin Jonathan...' but Anne, as if Remembering Herself, Stopped Quickly and Coloured.

    Lauren, However, was in No Mood for Such Things, and Pressed on, 'Dear Friend, I Apologize, but I have Lost Any Fondness for Riddles I might Once have Harboured. I Beg you to Explain.'

    'Of...of Course. My Cousin, it Seems, has Broken his Engagement to Miriam Barret.'

    Lauren's Astonishment at this Revelation knew No Bounds. Could it Be, she Thought, that the Very Man she Had Chastised so Frequently for his Lack of Conviction had Broken the Engagement into Which he had Been Forced? And for Whose Sake? His Own, of Course, she Reasoned, Remembering his Humiliation at Miss Barret's Outburst Regarding Miss Mary Bennet, but Perhaps there Was...Another Benefactor?

    But she Replied only, 'Indeed! How Interesting.'

    Mr. Palmer Again Stirred. 'Indeed Not, Miss Brumhurst. Military History is Interesting. My Cousin's Follies are, at Best, Distracting.'

    'I See, Sir,' replied Lauren. 'Then, Perhaps the Conversation Would Incur a More Favorable Reception from You were We to Phrase the Announcement as the Recounting of Miriam Barret's Waterloo?'

    Mr. Palmer Smiled and Coughed.

    There were a Few Moments of Contented Silence before the Entire Party was Privy to a Most Tragic Sigh on the Part of Our Heroine. To his Credit, Mr. Palmer Sat Up at Once and Inquired as to the Health of the Lady in Question.

    She Replied that She was, Indeed, Quite Well.

    'It is Only that...My Parents have, of Course, Stayed on in Town to Acquaint Themselves with their Daughter's Husband. However, my Sister Agnes will Be Preset...and I Fear that the Promise of Such Company is Not at All a Great Inducement to Return Home.'

    Anne Quickly Alleviated her Friend's Mood by Suggesting that Miss Brumhurst Visit Anne's Own Estate.

    'My Neighbors down the Lane are Indeed Most Amiable, and I Dare Say I could Also Benefit from the Company of a Friend.'

    Lauren Gratefully Accepted the Invitation, and Indeed the Remainder of the Journey Passed so Amiably that only Mr. Palmer Wondered at the Meaning of his Cousin's Aside.

    A Few Hours Later, as the Carriage passed a Particularly Lovely Estate, Anne Waltmire Motioned to her Friend.

    'Miss Brumhurst, Pray Look! - for Thence is My Estate.'

    'It is Indeed most Lovely,' replied Our Heroine, 'but Might I Inquire as to Why We do not Stop There?'

    'Oh,' Laughed Anne. 'I am Sorry. I Forgot to Mention to You that When in the Neighbourhood, I Prefer to Stay with Lady Elchuri - Recently Returned from India - and her Daughter Katherine. My Home is Lovely to Look at, but as I am its Only Occupant, I Find Living there Rather Lonely.'

    Lauren Indicated her Understanding, and her Eagerness to Make the Acquaintance of Lady and Miss Elchuri.

    Mr. Palmer Rustled his Newspaper Loudly.

    Any Qualms Lauren might have Had Regarding the Unexpected Arrival of a Strange Guest at the House of the Elchuris was Soon put to Rest by the Warm Welcome they Received.

    'For, my Dear, I have the Fortune - or the Misfortune, I am Sure Mr. Palmer would Say - to be Recognised as a Rather Competent Hostess, and I am Not Unused to Visitors, Especially a Friend of Dear Miss Anne, who is Like a Daughter to My Katherine. Speaking of my Daughter, She is Nowhere to be Seen! - That Girl is Entirely too Fond of her Own Company. I am Sure Your Presence will do Her a World of Good.'

    Anne Quickly Demurred a Formal Introduction, and Instead Slipped away as Soon as Possible, Saying to Lauren by Way of Explanation,

    'For you See, Lauren, While I am Quite Fond of Both Lady Elchuri and her Daughter Separately, Together I am Afraid they are Not Quite so Engaging.'

    They found Katherine as Feared, in the Library; However, Lauren could not Help Noting the Alacrity with which her Book was Laid Aside as Soon as the Prospect of Pleasant Company was Introduced.

    The Rest of the Afternoon was Spent in Lively Conversation, with Many an Erudite Comment from the Exceedingly Well-Read Miss Katherine Elchuri.

    Chapter The Fifteenth

    Posted on Tuesday, 10 August 1999

    Lauren had, Over Dinner the First Evening of Their Arrival, had Expressed a Fond Wish for

    'a Few Days of Quiet Conversation and Beautiful Country.'

    The Wonderful Hospitality of Lady Elchuri having No Option but to Accommodate Her Guest's every Wish, Lauren Found Herself out of Doors Quite Early the Next Morning, with Anne and Katherine as her Guides, with Instructions not to Return until Tea.

    Katherine Smiled.

    'Every Wish is Granted in my Mother's House.'

    Anne and Katherine, However, Soon Expressed a Desire to Travel into Town and Shop for New Fabrics, for the Formidable Lady Elchuri was Holding an Autumn Ball, and Both Ladies Realised the Necessity of New Frocks.

    However, Lauren, Having Neither the Invitation (and not Expecting One, for She Knew the Famed Hospitality of Lady Elchuri would Not Extend to Any One who would Usurp the Attentions Anne Paid to Katherine), nor the Fortune, to Shop for Ball Gown Material, Made her Excuses and Decided to Contain her Explorations to the Gardens of the Elchuri Grounds.

    She had been Wandering there for Some Time, Lost in her Thoughts, when a Voice Hailed her from Across the Rose Garden.

    'Miss Brumhurst!'

    Our Heroine was Surprised, but not Very Unpleasantly So, to Find that the Voice Belonged to Jonathan Worthington.

    After she had Guided them to a Bench Where they could Talk Less Formally, Lauren Found Herself at a Momentary Loss for Words.

    Mr. Worthington, However, had Quite a Lot to Say.

    'Miss Brumhurst, I Must Say I am Overjoyed to Find You Alone.'

    'Indeed,' replied a Most Puzzled Lauren.

    'Yes, for I Find, Despite all my Rehearsal, that What I Must Say to You is Hard Enough to Articulate without the Presence of...Others.'

    'Indeed,' on the Part of a Most Discomfited Lauren, who Desired Almost at Once to Change the Subject, and Continued, 'Sir, I have Heard from Your Cousin of the...Happenings at your House Recently.'

    'You Phrase it Much More Delicately than did My Parents,' replied Mr. Worthington. 'But it is Most Interesting that the Subject you Chuse is also Quite Close to My Heart at this Moment.'

    'Indeed.'

    'Yes. For, Miss Brumhurst, I have a Most Important Question to Pose to You.'

    'Indeed.'

    'I Must Ask You - Ever Since Your...Rather Spirited Response to the Invitation I Extended to You, While I was Still Engaged to Miss Barrett, I Could Not Help but Wonder if your Animosity Towards Me Would Ever Fade - Especially Since I Attended the Bingleys the Very Next Night; I Realize the Insult that Must have Been Implied, and I Apologize.'

    'Indeed, Sir. Of Course You are Forgiven.'

    'But that is Not What I Came to Say.'

    'Indeed.' Lauren was Beginning to Seem Rather Nervous.

    'Yes. For, I can No Longer Disguise - that is, I Must Say - Rather - I am No Longer Engaged to Miss Barrett, that is Certain - However, My Affections were Turned Towards Another Before I was Ever Given the Courage to Extricate Myself - That is, Miss Brumhurst, I Must ask You-'

    Chapter The Fifteen

    Posted on Monday, 16 August 1999

    (Last chapter: 'Miss Brumhurst, I Must ask You -')

    '- do You Think Miss Waltmire would Accept an Offer of Marriage from Me?'

    Miss Brumhurst's Confusion at this Moment can Only be Imagined.

    Unfortunately, Mr. Worthington was too Involved with His Passionate Recitations to Heed, and only Continued,

    'I Realize how Sudden this will - this Must - Seem, how Inappropriate it Must Appear, and Not Least, how Disadvantageous the Match Must Be Financially. But My Ardent Passion cannot Contain Itself; from the Moment I first saw Her, Nigh on Ten Years now, I have Loved no Other - Not Even Miss Barrett, may She Forgive Me my Deceit.'

    'Sir,' Lauren Managed at Last, most Relieved to be on Safer Ground, 'it was Not Intentional Deceit, I am Sure. I am - I am Aware of Your Struggle to Find Happiness with Miss Barrett.'

    'My Thanks, Miss Brumhurst. I only Pray that my Dear Anne - er, Rather, Miss Waltmire - will Feel Similarly. Oh, the Agonies I have Suffered these Past Weeks! - to Travel with My Cousin; to be Constantly Near Her, but Afraid and Unable to Give Voice to My Feelings! - the Letter Written by Mr. Fenwick Might Well have Been Mine! Oh, Dear Child, may You Never Know the Anguish of Unrequited Love!'

    Lauren, though Suspecting the Presence of Unrequited Love in her Heart at that Very Moment, Nevertheless took a Moment to Calm Herself. In doing So, She soon Realized that the Man in Front of Her Possessed only His own Gentlemanly Graces, and her Respect for Him - he had Captured Very Little of her Heart, and Certainly not so Much that it Could not be Easily Relinquished for a Beloved Friend.

    And so it was, when Mr. Worthington Interrupted her Reflections with,

    'Miss Brumhurst, Please Advise Me,'

    She was Able to Smile and Reply Sincerely,

    'Sir, I Cannot Speak for Miss Waltmire's Heart, but I May Say that Your Heart Appears Well Enamored, and I Venture to Propose this Much - that Miss Waltmire's Concerns in Marriage Rest much Less on the Mercenary than on True, Honest Affection. I Wish You Joy; Indeed, I Shall Take my Leave of You now, for I See the Lady in Question Returning at this Very Moment.'

    And with That, She Extricated Herself from a Very Nervous Mr. Worthington and Ducked into the House where She Watched (Most Improperly and Wistfully, it Must be Confessed) as the suit was Proposed, Accepted Joyously, and the News Shared with the Ladies of the House - and while a Certain Reserve was Present in Lady Elchuri, Katherine was Most Precipitous in Wishing them Joy.

    All of Which Left Lauren on her Own, and Rather Preoccupied.

    After the Extension of the Requisite Invitation to Dine (which was Naturally Accepted), Mr. Worthington Departed and the Ladies Retired to Dress.

    Lauren, Alone in her Room after the Maid was Called Away to Attend on Lady Elchuri, Sat in her Pale Blue Frock, for Once Without a Black Ribbon Any Where, a Circumstance for Which She was Quite Grateful (and Unlike her Sister Agnes, for More than Cosmetic Reasons). However, as often Happens when One is Alone, Our Heroine's Thoughts began to Wander.

    She was, Indeed, Now Quite Aware of a Painful, Panicked Feeling she Correctly Guessed to be Love. But Love for Whom?, she Questioned Herself.

    'Not for Mr. Worthington. I am Grateful for His many Kindness, and I Must now Love Him as I Should Love the Intended of a Dear Friend, but Beyond such Feelings, I do Not Pine for Him.

    'For the Colonel? No, for He is Surely Intended for His Cousin Georgiana, if Not by the Family, than Through his Own Affections.' (And, dear Reader, it Must be Said that Although Lauren is a Young Lady of Many Virtues, it is Difficult to Suddenly Forgive what is Viewed as a Great Injustice, though the Supposed Perpetrator be Cleared of all Charges; and This too Contributed to her Lack of Passion for the Colonel, I am Sure.)

    Lauren Dwelled upon Her Feelings (or Rather, the Lack Thereof) for the Colonel a Long While , Until at Last She Sighed and Said to Herself,

    'No. This will Never Do. It is No Use.

    I Love Jerome Fenwick.'

    And so She Did.

    'However,' She Reasoned, 'there is So Much Impending Happiness around Me - my Sister, My Dear Friend Gregory Fenwick (both of the Fenwick Family!, She Thought with a Small Pain in Her Heart), and Now My Friends Anne Waltmire and Jonathan Worthington were to Be Happy, With each Other, No Less - it is Too Much to Hope for a Greater Measure of Happiness than that Already Bestowed Upon Me.'

    At that Moment, She was Spared from any More Sacrificial Thoughts by the Announcement of Dinner.

    Dinner passed Exceptionally Well for the Acknowledged Lovers and only Slightly Less So for Katherine (Who Seemed to Quickly Abandon Books for Sparkling Conversation at the Promise of Company other than That of her Mother). Lady Elchuri was Grudgingly Polite, but if Mr. Worthington Noticed the Dashed Hopes for Katherine in the Lady's Eyes, He did Katherine the Justice of Paying them No Heed. Lauren, However, Passed through Dinner in a Dreamlike State. The Acknowledgement of Her Feelings for Jerome Fenwick, Kindled by His Return and Encouraged by Word, Glance and Gesture, had So Exhausted Her that She found Herself with Little Appetite for Any Thing, a Most Unfortunate Occurrence Before the Greatest Hostess in the Country.

    'Miss Brumhurst,' this Selfsame Lady Chastised Suddenly, 'You have not Touched you Pheasant, and Your Potatoes have Gone Quite Cold, I Dare Say. Are You Well?'

    'Indeed, Ma'am, I am Quite Well, I Thank You,' replied Our Heroine.

    'Are You Quite Sure? - for Truly You Look Very Ill. Is it Due to the News about Sir Ian?'

    'Sir Ian?' Lauren Repeated, with no Small Degree of Surprise and Alarm.

    'Yes,' Responded Her Friend Anne, '- why, Miss Brumhurst, You Truly have Not been Listening?'

    'Forgive Me. - I did not Wish to Intrude Upon Confidences,' replied Lauren, Thinking Quickly.
    This Response Seemed more than Sufficient for the Party Concerned, and they Soon Broke Up the Dinner Party and Moved into the Drawing Room without Another Mention of Sir Ian, or Lauren's Inattentiveness.

    However, Anne Approached her Friend Not Long After. Lauren was Sitting in a Window Seat with a Neglected Book in Her Lap; and Anne Cautiously Inquired,

    'Miss Brumhurst, Might You have a Moment?'

    'Of Course,' Lauren Replied. Anne Took a Near Seat and Looked Ready to Make Noncommittal Remarks, but Instead Said Earnestly,

    'Oh, Lauren, I am So Happy I Know Hardly where to Look - but I Cannot Help but Notice the Change in Your Manner this Evening. In Accepting Jonathan, have I Injured You in Any Way? For I Will Break off the Match Entirely Should it Cause you Any Worry. I Know what Passed in Hertfordshire, and the Understanding that Must have Been Created...what I am Trying to Say is -'

    'Indeed, Anne,' cried Lauren, Quite Overcome, 'Say no More. I am Already so Fortunate in My Friends that I Cannot Hope for Any Thing Else! And,' she Continued, 'Though I Regard Mr. Worthington with the Utmost Respect and Affection, Rest Assured that Your Felicity Causes in Me Nothing But Joy.'

    Anne Seemed Quite Relieved at This, but She Said Next, 'Then I Suppose Your Reserve this Evening Stems from Concern for Your Sister.'

    'Indeed? And How So?' Inquired Lauren, slightly Discomposed.

    Anne Cleared her Throat Slightly and Moved Closer.

    Chapter The Sixteenth

    Posted on Wednesday, 18 August 1999

    'My Dear Miss Brumhurst, as You Know, I was in Town this Afternoon with Miss Elchuri, Before - Before Returning.'

    'Indeed,' replied Lauren, who could Not Help but Smile at Her Friend's Inability to Quite Believe Her Own Happiness.

    'While Katherine was Purchasing Fabric (in a Lovely Pale Yellow which is in No Way Trying on Her Person), I Happened to Fall into Conversation with a Lady who was in the Neighborhood on her Husband's Business.'

    'Business at this Time of Year?'

    'Oh, I Forgot to Mention - Her Husband is a Colonel; He is in Town no Doubt to Train the Regiment, or Some Such.'

    'Ah. I See.'

    'In Any Case, She Informed Me of the Recent Marriage -'

    Lauren took a Quick, Harsh Breath - 'Please', She Thought, 'Not Mr. Fenwick!'

    '- of Sir Ian.'

    'Oh,' replied Our Heroine, Quite Discomfited, fully Believing her Sister Capable of Such a Rash Decision, Such a Foolish Action, Such a Ruinous Alliance. She was Surely Cursed - Parents Utterly Void of Propriety or Decency, and Now a Sister Married into Such a Scandal.

    'By Committing Such an Act,' thought Our Heroine, 'Agnes has Submitted My Sister Matilda - and, thusly, the Entire Fenwick Family - to Ridicule. And She Must Know that She has Condemned Me. - I Can Never Marry Now.'

    Anne Sympathetically Clasped Her Friend's Hand and Said,

    'I am So Sorry. I would have Said Nothing, but Since Lady Elchuri Inquired about it So Bluntly at Dinner - for it Seems She has Been Aware for Some Time - Katherine had No Choice but to Admit Knowledge. I did Not Want to Leave You Unprepared for Lady Elchuri in Any Way.'

    'I Thank You and Charge You, Please do not Aggravate Yourself. I am Glad to Know, I am Sure, though the News be Unpleasant.'

    'Indeed, I am Glad to Hear It.'

    'But Pray, How -'

    'Mrs. Brandon came to Know of It Through her Husband's Compatriots. It is, Apparently, Quite Widely Spoken Of.'

    Lauren Nodded, 'I - I See.'

    She Quickly Stood and Excused Herself to the Room, Citing Fatigue. As she Climbed the Stairs, She Heard Lady Elchuri Exclaim -

    'You See! I Knew She Was Ill! For I am That Sensitive to the Feelings of Any that Lodge in My Home!'

    Lauren's Eyes Soon Brimmed over with Tears of Shame; so Much so that She Almost did not See the Upstairs Maid until the Latter Exclaimed -

    'Please, Miss!'

    Lauren Quickly Stepped Aside, and Saw Through her Tears a Large Bouquet of Tulips in a Crystal Vase being Carried into Katherine's Rooms.

    'Oh, I Beg Your Pardon,' she Apologized to the Vase, or Rather the Maid Behind It.'

    The Maid Smiled and Replied, ''Tis Nuthin', Ma'am. These Flowers are a Mite Heavy, is All.'

    'I can Imagine,' replied Lauren, Who Continued in Almost Idle Curiosity, 'Pray, do You Know who has Sent Them?'

    'Aye, Ma'am. Lady Elchuri Says They're From a Gentleman Caller - Been Sent these Three Days Now. He Must be Mad in Love with Miss Katherine - and All the Better for 'Er, Says I, if it Gets 'Er out of This 'Ouse. The Miss Deserves Better; and May I be With 'Er When She Goes. '

    'I See. Thank You, and I Hope the Best for You,' and with That, Lauren Bade the Maid a Cordial Good-Night and Retired to her Own Quarters.

    For a Moment, Lauren's Thoughts Strayed form Contemplation of her Own Misery, as She Pondered,
    'That is Odd. - For I have Been Here Four Days, and have Seen no Such Caller. On the Other Hand, I Must Admit that I am Not Nearly as Astute as Lady Elchuri, and Might Easily have Missed any Deliveries.'

    However, the Thought of Impending Marital Felicity for Katherine Elchuri, as Well, soon Drove her Thoughts back Towards her Own Difficulties, and Even Farther, as She Fully Realized the Horror of Her Situation.

    'Oh, Dear,' She Thought, 'My Presence Here, Now, Implicates the Elchuris in my Family's Demise. They have Been Kind to Me, and I Cannot Stay. I Will Not Further Tarnish the Reputations of Any of My Friends.'

    And so, Before Going to Bed that Night, Lauren Made Plans to, Upon the Morrow, Hire a Carriage with What Little Money She Possessed and Return to Her Home, Which it Now Must be Forever, Though it was Now Less a Home to Her than it had Ever Been.

    Practical Plans having Been Made, Lauren Then Proceeded to Cry Herself to Sleep.

    The Next Morning Before Dawn, Lauren Packed her Trunks for the Journey; and as Soon as She Could See her Way, she Once Again put on Her Black Jacket and Scarf, and Black Bonnet (for She had None Else, and, She Ruefully Noted, Perhaps Mourning was More Appropriate Now than Ever), and Slipped out the Door.

    Continued In Next Section

    © 1999 Copyright held by the author.