Miss Darcy's Beaux

by Eliza Shearer

  I stayed with Lady Bertram all afternoon, and again, she slept most of the time. It really felt as if all spirit had been taken out of her. I discarded my embroidery loop like an old bonnet, too battered to be fixed with ribbons and paper flowers, and chose a large book from my uncle’s library. I was never a great reader, in spite of Fanny and Edmund’s best efforts, but this particular volume contained numerous pictures of the kind of vegetation encountered in the Far East. I became engrossed in the exquisite drawings of magnificent flowers I would never see in shades I could barely imagine. Oh, but to travel far and see such beauty with one’s own eyes!

  As was their habit on Tuesdays, Edmund and Fanny joined us for dinner at Mansfield Park. My sister appeared her usual placid self, but from Edmund’s particular solicitousness towards Lady Bertram and the way he was repeatedly arranging his cuffs, I could tell that my cousin had spoken to Sir Thomas about the proposed London trip. I had expected the matter to be discussed during the meal, but nothing was mentioned until Lady Bertram, Fanny and I removed ourselves to the second drawing room. My aunt had just sat down on her beloved sofa when Fanny spoke to her.

  “I was thinking, Aunt Bertram, the lavender shade of the gown you are wearing is beautiful.”

  “Oh, yes. It is a pretty colour, is it not? It is one of my favourites.”

  “Have you had it long?”

  “Let me see,” replied Lady Bertram, tilting her head slightly. “Oh, dear. I must have had it made ten years ago at the least. Is it looking a bit tired?”

  Fanny nodded faintly in my direction. I suddenly realised what she was trying to do.

  “You could have a similar one made in a more modern style, with a fuller sleeve perhaps,” I said, with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. “But you must find a fabric of the exact same weight, shine and shade. If only there was more choice available in Northamptonshire. I wonder if it might be worth going to town for.”

  Lady Bertram looked horrified.

  “London? Good heavens!”

  A tense silence followed until Fanny made an observation to Lady Bertram about little William’s latest exploits. The toddler was the apple of his grandmother’s eye, and my aunt gladly followed the change of subject.

  The gentlemen joined us soon afterwards. Sir Thomas was looking sombre, but Edmund appeared somewhat more composed than during dinner. He was the first to speak.

  “So mother, have you heard from my dear sister of late?”

  Lady Bertram was startled for an instant.

  “Julia? No, she seldom writes these days. She is very busy.”

  “It is a pity that Mr Yates’ responsibilities prevent him and my cousin from visiting Mansfield Park more often,” said Fanny in a thin voice. “You must miss her very much.”

  My cousin Julia, in spite of having started her marriage with a rather unseemly elopement, was now the very picture of genteel respectability, married as she was to the son of a peer. I had met Mr and Mrs Yates only once before, and they had appeared to me a very fashion-conscious couple.

  “I do, Fanny. I miss her very much”

  “Did Mr and Mrs Yates not move to a new home a few months ago?” I asked with caution.

  Edmund, who was standing by the coffee things and was watching us with raised eyebrows, finally intervened.

  “You are right, Susan. Mr and Mrs Yates now live on Berkeley Square, one of the most desirable areas in town. Is that not so, sir? You know London well, on account of your time in Parliament.”

  “I do, yes,” replied Sir Thomas, with a glint in his eye. “It is pleasant in the extreme, and it is within a ten-minute walk from some of the best shops and entertainment on offer in town.”

  Lady Bertram’s expression changed somewhat, but nothing else was spoken on the matter, and we quickly made up a card-table. Speculation was one of my aunt’s favourite games, and Edmund proceeded to deal the cards. When it was Lady Bertram’s turn, she remained immobile, staring at her hand. At last she spoke.

  “Sir Thomas, I have just had the silliest of ideas. You must talk me out of it. I was thinking that it might be pleasant to visit Julia. A short visit, of course, just to spend some time with her. Do talk me out of it. It is a preposterous thought, is it not?”

  Sir Thomas looked at her, his mouth agape, but quickly recovered himself.

  “Why do you say so, dearest? We have not seen Julia for a while.”

  “But you know how little I relish the thought of travelling, and of company in general.”

  Fanny gave me the tiniest of nods.

  “What a wonderful idea!” I exclaimed. “You will be able to see my cousin and visit her new lodgings, and do some shopping. You need new gowns; you were saying so earlier.”

  Sir Thomas left his cards on the table and squeezed his wife’s hand.

  “I do not see any inconvenience in going to town if you so desire. In fact,” added he, “it may be a good occasion to visit a medical specialist that Mr Munro has recommended. Just as a precaution, of course.”

  Lady Bertram’s eyes widened, so Fanny quickly took her other hand.

  “You must rejoice at the thought of seeing my cousin Julia. I also suspect that Susan will enjoy the sights of the big city very much. She has seen little outside of Portsmouth and Mansfield Park.”

  “Indeed! I certainly have never seen any fashionable spots,” I said. “And think of the shopping! We will find the most heavenly fabrics in London, and see all the elegant people, and take note of the latest fashions.”

  “Oh, Susan, you know how to cheer me up. But Sir Thomas, do you think it is wise?”

  Sir Thomas gently patted Lady Bertram’s hand.

  “I am convinced that you will enjoy it very much, dear, and I will make sure you are perfectly comfortable at all times.”

  “In that case, I cannot object to going,” said she, smiling in his direction.

  We all drew a breath.

  ”I shall write to Julia first thing tomorrow morning so she knows to expect us,” said Sir Thomas with resolve. Then, turning to me, he added in a business-like tone, “Susan, please speak to Mrs Wilkinson to make all the necessary arrangements on behalf of Lady Bertram. She should not be disturbed or troubled in the slightest and I trust you will protect her from unnecessary hassle. Her health and happiness is my greatest concern.”

  Sir Thomas looked at his wife with tenderness and took her hand to his lips. Lady Bertram blushed most becomingly. Edmund was also holding Fanny’s hand tight, and she was smiling gently. As for me, I am ashamed to admit that something had been stirred deep inside my spirit. I supressed a smile. A change of scenery was coming, at last.