Read Online Expectations of Happiness by Rebecca Ann Collins - Free Book Online Page A

not learn of the visit of his brother and his wife until after they had returned from their own holiday in Weymouth, and by then it would be old news and of little consequence.
    Elinor was by nature both generous and magnanimous and was willing to allow that Marianne, in a mood of boredom and loneliness, with her husband away in Ireland, had spoken thoughtlessly, without intending to wound. Her remarks would in time be forgiven.
    It was somewhat more difficult, however, for her to overlook the fact that her sister, in full knowledge of the reprehensible conduct of both Lucy and Robert Ferrars, could have blithely invited them to stay at Delaford, even before she knew that Elinor and Edward would be away at the time. “Is it possible that Marianne has grown so self-absorbed, so insensitive to our feelings—Edward’s and mine—that she did not think what it would mean to us to have to meet and perhaps even entertain them here?” she asked herself, but again, determined not to let it spoil the pleasure of their own holiday, she pushed it out of her mind as she began preparations for their journey.
    She looked forward to the holiday she hoped would be a change from the routines of parish work. Both Edward and she worked hard and conscientiously in the community he served, and though Elinor had tried to involve her sister in some of their activities, such as the church choir or the Christmas play, her participation had been desultory and haphazard at best. It was yet another aspect of Marianne’s behaviour that had puzzled Elinor, for which she could find no answer.

Chapter Five
    An unexpected visit from her stepbrother, John Dashwood, on the afternoon before they were due to depart on their journey to Weymouth, gave Elinor more reasons for satisfaction that they were soon to be going away.
    Greeting her with his usual lack of warmth, he claimed he had called on Sir John Middleton to pay his respects, and had been very surprised to find Mrs Dashwood still at Barton Park. He wondered if Elinor could enlighten him as to her mother’s reasons for being there and her plans for the future.
    Taken aback by his sudden interest in her mother’s forthcoming plans, Elinor took some delight in denying him the information he sought. “I am sorry, John, but Mama has not made any decisions about her future plans yet; for the present, she has agreed to help her cousin Sir John Middleton care for his mother-in-law, Mrs Jennings. She has been very poorly since Lady Middleton’s death, and is unable to travel to join her daughter, Mrs Palmer, whose family is presently at Ramsgate. As to what Mama will do thereafter,” she shrugged her shoulders and added, “you will need to ask her; she has certainly not confided in me.”
    John Dashwood seemed very put out. “Ah!” said he, and continued in a voice that suggested he was less than satisfied with her answer, “I had very much hoped you might know, Elinor. You see, Fanny was wondering about Barton Cottage; there is a person, a former housekeeper of her mother’s, who is in need of a place to stay, and Fanny thinks that Barton Cottage might be the very thing—especially since the rent is reasonable—if Mrs Dashwood were to vacate it. She particularly asked that I ascertain what plans Mrs Dashwood may have, and it is rather awkward that I cannot take back an answer. Perhaps Marianne may know… I could call on her at Delaford Manor later today,” he mused.
    His motives being exposed clearly now, Elinor felt a particular pleasure that she had not been able to satisfy him. She had no wish to be disagreeable, but, assisting Fanny and her mother, Mrs Ferrars, to accommodate a retired housekeeper, whom they no longer wished to shelter, was not high on Elinor’s list of priorities.
    Knowing she was adding to his discomfort, she said, “Marianne knows no more than I do of Mama’s plans, but, at least on the question