Read Online Expectations of Happiness by Rebecca Ann Collins - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebecca Ann Collins
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of Barton Cottage, I can certainly assure you that Mama has no intention whatsoever of quitting it. While she is happy to spend some part of her time with Marianne and me, she greatly values her independence and has said on many occasions that she so enjoys the cottage, she will never give it up.â
Looking decidedly crestfallen, John Dashwood had to admit defeat and stayed only to finish his tea. A weak, selfish man who was continually pandering to the high notion that his wife and mother-in-law had of themselves and their place in society, his paltry treatment of his stepmother and stepsisters after their fatherâs death had greatly reduced him in Elinorâs estimation. The further humiliation they had been allowed to suffer at the hands of his wife, Fanny, had consolidated her contempt for all of themâsave Edward, Fannyâs brother, in whom she had found a man of many virtues and a gentle temperament quite unlike his relatives.
Elinor was sure Edward would enjoy the tale of John Dashwoodâs disappointment with which she hoped to entertain him on their journey to Weymouth.
***
Their fortnight away proved to be a great success.
Though principally a seaside resort, Weymouth offered many other possibilities for the enterprising traveller, and since neither Edward nor Elinor wished merely to sit in the sun on the beach, they found several interesting things to do.
Edwardâs friend, Dr Trelawney, a retired Oxford don, was writing a book about the many ancient abbeys and churches, mostly in a sad state of disrepair, that were scattered around the county. He encouraged them to accompany him on his visits and proved to be a most knowledgeable guide. On his recommendation, too, in the second week of their stay, they moved from their hotel in Melcombe to comfortable lodgings in the charming village of Sutton Poyntz. Their hosts were a friendly pair of sisters, who welcomed them warmly and opened up their best room for their use. The Misses Jane and Elfrida Dunkley attended to their every need with the particular care one usually reserves for very dear friends.
The weather was kind for most of their stay, and even when it was not, the company was excellent, for Dr Trelawney introduced them to his family and invited them to dine at his home, while Mrs Trelawney, a woman of many talents and a fine sense of humour, was excellent company for Elinor. The four of them spent their days in travel and exploration and their evenings in intelligent and diverting discourse.
The fortnight passed far too quickly, and when it was time to return to Delaford, Elinor could not help the sigh that escaped her lips as she packed their trunk. Thanks to Dr Trelawney, who was travelling in his own vehicle to Dorchester, their homeward journey was more swiftly and comfortably accomplished, and they reached the parsonage on Saturday afternoon. Having taken tea and dealt with the demands of her two sons, who were eager to be told everything about Weymouth at once, Elinor went upstairs to rest, while Edward went to open up the church and read his accumulated mail.
It was in her bedroom that she found, propped up on her dressing table, a hand-delivered note from Marianne. Opening it up immediately, Elinor read it quickly through. She was concerned because their last meeting had not been a propitious one.
Marianne wrote:
Dearest Elinor,
I trust Edward and you are safely home after a restful holiday at Weymouth.
This is only a brief note, written in a great hurry. It has been such a busy time with Robert and Lucy here this last week, although they have not spent all their time at Delaford Manor. Theyâve been visiting friends in the area too, and we have had some of them here to tea, which was good fun.
We have gone twice into Dorchester and once to Wareham to see the deep pool, which is such a beautiful sightâRobert and Lucy had heard it was not to be missed, and they did not believe that I had not been there before,
Looking decidedly crestfallen, John Dashwood had to admit defeat and stayed only to finish his tea. A weak, selfish man who was continually pandering to the high notion that his wife and mother-in-law had of themselves and their place in society, his paltry treatment of his stepmother and stepsisters after their fatherâs death had greatly reduced him in Elinorâs estimation. The further humiliation they had been allowed to suffer at the hands of his wife, Fanny, had consolidated her contempt for all of themâsave Edward, Fannyâs brother, in whom she had found a man of many virtues and a gentle temperament quite unlike his relatives.
Elinor was sure Edward would enjoy the tale of John Dashwoodâs disappointment with which she hoped to entertain him on their journey to Weymouth.
***
Their fortnight away proved to be a great success.
Though principally a seaside resort, Weymouth offered many other possibilities for the enterprising traveller, and since neither Edward nor Elinor wished merely to sit in the sun on the beach, they found several interesting things to do.
Edwardâs friend, Dr Trelawney, a retired Oxford don, was writing a book about the many ancient abbeys and churches, mostly in a sad state of disrepair, that were scattered around the county. He encouraged them to accompany him on his visits and proved to be a most knowledgeable guide. On his recommendation, too, in the second week of their stay, they moved from their hotel in Melcombe to comfortable lodgings in the charming village of Sutton Poyntz. Their hosts were a friendly pair of sisters, who welcomed them warmly and opened up their best room for their use. The Misses Jane and Elfrida Dunkley attended to their every need with the particular care one usually reserves for very dear friends.
The weather was kind for most of their stay, and even when it was not, the company was excellent, for Dr Trelawney introduced them to his family and invited them to dine at his home, while Mrs Trelawney, a woman of many talents and a fine sense of humour, was excellent company for Elinor. The four of them spent their days in travel and exploration and their evenings in intelligent and diverting discourse.
The fortnight passed far too quickly, and when it was time to return to Delaford, Elinor could not help the sigh that escaped her lips as she packed their trunk. Thanks to Dr Trelawney, who was travelling in his own vehicle to Dorchester, their homeward journey was more swiftly and comfortably accomplished, and they reached the parsonage on Saturday afternoon. Having taken tea and dealt with the demands of her two sons, who were eager to be told everything about Weymouth at once, Elinor went upstairs to rest, while Edward went to open up the church and read his accumulated mail.
It was in her bedroom that she found, propped up on her dressing table, a hand-delivered note from Marianne. Opening it up immediately, Elinor read it quickly through. She was concerned because their last meeting had not been a propitious one.
Marianne wrote:
Dearest Elinor,
I trust Edward and you are safely home after a restful holiday at Weymouth.
This is only a brief note, written in a great hurry. It has been such a busy time with Robert and Lucy here this last week, although they have not spent all their time at Delaford Manor. Theyâve been visiting friends in the area too, and we have had some of them here to tea, which was good fun.
We have gone twice into Dorchester and once to Wareham to see the deep pool, which is such a beautiful sightâRobert and Lucy had heard it was not to be missed, and they did not believe that I had not been there before,
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