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Authors: Jane Odiwe
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the downfall of Pemberley under my influence."
"It is one of my greatest faults, I know: implacable resentment. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself."
"I know you can and will, my darling. Please promise me that you will write to Lady Catherine this very afternoon and attempt a reconciliation."
"At one time I used to say that once lost, my good opinion was lost forever, but you have taught me not to be so rash, so decided in my pronouncements, my outbursts of temper. I promise, Elizabeth, I shall do what I can."
Mrs Darcy's arguments were so tactfully debated and so charmingly delivered that as she left him, Mr Darcy could be seen by anyone who chose to pass by the study door sitting in deep and docile contemplation with pen in hand engaged in the very task Elizabeth had anticipated.
By the afternoon, Elizabeth was full of ideas and suggestions, which she had great enjoyment talking over with her aunt and uncle, her cousins, and Georgiana. It was proposed that a walkabout be had on the upper slopes just before thick woodland made it too difficult to achieve very much and with a view to finding a suitable spot for Lizzy's plans. Georgiana was invited to accompany them all but declined, saying she had some drawing to do, an exercise she was inclined to start, which could be accomplished most comfortably at her desk in her sitting room by the warmth of a fire.
Elizabeth set out with the Gardiners and their children, who were soon running up the slopes and watching their breaths on the cold air turn into puffs of smoke. The scene was noisy and playful, Elizabeth happy to help pull along the little ones who held out their hands eagerly for her assistance.
"It is very kind of you to try and help Tom and Martha in this way, Lizzy. The Butlers are the most deserving people I know," said Edward Gardiner. "Her husband left her reasonably well off, but any assistance that can be made for young Thomas to help him make his way can only be of benefit to both of them."
"It is my pleasure, Uncle. I am determined to help anyone deserving if I can. Between you and me, I also think it will be good for Miss Darcy to have the company of a young friend with similar interests. Did you notice, Aunt, how well she and Mr Butler got on? I have never heard her speak so well to another soul."
"I did notice. Forgive me for saying so, but do you think it altogether wise to be encouraging this sort of friendship? Mr Butler is a very pleasant, if rather forward, young man, but to speak plainly, Elizabeth, he does not belong to Miss Darcy's class. He has no money and has yet to make his fortune, and besides, I am sure Mr Darcy must have plans for Georgiana's future that do not involve penniless gentlemen."
"Aunt Gardiner, I am very surprised at you. He may not have money, but she has; in fact, Georgiana has enough money to take on any prospective husband that she wishes. Besides, they have only just met and I am not suggesting that she marry him, merely that she spend some pleasurable time in his company."
"She seems to me to be a girl that might be easily persuaded," Aunt Gardiner commented, "and though I am reasonably certain of Mr Butler's character, I would not like to see such a vulnerable girl easily influenced. And I must say, Elizabeth, I did not like the familiar way he sat next to Miss Darcy on so slight an acquaintance. His manner was perhaps a little too forthright."
"Oh, Aunt Gardiner, he is just young and suffering from over enthusiasm, I am sure. I thought Tom Butler quite delightful. I cannot put my finger on it, but I kept thinking I knew him, almost as if we had been previously introduced, though I know that cannot be. His manner of talking, so utterly charming and artless, somehow..."
Elizabeth hesitated as the realisation of the person to whom she had been comparing him came to her mind. Mrs Gardiner arrived at the same conclusion at the precise moment. "Oh, no,
"It is one of my greatest faults, I know: implacable resentment. I cannot forget the follies and vices of others so soon as I ought, nor their offences against myself."
"I know you can and will, my darling. Please promise me that you will write to Lady Catherine this very afternoon and attempt a reconciliation."
"At one time I used to say that once lost, my good opinion was lost forever, but you have taught me not to be so rash, so decided in my pronouncements, my outbursts of temper. I promise, Elizabeth, I shall do what I can."
Mrs Darcy's arguments were so tactfully debated and so charmingly delivered that as she left him, Mr Darcy could be seen by anyone who chose to pass by the study door sitting in deep and docile contemplation with pen in hand engaged in the very task Elizabeth had anticipated.
By the afternoon, Elizabeth was full of ideas and suggestions, which she had great enjoyment talking over with her aunt and uncle, her cousins, and Georgiana. It was proposed that a walkabout be had on the upper slopes just before thick woodland made it too difficult to achieve very much and with a view to finding a suitable spot for Lizzy's plans. Georgiana was invited to accompany them all but declined, saying she had some drawing to do, an exercise she was inclined to start, which could be accomplished most comfortably at her desk in her sitting room by the warmth of a fire.
Elizabeth set out with the Gardiners and their children, who were soon running up the slopes and watching their breaths on the cold air turn into puffs of smoke. The scene was noisy and playful, Elizabeth happy to help pull along the little ones who held out their hands eagerly for her assistance.
"It is very kind of you to try and help Tom and Martha in this way, Lizzy. The Butlers are the most deserving people I know," said Edward Gardiner. "Her husband left her reasonably well off, but any assistance that can be made for young Thomas to help him make his way can only be of benefit to both of them."
"It is my pleasure, Uncle. I am determined to help anyone deserving if I can. Between you and me, I also think it will be good for Miss Darcy to have the company of a young friend with similar interests. Did you notice, Aunt, how well she and Mr Butler got on? I have never heard her speak so well to another soul."
"I did notice. Forgive me for saying so, but do you think it altogether wise to be encouraging this sort of friendship? Mr Butler is a very pleasant, if rather forward, young man, but to speak plainly, Elizabeth, he does not belong to Miss Darcy's class. He has no money and has yet to make his fortune, and besides, I am sure Mr Darcy must have plans for Georgiana's future that do not involve penniless gentlemen."
"Aunt Gardiner, I am very surprised at you. He may not have money, but she has; in fact, Georgiana has enough money to take on any prospective husband that she wishes. Besides, they have only just met and I am not suggesting that she marry him, merely that she spend some pleasurable time in his company."
"She seems to me to be a girl that might be easily persuaded," Aunt Gardiner commented, "and though I am reasonably certain of Mr Butler's character, I would not like to see such a vulnerable girl easily influenced. And I must say, Elizabeth, I did not like the familiar way he sat next to Miss Darcy on so slight an acquaintance. His manner was perhaps a little too forthright."
"Oh, Aunt Gardiner, he is just young and suffering from over enthusiasm, I am sure. I thought Tom Butler quite delightful. I cannot put my finger on it, but I kept thinking I knew him, almost as if we had been previously introduced, though I know that cannot be. His manner of talking, so utterly charming and artless, somehow..."
Elizabeth hesitated as the realisation of the person to whom she had been comparing him came to her mind. Mrs Gardiner arrived at the same conclusion at the precise moment. "Oh, no,
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