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Authors: Rebecca Heflin
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on Austen’s male characters?” Mr. Byrne had a way of pulling everyone into the discussion.
Sarah gave her response some thought, before responding. “Although Edward and Willoughby are guilty of the same sin—courting a woman when they are already attached—in the end, Edward redeems himself, albeit because his vapid little fiancée runs off with his brother.”
“But once he is free of his prior obligation, he is still willing to live on a small annual sum in order to marry Elinor, his true love. Willoughby, on the other hand, chooses wealth over the woman he professes so adamantly to love.”
“Well, ladies and gentleman, on that note, it is time for lunch.” Mr. Byrne gathered his books and notes as he spoke. “Before I forget, we leave Thursday at eight-thirty a.m. sharp. The coach will be waiting at the Tom’s Gate, so please be on time.”
Thursday was the class excursion to Chawton House and Winchester. The ladies in the class considered it their pilgrimage to Austen. The men in the class considered it an opportunity to visit the pubs in Winchester.
“Oh, Sarah, may I delay your lunch a moment?” Lady Clara Fraser, Dowager Countess of Rutherford, rounded out the class. According to Mr. Byrne, Lady Clara was considered the matriarch of Oxford.
She’d taken classes every week of Oxford’s five-week program for the last three years. Her effervescent personality and genuine warmth won the immediate affection of everyone in the class, but for some reason, she’d singled Sarah out as her ‘particular friend.’ This pleased Sarah greatly, since she felt an instant connection to her.
Sarah smiled into the sparkling eyes of a woman who reminded her a little of Queen Elizabeth II, matronly, but regal, sure of who she was and her place in the world.
“Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?”
“No. Some of the others are taking a tour of the Oxford breweries at the request of the men, but I wasn’t planning to join them.”
“I would like to have you to tea at Rutherford Hall, if you’re so inclined.”
“I would love to. Thank you for your kind invitation.”
“Lovely. My car will pick you up at two-thirty at the Canterbury Gate.”
“Thank you.” Sarah already knew better than to argue with Lady Clara about the transportation arrangements. Once Lady Clara made up her mind, not even the Queen herself could change it. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Lady Clara watched Sarah hurry to catch up with her group, before turning to walk towards the aforementioned gate where her car would be waiting for her. Lady Clara smiled to herself. Yes, she thought, she would do very well.
The smells of hops and barley, cigarette smoke, and fish and chips filled the low-ceilinged, wood-beam and plaster room. The sixteenth century pub overflowed with both Oxford locals and international visitors.
The ladies sat on bar stools, while the men hovered, sampling pints of stout and cracking good-natured jokes. Sarah sipped from a pint of ale and listened to the boisterous conversation of her newfound friends.
Kim Haynes, a fellow American, sat next to Sarah. Her small frame, delicate coloring, and pixie features seemed out of place with what they’d come to call her Texas-sized personality.
Kim graduated from high school and was taking a year off before going to college at Yale University. Sarah smiled as Kim flirted outrageously with the handsome young man behind the bar. Those Ivy League boys were in for a surprise when they encountered this steel magnolia.
Sean wore a slight frown as he watched the exchange. It looked to Sarah like a crush had developed there, at least on his side.
Marie Gaudet sat on the other side of Kim. Her lovely French accent stood out among the various English dialects spoken by the other pub patrons. She was a lovely young woman from the South of France whose midnight black hair, ultra short fringe bangs, and patrician features reminded Sarah of a young Audrey Hepburn. Her
Sarah gave her response some thought, before responding. “Although Edward and Willoughby are guilty of the same sin—courting a woman when they are already attached—in the end, Edward redeems himself, albeit because his vapid little fiancée runs off with his brother.”
“But once he is free of his prior obligation, he is still willing to live on a small annual sum in order to marry Elinor, his true love. Willoughby, on the other hand, chooses wealth over the woman he professes so adamantly to love.”
“Well, ladies and gentleman, on that note, it is time for lunch.” Mr. Byrne gathered his books and notes as he spoke. “Before I forget, we leave Thursday at eight-thirty a.m. sharp. The coach will be waiting at the Tom’s Gate, so please be on time.”
Thursday was the class excursion to Chawton House and Winchester. The ladies in the class considered it their pilgrimage to Austen. The men in the class considered it an opportunity to visit the pubs in Winchester.
“Oh, Sarah, may I delay your lunch a moment?” Lady Clara Fraser, Dowager Countess of Rutherford, rounded out the class. According to Mr. Byrne, Lady Clara was considered the matriarch of Oxford.
She’d taken classes every week of Oxford’s five-week program for the last three years. Her effervescent personality and genuine warmth won the immediate affection of everyone in the class, but for some reason, she’d singled Sarah out as her ‘particular friend.’ This pleased Sarah greatly, since she felt an instant connection to her.
Sarah smiled into the sparkling eyes of a woman who reminded her a little of Queen Elizabeth II, matronly, but regal, sure of who she was and her place in the world.
“Do you have plans tomorrow afternoon?”
“No. Some of the others are taking a tour of the Oxford breweries at the request of the men, but I wasn’t planning to join them.”
“I would like to have you to tea at Rutherford Hall, if you’re so inclined.”
“I would love to. Thank you for your kind invitation.”
“Lovely. My car will pick you up at two-thirty at the Canterbury Gate.”
“Thank you.” Sarah already knew better than to argue with Lady Clara about the transportation arrangements. Once Lady Clara made up her mind, not even the Queen herself could change it. “I’ll look forward to it.”
Lady Clara watched Sarah hurry to catch up with her group, before turning to walk towards the aforementioned gate where her car would be waiting for her. Lady Clara smiled to herself. Yes, she thought, she would do very well.
The smells of hops and barley, cigarette smoke, and fish and chips filled the low-ceilinged, wood-beam and plaster room. The sixteenth century pub overflowed with both Oxford locals and international visitors.
The ladies sat on bar stools, while the men hovered, sampling pints of stout and cracking good-natured jokes. Sarah sipped from a pint of ale and listened to the boisterous conversation of her newfound friends.
Kim Haynes, a fellow American, sat next to Sarah. Her small frame, delicate coloring, and pixie features seemed out of place with what they’d come to call her Texas-sized personality.
Kim graduated from high school and was taking a year off before going to college at Yale University. Sarah smiled as Kim flirted outrageously with the handsome young man behind the bar. Those Ivy League boys were in for a surprise when they encountered this steel magnolia.
Sean wore a slight frown as he watched the exchange. It looked to Sarah like a crush had developed there, at least on his side.
Marie Gaudet sat on the other side of Kim. Her lovely French accent stood out among the various English dialects spoken by the other pub patrons. She was a lovely young woman from the South of France whose midnight black hair, ultra short fringe bangs, and patrician features reminded Sarah of a young Audrey Hepburn. Her
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