“Do you enjoy the country, Miss Carmichael?”
“Oh, I love the country,” she said. “All those adorable lambs and calves…and lambs…” she trailed off.
Adorable lambs? What on earth was she talking about? He tried again. “Where is your family’s estate?”
“Kent,” she replied.
“Ah, I have an aunt in Kent, so I have some familiarity with the area. What crops does your father favour?”
“Crops?” She looked baffled.
No. Miss Carmichael was not a possibility.
After the Carmichaels had left, his aunt asked him, “Well?”
“She loves the country because of the adorable little lambs, but had no idea that crops were grown there.” His voice was tired.
“Oh, dear.”
“Indeed. Very well; who is next?”
***
A tea party was to be held the very next afternoon at the home of Lord and Lady Donahugh. Their eldest daughter had come out this past Season, but had not yet found anyone she wished to marry; or no one had offered for her, depending on who you asked. Mr. Darcy guessed that this daughter would be entertaining the company at tea.
Miss Donahugh, the daughter in question, did indeed play for everyone. Her performance was adequate; happily, she did not attempt to sing. He found himself seated beside her as tea was served, and he began his usual round of questions.
“Do you enjoy the country, Miss Donahugh?”
“Very much,” she returned. “The air is better for one’s health, do you not agree?”
“I do agree, yes. There is also a good deal less noise.”
“That is true. City noise gives me a headache.”
“That sounds most inconvenient.”
“It is, indeed. I bear it as best I can; I never complain.”
“I see.”
“The water in the country is more healthful as well, I am quite convinced of it!”
“I am certain you are right about that.”
“So you see that it is inevitable that I am ill a good deal of the time in Town. I am often ill in the country as well, but the air and the water are so much better there that I recover a good deal more quickly.”
Mr. Darcy excused himself and went to sit beside his aunt.
“Well?” she whispered.
“She is ill a good deal of the time, or at least fancies herself so. I have no patience for such vagaries, and certainly no desire to tie myself to someone who will always be too ill to fulfill her duties.”
***
Dear Georgiana,
I hope this letter finds you well in body and spirit. I am delighted at how well you have recovered from the events of this past summer!
