When we arrive Lewis is there to meet us and, though my mother gives him
a chilling stare, he seems only too happy to see us. We head for their parlour,
filled with stuffed chairs and decorative lamps. We sit down and are given the
option of cakes as a starter along with some cheese and bread. Lewis’ father,
Nicholas, is away on important business in England and will not be back for
another three days, so we are deprived of his company.
Lewis sits next to me on a rather small couch and mother sends me a
warning glance, though I already know that Lewis is too close. He has always
been like that, never abiding by the rules of respectability and pushing the
limits.
I suspect that is one of the reasons that we get along so well, he is
not uptight like so many of the other young men that travel in our social
circle.
Maria, Lewis’s mother, and Victoria, his younger sister, walk in to the
room and we engage in a conversation about respectable families. It is so nice
to be able to see Victoria again. We have always been good friends and on more
than one occasion I have helped Victoria with things. Her reputation is almost
as good as mine and we spend much time together. I have missed her greatly
since she went to spend four months with her English family, learning how to be
a true lady. She has promised to teach me everything she has learnt. I cannot
wait to have some time alone with her and hear all about her adventure.
Our conversation soon turns into a chat about how I must be in want of a
good husband and of whom would be the best choice. Victoria and I share a look
of discomfort and annoyance. Both of us have heard this conversation far too
many times, with either of us being the subject. Mother immediately brings up
Michael, saying he is most respectable and has a good position in society.
“I have never liked Michael. He is so self-absorbed and he is rude all
the time.” Lewis, speaks up, surprising everyone in the room, except, it seems,
his sister.
“Oh really darling. You just don’t like the fellow because he gets all
the girls and leaves you none. Don’t mind Lewis. He and Michael never got off
to the right start.”
“No, really mother. He fools around with girls as though they are not
people, he is rude to everyone as though we are all beneath him, and he spends
much of his time looking at things that he knows he can’t have, such as you
Elizabeth.”
I am so shocked by the conversation that I can’t think of a single thing
to say.
“Well… Elizabeth’s father does like the idea of Henry Rutherford as
well. He is most charming and is related to English royalty, did you know?”
Mother is clearly trying to steer the conversation toward a more agreeable
subject without changing the topic.
“Mr. Rutherford is a very respectable and well off man. He could make
you quite happy, Elizabeth. I would go for him over Michael any day.” I
appreciate Victoria trying to soften the topic and create a more peaceful
discussion.
“Henry? You have got to be joking Ri! As if Henry Rutherford could make
Elizabeth happy. He is far too sensible and strait. He looks and acts as though
he has a piece of lead pipe for a spinal chord. Not to mention that he would
stop her visits to the theatre as soon as was possible.” I now feel
particularly uncomfortable having been referred to in the third person.
Lewis continues, “There is not one man in this city that deserves such a
woman as you, Elizabeth. They all have fatal flaws and are not worthy of such a
perfect companion.” I have to put all my concentration into not staring and
having my jaw drop to my feet, which is incredibly difficult.
“None except you Lewis, I suppose,” his mother says.
“Well, now that you bring it up, yes. None of the men here are worthy of
you but, if I was given the honour, I would most certainly take the prize jewel
of this city’s female youth, and would try my utmost to be worthy of the privilege
bestowed.”
As always my mother comes through for me and ruins the moment of
absolute shock by saying, “Well Lewis, though you may feel that you are the
only man worthy of Elizabeth’s hand in marriage she must still find herself a
respectable husband, and as you have no intention of asking for her hand in
marriage, I think it reasonable that we should discuss other prospects.”
“Well… no. I would gladly offer Miss Elliot a marriage proposal if I
believed it to be welcome. There are many men within this hell hole who have
their eye on your becoming daughter and who is to say that I am not one of
them?” Well, that shut my mother up. Problem is that is that it has also
shocked Ms Winchester and I into silence.
“Why don’t we head into the dining room and see what cook has made for us?” I cannot express my gratitude to
Victoria enough and as soon as mother, Maria and Lewis start to leave I hurry
over to her and take her arm in mine.
“Thank you!” I whisper.
“Don’t mention it. I apologise for my brother. He is very passionate
about you finding a good and responsible man to take care of you. I don’t
believe he thinks your mother is up to the task, though he does trust your
father more. You must forgive him for his behaviour.”
The remainder of the evening passes without further mention of this
topic. The whole evening is rather uncomfortable in truth, as no one wants to
say what their thoughts are on Lewis’ earlier comment, however, no one can stop
thinking about it. Mother seems relieved when it comes time for us to leave.
She reminds the family that they are all expected to be coming tomorrow night
and that the whole evening will be great fun.
I thank Ms Winchester for inviting us over for such a lovely dinner and give
Victoria a well-deserved hug. We leave without further conversation. As we
leave I can hear Maria and Lewis having a heated discussion over what was
mentioned throughout the evening.
Mother and I pass the carriage ride home in silence, neither of us
wishing to say anyhting. When we get home father inquires as to how the dinner
went and I make my way straight to my bedroom where I spare no time in getting
ready for bed.
***
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