Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 (31 page)
Read Pemberley to Waterloo: Georgiana Darcy's Diary, Volume 2 Online
Authors: Anna Elliott
It was, I suppose, proof of whatever that quotation is about the mills of God and divine justice and all that sort of thing. It was my fault that Mary had been so mortified. And now the celestial mills had obligingly provided me with an opportunity to feel toe-curlingly embarrassed, as well.
There was a silence during which I silently prayed--of course without result--that God would be obliging enough to let me sink down through the floor and vanish from sight.
And then finally the man cleared his throat and said, "I don't believe we have been formally introduced. My name is Lancelot Dalton."
I heard myself say, "Good heavens,
Lancelot
? Surely not."
Mr. Dalton's eyebrows lifted again. And I felt my toes re-curling themselves.
You would think, wouldn't you, that I would by now have managed to govern the habit of speaking without pause for thought. It just seemed too much, that a man could look quite so much like the illustration of the prince in a book of fairy tales--and have a name like Lancelot, besides.
Mr. Dalton said, gravely, "My mother had an unfortunate fondness for the old medieval romances. At least I never had a brother for her to name Gallahad. Though I do have a sister called Gwenevere."
I looked at him, uncertain of whether he was serious or joking. And then I recollected myself enough to offer him my hand and say, "And I am Kitty--Catherine Bennett."
Mr. Dalton took my hand and said that it was a pleasure to meet me. Which proves that even clergymen must occasionally tell lies.
And then he said, "If you wouldn't mind conveying my message to your aunt? My parishioner was in dire straights when I left this evening to come here. And I'm afraid this message means that she must have taken a turn for the worse. I left your aunt's address so that I might be summoned if there was any change."
I said that of course I would give Aunt Gardiner his regrets, and he thanked me, bowed, and left. Luckily before I could manage to insult him again.
I looked at the cloakroom door, but Mary was silent. No more muffled sobs. If I knew her, she was probably pressed with her ear to the keyhole, delighting in every embarrassing detail of my exchange with Mr. Dalton. Though I decided that after the debacle of her dancing, I needn't begrudge her that much, and went to find my aunt.
Aunt Gardiner made a soft sound of distress when I delivered Mr. Dalton's message. "Oh, I am sorry. But not surprised that Lance should have gone to whoever it is who is ill. He is the most conscientious and selfless young man I have ever met."
"Of course he is," I muttered.
Aunt Gardiner looked faintly surprised by my tone. But she said, "Yes, indeed. It is such a shame, really. Lance is the son of my dearest school friend, Harriet Winters. But she and her husband Mr. Dalton--Lance's father--died when Lance was just sixteen, and Lance and his sister were left almost penniless. Lance has taken holy orders. But he has neither money nor connections to find a position as vicar of a parish of his own. He has been doing charity work in the East End while he looks for a benefice somewhere. I suppose it must be one of his charity cases who needed him tonight."
Really, it only needed that. The man whom I accused of being a lovelorn swain is actually a clergyman who is not only a paragon of every virtue, but is also selflessly dedicating his life to ministering to the London poor.
When I consider what Mr. Dalton must think of me--
Actually, I don't know why I should still care what Mr. Dalton thinks of me. It's not as though I am ever likely to see him again. Certainly not if I consult my own wishes in the matter.
Thank you for previewing
Kitty Bennet's Diary
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Credits
The cover of
Pemberley to Waterloo
incorporates a portrait of Rosamund Hester Elizabeth Croker painted in 1827 by Thomas Lawrence and the
Duchess of Richmond's Ball
painted in 1868 by Henry O'Neil as well as a letter in Jane Austen's own hand. The title font is Exmouth from PrimaFont Software.
Pia Frauss's excellent
Jane Austen
font is used for Georgiana's signature at the end. Although the font has been licensed for this ebook, Austen fans may be interested to know that
Pia Frauss's fonts
are free for private, non-commercial use. See the conditions of use at her website.
Anna Elliott can be contacted at [email protected]. She would love to hear your comments. Thank you for reading!
Table of Contents
Edward with his Horse (illus.)
