The Zephyr

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

THE ORACLE

M r Darcy and I were to say our vows in the simple setting of All Saints Parish Church in Meryton. Mr Graves would do the office, though he was only a curate. Upon hearing a wealthy man had again requested the banns be read, the rector, who only rarely came on account of his interest in his larger, more lucrative parish, had sent word he would perform the service as he had for Bingley and Jane.

I, however, did not like the implication that my future would be filled with cases of the tireless workers of the world being swept aside by their grasping superiors in order that they could bow and scrape at my rich husband. Thus, I intervened with a word to Mr Darcy who then deflected the rector’s arrival by politely claiming his bride’s preference for Mr Graves who had served her family’s religious needs for many years. I had no doubt our impoverished curate would also receive a tidy pourboire from my intended as a compliment to me .