Treat No Evil （First Person） #2
When it came to the point, I found it difficult to say the words.
“Neither procrastination nor prevarication will make it any easier, sir,” she said kindly, but with just a hint of exasperation. “Pluck up your courage and get on with it.”
I regarded her with ever-growing respect, and admired her courage.
I had met few ladies who would challenge me.
I imagined I must have led a sheltered life of privilege and ease, considering how few people were willing to tell me anything that might displease me, or worse, take me to task.
That made me think once again of the one lady who had done so, and as with all thoughts of Elizabeth, I felt guilty over my behaviour, and her phantom burrowed another inch into my heart.
However, there was business to attend to, and I must defer my thoughts of the lovely Elizabeth Bennet.
“It is my cousin, madam. He is not right. We grew up together, and have been almost as inseparable as brothers. He shares the guardianship of my younger sister, so we have always had a close friendship. However, I have sensed a growing distance over the last couple of years of his service.”
Miss Lucas nodded in understanding, feeling no need to add unnecessary words.
“A few days ago, he asked a young lady to marry him. She refused him most politely, and he… he… he—”
I struggled to continue, but she placed her hand near mine, which rested on the table clenched into a fist, my fingernails digging a hole in my palm.
She laid her hand, gentle as a breeze, on mine until I found it relaxed enough to unclench, and then flatten entirely.
After that she took her hand back to her side of the table and left it lying beside her plate.
“He seems to have snapped and accosted the lady.”
I anticipated more shock than I received, but Miss Lucas came straight to the point.
“Was the young lady harmed? Has she been recovered? Was she compromised? If so, how badly? Is she somebody you know?”
Following her earlier advice, I plucked up my courage and continued.
“She was compromised, but it was limited to a rather violent kiss. She is a young lady I know quite well—as do you—Miss Jane Bennet. I came to know her while she visited her sister at my aunt’s estate in Kent.
I happened upon her just when the incident occurred, and I…
well… I thrashed my cousin within an inch of his life with fists and boots. ”
This was enough to make the apparently unflappable Miss Lucas gasp, and she raised her hand to her mouth, which formed a rigid O as she turned pale.
It was some time before either of us could speak again, but she finally said, “I presume that explains those bruises, your stiff shoulder, and your limp. Pray tell me at once they are both at least in good health!”
I admired her more. Even in a state of shock and anxiety, her first thoughts were for her friend and her patient. “Miss Bennet… well, actually… Mrs Bingley—”
She gasped again, but then gave me the broadest smile I had ever seen. That relieved quite a bit of my anxiety and allowed me to continue.
“She had not seen Mr Bingley in over a year, but apparently both of their feelings remain strong. I offered Miss Bennet my hand, but she preferred my friend. That gentleman was as amenable to the idea as a pig to slops, so in the end, it all worked out for the best.”
I suspected Miss Lucas had not had a good laugh in some time, because she started giggling, and soon we were both laughing uncontrollably, while Mrs Mills sat smiling at us, continuing her knitting.
Miss Lucas asked, “How in the world did you arrange that?”
I laughed a little more. “I seem to have stumbled on the only two sisters in all of England who really do not want much of anything to do with me.”
We both continued to laugh, but eventually came back under good regulation.
“Can you at least tell me that Jane is satisfied with her match? And by the bye, I might mention that Lizzy’s opinion of you may not precisely match that statement. She travelled four thousand miles to help her friend, not to escape you.”
I gave her my best smile, and replied, “Jane is more than satisfied. I mostly consider her close to a sister now. Mr Bingley is satisfied. Mr and Mrs Collins are ecstatic. Lady Catherine is very well satisfied. You may well presume Mr and Mrs Bennet’s opinion, though this all happened so quickly I am not certain they even know yet.
The incident was two days ago and the wedding was yesterday.
Even little Abbie is sanguine, though as usual she expresses her satisfaction by screaming her head off. ”
Familiar with young Miss Abigail, at least by reputation, Miss Lucas gave another quite dazzling smile.
I suspected that if she ever directed that smile at any unsuspecting unmarried man, he would be undone, yet would not rue the day.
I should have to scrape him from the floor and stand him beside the parson, and it would be the best day of his life.
We settled, and she asked somewhat reluctantly, “And your cousin, sir? I presume when you said you beat him within an inch of his life, you left at least that inch.”