Chapter Twelve #4
“But if much converse perhaps thee satiate, to short absence I could yield. For solitude sometimes is best society, and short regiment offers sweet resume. But other doubt possesses me, lest harm befall thee severed from me, for thou knows what has been warned us, what malicious foe envying our happiness, and of his own despairing, seeks to work us woe and shame, by sly assault….”
Mr. Crawford’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he nodded to her. “As ever, your musical voice delights me—as to the rest, perhaps I must beg some clarity, Miss Price. And mercy, too, for I am but a novice in this study.”
James Rushworth snorted with laughter at the conversation he was overhearing.
He had not been so foolish as to accept his good fortune blindly, and rather wondered what Mr. Crawford was up to—and Maria, for that matter.
While Crawford had been consistent at least in his attentions to Fanny, Maria’s suddenly renewed interest in himself was less predictable.
James had begun to suspect that Sir Thomas was behind it, for Maria spoke most often to him when her father was present; the baronet had retired early, and Maria had made no approach, but sat bickering with his mother.
As much as the situation vexed him, he could no longer contain his bitterness and irritation, for Fanny Price ought not be inveigled in any of their scheming. He stood and moved to speak with them.
“You do read well, Miss Price. I think your choice of material very good, very instructive.”
Both Crawford and Miss Price looked up at him in some astonishment, yet there was a twinkle of humor in Miss Price’s eye.
“I did not take you for a great reader,” Crawford said laughingly.
James bristled at the man. “Anyone might know I am—did I not memorize two and forty speeches for our theatrical?”
“You did,” Miss Price observed. “I am sure you acquitted yourself very well during the theatrical.” Here she gave a telling glance to Mr. Crawford, and James understood her meaning at once; she thought no better of the rascal’s behavior than he did.
She really was a sweet girl, and James thought it an ill thing that Crawford should importune her when she obviously did not like it.
He glanced about, searching for some means of being rid of the pesky man, and his gaze fell upon Miss Crawford.
He smiled, and when she met his eye he made a very subtle gesture of waving at her.
Though she appeared perplexed, she returned his wave, her brow knit.
“Mr. Crawford, you sister seems to want you,” James observed, and Crawford looked round to see his sister waving.
“No, I am sure she wants Fanny—shall we go to her?”
Miss Price hesitated, and looked beseechingly at James. “I do not… that is, I am very comfortable here by the fire.”
“And surely your sister would not bother Miss Price while she is reading, she is not so rude as that,” James said with an edge to his voice.
Crawford looked askance at James, rolling his eyes a little, and made a great show of bowing over Miss Price and kissing her hand before he moved away. When he was gone, James sat down in the seat Crawford had just vacated, muttering under his breath.
Miss Price offered an enigmatic smile. “Thank you,” she muttered.
“I am happy to oblige. You have often been kind to me, at Sotherton and during the play—many other times, I am sure. I thought I ought to make you a small favor of dispensing with him.”
“I had no wish to be rude, but…”
“You could never be rude, I am sure of it. But you are kinder than you he deserves,” James huffed. “Forgive me if I overstep, but he annoys me so! He is not handsome at all—not five foot eight, I am sure! You could not like such a man.”
Miss Price dropped her eyes to her lap for a moment, but her smile remained. “I have been told that I have not been enough in the world to know what I like, and I suppose there is some truth in that.”
“Well, it is a wonder the Bertrams waited so long to bring you forward! But I beg you not give this Crawford fellow any credence, for I am sure he is not to be trusted.”
“I do wonder at his odd behavior. In small increments I can bear it cheerfully, but too much wearies me. But surely there must be some pleasing effects to come of it, for your sake.”
James glanced over at Maria, who had made up a game of whist with his Dashwood cousins and Mr. Willoughby.
Maria met his eye and gave a hesitant smile but quickly looked away; James could only wonder how such insipid and half-hearted encouragement had ever led him to propose to the lady.
He grumbled, and looked back at Miss Price.
“It will all come to nothing, I fear,” he said sulkily.
Miss Price likewise watched Crawford speaking with his sister. “Well, Mr. Rushworth, I hope I shall at least learn, in time, how to speak for myself with some degree of confidence. There can be no harm in that.”