An Intimate Education: A Comedic Tale of Open Hearts and Narrow Minds by Willman Anna

Author:Willman, Anna [Willman, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Anna Willman
Published: 2014-02-26T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: In Which Lady Guinevere Confides In Lady Legerwood

Guinevere, who had slept very little during the night, was relieved to find, when she called on Louisa the following morning, that her friend’s health was greatly improved. Louisa’s speech was clearer and her spirits more elevated. Guinevere had come prepared to sit quietly while her friend slept, but Louisa was settled comfortably on her chaise lounge and ready for conversation.

Miss Manning, in contrast, remained agitated. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and she fluttered as much as she had when Louisa had been ill.

“Truly, Emily, I keep telling you that I am indeed much better,” Louisa told her cousin gently. “It is clear that you have exhausted yourself looking after me. You have been very good to me, much too good, and I insist that you take advantage of Gwen’s visit to get some rest.”

Miss Manning shook her head and shed a few tears, wringing her hands and protesting that nothing could be too good for her dearest Louisa.

“Nonsense,” Louisa responded. “It is clear to me that you have quite worn yourself out. If this keeps up, it shall be my turn to wait upon you. Really, Emily, you must go and lie down, for I declare I do not know how I shall manage if you do not become your good calm self once more.”

Miss Manning sniffed loudly and left the room, glancing back just before closing the door with a look of such anguish that Guinevere felt a sudden affinity with her.

This thought must have registered upon her face, for Louisa, who had been watching her, said quietly, “What is it my friend? Something is troubling you?”

“Oh Emily, I must not bother you with my foolishness just now.”

“Am I not to be your friend as you have been mine?”

Guinevere hesitated, “Are you truly feeling so much better? You were so ill yesterday, I left here feeling most concerned about you.”

“I confess that I am a little tired still, but you can see for yourself that I am much improved. Indeed I expect to be well enough to call upon Mrs. Westlake tomorrow. I think it must have been something I ate that disagreed with me, but now I am done with it. Do tell me what’s troubling you.”

“I hardly know how to say what I am feeling, but as Miss Manning was leaving, I found myself feeling very much in accord with her distress.” Guinevere paused. She was not in the habit of confiding her deeper feelings to anyone but Charles, and yet, what Louisa had said was the simple truth. Louisa was her friend. And she certainly needed a friend right now.

“What is it, dear? You look so terribly sad just now.” Louisa said.

Louisa’s soft voice was so warm and concerned that Gwen found tears forming. When she spoke, she was not sure whether it was because she wished to unburden herself to her friend or whether it seemed the only way to stop the tears from spilling over.

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