An Unmarried Lady by Willman Anna

Author:Willman, Anna [Willman, Anna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Anna Willman
Published: 2011-12-14T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN: In which Love arrives and all Comfort flies.

The new project could not begin at once, for Elaine and Mr. Merrival still had work to do before they could devote themselves to something so exotic as a treasure hunt. There were still pastures to see, tenants to visit, and papers to inspect. Elaine was reluctant for the examination of the papers to begin without them, and both Mr. Merrival and her father agreed.

As November ran its course and the short days of December began to unfold, Elaine found herself almost constantly in the company of her cousin’s man of business. They rode out together almost daily, or wandered on foot through the damp, unkempt gardens to the old orchard to inspect a fallen branch and determine the urgency of felling a damaged and rotting tree. They were kept inside only by the most inclement weather. They consulted not only on matters involving the estate, but also on the education of the children, the seven wonders of the world, the correct conjugation of an irregular Latin verb, and the imaginative adventures of their separate childhoods. They discussed his experiences with the army on the Spanish Penninsula, considered the political sentiments of Mary Wollstonecraft, and debated the war in America.

Elaine found herself waking up each morning in a state of suspenseful anticipation. She could not remember waking up in such a state of excitement since she was a small child anticipating a day’s adventure in the South Wood with Mary. She wondered briefly if this could be what it felt like to fall in love, but then quickly banished the thought. Elaine Howard was made of sterner stuff – she remembered that she was not so missish as to tumble headlong into love. In any case, the slim, self-effacing Mr. Merrival could in no way be said to present a romantic figure.

Then too, there was something not quite right – some puzzle unresolved – that tendency to stumble over his words whenever the subject strayed too close to…what? She was beginning to think that it wasn’t just shyness, that awkward fumbling. It had, to her mind, more the flavor of shame. Yet it was impossible to imagine that quiet man of business involved in anything shameful. Easier to suppose he was covering some shameful truth about her cousin, but that pleasure-loving gentleman showed no scintilla of discomfort or embarrassment whatsoever.

Still, Elaine Howard would not love where such doubts persisted. Nor was there any indication from Mr. Merrival that such sentiments would be reciprocated. Certainly Mr. Merrival enjoyed her company – she could not doubt that he was her friend. But though her cousin frequently bombarded her with flattering compliments and romantic insinuations, his man of business remained always a model of propriety. He never ventured to admire her eyes or her lips or her hair or to notice what style of gown she was wearing.

She wondered if perhaps he considered that his status as her cousin’s man of business placed him too far below her for her to regard him as a possible suitor.

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