Elinor and Marianne by Emma Tennant

Author:Emma Tennant
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2013-11-08T05:00:00+00:00

The Hall

Combe Magna

Somersetshire

From John Willoughby to Marianne Brandon

The seventh of March

My dear Mrs. Brandon,

You will recall perchance that a gift of a horse was once made to you – a fine horse for a woman to ride – since your esteemed mother was not able to provide a mount for you at the time.

My dear, my very dearest Marianne, my groom brings Queen Mab to you today.

Just as I said – and the words are etched on my mind in perpetuity – Queen Mab will one day receive you. But this time you are to receive her – dare I hope she will bring you back to me?

Marianne, I have watched you from afar, but I have not had the heart, the courage—

I have not forgot you, my dearest love. No woman has ever or will ever measure up to you. I have always retained that decided regard which interests me in everything that befalls you. You are my secret standard of perfection in a woman – and many a rising beauty has found herself slighted by John Willoughby, as bearing no comparison with Mrs. Brandon.

Being your slave, what should I do but tend

Upon the hours and times of your desire?

I have no precious time at all to spend,

Nor services to do, till you require.

Whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you,

Nor think the bitterness of absence sour

When you have bid your servant once adieu;

Nor dare I question with my jealous thought

Where you may be, or your affairs suppose,

But, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought

Save, where you are how happy you make those.

So true a fool is love that in your will

Though you do any thing, he thinks no ill.

Walk to your window, loveliest Marianne; look out and behold Queen Mab. I bred the mare myself on my estate here: she is exactly calculated to carry a woman.

Come to me, my dearest. Forget that cruel fate caused Willoughby to be the one to say adieu.

Life cannot be a prison, Marianne. For such as you and I there must be no anchors, but instead the freedom of a bird, a lark that flies high, regardless of the drear world that lies beneath.

Now Allenham is mine – but come to me first here at Combe Magna, where a design for a new future awaits the sweet approval of your smile. Come to me, my beloved – Queen Mab will bring you safely here.

John Willoughby

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