Jane Austen's First Love by Syrie James

Author:Syrie James [James, Syrie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780698139268
Publisher: Penguin Group, USA
Published: 2014-08-05T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter the Eighteenth

The following morning dawned gray and cold, with very threatening skies. Nevertheless, the same group gathered early on the Goodnestone grounds for the planned cricket match, which was to be held on a wide, grassy field at the front of the house, beyond the steps leading down to the parterre.

I had been, up until now, too preoccupied by my own thoughts to notice the weather. Despite many long hours of pondering, I had yet to come up with a satisfying means by which to promote the romantic pairings I desired. However, a sharp east wind which nearly blew off my bonnet, brought the matter to my attention.

“I do not like the look of those clouds,” remarked Elizabeth with a worried expression.

“I would not worry,” responded Sophia optimistically. “Many a cricket game has been played on a cloudy day.”

“Gray clouds are one thing,” commented Mr. Cage, “but those clouds are black. It looks as if we are due for a shower.”

“Mr. Cage, do not be so gloomy!” cried Fanny. “Yesterday was fine; surely it will brighten soon.”

As I shivered and wrapped my cloak more tightly about me, an animated discussion ensued amongst the party, involving predictions as to the state of the weather, half of those assembled absolutely certain that the clouds would burn off by noon, and the other half predicting rain.

The Paylers arrived late, the sons rushing to join their teams, who had begun forming on the cricket field. As Mrs. Watkinson Payler and Charlotte hurried up to the benches where the ladies were gathered, they brought bad news: there had been a kitchen fire at Ileden the preceding evening, which had nearly destroyed the entire outbuilding. The winds were such that the manor house itself had been in grave danger for a good long hour; but thankfully the offices were set at such a distance from the house, that a shift of wind prevented any further calamity.

“I cannot guess how long it may take to rebuild the kitchen,” said Mrs. Watkinson Payler despondently. “We are in a terrible mess at present.”

“I am so sorry,” cried Lady Bridges, “for the inconvenience you are suffering. I cannot imagine how we should get on without a kitchen. Shall I have Cook make up dishes for your family, and send them thither?”

“Oh! Do not trouble yourself, Lady Bridges,” replied Mrs. Watkinson Payler, “for we have a neighbour not half a mile distant, a very good woman who has offered to help us out in a similar manner. But, however,” added she in disappointment, “I regret to say that we will be unable to host the dinner at Ileden next week, as we had promised.”

“Do not give the dinner another thought,” answered Lady Bridges. “We can find something else to do. And if there is any way in which we can help you, please do not hesitate to ask.”

Mrs. Fielding, who had been very silent ever since her arrival, now abruptly said, in a tone of great anguish: “There is something I must tell you, Lady Bridges; it concerns the concert we hoped to hold at Bifrons on Tuesday.

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