Susan, a Jane Austen Prequel by Alice McVeigh

Author:Alice McVeigh [McVeigh, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781916882317
Publisher: Warleigh Hall Press
Published: 2021-06-29T23:00:00+00:00

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As the evening was so fine, Lord and Lady Cuthbert chose to ride over from Rosings. As she confided, ‘I trust we do not intrude, Miss Johnson, but dear Mama is always so intractable, unless we have cards.’

Miss Laura, with a good deal of youthful exaggeration, then described Susan’s accident. Lord Cuthbert only shook his head, but his bride laughed and said, ‘Great heavens, what a fuss over an ankle!’

‘I wish I had not ridden on, but I thought she was just behind me.’

‘It is no surprise that she could not keep up with you, Miss Laura, for any horse she could afford could not be worth the riding.’

‘Her horse is supplied by your own mother,’ observed her husband caustically, ‘so you may perhaps be mistaken there.’

‘By Mama! Why, whatever do you mean?’

‘I understood that the girl had been given a horse by your mother. Or perhaps it was the Colonel’s? – I cannot recall. But her ladyship had something to do with it.’

This was corroborated by Miss Johnson, who added, ‘It is a shame that Miss Smithson should not have her own horse, for she rides very neatly already. I blame the groom who gave her Dandy, for he was simply too much for her to manage.’

Lady Cuthbert said, ‘In my opinion, riding cannot truly benefit young ladies such as Miss Smithson. To what possible use could such an accomplishment be put? At best, it could put unsuitable notions into their heads, while at worst – well! It was fortunate that it was only an ankle.’

Mr Johnson was shocked. How cruel Cuthbert’s wife was! Yet what else could one expect? – Her ladyship interfered in everything, cavilled at the most minor set of improvements ever perpetuated on a country manor, was proud beyond all bearing and famously capricious besides! Was it likely that her daughter would sympathise with poor little Miss Smithson, left as she was to the mercy of callous relatives and malicious London gossips alike?

Dimly, in Mr Johnson’s brain, a bright and beautiful thought occurred, for the very first time. What if he were to marry the lovely Miss Smithson? – True, she had not a penny, but he did not want for money, and her father had been in the Guards. She had merely been brought up to be a lady – her only advantage, in terms of accomplishments – but her beauty aroused admiration wherever she went, and he could imagine her charming his every acquaintance. As she was only sixteen, people would stare: some, including the Cuthberts, might even be scandalised. Yet, just imagine the girl at a hunt dinner, properly dressed – dressed as Caroline was dressed or – better still – as Miss Richardson was dressed: the pride of his heart, the toast of the table! As for his children, he could not imagine that they would object. Henry and Caroline only wanted his happiness, while Laura seemed smitten with the girl.

Also smitten, he thought, and with much less assurance, was young Churchill.

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