Expectations of Happiness by Rebecca Ann Collins

not be avoided.
    The servant who let them into the hall informed them that her mistress had just left, but a few minutes ago, with the Misses Perceval.
    â€œLeft?” said Elinor, as though she could not comprehend the word. “Left to go where?” The girl apologised and said she wasn’t exactly sure, but she thought they were planning to visit Glastonbury on the morrow, and Mrs Brandon had said she would be staying over at the Percevals’ and would return home on Sunday.
    Elinor said in a strained voice, “Glastonbury—in Somerset?” as though she had not heard right, and when the maid replied, “Yes, ma’am,” Margaret saw her sister turn pale, as she looked at her, disbelieving, and reached for her hand.
    â€œWill you not come in and take some tea, ma’am?” the girl asked, and Elinor shook her head and made to leave. Margaret could see from her countenance that she was thoroughly discomposed and very close to tears. As they walked back, Elinor grasped her sister’s hand and held it very tight, but she said little. It was as though the shock had unsettled her and she was unsure what to do or say.
    Then as they approached the parsonage, she spoke, “Oh Margaret, what is to be done? I am at a loss… I do not know what to think… these Perceval girls… I know nothing of them, except they are friends of Robert and Lucy, and I don’t know if that is much of a recommendation.”
    â€œIt is no great endorsement of their good sense,” said Margaret, and then realising that such a remark would only increase her sister’s discomfort, she added quickly, “but at least they have no connection to Willoughby.”
    â€œThat is true,” said Elinor in a dull voice, “but they are young and bent on having fun; who knows where they might go and whom they might meet? If they are all going to Glastonbury—on the same day—it seems inevitable that the parties will meet. Oh dear God, I pray they do not, because if they do, I know enough of Willoughby’s recklessness to believe that he will feel no compunction at all about presenting himself to Marianne again, and I cannot bear to think that he will again have the opportunity to use the power he once had over her, to entice her into an association that can only end in tears.”
    Margaret was incredulous. “Elinor, you cannot really believe that—surely even if Willoughby cannot be relied upon to act with honour, Marianne will not be as vulnerable as she was those many years ago. Surely she is older and—”
    Her sister interrupted her. “Wiser? Were you about to say older and wiser, Margaret? Because if you were, then I have bad news for you. Our sister was hurt, badly hurt by what happened between her and Willoughby some years ago, and yes, she did agree that he had been wrong to deceive her and all of us at the time, but as you pointed out when we spoke earlier of this matter, both Marianne and Mama were ready, nay eager, to find reasons to forgive him, to lay the blame for his conduct at the feet of his aunt or his wife—so who can tell if Marianne may not see him in a different light now. Oh dear, I wish Edward were here…” She sounded so forlorn, Margaret said, “I can stay another day or two—at least until Edward returns on Sunday night. I had meant to take the coach on Monday morning, but I will send an express instead, telling Claire I have been delayed. It will not signify, we are due to leave for Plymouth on Friday and sail on Saturday morning for Marseilles.”
    Elinor was very touched and hugged her young sister, marvelling at how mature she had become. “Thank you, Margaret, you are very kind; Edward will be home on Sunday night, but I don’t think I will trouble him with these matters—he will be tired from the journey. But I am happy to have you with me to help me think things through; else I cannot imagine