Murder at Mansfield Park - Lynn Shepherd [9]
‘I am sure that Miss Price’s ringlets are quite as artfully contrived as her deportment,’ interrupted Mary with a laugh. ‘I can respect her for doing her hair well, but cannot feel a more tender sentiment. Nor, I am sure, can you. I know you are merely teasing.’
‘No, no, I am quite determined, Mary. My mind is entirely made up. My plan is to make Fanny Price in love with me.’
Mary shook her head with a smile. ‘My dear brother, I will not believe this of you. Even were she as perfectly faultless as she appears—even were she the angel Mrs Norris claims her to be—we are told that Miss Price is engaged. Her choice is made.’
‘All I can say to that is that if Miss Price has given Mr Norris her heart as well as her hand, then she will be safe from any attack from me. But Mary,’ he said, stopping short, and smiling in her face, ‘I know what a thinking brain you have, and I know full well that you saw exactly what I saw—you cannot dissemble with me. Miss Price does not care three straws for Mr Norris, nor he for her; that is your opinion. And I do not blame her—what woman would care for such an undersized, solemn, gloomy fellow! Did you not hear him discussing his wretched dog last night? I never heard so much fuss made over such a trifle, or so many long words expended over such a small puppy—if it was necessary to say any thing at all on such a desperate dull subject. In his place I would simply have said “I have given the thing a basket in the stables”, but clearly such plain and manly dealing is beyond the wit of our Mr Norris. What was it he said? “I at length determined on a method of proceeding which would obviate the risk of unnecessary expense.” Honestly, Mary, what is one to do with such an insufferable fellow?’
Mary laughed and replied, ‘Perhaps he will improve upon acquaintance?’
‘I rather doubt it,’ he said, with sarcastic dryness, ‘as I am sure his lovely Fanny is only too aware.’
‘Oh! Henry, how shall I manage you? But I know you are not serious.’
‘Forty thousand pounds is a serious enough matter, would you not say?’
It was lightly said, and lightly taken, and without attempting any farther remonstrance, Mary left Miss Price to her fate, and they continued their walk. Henry led the way; every vista was pointed out, every prospect noted, until an opening in the trees finally afforded them a view of the house. They stopped some minutes to look and admire, until they noticed Miss Price and Mr Norris on horseback, riding side by side, followed by the Mansfield coachman, making directly towards the spot where they stood. Mary turned to her brother with a smile. ‘It seems you will have an early opportunity to begin your wicked project. I shall observe how you succeed, though if I am to judge by her behaviour last evening, I do not think you should expect very much encouragement. If there is not hope in her disdain, there is hope in nothing else.’
‘I fear we interrupt you in the exercise of your profession, Crawford,’ said Mr Norris, as soon as he was within hearing. ‘I suspected we might encounter you on our ride; the weather is exactly suited for your purpose. Well, how do you go on? Have you been able to form an opinion?’
Henry protested that a survey such as he felt necessary to be done was not the work of a moment, but, if he would, Mr Norris could be of inestimable assistance to him in pointing out the various divisions of the park.
Before Mr Norris could answer, Miss Price ventured to say, ‘Edmund, I am sure my uncle’s steward would be happy to offer his services to Mr Crawford by way of a guide.’
Mr Norris made no reply and continued, ‘Is there any thing