‘She simply does not approve it.’ Mary shrugged as she snipped at her thread.

‘He is a man of the Church, though!’

‘And of a very good family,’ Mary agreed. ‘But he spent some years in India, where he fell sick with the cholera—’

‘Then he merits our sympathy,’ Cassandra replied firmly. ‘And that is not reason enough to bar him from matrimony.’

‘Apparently, it has left him rather weak. And on top of that, he is not, according to Fanny at least, one of the illuminé.’

‘Again, I see no obstruction. If a man comes from money, he can be as dull as he chooses. The world shall not mind it.’ After all, Cassy herself had always been higher in spirits than intellect. ‘Surely, if she has accepted him, then we must support her?’ Miss Austen was forced to stop and unpick a stitch. All this aggravation was making her sloppy.

‘It seems not. We have our instructions from Godmersham: we are to persuade her against it. The Lord only knows how, as she is so perfectly stubborn.’ Mary let her work fall into her lap. ‘Why do you laugh, Aunt?’ she asked sternly.

‘You do not see the irony? You, of all people, accusing another of stubbornness? You persuading her out of her choice? Now, let us cast our minds back …’

‘You make a fair point.’ Mary smiled too then, abashed. ‘I was not to be argued with. Still, there is no love there, or so they say, and we must do what we can. I shall not go against the Knights – the one family who has offered me acceptance. But, my dear, dearest Aunt, I beg that you help me.’ She screwed up her sweet face. ‘I cannot hope to succeed without your assistance.’

‘My—?’ Cassandra was aghast. ‘May I remind you that I am naught but a spinster, and one of some significant years? Hardly the best counsellor on matters matrimonial.’ She refused to be part of this. ‘I have nothing to say!’

‘Oh, Aunt!’ Mary scolded. ‘You are wise and all-knowing, and you shall do your – Hark!’ At the sound of wheels upon gravel, she leaped out of her seat. ‘She is here!’

CHAPTER XL

It was not until the afternoon of the third day of the visit that the issue was broached. The children were all at rest in the nursery; Ned was out in the woods with his gun: it was a rare moment of peace in that busy household, relished by Mary and Miss Austen in the cool of the parlour. Until Cassy marched in.