CHAPTER XV

Lady Banks was correct. Sir Edward did prefer to travel with his wife as much as was possible. Simply put, he was happier and more effective when she was by his side, and Fanny was touched by that. For, in truth, she now – nearly three years into their marriage – felt something similar. She might not be in love exactly. And she might never know the need to storm around the house protesting her passion – the memory of Marianne’s recent behaviour was still somehow irksome. Still, as she had hoped, Fanny had come to love her husband.

Even her terrible luck with the baby business could cause no rift between them – indeed, quite the opposite. While she wept and grieved, Sir Edward was endlessly patient and kind: the sorrow seemed to bring them yet closer. They lived together in a mercifully peaceful spirit of gentle benevolence, and on every matter – the family, the estate, their country and their God – they were in harmony.

And so when Sir Edward was called to Town by business or politics, then of course, within reason, Fanny went, too. And if a particular trip looked to be inconvenient or tedious, then would it not be absurd to drag poor Mary along? She was so happy with clever and pretty Miss Atkinson; bolstered further by that precious friendship with Cassy Knight – and dear Booker, the maid, would lay down her life for the girl.

While the parents travelled, that little group was free to roam between Hatch and Godmersham – wherever the fun seemed to be at the time – and as a system, it seemed to work remarkably well. Certainly, Fanny never received any evidence to suggest cause for concern, and all the young people of both households seemed perfectly happy.

Therefore, when, in that summer of 1823, Lady Banks found an issue with Sir Joseph’s estate requiring attention, Sir Edward and Fanny set off in the coach for the capital with nary a backward glance. Why on earth would the girls want to leave Kent in that glorious weather?

William Knight – he who was the Most Fun in that parlour game of old – had taken Orders in June, and was due to take up the curacy in Steventon in September. In the gap that remained, it was agreed that he would spend the summer based mainly at Hatch, while reading in for his position at St John the Baptist in Mersham. Fanny was delighted with this arrangement. Everyone would be happy with William about the place – how could they not? He was a purveyor of joy: it was as simple as that. Even Norton would surely have to cheer up just a bit. Poor Norton. It was a shame.