Free Henry Tilney's Diary (9781101559024) by Amanda Grange

why should that trouble you? You are an admirer of the fair sex.’
    â€˜But not at all hours of the day, in all situations. There are times when I do not want to be introduced to yet another damsel who can talk of nothing but her embroidery.’
    â€˜So that is what Miss Barton was talking to you about!’ he said with a wry smile.
    I laughed.
    â€˜In Miss Barton’s case, I wished she would talk of her embroidery! I am as fond of nonsense as the next man, and can talk it by the hour if required, but Miss Barton’s kind of nonsense fatigues me, particularly when it is only said for the ears of other men.’
    â€˜So, you object to her using you to attract other, wealthier men, dear brother? Your lessons in love have just begun.’
    There was no arguing with him and so I took myself off to bed.
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    Saturday 10 November
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    The weather being fine, Eleanor and I escaped our guests this afternoon and, warmly wrapped, retreated to the arbour. Glad that she had overcome her aversion to A Sicilian Romance , I suggested we continue with it but Eleanor looked conscious and went pink and said she rather thought we might wait.
    â€˜Wait? For what?’ I asked, though I had more than a passing suspicion.
    â€˜Not what. Whom,’ she said.
    I looked at her with interest.
    â€˜Am I to take it that you are expecting Mr Morris?’ I asked.
    â€˜I happened to mention that we were in the custom of sitting in the arbour when the weather was fine, and I believe he saw us through the window and noticed the direction in which we were heading.’
    â€˜And I suppose you also told him he would be welcome to join us?’
    â€˜Is he not?’
    â€˜My dear Eleanor, you know as well as I do that he is. You are free to invite anyone you wish to join us, and I would suffer a much worse man for your sake. Are you fond of him?’ I asked curiously.
    â€˜I have only just met him. I hardly know him,’ she replied.
    â€˜That is not an answer. It is possible to be fond of a person one has only just met, and dislike very strongly a person one knows well.’
    â€˜That is very true. I do not wish to commit myself on so short an acquaintance, and so I will say only this: that I find him interesting and pleasant to look at.’
    â€˜ Only this? It is a very great deal, especially from you, who are so particular. It is the curse of the Tilneys to be very particular. We all three suffer from it, you and Frederick no less than myself. I have not heard you say so much in favour of a man since – well, ever.’
    â€˜Do you not like him then?’ she asked. ‘I rather thought you did.’
    â€˜He is good company, I will grant you, or I suspect he will be, once he has overcome the last of his shyness. Amusing on occasion. A gentleman in his address. But too easily put upon. How he came to lend Frederick money is beyond me. He must, I think, be deficient in sense.’
    â€˜No, not that. Just deficient in the ability to refuse a favour.’
    â€˜As failings go, that is a bad one. It is not conducive to happiness. Though I must confess I am surprised at Frederick. He usually borrows money from wealthy men. It is unlike him to stoop so low as to borrow from someone impecunious.’
    â€˜As to that, there was some confusion. Mr Morris’s uncle is a viscount, and somehow Frederick had mistaken Mr Morris for the viscount’s son, a very wealthy young man. There is a family resemblance, it seems.’
    â€˜And Mr Morris did not disabuse him of his mistake?’
    â€˜When he discovered it, yes. But by then it was too late. The money was already lent.’
    â€˜And already spent?’ I asked.
    â€˜Unfortunately so, which is why Frederick invited Mr Morris to Northanger Abbey, to make amends.’
    â€˜But whether that will be a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen. Papa will not countenance a match, you know. He wants you to marry a man