For Myself Alone: A Jane Austen Inspired Novel Read Online Free

of wine; shall I get you one?”
    “No, no. Stay where you are. According to Mr. Trask, too much wine is part of my problem. I swear he would see me bereft of that and of every other pleasure.”
    “So, he recommends some alteration in your diet, then? Is there anything else you can do?”
    “Well, he did suggest that taking the waters in Bath might be of use, though I put no stock in the advice.”
    “Why is that? I thought you had a high regard for Mr. Trask’s medical opinions. I am sure I have often heard you say so.”
    “Oh, I think he is quite a clever fellow. And when he is giving his orders to somebody else, it is all very well. But I reserve the right to decide what is best for me. Can you honestly picture me lazing about in Bath, Josephine? I should feel quite ridiculous bathing with strangers and imbibing those dubious waters. Besides, it would be a very costly undertaking. I can hardly justify such an extravagance.”
    I frowned and looked away as if deep in thought.
    This presently prompted Papa to ask, “What is the matter? Said I something amiss?”
    Shaking my head, I replied, “Never mind. I know you must do what you think is right.”
    “Come now, child. There is something troubling you. I can always tell. Out with it.”
    “It is only that… well… I have seen how concerned Mama is about your health. I really think it is taking a toll on her nerves to see you suffer as you do. If there is anything that can be done to make you well, I believe it would be a kindness, as much to her as for yourself, to see that it is done.”
    “So you think I should relent and go to Bath, do you? For your mother’s sake?”
    “For her sake as well as for your own, I wish you would consider it.”
    Father leaned back in his chair, folded his arms over his chest, and shook his head, a satirical grin playing across his face. “I do not know if I have ever before witnessed so much selfless compassion in one family,” he said with biting sarcasm. “In an amazing coincidence, your mama has also recommended that I decide in favor of Bath, as kindness to you . Now confess, Josephine. The two of you are in league together, are you not?”
    “Really, Papa, I have no idea what you mean…”
    “Oh, I think you have. You are simply surprised to be found out. Well, never mind,” he said in a softened tone, reaching for my hand. “I choose to flatter myself that you both have my best interests at heart. If we are to go to Bath, however, will you have the goodness to allow me at least the pretense that it was by my own choosing?”
    “Certainly, Papa. You shall have all the credit for it.” I gave him my most winning smile and left him to his thoughts and his books, confident that the campaign was all but won. I expected he would make a temporary show of stubbornness in compliment to his pride. Then, with any luck, he’d come round.
    And indeed, after leaving us in suspense for a full week, my father announced that he would allow himself to be taken to Bath after all. For this proof of his good judgment, Mama and I rewarded him with a liberal show of praise and affection.
    So we were to go to Bath! With great difficulty, I kept my outward enthusiasm in check, reminding myself that this trip was not primarily intended as a holiday for me. Still, I could not contain my inner exhilaration over the promise of so much novelty. My head teamed with images of what the place would be like, the sort of people we might meet, and how I should behave to best advantage. For the most part, my good sense held sway, preventing a headlong plunge into unbridled optimism over what lay in store for me there. Occasionally, I did set loose my fancy, freeing my imagination to roam where it would. And it would ramble into some very pretty places.

 
     
     
    4
    Farewell Party
     
    It was mid-September, and Fairfield hummed with a vast deal of activity as the place prepared to give up all its principal occupants at once. In addition to the