I went to the door and opened it. He stood there, a warm.and apologetic smile on his friendly face. “Yes. I think that would be a good idea.” Anything to take my mind off Britney.
“Are you alright? You seemed pretty shaken up by Britney’s unexpected arrival.”
“Let’s work on those scenes,” I said, wanting to put Britney behind me...far, far behind me.
“I was hoping to find a nice quiet place to run our lines,” he said.
“You could always come in here,” I said. “It’s quiet and I doubt anyone will disturb us. And there’s plenty of room.”
He smiled. “I think that’s a perfect idea.”
I let him in, and we quickly went through the script to find the scenes we had together...in other words, almost all of them.
We read several small and easy scenes, then moved on to more serious ones.
“Here is a scene that is pretty emotionally charged,” I said. “When Edmund tells Fanny that he’s in love with Mary Crawford. It’s not strictly as Jane wrote it, but I find it quite powerful.”
“Good idea. I, too, find that scene to be filled with a variety of emotions.”
With our scripts nearby, we sat on the sofa with ample space between us.
“What has you in such a good mood, Edmund?”I said.
“Love, my sweet Fanny. My heart is filled with love.”
“And who might the lucky young lady be?”
“Why, Mary Crawford, of course.”
“Mary?”I said softly, letting Fanny’s dismay come through.
“Do I detect a note of disapproval in your tone?”
“It is not my place to comment on your love life, Edmund. You’re a mature man and I’ve no doubt you have the ability to know what your heart truly desires.”
“Please. I insist. After all, I do hold your opinion in high esteem.”
“Do you?”
“Of course, I do, Fanny dear.”
“All right then.” I turned to face him straight on. “Edmund, you’re like a brother to me, and as any good sister would have it, I would like to see you happy. Truth be told, I don’t believe Mary is the woman who will bring you the happiness you deserve.”
“Happiness? But I am happy, Fanny. I’m elated. I’m on a cloud. Mary is a bright and curious woman. Her interests are varied and her imagination vivid. She’s inquisitive and bold.”
I nodded as he listed off Mary’s qualities.
“For the time being you are infatuated with what you know of her. What will happen when you realize...”
“Realize what?”
I turned away from him.
“Fanny. You can’t stop now. What am I to realize about Mary?”
When I said nothing, he continued.
“Mary comes from a good family, one of the best, in fact. That you should insinuate anything different...”
