Chapter 11 Drama

Fanny did not sleep much that night. She dreaded the arrival of Mr Rushworth. It was a good thing that he always seemed to go on business to London, which made his visits to Mansfield Park not so frequent. Maria did not seem to care very much, except when she was going to a ball, for then –she told- she wished him to be at her side. Fanny thought it likely that she wished his presence at those occasions so she could show off her rich fiancé.

In the morning she went on an early ride with Edmund, who did his best to ease her anxiety. He was not very successful but she was slightly consoled by his assurance that he would stay near her as much as he could. Fanny thought it very likely that Mr Crawford would be around as well.
They had to return sooner than anticipated, for it started to rain.

Back at home, Fanny discovered that her aunt Norris had excused herself for the day, which she was relieved of.
After changing, she went to the drawing room where she found her other aunt already installed for the day. Fanny's plan was to stay near her and try to not let her anxiety distract her too much when her aunt was in need of her assistance.

When her cousins and Mr Yates joined them, the conversation was soon about acting again. Books with plays were fetched from the library, and bits and pieces were read out loud and examined to rate their suitability.
In the middle of all this hustle and bustle, the Crawford siblings arrived.
"Ah Mr and Miss Crawford, you have arrived just in time!" exclaimed Maria. "For we are trying to decide which play to choose. Oh, I wish my dear Rushworth were here already. I am sure he would have a valuable opinion on the matter."

Mr Crawford looked first in Fanny's direction and with a raise of the eyebrows asked how she was doing. She gave him a shaky smile. He nodded encouragingly at her. Then he seemed to notice that Mrs Norris was not present and relief was visible on his face.
He came and sat near her and Edmund.
"Good morning. Did you two go for a ride today? My sister thought she saw you passing, presumably on your way back."
Edmund nodded. "Yes, we went out quite early, but we still got caught in the rain. What about yourself?"
"A very short one today. I did not want to miss the conversation about acting." Here he winked and rolled his eyes as if to say that he did not really care about that.

"I fear, Mr Crawford, that if that is your object for being here, you have chosen the wrong place in the room to sit." Fanny was surprised at herself for making this joke and blushed because of her forwardness.
He laughed at her. "You are right of course. But I need not be close to the others to hear what the plans are. I can easily hear them speak from here." Fanny smiled shyly.

"Fanny, which colour should I choose next?" came aunt Bertram's voice.
With patience Fanny helped her aunt on and then returned to her own work while listening to the conversation between Edmund and Mr Crawford.
Edmund seemed a bit out of sorts and was staring longingly in the direction where Mary was sat. When entering she had greeted them, but then attached herself straight away to the theatre party.
Fanny did not pay much attention to that group. She was not interested in the acting and it was rather difficult to not hear their voices. Mr Crawford was right about the fact that they were rather loud.

After a little while he excused himself and went to join the others. Fanny knew he liked theatre and that he wished to one day be able to do some acting. She had heard him read Shakespeare a few times in this very room and he had seemed to enjoy it very much. She thought he had a very good reading voice and really brought the characters to life with his manner of speech.

Half an hour later Mr Rushworth was announced. Fanny was surprised at how strong her reaction was at his presence. She could barely suppress a shudder of fear. Edmund laid his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it for a moment, to give her courage.
She only slightly looked up when Mr Rushworth greeted her, she curtsied quickly and then sat back down.

The rest of the morning was agony. This was the first time since Sotherton that she saw him again and even hearing his voice greatly distressed her. Often she had to undo some of her stitching and start again. She was glad Lady Bertram did not notice how distracted she was.
Mr Crawford had come back to their corner and sat down next to her, conversing with Edmund about estate business. His presence calmed her down a bit. Neither man left her side and they seemed to subtly support her with their presence.

In the afternoon the weather turned for the better and most of the group went out for a ride. Mary declared she was not up to it and stayed, as well as Edmund and Mr Crawford. The four of them had then a rather pleasant time. With Lady Bertram dozing, they talked among themselves and played some card games. Fanny relaxed again. It was good to be with her friends once more, Mrs Norris and Mr Rushworth absent and her louder cousins also.

Mary told them she was quite determined to participate in the acting and Edmund asked her if anything was decided yet regarding which play. She then showed the two plays between which they were to choose. Apparently it had taken a long time to narrow the choices down to only those two.
Edmund and Fanny scanned the pages of the two plays.
"Isn't this the play Yates mentioned yesterday?" Edmund asked, holding his up.
"Lovers' vows? Yes, it is."
"I am very surprised that you all chose this as one of the options. I think it's totally unsuitable. I would never have my sisters acting in something like this!"

He put the book down as if it was too dirty to hold any longer. Fanny picked it up and looked through it. Some passages made her blush scarlet red. This was horrible. How could they even consider it? And had Mr Yates been acting in this? She herself felt even ashamed for briefly reading through it.
"I agree, Edmund. This is… disgusting."

Henry looked at them both and saw they meant it. He himself had briefly flicked through it before and didn't see much wrong with it. But seeing Fanny so obviously distressed and disgusted about it made him think.
He asked if he could read through it as well, and kept in mind their upbringing in the countryside rather than his own in liberal London. And he saw what they must mean.
"I guess you are right," he said. "I really would like to act, but if they choose this, I am going to decline."
Mary shrugged. "I do not see much wrong in it. It is just a love story. Besides, it is not as if we are going to perform in front of strangers. I think it's an innocent enough diversion within a circle of friends and family."
Henry sighed. His sister was not very good in understanding that other people could have different opinions and the reason why.

Then Edmund said: "I am quite sure they will not choose it for there are not enough people to fill all the roles. And I hope Tom is wise enough to cancel this whole plan in time but I fear he is too much enjoying it to care for my father's opinion on the matter. My father must be on his way back now. What if he arrived and they were in the middle of it all? He would not be happy at all." Fanny agreed with him. "I am sure my aunt Norris will forbid them to continue. At least she is always solicitous as to what Sir Thomas might think." Henry thought she might be right.

Unfortunately, they found the opposite was true. It seemed at first the next day – when Mrs Norris was back – that she would oppose the scheme but then she actually offered her services so that they would not make too much costs. The woman said she would keep an eye out on their expenses and help them out with the practical things as costumes and stage curtains.

When it became clear that she would not oppose, Edmund tried again to reason with Tom, talking about the costs, about his sisters acting in such a scandalous play and especially how their father would react if he knew. Tom did not listen to him. "Take care of your own business and I will take care of the rest," was his impatient answer.

Despite Henry's protests and Edmund's objections, the group chose for Lovers' vows. Henry then decidedly told them that he would not participate and no amount of cajoling of the others induced him to change his mind.
Even trying to tell them there would not be enough people to act all the parts, did not help. Tom thought it would all work out and if they had a shortage of people, he had some friends who would be happy to help out.
Henry gave up and, when on a ride the following day, with Edmund and Fanny, the former said: "We have tried everything. I cannot understand how they do not see the evil in this scheme. I am rather worried at what my father would do if he found out."
"I believe we can do nothing more," Fanny said. "If even my aunts do not seem opposed to it there is not much we can do."
They then left the subject and went on to talk about other things.

When going home that evening, Henry tried to talk with Mary. He tried to explain there must be a difference in upbringing in the countryside as opposed to one in London. And that some things that were acceptable in the big city were not here in the rural areas.
Mary laughed a bit. "I suppose you are right, but if Mr Bertram and Maria and Julia do not mind, then I do not see why it is such a problem. Besides, I quite enjoy everything surrounding it; our conversations, the choosing of the actors, the thinking about the stage, etc. The acting is only part of the whole process."
Henry sighed. "I know. And you know I would agree with you if not for the choice of this play. But I see I cannot persuade you. What about Edmund? You know he is opposed to it."
"Well, if he is to be a clergyman, I expect no less. It is a shame really. There is a character in the play who is a clergyman. It would suit him well I believe." Now Henry rolled his eyes. "I thought you liked him. Why do you go against his values? Why do you not try to understand his reasoning?"
Mary huffed. "I do like him, but sometimes he is a bit too stuffy. In that respect he would suit your Fanny very well."

Henry was hurt. "They are alike, but that does not mean they suit each other. I know she and I are very different, but that doesn't seem to be an issue in our friendship. And how can you so carelessly talk about the man you like to be matched with someone else? I am not sure your sentiments run very deep."

"Oh brother, do not make such a fuss. I was just joking about Edmund and Fanny. I have decided I will not oppose a match between you and her. I think she is good for you."
And with that, Mary seemed to have closed the topic.

Even though she did not agree with it, in some ways Fanny was glad that most people in the house were busy with theatre. Mr Rushworth was very vocal about his enthusiasm for acting in a play; he was too occupied to bother Fanny. Mrs Norris was also too busy. She was helping the group in the billiards room which they had decided would be the best place to act.

Mr Crawford kept Fanny and lady Bertram company. Edmund was in his father's study, dealing with some estate matters. Although Tom was back, he had not yet taken back his supposed role as eldest and therefore master of the house. Tom's mind was probably too occupied with the acting and for now, Edmund was used to his tasks.

While Fanny and her aunt were busy with their embroidery, Mr Crawford was reading to them. Suddenly he interrupted himself.
"Lady Bertram, my sister, Mrs Grant invites you for tea tomorrow. She said: with all the theatre going on, you might want some quiet company. You too, Miss Price!" He smiled at her.
"That is very kind of Mrs Grant," Lady Bertram replied. "What do you think Fanny? Should I accept the invitation?"
"If you want to, you should, aunt. I think it will be good to be out on a visit."
"Well, if you are coming as well, I should like to go."
Mr Crawford laughed. "I will tell my sister to expect you tomorrow. Will you take the carriage?"
The ladies nodded and then they all continued their previous occupation.

In the following week they went not once, but twice to the parsonage. Nobody in the great house seemed to miss them. Fanny was glad to be able to spend some time away. The weather was horrible some days, so she hardly came outside. She missed her rides and the free conversations with Mr Crawford in particular.
Edmund was busy a lot of the time. He wanted to make sure everything was in order before his father came back.

The play seemed to be progressing. All over the house it was possible to hear people practising their speeches, Mrs Norris walked around with big pieces of fabric. She had tried to get Fanny involved in helping, although ordering was a more adequate word. Lady Bertram had objected as she said she could not spare Fanny. That was on the day they went for the second time to the parsonage. Fanny was relieved that she would not have to get involved; she truly did not want to.
Mrs Norris called her selfish, but as Lady Bertram had made the decision, she could not do much about it.

Henry knocked on the door of the study. Edmund bid him enter.
"Crawford! Good to see you! Is there a particular reason that you want to speak to me?"
"Yes, Bertram. Miss Price told me you might want to tell your father to end Rushworth's engagement to your sister. Have you thought yet about how to proceed?"

Edmund nodded. "We gave it some thought a few weeks ago. At the moment he seems too occupied with the acting to notice Fanny, for which I am very glad. But I still do not wish him as a brother-in-law. It truly is difficult, as it would not be wise if my father knew what Rushworth did to Fanny. We thought we might find other things in his character or behaviour that are objectionable enough without pointing towards Fanny. But so far we have not found anything. To be able to find something we would have to observe him and you understand that Fanny cannot do that. I myself am also very reluctant, yet I am trying my best. Without any results so far.
What do you think?"

Henry was quiet for a moment.
"I agree with your idea, but I also can see that it is a nearly impossible task, to observe the man. I have been thinking: I know Rushworth has some business in London. It seems he is going there rather often. I wonder if we can find out what he does there and if it is all 'clean' so to speak." Edmund nodded. "Yes, that might be a way to go. Have you got any contacts that might be of help to us in that? Very discreetly of course."
"I happen to know the right person who could help. I have already written to him and instructed him to find out anything about Rushworth. What he does, where he goes, who he meets with, etc. I do hope we will soon hear from him."

Edmund looked relieved. "Thank you for that! That is very good news. I hope it will bring the results we are looking for. Let me know as soon as you have news. If you don't mind, that is."
Henry smiled. "I will let you know. Do you think Miss Price should know?"
Edmund thought for a moment. "I think she should. She will be relieved to hear about any effort to get him to leave our family."
The two men then shook hands. They both hoped for results in their favour. Anything that would help free Fanny from the dangers of Rushworth's company and save the family from this unwanted connection.

The theatre scheme seemed to progress well. Tom had send a message to two of his friends to ask if they were willing to participate.
Edmund came to tell this in a very agitated manner one morning, when Fanny came back from a ride with Mr Crawford.
"I was already so against this play and now he is getting strangers in. I do not like it that my sisters and Miss Crawford should have to act opposite people they don't know.
Oh Fanny, I really don't know. I am now contemplating if I should play a part myself, to prevent that from happening. What do you think?"

Before Fanny could say anything, Mr Crawford spoke up.
"Bertram, I do understand your dilemma, but, as far as my sister is concerned, you should not worry too much. I am sure she will handle herself quite well. Besides, she told me only this morning that if strangers were to come, she would change some of the speeches and actions of her role, so it would not be too awkward. As for your sisters, you can hardly step in and play the lover of one of their characters."

Edmund nodded. "I think you are right, but I still wish I could do something about it."
"I think, Edmund, you should not betray your principles just to save them from some sort of scandal. They themselves are choosing this. I think they would not thank you for stepping in if you did." Fanny was convinced about that. "I am still hoping that something happens and they have to stop the whole scheme."

The next day a note came, that Tom's friends were willing to come and would be arriving the day after tomorrow.
Their arrival would bring a lot of drama into the lives of the people at Mansfield!

A.N. Just yesterday I came up with a totally different kind of story (on Pride and Prejudice). I think it will be a quick one, but I might have less time to spend on this story. Luckily I still have a few chapters already written, so you might not notice any delays in my posting. ;-)
I know the basics of where this story is going, but I just have to write it. I might be in for some surprises yet as to the plot. :-)