Mr. Darcy's Daughter Read Online Free PDF

filled with despair that Cassy was shocked.
    "Hush,
Julian, you must never say that. Why on earth would your wife, who has
everything to live for, feel so? She has you, her family, and young
Anthony,"
    but
he interrupted her.
    "Plainly,
my dear sister, we are not enough to make her completely happy.
    Her
life, she claims, is empty of purpose; she points out that I have a burning
desire to find scientific ways of preventing diseases that kill people, but
cannot understand her longing to have her work published. Cassy, I have offered
to have it published at my expense, but she will not have it; she says that
would not do: it would be no different to having it printed in her father's
papers, and she must have it accepted by one of the reputable publishing
houses. As you know, this has not occurred and she is bitterly
disappointed."
    Even
as she listened, Cassandra could not help wondering whether this was really the
entire story behind Josie's malaise.
    "Julian,
are you quite sure that is the only reason for her unhappiness? Is there no
other cause?" she asked.
    There
was a long pause during which Cassy studied her brother's countenance as he
struggled to find words to express what he was going to say; at last, with a
huge effort, he spoke.
    "Cassy,
I wish I could truthfully say it was, but I cannot. I have tried to pretend
otherwise, but I fear I must face the truth. I think, Cassy, my dear Josie no
longer loves me."
    He
sounded so disconsolate, looked so melancholy, she was cut to the heart, just
looking at him.
    "Julian!"
she cried, "What nonsense is this? Whatever makes you say such a thing?
Josie has been ill and depressed, but to believe she does not love you, or has
no desire to recover, what evidence have you of this outrageous claim?"
    Before
he could respond, if indeed he was going to make any response at all, Mrs. Tate
and Richard were heard coming downstairs and no further discussion of the
subject was possible.
    As
they entered the room, talking together, Julian excused himself, claiming there
were some papers he had to read before dinner, and went to his study, where he
remained for the rest of the afternoon.
    A
short while later, Cassandra went up to Josie's room. She was very shocked to
find Josie so pale and thin, as if after a long and debilitating illness.
    She
was sitting up in bed, a knitted shawl around her thin shoulders, her hair,
which had once been much admired for its colour and lustre, twisted into a
tight plait. Cassandra could hardly recognise the lively young Josie Tate, who
had married her brother a mere five years ago.
    "Cassy,"
her voice was small and thin when she spoke, "it is very kind of you to
come all this way to see me, and Richard, too. It is very good of him to come.
    Mama
has told me how very ill Mr. Gardiner is; I am so sorry to be so much trouble
to you all."
    Cassandra
sat on the bed beside her and stroked her hand. It was frail and small like a
child's. "Josie, my dear, you are not causing us any trouble, especially
not if you promise to do as Richard advises and take some proper medication and
some good, nourishing food. We shall soon have you fit and well again,"
she said, trying hard to sound cheerful.
    Yet
Josie, though she nodded and smiled a pale sort of half-smile, said nothing to
show that she intended to be amenable. She let Cassy sit with her and hold her
hand, but made no promises. Indeed, when Cassy left the room, she could not help
feeling even more disturbed than when she had entered it, for she had elicited
no positive response at all.
    Cassandra's
distress was particularly poignant, for it was to her that Julian had turned,
having discovered almost by chance that he was in love with Josie Tate. She
recalled his anxiety about meeting her father, the formidable Mr. Anthony Tate,
who had subsequently turned out to be a most reasonable man.
    He
had also been concerned that Josie was not as yet nineteen and very much in awe
of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy and the grandeur of