Anne desires a new novel

On Wednesday of the week following Mr. Tines’s funeral, Anne and Rebecca head into town together for a recreational stroll and some light shopping.{if Twilwell-Anne > 60} “Mr. Twilwell seems to have taken quite a shine to you, Anne,” Rebecca says with a mischievous smile. “Will we be hearing wedding bells soon? I hope?!”{elseif Twilwell-Anne > 40} “You and Mr. Twilwell seem to get on well together,” Rebecca comments mischievously. “I’ve caught you two glancing at each other across a room more than once now…are you planning on ever actually telling him how you feel?”{elseif Twilwell-Anne > 20} “Mr. Twilwell seems somewhat interested in you,” Rebecca comments as they walk. “Do you have any reciprocal…interests that way yourself?”{else} “Oh, Anne,” Rebecca sighs as they walk. “I do wish you would get serious about finding a husband! I fear if you don’t get a move on half of us may end up in bondage. What about Mr. Twilwell? He doesn’t seem wholly without interest in you.”{endif}

Anne blushes. “Rebecca! One can’t…can’t rush such things. Or force them.” She sighs. “Still, I know I shouldn’t dawdle too long…”

Once in town, the girls get on with their shopping and strolling. It’s a lovely late spring day, and they enjoy walking down the High Street in the sun. After a bit of bonnet shopping, they split up—Rebecca to look at some buttons, Anne to venture into the town’s small bookseller. As she’s browsing through a newly published novel, she hears a polite cough at her elbow. Turning, she sees Mr. Brightson, the newly appointed parson, standing there clad in black and smiling.

“Enjoying the novel?” he asks with a chuckle.

“Mr. Brightson!” Anne exclaims, bobbing a short curtesy. “I apologize—I didn’t hear you approach!”

“There’s no need for apology,” Brightson says warmly. “I am a great lover of books myself—I would never object to anyone losing themself in one! May I ask what you’re reading?”

“Oh—” Anne blushes slightly. “I’m afraid it’s nothing very serious; the second volume of a Ms. Austen?”

“Whyever should you blush so?” Brightson asks with a little laugh. “I greatly enjoyed the first part of Sense and Sensibility. If it brings you pleasure and has a good moral, I see no harm in reading these light novels.”{if Alice < 75} He frowns. “I am glad to have run into you, though. I have a…I must admit, less light topic of conversation I wished to raise with you.” He glances around to make sure they won’t be overheard, and leans close. “I’ve discovered since I came to Highbury that this town is…something of an insidious nest of gossip. I’ve heard some worrying rumors about one or two of your younger sisters{if Anne < 75}—and, if I’m honest, some disparaging remarks about your character, too{endif}. I of course don’t believe such remarks; you all seem like lovely girls. But I wanted to ask, in my professional capacity: do you worry about your sisters’ actions, or your family’s reputation?”{endif}

Just as Anne is about to reply, she spots something that brings her up short: through the shop window, in the street outside, she sees Rebecca talking and laughing—with Mr. Twilwell! Anne watches, feeling oddly indignant, as Rebecca laughs at some remark and lays a hand on Mr. Twilwell’s arm, then replies and glances toward the bookseller. Does Rebecca expect her to come out to meet Twilwell? It would be dreadfully rude to leave Mr. Brightson mid-conversation{if Alice < 75}, especially given the delicate subject he’s raised{endif}.

Still…she feels oddly jealous of her sister’s intimate, if public, chat with Mr. Twilwell.