tfwrobert:
Yuletide || Eleanor + Robert
“How pleasant, indeed!” He exclaimed (oblivious to the fact that Eleanor had said “interesting” and not “pleasant” “You have such a fine cook,” He remarked, eyeing the sweets that were being prepared for the children with an unconcealed look of envy - blissfully unaware of how unromantic it was to first compliment the food before the present company, “And you have little to fear on that account. I do hope to spend the rest of my holidays here, in your company. Once I am married, I shall, of course, be family.”
He decided, of course, that she was expressing concern that this might be the last holiday celebration they had together. He hoped he had eased her fears on that account.
“Miss Eleanor! I should be delighted if you should make such an introduction! And, it seems, so would you. Yes, you are not so subtle as you think you are, my dear. It is quite clear you mean for me to take the parsonage myself. I do doubt you have anyone else in your acquaintance who would be better suited to such a position on an prominent estate! With such a position, I could be free to marry almost immediately – which, of course, must be your primary objective arranging such a scheme. You clever girl!”
He had known she was eager, but he never expected her to construct such a scheme as this, for their benefit. “Yes, you must introduce me to him tomorrow! Now, know that my aspirations are even higher than that: I hope one day to have a royal benefactor, but such a position shall certainly suit me for the time being.”
As excited as he was for this new future which would allow him to marry, he couldn’t quite get those sweets out of his head and, side-stepping Eleanor, he went directly to the basket and selected two bundles of sweets for himself and began to unwrap them.
He felt no guilt from (literally) taking candy from babes. He would, of course, be very likely to inherit this house, after all. Even if he married the youngest, he was sure that it would all pass to him. The other girls would likely never marry and would remain here under his protection. He was entitled to everything it held: including these wonderful delights!
“Ah!” He said through a mouth full of food, “Excellent! You should all have some. I insist.”
Eleanor was unsure how much longer she would be able to keep a straight face with all the utterly absurd things Persimmons kept saying.
“Oh of course... the Turner Family has always been well known for their... cooks,” Eleanor commented, watching him watch the sweet parcels for the children. She was glad their cook had hidden a second batch in the kitchen.
“I also do not doubt that anyone in my acquaintance would be suited for such a position,” she agreed. There was no one she could imagine more she wished to live in a parsonage far away from the Turner family.
“I do know you have such loftier goals, Mr. Persimmons,” Eleanor continued, “But I am sure you know that the Earl is very well connected in the court. I am sure he can introduce you to almost anyone!”
Eleanor was about to give Mr. Persimmons many more reasons why he should do everything in his power to take over the parsonage Eleanor wasn’t even sure existed, but before she could speak, Persimmons had made a beeline for the sweets.
“Mr Persimmons!” Eleanor cried with a mixture of sincerity and mockery. “Those are for the children!”
