Mr. Cridlington and Miss Morris- an Elvny Fanfic

Chapter 2

"My darling," Jack said at the breakfast table, his voice becoming serious, "don't you think it's time that you settled down? You are eighteen years of age, as of this prior June, and some of the other girls in the town, such as that Lydia Jackson, have been married since they were sixteen."

"Papa," Penny smiled, putting down her fork, "I am happy with my life as it is. I don't think that I shall marry until I find the right man, whenever that may be."

"Oh, but that could be in twenty years from now!" Jack sighed, "Penny, my dear, I only want what is best for you. For us."

Penny laughed, "I bet you just want another man to talk to, Papa."

"I have Albert," Jack stiffened, turning to his faithful servant, "isn't that true, or is it not?"

"It is very true," Albert replied in his usual emotionless and straightforward voice, "Mr. Morris and I spend much time talking whenever you are in town, Miss Morris. We both quite like the same things, such as books and cases and people."

"Ah, yes," Jack nodded, "no truer words could be said by you, Albert!"

"Would you like more tea, Sir?" Albert replied. Penny had known Albert all her life, but she did not quite like him as much as the other servants. He was far too serious, and never really seemed to have much emotion. Sure, emotion was something that this upper society frowned upon, but at least some of it was required in daily life!

"No, thank you, Albert," Jack said, "I think I shall be getting ready for another day at my study."

"I shall go and see Elizabeth Townsman," Penny said, getting up from her seat at the table, "we are going to go to town today."

"And when can I expect you to be back, my dear Penny?"

"Oh, before suppertime, I suppose," Penny said, walking towards the door, "we shan't be there for that long. We are not silly and frivolous."

"Elizabeth Townsman is the silliest girl I know," Jack said, "I have never seen her play the piano or talk about great literature, unlike you, my dear Penny."

"Her family has not that sort of money, Papa," Penny replied, "they are not so fortunate as we are."

"Well, if you say so, my darling," Jack replied, not wanting to start an argument. He never had even thought of getting his daughter mad at him, she was far too precious.

Penny waved gayly as she left the house and walked through the courtyard to the end of the gate. She opened it and stepped out. She took a breath of fresh air, for the air at her house sometimes was rather stuffy, and then went to see her good friend, Elizabeth Townsman.

Meanwhile...

"Would you like to see what is outside of the carriage, Mr. Cridlington?" his butler, James, asked.

"No James," 29 year old Elvis Cridlington sighed, "I would not like to see the commonfolk."

James obeyed, and dared not open the curtains, for fear of upsetting his master.

Elvis sighed again and looked at the ground. He hated going out in public. So many people, so many people that were... less than him.

Elvis blushed as he realized that he had a rather pressing matter to attend to.

"James," he turned to his trusting butler, "how long until we are at Mr. Morris's?"

"We shall be there in the next few minutes, I suppose," James said, "pray, don't tell me that you have decided to return home, like all of the other times before now."

"No, it is not that," Elvis said, trying to remain polite as he crossed his legs, the pressure in his bladder building, "I am just- excited to meet another man with as well of a reputation as mine."

James smiled, "well, he is very respectable, Mr. Cridlington."

"I know he is, James."