Farida's Blog

Aye, it would be a fine day indeed if I didn’t have to chase Catherine across the country on the fair ladies’ insistence. So far, however, Westfield and I have utterly failed to gain our end as she is always one step ahead of us. But why is it that my dear sister cannot live in harmony with the rest of the world? Why is it that she has to make herself so disagreeable to all her female companions? How come she cannot enjoy their company without wishing to use them ill or injure them in any way?

Is it any wonder that Anne and Margaret are of an opinion that Catherine and I are not of the same blood? And as I do not resemble the rest of my family they assign the lot of a foundling to me. But whatever my supposed parentage might be, personally I consider myself a child of good fortune. I have done well for myself, even though my prospects have been somewhat blighted by my family’s situation, such low connections that failed to gratify my aspirations and our notorious lack of means.

However, what I lacked in fortune and pedigree and in the absence of all that could serve to promote me in the world, I had in my possession such qualities that appealed to other people and allowed me to make friends with great ease. Unlike my sister who, I must confess, has a penchant for inflicting injury upon her friends, thus turning them into her foes. But this happy ability of mine furnished me with a large number of acquaintances, friends and companions of both sexes, different ages and ranks, who granted me favours and services whenever I needed them.

Such fortune as I have been blessed with I do not treat lightly, nor do I take for granted and I intend to repay the trust and kindness bestowed upon me with loyalty and affection, doing my duty in the eyes of God and exerting myself for the good of the people of the parish entrusted to me. I owe the good fortune of acquiring my current position and a handsome dwelling attached to it entirely to the generosity of my dear friend – venerable Mr. Jones – who, being at liberty to dispose off a rectory was so good as to think of me, when he learnt of the decree my father had issued in regards to my future profession.

Another special person whose interest in me was most beneficial for my good fortune in life is Miss Margaret Fairfax. I met her about five years from now, when Catherine and I were visiting our relations in Brighton. Catherine instantly fixed on Margaret as her future sister-in-law and pursued her acquaintance with zeal and alacrity. As for me, I was happy to find in her another dear friend, but our attachment to each other was that of a brother and a sister and vexed Catherine greatly.

It was my sweet angel Margaret who brought about the happy conclusion to the years of fruitless quest for a soulmate when she was so kind as to introduce me to Miss Anne Westfield. But, however, I shall say no more on this delicate subject, for I might thoroughly embarrass my lovely lady with ceaseless flow of panegyrics in honour of her face, character and genius. I am generally known as a very talkative fellow, which I consider an advantage as I am about to go into orders and will be obliged to preach sermons.

On the other hand, I am not at all a serious one, which can be counted against me. In fact, the wife of my benefactor – charming Selene – mentioned something to this end and informed me most seriously that I should never obtain the parish her husband had promised me unless I stopped behaving myself like a village fool. But I am happy to say that we had resolved our little misunderstanding and that I am most graciously invited to dine at the Great House twice a week.

But you know, if I had to choose a profession, that is, if I had an opportunity to choose one, I would choose the Navy. Indeed, from an early age I have been besieged by dreams of sailing to foreign parts or else in the times ripe with war take part in a great sea battle against alien forces, earning the glory of a victor for myself and a large fortune for my family.

However, it does not signify now for I am spoken for by the Church. And while this profession lacks all the ambition and adventure that I have a craving for, I find that it is not without its merits. But I do have to wonder that no one among my numerous friends had any ties with the Admiralty.