The Secret Diaries of Miss Anne Lister Page #6

As rich as Midas.

My mind always turns to you

and the prospect of a safe mooring.

You will not,

you cannot forget

I am your constant,

faithful,

affectionate...

Mr Rawson downstairs for you, miss.

- Christopher Rawson's come to call.

- So I understand.

Has Uncle seen sense about coal mining?

You'd better go and see.

Mr Rawson.

How funny you should come.

I set myself a course of reading on geology

just this morning.

Then I shall leave you two to...

discuss it.

Miss Lister. I hope you're well today.

I am. Thank you.

You look very...healthy.

Sit down, Mr Rawson.

Let's talk coal.

It was your uncle put me in mind to come.

He made me see how beneficial it might be.

Your assets are rich and unexploited.

Glad he's realised it at last.

Our estates join each other.

If they were to become one,

we could be influential around these parts.

I'd leave you all the time you wanted

for your books and similes and such,

your uncle says you've a passion for landscape

gardening which I'm happy to indulge.

- In short, Miss Lister...

- No.

- I've come to ask...

- Please don't.

I've come to ask you to marry me

and join our two noble estates into one.

Mr... Mr Rawson, I, erm...

I thank you for your interest,

but I couldn't possibly say yes.

There is a...certain sentiment

that I don't feel for you.

Love, I suppose.

I couldn't possibly marry without it.

Oh, you sound like a foolish girl.

I'm giving you a chance to grow up

and have a place in society.

And I'm gratefully declining.

You know, I came against my better judgment.

Polite society cannot conceive

of certain practices, Miss Lister,

but I move in other circles

where people point at you,

they call you Gentleman Jack,

they say you like the ladies...

perhaps too much.

They say even worse

in the alehouses after a few.

Well, then you should count yourself lucky

you were spared such a wife.

Presume it's all true, then?

Presume what you wish. Good day.

I myself think there is more to you

than most women.

I don't want a husband.

I appreciate your efforts

in finding me a suitor, I really do,

but you really don't have to bother.

But, child, don't you want a husband

and little ones and...and life about the house?

I want my independence.

I want to keep my name and...

and I want to be a proud Lister

until the day I die.

Like you both.

You are the model of how I wish to live.

Well...as you wish.

I shan't be lonely, Aunt.

I hope to settle with a female companion.

But who?

Someone who suits me.

There will be no fortune hunters,

and the estate will be well cared for.

I trust you,

woodland walks or no woodland walks.

Thank you, Uncle.

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