Chapter 43: Letters From Lady Fanshawe
The little writing table was lavishly appointed. Blotter, inkstand, sand, sealing wax, fine writing paper—nothing was wanting. The writing table itself was an exquisite piece, deceptively fragile in appearance. The rest of the room was equally charming. Letty rose from the table in a rustle of silk, and stood looking out of the low French windows into the gardens. The graveled walks, the marble statuary, and a fanciful knot garden of box wood hedge led one's eye toward the distant vista of the pond, some rising ground beyond, and crowning the summit, a little folly in the shape of a domed and columned classical shrine. The view had become familiar over the past few days, but familiarity made it even more beautiful. She longed to see it in its full summer glory.
A quick burst of birdsong distracted her pleasantly. Across the room was a fanciful aviary inhabited by the prettiest yellow canaries. She was told it was the male who sang the sweetest. Letty peered into the cage, admiring the tiny creatures, seeing that they had sufficient water and food. A footman was assigned the duty of caring for her little pets, but Letty liked to make certain they were comfortable herself. Obligingly, the brilliantly colored little lord of the cage hopped closer to her and opened his tiny beak. Out of it flowed arabesques of music. Letty smiled. He was so sweet.
But she must write her letter! It was all too easy to be idle, too easy to simply sit back and let things be done for her. Salton Park was a place of order and efficiency so smooth that one was not often aware of the work involved in operating such a large estate. The housekeeper, the head cook, the butler, the head gardener—all were very good at what they did, and had had years of experience at it. The hordes of junior servants were well-trained and carefully obedient, for neglect of their duties would result in dismissal; and their absence would be unnoticed, as some other young man or woman in need of a situation would replace them without a ripple to disturb the calm.
Letty's household duties were minimal: a menu was presented to her in the morning for her approval or correction; she told the gardener operating the glassed succession houses whether she wanted orchids or gardenias or some other exotic blooms to brighten her palace. For a palace it was. Salton Park was enormous—larger to her eyes than St. James Palace in London or the Queen's Palace near it. Far more beautiful too, in its country setting. She, Letty, was queen of this palace, and any pleasure she desired was hers for the asking.
Rebuking herself for her sloth, she smoothed her gown as she sat to compose her letter. She was nervous about this. She had never written a letter to anyone, and was afraid of appearing stupid. Still, the letter was to her sister, who already knew exactly the extent of Letty's education, and who would not sneer at her or blame her if she made mistakes. She had seen many letters that her sister had received, though, and understood the basic form.
October 20, 1781
Salton Park
My dearest sister,
There, she reassured herself. That much I know how to do. What next?
I hope you and the baby are well. I am very well myself. So is Lord Fanshawe who is so very kind to me. Many things have befallen me and I have seen some marvelous sights. I know that you are worried about me but please do not. Except for missing you I am very happy. I have never written a real letter before. If I make mistakes please tell me so I don't make them when I write to a stranger!
After the wedding we stopped at Fanshawe House in St. James Square which is the most elegant place I have ever seen. I was shown to a suite of rooms that must the finest anywhere. I have a bedroom and a boudoir where I can receive people when I get up in the morning. Everything is pale blue and white and gold and it looks like Heaven. I also have a pretty room on the ground floor for writing my letters and practicing music. I did not have much time to look at it but I know I will spend much of my time there. I can't wait to show it to you. We will sit there together and take tea-- just the two of us-- and play on the harp and the spinet. There are some drawing tools there too. Lord Fanshawe said that I may have a drawing master come and teach me if I like when we are back in London. I might as well try it as not.
We did not stay there long though. Just the next day we left to go to Somerset. I would like to talk to you about some other things that happened that night but I don't want to write about them. They are nothing bad and I was not hurt or anything like that. I just thought some things were strange.
We went through Eton and saw the school. Lord Fanshawe went there when he was a boy. It is very impressive and the boys are so lively. I told Lord Fanshawe that the Colonel went to school there, but he already knew that. The Colonel's father went there too and they knew each other in school and used to play pranks on the other boys and get into trouble. Times have changed since Lord Fanshawe went there. Back in his day they had a festival where they set loose a ram and the boys chased it and beat it with cudgels but they decided it was cruel later and they don't do that anymore. Lord Fanshawe says it was a custom more honored in the breach than in the observance which he said like someone quoting something. Do you know what that is a quote from? It means that it was a bad custom and Lord Fanshawe does not think torturing animals is a good thing to teach boys to do. I think that is very amiable of him. I met his eldest grandson who is twelve years old and goes to school there. He is a very handsome boy. Lord Fanshawe gave him a good present of money.
Our carriage is very large and comfortable. Everywhere we go people are so respectful. I was afraid my clothing would not be enough, but Lord Fanshawe had the maids start on some things for me just as soon as he thought we would be getting married. I have a new gown of changeable silk taffeta that is rose when you look at it one way and soft blue the other. It is just lovely. Now they are working on a redingote for me to wear when I am traveling that will be a kind of silvery grey silk trimmed with sky blue. It has wide lapels and a narrow waist and a very full skirt to cover my gown and I think it will look very dashing. And of course I am working on a new hat. It is such fun to trim hats when everything is at hand. I have any kind of feathers I like and ribbons for rosettes and bows. I also have some very nice new linen that he ordered for me and some shifts of silk trimmed with Honiton lace.
After Eton we stopped at Winchester and saw the cathedral and then we went to Salisbury and saw the cathedral there too which I thought was prettier than the one in Winchester. We saw Stonehenge which is an ancient temple from the time when the British were heathens. It is made of big grey stones in a ring with no indoors. I thought it looked crude and barbaric but you would be interested in the history so I think you should go and see it. The ancient Britons used to color their skin blue. I thought that was interesting. I wonder if they did that all the time or just when they were on the warpath like the Cherokee.
I am learning about the Gothic style. It is not like anything I had seen before, but I can see that a lot of buildings in England are influenced by it. In Salisbury Cathedral there is a huge stained glass window of the Brazen Serpent. It is a very strange style, but I think I will find it beautiful after I look at it more and get used to it.
Then we went to Glastonbury. Lord Fanshawe told me stories about King Arthur. What a beautiful voice he has. I love to hear stories and he knows all of them. They say that King Arthur is buried in Glastonbury, but Lord Fanshawe is not so sure. He thinks it's a nice legend though.
We were both a little tired of traveling for so many days so we went on to Salton Park. I like it so much better than Colneford Castle though that sounds mean of me. It is like a palace but it is perfectly modern. There is a big gate as you approach with a gatekeeper and all. Then you are in the grounds and then you see the view of the house. The entryway has a pediment which is a big triangular thing above the door. There are columns too. It is much much bigger than Cedar Hill. I was tired by the time we arrived and the housekeeper who is a nice woman and whose name is Mrs. Mimsbury showed me my apartments. They are wonderful. I could go on and on and describe all the ornaments but that would sound silly and bragging. Besides I want to tell you more about the rest of the house.
I have a pretty sitting room of my own here too where I am writing this letter now. Oh dear sister I wish you were here with me. From my window I can see the gardens and they are like Heaven must be. There is a little temple across the pond. It is like a picture but it is real. In my sitting room is a cage full of singing canaries. They are so charming.
I have to tell you one thing about my apartments. Lord Fanshawe approves of taking baths and being clean more than anyone I've ever known. I have my own watercloset and the dirty water is flushed away and the pot has a comfortable seat and is blue and white china. I even have my own bathtub behind a Coromandel screen. My bathtub is shaped like a shell. Isn't that lovely? Lord Fanshawe says I am like a pearl in it. He says gallant things to me all the time. I like being here very much and if you were here too it would be perfect. Lord Fanshawe has a great deal of respect for you and is not angry that you tried to shoot him so don't worry about that. I know he wouldn't mind if you came to stay for a long time. We could walk in the gardens or we could ride.
I told Lord Fanshawe about Lord Colchester's horseback ride and picnic and two days later I was taken out the door and shown the prettiest little white mare in the world! Lord Fanshawe rides very well of course and we rode around the Park. Several of the tenants came out to greet us and they cheered us! It was so flattering. My horse is named Candida and that means white or pure either one. She is so good and gentle. I ride around the Park every day. I shall miss her when we go to Bath.
We are not going right away though because Lord Fanshawe's son and his family are coming to visit next week and he says they will be presented to me. You can imagine how nervous I am. I hope they are kind to me but Lord Fanshawe said I must not worry because he is master in his own house. I do believe him but I know how people can give mean looks when somebody's back is turned. I know I have to be brave. I just wish you were here to stand by me.
Lord Fanshawe's son is older than the Colonel. He is married and has four sons. We met the eldest at Eton as I said before, but the three youngest are not at school yet. Lord Fanshawe is going to assign some footmen to watch the boys because he says the younger ones are little devils and need to be watched every minute or they will burn the house down.
I am practicing my music too especially the Sarabande you like. I am concentrating more on the keyboard than on the harp right now because I am better at it and because I am working on some songs that I can sing and accompany at the same time. It will be nice seeing Mr. Bellini again and having voice lessons when we return to London.
Letty was feeling quite proud of her letter. She had had more to say than she thought. She went back over it to make certain that it made sense and that the spelling was understandable.
Meanwhile I am studying the pictures at Salton Park. Lord Fanshawe knows everything about art and is teaching me the meaning of foreshortening and perspective and other painting terms. It is very educational. He has many fine paintings here and in his house in London. Here he has two pictures by a Dutchman called Rembrandt whom Lord Fanshawe considers a very great painter. One painting is all about King Solomon meeting the Queen of Sheba. It is interesting how the picture is different depending on where you stand. The rich clothing just glows. The other picture is a portrait of an old woman. You wouldn't think that would be a good thing to paint but Lord Fanshawe has explained to me why it is a great painting and I think I understand now. He has some portraits by Van Dyke another Dutchman and they are good too. There is a painting of a young woman musician by Titian that I really like. Italian paintings are just different somehow. I also saw some art works at the house on St. James Square and I look forward to looking at them again. There is a Roman statue of a girl dancer. She looks like a real girl made of marble. She has her hands up to her shoulder as if she's about to unpin her clothing. It is wonderful and I can see why Lord Fanshawe likes it so much.
I hope you aren't bored with hearing about painting and statues. It is so exciting learning about them. Looking at beautiful things like that makes me feel kind of excited and I feel the same way when Lord Fanshawe talks about them or tells me stories. It is sort of a fluttery happy feeling. I like my new clothing and my new jewels and I will show them to you some time but I think art works are even better. I don't know exactly how to describe it.
Maybe I should stop now. I want to post this letter to you right away so you know that I am well and thinking about you. Please write back to me. I will write again soon and tell you about the family visit and about Bath. Please give my compliments to the Colonel and to all the others at Mortimer Square--especially Caroline and Penelope!
Your loving sister
Letty
The signature was automatic. Letty stared at it, wondering if she was supposed to sign things more formally now. "Laeticia?—Laeticia de Vere, Viscountess Fanshawe?—Lady Fanshawe?" No, surely. Not to my sister! She decided to let it go as it was. She would always be "Letty" to Jane.
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"My dear Jane, she sounds well and happy enough," Miss Gilpin pointed out. "—and her hand is not badly formed. However, you must teach her better punctuation."
"Yes, I know—"
Jane was not sure why the letter troubled her so much. Was it the mention of the little caged birds, and the fear that Letty was in a cage herself? Was it the catalog of luxuries, and the fear that Letty was becoming a shallow woman of fashion? Or are you simply jealous of her good fortune? Jane did not want to admit any jealousy, but in all honesty, she was a little envious of her sister's horse. A pony cart would be so useful. Even a little saddle pony would take her about on her errands more quickly. A pony and a cart, however, were an undesirable expense.
Jane felt they were making progress in putting Wargrave back on a healthy footing, but it was all very precarious, and a selfish indulgence would not be helpful. For bulky items, she had servants with wheelbarrows and handcarts. If she wanted to go into the village, she could walk, now that she had a companion to walk with her.
Miss Gilpin's arrival had been a blessed event. Her sensible old friend looked about and saw much amiss; but she also saw what Jane had achieved. She was accustomed to living on a small income herself, and knew how to make the best of it.
The day she had arrived, she told Jane frankly, "I can stay with you a month—four weeks and two days precisely. I must leave on the twenty-second of November. Fanny and Belinda have a ball on the first of December, and I must be back to help them prepare, and of course to chaperone them that night. It is their very first ball. Belinda is seventeen, and Fanny a year younger, but we decided that it would be cruel to make Fanny wait a year. The girls are so fond of each other, and have always shared so nicely. They will come out together. What a time I shall have of it! But I do not begrudge them. Indeed, once I met them, I could not imagine living without them."
She took Jane by the shoulders, looking on her affectionately. "But I am so happy to see you, my dear Jane! So improved in figure and looks! And with your dear little son! Of course you would not want to remain in London if there were any possibility of infection. I dislike London myself. It is an unhealthy and immoral place. How Providential that you are out in the country—and not so far from Bedfordshire, after all!"
Moll had been presented to Jane's old governess, and the two women took each other's measure quickly. Moll thought the old lady was a good sort, if a little prim. Miss Gilpin thought Moll an excellent nursemaid—so affectionate and sensible—but was rather bewildered by a nursemaid who periodically took a gun out and shot game for the table. It was a necessary evil, but an evil it remained.
Miss Gilpin admired Wargrave Hall. "A dear old home—so very English." She was willing to join in all of Jane's plans for improvement, only adding cautions and advice where it seemed essential. They walked together to Wargrave Cross, to the Home Farm, to the vicarage to help oversee the cleaning. The vicars and their wives from the parishes of High Wargrave and Larrowhead had called, and Jane had a much better idea of the situation in those two villages. She would have to return the calls some time soon.
The roof was in vastly better condition than it had been a few weeks before. The rotten timber was torn out and replaced, the holes patched, the lead sheathing renewed and soldered down seamlessly. The roofers had departed, and along with them the stench of pitch and molten lead, but there was still a great deal of work for the other workmen. Much of the garrets had had to be gutted, and the rooms would have to be framed and finished afresh. On the second floor, some of the oak wainscoting was beyond repair. In the governess' room, it was worm-eaten and warped throughout, and had to be removed. To replace the wainscoting was tremendously expensive, and so that room would simply be plastered neatly and painted a soothing blue. The windows also needed replacing. In the schoolroom itself, sections of the wainscoting would be preserved, and the carpenters would practice in this room making new panels that could not be told from the originals.
When they had mastered it, they would replace first the bad section in the Great Chamber, and then move on the more extensive repairs needed in the big bedchamber opposite. This room had once been called the Tapestry Room. The tapestries were all stored away, however, and a few were sadly moth eaten. Jane was not sure they could be repaired. Two of the old hangings were usable, however, and when the room had its new wainscoting, Jane would decorate it appropriately, and it would be the Tapestry Room once more.
The other rooms on the second floor were not as badly damaged as the two over the North Wing. The two small rooms over the Great Chamber, while not as bad as the schoolroom, had had water damage that had leaked down to cause the problems in the Great Chamber below. The damage had been torn out, but doing that had left the rooms in ruins. They would have to wait.
Jane was more interested in the other rooms upstairs, primarily the nursery, which was directly over her own bedchamber. Had the house belonged to her, and had she unlimited funds at her disposal, she would have ordered built a little staircase going directly up to the nursery above. It was impossible, of course. She would keep the temporary nursery next door until William Francis was weaned, and then move him into the room upstairs, which she wanted to be as attractive as the nursery at Mortimer Square.
There was a room next door to the nursery, over Pullen's room and much like it, though a little bigger. She decided she would put Tom and Moll there, when they were married. Miss Gilpin did not agree with this scheme.
"When they marry, my dear Jane, they ought not to live in the Great House. Married servants in England have their own lodgings. You should find them a nice cottage, from whence they can walk back and forth to their duties. Even a servingman should be head of his own household!"
Jane had never considered the pending marriage in such a light. She thought the elderly Carters a good precedent, not immediately realizing that they, too, wanted to move back into their own deserted cottage as soon as it could be repaired, and as soon as they had some wages to help in its upkeep. Jane acknowledged that she did not always know or understand the customs governing masters and free servants in England. Certainly the slaves in Carolina had families—of a sort—but nothing that was formally recognized, or that anyone much regarded when assigning them quarters.
Miss Gilpin had gently told her that Mrs. Carter was concerned about Jane being too generous and friendly with the new servants. Mrs. Carter was becoming very fond of young Mrs. Tavington, and wanted nothing to compromise her dignity and authority at Wargrave Hall. While a lady often favored her own lady's maid, and while Mrs. Royston was an obvious exception to all rules, Jane would need to learn to deal with servants in Essex with a careful combination of kindness and distance. Nonetheless, despite her desire to fit in with the English, Jane disliked the idea of Moll not being in the same house. It made her feel unprotected. And she wanted Moll nearby at night in case Rose needed help, even though young Rose was doing splendidly, and Moll liked her very much.
"A right nice little girl," she approved. "Good with the little ones, and not just for show. Thinks she's done pretty well for herself, helping to look after one little baby, instead of eight brothers and sisters back at home!"
Jane did not even want to bring up the possibility to Moll of her moving out to a cottage. She was afraid of Moll liking the idea and getting enthusiastic about it. She could see perfectly well why Moll might be delighted to have a nice little place of her own. Guiltily, Jane thought of a vacant cottage on the property that would do perfectly well. Ironsides Cottage had a ridiculous name—and no one could explain the origin of it to Jane's satisfaction-- but it was a very good cottage, with three rooms below and two above. It would need some repairs, but without doubt it was far superior to the tiny one-room log cabin Moll had described to Jane, the beloved home that she and Charles Royston had built with their own hands, and which they had seen burned to the ground by their hostile rebel neighbors.
And as Jane pointed out to Miss Gilpin, she really did not have the authority to bestow one of Sir John's cottages on her own personal servants. In fact, who knew how long she would be in the country? She might find herself back in London at a moment's notice, and that would knock all such schemes into a cocked hat anyway. She reflected on her original plan, and decided it suited her current situation the best. She could not hide from the fact that she was being more than a little selfish.
Letty's letter had not arrived quickly. It had been directed to London, to the house on Mortimer Square, and it had taken nearly over a week to arrive there. From there, it had had to wait until Tavington had a few free days to come out to Wargrave. He and John had just arrived, and were preparing a shooting party that would take place on the morrow. Lord Colchester was coming out for the day. The Trumfleets had gone a brief visit to London, and the old man was feeling a bit solitary. He had accepted the invitation with an enthusiastic reply, and Jane rallied the servants to produce superior meals for her husband's uncle.
Because of the more formal nature of the party, Moll, regretfully, could not be included—for it would simply be too odd. However, she would join them briefly for a display of her marksmanship, which could be accounted—more acceptably--as a form of entertainment. The Earl was bringing out a few good hunting dogs and a pair of experienced loaders to carry the guns.
John could not praise Jane enough for the improvements he saw in the house. "By God, Madam! You've done wonders! This is more like! I am greatly obliged to you. Will, you told me she was clever, but this is--really…" He stood admiring the transparently clean windows and the polished wainscoting of the Great Hall, smiling to himself. Tavington, too, was impressed if unsurprised, knowing Jane's capacity for work and household management.
Miss Gilpin was introduced and there was a brief conversation, followed by Jane's offer to show them the state of the repairs. She was very proud to take them through the house, showing the progress that had been made in a few weeks. Her plan for repairing the wainscoting they approved. Step by step, room by room, the house was being restored to what it ought to be. Some expenses could not yet be undertaken. The garrets above the family wing would remain gutted until Sir John could provide a new infusion of money. Many things stored up there had been damaged or ruined, but quite a bit had been salvaged and was piled up, ready to be gone through when time permitted.
It was more important to review their financial situation. Jane showed them the household accounts, and then Porter was summoned and the estate books were examined. Porter was silent and subdued throughout. He had become accustomed to Mrs. Tavington, and trusted that she would not abuse him, but the sight of the two Tavington brothers was terrifying to him, and he was glad to be dismissed.
Tavington had brought his wife a pile of letters from all her correspondents. There was no time to read them all, but as soon as the men went tramping off to look at the grounds, Jane repaired to the drawing room with Miss Gilpin and had read the letter from her sister at once.
"She sounds well and happy," Miss Gilpin repeated. "My dear, what more can you reasonably ask?"
Jane was not sure, but she wanted to have a letter ready to post the very next day. She began it while the men were upstairs before joining the ladies for an early dinner, and Miss Gilpin was engrossed by a volume of Lord Chesterfield's letters. Letty needed to know where Jane was, and what she was doing. Jane decided immediately that the letter would not a whining, "poor me" epistle, but one as cheerful and lively as she could manage. She missed Letty sorely, and would say so, but she did not want Letty to feel badly. She praised her sister's letter for its interesting content, and as an excellent first effort in the art of correspondence. A few rules as to the use of the comma occupied a small paragraph. She would have liked to have said something about letters that were lists of expensive presents that one had received, but she could not think of any way of writing that without seeming churlish. Letty had every reason to be delighted with the wonderful things that had come her way, and Jane hated the idea of spoiling her pleasure.
--and I hope someday that you—and Lord Fanshawe, also, of course—can come to Wargrave Hall. It is a wonderful house of the Elizabethan period, and I take great pleasure in helping with its restoration. The people in the village and the tenants in the cottages are very good folk and so happy that the family has returned—even such a small portion of it! I am certain that Lord Fanshawe would have valuable insights into some of the pictures here. There is a large portrait by Holbein of a Tavington ancestor that I think must be rather good, but of course his lordship would know more about it.
Your letter was honorably conveyed by private coach, for the Colonel and his brother are come to do a bit of shooting. Lord Colchester will be joining us on Thursday. It will be quite a small party, but we must begin somewhere! The Colonel cannot stay long, for he and Sir John have business in Kent in a few days, and then the Colonel has his duties in London. There will be a great review of the troops, including the 3rd Dragoon Guards, when His Majesty returns to Westminster in January.
Sir John is still eager to get me out to see the Barrows and the ruins up on Old Wargrave Hill, which I confess I have not yet visited. It will be a long and arduous walk, for the carriage can only take us so far, and I will be glad to have men along to give me an arm for support. We shall do that Friday, and then the Master of Wargrave Hall and his brother will flit back to London.
Conversation was guarded at dinner, for the brothers did not wish to discuss financial affairs or their mother's illness in front of Miss Gilpin. Repairs, the tenants, the cleaning of the vicarage chimneys, their uncle's probable early arrival in the morning, their relief that Jane had laid in sufficient victuals for a respectable dinner to set before him, even Jane's work on the old harpsichord--those were safer topics. Jane told them of her need to call on the vicarages at Larrowhead and High Wargrave, and it was agreed that she could slip away in the carriage for an hour or so tomorrow, while the men were at their sport.
Sir John refrained from drinking too deeply, and the men did not dally over their wine before joining the ladies in the drawing room. The aforesaid harpsichord was played for a short concert of duets, and the novelty of it was applauded as much as the performance itself. John, enthroned in one of the straight-backed old-fashioned chairs, seemed very relaxed.
"If this is country life, it is not so bad. A fellow could get accustomed to this. When things are—less complicated—I'll make a point of spending more time here. Ha! Perhaps I'll lay down the law and we'll all come out. I remember how much I disliked coming out here alone. A family party in Uncle Colchester's style. What say you, Will?"
Tavington was rather mellow himself. Jane was being uncommonly pleasant to him, and Miss Gilpin was not regarding him with contempt. It appeared that Jane had not told the wretched story of his amour with Kitty to her confidant. He felt very grateful for his wife's discretion. She really was a splendid girl. She looked rather nice too, though he wished she were able to purchase a new gown. In the new year, surely…
He replied, "It could be quite enjoyable, perhaps, when certain things are more settled. In the next year, perhaps." He did not want to allude to their mother's eventual demise.
He and John had discussed whether a move to Wargrave would benefit Lady Cecily. They could not see how. She had never liked the place, and any move might be stressful to her in her current condition. And while she lived in London, Caro and Pen did not feel able to leave her. They were obedient to their brothers, and their mother was not present in the drawing room on days that they were at home to visitors. On certain other days, however, they did their best to include their mother in family meals. It was not generally very successful.
The gaming episode had marked a palpable decline in their mother—one marked enough that they had noted it immediately. She was not improving. She was, in fact, failing in a way that was painful to watch. Even when she was not able to leave her rooms, her daughters made a point to spend time with her every day. While it no doubt would be set to their account in Heaven, it was not doing them much good on Earth. Caroline was thinner than ever, and anxiety was carving its marks on her brow. Penelope was very nervous and easily startled, and tended to eat extra sweets on the worst days.
Lucy called every other day. It was the one thing that seemed to help the two spinster sisters. She did not visit her mother. That had been tried, and had been a disaster. Instead, she chatted pleasantly with her sisters, and brought Ned for them to pet, and tried to give them an hour or so of peace and happiness.
John spoke again, after a few minutes contemplation of the fire. "I hope you ladies are prepared for our expedition on Saturday. The hill is rather steep in places. If the rain holds off, it should not be too bad, I hope."
"Oh! That does not signify," Miss Gilpin answered sturdily. "Our boots are stout enough. Walking is the best exercise, after all."
Jane smiled and agreed. The next two days and nights promised a rare degree of pleasure.
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And so it proved. Jane found Lord Colchester not so over-bearing when not on his own ground. She greeted him in the morning when he arrived, and within minutes the men and some happily barking dogs were off to their sports. Somewhat later, Jane called for the carriage, and she and Miss Gilpin had a pleasant little drive about the country. The requisite quarter hours were spent in the homes of the Reverend Mr. Hindley and his wife, and the venerable Reverend Dr. Spottiswoode and his own aged spouse. Jane confirmed her opinion of them as good people, and listened to their concerns for the poor of their parishes, making a few notes. She drove back to Wargrave Hall in plenty of time to see that dinner was progressing nicely.
The men returned, full of themselves, with dirty boots and bright smiles. Lord Colchester was having a wonderful day. The pheasants were plentiful, partridge and quail were thick on the ground, his own aim was true. To cap it off, he was treated to an exhibition of marksmanship by Mrs. Royston, whom the papers had mentioned. Lord Colchester had never imagined that a woman could shoot so splendidly, and was silent in wonder nearly for a full five seconds, before bursting into hearty acclaim.
"With a musket, too! That is capital! Here, my good woman, here! A little something as a keepsake."
Gold poured into Moll's outstretched palm. She blinked at the five guineas shining there.
"Well, thank you kindly, my lord! Me and my old musket have been through a lot together, but I never got paid for it before!"
She gave him a bob of a curtsey, and grinned at Jane, as she stumped back to the house in triumph.
It was not quite time for dinner. Lord Colchester wanted to see what was going on, and he tramped about enthusiastically, admiring where he was meant to admire, praising Jane's efforts even to her own satisfaction. Miss Gilpin tactfully excused herself to write a note. The Tavingtons and their uncle went to drawing room to discuss family affairs.
"Cis and I have had our differences, but it is a heavy thing, this illness of hers. I will call on her directly I'm back in London."
"Uncle," warned Tavington. "Don't be offended if Mamma is very rude and unreasonable when you speak to her. It is all part of her ailment. Her nurse stays with her faithfully, and gives her her medicine regularly, but she is angry and suspicious."
"Oh, I'll humor her, never you fear! She was the prettiest thing when we were young—high spirited, too. Old age is hell. And now this sickness, too. What did the doctor say was wrong with her?"
"A mixture of old age and melancholy has affected her mind," Tavington prevaricated. They had agreed among themselves not to reveal the ugly truth that their mother had the pox.
"Well," grunted their uncle. "I'm glad I've never been melancholy. A fellow is as good as dead when his mind's gone. Now look here. A friend of mine wrote me saying that she had debts all over town. Is that true?"
Sir John blew out a breath. "It's true, Uncle. Your sister had not been keeping up with her affairs for some time. She was owed money too, and we're having a devil of a time collecting on her debts of honor. As to her own debts—well, she had not paid anything in some time. We have just now settled with her dressmaker, and it was fairly acrimonious. We've had to pay off the provisioners of all sorts, or have no food in the house. As to her own gambling debts—"
Tavington took up the story, seeing his brother's weary look. "She had been playing very deeply. If her largest debt had not been forgiven—" he glanced guiltily at Jane—"we should have been in some embarrassment. We have had to use some restraint and economy, and forgo a great many pleasures and purchases."
"If I hadn't starting taking an interest in Wargrave at the same time, it might not have been so bad," John confessed. "I just don't see how I could have put off repairs much longer, however, without the place falling down."
Their uncle was blunt. "Do you need money? I am prepared—"
"No, Uncle!" Sir John forestalled him. "Thank you, but no. I am expecting a large influx of cash from that land agent in Cheshire within the next week or two, and a fair profit from the sale of a few crops. We're all going to get our quarterly payments from our investments at Christmas. We've had to tighten our belts a bit, but by the New Year, we should be largely clear of her debts. It could have been worse. Of course, the house will be a drain for some time—"
"—It will be a drain forever," their uncle cheerfully predicted. "There is nothing like a country house for soaking up money!" He beamed at Jane. "But we love our homes all the same, and you, my dear, have done splendid work here. Poor John was ashamed to have me see the place only a month ago, and now! I've a mind to move in and sponge off the lot of you!"
"You'd be very welcome," John replied earnestly.
Jane thrilled with horror, terrified that Lord Colchester would agree to spend the night. Sir John did not realize that there was not yet a spare room in which to put him. She had only a dreadful moment of mental rearrangements—Miss Gilpin in with her, and William with his brother—before the earl smilingly refused, saying that he must return to Colneford directly after dinner. Jane attempted not to betray excessive relief at the news.
The shooting party markedly replenished the larder at Wargrave. Jane gave orders the next day to divide the bag and prepare a portion to be sent back to London with her husband. Hard as she had been working, she knew that her sisters-in-law had had their own trials.
She rose early the next morning, smiling at her handsome husband as he snored naked in her bed, and busily read her letters. She needed to have the replies ready to send back by him the next day. Pen had almost no time for her charities, and had been afraid to go out, lest she be dunned in public by her mother's creditors. Caroline admitted that she was writing a novel, and told Jane of some plot points that were still troubling her.
Lucy had the most exciting news. Jane shared it with her husband when he came down to breakfast.
"Lucy's letter was very arch and sprightly."
"Umm?" he mumbled around his eggs.
"Another Protheroe is expected in June."
He swallowed, and looked interested. "Indeed? I am happy for them both. And now they have a little extra to settle on their children, with Lucy's inheritance."
"Is there much talk?"
"About what you would expect. The best thing is for us to say nothing."
He returned to his eggs, and Jane was left to her own thoughts until the rest of the party joined them. Miss Gilpin and John arrived to enjoy their own breakfast and chat about the adventure planned for the day. The carriage would take them part of the way and then wait, while they walked out to the Barrows.
The drive out was not long. Jane discovered that here were three barrows in all; with the largest of them lying perpendicular to the other two. They were covered in long grass, and the two women scrambled over them as well their petticoats permitted, full of questions about the history of the battle and wanting to know the names of the leaders of both the Vikings and the Saxons.
"It's too bad Dr. Crumby is gone," John said. "He was making notes for a book about the site. He collected all sorts of local lore and legends. I remember some of it. About the Hill, too."
"Oh!" cried Jane. "I have seen those notes in the study at the vicarage. I did not know what they were until now. I am so glad I did not burn them. Whoever from the gentleman's family came to take possession of his books did not bother with his big notebook and all the papers in it. I put it all aside in a cupboard. Someone ought to have a look at it."
"Perhaps you should write the book yourself, as the local squire," Miss Gilpin suggested to Sir John.
"Oh, Lord! What an idea! It's good of you to think of it, but I'm just not a scholar, I'm afraid. I know, Will!" he said, grinning at his brother. "We'll have that friend of yours take it up when he arrives, and so pay his debt to us for our generosity!"
They soon left for the Hill, and once there, Jane found the climb more taxing that she had anticipated.
"It was worth it to see the summit," she confessed, looking about at the mysterious ruins.
An arch here, a section of wall there, a litter of the past everywhere. A corner of foundation stones protruded to one side, varying very much in style and color.
"Old Crumby said that that layer was Roman," John said, pointing to a layer of smoothly fitted brown blocks. "It would be interesting to dig the whole thing up and see how the places here were laid out, don't you think, Will?"
"We already know about the castle that stood here until 1521. We even have pictures of it. There are some descriptions of the motte and bailey that preceded it. The Roman villa, though, is another matter."
"A worthy undertaking," Miss Gilpin declared. "Who knows what treasures you might uncover?"
John muttered, "Treasure would be just the thing. We could use a bit of treasure, God knows!"
-----
November 15, 1781
Number 4, Royal Crescent
Bath
My dearest sister,
I have received your letter, and I enjoyed it so much. It was the first letter I have ever received, you know. Thank you for your advice about punctuation. I knew I needed assistance, and so Lord Fanshawe was so kind as to have his secretary review and correct this letter before I made my fair copy. I am assured that he is a man of perfect discretion.
It is very helpful, and I trust that my style will markedly improve under Mr. Speedwell's tuition. He selected from the library for me a collection of letters by Lady Mary Wortley-Montagu. She traveled to many foreign places and was a keen observer. Mr. Speedwell suggested that I take her as my model.
The visit with my stepson, the Honorable Mr. de Vere, went as well as you would expect. He is a worthy man, no doubt; and his wife is a lady of breeding and education. They did not seem very happy to make my acquaintance, but they said nothing unkind to me. I do not say they said anything kind, however. It was very uncomfortable to sit alone with Mrs. De Vere after dinner. I tried to talk to her, but she was not interested. I gave up and played on the harpsichord, which is a wonderful instrument.
Lord Fanshawe's description of his grandchildren proved all too true.
This part of the letter I did not let Mr. Speedwell read, so do not worry. I tried to remember the commas all on my own. Those boys are the horridest little devils I have ever seen. They are spoiled and spiteful and are worse than savages, because they ought to know better. I never saw anything like them, black or white, slave or free. Even the rough boys who followed the army were not as bad because they knew they could get a whipping or worse if they made somebody mad enough.
The little de Veres came to Salton Park and went wild. It was like Mr. and Mrs. de Vere did not see them misbehaving. The boys did not dare speak rudely to Lord Fanshawe, because they know that he does not tolerate impertinence from anybody. However, when I was walking in the garden they threw chestnuts at my hat and hit me in the head. It hurt badly and made me bleed a little. When Lord Fanshawe found out about it he took the boys away and spoke to them. I do not know what he said, but they did not come near me again until they left and then they just bowed low. The second oldest glared at me, however, in a manner that would have been frightening if I had still been a slave even though he was only eight years old.
Lord Fanshawe does not like them much even though they are his grandsons. He is disappointed that they are not civilized boys. He said very sarcastically that they were Charming. He called them Men in the Making, and that they were Sly and Deceitful already. The oldest boy we had seen at Eton earlier. He was much nicer than his brothers. That could be because he is older and wiser. Lord Fanshawe thinks that its because when he went to school no one would put up with the way he was at home and they beat it out of him straight away. Maybe the other boys will profit from school as well. I agree with Lord Fanshawe that a good education is very important.
I don't want to write about them anymore. There are too many other wonderful things to write about. We are in Bath now, of course, and are staying in a beautiful town house in the Royal Crescent, which is a street that is shaped like a crescent moon. There is a great deal of lawn in front. Bath is a very pretty town, though much smaller than London.
We have visited the baths, which include some real Roman ruins! You need to see them. They are beautiful and interesting. The ancient Romans were civilized people, and they built things much better than the ancient British. The waters here were famous even in the days of the Romans, which shows how clever they were. The waters must be beneficial. They taste terrible, but not as bad as Mama's rhubarb tonic.
I still feel sad when I think about Mama, but I know she would be happy for me if she could see how happy and comfortable I am. Whenever I get a new gown or a new piece of jewelry, I think: "This is for Mama, too."
We went to the Pump Room for the water and met many very nice people. Everyone is curious about me because they have heard of Lord Fanshawe. I have many cards from people. Some of the ladies are very sweet-natured and pleasant to be around. Others I think just want to flatter me because I have a title.
I have been to the Lower Rooms, and we are going to a private musical evening tomorrow and on Saturday to a ball at the Upper Rooms. I have a new gown. It is white satin and silver tissue.
Oh! The best thing that happened was going to the theatre! We went and Lord Fanshawe had reserved a box. I saw "She Stoops to Conquer!" It was wonderful. The actors and actresses spoke loudly enough that I could understand every word. The actress who played Kate was very pretty. Tony Lumpkin was so funny that I could hardly stop laughing. I have never had such a good time. I wish I could go to the theatre every night.
Lord Fanshawe was glad I enjoyed myself. He says we will go often if it pleases me, but some plays are better than others. He has told me about some plays by Shakespeare, and I like to hear the stories, but I don't think I would enjoy seeing them acted. Some are terribly sad, and some are horribly cruel and violent. Lord Fanshawe says that sometimes the plays are changed to give them a happy ending.
I can't imagine seeing someone being killed right in front of me on stage. I have seen the real thing, and it makes me sick to imagine someone pretending to kill someone or to die. Lord Fanshawe just smiled, and said that meant that Hamlet was quite out, he supposed. He told me about the play and I shuddered. Everybody dies at the end. I think that is ridiculous, because the actors would have to get up and bow when they are finished.
You must not think I live only for pleasure. Lord Fanshawe is still teaching me about art. In Bath there are other educational things to see.
We met the most remarkable man last Friday. His name is William Herschel, and all he does is look at the sky though his telescopes. He has many, and they are much bigger that the one the Colonel used to have. They are so big they have stands to rest upon.
Mr. Herschel is very famous, it seems, because earlier this year he discovered a new star. He calls it Georgius Sidus after the King. It means George's Star. Lord Fanshawe told me later that he thinks that is a ridiculous name. People in other countries are refusing it call it that. In France they call it "Herschel" after the discoverer. This star is called a planet and it goes around the Sun.
Lord Fanshawe says a planet is too important to call after a mere King, however powerful. It should be called after an ancient god like the other planets. The other planets are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Our world is a planet called the Earth. Lord Fanshawe says that philosophers have learned that the Earth and the other planets go around the Sun, too. He is so wise that I must believe him, but it is very, very strange. Did you ever hear about the Earth going around the Sun? I'm sure that is not in the Bible.
Mr. Herschel used to make a living as a musician. Lord Fanshawe says he is very talented, but that he loves astronomy more than anything. Astronomy is the study of the heavens. As you see, Mr. Speedwell is helping me with these new words.
It is amazing to me that a man can spend all his time studying the sky, but that is what Mr. Herschel does. He is not married. His sister, Miss Herschel, keeps house for him. They are from Germany, and have accents, but I had no trouble understanding either one of them. Miss Herschel is very nice and very clever, but not at all handsome. She also studies astronomy and helps her brother. I wish you could meet her, because you are both so clever that I think you would like each other.
I was embarrassed that I was so ignorant of things everyone else knows, but Lord Fanshawe was kind, and the next day gave me a book about astronomy for ladies, which is why I can list and spell the planets. He has some globes, one with the Earth on it, and the other with the constellations. He is helping me understand them, and it is so interesting.
When I finish the book about astronomy, I will read about geography. I want to be an educated woman, not just one with fine clothes. I looked through one of the telescopes. I saw the Moon and it was very big and clear. There are mountains and seas on it. I wondered if there are people, but Lord Fanshawe says nobody knows that. He thinks it more likely that there are people on the planets Venus or Mars because they are larger. He says science is making great strides all the time.
Mr. Herschel was so patient with me. We saw the planets Jupiter and Saturn. Jupiter has four little moons going around it instead of just one like the Earth. Saturn is my favorite. It is a little ball in the telescope, with rings around it. It is so pretty and perfect. Of course it is really very big, but looks small because it is very far away. I was sorry I could not see Mars, but it was not in the right position. I would like to look through Mr. Herschels's telescopes again.
We will be in Bath for some time, but we will return to London at the beginning of the new year. Lord Fanshawe will have me presented to the Queen when she returns to London. She has regular days that are called "Drawing Rooms" and people go there so they can say they were presented at Court. It is necessary to wear the proper gown, but other than that, all I will have to do is make my duty to her nicely and learn to walk backwards without tripping over my train. I do not speak to her unless she speaks to me.
I hope I can see the Princesses too. Lord Fanshawe talks as if he is sorry for them. I asked him why, and he told me about their lives and how little freedom they have and how little they see of the world. It was indeed food for thought. Perhaps being a princess might not be perfectly agreeable.
I am so glad you like Wargrave Hall. It sounds like an interesting place. Lord Fanshawe says he has heard that it is a very fine example of the Elizabethan style, and he would like to see the portrait by Holbein. Your description of going to the burial barrows and the old hill I read to Lord Fanshawe. He is very interested in antiquities. Now that I have seen the Roman things at Bath, I am too. Wouldn't it be wonderful to find some old Roman things on Sir John's property? Has anyone ever looked? Lord Fanshawe says such things need to be undertaken in a very organized way.
However, I hope that you are not working too hard. I hope the Colonel and his family appreciate all that you are doing for them. Please give my darling little nephew a kiss from me. I find that I miss holding a baby. I miss Moll too. I have no one around me like her. My maids are very sweet, but they would never tell me if I were doing wrong or being silly. Please remember me to her.
It seems that we might not see each other until the new year. That makes me very sad. You should be presented at Court, too. I wish we could be presented together. Perhaps you could come and stay at Fanshawe House instead of having to be at Mortimer Square. I shall talk to Lord Fanshawe about it.
Writing letters could be hard work, but Letty was enjoying this one. How much there was to tell her sister! She got up and paced about the room, rather excited to think about her schedule for the next week.
She looked out the window at the carriages passing by. There were always sights to be seen. Perhaps they would go again to the Pump Room today, and look over the new arrivals. She imagined some future date, when her sister would arrive and they would exclaim over everything together. The ladies who visited were often nice, but formal visits made her neck ache. There was no one like her sister, to whom she could confide all her thoughts.
But there was her husband, who always listened to her so kindly. Leaving copying her letter for the moment, Letty swept downstairs to his study.
"Is Lord Fanshawe engaged at the moment?" she asked a liveried footman in the hall.
"No, my lady," answered the young man, who ogled her—respectfully--like all the rest of the menservants. "He is alone."
Letty knocked softly, and was rewarded by a quiet, "Enter."
"My lord," she said shyly, slipping through the door and closing it behind her. "Do I disturb you?"
"Entirely!" he smiled radiantly, and rose to show her to a chair. "Most delightfully. I thought you busy with your correspondence."
"I have been writing a letter to my sister, telling her of all the diversions of Bath. I hope I do not tire her out. It just seemed—" she leaned forward and confessed, "I hope she does not think me boastful and horrid. It is so unfair. Every day is one of enjoyment here with you, and my sister has to go and work as a housekeeper for her husband's family."
"The resurrection of Wargrave Hall progresses apace, then?"
"Oh, yes, and she is so proud of it. I know she is working so hard, and it is not even her house! It makes me feel terrible. When we were living in South Carolina, she had to work all the time too. I might have been a slave, but she worked as hard as I did, and sometimes it was worse for her. I only had to take care of her and her clothes and she was always sweet to me. Mrs. Tavington had to take care of managing the household and then she had to answer to—our father. He was horrid to her, mean and insulting. Nothing she ever did was good enough. Then the Old Mast—I mean, my father--married his new wife. She was a cousin and very beautiful, and she never did anything but sit in the parlor all dressed up, and say cruel things to my sister about how homely she was and how nobody wanted her.
"My poor sister dreamed about getting away, and she thought she would if she got married. She was engaged when she was young to a cousin. He was very gentle and kind, and it looked like everything was going so well for her. My mother and I would have gone with her to her new home, and we thought Mr. Manigault would be a good master. But he went to England to study, and drowned when his ship was wrecked on the way home. Miss Jane—my sister—has never been quite the same. And then came the war, and there were all sorts of strange men in town."
She glanced up at Fanshawe, who was listening to her with keen attention. "Well—" Letty licked her lips, and decided that she would tell her husband everything. He was very clever and understood human nature. He respected Jane, and needed to know more about what she had suffered.
"Well," she started again. "She met the Colonel, and he was so handsome, and she thought if she married an Englishman he'd take her away from her horrible family. I have never told anyone this—you must never breathe a word—"
Fanshawe smiled, and silently laid his hand on his heart as a pledge.
"The fact is," Letty confessed, "I have never liked the Colonel much. It sounds very ungrateful, because he is the reason I am free and in England and here with you. He has always been nice to me. But I can't forget how often he's treated my sister badly. The day they were married—it was a horrible wedding. The chaplain was drunk and sneering, and the Colonel gave my sister a big ugly ring that didn't even fit her. He let her think she would get to leave her father's house, and then as soon as they were married he took her right back there and rode away the very next day. First, of course, he—slept—with her, and he hurt her. I saw the bruises on her the next day, and she was shocked--and it had been terrible." She blushed, and smiled faintly. "It was not at all like it was for me…"
Fanshawe kissed her hand. "I would have found it quite impossible not to treat you as deserve."
Letty blushed more deeply. She had been quite knowledgeable about the theory and mechanics of what men and women did together. No young slavewoman could be ignorant, unless blind and deaf. Keeping her honor intact had been a matter of chance in her case. She had been protected by her sister and by her mother; there had not often been large numbers of young white men about her father's houses to force the issue; and there had been no one in Carolina for whom she had been willing to give up her privileged life in the Great House. If she had yielded and become pregnant, her sister would not have been permitted to keep her in the house as a maid. Letty would have been relegated to the slave cabins, and a quite different sort of life there. In fact, looking back on it, her escape seemed due to the hand of God.
Whatever she had expected on her wedding night, it had not been what had actually occurred. There had been no hasty, brutal couplings for her. The beautiful room, the diaphanous draperies her maids had helped her into, the candles, the incense—it had been something from a dream. Her husband, in the dim light, had not seemed too old, and he knew everything about women's bodies.
To be admired, to be fondled, to be led gently to the bed and then explored like a marvelous landscape—the memory made her shiver with excitement. He had made her cry out in surprise and delight twice before he had made her his. He had done everything with perfect patience, and wanted some things she had never heard tell of. There were the pretty, exotic costumes to wear, and the posings and posturings he persuaded her to perform up on the little dais in front of the velvet backdrop. There were even books he had shown her with pictures in them that made her blush and quickened her breathing. He never hurt her, though he had told her that some people liked that. She had been afraid of whippings too long for the idea to have any appeal.
She had been a little abashed the next day, but also happy and proud. It was her duty to obey her husband and do anything that he liked. It was not very difficult when he made it all so pleasant. She knew some things that her sister didn't, she was sure.
Lord Fanshawe's liking for baths led to other kinds of games—and she found nothing distasteful about it. He never liked to finish that way, though, because he wanted her to have a child. Letty fell in with this desire with enthusiasm, and divulged to him the secret of her great longing for a little girl. He had been thoughtful, for a little while, and then had pulled her close.
And he was so respectful of her. Just as now, kissing her hand, understanding her so well. She continued with her story.
"Well, not many men are a kind as you are. My sister risked her life to save the Colonel—my mother lost her life. He should treat my sister like a queen. Instead, he goes off and lets his mother insult her and then he carries on with other women!"
Fanshawe's brows rose. "Gossip! Do go on: I long to hear the worst."
"Don't laugh, my lord. The Colonel met that Lady Sattersby and they acted like they were in love. We went to Colneford Castle, and the Colonel would hardly spare my sister a word. He flirted with that lady in public, and we were told they had—made love—in the woods during a hunt. Later, the man who first said he saw them said he had never said anything of the kind—but I know better. Lady Sattersby may be pretty, but my sister is worth ten of her—with all her airs and her harp and her title, too!"
Very depressed, she lowered her voice. "And now she's been sent off to the country and has to work as a housekeeper again. It's not fair. I was hoping—that when we go back to London, she could come and stay with us, and not have people constantly expecting her to do things for them!"
"Who could resist such an application?" Fanshawe squeezed her hand. "Of course your sister would be welcome. We can extend the invitation, but it will be up to her husband to allow her to accept. You must understand, though, that I am not sanguine about that. It is very unlikely that Colonel Tavington would allow his wife to stay anywhere in London other than in Mortimer Square. The matter is also complicated by his mother's illness. I have received letters myself. Lady Cecily's condition has worsened. She is kept at home with a nurse, of course. It is the best and kindest treatment possible under the circumstances, and of course all very proper. Until all is over, he will probably not make a separate establishment in London."
He pondered the matter, "It is also possible, my lady, that your sister enjoys making herself useful. No—hear me out! She is a very clever woman and no doubt likes to make use of her intelligence. The work at Wargrave Hall gives her occupation and some independence. Not to be completely discounted is her real concern for her infant son. You and your sister are very different women, and naturally have different tastes and sources of enjoyment. No, I do not think your sister should be taken for granted, but neither would I deny her a chance to show her sound qualities. I urge you to support her in her endeavors in the country by showing your interest and admiration in your letters.
"Later, when we return to London, we shall see. If the threat of infection recedes, she may be inclined for some town amusements, and you can at least spend much of the days with her. Ultimately, of course, I should be honored to invite your sister and her husband to Salton Park for a long visit. You must be patient."
Letty trusted that Lord Fanshawe knew best, but it was hard to wait so long. "I would like to send her a present, at least, so she knows that I care about her."
He rose, looking pleased. "What an amiable sentiment! Let us, then, to the shops! We shall find a trifle to amuse your admirable sister, and perhaps something for the child, as well. That always pleases a young mother."
"Oh, yes! That is such a good idea! Let us get something for Mrs. Royston, too. She has been such a faithful friend and servant. We were servants together for a time, you know, and she accepted my becoming a lady so generously. Let us get her something very nice. I can always finish my letter later, and send it along with my gifts. I have never given anyone a present, you know."
He found her newest pleasure both touching and a little melancholy. In a flash of imagination, he saw the many possible lives that the lovely young woman before him could have led. Marrying a man fifty years her senior might not seem ideal, but it was infinitely superior to other fates she might have suffered. He found it hard to dismiss those ugly alternatives; and gave her his arm with particular gentleness as he escorted her from the room.
Note: The planet Uranus was discovered by William Herschel March 13, 1781. Herschel had a long and distinguished career as an astronomer and was later knighted. His sister Caroline discovered eight comets, and a number of nebulae. She was the first woman to receive payment from the British government for scientific work. Herschel eventually married, and his son, Sir John Herschel, was also a famous astronomer.
Lord Fanshawe's comments on his grandsons are borrowed from Jean Anouilh's play Becket.
Thank you so much to all my reviewers. If you sign in, I promise to answer. I also want to acknowledge my other reviewers, 999, JanuaryClose, Rachey, and somebody.
I have posted yet more illustrations for the story to my website. Among them is a portrait that is the closest I could get to my concept of Jane's appearance. The picture would have been painted a few years after this story, but it has the "hedgehog" hairstyle, and the coming fashionable muslin "chemise dress" that Jane really likes. There are also pictures of 12 Mortimer Square, the Half Moon Street house promised to Letty, Wargrave Hall, Salton Park, and the various kinds of carriages--among other goodies!
Next—Chapter 44: In the Mists of the Marshes