Expectations: The Transformation of Miss Anne de Bourgh (Pride and Prejudice Continued), Volume 1
Page 27
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Dr. Minton directed the coach driver onto the quay and bid him stop directly in front of the gangplank for the Lady Helen. Even before he stepped to the ground to hand Anne out of the coach, a crewman blasted him for blocking the way for the others. The driver moved the coach a short distance further on despite Dr. Minton’s insistence that they had every right to use whatever part of the quay they wished.
As Anne alighted from their transport, she urged him to be calm. “We are all tired, sir. I am sure the seamen have had little sleep as well. We do not need to antagonize them even before we begin the journey.”
Harriet stepped down next to Anne without the doctor’s assistance. “Aye, you’ll have plenty of time to do that after we set off.”
Dr. Minton ignored Harriet’s remark as he handed Mrs. Jenkinson out of the coach and then turned to supervise the removal of the baggage. Mrs. Jenkinson regarded the sturdy merchant vessel with concern. “It is none too fancy.”
The bleary-eyed doctor turned to her with exhausted frustration. “I’m sorry, madam, but it was the best I could do in the middle of the night. You can’t imagine the bedlam I faced! It was—”
Anne’s searing tone blunted his whinging. “That is quite enough, doctor.” His abject bow followed her horror at hearing her mother’s voice burst out of her mouth. She knew she would be better after some sleep. She added in a meeker tone, “We are all very grateful for what you have done on our behalf.”
Harriet took her valise from the coach’s driver. “As long as it gets us home in one piece, I’m for it.”
Dr. Minton ascended the plank and talked with one of the ship’s officers. The man nodded, then looked at the growing pile of baggage being removed from the wagons. The officer frowned, then said something to the doctor, who appeared disconcerted and continued the conversation longer than the officer wished.
Harriet assessed the situation with a simple statement. “I think we are going to have to leave more things behind.”
If Anne had thought about this happening, she would have packed items in boxes based on their relative importance so she could easily keep what mattered and leave the rest behind. As it was, no matter what baggage she left, she would lose valuables.
Dr. Minton came back down to them with a serious demeanor. “He said they cannot take on board everything we have until the last of the passengers are settled. He will not fill the remaining square feet of the hold space with baggage for only a few people.”
Mrs. Jenkinson asked, “May we store trunks in our rooms?”
He shook his head. “Some of the ‘rooms’ are perhaps six feet wide and ten long.” The women responded with dismay. He continued, “There will be barely enough room to turn around. No room for boxes and trunks.”
The servants had gathered around their conversation. All wanted to get aboard as quickly as possible. Anne said to the doctor, “Perhaps he merely wishes more money.” She opened her bag, then realized she had given nearly everything to the doctor to book their passage. With no time to get more in the rush to escape, she had nothing to offer.
Harriet said to her, “I just need one trunk. The rest can go in the drink if need be. We will find a way to keep you from losing a single box.” Mrs. Jenkinson offered to forfeit all but two of her pieces. Several servants offered sacrifices as well.
Anne refused their generosity and said she would redo her packing. She supervised Dolly in opening her parcels as the chaos of the exodus flowed around them.