by Don Jacobson
The old woman sat imperiously on the throne-like armchair installed on a low dais beneath the smoke-darkened beams and rafters from which ancient heraldic banners hung, their previous glory faded and tattered. Her purple-veined gnarled hands, echoing the whorls and knots in the panels lining the walls of the great room, clutched the distinctive porcine heads carved into the ends of the arms of her seat. An opened leather pouch and a single sheet of paper lay on her lap. She was motionless except for the blinking of her watery blue eyes as she waited in silent fury. A young boy, no more than eight years old, sat on a miniature but identical chair next to the matriarch. His own watery blue eyes were widened in fear as he sensed the anger radiating from his grandmother.
The cart bearing its burden had creaked up to the chateau after a four-day journey from Basel where the Rhine riverboat had dropped the cargo. The wagon’s path had proceeded north and eastwards deeper into the Black Forest over increasingly difficult and deeply rutted tracks. Winter’s early nightfall already had settled over the centuries-old courtyard when the wooden caskets, one emblazoned with the Roman numeral “I,” the other with “II,” were off-loaded onto sawhorses.
A leather pouch had been securely nailed to the coffin labeled “I” with instructions burned into its tanned surface.
Deliver to Lady Katerina von Winterlich nee Nostitz[lvii]
Her servants did as instructed, and the fires of Hell rained down on their shoulders after Lady Katerina had opened it. She screamed for her men to undo the screws securely holding the lids to ascertain if the note bore the truth or if it was another trick played upon her by her enemies.
Within an hour, her most trusted retainer, der alte Flugbegleiter[lviii] approached her across the deeply stained wide ash planks, his ruddy cheeks streaked with tears. He spoke the words she hated to hear in a peasant-accented, but none-the-less proper, süd-Deutsch.
“What you have feared is true, my Lady. The bodies were packed in salt to preserve them during the long journey from Dover. We had to remove several hundredweight from each casket.
“The first was indeed your younger son Herr Joachim. The second was his natural son who was called Jonas Winter. Both men had been subjected to extreme measures…enhanced interrogation…
“Tortured, you mean,” snapped Lady Katerina.
“Well, yes, tortured,” the old man said in a low voice, flicking his eyes at the boy.
“Jürgen will have to learn soon enough the realities of this world,” she countered. “Tell me…how did his uncle die?”
“He was hanged, my Lady,” was the brief and devastating reply.
“So the letter did not lie.”
“No, my Lady. He was not given the dignity of a gentleman’s death.”
“Who are these people? They squeezed him and then refused him the common courtesy of a pistol? Not even a firing squad? They put a noose around his neck like a common thief. And then to grind in the shame they dropped him from the gallows next to his bastard,” she cried.
“There are only a few clues, my Lady. You have the letter.”
She picked up the parchment
Tell Metternich that it is more polite to send a letter to us than spies. Your son and his paid the price for Austria’s folly. [lix]
M
Dieu et mon Droit[lx]
“This tells me nothing except that whoever this ‘M’ may be, he is a man of great power inside of the British government. He probably runs their spy apparatus,” she said dismissively dropping the letter.
“Ah yes, my Lady, but he is also a proud man,” the steward replied, approaching her raised seat, “He left us a sort of calling card. I discovered one of these in your son’s casket which he knew we would open to confirm his claims.”
He held out a large white leather glove, the type a British cavalry officer would wear. Stitched into the high cuff was a family crest.
[lxi]
“You thought yourself clever. But, now we will find you, and I care not how many generations it takes, we will visit pain upon you and yours,” Lady Katerina von Winterlich vowed as she thrust the gauntlet at little Jürgen.
“Remember, boy. Remember. Teach your children that a von Winterlich never forgets.”
Fin
Afterward
This story, telling the other side of my earlier novella “Of Fortune’s Reversal,” is a re-imagination of how the story would have appeared from the perspective of two servants—Annie Reynolds and Henry Wilson. Readers may have noted that there were some gaps in the narrative (Richard’s Proposal to Kitty, for instance). Those spaces were present because our primary characters were not present for (or at least not aware of) the events. Other gaps exist to allow this story to flow independent of that of Kitty and Richard. Finally, some gaps were in response to reader suggestions after “Of Fortune’s Reversal” publication
I have tried to recreate the history from what we refer to as the subaltern’s point of view; that is, the history of sergeants not generals. This was not an absolute. If Lady Mary or Richard Fitzwilliam were present in the frame of the story, their thinking and actions were portrayed from their point of view. However, I have endeavored to bring you my interpretation of what the transpired from the servant’s side of the coin. I hope it was successful.
Astute readers may also note that I have peppered this Pride & Prejudice variation with characters created by authors other than Ms. Austen. That is because I subscribe to the idea that the act of imagining characters or their foibles brings them into reality. The speculative fiction master Robert A. Heinlein employed this approach in his majestic work The Number of the Beast (1980).
“As in many of his later works, Heinlein refers to the idea of solipsism, but in this book develops it into an idea he called "World as Myth" — the idea that universes are created by the act of imagining them, so that all fictional worlds are in fact real and all real worlds are figments of fictional figures' fancy…”[lxii]
Thus you will find characters who were created by Patrick O’Brien (Stephen Maturin) and Winston Graham (Jeremy Poldark). They, in their authors’ books, populated the Napoleonic/Regency world envisaged by their originators much as the Bennets, Darcys and Fitzwilliams resided in a universe established by Jane Austen. It was a comfortable conceit on my part to consider that they co-existed with Austen’s eternal figures, but that she did not know them to write about them.
I have also appropriated names from Julian Fellowes and John Mortimer (Crawley, Hughes and Sims from Downton Abbey and Trant from the Rumpole stories). It amused me to imagine that Twentieth Century barristers (Mathew Crawley and Phyllida Trant) were joined together by a common Nineteenth Century ancestry in an imaginary Lincoln Inn firm.
Other names from my “Bennet Wardrobe” stories have been re-tasked for this speculation. Thus, Kitty and Richard live at Thornhill near Pemberley rather than Bingley and Jane. The Wilsons become the personal factotums of the General and his lady rather than being the butler and housekeeper at Darcy House (See The Keeper). Dr. Angus Campbell once again saves the day.
There are two persons I wish to acknowledge beyond the usual suspects (Pam and Katie). Nicole Clarkston is a wonderful JAFF author in her own right. Her notes and comments as well as being a willing accomplice in a joyful correspondence have made “The Maid and The Footman” inestimably better. Carole Steinhardt, a strong advocate of Goodreads.com and a willing beta reader, has given strong comments about plot development and narrative…as well as keeping me honest with that wonderful 250,000+ word thing called English.[lxiii]
I trust that you have enjoyed this conjecture on how lessers have the same dreams, desires and emotions as their betters, proving what Richard learns—and Ms. Austen demonstrates so well—that we are truly all the same and that class is an imaginary distinction conferring no better manners on the “haves” and no lesser nobility on the “have-nots.”
Don Jacobson
Issaquah, WA
November 2016
Abou
t the Author
Don Jacobson has written professionally for forty years. His output has ranged from news and features to advertising, television and radio. His work has been nominated for Emmys and other awards. Earlier in his career, he previously published five books, all non-fiction. In 2016, he released “The Keeper: Mary Bennet’s Extraordinary Journey.” He followed that up with the popular “Of Fortune’s Reversal,” a Pride and Prejudice variation. He holds an advanced degree in History with a specialty in American Foreign Relations. As a college instructor, Don teaches United States History, World History, the History of Western Civilization and Research Writing.
He is a member of the Jane Austen Society of Puget Sound.
He lives in the Seattle, WA area with his wife and co-author, Pam, a woman Ms. Austen would have been hard-pressed to categorize, and their rather assertive four and twenty pound cat, Bear. Besides thoroughly immersing himself in the JAFF world, Don also enjoys cooking (Poulet au vinaigre is a particular favorite); dining out, fine wine and well aged scotch whiskey (Oban 18 Year Old single malt).
His other passion is cycling. Most days from April through October will find him “putting in the miles” around the Seattle area (yes there are hills). When it rains, he “enjoys” spin class at his health club. He has ridden several “centuries” (100 mile days). Don is especially proud that he successfully completed the AIDS Ride—Midwest (500 miles from Minneapolis to Chicago) and the Make-A-Wish Miracle Ride (300 mi).
Other Works by Don Jacobson
If you are interested in reading other Kindle-friendly works by Don Jacobson please check out these titles:
The Keeper: Mary Bennet’s Extraordinary Journey (a Bennet Wardrobe novel)
https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Bennets-Extraordinary-Journey-Wardrobe-ebook/dp/B01GP533AW/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472005504&sr=1-1&keywords=don+jacobson
Miss Bennet’s First Christmas (a Bennet Wardrobe novella)
https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Bennets-First-Christmas-Wardrobe-ebook/dp/B019NZ4YYK/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472005504&sr=1-5&keywords=don+jacobson
The Bennet Wardrobe: Origins (a Bennet Wardrobe novella)
https://www.amazon.com/Bennet-Wardrobe-Origins-Novella-ebook/dp/B019R5S12W/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472005504&sr=1-3&keywords=don+jacobson
Of Fortune’s Reversal, A Pride and Prejudice Variation (a novella)
https://www.amazon.com/Fortunes-Reversal-Pride-Prejudice-Variation-ebook/dp/B01JDBO6HO/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1472005504&sr=1-4&keywords=don+jacobson
Henry Fitzwilliam’s War (a novella)
https://www.amazon.com/Henry-Fitzwilliams-War-Wardrobe-Novella-ebook/dp/B01L0W7ILA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1478803086&sr=8-3&keywords=don+jacobson
For more news on Don Jacobson and to follow his blog, please visit his author’s page on Goodreads.com at
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15235321.Don_Jacobson
End Notes
* * *
[i] The Monarch delivers an Address From the Throne, always written by the Government and laying out policy, to both Houses of Parliament in joint session upon the opening of a new Parliament after an election. Douglas-Home’s Conservative Party, in power since 1951, had been turned out in the elections of October 1964. That speech is then debated and voted upon by the House.
[ii] Notable accomplishments of the Atlee government (1945-1951) include the nationalization of the steel and rail industries as well as the implementation of Great Britain’s beloved National Health Service.
[iii] Wilson had lectured in economic history at New College from 1937 to 1939. He was also a research fellow at University College. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Wilson accessed on 9/8/16.
[iv] Hansard, HC Deb 03 November 1964 vol 701 cc62-63. Accessed from http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1964/nov/03/debate-on-the-address-first-day accessed on 9/6/16.
[v] This, dear reader, is the author using the Member for Huyton, Harold Wilson, as his voice.
[vi] Now known as the Visitor’s Gallery where invited guests, non-members and the general public can view the House when it is sitting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visitors%27_Gallery accessed 9/6/16.
[vii] Respectively, these estates are the seats of the Marquess Salisbury (Northamptonshire), the Earl (Darcy) of Pemberley and the Earl (Fitzwilliam) of Matlock, although only the first really exists.
[viii] The French Fifth Republic was launched in 1958. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Fifth_Republic accessed 9/6/16.
[ix] The Parachute Regiment, also known as 'The Paras'. Providing support to the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) as part of the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) and also providing the infantry element of the Air Manoeuvre Battle Group (AMBG) as part of the 16 Air Assault Brigade, spearhead force of the United Kingdom. http://www.army.mod.uk/infantry/regiments/23304.aspx accessed on 9/8/16. The “Paras” training is the equivalent of BUDS for the U.S. Navy’s Seal Teams.
[x] A nod here to Richard Sharpe, Bernard Cornwell’s immortal street fighter who rose to the rank of colonel at the right hand of the Duke of Wellington.
[xi] A stock was the leather collar that British regulars were often forced to wear by Colonels who felt that a high chinned appearance would somehow equate to on-field prowess and proficiency with a Brown Bess Musket. It was viewed as a peculiar form of torture by the common soldier who would be assessed costs if their stock was miraculously “lost.”
[xii] Lord’s second (1809) and third (1814) cricket grounds were located in St. John’s Wood, London. The third ground still is found at its original site.
[xiii] 11 stone converts to just less than 155 pounds.
[xiv] Meaghan Trainor and Kevin Kadish. “All About That Bass,” from Title EP, Epic Records, 2014. I prefer the Post-Modern Jukebox cover with Kate Davis at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyTTX6Wlf1Y
[xv] See “Supper at Netherfield Ball Recipes” at http://www.austenps.com/ accessed 9/19/16.
[xvi] This was inspired by Sir Winston Churchill’s famous exchange with Lady Astor from http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/my-dear-you-are-ugly-but-tomorrow-i-shall-be-sober-and-you-will-still-be-ugly-winston-churchill-tops-8878622.html accessed 10/3/16.
[xvii] George Augustus Frederick Lamb (1807-1836), eldest child of the 2nd Viscount Melbourne, William Lamb (1779-1848), who later became Prime Minister under and mentor to Queen Victoria. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Lamb,_2nd_Viscount_Melbourne accessed 10/4/16.
[xviii] Gordon Lightfoot. “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” Summertime Dream, Reprise Records, 1976.
[xix] Sir John Moore (1761-1809) died at Corunna preserving the core of the British Army repulsing an attack by Marshal Soult. Moore died at Corunna but was honored by both the British and the French. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Moore_(British_Army_officer) accessed 10/4/16.
[xx] While this story is not part of The Bennet Wardrobe series, it none-the-less resides in that universe of characters and ideas. See “The Exile: Mary Bennet’s Extraordinary Journey” p. 244 for “The Ode of Wickham’s Stand.” Margaret is singing a popularized version of the roughly written poem published in the London Times.
[xxi] The period of 1649 when Charles I was executed to 1660 when Charles II was invited to return and take the throne in the Restoration. Oliver Cromwell served as Lord Protector to his death in 1658. Efforts to pass that title to his son Richard failed when the army refused to support him.
[xxii] Stephen Maturin is Jack Aubrey’s “particular friend” in the Aubrey-Maturin novels (21 published) by Patrick O’Brien. He was known to be a “natural philosopher,” and he served as ship’s doctor aboard the Surprise. He also saved the life of 3rd Lieutenant Guillaume Rochet who was wounded on an “away mission” in South America (See “Of Fortune’s Reversal,” Chapters V and VI).
[xxiii] See “The Keeper,” pages 269-273.
[xxiv] Macbeth, Act II, Scene 2
“Will all great
Neptune’s ocean wash this blood
Clean from my hand? No, this my hand will rather
The multitudinous seas incarnadine,
Making the green one red.”
[xxv] See https://www.stannsmanchester.com/ accessed 10/10/16.
[xxvi] http://sharpe.wikia.com/wiki/Obadiah_Hakeswill accessed 10/10/16.
[xxvii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_Wellesley,_1st_Duke_of_Wellington accessed 10/10/16.
[xxviii] https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/173794.Sharpe_s_Company accessed 10/10/16.
[xxix] Rector 1803 to 1844. See http://www.stgeorgeshanoversquare.org/history/Rectors-of-St-George.html accessed 7/25/16.
[xxx] https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-worship/worship/book-of-common-prayer/prayers-and-thanksgivings.aspx accessed 10/12/16.
[xxxi] Poldark is a series of historical novels by Winston Graham, published from 1945 to 1953. Captain Ross Poldark and Demelza, his servant turned wife, parent Jeremy Poldark in the early 1790s making him slightly older than Lydia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poldark accessed 7/11/16.
[xxxii] Blaine is a recurring character sending Aubrey and Maturin on amazing voyages under “Admiralty orders” which meant that none of their higher-ups could profit from their prize money. He was a, if not the, spymaster who co-opted Maturin. See “Of Fortune’s Reversal,” Ch. IV.
[xxxiii] Essentially a response by the conservative monarchs to re-establish The Old Order that preceded the French Revolution. The forces of the Industrial Revolution (1750-1850) eventually rendered this an impossibility. However, the French (they joined in 1818) used the Holy Alliance as justification to suppress the Spanish Revolutions of the early 1820s in favor of the Spanish monarchy. The Austrians used the Holy Alliance to justify interference in the affairs of the states throughout the Italian peninsula. The Russians used it to suppress Polish nationalism. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Holy-Alliance accessed 10/16/2016.