“Really, it would be very odd if she takes up residence in Mabel’s home. If she does, you must not think her ungrateful, Edna. I know that she is very thankful for the home you provided for her here.”
“I don’t doubt the girl’s gratitude, Edwina. Just between you and me, Harriet has been more attentive to me than my own children, and I think very highly of her. She is not at fault in this situation. This was all Mabel’s doing, and Mabel did it out of kindness. Harriet is steady. I doubt that she will do anything hasty or foolish with her inheritance.”
“I agree with you. Harriet has always been practical and reliable. But she has lived a quiet and sheltered life. She has never been responsible for her own decisions before. This inheritance will make her quite independent. Poor child. She must be very confused right now.”
Aunt Edna looked up at her sister. “Don’t fuss so, Edwina. Things will turn out fine.”
Mrs. Walters turned to peer out the window again and started. “I just saw Harriet go by. She’s coming inside.”
“Now, Edwina, calm down. Pick up your sewing, and try not to look worried.”
When Harriet entered the room, her cheeks flushed from the cool spring air, the sisters were bent over their needlepoint. “Hello Mother. Hello Aunt,” she said. “The sun is setting and I thought that it must be time for dinner soon. I am ravenous.”
Aunt Edna glanced at the mantle clock. “Grace should be announcing dinner any time, now, but never mind that, for a minute. Take a seat, Niece. Your mother and I want to talk with you. Obviously, you’ve been considering your inheritance all afternoon. Have you decided what you’re going to do with it?”
Harriet joined her mother and aunt upon the sofa. “I’ve not decided yet. I’ve been thinking that it would feel odd to live in Mrs. Evans’ house. You don’t want me to leave you, do you?”
“Of course not. I’m used to you now, Harriet, and you’ve been very useful in the running of my household. I don’t want you to go.”
Harriet leaned over to squeeze her aunt’s hand. “Thank you,” she murmured. Aunt Edna patted her arm. Harriet turned toward her mother. “Mother, would you like to live in Mrs. Evans’ home?”
“Good gracious, child, what would I do all by myself in Mabel Evans’ home? That house is too big for me.”
“I thought not, but I wanted to ask you anyway. I suppose that I could close up the house and leave it as it is for now, as long as I paid the servants’ wages?”
“I suppose you could, but that would be very wasteful,” Aunt Edna replied.
The drawing room door opened and Grace entered with a curtsy. “Excuse me, ma’am, but Mrs. Fitzwilliam is here to see Miss Walters.”
“Mrs. Fitzwilliam? What can she want? Never mind, show her in please, Grace,” Aunt Edna said.
“Oh dear, I hope that she’s not still upset with me,” Harriet said, taking her mother’s hand.
“Now, Harriet, show a little spine. You’ve done nothing wrong,” Aunt Edna said.
Diane swept into the room and Harriet rose to greet her. “Oh, Harriet, it’s so good to see you,” Diane said, embracing her. “Staying in Mother’s house all by myself is very melancholy. Everywhere I turn, there are memories that tear at my heart. I simply had to get away for awhile and spend time with friends.”
Diane released Harriet and turned to the other women. “How are you bearing up, Mrs. Slater? You look well. And Mrs. Walters, I have not seen you since the funeral. It was kind of you to come that day.” Diane seated herself on a chair. “With the funeral over, there is nothing more for me to do here. I shall be returning to London soon. But I know that life will be difficult, even with my usual routine to distract me.”
“Would you like a cup of tea, Diane?” Aunt Edna interjected. “Harriet, ring for Grace.”
“Oh no, don’t bother on my account,” Diane said. “I know that you dine early, and I had a bit of cheese before I came. I will not take too much of your time. There was just a little matter I wished to discuss with Harriet. I was thinking that, even with Mother’s passing, it’s a shame that your visit to London should be postponed.”
“Diane, the trip to London has been the last thing on my mind,” Harriet cried.
“Of course, but life must go on, must it not? I was remembering today how excited and pleased Mother was at the prospect of showing you the city. Do you recall the list she composed of places to see? I still have the list, Harriet. Why not come back to London with me, and I will show them to you? Mother would have wished it.”
“I’m not sure that a visit would be appropriate under the circumstances, Diane. It would seem disrespectful to your mother’s memory.”
“Nonsense. How could fulfilling Mother’s dearest wish be disrespectful? Besides, you would be doing me an enormous favour. I know that life will be very dreary once I return to London. Mr. Fitzwilliam will be absorbed with parliamentary matters, and my son will be away at school. Of course, I would not dream of doing anything frivolous during my mourning, but visiting museums and galleries is educational, is it not? There’s nothing disrespectful about educating oneself, is there, Harriet?”
“No, not when you put it that way. But are you certain that I would not be in your way at such a sorrowful time?”
Diane leaned forward to take Harriet’s hand. “Harriet, I would love for you to come. We will console each other, and it will do us both a world of good to be distracted from our grief. It’s unhealthy to wallow in the darker emotions, don’t you agree?”
Harriet still felt uncertain about the propriety of the visit and did not respond. Diane said, “I know what we shall do. Think about it and come to dinner tomorrow, Harriet. That should give you adequate time to decide.”
Relieved that Diane did not require an immediate answer, Harriet said, “Thank you. Please don’t think me ungrateful for not answering right away, Diane. I will let you know my decision tomorrow.”
“Excellent,” Diane said, rising, “Goodbye, Mrs. Walters, Mrs. Slater. It’s good to see you both again.”
The sisters murmured their goodbyes as Harriet escorted Diane from the room, returning a minute later with a frown. “Mother, my mind is in a whirl. What shall I do?”
Aunt Edna responded, “You haven’t asked for my opinion, Niece, but I will tell you what I think, all the same. I should accept Diane’s offer and go to London.”
“Really, Edna? Do you think that is appropriate?” Mrs. Walters asked, her mouth gaping open.
“I hate to say it, but Diane has a point. If you stay here, you’ll mope over Mabel’s death, plus you’ll worry about the inheritance. If you go to London, you will be distracted from your worries and return home with a fresh perspective. I think that the change will do you good, Harriet.”
“But Aunt Edna, how can I leave you here alone?”
“There is nothing that you can do to shorten my grieving, although I know you mean well. I will grow accustomed to Mabel’s passing in my own time. Meanwhile, I will not be alone – Edwina will be here with me. Go ahead, Harriet, go to London. Just be wary of Diane. I wonder what lies behind her invitation? Do not let misplaced guilt interfere with good judgement. Look after your best interests, Niece.”
Harriet turned to her mother. “What do you think, Mother?”
“Well, I suppose that Edna is right,” her mother said. “Don’t worry about your aunt and your duties here in Rexton, dearest. I will take care of things for you.”
“You are both so good to me,” Harriet said. “Thank you for your advice. I will think upon it.”
But when Harriet woke the next morning from a troubled night’s sleep, there was still one person she wished to consult before making her decision. Fortunately, it was a Thursday, the day Mr. Ash took his pupils to the bakery to spend their allowances. Harriet went to the shop at mid-afternoon, and was relieved to see the schoolmaster and his pupils through the bakery window. She knocked on the glass, and Ash looked up in surprise. She motioned for him to join her outsi
de, and he hastened out to her.
“Miss Walters, what a surprise! How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you, sir. I’m not on an errand for Aunt Edna today. I’ve come to ask you for some advice on a personal matter. I would not interrupt you in your duties if it were not urgent. Might I possibly join you on your walk back to the school?”
The young man glanced inside the shop window. “Yes, of course. Let me gather the boys together, and we shall be with you momentarily.”
Harriet waited while Mr. Ash shepherded his pupils back into the street. The boys had their purchases out of their sacks in seconds, and began devouring them.
Ash said, “Everyone, mind your manners, please. Remember to give way to anyone who wishes to pass you. I’ll be walking behind with Miss Walters, but I’ll still have an eye on you. Off you go, then.”
As they walked, Harriet told Ash of her unexpected inheritance, and of Mrs. Fitzwilliam’s invitation to visit London. He listened with an air of astonishment, but remained silent until she had finished. Harriet waited to hear what he would say.
“Miss Walters, I am very happy for you, of course, but this comes as a shock.”
“I quite agree with you. I had no inkling of Mrs. Evans’ intentions. I still cannot take it all in. I must have more time to consider before I decide what to do with the inheritance. But tell me, sir, do you think that I should go to London?”
The young man kept his eyes on the horizon as they walked. “I know how much you would like to see London, Miss Walters, and opportunities to go, forgive me, will not be plentiful given your circumstances.”
“You’re right, sir,” Harriet said with a sigh. “I envy you your masculinity. Men can pick up and go anywhere they like, if they have the means. A single woman wishing to travel must be chaperoned by a friend or a relative, and Mrs. Fitzwilliam is the only person I know living in London.”
“I don’t know Mrs. Fitzwilliam very well. Is she a responsible person?”
“Yes, and she has always been kind to me.”
“How long will you be away?”
“Our original plan was to stay until the end of June. After that, London becomes too warm, and everyone who can heads for the country.”
“Then you will not return until after my departure for Bath this summer.”
“Yes. We would not see each other for quite some time, I fear.”
Ash nodded and looked ahead at the boys. “Well, since you ask, I think that you should go, Miss Walters. I agree with your aunt that the change would be beneficial to your state of mind, and I know that you will greatly enjoy the visit.”
Harriet nodded. “That’s true.”
“Of course, I did not associate with ‘society’ when I was in London. I expect that you will have that opportunity as a guest of Mrs. Fitzwilliam.”
“I had not thought of that. That is a strong argument against my going.”
“Why?”
“Come now, Mr. Ash, can you imagine me surrounded by the ton? I’m sure that if I attended such a gathering, I should end up hiding in a corner somewhere. I would much rather remain here among friends then associate with London society.”
Ash stopped abruptly. “Nonsense, Miss Walters. You’re an intelligent, well-spoken, impressive young woman. Your company is much more preferable to the typical empty-headed, self-absorbed women calling themselves ‘society’. Please do not allow yourself to feel socially or personally inferior to anyone you meet in London.” He gazed at her earnestly before resuming their walk. Harriet smiled, warmed by his flattery.
“Thank you, sir. I will do my best to follow your advice. I fear, however, that I will not have many interests in common with Diane’s friends. Perhaps I shall find some elderly scholars to associate with instead,” she said with a smile.
The boys had reached the school gate and run on ahead. Ash said, “You will certainly be exposed to a wider variety of people than you have had the opportunity to know here in Rexton. No doubt, travelling in the Fitzwilliams’ circle, you will meet titled men – men of power and wealth.”
“Oh my. I don’t know what I will have to say to such men.”
“Your life has changed. You are an heiress now. You deserve to take advantage of the opportunities that Mrs. Fitzwilliam can offer you.”
Harriet was displeased by his words; they had an ominous tone. “My life does not have to change, Mr. Ash. I would enjoy a visit to London, but I’m certain that I will be glad to return to Rexton afterward.”
The young man blinked and looked away. “I think that you have made your decision, Miss Walters. Enjoy your London visit and take advantage of its opportunities. This visit may be crucial to your future happiness.”
“Thank you for your advice,” Harriet said, still feeling uneasy.
He took her hand and spoke more gently. “Take good care of yourself, Miss Walters. You are an independent woman now.” He released her hand, bowed, and began to walk away.
“Do have a good holiday in Bath, too, Mr. Ash,” Harriet called after him. Ash nodded and waved before disappearing through the gate, leaving Harriet to hurry home to tell her mother and aunt of her decision.
Chapter Seventeen
Rogers showed Harriet into the drawing room to see Diane later that day. Diane laid her book aside and rose to greet her.
“Harriet, I’m so happy to see you. Do come in. It has been such a pleasant day. Did you walk, or did Mrs. Slater send you in her carriage?”
“No, I walked. I wanted the exercise.”
Rogers returned carrying a silver tray with a decanter and glasses. He placed it on the table beside the two women and left, closing the door behind him.
“Would you like a glass of sherry?”
“Yes, thank you.”
Harriet accepted the glass and waited while Diane poured one for herself.
“So, Harriet, is a toast in order? Can we drink to your trip to London?” Diane asked.
Harriet smiled. “Yes, we can.”
Diane returned her smile. “I’m so glad. I wrote to Fitzwilliam yesterday that I shall be very dull if Miss Walters does not agree to stop with us this spring. He will be pleased to hear that you are coming.”
“Thank you, you are very kind.”
Diane raised her glass. “To the first of what I hope will be many visits to London, Harriet.”
Harriet clinked her glass with Diane’s. “To London.”
The two women made plans over dinner, Diane exclaiming over the wonderful places she would show her friend. It all seemed like a dream come true to Harriet. By the time they returned to the drawing room, they were discussing how soon they could be ready for their journey.
“Our preparations should not take longer than two days,” Diane said. “You had already decided what to bring before Mother died, so the packing should not take long. Your mother is here, so you have no responsibilities to deter you. We are as free as birds.” Diane sat back in her chair and crossed her ankles, the picture of indolence.
Harriet shrugged. “You’re right, Diane. There’s nothing to detain us. Two days’ preparation will suffice.” She glanced at the table clock. “It’s getting late and there is so much to do tomorrow. I should be going.”
Before she could stand, however, Diane placed a restraining hand upon her arm. “Before you go, Harriet, there is still a small matter which I should like to discuss with you.” Harriet sat down again and waited for Diane to say more. “Actually, it’s a favour which I would request of you.”
“Of course ‒ you are doing so much for me already. What can I do for you?”
“It concerns a necklace of Mother’s to which I have a great personal attachment. Father gave it to Mother on my birth. It was one of the few pieces of jewellery that Mother actually wore. That is why it was not with her other jewellery at the bank. I’m sure that she would have given it to me on this visit had she realized how ill she was, but, of course, she had no idea.”
“Do you mean her pearl and
diamond necklace, Diane?” Harriet asked.
“Yes, that very one. I was sure you’d noticed Mother wearing it.”
“Yes. As a matter of fact, she’s wearing it in the portrait of the two of you that hangs in her bed chamber.”
Diane’s hand rose to her mouth. “You’re right. She is wearing it in the portrait. I had forgotten.”
“Where did she keep the necklace?”
“Right here in the house. There is no reason why you shouldn’t know this, now that you’ve inherited Mother’s house. Do you see the flower painting hanging on the far wall?” Diane asked, pointing to the picture.
“Yes.”
She leaned toward Harriet and whispered, “Well, it actually conceals a wall safe.”
“Really? I had no idea.”
“Of course not. Rogers has the combination, and he told me that Mother usually kept the necklace there.”
“I see,” Harriet said.
“Do you, Harriet? Mother left you the house and its contents so, legally, the necklace is yours, but I’m sure that you can see how important it is to me. It would mean so much to have Mother’s necklace, for sentimental reasons. You understand, don’t you, Harriet?”
“Certainly, Diane. You must have the necklace.”
“Oh, I knew that you would understand, Harriet. You have such a sympathetic nature. Of course, I could have gone through legal channels to get the necklace – no judge would have denied me – but that’s not necessary between friends, is it, my dear?”
“No, of course not.”
“Now, since we will be leaving for London so very soon and I shall probably never set foot in this house again, shall we seize upon the moment to retrieve the necklace?” Diane asked, rising to ring for Rogers.
Harriet rose as well. “Please don’t say that, Diane. You’re welcome to visit your mother’s home whenever you like.”
“That is kind of you, Harriet. It is hard to be turned out of this house when it holds so many happy memories for me, but what can I do? It was dear Mother’s decision to give it to you, and we must respect her wishes.” Harriet felt very uncomfortable, as if the fault were somehow her own, and said nothing.
The Affairs of Harriet Walters, Spinster Page 12