by Burnett, May
“That may have been true of Edward, but my husband – your brother North – is very different. If he were mean and greedy and a gambler, I would not have married him. I’ll remind him about the allowance – you’ll certainly need it when you travel to London with us. I’ll take you to my own dressmaker there, but you should get some new things for local wear right away.”
“Are you trying to bribe me?” Milla’s look was suspicious and challenging.
Susan grinned. “Is it working? But this is not a bribe, but rather a necessity. I daresay the neighbours will be calling on us soon, and you should be dressed properly as a daughter of the house.”
“They have all seen me like this,” Milla said indifferently. “I could hardly care less what they think of my clothes.”
“That is admirable; many people far older than you have not reached such a state of self-assurance. Is there some religious scruple that forbids you to have some nice, newer clothes? Just in case one morning you may feel like a change?”
Milla hesitated. “How many?”
Aha! The bait was working. Susan remained outwardly serious. “Five to begin with, I thought? And three pairs of shoes?”
“I do know a seamstress,” Milla said slowly.
“Excellent. She can do your clothes first, and the uniforms after. Or maybe she could find assistants for the easier parts, like the hemming? You can make the arrangements yourself.”
“I’m not going to be around all the time,” Milla warned. “When the wind is fair, I prefer to be out on the water.”
“I understand. I have often wanted to be away from people myself, but in society it is rather difficult.”
“If North gives me an allowance, I’d buy new sails for my boat,” Milla said, watching Susan’s face.
“You know best what you need. How much would new sails cost?”
Milla named the sum, which struck Susan as modest enough.
“I can give you that much right away, as a present from your new sister-in-law.”
“I don’t want your money.” Milla crossed her arms in front of her body, her shoulders stiff.
“As you like. I suppose your old sails will have to do for a while longer.” Susan pretended complete indifference. “I’ll still talk to North about an allowance.”
“I’m not sure I want to take money from him either.”
“But it is his duty to provide for you. Since our laws give everything to the oldest son, the least that daughters and sisters can expect is an allowance, and whatever other provision and protection we may need. It is only fair.”
“Did you have an allowance, before you married?”
“Yes. In my family that was a matter of course.” Susan did not add that her allowance was much greater than usual, as it came from the income of her own inheritance. “My three brothers also receive allowances from the head of the family.”
“And your friend – what was her name again?”
“Abigail Trevelyan. Her father is a captain in the Navy, and her allowance is modest, but she has one too. It is the custom.”
“Well, in that case…” Milla looked around critically. “There used to be a picture of a windmill and cows on this wall, but Edward sold it, with almost everything else.”
“I had noticed,” Susan said. “You don’t know where we could replace it, by any chance?”
“Not exactly the same, but there is a painter in a village further down the shore, who would be glad to sell a few canvases. He paints mostly landscapes and the sea.”
“Are his pictures any good?”
“I don’t have much to compare them with.”
“We can always take a couple for the guestrooms,” Susan said, “I need to see more before making up my mind. Maybe you could select the two you like best?”
“All right,” Milla said, only to add, “I know what you are trying to do. I will co-operate as far as it suits me, but I still don’t like you, or want you here.”
Susan nearly sighed, but it would not have been politic in front of her difficult sister-in-law, so she merely gave her a quizzical smile.
***
An hour later, North found them in Susan’s sitting room, double-checking a long list of planned purchases and likely prices.
“Hello, North,” Susan said offhand, as he stopped and stared at the unexpected sight. “Are you fond of seascapes? And do you prefer the clothing of our grooms to be brown or grey?”
“Either colour is fine.”
“Can you confirm that it is the custom among the gentry and nobility, to pay allowances to grown-up family members?” Susan looked at him expectantly.
What was that about? “Edward never paid me any,” he said, “I had to get by on my meagre pay, and it was hard enough, without plunging into debt. But many of my more fortunate fellow officers did receive allowances from their families.”
“We are thinking more of young ladies,” Susan said. “Young ladies who need to be properly gowned and shod, and whose boats may need new sails.”
“I see.” North pretended to think deeply, conscious of Milla’s gaze on him. She looked challenging, but there was a trace of hope and anxiety as well.
“Now that you remind me, Susan, I see you are right – it is the expected thing,” he said. “Edward never gave you any money, Milla?”
“Never,” she said. “Instead he even sold the jewels I had from mother, that were supposed to be mine. I was too small to think of hiding them in time.” Her voice betrayed her long-standing anger.
“I did not know,” North said. “I remember that jade and gold set she liked to wear, and some brooches – I did not pay much attention to such things when I was a boy.“
“There were only a dozen pieces, but I would have liked to have them, to remember Mother by.”
“Do you know to whom he sold them?” Maybe something could yet be recovered, bought back.
“No, Edward took everything that was small enough to carry up to London.”
“I am sorry. As for the allowance, of course you will get one. I’ll have to consult with Susan what is appropriate, and give you the first instalment tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
North sent a wondering glance at Susan. How had she effected this sudden transformation? It could not be the money only – he knew Milla to be too hard-hearted to be susceptible to a mere bribe. In fact he’d have sworn that she would throw any money he tried to give her back in his face.
As soon as Milla had left, with the list and a heavy purse from Susan, he demanded an explanation.
“Milla has been living alone and independently, and few people I know would cope as well with her difficult situation as she has,” Susan said. “Her age is at that awkward point where most girls would not yet be treated as adults, but with her past, she certainly cannot be considered a child any more. I asked for her help and let her see that I needed her expert knowledge and assistance. When she saw that I really meant it, she cautiously responded, though her antagonism is still very much there, ready to break out at the slightest provocation.”
“But was she really willing to help you? After all the hurtful things she has said and her critical attitude towards you from the first moment?”
“That was distrust, natural enough when you consider how badly she has been neglected. When you only expect rejection, it makes sense to reject the other first.”
“How do you know these things, when you are barely two years older than Milla?”
“I tried to put myself into her situation, as best I could. I was surprised myself how quickly she responded to a call for help. From what I have gleaned in the past hour of talking to her, she can save us a great deal of money and effort; so it is only right that you should make her an allowance. A hundred pounds per quarter to begin with, I suggest.”
“So much?”
“Remember that she has not had any money in all these years, and she’ll have pent-up demands and wishes.”
“Just like my tenants
.” North shook his head ruefully. “It is going to be a long and difficult undertaking, to bring everything here in order, after all those years of neglect. I do hope that idea of the mine pans out.”
“Exactly. But the most important part that needs to be brought in order is your sister. It is all apiece, North.”
“What was that purse you just gave her?”
“She is going to purchase a number of items for us. It seems that we have been overcharged by some of our suppliers. Milla knew all about it.”
“That little devil –“
“She is a highly astute and pragmatic young woman, North, and can be a great asset to this family, if we let her. I pray you will not say or do anything to interfere with my campaign. Remember that I want her to come with us to London when we travel there, willingly, and she’ll need to make many more compromises. It is not easy for her. Show her support and respect, so she’ll learn to trust us.”
“I’ll do anything you say, if it helps you tame Milla.”
Chapter 21
Three weeks and a half had passed without any sign of Abby’s arrival. The flowers in her room had had to be changed twice. A large seascape now adorned the wall, hiding the smaller spot discoloured from the previous canvas, until they got around to repainting.
Susan had put sachets of lavender into the ancient oaken wardrobe, and added more cushions, newly sewn, two warm extra blankets, an unchipped washing bowl and ewer, her own scented soap and a new bedspread. All was as ready for her friend as she could make it.
“What do you suppose is keeping her?” North would hardly know more than she, but she needed to talk about her concern. “Having Abby travel alone was the weak part of my plan– she may be showing already, and her stepmother may have prevented her from travelling – I wish I was there to help her. What can we do?”
“If she is not coming for some reason, surely she would have written.”
“Indeed, and the fact that I have no news alarms me greatly. We had agreed on a code, so that her stepmother or any other person intercepting our letters would not guess the true import. Abby may have been robbed and murdered on the way here – I should never have expected her to travel by herself.”
“That may well be the problem – her stepmother not allowing her to travel by herself. It is a fair distance, and anything could happen.”
Susan bit her lips in worry. “It irks me to just stay here helplessly, waiting for her to show up. Could we send someone along the road, to make inquiries?”
“I suppose I could spare the new groom. Jacob is a smart lad, and personable enough to get ostlers and tollbooth guards to talk to him.”
“Thank you. It may be for nothing, but doing something – anything – already helps.” Hopefully Jacob would find a trace and bring Abby here, safe and sound. But if she had not been able to depart, what then? Susan would have to go back to London herself, and assist her friend in whatever way she could, scandal or no scandal.
“I understand. If there were not quite so much to do here, I would go myself.”
“That reminds me – many of the things on my shopping list are not available locally, at least in the quality I want. Short of ordering from London, where else could we shop?”
“Plymouth, I suppose, though I do not want you to go that far in your possible condition. Truro would be the next best bet, although the prices will be higher. We’d have to be away for some four days, depending how long your shopping takes.” He was silent for a few moments, considering. “I am told there are a couple of good medical practitioners in Truro. Maybe you could consult one of them while we are there.”
“Very well, but of course we cannot leave while Abby is missing. When we do go, should we take Milla?”
“We can see if she wants to come. I don’t fancy travelling with a sullen seventeen-year-old.”
“And she definitely needs some better clothes before we take her to Truro. Hmm.”
“I might have a look around for a likely mine expert at the same time. Let’s hope your friend arrives tomorrow, so we can go soon.”
***
Susan instructed Jacob herself, with North present. It was difficult to decide how much he should be told.
“My friend, Miss Trevelyan, may be travelling under a different name, for family reasons, so I’d better describe her.” Yet when she tried, the description could fit a good quarter of the female population. Ash blonde hair and slightly below medium height were hardly rare characteristics. She preferred not to touch on weight and figure, since these might have changed due to Abby’s condition.
“Here,” North said, and quickly sketched Abigail’s face on a page of Susan’s ivory-coloured stationary. The groom studied the picture, nodded and carefully folded it up, to put in his pocket.
“Whatever name she might be using, do not contradict it and help her reach us as quickly as possible,” Susan commanded.
“I had no idea you could sketch this well,” she complimented North after Jacob had left. “Drawing from life is one talent I lack completely, especially faces, and you did it from memory! It is weeks since you last saw my friend, at our wedding, and I don’t remember you paying her any special attention.”
He grinned. “Your husband has many undiscovered talents and uses.”
“I’m already impressed with the ones I have discovered so far.” They exchanged a quick kiss.
***
Only two days after the groom had been dispatched, a messenger arrived with alarming news: Jacob had learned from travellers arriving on the London route that a young lady had been badly hurt in a carriage accident, and was recovering in a humble inn – “according to the description she could be the guest you are expecting, though she seemed to be travelling in a larger party than you said she would,” the young man repeated verbatim. Jacob had dispatched him back to his master, while he proceeded to the site of the accident to find out if the victim had indeed been Miss Trevelyan.
“We have to go and see for ourselves,” Susan said. “Right away. I fear it is indeed Abby. It is the only thing that explains why I have not heard from her recently.”
“I suppose we have to,” North agreed, swiftly running through his plans and appointments for the next week. “Give me an hour to issue instructions to the staff. Where is Milla?”
“We’ll be leaving her alone again – unless she wants to come with us?”
It was quickly ascertained that Miss Northcote was out of the house, her whereabouts unknown. “Probably out in her boat,” North concluded, stifling his irritation. He had no right to expect her to tell him where she was every hour of the day, after all those years without contact. Milla was growing up before his eyes, and able to take care of herself.
Susan wrote a short note to her sister-in-law, explaining why they had to leave, and asking her to take care. “I don’t like leaving her behind – but she is unlikely to come to harm just because we are absent for a few days.”
She was impatient to be gone and succour Abigail. How bad had those injuries been? What of the child she was expecting? Would she be permanently affected – was she even still alive?
***
Milla stomped her way down to the harbour and her beloved boat. At breakfast she had found herself agreeing to have several cloth lengths and bonnets ordered from Truro. Had she been selling out to the insidious Englishwoman? At times it was difficult to hold on to her resentment, but if Susan thought she could be bought or bribed, she was very mistaken. Milla would take the new sails, and clothes, and even the allowance, but she’d remain her own woman, and not submit to the intruder’s authority.
Her brother had fallen completely under the spell of his young wife, a phenomenon she had never observed to this degree. The fishermen who were her friends and companions did not defer to their wives the way North was doing. Of course, should Milla ever take a husband of her own, it might be good to have him mind her in the way Susan managed. Even better would be to have some permanent hold on the man, to
control him by something stronger than affection. Affection was not always durable. In the meantime, maybe she could learn some things from her sister-in-law… what a dreadful thought. But there was no shame in taking lessons from a cunning enemy, or in exploiting the enemy’s weakness, and misguided offers of assistance.
Milla had not hitherto given much thought to marriage, as her circumstances had put a match to a gentleman out of her reach. She had no desire to slave away as a fisherman’s helpmeet, fearfully waiting if he came back from the sea. The hard life of a farmer’s wife was equally unattractive. Besides, the local lads were afraid of her, and though they paid her the occasional compliment, were wary of trying anything. The fact that she was Miss Northcote, despite her odd ways and the family’s impoverishment, constituted an invisible barrier. After all, it was only in the last ten years, since Edward had inherited, that the family fortunes had sunk so precipitously. Before that her family had been respected over several centuries, and here in the countryside memories were long.
Yet could Milla remain at home as an unwanted sister-in-law, with Susan as the mistress of the castle? It was Susan’s money paying for everything, even her new clothes and sails. No, she had to think of alternatives, as bitter as the thought was. She needed a household of her own – and a husband, she supposed, though the thought was almost enough to put her off the notion. But she’d only marry a gentleman, and after Edward had gambled away her dowry, who but some kind of feckless fool would take her for her face alone?
Milla hunched her shoulders in irritation. To have any chance at a proper marriage, she’d have to let Susan transform her into the semblance of a meek young lady. She’d have to wear stays. It would be torture, and would she be able to keep up the façade even until the wedding, presuming someone asked for her hand? She would give the man the shock of his life once she reverted to her true nature, and the marriage might be a series of battles. A good thing that battles were something Milla relished, while most people, she had found, would go far out of their way to avoid them.