“You know that won't happen. I'm too level headed.”
5. Lost in Bath.
Charlotte looked out the window from the first floor apartment on Cheap Street that the Answorths hired for the month. It was raining. It seemed that it was always raining, always gray in Bath. As she watched the crowds walk by underneath, she realized that her discontent was more related to not knowing anyone and sitting alone in the apartment than to the weather.
The last two weeks were a tedious repetition of Dr. Answorth going to the pump room to drink a glass of steaming sulfurous water, then to the bath to soak. A short stroll around one of the crescents, more water and then, after a very mediocre meal, to the assembly, or concert for the evening. The only variance was when there wasn't an evening entertainment; then they stayed home and read. The assemblies were especially difficult for Charlotte because she wasn't used to waiting on the side of the room for a dance. Looking at the gowns the other young women were wearing didn't help either, her best ones were so far out of the current mode that she felt a little frumpy just seeing them hanging in the closet. The way her social life was going she would chat to the devil, smoke, fire, horns and all, just for the company.
The devil appeared, not in his conventional red complete with horns and pitchfork, but in the form of an elegantly dressed succubus. There was that Elizabeth Talbot, walking below with a few companions. They were looking for a bakery to buy some Sally Lunns or Bath Buns, and taking their time about finding it. The women in the party seemed to be pointing things out to Elizabeth. Charlotte swallowed her pride, grabbed an umbrella, and told Mrs. Answorth that she was going out. The devil you know was good company if there was no one else to talk to.
She called “Miss Talbot!” Elizabeth stopped and turned, “Miss De Vere?” She was surprised by the unexpectedly friendly greeting. When they were at the dance in Staverton, Charlotte's attitude could best be described as cold, when it wasn't actively hostile.
“Miss Talbot, I am so glad to see someone, anyone, I know.”
Elizabeth decided to take that for an apology, at least on speculation. “Miss De Vere, my friends and I were just looking for a bakery on Lilliput Street. Would you like to come with us?”
“May I?”
“Of course.” Elizabeth introduced her companions. After a few minutes exchanging greetings, the friends decided to wander off and let Elizabeth catch up with Charlotte. They'd meet at the bakery and continue from there.
“Miss Talbot, what brings you to Bath? I thought you were going to remain in Staverton.”
“Boredom, mostly, there's nothing to do at the Hall. So when the firm needed me I jumped at the chance to get to Bath again.”
“The firm?”
“The family business. Our agent, Mr. Netherfield, unexpectedly had to return home to deal with his father's death. The junior, Mr. Jones, is doing the work, but they need someone experienced to watch over him.”
“And you're experienced?”
“Of course I'm experienced, I'm family. So for the next few weeks I'm here.”
“It must be boring looking at all those figures and things.”
“I find it rather fascinating. But then business is in my blood, I've been listening to business and finance at the dining table as long as I can remember. Now, Miss De Vere, why the sudden change of heart?”
“What do you mean?”
“Two weeks and three days ago, at the ball in Staverton, you made it very clear that we were not friends. That we could not ever be friends.”
“I did, didn't I?” Charlotte paused, “I suppose you would be justified in cutting me now, wouldn't you?”
“Yes, I would. I have to admit that it is tempting.”
“Please don't. Would it help if I apologized?”
“A little.”
Charlotte paused, gathered her breath and started, “Miss Talbot, Elizabeth, I am truly sorry for how I spoke to you and how I behaved. Would you please accept my apologies?”
“Yes, I will. If you'll try to be friends with me, Charlotte, I'll do the same with you. Is it an agreement?” Elizabeth offered her hand to Charlotte.
“Yes.” Charlotte shook hands on the deal.
“Good, now let's go and find that bakery. My friends must be wondering if I've fallen into the Avon.”
It didn't take too long to find the bakery, as Charlotte, with the knowledge she'd acquired in the two weeks she'd been in Bath knew the way and led Elizabeth directly to it. Her friends were there and had already purchased a package of fresh hot buns. Charlotte could not help but notice that Elizabeth quietly chatted with, and then passed a few shillings to, one of the older woman, Mrs. Jones, who had purchased them. For once she decided to remain quiet about Elizabeth's social solecism. They wandered off to consume their treats while strolling in the Parade Garden.
One of the younger members of the party latched on to Charlotte and quietly asked her, “Miss are you one of Miss Talbot's friends?”
“I think so. I hope so.”
“Good, can you put in a word for my husband? He's only a junior clerk but.”
Elizabeth came to the rescue, “Mrs. Willis, are you worried about Mr. Willis?”
“Yes, Ma'am.”
Elizabeth rather testily replied, “I'm not the queen.”
“Yes Miss Talbot.”
“Good, I don't interfere with the way Mr. Jones runs the office. He would be rightly upset if I did.”
“Miss?”
“Seriously Mrs. Willis, it must be galling enough for him to answer to a woman, and Freddy said not to interfere with how the office is run. Of course if there's a problem that's different, but there isn't, is there?”
“No. It's just I'm worried over him. I'm hoping he can be promoted sometime.”
“In due time, both Mr. Netherfield and Mr. Jones are fair men. I'm sure that when he's ready, they'll promote him.”
Mrs. Jones came over and reminded Mrs. Willis that this was meant to be a friendly social expedition to show Miss Talbot the sights of the city. She turned to Elizabeth and said, “I do hope, Miss Talbot that there won't be anything arising out of this?”
“No, absolutely not. She'd be an unnatural wife not to want to help her husband. I really don't interfere with that level of management.”
“Mr. Jones was saying he'd learned more in the few days working for you than he'd learned in years under Mr. Netherfield.”
“Now don't you start either, please.”
Charlotte awoke with a start mid-morning the next day. It was earlier than she usually arose. The assembly was tonight, and she realized that she didn't know if Elizabeth was planning to attend. She threw on her dress, bolted something that resembled breakfast, a bit of slightly stale bread and cheese, and ran to the Talbot place part way up the hill on the Paragon. Composing herself and catching her breath she paused in front of the door and then knocked.
A footman opened the door and asked, “Who may I say is calling?”
“It's Miss De Vere for Miss Talbot.”
He showed her into the hall then went to see if Elizabeth was ready to receive a visitor. Charlotte barely remembered the time before her father had to retire to the country from his debts. They had a footman or two then. But none were as magnificent as this one. The servant returned and said, “Miss De Vere, if you'll follow me, Miss Talbot is almost finished with Mr. Jones.”
Charlotte was shown into a ground floor room, which was much less elegantly furnished than the hall or what she could see in the glimpses of the parlors she passed. A bare wood desk sat at one end of the room, a simple table at the other and an ill-matched assortment of plain chairs made up the rest of the furnishings. Elizabeth and a gentleman were seated at the table going over papers when Charlotte entered. Elizabeth looked up, gave a quick nod of greeting, and then returned to her work.
A few minutes later they were done. Elizabeth rose, followed by the man. “Mr. Jones, you have done an excellent job with these figures. The proposal
looks to be on course. Mr. Netherfield will be pleased with your work.”
“Thank you Ma'am.” Elizabeth gave him a quick sharp glance, “Sorry, Miss Talbot.”
Elizabeth paused for a moment, then remembering Charlotte introduced them. “Mr. Jones, this is Miss De Vere, the daughter of the late Lord Staverton.”
“Sister, Miss Talbot.”
“Oh yes, I'm sorry, I forgot about your brother.”
“That's understandable, he was only Lord Staverton for a short while and didn't do much more that put us further in debt.”
Mr. Jones replied, “Miss De Vere, Mrs. Jones mentioned you to me last night. Said you were pleasant company yesterday. I can see now that she understated your charm.”
“Thank you.”
“Miss Talbot, Miss De Vere, I do have to get moving with these proposals, if you want to see results soon.”
“Please do go, don't worry about it. I expect that Miss De Vere has something she wants to ask me.”
Mr. Jones bowed and then left for the main office of the firm.
“Eliza, Lizzy, Does Mr. Jones find it odd answering to a woman?”
“Probably, but he's never said anything about it to me.”
Actually he didn't mind, at least not with a member of the family. He had taken more than a little good humored razzing from his friends one evening at the pub. He explained that he was working directly with one of the Talbot's, and even if she were a mere woman, he had learned more in the few days under her tutelage than in the last few years as a junior under Mr. Netherfield. Besides, he continued, it was a rare chance to directly impress the founder's daughter, which could only be good for his chances. Provided he succeeded.
“So Charlotte, I'm free. What did you want to talk to me about?”
“I wanted to see if you were going to the assembly tonight?”
“It's such a crush, I hadn't planned on it. There's this excellent book I've wanted to read.”
Charlotte's face fell with disappointment. “Oh, I was hoping you would. It's just I don't really know anyone and.”
“You want me to find you a dance partner?”
“With your friends, surely you must know some gentlemen.”
Elizabeth chuckled, “Charlotte, do you remember who I introduced you to yesterday?”
“Some of them, if I saw them again, but it was so confusing.”
“They were all Mrs. someone or another. Wives of the clerks. It was a sort of 'factory wives' outing. I wouldn't count on dancing with their husbands.”
“Is that why you paid the piper for those buns?”
“Of course. They were showing me around Bath and helping me find my bearings. It wouldn't be right if I made them pay for the privilege.”
“So you don't know that many people either?”
“A few. Just not as many as you think.”
“Please, still, the assembly tonight?”
“Oh, alright. I may bring my book. I can always read while you dance. I take great pleasure in reading.”
Charlotte looked at Elizabeth in wondering dismay. How was it possible that anyone could want to read more than dance? Elizabeth's straight face broke into a grin. “I'm not as good at it as Freddy, but I had you going didn't I? Of course I'll come. We can keep each other company while we wait for Mr. King to introduce partners to us.”
“Oh, good!”
“There is a problem, I need a chaperon. 'Miss' Talbot can't simply show up at the assembly alone.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I'm sure Mrs. Answorth would chaperon you.”
“You'd best ask her first.”
“We'll ask her. She'll be at the pump room, or nearby waiting for Dr. Answorth to finish his bath.”
They walked from the Paragon to the center of town, and looked for Mrs. Answorth. The walk took them past Cheap Street. Elizabeth asked, “Is this where you and the Answorths are staying?”
“Yes. Dreadful isn't it?”
“Not the nicest of dwellings, but it is near the baths, isn't it?”
“I suppose so.”
“Are the baths helping Dr. Answorth?”
“I don't know. He's not enjoying the waters, says they're truly vile.”
“That's what I've heard. My father said that the way the worked was that you felt so relieved when you stopped drinking the waters that the pain was minimal by comparison.”
“The only effect so far has been on his temper, and it hasn't helped with that.”
They found Dr. Answorth hobbling from the baths back to his apartment. It wasn't the best time to ask him for a favor, but Charlotte asked anyway. “Dr. Answorth, could you or Mrs. Answorth chaperon Miss Talbot and me to the assembly tonight?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I do not hold with dancing. It is an immoral activity.”
Elizabeth asked him, “Sir, did you dance when you met Mrs. Answorth?”
“That was different, more refined. None of this deplorable modern wild dancing.”
“You were younger, too.”
“I was.”
“Your leg didn't hurt then did it?”
“No.” He laughed at the remembrance, “You can't sweet talk me into this Miss Talbot. Sorry to disappoint you.”
“Can't be helped.”
Charlotte asked Elizabeth, “How do you get chaperoned?”
“In London, my mother or a friend of hers.”
“Here?”
“I'm on my own.”
“Why don't you ask one of your employees’ wives?”
“I can't. It would be improper.”
Mrs. Jones was walking by on her way to the shops that lined the ground level around Cheap Street and happened to overhear them. “Miss Talbot, what would be improper?”
Charlotte impulsively shot out, “We need a chaperon for the assembly tonight, and Dr. Answorth does not feel he or Mrs. Answorth should do it.”
Elizabeth interjected, “I was just telling Charlotte that we can't ask you. It wouldn't be right.”
“I don't know about that, Miss Talbot.”
“I do. I don't mix personal requests with business matters. I don't want you to feel that Mr. Jones' employment depended on your finding me a dancing partner.”
“Oh, I see what you mean.”
Charlotte interjected, “I suppose we could stand by the door and wait for someone we know.”
Dr. Answorth was listening, “Charlotte, did you really want to go to this assembly?”
“Very much. It won't be as bad as last time if we have Miss Talbot for company. At least we'll know someone, and can talk about something while we wait.”
“I was perhaps a bit short, it's this gout.”
Elizabeth asked him, “Have you had your leg looked at by the doctors at the Rheumatic Hospital?”
“No.”
“You know the doctors at the baths always prescribe baths and pump water for every complaint?”
“They do?”
“How do you think they make their blunt?”
Dr. Answorth thought for a second, then broke into a grin. “Dam-me Miss Talbot, you're right. You don't know anyone at the Rheumatic Hospital do you?”
“I might be able to introduce you to the faculty, but my memory has lately grown very forgetful.”
“You really are a Talbot, aren't you Miss. What's the price?”
“I was thinking that an evening at the assembly might help me remember the names.”
Dr. Answorth laughed, something he hadn't done for the last week, “Alright, Miss Talbot you have your bargain. Mrs. Answorth and I will be pleased to accompany the two of you to the assembly tonight.”
Charlotte clapped her hands, “Thank you.”
Miss Talbot wrote something on the back of one of her calling cards and handed it to Dr. Answorth. “Show them this. You'll find they are very cooperative.”
“And if not?”
“Let me know. I'll talk to them.”
Since the Paragon was much closer to
the new upper assembly rooms than the apartment on Cheap Street, Elizabeth invited the Answorths and Miss De Vere to dine with her before proceeding to it. Besides, her cook was likely far better than the one who served the rooms over Cheap Street. Suitably refreshed, and for Charlotte and her friends with the best supper they ate in several weeks, they proceeded to the assembly rooms.
They arrived early, about nine and just before tea. There may have been a hundred people in the long room, with a few more awaiting friends in the octagonal one. It was a bit dull, with only a few couples dancing one of the tamer country dances, while the orchestra played quietly in the background.
Charlotte was disappointed, and started to suggest that this night at the assembly, like the last two she had attended would be a slow and tedious affair. “Just wait,” Elizabeth replied, “Things will pick up once more people arrive. We're very early.”
“If you say so, Lizzy.”
“When did you leave the last time you were here?”
“Just after tea.”
“I haven't been to many of these assemblies, but that's when it just gets started.”
“But it finishes at eleven!”
“Not much time is it? But a quick and rushed dance is better than no dance at all.”
Mrs. Jones showed up with her brother in tow shortly after tea. He was a reasonably handsome young man, dressed in a relatively sober suit. She looked over the room and then headed directly for Elizabeth. “Miss Talbot, have you met my brother, Mr. Christie?”
“No, I'm glad to.”
“Would you like to dance the next set?”
“Can I introduce my friend Miss De Vere?”
“Charmed.”
Charlotte agreed and as the orchestra took up the first chords of a country dance, she and Mr. Christie took up their positions in the line. As they danced, they kicked and leaped, while carefully keeping to the figures of the dance.
Elizabeth told Mrs. Jones, “You really shouldn't have done that.”
“Why not? It's not as if Mr. Christie is an unsuitable companion.”
“I'm just hoping that it doesn't lead to complications.”
Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman Page 6