Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman

by Amelia Grace Treader

  “Leeches?”

  “I'm sure you saw those young 'beauties' who surrounded me when Lizzy and I entered.”

  “I did, what of them? I'd have thought you'd enjoy the attention.”

  “If they weren't just after my pocketbook, I would enjoy it.”

  “What?”

  “They, like the men who just accosted Lizzy, are on the lookout for a wealthy mate. I told mine that we had a reverse on the markets and they fled like the morning frost in a sunny spring day.”

  “Did you have a reverse?”

  “A tiny one. The market always goes up and down. Tomorrow it will be back up.”

  “That must be unsettling.”

  “It's not for everyone, but we've put enough into different assets that it can't hurt us.” Charlotte's curiosity was peaked, “Mr. Talbot, sometime could you tell me more, I mean if it isn't improper for me to ask you about it.”

  Freddy chuckled, “Certainly. I'd be glad to, but they're calling us in to the second half of the concert. May I escort you?”

  They found seats together and Freddy continued, “I enjoyed the music during the first half, but couldn't understand the lingo. Did you?”

  “Oh yes, it was divine. I could just lose myself in it forever.”

  “If you're not too lost in it, could you give me a hint to what's being said?”

  Charlotte later remarked to the Answorths as they returned to their apartment, “I don't understand, that Mr. Talbot sat with me for the last part of the concert.”

  “We noticed,” said Mrs. Answorth.

  “He brought me some punch, looked after me. I'd have never thought he could be well-mannered and considerate.”

  “What did you do?”

  “I translated the Italian for him, or at least I tried to.”

  “It sounds like you had a good time. Did you enjoy the music too?”

  “Miss Corri-Paltoni was phenomenal. I was in another world.”

  Freddy and Elizabeth had a similar discussion on the way back to their townhouse in the Paragon. Elizabeth started it with, “Freddy you look lost in your thoughts, what did you think of the concert?”

  “That singer seemed decent enough. She was one of the few I could tolerate.”

  “You didn't mind your company, did you?”

  “If you mean that De Vere woman? You left her unattended. That was rude.”

  “I couldn't help it. I tried, but those men.”

  “Those leeches.”

  “Yes, those leeches in human form, how did you get rid of yours?”

  “I tried to sell them insurance, shares.”

  “Are you serious?”

  “No, but I did mention that we'd lost money on the stock exchange.”

  “Did we?”

  “A fractional amount. Normal daily up and down.”

  “Oh, a suggestio falsi.”

  “Don't you start with that blasted lingo on me.”

  “I thought your Italian was very good.”

  “It is. Actually I enjoyed sitting with your friend Charlotte. When she's not trying to pinch at me, she's not bad to be with. I had her translate for me.”

  “You didn't!”

  “She enjoyed it. I even held my tongue and didn't correct her errors.”

  “I told you she could be good company.”

  “Yes you did. She wanted to know about shares and things. Probably just being polite. Pity I have to go back to London so soon.”

  “I hope you can stay for the assembly.”

  “When is that?”

  “Day after tomorrow evening.”

  “I can stay 'til then, but I really do have to leave after that.”

  Early in the morning the next day, Charlotte knocked at her friend Elizabeth's. She was let in and escorted to the parlor where Lizzy was breaking her fast.

  “Lizzy, you'll never guess what's happened.”

  “You know I won't. What is it?”

  “My great-aunt Lady Alsop.”

  “What about her?”

  “She's come to Bath. I'm going to be presented to her this afternoon.”

  “So?”

  “She's a Countess, real nobility.”

  “Oh. So that's why it's important.”

  “You're not impressed, are you?”

  “I suppose I'm indifferent to them. If all they've done is pick their parents well, then I don't care. There are a few good ones though.”

  “So you're a raging republicanii are you?”

  “Lord no! Not even a Whig.”

  “Would you like to be presented to her with me?”

  Freddy popped his head in. “Lizzy, it would be a lark, you should do it. See you this evening.” He paused, and then nodded, “Miss De Vere, I hope you are doing well. I'd stay and converse but the exigencies of my office call for my attention.”

  Charlotte nodded back and replied, “Mr. Talbot.” He stared at her for a long moment, which sent shivers down her spine. Then he replied, “Miss De Vere you're the prettiest thing I'll see today. Thank you.” With that compliment he left.

  Elizabeth asked Charlotte, “What should I wear?”

  Charlotte didn't answer, so she repeated the question. “Oh, One of your better gowns. Don't worry about elegance, she's not expecting court dress.”

  “Pity, I'd like to give mine an airing.”

  Charlotte looked at Elizabeth in dismay, saw she was trying to keep a straight continence, and then broke into laughter. “You're joking aren't you?” Elizabeth joined her laughter.

  “Yes. When and where do you want to meet?”

  Lady Alsop was receiving visitors in the afternoon. She sat on a high backed stuffed chair on an elevated platform at one end of the room, while persons filed in, were announced, bowed or curtsied, then filed out after a nod of acknowledgement. A very few fortunate ones conversed during the few moments they had with the great woman. Charlotte and Elizabeth numbered among the fortunate.

  Reaching the entrance to the room, Charlotte quietly told the footman her name and he then announced, “Miss Charlotte De Vere, late of Staverton Hall.” She entered, curtsied and was greeted with a nod, followed by, “So you're Roderick's girl. Very becoming. Who is your companion?”

  Elizabeth followed, and was announced as “Miss Elizabeth Talbot.” She too, entered curtsied and received her nod. Lady Alsop paused, unsure if a snub or a put down of this tradesman's daughter, one who overreached her station in life were in order, when she remembered that she had needed the Talbot's bank to help her negotiate a long term resettlement of her husband’s debts. It wasn't yet paid off, and snubbing the daughter of the family might have unfortunate repercussions. “Miss Talbot, I am pleased to meet you. The smell of the shop is barely apparent on you, well done.” She then continued to Charlotte, “Miss De Vere, surely there are better companions for you?”

  Charlotte looked puzzled and replied simply, “No, why would you think so?”

  “One does like to see rank and station observed, you know.” Aware that their time with the Great Lady was limited, the two women curtsied and left to allow others their turn.

  Outside Elizabeth found it difficult to contain her tongue. “I'm sorry Charlotte, she may be your great-aunt, and I'm happy that she condescends to recognize people like me, but a woman whose one claim to distinction is her birth shouldn't be looking down on someone who worked their way up.”

  “Lizzy, did you work your way up?”

  “Not directly, well no, I worked every morning before Freddy arrived, and I've discussed ideas with both him and my father many times. So yes, I've helped my family work its way up.”

  “Lizzy you're talking like a leveler, you know people should stay to their stations and ranks in life.”

  “I don't think so.”

  “Lizzy!”

  “It would do you a world of good, Charlotte, to have to work for your keep.”

  “Oh, come on, Lizzy. You're talking like one of those French revolutionaries. I know you're not.
”

  “You're right, but still, your great-aunt didn't have to insult me. You know she's used our bank.”

  “Really?”

  “Her husband's gambling debts were excessive and she only found out about them when he died. We worked out a repayment plan that didn't send her to debtor's prison.”

  “Out of the goodness of your heart?”

  “I doubt it. Probably a loan, with interest, and security, that she can repay without going bankrupt.”

  Charlotte was upset by her friend's radical views, “Lizzy, some people are born better than others. That's God's way.”

  “I agree, some people are born with more talent or skill than others, and they deserve to rise to their proper station.”

  “That's not what I meant.”

  “I know.”

  “Lizzy, you're just being difficult.”

  Elizabeth was still fuming when she sat down to dinner with her brother. “What is it Lizzy? You seem to be upset about something.”

  “I was presented to Lady Alsop. What a dreadful person.”

  “How so?”

  “She said I 'smelled of the shop'.”

  “What's wrong with that?”

  “I don't know. We do, don't we?”

  “Lizzy, we'll never completely fit into their world. It's their loss, not ours.”

  “I guess you're right.”

  “I know I am, so this assembly tomorrow. What are your plans?”

  “I was hoping you would chaperon me. The Answorths are nice enough, but watching after Charlotte seems to be about their limit.”

  “I intend to dance too. It's been too long since I've been to a ball, and I don't want to let my skills on the floor get too rusty.”

  “Even if you have to stand up with your sister?”

  “Alas, even if I have to do that.”

  7. More Doings in Bath

  Freddy may have entered the upper assembly rooms with his sister, but he didn't have to dance with her. They arrived early in the evening, but not too early to catch Charlotte dancing with her new friend, Mr. Christie. Freddy dryly commented to Elizabeth, “I see Miss De Vere has found a friend.”

  “That's Mr. Christie, Mrs. Jones' younger brother.”

  “Indeed.”

  “What's the problem, Freddy?”

  “I don't know. I shouldn't care who she dances with, should I?”

  “It's not as if you and she are the best of friends, is it?”

  “No. Well, no we aren't.”

  The set ended and Charlotte found Elizabeth. “Lizzy, I'm so glad you,” she paused, suddenly shy and unsure of what to say, “and your brother could make it.”

  “I said I'd be here, so here I am.”

  Freddy asked Charlotte, “Have you heard any more music that you liked?”

  “Not since the concert two nights ago. I try to avoid listening to the ballad singers in the street. They're so very vulgar, and worse than being vulgar, they usually can't hold the tune.”

  “How true, I was thinking of dance music.”

  “Dance music?”

  “Would you do me the honor of the next set?”

  Charlotte blushed, then shyly replied, “If you would like.”

  “I would, if just to show you that we can dance in perfect civility.”

  “Oh please forget that time Mr. Talbot. I was not at my best, and, maybe,” she paused, considering how to delicately imply apology without apologizing, “I didn't know you so well as I do now then.”

  “The couples are forming, please come and join the line with me.”

  Elizabeth added her voice to her brothers, “Do go, while we stand here stupidly talking, I can't look for a partner myself.”

  Elizabeth didn't have to look for long. Mr. Christie came up and asked if he might have the pleasure of the next set. She replied that it would be her pleasure. He continued and asked her, “How close are you and Mr. Talbot?”

  “Very.”

  “I was wondering if.”

  “I do hope you're not asking me to find you a position with his firm. Because if that's so, our conversation is over.”

  Mr. Christie stammered a quick recovery, “N-n-no. Not at all. I was wondering if you would care for a glass of punch while we wait for the set to finish.”

  “Thank you, let's get something to drink before we dance. If we can get through the crush before the set forms.”

  Early the next morning, Freddy as he warned, left Bath to attend to business issues. Elizabeth felt a bit downhearted at seeing him go. She decided she would look for her friends as a diversion. Though she wouldn't look immediately as they were usually much later at rising than she was.

  While Dr. Answorth was consuming his prescribed morning dose of the hot sulfurous brew dispensed in the pump room, Miss De Vere and Mrs. Answorth were introduced to a distinguished looking woman of an uncertain age. She wore fine clothes, was heavily powdered with rouged cheeks and wore a brightly colored wig over her close cropped gray hair. The woman began,“Why Mrs. Answorth, what brings you to Bath?”

  Seeing that Mrs. Answorth did not quite recognize her, she continued, “It seems so long since we met, but it was only last year. Have you been keeping well? No don't answer for I can see that you have.”

  Mrs. Answorth searched her memory and put a name to the face. “Are you Carol? Lady Chalfield?”

  “The same.”

  “It has been a long time since we last met. You should visit us more often, Chalfield isn't far from Staverton. What brings you to Bath?”

  “The waters, and the company. London is so gauche nowadays. I don't know why I spend so much time there.”

  “My husband, Dr. Answorth is here for his gout.” She pointed to Dr. Answorth as he grimaced and tried to swallow more of the water. The doctors at the Rheumatic hospital kept that part of his regime, stopped the long hot baths, discontinued the dose of rhubarb water, and had given him a prescription for a very small amount of a tincture of the autumn crocus, a novel treatment from Vienna. It seemed to be working.

  “Is that so? Mine has long since departed to meet his maker. I suppose that is why I spend so much time on diversions in London.”

  Mrs. Answorth remembered Lady Chalfield as a flighty young woman who lived a life dedicated to amusement and pleasure. Both her and her husband had especially enjoyed the pleasure of gambling. She replied, “Diversions? Surely by now you have begun to settle down, to reflect on life.”

  “I still feel the need for entertainment, it helps the time pass. Otherwise, life would be so tedious and dreary. Who is this beautiful young lass that you have attending you?”

  “Miss Charlotte De Vere, Lord Staverton's daughter. She has been kindly lending us her continence.”

  Lady Chalfield immediately attached herself to Miss De Vere with an inspired devotion. Her devotion was inspired by her fond remembrances of Lord Staverton. He was a sure mark for a sucker-bet, and remarkably generous when he was in funds. She hoped his daughter would be similarly inclined. One way for her to find out was to talk with Charlotte and see if she had a similar combination of soft head and warm heart.

  “Miss De Vere, I knew your father and mother well. Back in the '90's.”

  “Really? I remember my mother fondly, but she died while I was still young and we never really got to know each other as adults. You must tell me about what she was like as a young woman.”

  “She was one of my best friends. Both she and your father.”

  Charlotte's naive response played right into Lady Chalfield's wishes. “What did you do together?”

  “We went to parties, at homes, rode in Hyde park, all the thing's society does in London.”

  “I've never been to London, I'd like to see the sights. See where they lived.”

  “Miss De Vere, next week I am headed back to London. Would you like accompany me? You can stay in my town house.”

  “I would love to, but I should ask my companions, Dr. and Mrs. Answorth.”

  El
izabeth came into the pump room in search of Charlotte. “Miss De Vere, I hoped I would find you here. Would you like to ride up Claverton Down this afternoon, maybe a bit beyond if we have the time?”

  Charlotte introduced her friend to Lady Chalfield. “Lady Chalfield, this is Miss Elizabeth Talbot.”

  The two women coldly examined each other. Lady Chalfield, because she knew that any of the Talbot's would be a difficult nut to crack, and Elizabeth because Lady Chalfield plainly bore all the hallmarks of an adventuress. She had met more than enough of them in London for her tastes, and found it highly unpleasant to run into one in Bath. Lady Chalfield was the first to speak. “Miss Talbot, I was just telling your friend that I knew her parents, and invited her to stay in London with me next week.”

  “Really, have you met mine?”

  “Maybe, but I don't mix in social circles that are below my rank.”

  Elizabeth gave her an ambiguous response, “Neither do I.”

  Charlotte replied to Elizabeth, “I'd love to come riding with you.” Then she asked Lady Chalfield, “Did you wish for my company this afternoon?”

  Lady Chalfield replied, “Go ride with your friend, my pretty one. There is plenty of time to arrange our trip later. There is so much I should discuss with my old friend Mrs. Answorth. We have a lot of old times to catch up about.”

  Riding together up the Claverton Down with Elizabeth's groom discreetly in tow, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth and asked her, “Lizzy, I had the impression that you were not overjoyed to meet Lady Chalfield. Why is that?”

  “Nothing I can say directly, with those manners, that dress and that horrible wig she doesn't move in the first circles of London society, at least not the parts of those circles I inhabit.”

  “You move in the first circles?”

  Elizabeth blushed, “Well, Charlotte, I think I do, or at least as much as I want to. Except, perhaps, places like Almacks and Carleton House where birth completely trumps wealth.”

  “As much as you want? Why wouldn't you want to do?”

  “I don't gamble, at least not for real stakes in a gambling hell. When I'm there during the season, Freddy and I get invited to so many balls and 'at homes', that I have to turn some down.”