Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman

by Amelia Grace Treader

  The next morning Charlotte could barely contain her excitement. Early in the morning, that is to say while it was still morning, and before Lady Chalfield even stirred in her sleep, Charlotte rushed out to find the Talbot's house on Portman Street.

  “Lizzy,” she excitedly began after threading the maze of doorman, butler and parlors, “I went to Lady Luttrel's faro house last night. Look what I won.”

  “I see. Charlotte, you know they're just luring you in. You won't win that much again.”

  “It was so fun. You really need to go. Food, wine, even some music, and gambling.”

  “If you say so.”

  “I do. You should come sometime.”

  “Maybe.” Elizabeth searched her mind for any diversion that could steer her friend from the dangerous waters she was heading into. The idea she found revealed the depth of her friendship. Even though she was profoundly tone-deaf and found the high screeching sopranos painful, she asked, “There's an opera performance at the King's Theatre in Haymarket tonight. I'd much like to see it, would you come?”

  “Which opera?”

  “I don't remember, I think it's”

  Freddy knocked on the door, “Adelasia e Aleramo, in Italian by Simone.” Elizabeth gave a sigh of relief. “At least, that's what I remember, either that or 'Boadicea Queen of the Iceni' by Pucitta. They're both worth a hearing.”

  “Mr. Talbot, what are you doing here?”

  “I live here. Lizzy and I were up very late talking last night, so I'm on the late side for my usual trip to the city. Would you like me to pick up tickets?”

  Charlotte thought, then politely replied, “If you could? I've long wanted to see a real opera. But Lady Chalfield will be disappointed, she wanted me to visit Lady Luttrel's again.”

  “Some other time. She can wait a day or so.”

  Lady Chalfield was initially disappointed, but realized that giving her guest time to build anticipation for her next visit to the faro house, would simply make the plucking easier, gave her reluctant assent to Charlotte's visit to the opera.

  Charlotte found the opera, which was actually Puccitta's Aristodemo, entrancing. The box Freddy rented a quarter the way around from the stage and halfway up the row of boxes gave her a fine view of the action, clear sound, and a chance to look with wide eyes at the cream of London society. At intermission she turned to him and said, “Mr. Talbot, Thank you so much for getting the tickets. I don't deserve this after all the things I said to you.”

  “I know, but Lizzy wanted to see the opera, and it would be boring to attend with only one's sister.”

  “Now you are being silly, aren't you?”

  “A little, but I'm truly pleased that you don't see me as such an ogre.”

  “Mr. Talbot, I haven't seen you that way for the last few weeks.”

  “I'm glad you don't.” Freddy added quietly to himself, “and I find myself a little worried about how I feel about you.”

  “Lizzy, wasn't that divine music.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Didn't you like it?”

  “It was alright, for Italian opera.” Charlotte shot a glance at Mr. Talbot. He whispered in her ear, “Lizzy is a bit deaf, she doesn't really appreciate music.”

  Charlotte blushed, then hugged her friend, “Lizzy, I didn't know you weren't keen on opera. Thank you so much for suggesting it.”

  “I come for the society, endure the noise. It's a fair swap.”

  The conductor strode into the orchestra pit and the agony for Elizabeth, or ecstasy for Charlotte began again.

  The next morning Charlotte knocked on the Talbot's door only to find Elizabeth in driving clothes. A small curricle with the new London groom holding the horse waited outside. “Lizzie? What are you planning to do?”

  “It's fashionable to ride in Hyde Park at this time of day. I thought I might put in an appearance. Never know, I might meet someone I know, or even better some young man I don't.”

  “Can I come?”

  “Not dressed like that. It would be fastest if you wouldn't mind borrowing one of my driving dresses, but it's up to you.”

  “Could I?”

  “Don't see why not, if we're quick about it. Mark, could you walk the horse to keep him warmed up?”

  “Ma'am.”

  “We'll only be a few minutes so don't go too far.”

  Wearing one of Elizabeth's driving dresses, Charlotte was enjoying their drive together. “You're driving better than Freddy.”

  “No I'm not. It's just that we're driving up and down the park. Stopping when the carriage in front stops. It's easy, would you like a go?”

  “May I?”

  “Next time we stop, which they way things are going won't be long.” In a few minutes the procession stopped, and they quickly switched places.

  “Lizzy?” Charlotte asked, “Why doesn't anyone stop to talk with us?”

  “Don't know. I'd have thought two eligible young women driving would attract some notice.”

  “Possibly, not good notice. Could be notorious instead of noticed.”

  “Me, notorious? Never.”

  “This is getting boring.”

  “I used to think it exciting, since I've driven in the country it's rather tame. Should we go?”

  “Yes, let's go. I have something exciting to do this evening, would you like to join me?”

  “Depends on what it is.”

  “A masquerade in Vauxhall gardens. I'm going with Lady Chalfield.”

  “Don't”, Elizabeth's distress was visible.

  “Lizzy, what's wrong?”

  “Public masquerades are, well, I don't know, but neither my father nor Freddy would ever let me go to one. There's something unsavory about them. They won't tell me what.”

  “Why don't you ask? It would be great if you came as well.”

  “I'll see what Freddy says. If it's no, maybe I can sneak out and join you.”

  Freddy was surprised when he arrived back at home by Elizabeth. She was dressed in one of her older and less fashionable gowns, and was wearing a domino.

  “What do you think?” she asked.

  “I'm not sure, why are you wearing that getup? It's decidedly gauche.”

  “There's a public masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens, and I thought it might be fun.”

  “It will be crowded, full of pick pockets and elderly rakes hoping to take advantage of willing and stupid young women. Granted there are fifteen thousand lamps, a noise that sometimes resembles music and fireworks. Why do you want to go?”

  “No particular reason, just thought it might be fun to go slumming.”

  “You're not fooling me Lizzy. Is it that De Vere woman?”

  Elizabeth paused and the very quietly said, “Yes.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Because I asked you to come with me. I'm worried that Lady Chalfield has plans for my friend. Plans that include walking down one of the shady paths in the close garden with a gentleman.”

  “I see, and you want me to do what about this?”

  “I just thought, that maybe, if we were there, we could, maybe, keep her out of trouble.”

  Freddy laughed, “Lizzy, you're up to your matchmaking again, aren't you?”

  “I'm not. I swear it.”

  “I'll go, provided you promise me one thing.”

  Elizabeth frowned, “What is it?”

  “We eat here first. The food the 3/6 admission buys you, is execrable.”

  Elizabeth readily agreed to this suggestion. “I'd been worried about that. The lights won't be lit until it's dark so we won't miss anything.”

  They arrived in a cab after dinner, the illuminations, all fifteen thousand lamps were lit and made for an impressive spectacle. Freddy paid the seven shillings at the entrance and they wandered in.

  Despite the masks everyone was wearing, it did not take long for them to find Lady Chalfield because of her distinctive wig and raucous laugh. Elizabeth introduced herself, “Lady Chalfield, have
you seen Charlotte?”

  “She's dancing with a young man.” Lady Chalfield pointed towards a couple where a dandy was trying to waltz with a young lady who was dressed in less than fashionable clothes. The young woman was not enjoying the experience and kept pushing the man's roving hands away from over-familiar explorations.

  Freddy ground his teeth for a moment, and then said, “Excuse me, I feel the need for a dance.” He walked out to the dancing area and tapped the man on his shoulder. “May I cut in?”

  The man's drunken response came quickly, “Why not? She's not in the mood for any fun.” He stepped away from his partner and managed to bow without falling over.

  Freddy bowed to the woman, who was too shocked to do much more than gasp, “Thank you.”

  They started to waltz, but unlike her previous partner Freddy behaved with decorum. This turned the dance from an untoward pawing into a mutually pleasurable experience.

  “Miss De Vere, I presume?”

  “How did you know?”

  “I asked Lady Chalfield where you were. It seemed you were in distress.”

  “I don't know you, but thank you.”

  “You don't? I'm surprised.”

  When the dance was over, Charlotte studied her partner's masked face carefully. “Mr. Talbot? Is it you?”

  “Alas yes.”

  “I didn't know you attended common things like this.”

  “My sister insisted that I attend. By the way,” He scanned the crowd, “I wonder where she's off to?”

  “Behind you. I went to see if I could find Lady Chalfield again. She's scarpered off somewhere. I was going to let her know about how good a chaperon I thought she was, but now I can't. I have no idea where she is.”

  Charlotte asked Elizabet, “So you think she's a good chaperon?”

  “Charlotte, don't take me at my words. I was being sarcastic.”

  The orchestra began to with the initial chords of another waltz. Charlotte gave Freddy a quizzing look, which he noticed. “So you young minx, you'd like another dance, would you?”

  “Could we?”

  Elizabeth groaned as they went off. It would be another long and lonely evening for her. She called, “Waiter! A bottle of hock, please?”

  She watched her brother dance with Charlotte with mixed emotions. Pleased that Freddy was having some fun, and rather annoying that she was sitting here alone. As she emptied her second glass, and prepared to pour another, she heard someone say to her, “Miss Talbot, it's not good if you drink alone. May I join you?”

  “Sure, please sit. I feel a bit strange, woozy.”

  “Don't you care who I am?”

  “Company. That's good enough for me.”

  Freddy and Charlotte eventually returned to find an inebriated Elizabeth sitting in the company of a man.

  “My God! Phelps, is that you?”

  “Sir! I thought it best to follow you and Miss Elizabeth. The pleasure gardens are not a place to let down one's guard as Miss Elizabeth has.”

  Elizabeth rather blearily looked at him, “Phelps, I did not let down my guard.”

  “You let a strange man keep you company, didn't you?”

  “I wouldn't call my brother's valet strange, and besides you behaved with perfect manners, so why should I object to your company?”

  9. Charlotte in the Suds.

  Freddy rarely, if ever, ventured into gambling hells, and it was only at the urging of his sister Lizzy that he accompanied her to Lady Luttrel's house. “Freddy, I so much want to see one of these Faro houses.”

  “Lizzy, I'd rather you not. The odds in the games are always rigged for the house, the wine is poor and the food vile. The company is tedious, ill-tempered, noisome and noisy at best.”

  “So? Charlotte has told me so much about it. I thought just once wouldn't be too awful. She said she would be at Lady Luttrel's tonight. I'm worried about her.”

  “I'm not going to make good your losses.”

  “Freddy! I'm not going to gamble, at least not much, where's the fun in that?”

  In the end, they didn't make it into the house. There, sitting on the stoop, crying, was Miss De Vere.

  Lizzy stopped and asked her, “Charlotte, what is it?”

  “I'm completely rolled up. I've lost everything I had, no it's worse than that. I owe as much again. There's no way I can ever pay it, and Mr. Strot has hinted that maybe I can earn my keep down at Gropecunt laneiii.”

  Lizzy was shocked at what her friend said, but somehow Freddy wasn't. “Miss De Vere, look at me.”

  Charlotte turned her tear-streaked face to him and looked up at his face. “Do you promise not to gamble again? I know it runs in your family, but can you promise?”

  “Yes-s, I'll promise anything.”

  “I don't want 'anything'. I want you to do this one thing in specific.”

  “Yes. I won't gamble again.”

  “Good, I'm sorry Lizzy but you're not visiting the hell this time. Please keep Charlotte out of trouble while I sort things out.”

  “Freddy!”

  “Mr. Talbot, please don't!”

  He didn't listen any of their objections but entered the hall. After he presented his card, Lady Luttrel greeted him as yet another fat pigeon fit for plucking. With the Talbot's, even detaching a couple of feathers was worth the game. “Mr. Talbot, how pleased I am to see you. May I show you to the faro table, or is piquet your game?”

  Freddy rather rudely replied, “Neither. I understand Miss De Vere has some gambling losses that need to be paid. Can I see the books?”

  Lady Luttrel put her nose in the air and assumed a patrician attitude, “Books? This is an affair of honor.”

  Freddy, as usual when confronted by members of the tinsel aristocracy, was not impressed. “I fail to see the honor in skinning a young woman of her last savings.”

  “What business is this of yours?”

  “It's mine because I make it mine. Miss De Vere is under my sister's protection and therefor under mine.”

  “Why? She's just another silly female.”

  “She's a friend of Miss Talbot's. That is enough reason.”

  “We don't keep books in this house, I'm sorry, but her debts are between her and the other members of the ton.”

  “Do you really think I'm a flat? Before I lay evidence,” at which words a pair of rather muscular and decidedly menacing gentlemen approached him on either side and momentarily interrupted his conversation. “I presume you keep track of your winnings somewhere. I need to see the records.”

  “You bloody clerk, you're sticking your nose where it doesn't belong.”

  “If you don't have records of her debts, then I'm leaving. If anyone menaces her, you will hear from a magistrate. I have more than one friend on the bench.”

  The gentleman on his right moved between Freddy and Lady Luttrel and gathered his hands into fists. “Do you want some of this?” He stood there and shoved his face into Freddy's. He was breathing heavily with his nostrils flaring in and out at each breath. He was prepared for a fight, and hoped to intimidate this young gentleman into striking first. The other moved behind him, ready to stop Freddy from returning any punches once the 'fight' started.

  Freddy calmly looked at him and replied with deep disdain in his voice. “Please. Physical violence will only add to the charges against you. I didn't come here alone.” The standoff continued for a few moments, when Freddy continued, “So Madam, what will it be? Do I see Miss De Vere's vowels or do I talk to my friends at the Old Bailey?”

  “Bloody bastard!” Lady Luttrel nodded to her assistant. “Get Mr. Strot and tell that lazy bugger to bring the books.”

  “Thank you.”

  It only took a few moments in the end. Satisfied that the debt was properly totaled, he peeled a monkey from his billfold and handed it to Lady Luttrel. “I would like a receipt please. Miss De Vere will not be bothered about this again. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, damn you.” Lady Luttrel stormed
at her two muscular gentlemen. “Make sure that neither Miss De Vere nor this Mr. Talbot ever darkens my door again.”

  “I assure you I have no intent of ever entering your,” he paused to show his distaste for the place, “house.”

  With that he turned sharply and left. Once outside he addressed Lizzy and Miss De Vere, “Come, let us find a cab or a chair, and leave this verminous neighborhood.”

  “Mr. Talbot?” Charlotte began to ask, “did you fix-”

  “You debts. Yes.”

  “How much do I owe you?”

  Mr. Talbot refused to say. Instead, he hailed a hackney carriage and bundled the two of them into it. He told the coachman to take the women to the house on Portman Street. Miss De Vere objected to his high-handed treatment. “Mr. Talbot, I would like to go to my own place.”

  “Where? You were staying with Lady Chalfield, weren't you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where is she?”

  Charlotte pointed to the 'faro house' behind them, “In there.”

  “Then you will go with Miss Talbot. Lizzy, have a footman send a message to the Chalfield residence when you arrive.”

  Lizzy intently studied her brother's face. While he could hide his emotions most of the time from most onlookers, she could still read them. He was clearly upset, but putting on his best marble face to hide it. She whispered to her brother, “Freddy, are you well? There's room in the cab for you.”

  Freddy smiled at her, “Thank you, but I'll walk. The exercise will do me good. Don't worry, I'll be fine.”

  It wasn't until the two women had arrived back in the Talbot's house at Portman square that Charlotte summoned the courage to ask Elizabeth something that had been bothering her, “Miss Talbot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Your brother, did he really just settle my debts for me?”

  “That's what he said he did. He's generally honest about things like that.”

  “What does he expect me to do?”

  “Nothing. It would be nice if you said thank you.”

  “What do you mean by 'nothing'?”