“Exactly that, nothing. He would probably dislike it intensely if you tried to repay him, or even if you mention it again, other than to quietly say thank you.”
“I don't understand.”
Elizabeth studied her acquaintance, “You don't understand us, do you? My father and Freddy, for that matter probably me as well, have a talent for business. It's a blessing, much nicer being rich than poor, but it's also a curse.”
“A curse?”
“Do you remember how Freddy dressed when we met?”
“What a lark, he was dressed up to the nines in the latest fashion. He almost looked silly”
“And now?”
“So sober. What of it, tastes change?”
“He dresses like that because of his responsibilities. He has to look serious if he wants to be treated seriously.”
“What do you mean?”
“There are many people who depend on him making the right decisions. If it were just us Talbot's, well, we have more than enough in the four-percent’s to live high for a long time. It's just there are others who depend on the firm for their livelihoods. He can't just leave them to starve.”
“But?”
“If you really want to repay him, help him to laugh. Make him happy. He needs relief from the difficulty of being the one man in charge.”
Charlotte stood there speechless. This way of looking at Mr. Talbot hadn't occurred to her. He was usually so stiff and distant, or at least had seemed so, almost from the day she met him. She remembered the exceptions, when he paid her attention, and felt an odd stirring in her stomach. “Lizzy, do you think he likes me?”
“I don't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if he did. He's very private about things like that.”
Charlotte smiled and said simply, “Oh.”
Elizabeth continued, “It's late and I doubt Lady Chalfield will be home before dawn. There are probably more pigeons for her to pluck. I'll ask my maid to set up the spare bedroom for you.”
“More pigeons? I'm not a pigeon.”
Elizabeth laughed, “No, Charlotte, more of a silly goose. How did you think Lady Chalfield supports herself?”
“I thought by her inheritance, maybe from her estate, but you're saying by gambling?”
“Not just gambling, but bringing young inexperienced ingénues to the table. It's called 'plucking a pigeon'. I've been told it's very lucrative.”
“I'm confused.”
“You're tired, it will be clearer in the morning.” Elizabeth made good on her suggestion to find a bed for Miss De Vere. Then she returned to the front parlor await for her brother's return. Mrs. Radcliffe's latest would do to keep her occupied until he returned.
Freddy stopped off at White's for a snifter. The other members considered him a bit of an odd stick, but good company just the same. One of his friends came over and suggested he join the game of Hazard underway.
“Sorry, but I can't.”
“What do you mean you can't, it's just chicken stakes?”
“Samuel, you know I'm a banker.”
“If you're just a banker, I'm a subaltern.” Major Samuel Travers was a well-respected officer in the Coldstream Guards.
“You know what I mean. It could leave the wrong impression if I play the tables.”
“Hmmn, I see. Have a point there. Pity though, you used to be dashed good at it.”
“But never for more than copper stakes.”
“True. I say, how about you advise me? I could use the help.”
The other men at the game suggested that he come and join them. Freddy sat down next to his friend and soon was immersed in calculating the odds and advising his friend on his betting.
It didn't take long before they were cleaning the table. “Damn Freddy, it's a good thing we're playing for chicken stakes. You and Sam would be leaving us in deuced low water.”
Freddy chuckled to himself. Then he stood up to leave, “Thank you Sam, gentlemen, I'd forgotten how much I missed your company. When you get run off your feet tomorrow, come see me. I always need some more clerks in my office.”
Freddy returned home in a much better mood than he had when left. As he pulled his latchkey from his pocket to open the door, one of the footmen opened it. “I thought I told you not to wait up for me, that Miss Talbot and I might be late?”
“Sir, Miss Talbot is waiting for you in the front parlor.”
Elizabeth immediately saw that her brother was in good spirits, “Freddy? What have you been up to?”
“Stopped in White's and met up with some old friends. Do you remember Sam Travers?”
“Wasn't he the one who joined the army? A captain or something.”
“A Major now. Still, we had a nice chat, and I kept him from losing his stake at Hazard.”
“You gambled, after what you told Miss De Vere?”
“No, I advised him on the odds, though. Amazing how few of these fellows think those out in advance. It was only chicken stakes anyway. No one was going to go broke on the bets.”
“I put our guest to bed.”
“I thought she was going to Lady Chalfield's”
“That old harridan? You know she was setting up Miss De Vere to be plucked?”
“Very probably. She does that doesn't she?”
“But?”
“It's a bit rude to just leave without asking pardon as a guest.”
“I'll send her a message in the morning. Now that her pigeon is well and truly plucked, I doubt she'll want to keep her.”
“Wouldn't surprise me, but Miss De Vere can't stay here.”
“Why ever not? You won't compromise her or anything stupid like that, and she is my friend.”
“Lizzy, I'm not sure what she feels about us, me at least. I guess she likes you for some reason. What makes you think she would have a good opinion about me?”
“I have my reasons, and what you said isn't fair. You know that. She may have detested you when you first met, but I'm sure she doesn't now. Remember what she said at the Opera and you seemed to enjoy dancing with her the other night?”
“I suppose you're right. It's just a bit confusing, I'm not sure what I feel.”
Early the next morning, barely before breakfast was started, let alone the last cup of tea drunk and Freddy was off to the city to do whatever mysterious things he did, a footman entered the room and announced, “Mr. Talbot, you have a visitor.”
“This early?” Freddy looked at his sister who usually managed to rise early enough to see him off. She was dressed informally, in a morning gown, since it was far too early to be out and about the village. Miss De Vere blissfully slumbered on upstairs, unaware of the Talbot family's unsocial hours. “Who is it and is it important?”
“It is a Major Travers, and he says it is confidential.”
“Nonsense, show him in, he's an old friend.”
A few minutes later Major Travers entered. He stopped and staggered, there was a beautiful woman in the room. A woman that was vaguely familiar.
“Sam, you must remember my sister Elizabeth?” He did, but the last time he met her she was a scrubby schoolgirl, all legs and arms, who had been more of a nuisance than anything else. He remembered that she was always getting in his way or trying to tag along when he and Freddy were off trying to find some sport or diversion. Now here she was a dashing and well-posed woman. More importantly, she was smiling at him. It was unnerving. He stammered, “I s-s-ay Freddy, last night, when you said you had positions for clerk's?”
“Yes?”
“Did you mean it?”
“What happened Sam?”
“This.” He held out a missive from his father. Freddy quickly read the letter. It was not good news.
Sam continued while Freddy read, “He put the family fortune into Barlow's East Timor venture.”
Elizabeth had been listening during family dinners when that venture was discussed, “Oh, dear, he was a 'Captain Sharp', wasn't he? I remember you and father refusing to have anything to do
with him.”
“Yes, I'll have to sell out, there isn't enough to keep me going as a Major. Anyway father will need all the help he can get to hold onto the family estates and my commission will bring a good sized amount.”
Elizabeth asked her brother, “Freddy, could we lend?”
“No,” Sam stopped her, “I don't borrow from my friends, besides, Freddy always requires collateral and I don't have any.”
Freddy looked up from the letter. “Not always, but a loan won't help you with this. Sam, I'll see what I can salvage for you. Barlow's venture didn't completely collapse.”
“M'govenor used the shares to back a mortgage on the family manse.”
“Oh, so you really are deep into the suds, aren't you? I might be able to salvage a shilling on the pound, but that won't be enough, will it?”
“I wasn't joking when I asked about a clerk's position.”
Elizabeth looked stricken. While Freddy was a generous employer, Major Travers would be hard pressed to live on a clerk's salary. Freddy thought for a few moments, then asked one important question, “Sam, before you were in the guards, weren't you in an engineering battalion?”
“Yes, not so dashing, but a good place for a young soldier to start. I even attended a course at the Royal College while you were at Oxford.”
“Remember any of it?”
“A bit. Why, do you need fortifications thrown up in a hurry? I had heard business was cutthroat but not that cutthroat.”
“Come see me in the city this afternoon. If you come before supper, you can come back here and share our mutton. I don't think a clerkship is what you want.” Sam appeared to hesitate.
Elizabeth inserted herself into their conversation, “Please do, Major Travers. I'd so much like to catch up with you. Find out what my brother's like when I'm not around. Please bring Mrs. Travers as well.”
Sam looked at her, and a puzzled expression crossed his face. She seemed to be so earnestly wishing for something. It couldn't possibly be his company. On the other hand a free dinner was a free dinner, and he had heard that Freddy kept a good table. He replied, “Freddy that sounds like an excellent idea. I'll see you this afternoon, dine with Miss Talbot and you tonight. My mother won't be joining us, she's out in Berkshire with the old man.”
He watched Elizabeth intently and noted that she relaxed and sort of smiled to herself.
On the way out, with Freddy, Sam asked, “Your sister, she's not engaged, entangled or anything, is she?”
“Lizzy? No, she is sociable enough, dances and chats at the balls, but she hardly ever looks at anyone twice. Why?”
“Oh, Nothing.”
Charlotte rose towards mid-day. When she descended to see who else was awake in the Talbot household, she only found Elizabeth. Elizabeth was already deep in her correspondence, having written a letter to the Answorth's explaining, in as delicate a manner as she could why Miss De Vere would now stay with her. She was well into a long letter to her mother when Charlotte interrupted her.
“Lizzy? What did Lady Chalfield say about my staying with you?”
Elizabeth replied, “I don't know, the footman brought a letter, but it was addressed to you.” Then handed the letter to Charlotte. Charlotte started to read, then gasped, “She's keeping my clothes and jewelry in lieu of rent! She wants a hundred pounds for them.”
“Really? Let me see.” Elizabeth read the missive. “This won't do. I do wish Freddy were here. It would be so much easier for a man to deal with this.”
“What can we do?”
“You can get your pelisse. We have a visit to pay to that old croaker.” While Charlotte went for her pelisse, Elizabeth sent a footman with a message to her brother. “Please tell him it's important and he should meet us at Lady Chalfield's residence.”
Accompanied by a couple of stout footmen, whom the Talbot's kept for their muscles more than their manners or elegance, Elizabeth and Charlotte walked the few blocks to Lady Chalfield's town residence. They passed a discreetly labeled pawn shop which was tucked away in an alley between two town houses. Elizabeth stopped Charlotte. “Charlotte, I'd like to take a look inside, if you don't mind.”
Once inside the shop Elizabeth explained herself, “Charlotte, I have a sinking suspicion about your jewels.” The proprietor, an elderly hunched man with a shambling gait came over and asked how he could be of service.
“We're looking for some jewelry, it may have been left here on consignment in the last week or so.”
“I can show you what I have.” The man wearily pulled out a drawer which contained several necklaces and bracelets. “They don't usually last long, my prices are good.”
Charlotte gasped, “That one, and that bracelet. They're mine!”
The proprietor was taken aback. “Lady Chalfield dropped those off two days ago. Are you saying they aren't hers to sell?”
“They aren't. I'm afraid, I didn't catch your name.”
“Jacob Samuelson.”
“I'm afraid Mr. Samuelson, you are the receiver of stolen goods.”
“Blimey. Can you prove it?”
“Not yet, but here.” Elizabeth pulled out a ton, “Will this deposit hold them for me?”
Mr. Samuelson blinked, he wished all his customers were so willing to pay, “Yes, and you are?”
“Elizabeth Talbot from -.” Before she could finish, Mr. Samuelson stopped her, “You're one of the Talbot's aren't you.”
“Yes.”
He blanched in fear, then nodded, “They won't go anywhere.”
“Good. Now how long would it take to get a paste copy made of one of these?”
“If you aren't particular about the quality, I know a place that can do it overnight.”
“Does Lady Chalfield know the place?”
“Of course, I helped her dispose of her jewels when she needed the ready last year.”
Elizabeth turned to one of her footmen, “James, would you mind watching Mr. Samuelson's store while we pay a visit to Lady Chalfield? Make sure that these jewels don't wander.”
He touched his cap in acknowledgement, “Ma'am.”
As Charlotte and Elizabeth walked the last bit to Lady Chalfield's abode, Charlotte asked, “Lizzy, how did you know about the jewels?”
“Just a lucky guess, I saw Milady Sharp was wearing paste in Bath.”
“It's more than that, isn't it?”
“Well, yes. She's a member of the 'tinsel aristocracy'. Much glitter and charm, little substance, and fewer morals. This wouldn't be the first time she's pulled a paste for real switch. She tried it on me in Newbury.”
“Lizzy!”
“She wanted to use her jewels as collateral for a loan. They were paste copies of her originals. She would have claimed they were genuine when she came to pay and insisted on full damages.”
The footman knocked on Lady Chalfield's door, and after a bit of a wait they were admitted. A shabbily dressed footman escorted Elizabeth and Charlotte to the sitting room. Charlotte found the air of genteel decay familiar and comforting. Elizabeth thought it demonstrated indolence and poor management. Sitting in a worn and patched winged chair with the light from the window behind her streaming into her guests faces, Lady Chalfield greeted them, “Miss De Vere, so delighted to see you again.” She continued with notably less enthusiasm, “and Miss Talbot.”
Charlotte, her manners bred in, curtsied while Elizabeth gave a slight bow of her head in acknowledgement and said, “Lady Chalfield, we've come for Miss De Vere's things.”
“Where's my hundred pounds?”
“A hundred pounds, what for?”
“Her rent. Either she pays it or I keep the clothes.”
“No. You will give us the clothes and Charlotte's jewelry. Remember you still owe me my fifty pounds.”
“That's included in the hundred, I would have charged a hundred and fifty.”
“You will get nothing.”
“Make me, you underbred trollop.”
“Lady Chalfield, you w
ill learn to regret those words.”
The door knocker banged again, and in a few moments, the shabbily dressed servant announced, “Mr. Talbot, Ma'am.”
“It looks like I have the full deck of Talbot's. Still, how are you going to make me return Miss De Vere's things?”
“Freddy, she's holding on to Miss De Vere's clothes and jewelry.”
“Mr. Talbot, it's worse, she exchanged my necklaces for paste!”
“Did she?”
“The real ones are at Mr. Samuelson's, around the corner.”
“That's odd, he's usually the best place to buy trumpery for inamorata. Good prices.”
Charlotte was shocked and asked, “Freddy, how would you know about that?”
Elizabeth ignored her friend and pointed out, “If he doesn't pay for his stock, he can undersell the rest, brother dearest.”
“So what do you want me to do about this sorry state of affairs?”
Elizabeth looked at him hopefully, her big brother usually managed to make things right. “I thought you would know what to do.”
“Well I could ask my friend Lord Marsh, at the Old Baily to take a look. You know a private prosecution would be expensive, is it worth the effort?”
“Maybe not directly, but what would happen to Milady? It could ruin her.”
Lady Chalfield realized that they were dancing around the idea of having her good name dragged through the courts. Since that was all she still possessed, even if she won the suit she would lose everything.
“If it means that much to you, just take the blasted thing.”
“Now about my fifty pounds?”
Lady Chalfield grumbled, “I don't have the money.”
“Shall I call the bailiffs?”
“No, don't do that, please don't. I'm only a poor widow.”
“I'm not sure I shouldn't, you couldn't pluck many more pigeons from the Coldbath Fields prison.”
Lady Chalfield paused, but eventually pulled a role of flimsies from her reticule and unwrapped a note. “Here, now leave!”
Elizabeth very gracefully gave her a curtsy. “It is my pleasure.”
On the way out she turned to Charlotte. “I know you wouldn't accept money from us before, but you truly need it now. Would you please accept this token of my friendship?”
Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman Page 11