My Dear Charlotte

by Hazel Holt

  “Such a loss to our small society,” Mrs Chamberlyne said.

  “Greatly missed,” Maria Brompton contributed, and turning to Sir Edward, she asked him what progress was being made in discovering the facts of her death.

  Sir Edward, who is undoubtedly heartily sick of such questions, answered her with politeness, though with a discouraging brevity.

  Our father, who had observed Sir Edward’s irritation, turned the subject to the proposed alterations to the quay and the conversation became less general. Mr Rivers, who was sitting on my left, enquired after the health of one of the children of Bates at the farm, who has been sick of a fever and whom Mr Rivers has visited on several occasions. I observed that it was most kind of him to take an interest in poor Jem and he said, “I heard of the child’s condition and, having certain medicines I have found efficacious in treating people on the estate in Barbados, I hoped I might be of some assistance.”

  “Indeed,” I said “he is greatly improved and his parents are truly grateful to you for the trouble you have taken. You have a knowledge of medicines?”

  “Hardly that, but I have been accustomed to do what I can if there is illness. We have a doctor but he lives some distance away so it is often necessary to give some sort of assistance until he arrives, so I have tried to make a study of medicines that might be useful. When Mr Wilmot told me of the child I thought I might be of help and the draught I gave him- something I have made up myself – did reduce the fever.”

  “It was, indeed, good of you to do so and I am sure Mr Wilmot was also grateful. The Bates do not live in his parish, which is Charton, but the living of this parish of Westover, which adjoins Charton, has recently fallen vacant so there is no clergyman present in Westover. The living is in Mr Woodstock’s gift and we were hoping that he might give it to Mr Wilmot, who is such a worthy man.”

  “That would excellent. I will certainly do all I can to persuade my cousin to agree to such a plan.”

  So it may be that Mr Wilmot will get the preferment he deserves. Indeed, it may be possible for him to combine the two livings, that of Westover is, I believe, worth 150l a year and, together with the wretched 50l at Charton, it would provide a reasonable income. Indeed he might even marry on it, should he find a wife of similarly frugal inclinations as himself.

  Certainly it was kind of Mr Rivers to offer his support and we must hope that he succeeds in persuading Mr Woodstock.

  I thought Mr Russell was not in the best of spirits, which is surprising considering that he is now free of his tyrant aunt and has every prospect of a richer and more agreeable life. It may be, of course that he is being urged by Mrs West to make public his engagement, but I do not believe she would push him too hard at this moment for fear of losing him altogether. Certainly, although he appeared to be listening to Maria Brompton’s account of the latest movements of the militia and the effect they may have on our Assemblies, it was obvious to me that his mind was elsewhere.

  After the tea tray was brought in Sir Edward came to speak to me.

  “Mr Rivers seems to be a most agreeable man,” he said “full of conversation and with an easy manner. I can quite see why he is universally popular.”

  “Indeed,” I said “and he has been most kind to the son of my father’s tenant. The poor child has been suffering from a fever and Mr Rivers, hearing of it, immediately went to take him medicines that greatly relieved the symptoms.”

  “I did not know that Mr Rivers was a medical man.”

  “He is not, but he is accustomed to help care for the people on Mr Woodstock’s estate in Barbados in times of sickness. He gave poor Jem a draught he had made up himself.”

  “Did he indeed? A draught that he made up himself? ”

  “Yes. It greatly reduced the fever.”

  “So Mr Rivers is expert in making medicines, is he?”

  I looked at him in amazement. “Oh come now, Sir Edward, surely you are not suggesting that Mr Rivers had anything to do with Mrs Woodstock’s death. He is the kindest of men – why he has just now been telling me that he is to try to persuade his cousin to give the living of Westover to Mr Wilmot, such a deserving man who badly needs the preferment.”

  “Mr Rivers is a paragon indeed.”

  “But what possible reason could he have for wishing Mrs Woodstock’s death? To be sure she bullied and abused him, but then, she did so to everyone around her.”

  “I am sure you are right, Miss Cowper and I apologise for having thought the worst of such a universal favourite.”

  Our mother, having completed her duties at the tea tray, called Sir Edward over to her to enquire about the welfare of his two sons.

  “Such delightful boys, Sir Edward and it was a pleasure to have children about the house again.”

  “Indeed, ma’am, they greatly enjoyed their visit and George, in particular, continues to speak of the splendid specimens your sons have collected.”

  “They must come again and Elinor will get out some of the things from Frank’s Exhibition, for so he called it. Elinor, you will not mind looking out all those strange objects that Frank had to show them to Sir Edward’s boys?”

  “I hesitate to trouble Miss Cowper,” he said “when she has already been so kind.”

  “Not at all,” I said “I will be happy to do so.”

  So now, dear Charlotte, I am obliged to search the schoolroom for all Frank’s treasures, a task which will be as dusty as it is tiresome. Still, it will give our mother pleasure to have the house full of young voices. I do not believe she was ever happier than when we were all young, a singular preference, though I believe that is the way with mothers everywhere!

  We have just had two hampers of apples from Kintbury, and the floor of our little garret is almost covered. Love to all.

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  26th September

  My Dear Charlotte,

  We have been in a dreadful state within the week, from the heavy rain &, and the contest between us and the store-closet has now ended in our defeat. I have been obliged to move almost everything out of it, and leave it to splash itself as it likes until it can be mended. Would that my pen could flow as fast as the rain in the store-closet. However I will do my best and tell you that we played a pool of Commerce with the Holders and, in spite of my disinclination to do so, I walked for a while beside the Cobb with Miss West. She would not actually mount the steps up onto the Cobb, avowing that the wind was too strong, and, although she knew it was a foolish fancy of hers, she was convinced that it would blow her into the sea. I felt that this remark deserved no answer so I asked after her mother.

  “Poor mama is not well, she has the colic. I fear it may be something she ate that disagreed with her.”

  “Have you consulted Dr King?” I asked.

  “Oh no, mama has no opinion of medical men. She prefers to prescribe for herself.”

  “Of course, you told me that she has a great knowledge of herbs and medicines. Has she carried a stock of them with her from Kent?”

  “Oh yes, she never travels without them. Mama says one never can tell when they may be needed.”

  “Indeed.” We walked in silence for a while and then Miss West said “Miss Cowper, do you not think that Mr Rivers is a very agreeable man?”

  As you may imagine, I was somewhat startled by this question. “Very agreeable,” I said. “Indeed, it is universally acknowledged that Mr Rivers is a gentleman of charm and affability and a great asset to our society. Do you have a special reason for thinking so?”

  She looked confused. “No – no particular reason. It is just that he has called upon us several times.”

  “Really?”

  “I was not sure – his attentions have been quite marked, mama has said so.”

  “And she is displeased?”

  “Oh no – indeed she seems almost to encourage him. But I am not sure I should do so since I am engaged to Mr Russell.”

  So Mrs West is hoping to bring Ja
mes Russell forward by making him jealous. I suppose it may work.

  “I am sure,” I said, “your mama knows best.”

  As you can imagine, I await the next episode of this little drama with great interest. I still have not decided whether to tell Sir Edward about the engagement – if such it be, but, in the light of his suspicions of Mr Rivers, I most certainly will tell him of Mrs West’s skills, so that he may understand that Mr Rivers is not the only person in our small circle with a knowledge of herbs and medicines.

  Since Sir Edward’s boys are to come tomorrow I have been busy searching the schoolroom for Frank’s ‘collection’ and have discovered many other treasures while I was about it. That ivory pen, curiously carved, that we fell out about ten years ago found itself at the back of the drawer of the old dresser in the corner, along with a shrivelled skeleton of some small creature, which I presume to be one of William’s specimens. I will include the latter, since boys are interested in such things. The pen, however, I will claim for myself, since, you will recall, it was originally a present to me from old Mrs Woodward and not to you as you claimed at the time. I do not wish to open old quarrels but I think, with the passing of time and with mature reflection, you will admit the justice of my cause.

  Our mother has asked that the boys should come on their own, merely delivered by Miss Blair, since she would have them freed from the restriction of their governess – though I, myself, have never observed any such restriction!

  Rugeley conveys to us a third volume of sermons from Hamstall, just published, and which we are to like better than the two others; they are professedly practical and for the use of country congregations.

  We heard yesterday from Frank whose complaints about the tediousness of the business in Vienna seem to have been modified somewhat by the presence of a Miss Forsyth. He was introduced to her at a formal dinner and then encountered her at a ball a few days later and seems to have been greatly struck by her wit and beauty. It would seem that she will be in Vienna for some time since her father, Sir Stuart Forsyth, is on a mission there and has had the forethought to bring his wife and daughter with him. As you may imagine, our mother is in raptures and can scarcely talk of anything else and is extremely annoyed with Frank for not providing the many and more particular details she wishes for. Poor Miss Forsyth, she little knows what expectations she has raised!

  Your affectionate sister,

  E.C.

  I may now inform you that the store cupboard, I hope, will never trouble us again, for much of the evil is proved to have proceeded from the gutter being choked up, and we have had it cleared.

  30th September

  My Dear Charlotte,

  We have now had the visit of Sir Edward’s boys which I think may be considered a success. They were in raptures at Frank’s collection and determined to make one of their own, questioning me closely as to where the best specimens might be found. The skeleton, pronounced by George to be that of a weasel, was greatly admired and I had no hesitation in bestowing it upon him. I scarcely think William will grieve for its loss. Our father coming in while they were here, took them with him to visit Bates at the farm, an action much approved of by our mother.

  “Poor little souls,” she said, “since their mother died and with their father abroad they have been left to servants and governesses, and now they are living in that dismal house! If you remember, Sir Edward’s brother, who died and left it to him, was never married and hardly ever entertained, scarcely saw anyone except on business – no wonder everything there is so melancholy for the boys! It occurs to me, Elinor, for their next visit, you might look out the battledore and shuttlecock that you all used to play with.”

  To our surprise Sir Edward himself arrived to take the boys home. However, our mother insisted on their finishing the jellies and cheesecakes that she had provided before they went, and left the drawing room to oversee the feast.

  “It is remarkably kind of your mother – and, indeed, of you, Miss Cowper, to take such trouble with them,” he said.

  “My mother enjoys having children about the house again.”

  “Are there no grandchildren?”

  “My two brothers are abroad and have not yet married. My sister Mary’s children are not of an age to make the journey on their own – my sister finds that travel disagrees with her.”

  “It is very good of you to entertain the boys. I am conscious that they need to be more in the world before they go away to school I am truly grateful for the trouble you have taken.”

  “It is no trouble, I assure you. They are charming boys and, as I believe I have mentioned before, it is a pleasure to me to revisit the pastimes of my youth. My sister Charlotte frequently had to reprove me for joining in my brothers’ games, an activity she found unladylike and which she maintained would unfit me for polite society.”

  “I am delighted to observe that she was wrong.”

  A compliment! But, then he was obliged to be civil after I had been entertaining his sons.

  I thought it wise to change the subject and told him of Mrs West’s talents with herbs and medicines.

  “So you see, sir, Mr Rivers is not the only person in Lyme who has knowledge of such remedies.”

  “Indeed. That is interesting. But, interesting as it is, it does not really forward the investigation, for I cannot conceive of any reason why Mrs West might want to dispose of Mrs Woodstock.”

  So you see, My Dear Charlotte, what a quandary I found myself in! After a moment’s hesitation I decided that there was nothing for it but to tell him everything, since otherwise he would think my information about Mrs West foolish and irrelevant, and, besides, at this particular moment, considering himself in my debt, he might not view my lack of candour too severely.

  “Sir Edward, I fear I have been less than open with you. There are circumstances which might make it possible for Mrs West to wish for Mrs Woodstock’s removal.”

  “Indeed?”

  “I did not tell you before because it would have meant betraying a confidence…”

  “I see.”

  Somewhat daunted by his severe expression, I nevertheless continued, “Miss West informed me (in the greatest secrecy) that she has been engaged to Mr Russell for some months, but, dependent as he was on his aunt’s good will and in the knowledge that she would not approve, the engagement was not made public.”

  “Was there any reason why Mrs Woodstock should not approve of this engagement?”

  “She would not have thought Miss West a suitable match for her nephew. Besides, she had other plans for him.”

  “But, now, even though his aunt is dead, he has not acknowledged the engagement?”

  “No. I imagine he feels it would be unsuitable at the present moment.”

  “And it might give others a reason to suppose her death welcome to him. I see.” He was thoughtful for a moment and then he said “I am obliged to you, Miss Cowper, for deciding to take me into your confidence in this matter – even at this late date.”

  I was about to speak, to defend my tardiness, when our mother came back into the room with the boys who besieged their father with exclamations of pleasure about the specimens and about their trip to the farm where there had been a litter of ferrets which they were anxious to acquire. He silenced them quickly and with renewed expressions of gratitude to our mother and a stiff bow to me, made his departure.

  So now, I suppose I am in disgrace with Sir Edward Hampton, Magistrate. But, really he can hardly have expected me to break my word to Miss West, who had most earnestly sworn me to secrecy. I wish now that I had not told him of it.

  I am glad that your visit to Mary is coming to an end so that you can see for yourself how things are going on here. I am sure you will feel as I do that Sir Edward is taking the whole affair too seriously. Indeed, I begin to wonder if Mrs Woodstock did not die a completely natural death and that the whole business is not just a self-important interference on the part of Sir Matthew and an excess of zeal on the part
of Sir Edward.

  Mary never sent her love to me in your last letter, but I send her mine and am

  Your affectionate sister,

  E.C.

  4th October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  Your letter was a shock to us all. Having looked forward so much to your return in the immediate future it was a particular disappointment to find that this was not to be. We understand that, given our uncle’s illness, our aunt has expressed a strong wish for your company. You say that this attack was particularly strong and, although the medical opinion is that his position is not grave, I do see that our aunt’s agitation at his condition might make your attendance on her necessary, and I do believe that there is no-one who could be of more comfort to her at this time. You say that you owe her a special duty since she took such trouble for your entertainment when you were in Bath, but while this is true, it must be said that the desire for entertainment is strong in her own nature. So we must hope that our uncle will rapidly improve so that you may both enjoy the pleasures of the town, and with that thought I will try to bear with patience the delay of your return.

  I am glad to hear that they are sending the carriage to convey you to Sloane St., and agree with Mary that it was the least they could do!

  I spent Friday evening with the Mapletons, lately come into the district, and was obliged to submit to being pleased in spite of my inclination. It was a good dinner; amongst other things we had a fine lobster, which made me wish for you. Of the daughters, Marianne is sensible and intelligent; and Jane, considering how fair she is, is not unpleasant. A Mrs Gould was of our party with her son and they brought me home in their carriage. He is a very young man, just entered Oxford, wears spectacles, and has heard that ‘Evelina’ was written by Dr Johnson.