My Dear Charlotte

by Hazel Holt

We hear that Mr Russell has gone to London again so I was not surprised to see Miss West walking along the Parade with Mr Rivers. He seemed most attentive and she was looking particularly fine in a blue velvet mantle and a bonnet of matching silk, elegantly covered with crape. They were much occupied with each other’s conversation and did not see me so I was able to observe them at my leisure. It may be that Mrs West regards him as a second string to her bow and would, perhaps, consider queening it with her daughter in Barbados.

  We are reading “Clarentine” and are surprised to find how foolish it is. I remember liking it much less on a second reading than at the first, and it does not bear a third at all. It is full of unnatural conduct and forced difficulties, without striking merit of any kind.

  There is a chill in the air and we have had fires these last few days. I am out of sorts from disappointment at your not coming and have no other news to fill up the sheet. I hope this reaches you before you leave. Please let us know, as soon as you arrive, what state our uncle is in.

  Your affectionate sister

  E.C.

  Tell Mary that a hamper of apples has also been sent her from Kintbury so she may not begrudge us ours!

  10th October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  We were much relieved to hear that you had arrived safely at Sloane St and that our uncle’s condition has much improved. Certainly if you are obliged to be in London, then this is a good time to be there now that the town is once again full of company.

  You ask whether I have had further conversation with Sir Edward. It happened that he was passing when I came out of Rugeley’s bookshop – he has not yet obtained for us the second volume of Espriella’s Letters that our mother ordered – and, though I would have bowed and passed on, he obviously wished to speak to me.

  “Miss Cowper,” he said “I fear I was not civil to you when last we met. It was perfectly natural that you felt you could not easily break a confidence and I do understand and apologize.”

  “No, indeed, sir, it is I who should apologize. In such a matter, a question of law, it was foolish of me to withhold information that might well be important to you.”

  “I do believe that it might be. Certainly, if Mrs Woodstock would oppose the marriage, then Mrs West and her daughter had reason to wish her away. But since they were obviously not on terms with the Woodstocks, the difficulty would lie in how they might gain access to the household.”

  “That would not be difficult since, whether by accident or design, their maid, Deborah, has made friends with the cook at Holcombe and is often in the kitchen there. If Mrs Woodstock’s syllabub was prepared beforehand then she might well have been in a position to meddle with it.”

  He nodded approvingly. “So you, too, considered the syllabub. It certainly occurred to me that it might well have been the source of Mrs Woodstock’s death. Is there any way we might discover whether the dish in question might have been left exposed to temptation?”

  Accepting the ‘we’ as a sign that my opinion was once again required, I said, “Lucy, one of our servants, has a sister who works at Holcombe. I will ask her – in a roundabout way of course – to see what the arrangements were.”

  He gave that half smile I have remarked upon before, and said “You are a diplomat, Miss Cowper, like your brother.”

  “Indeed, sir, I do not believe Frank would agree with you. He – and William, as well as my sister Charlotte – have frequently reproved me for speaking in too forthright a fashion.”

  “There is also a place for candid speaking, though I fear it is not very often that one of your sex is allowed to indulge in it . But what news of your brother? Your father tells me he is in Vienna. Does he find that the negotiations progress?”

  “I believe he is concerned at the tardiness of affairs there and the general level of confusion, which I suppose, is only to be expected when several nations are called upon to agree a plan that affects each one differently.”

  “Very acute, Miss Cowper,” he said and continued to speak of the negotiations with considerable knowledge and clarity so that I understood for the first time some of the complexities of the affair. Indeed, our conversation continued for so long that I found we had arrived at the end of Broad St, by the Assembly Rooms, a direction I had not, in fact, intended to take and which meant that I had a much longer walk home than I had anticipated, and when I arrived back I recollected that I had forgotten to order the soles for tomorrow from Parker down at the Cobb.

  Walking along the Parade, before I went to Rugeley’s I met Mrs Holder in a new black velvet pelisse lined with yellow and a white bobbin net veil, and looking remarkably well in them. The orange wine – you will remember we made some from those oranges from Seville that our mother had the receipt for – will want our care soon. Though that will mean nothing to you, who will be eating ices and drinking French wine and above such vulgar economy.

  Love to our aunt and hoping for news of our uncle’s better health

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  14th October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  I was delighted to have your reply so soon and with good news of our uncle. I feel the fact that our aunt proposes to take you to the collection of Sir Joshua Reynold’s paintings in Pall Mall is a sign that the immediate cause for concern is over.

  You say that you are glad that I am now back on terms with Sir Edward. Certainly it is more comfortable, especially in such a small society as ours, not to be at odds with anyone. I did get from Lucy the information that Cook always made Mrs Woodstock’s syllabub first thing, early in the morning, and that Deb was in the kitchen at Holcombe that very day, whether for her own entertainment or at her mistress’s request I do not know.

  Mr Russell is returned from London. He was in attendance on his uncle when our mother and I paid Mr Woodstock a visit yesterday. It seemed to me that he was at pains to be especially affable, waiting upon his uncle as assiduously as he once did upon his aunt and quite deposing Mr Rivers as chief attendant.

  “So you are back from London,” our mother said to him, “and are you fixed in Lyme this time?”

  “For a long time I hope,” he replied. “I am always most happy to be here, and have only left to attend to certain matters of business, nothing else would have taken me away from my uncle at such a time.”

  “James has been most helpful,” Mr Woodstock said “seeing to everything for me here. I was especially grateful to him since Dr King said that any exertion on my part might have serious consequences on my health after such a dreadful shock to the system.”

  We did not stay long since Mr Russell reminded his uncle that they were to go for a short drive in the barouche.

  “Dr King believes that a little gentle exercise would be beneficial,” Mr Woodstock said, “and, provided that the weather is sufficiently mild – as James assures me it is today – then the sea air can be most favourable to one’s health.”

  At that point Chapman came in laden with cloaks and shawls so we left. Later that day I met Mr Rivers leaving Mrs West’s lodgings. Since we were walking in the same direction we fell into conversation.

  “I have just been leaving tickets for the concert at the Assembly Rooms for Mrs West and her daughter. Mr Woodstock is a subscriber and, since neither he nor James wishes to attend I thought that they might care to use them. Being newcomers to the town they do not have the benefit of being on the subscription list and Miss West is very fond of music.”

  “Really?”

  “Indeed she plays beautifully – though the instrument in their lodgings is inferior, quite unworthy of her talents- and has the most charming voice. She is very modest about her gifts but her mother persuaded her to give us some fine old Scottish airs.”

  “And you, sir, are also fond of music?”

  “In our limited circle in Barbados, as you may imagine, it is one of our greatest pleasures to give small impromptu concerts when we are gathered together.”

  “It so
unds delightful. And when will you be returning there?”

  “That I am not at able to say at present. There are many matters of business to be arranged before I go back and my cousin has not yet recovered sufficiently from the dreadful events that have left him still in great distress.”

  “I am sure, sir, that your many friends in Lyme will be happy to hear you are to remain for a while.”

  “People have been most kind. Mrs West, for instance, whom, at first, I took to be somewhat reserved, is most affable and Mr and Mrs Chamberlyne as well as your amiable parents have all made me most welcome.”

  So you see, My Dear Charlotte, Mrs West is decidedly encouraging him. And a thought has occurred to me that, if she herself is not responsible for Mrs Woodstock’s death, she may suspect that it may have been Mr Russell who did the deed. So, since she would hardly wish her daughter to form an alliance with a murderer (certainly not one who might well be discovered), then she is holding Mr Rivers in reserve, as it were, in case this may be so.

  Our weather I fancy has been just like yours; we have had some very delightful days, our

  11th and 12th were what the 11th and 12th of October should always be, but we have always wanted a fire within doors at least, except for just the middle of the day. We had a hare and a pheasant the other day from Sir Thomas Egerton so our larder is now very rich.

  Your affectionate sister,

  E.C.

  19th October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  I was delighted to learn that our uncle is now making progress so that you were able to accompany our aunt when she went to Wedgwood’s to choose a dinner-set. The pattern of a small lozenge in purple, between lines of narrow gold, with a crest, sounds very fine and will, I imagine, grace some splendid dinner-party very soon.

  Our own domestic news is less grand. Our father has had the particulars of the building, etc and seems well satisfied. A narrow door to the pantry is the only subject of solicitude; it is certainly just the door which should not be narrow, on account of the trays; but if a case of necessity, it must be borne

  Sir Edward called this morning to see our father – something about the shooting prospects for the season – and I was able to have a brief word to inform him about Deb’s presence in the kitchen at Holcombe when the syllabub had already been prepared. Wishing to confirm my new resolution of candour, I also gave him the news of Mr Rivers being received so cordially by Mrs West and my thoughts on the reason for it.

  “That is, to be sure, an interesting theory and one which a mere man would not immediately have perceived,” he said.“No, seriously, Miss Cowper, it is just such observations that may be of great value and an excellent reason for my having asked your father if you and Mrs Cowper might assist me in this way.”

  “It may all be nonsense, of course,” I said “but Mrs West does seem to me the kind of person who will not let any opportunity slip by her, whether it be of immediate use or no.”

  “And do you think Mr Russell the likeliest person to have killed Mrs Woodstock?”

  “Put in those particular words, sir, I would hesitate to say so. It is difficult, you will admit, to consider any person of one’s actual acquaintance capable of such a deed.”

  “But looked at dispassionately, Miss Cowper, and I am sure that, unlike many members of your sex, or indeed my own, you are able to view things dispassionately, do you think that Mr Russell has the strongest reason to do such a thing?”

  “Viewing the affair in that particular way, sir, I must confess that I do find him the person who had most to gain from his aunt’s death.”

  “But?”

  “But I would doubt his resolution to carry out such a deed. He has always seemed to me to be a very shallow young man, ineffectual, you might say, the sort of person who might think of a daring stroke but who would lack the confidence or the courage to carry it through.”

  “As I have had reason to say before, your powers of observation are most acute. Indeed, I am grateful that I may never learn your summary of my character! But I am glad to have a clearer picture of Mr Russell’s and it does confirm what I have been able to gather for myself in our brief acquaintance. Nevertheless I will discreetly inquire into his doings and see what may be found. And, we must not forget that, apart from Mr Woodstock, he was the only other person who dined with Mrs Woodstock on that day.”

  At that moment our father came in and carried Sir Edward off to see a gun he thought of buying. But you will see that I am reinstated in my position as Assistant Magistrate, something I do find sufficiently amusing to provide me with entertainment while you are enjoying the pleasures of the town.

  I almost forgot to say that there was another letter from Frank, but our mother was disappointed in it since it was addressed to our father and contained only his view of affairs in Vienna and had not even the most fleeting reference to the beautiful Miss Forsyth. There is no news of his coming home, however, so our mother is still in hopes that something may come of it. I was sorry our mother had not the interest she hoped for, since for a day or two she was poorly with a return of her old complaint, but it did not last for long and seems to have left nothing behind it. She is now quite as well as one can expect her to be in weather which, although not severe, deprives her of exercise. She sends her love to you all as I do.

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  22nd October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  I am delighted that you have kept up your old habits of correspondence even though you are leading such a busy life in Sloane St. I was glad that you were able to go to Belgrave Chapel on Sunday morning, though sorry that you were prevented by rain from going to the evening service at St James. Your more worldly activities continue to provide me with much food for envy. The shopping, especially, makes me feel the lack of having any but Layton’s to visit here in Lyme. I was astonished that you had to go early to Grafton House to be sure of getting immediate attendance, and I feel that six shillings was a large sum to pay for a white silk handkerchief, but if you purchased it at Crook and Besford’s in Pall Mall, then I suppose that was not out of the way. It was very kind in our aunt to make you a present of it.

  There was a thorough party at the Chamberlynes the other evening; a commerce table and music and dancing in the other room. There were two pools at commerce, but I would not play more than one, for I could not afford to lose twice in an evening. Both Mr Russell and Mr Rivers were invited, but Mrs Chamberlyne told our mother that Mr Russell had elected to stay at home with his uncle, who no longer ventures out in the evening. Mr Rivers, however, was there, as was Miss West who seemed in spirits, in spite of the absence of her fiancé. Of course, it may be that the cause of her contentment was the knowledge that in a rose-coloured gown of finest gauze she quite outshone any lady in the room, even Miss Woodward (hitherto our recognized Beauty), in purple with a great deal of bare shoulder and gold lace trimming. Miss West was dancing with Richard Cooke when Mr Rivers arrived and he stood at the side of the room until she was free and then, although, very properly, he was not dancing, he engaged her in conversation for some time and took her into supper, all with the seeming approval of her mama.

  I am surprised, though, that Mr Rivers should have left his uncle to the company of Mr Russell, since Mrs Holder maintains that there is a rivalry between them for the attention of Mr Woodstock. Indeed, as she says, Mr Rivers is his own relation whereas Mr Russell is a connection only of his wife, and now that she is no longer here to enforce her wishes upon him, he may well consider the nearer ties of blood. In short, My Dear Charlotte, we have the makings of a very interesting state of affairs with the two young men at odds not only over a pretty face but also over the possibility of a pretty fortune!

  Since you will wish to know, I wore my checked muslin with a band of the same round my head and I danced with Captain Tilson and Mr Cooke, when Miss West had done with him. He is a quiet young man who fancies himself a poet. And, since his mind was obviously else
where when dancing with me, he was probably composing verses to Miss West’s beauty.

  There was the same kind of supper as last time and the same want of chairs.

  I am glad that our aunt’s friends the Mortons have engaged themselves to take you about when she attends upon our uncle. From what you say, they sound most agreeable people. They were lucky to secure seats for Drury Lane, and in a front box, too, since, as you say, there is such a rage for seeing Kean. I greatly envy you seeing his Shylock.

  Dame Bushell washes for us only one week more, after which time John Stevens’ wife undertakes our purification. She does not look as if anything she touched would ever be clean, but who knows?

  You say that black gauze cloaks are much worn. Do you intend to purchase one to wear at the theatre?

  Your envious but affectionate sister,

  E.C.

  24th October

  My Dear Charlotte,

  I was greatly obliged to you for writing at once, in spite of all your engagements, to let me know about the Mortons’ son and the intelligence he was able to give you. How fortunate that he should be acquainted with James Russell and so able to provide a thorough character of him. Obviously, we thought that, as a fashionable young man, he would have a great many expenses, but we assumed that his aunt kept him well supplied with money, since she enjoyed knowing that he was making a show in London. But the quantity of debts (many of them gambling debts) that you mention would have been beyond anything he might dare to mention to her. And, of course, gambling (not merely whist or commerce of course!) was something she had a horror of, after her grandfather’s excesses had brought misery to her family. You are right to say that I must tell Sir Edward of this if I can happen to meet with him.

  From what you say, John Morton sounds a very pleasant young man and I certainly do not think a banker need necessarily be dull. According to our mother, our uncle, in his younger days, was very lively and it is only with the onset of age that he has taken to invalidism.