My Dear Charlotte

by Hazel Holt

  Since I was reproved for withholding information before, I will make a point of telling Sir Edward of this incident and see what he can make of it. Had I felt it was indeed a real confidence on Miss West’s part I would hesitate to do so, having a certain delicacy about betraying (as you might say) a member of my own sex, but I cannot help feeling that I was, in some way, being made use of by Miss West or her mother and so have no qualms in doing so.

  There is a new young woman in the neighbourhood who is making me a bonnet of the riding-hat shape; it will not be dear at a guinea. She is also making me a pelisse for 17s; she charges only 8s for the making, but the buttons seem expensive – are expensive, I might have said, for the fact is plain enough.

  I rejoice at your activities and admire your energy – to the play again last night and out a great part of the morning shopping, and seeing the Indian jugglers. It was as well that the musical play “The Farmer’s Wife” had only three acts so that you were home before ten.

  We do not much like Mr Wilmot’s sermons at present. They are full of regeneration and conversion, with the addition of his zeal in the cause of the Bible Society.

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  23rd November

  My Dear Charlotte,

  Sir Edward, bringing his sons over to have instruction from Bates in the management of their ferret, called in to pay his respects to us and I was thus able to tell him of my encounter with Miss West. He was greatly interested and questioned me closely about my thoughts concerning Mr Rivers and his intentions. I was also able to give him intelligence which I had obtained from Lucy (which she had got from Sarah) that on the day Mr Russell was shot, Mr Rivers was absent on business for Mr Woodstock in Axminster. Nevertheless, John coachman told Sarah that he had seen Mr Rivers’ horse tied up in the yard of the Crown Hotel that very afternoon. He would not be mistaken in the horse since it was he who persuaded Mr Woodstock to buy it from Captain Farrell when he was posted away from the district.

  “That is, indeed, of some significance, Miss Cowper and I am most grateful to you for the information. I will be visiting Holcombe to have further conversation with Mr Russell, who would not say much when I spoke to him just after the incident. But I will use the occasion to question Mr Rivers also.”

  “Please, I beg you, do not mention that it was John coachman who spoke of it – it might get him into some trouble with his master if it were known.”

  “As always, Miss Cowper, you think of everything.”

  “You may laugh at me sir, but he has only just been re-instated since Mrs Woodstock’s death and I am greatly concerned that nothing should cast doubt on his position, since he is to marry our maid’s sister.”

  He smiled and said “I will be – what is the word? – discreet.”

  “Do you indeed think that Mr Rivers might have shot at Mr Russell?”

  “It is possible, and one should never ignore the possible. If, as you tell me, he wishes to gain influence over his cousin he would be glad to be rid of Mr Russell now that Mrs Woodstock is no longer here to promote his interest. And, if he is also a rival for the hand of the beautiful Miss West…”

  “But concerning Mrs Woodstock – surely he had no reason to wish her dead?”

  “No reason presents itself, I admit, but I will make inquiries about him. I have a friend newly returned from Barbados and he may have some intelligence.”

  “And he was passing through the kitchen,” I reminded him “when the syllabub had been made, as well as actually living in the house.”

  “Ah yes, the syllabub, we must not forget that.”

  Fortunately the boys returned before I could reply, full of their adventures with Bates and asking when they could come again. Our mother, I need hardly say, echoed their request. “And indeed, Sir Edward, we are always delighted to see them here. I have looked out several games for them which they greatly enjoy. They are such bright, intelligent boys. There are bilbocatch – John is quite indefatigable at that – and spillikins, paper ships, riddles, and conundrums.” The boys responded with great joy to this invitation and Sir Edward promised that they should come later this week, which appeared to give great satisfaction to all concerned.

  Yesterday we had the pleasure of receiving, unpacking and approving our Wedgwood ware which our aunt ordered for us. It all came very safely, and, upon the whole, is a good match. There was no bill with the goods, but that shall not screen them from being paid. Our mother means to ask our aunt to settle the account on our behalf. It will be quite in her way, for I believe she is just now sending us a breakfast-set from the same place.

  I am happy to tell you that we have had a letter from Frank, saying that he hopes to be back in England before too long and plans, when his affairs in London are completed, to come down to Lyme. We are all, of course, delighted and our father suggested that, if you may be spared at Sloane Street, he might bring you back with him. As you can imagine, this met with our heartfelt approval – you have been away for far too long. Our mother, of course, professed herself delighted to have Frank back in the country, though she was, I felt, disappointed that he made no reference to the beautiful Miss Forsyth. I encouraged her to think that Sir Stuart Forsyth would almost certainly, by now, be back in London and his daughter with him.

  We also heard from Mary today and she begs me to inquire of you whether they sell cloths for pelisses at Bedford House, and if they do, will be very much obliged to you to desire them to send her down patterns with the width and prices; they may go any day of the week from Charing Cross. Why she could not write to you herself about this matter I do not know, though, of course, I am always interested in her new purchases!

  I greatly enjoy the exquisite weather we are having and selfishly hope we are to have it last till Christmas – nice, unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather.

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  27th November

  My Dear Charlotte,

  The boys duly came and we played at spillikins and asked riddles and conundrums and were generally merry. “They are delightful boys,” our mother said “and it makes me very sad to think that their mama died so young and had no chance to see them out of their babyhood. George is particularly inventive – did you see the design he drew for the footstool cover I am making? And John is so lively and engaging. I declare we shall be very dull when they go away to school and so I told Sir Edward. He is to get a tutor for them during the holidays (who should enter into their sports more than that poor Miss Blair) and, of course, their old nurse is still there to care for them, but it is a poor exchange for a mama to love them!”

  Our ball at the Assembly Rooms was quite a success. There were more dancers than the room could conveniently hold, which is enough to constitute a good ball at any time. I wore my gauze gown, long sleeves and all, and danced most of the evening. There was one gentleman, an officer of the Cheshires, a very good-looking young man, who, I was told, wanted very much to be introduced to me; but as he did not want it quite enough to take much trouble in effecting it, we never could bring it about! One of my best actions was sitting down two dances in preference to having Lord Bolton’s eldest son for my partner, who danced too ill to be endured. Neither Mr Russell nor Mr Rivers was present – nor even Sir Edward – so perhaps not having the interest of observing them made the evening, in spite of everything, seem rather flat. One incident, however, was remarkable. While her mother was in the card room, Miss West drew me to one side and, looking around to make sure we were not observed, said in some agitation “Oh Miss Cowper, I must speak with you – no, not here – tomorrow morning, by the Cobb at 11 o’clock. Please be there I beg of you, it is a matter of great urgency – do not fail me!”

  You may well imagine how interested I was and, naturally, I was at the appointed place well before the time arranged, so that I was annoyed (though not, perhaps, surprised) when she kept me waiting for a full twenty minutes. However, when I saw her, I real
ised that it must have taken some time to have assembled such a delightful costume – a dark red velvet pelisse trimmed with fur, with a close bonnet, also trimmed with fur, in matching material with a pleated silk lining. I was glad to be wearing my new bonnet, of the riding hat shape that I told you of, to draw attention from my old blue kerseymere cloak. We ascended the Cobb and she began talking very quickly so that I had to strain to hear her words although it was a mild, still day with no wind.

  “Oh Miss Cowper, I am so glad you came- I was so afraid you would not – so good of you – I am in such distress and there is no-one I can turn to.”

  “Pray compose yourself, Miss West and tell me what the matter is. Are you still concerned about Mr Russell?”

  “No, no – that is not the matter – though it is to do with Mr Russell.”

  “Indeed?”

  She stopped still and faced me.“I fear,” she said earnestly “I have quite mistaken my feelings for him.”

  “I see. And you have not told him so?”

  “Oh no, I dare not. My mother would be so angry; she is still of the opinion that Mr Russell will speak to Mr Woodstock about our – our arrangement.”

  “But you do not feel you could marry him?”

  “Oh no, not now!”

  “Am I to understand that he has been supplanted in your affections by another?” (You will see, My Dear Charlotte, how easily one slips into this kind of high-flown language in such a case).

  She bowed her head. “Oh it is too true!”

  “And Mr Rivers – for I imagine it is he – returns your feelings?”

  “Oh yes – indeed, Miss Cowper – that is what I want to consult you about – he wants us to elope together.”

  “What!”

  “I know it is very shocking, but what else can we do? My mother would never allow me to marry him – he has no fortune- and would not let me go and live in Barbados.”

  “I see.”

  “Mr Rivers – Frederick- says we may be married in London by special licence; he can arrange it all. Miss Cowper, what should I do?”

  “My dear Miss West I cannot advise you; it is something you must decide for yourself. It would, of course, be wrong for you to be obliged to marry Mr Russell against your will. I am sure your mama would not expect you to do so. And if not marrying Mr Russell is your only reason for eloping with Mr Rivers, then I would certainly advise you against it.”

  “Oh no, I do truly care for Mr Rivers and I think I would like to live in Barbados, away from mama.”

  “When did Mr Rivers suggest you should leave?”

  “Immediately – or, as soon as he has made arrangements.”

  “Could you not persuade your mama to consent to your marriage to Mr Rivers?”

  “Oh no. Once mama has made up her mind there is no changing it.”

  “But, although he may not have a personal fortune, he has an excellent position in Barbados and I am sure Mr Woodstock would, in time, make some settlement upon him.”

  “We could not wait for that – Mr Rivers says he must return to Barbados almost immediately.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Business – I do not rightly understand, but he says it is urgent and he wants me to go with him.”

  “I see.”

  “So what should I do? Please tell me – I have no-one else I can turn to!”

  “My dear Miss West you must see that I cannot possibly make such a decision for you. You must think very hard before you commit yourself to a man you know very little of and a new life in a strange land.”

  “So you think I should refuse?”

  “I think you should take thought before you decide.”

  “I suppose so – but it is so difficult.”

  “You will not tell Mr Rivers that you have consulted me?”

  “Oh no, he was very anxious that I should tell no-one about it.”

  So you see, My Dear Charlotte, something most strange is in the wind, and if Mr Rivers is about to leave the country unexpectedly than I must somehow get a message to Sir Edward to let him know about it; perhaps he may discover what this business may be.

  Yours affectionately,

  E.C.

  30th November

  My Dear Charlotte,

  By the greatest good chance I came upon Sir Edward in Rugeley’s shop. (Rugeley did not have Lord Macartney’s “Journal of the Embassy to China” which our father requested so I was obliged to take Southey’s “Life of Nelson” in its stead along with Madame D’Arblay’s “The Wanderer” for our mother).

  “Sir Edward,” I said, “ I was very much hoping to see you!”

  “Indeed?”

  “That is – I have information I felt you should know of right away.”

  I told him what Miss West had said and he nodded.

  “That confirms what I have already discovered about Mr Rivers. Come, Miss Cowper, let me escort you home and I will explain as we go.” He kindly gathered up my volumes and we left the shop. “I believe,” he said, “I told you that I wished to make some inquiries about Mr Rivers’s activities in Barbados. A friend of mine, with extensive knowledge of the place and just back from there, told me that there had been a scandal regarding Mr Rivers’ dealings on Mr Woodstock’s estate – some sort of financial mismanagement. He was obliged to apply to his late wife’s father to settle the matter, which the gentleman did for the sake of his grandson. But I believe that if Mr Woodstock – or, especially Mrs Woodstock had known of this his position there would have been in grave doubt.”

  “But he was full of talk about his plans for extending and improving the estate.”

  “That, I imagine, was to keep at bay awkward questions as long as possible.”

  “Certainly, as far as I can tell, no-one has yet examined the accounts he brought back.”

  “Precisely. With Mrs Woodstock no longer in charge (and it may be he was the cause of her death) the matter lay idle and he hoped, I think, that he would have gained Mr Woodstock’s confidence enough to put off that examination for ever.”

  “So why would he need to go now?”

  “As you may recollect, I went to Holcombe the other day and spoke with Mr Russell and Mr Rivers. Mr Russell had nothing more to add to his description of the shooting, but he did let fall the information that Mr Woodstock had asked him to look at the Barbados accounts, which he intended to do after he had returned from London – more business concerning his debts I imagine – sometime next week.”

  “So that is why Mr Rivers was so urgent in his appeal to Miss West!”

  “Indeed.”

  “So what will you do now? Will you confront Mr Rivers with this new information?”

  “I must be circumspect in the manner in which I approach him, but I am anxious lest he should slip away before I can do so. Also, since what you have told me about Miss West, I am now most concerned for her.”

  “And I suppose I may not warn her about Mr Rivers in case she should alert him. But she must not be allowed to go away with him since he might be a murderer!”

  “It is a sorry business and must be considered carefully. In other circumstances I would, of course, consult Mr Woodstock, but unfortunately I do not think I am likely to get much help from him.”

  “His nerves?”

  “Precisely, and it would only serve to warn Mr Rivers of my suspicions.”

  “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Indeed, Miss Cowper, there is something only you can do. Please, I pray you, find an opportunity to speak with Miss West and persuade her – and I am sure you can be very persuasive – not to go away with Mr Rivers.”

  “I will do my best, sir. Indeed I could not settle it with my conscience to allow her to take such a step now that I know what manner of man Mr Rivers is, or may be – though, I will, of course, be careful not to alarm her so that she frightens him away.”

  I waited upon the Wests that afternoon and begged her company on a walk. Mrs West seemed surprised, as well she might si
nce I had not previously shown any preference for Miss West’s company. However, she graciously approved our outing and as soon as we were well clear of the house I spoke urgently. “Miss West, I have been thinking most carefully about what you told me when last we met, and I am convinced that it would be most imprudent for you to go away with Mr Rivers in such a manner. Think how it might affect your reputation and, indeed, how you would be received in Barbados if the truth about the matter should ever be known. I believe that the rules of Society there are even stricter than they are in England and your position would be most uncomfortable.”

  “Oh dear, I did not think of that.”

  “There are many things to think of, not least how distressed you mother would be.”

  “Indeed.”

  It seemed to me that Miss West was not greatly concerned about her mother’s distress so I tried another tack. “Men are very selfish, are they not? I am sure that Mr Rivers has made arrangements for a special licence and a church where you may be married, but I doubt he will have thought of how you will be able to procure your bride-clothes.”

  “He did not say so.”

  “I am not surprised, men do not consider such things. But I am sure you would not wish – on such a day – to be married in everyday garments.”

  “Indeed I would not.”

  She spoke with some feeling and I took the opportunity to press home the point.

  “It is such an important day, one that comes only once in your life, and I do believe it would be a great pity not to have a proper ceremony, and that, I am sure you agree, means white satin and lace veils. Think how they would become you! I am sure Mr Rivers would wish to see you looking so.”

  She seemed much struck with this. “What should I do? Mr Rivers – Frederick – spoke of great haste. There may not be time.”

  “I am sure he would not wish to deprive you of all that would make the day most memorable for you. If he must leave at once, say you will follow him and when he has settled his business then he may send for you and you may be married in a proper manner.”