The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody

by Hargreaves, Isabella

  First he needed to know what really caused her panicked response.

  Five

  Jane closed the door softly, conscious of the finality of the act. It was over. That brief period of madness, excitement and attraction was ended. Leaning her forehead against the door she told herself that she had made the right decision, done the right thing for them both. Then, why was she crying? Tears were sliding from the corners of her closed eyes. She felt them tracking to her chin before they launched to the floor. Why did she feel so devastated when they had just a short acquaintance? She allowed herself a few minutes of silent sobbing before squaring her shoulders and ruthlessly wiping the evidence of tears from her face.

  She walked around the solitary desk, sat down in the abandoned chair - where a few short minutes ago she had been lost in a world of sensual bliss - and adjusted it towards the waiting paperwork. Jane picked up the sheet on top of the pile and started reading. An hour later she was finished - the ledger up-to-date, a series of letters ready for the post and the desk tidied. There was nothing left to do except to speak with the supervisor, Mrs Green, before she departed.

  She found Joe and sent him to bring a hackney carriage while she quickly spoke with Mrs Green. By the time the hackney arrived, she was waiting impatiently at the entrance. Joe stepped down and helped her in before giving the address and joining her inside.

  Jane stopped briefly at a familiar address in Fleet Street to arrange the printing of her latest pamphlet. Within half an hour she was once again walking across the threshold of her home.

  Instead of the usual quiet calm of a well-run household, a scene of upheaval and anguish greeted her. Anna ran to the door as it opened, looking stunned and blanched. “Oh Jane, at last you are home.”

  “What’s happened?” Jane asked

  Anna gulped. “It’s Papa. He has had a seizure. He was climbing the stairs after the children’s lesson when he stumbled and fell. He couldn’t get up. Christopher, Katherine and I had to help him to his bed. We sent for Dr Logan and he is with him now. We are waiting to hear what is wrong.”

  Katherine and Christopher hovered in the background.

  Jane opened her arms and they stepped into them. She hugged them wordlessly for a few moments. She tried to calm the situation. “We shall hear what Dr Logan says before we panic, shall we?” Their bodies relaxed in her arms at her words.

  Jane guided them upstairs to her room and sat them on her bed while she stripped off her pelisse, gloves and bonnet, asking them for details about how their father had appeared before his collapse.

  By the time they had finished answering Jane’s questions she had led them downstairs to the sitting room where Dr Logan sought them out soon afterwards.

  Jane led him into her father’s study so that he might talk unrestrained. Pointing him to the sofa she sat down herself.

  Dr Logan, his mouth grim and his greying brows drawn together above his aquiline nose began abruptly. “Well Miss Brody, he is resting comfortably now but he has had a serious brain seizure. He may recover or he may continue to have these seizures, slowly reducing his bodily functions until his passing.”

  Jane gasped as the seriousness of her father’s condition sank in. “What can we do to give him the best chance of recovery?”

  “There really is nothing except good nursing, keeping him calm and praying for his improvement. Time alone will tell us which outcome to expect. I’m sorry Miss Brody, that I can’t be clearer than this.”

  “Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do, Dr Logan.” She hesitated. “Perhaps also, after so many years, you should call me Jane.”

  His professional mask slipped slightly and he smiled. “Thank you Jane. Now, I presume you and your sister Anna will nurse him, so I will give you both some instructions before I leave. I’m on my way to a delivery.”

  Jane hurriedly found Anna and together they listened closely to Dr Logan’s instructions.

  The sisters found their father weakened by his seizure. He found it difficult to talk, but clutched their hands in relief when he saw them as if to convey his gratitude for their care.

  For several weeks the two sisters shared the nursing of their father but as each week passed it became apparent that he wasn’t going to improve. Little by little his ability to move his limbs and speak declined until late one evening after his younger children had made their evening visit to his bedchamber, he had another severe seizure and gradually his breathing reduced to nothing by the morning.

  Jane felt all the devastation of her previous experience with her mother’s nursing and death. At least, she told herself, she wasn’t alone in the caring role and her younger siblings were much older than when their mother died. Still, she felt numb with tiredness and grief. Afterwards the sisters spent hours making their black mourning clothes – their uniform for the next six months.

  The funeral was a well-attended and gloomy event held a week later. The following day, Jane marshalled herself to visit the family solicitor to gain some understanding of their financial state.

  She was greeted with sympathy and gravity by their short, wizened and white haired solicitor, Mr Pettigrew. He sat her down in the visitor’s chair opposite his desk and pulled her father’s will from a drawer.

  “Well Miss Brody, I’m sorry for your loss.” He fixed her with a steady gaze. “Are you aware of the terms of your father’s estate?”

  “No. Not at all. My hope is that there are sufficient funds to support my three siblings and myself in our family home for the foreseeable future. I expect my sisters will marry eventually and my youngest brother wishes to enter the navy like his older brothers.”

  Mr Pettigrew listened impassively, cleared his throat, then read the will to her. “I’m sorry to say Miss Brody that your father has left very little money to support you. How are your adult brothers situated?”

  Jane felt stunned. “They are all seeking permanent employment or posted overseas. One brother was an army officer, but is now seeking work as a political secretary, another is a curate awaiting appointment to his own parish. He has hopes of being awarded one by our cousin but the incumbent, although old, is not yet ready to retire.”

  The dour solicitor asked more questions about the ages of her younger sisters and brother and the family’s hopes for Christopher’s future.

  “Our father had hoped that Christopher would attend university like himself, William and Francis, but Christopher is mad keen to follow his brothers into the navy.”

  Mr Pettigrew pursed his thin lips. “Perhaps you should look into letting him have his wish. You must have contacts in the navy to whom you and your brothers might apply.”

  Worried by his comments, Jane said, “You don’t seem at all confident that we can continue to support ourselves Mr Pettigrew! You must tell me exactly what our financial situation will be.”

  “No Miss Brody. I am not confident. By my reckoning your total income from all funds is about one hundred pounds per year. Running your home must take up most of that.”

  “Yes, indeed,” Jane answered. “I will have to find a way of earning our income Mr Pettigrew. Perhaps tutoring or running a girls’ school from our residence?”

  He paused, looking closely at her, and spoke in a measured tone. “That would be a possibility. You would need contacts who would recommend you as a suitable person. Your youth and background might work against you though.”

  “Perhaps, but we have friends such as Mrs Courtice. My sister and I would share the teaching. If it is a day school, there would be less work involved than taking in boarders.”

  He conceded. “It is a plan of attack at least. In the meantime I will administer the funds held in trust for you and your sisters. You will receive quarterly payments.” He stood to show her out. “My clerk will give you a copy of your father’s will. If I can help you any
further please let me know.” He bowed to her in farewell.

  Jane exited his office, her mind whirring with the news and the question of how she and her siblings might reduce their household costs and begin earning an income beyond the small sums her pamphlets brought in.

  Anna took Jane’s news stoically, offering to assist in any way she could. She didn’t complain though she must have realised that all social events would be over for her and any hope of a husband in the short term.

  “Oh Anna, somehow we have to make ends meet. We will have to contact all our friends and acquaintances to try to enlist students for our school.”

  “I can teach the music and arts subjects.” Anna offered.

  “Excellent. I need to make a list of everyone we should contact and then we must write a prospectus of subjects offered and fees. We need to start as soon as possible. Tomorrow we can begin with Mrs Courtice.”

  That evening Jane explained their situation to her youngest siblings. Katherine cried in shock at the thought that her quiet, ordered home would be invaded by strangers who would share her lessons, but she was eventually persuaded by Jane that the strangers should quickly become new friends.

  Christopher sat at the dining table, silently listening.

  “What about you Christopher? Will you be happy with new people joining your lessons?”

  “Oh no! I think I would much prefer to go into the navy instead. If you are going to have to work, so shall I. It will be wonderful not having to spend every day at lessons but to go to sea and see the world instead!”

  “There is no need for you to join the navy Christopher,” his sisters told him.

  “But I want to! I have always wanted to, ever since James came home on leave the first time.”

  Jane responded in a considered way. “Well, we shall see if it is possible, as you are so keen to follow James. I will write to him immediately to make a request of his superiors in the Admiralty and his captain who may be able to assist. Being a Lieutenant must be worth something.”

  The rest of their dinner progressed in the usual chatter in and out of other languages. Jane watched her siblings closely, alert to the fears and sadness that she suspected underlay their appearance of normalcy. For now they seemed reconciled to their imminent new lives. In fact, Christopher looked joyous – a state of being he hadn’t shown since his father was taken ill.

  Next morning Jane and Anna gave their siblings their lesson and organised the household as usual. At eleven they ordered luncheon for noon and wrote out several prospectus to hand out, showing the subjects they would teach and the fees they had devised.

  In the early afternoon the sisters set out to call on Mrs Courtice in Cavendish Square. Although they were early arrivals they found the classically-inspired drawing room already occupied by Mrs Courtice talking with Lady Elizabeth Everslie. They were warmly welcomed by the pair who hugged them tightly and expressed their sincere condolences.

  Mrs Courtice looked frail to Jane but Lady Elizabeth appeared full of the bloom of youth. Jane couldn’t resist and asked how Dr Logan fared, although she had seen him within the last week. Elizabeth blushed self-consciously as she answered. “Dr Logan was in excellent health when I saw him last.”

  “And have you seen him recently Lady Elizabeth?” Jane asked.

  She hesitated before replying. “I saw him briefly yesterday.”

  Mrs Courtice watched with obvious amusement before interrupting. “So Jane, how are you and your family faring?”

  “As well as can be expected but we have had some bad news from Mr Pettigrew, our solicitor. Our father was unable to leave us enough money to live on.”

  “My goodness! What will you do Jane?”

  “We shall start our own day school - Miss Brody’s Academy for Young Ladies. We were hoping our friends would assist by recommending us to their acquaintances. Between Anna and I, we can cover a good curriculum of English, mathematics, history, geography, languages, music and art. If requested I could teach introductory Latin and Greek as well as the classics.”

  “Will you also teach fancy work and dancing?” asked Elizabeth. “Most parents of young ladies put great emphasis on those accomplishments.”

  “We certainly could teach those things but it would mean bringing in a dance instructor at extra cost. As for fancy work, neither Anna nor I are renowned for our needlework, although we are good plain seamstresses!”

  Elizabeth and Mrs Courtice laughed at Jane’s self-awareness.

  “Perhaps you would permit me to take the sewing classes as that seems to be my greatest accomplishment,” said Elizabeth.

  “You are so kind Lady Elizabeth, but we could not pay you.” Jane was surprised and grateful.

  “Do not even think of it. It will give me pleasure to do something useful for you.” Lady Elizabeth looked enthusiastic.

  “Do you have a list of potential parents to approach Jane?” asked Mrs Courtice.

  “Indeed I do.” She smiled. “And I hope you can assist us in our mission.”

  “Let me see who you have and I will add any additional ladies I can think of.”

  Jane retrieved the list from her reticule and passed it to her friend who read it carefully before walking to her secretaire to add some more names. Then she asked Jane and Anna for the details of their undertaking.

  “I will go out directly and start calling on those on your list whom I have marked. I will vouch for your characters and education and advise each lady that you are commencing next Monday. That will give you almost a week to organise your lesson plans and supplies. I think your fees are reasonable for what you can offer. I do so hope that you are successful.”

  “And I shall do the same,” said Elizabeth. “I am looking forward to my first efforts at teaching.

  “Ought you to obtain your brother’s permission first?” asked Jane.

  Elizabeth paused. “I don’t see how he could have any objection.”

  Jane nodded in acceptance, although wondering if Lady Elizabeth was correct.

  By the time Jane and Anna left Mrs Courtice’s home, Jane felt more confident that their enterprise would succeed. Arm-in-arm the sisters walked to the home of the next person on their list. They made half a dozen calls, which gave them hope that their enterprise would succeed, arriving home at five o’clock.

  As she flopped onto her bed in relief, Jane thought again of Lady Elizabeth’s offer to assist. It had been a God-send. So many of the mothers had asked for instruction in fancy work. Jane was thankful she had been able to assure them that the lessons would be conducted by Lord Dalton’s sister, whose fine needlework was known by many of them. Her name certainly enhanced their establishment. It was impossible then not to think of Lady Elizabeth’s brother. Their brief and highly emotional encounter seemed a lifetime ago. Although she hadn’t seen him once to remind her, it had replayed in her mind throughout the exhausting nursing of her father. She thought of him frequently and longingly although she had known him such a short time.

  After a week of social calls and preparations, they were ready. The first day of the sisters’ new school began early, as Jane’s always did. Instead of writing pamphlets at dawn she organised plans for lessons. Anna was eager but nervous about teaching children other than her siblings, so Jane spent time over breakfast reassuring her that all would be well. “Besides, Lady Elizabeth will be here with us this afternoon for the sewing lesson. All the mothers want their daughters to have daily embroidery lessons, so Lady Elizabeth will be very busy.”

  As quickly as the first day began it was over. At three o’clock, when the last nursemaid led her charge away, Jane, Anna and Elizabeth collapsed on the worn sofa in the sitting room. “Anna, pull the bell for tea please,” Jane requested. “I don’t think I could get up again.”

  No sooner had they finished their tea and scones when t
heir maid knocked on the door and announced Lord Dalton, who entered immediately.

  Surprised, Jane rose quickly to her feet, brushing her dress to dispel its creases. “Lord Dalton. We weren’t expecting you. But of course, we ought to, as of course, you might collect your sister. I just didn’t think.” Jane mentally groaned as she listened to herself blathering on.

  Luckily Anna saved her from her faux pas by calmly greeting Lord Dalton and offering him afternoon tea, which he accepted. Anna offered him a seat and rang the bell for more hot water.

  Lord Dalton’s face was unsmiling. He bowed stiffly. “Allow me to tell you both how deeply sorry I am about your father’s passing away. He will be very missed, not only by his family, but by his many friends, acquaintances and parishioners.”

  “Thank you Lord Dalton, you are very kind,” responded Jane formally.

  “Despite the circumstances I am glad to see that you are going forward boldly Miss Brody.”

  Again Jane was flustered, this time by his praise, and she hesitated before thanking him.

  “My sister informs me that you have commenced a school for young ladies. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know.”

  “We will.” Jane smiled her thanks. “Perhaps one way in which you could assist would be to help us in our quest for a midshipman’s position for our brother Christopher. He desires a naval career and now is the right time for him to start, he believes, and indeed he is the usual entry age.”

  “Certainly, I will do all that I can to assist through enquiry of my contacts in the Admiralty.”

  “Thank you, we would be so glad to see Christopher settled. I’m sure it can be no fun to be the only boy in a girls’ school,” said Anna.

  “And perhaps as he gets older, unseemly,” said Lord Dalton.