It was true — his father had been alive then and held the family’s purse-strings.
“So now that I’m at the end of my education,” he went on, “I’d like to do what I can to help another along with theirs.”
“’Right, but if he ain’t paid up on time ev’ry month,” the innkeeper said dropping the sovereign into his greasy apron’s pocket, “then out ‘e goes.”
“Understood,” Alwyn replied, then walked briskly out of the anteroom, hoping dearly that the next time he had the chance to go and call upon Miss Everson, he’d have a coin to hire a horse.
A Fine Kettle
AFTER TIDYING the sitting room in anticipation of her aunt coming to visit, Belinda walked out to where the river ran behind Everson Cottage, book in hand.
I must be done with standing outside of the milliner’s,she told herself, and will instead spend this time improving my mind with reading.
Though the bustle of Trippingham was just yards away, she found solitude under a tree on the river’s bank, and openedMansfield Park. Looking now and again at the humpback bridge to watch for Aunt Rose’s carriage, she swatted at hoverflies and tried to read.
Now that Sir Thomas Bertram is away in Antigua,she had to remind herself,Fanny is making herself useful by serving as her aunt’s companion.
But thoughts of ‘making oneself useful’ brought her sister to mind, fracturing her concentration further, so she closed the book.
Unlike herself, the Eversons’ peculiar reputation in the village had worked to Catherine’s advantage. The baronet up at Inbrooke House had regarded her as a suitable playmate for his ward years earlier, and the two girls had become the best of friends. Recently, he had offered Catherine employment as a lady’s maid.
“Certainly we can find something more suitable for you, my dear,” Aunt Rose had said, thinking servitude an odd choice for someone who had enjoyed visits to Whitehall throughout her childhood.
However, Catherine had insisted that she was pleased to accept the position, saying it would allow her and her friend the chance to enjoy adventures together beyond quaint, little Trippingham.
She will be earning her way, and enjoy doing so,Lindy thought. Though she was pleased for her sister’s victory, she couldn’t help but feel that it highlighted her own lack of achievement.
I am nearly one and twenty, and have yet to prove my skill or capability in any manner whatsoever!
This sentiment was under-girded by the fact that her brothers, Charles and John, were both excelling in the apprenticeships that Aunt Rose had negotiated for them. Even little Bertie stood out amongst his peers in the important work of winning footraces and catching frogs.
How might I distinguish myself?she wondered.The only times I feel truly competent are when I’m playing cards or dancing a gallopade. And tea — I do well at making tea! Given the chance, I might have convinced everyone that I was a proper doctor’s wife.
Belinda sighed, and sank further into the riparian grass.
But it’s clear now that Mr Alwyn does not mean to return, let alone marry me, so I would be wise to forget him altogether.
Alone for weeks now with her foolish longings, she had considered admitting them to Nell, Aunt Rose’s daughter, asthe two of them had been confidantes since they had learned to speak. However, her newly wed cousin was away, touring the Continent with her husband, and Lindy had no desire to commit a confession of that sort to the ink of a letter.
Besides, evenshemight marvel at me thinking for a moment that a man like Mr William Alwyn might love me.
It was growing warmer on the riverbank.
Oughtn’t Aunt Rose be here by now?
Realizing she had not been watching the bridge, Belinda tucked the novel into her apron pocket, and walked back to the cottage where she found the back door ajar. Slipping off her dirty pattens, she left them outside, and stepped into the kitchen on soft, bare feet.
Indeed, she is here already!She heard her aunt and mother speaking in the adjacent room. It was not in her nature to eavesdrop, but there was a sense of urgency in their tone that made her stop and listen.
“But don’t you need her here?” her aunt asked. “I know you’re much improved, but—“
“I’ll manage,” her mother replied. “Bind her, if you must, and take her away at once.”
‘Bind her’?Belinda grew completely still, straining to hear more.Takewhoaway at once?
“Why such haste, Barbara?” Rose asked, an amused lilt in her voice.
“Because Mr Turner is ready to offer for her, and I will have none of it.”
