Read Online Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman by Amelia Grace Treader - Free Book Online
Authors: Amelia Grace Treader
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us, does she?”
Freddy replied, “I didn't notice. I
was too busy dancing.”
“ She was rude about you while you
danced.”
“ Was she? She was upset about my
subterfuge at trying to give her a bit more capital. I really don't
understand her objections. I suppose I offended her pride in some
way or another.”
Their father added, “I hope Lizzy
that you didn't let her remarks spoil your evening.”
“ No father, but I could have done
without them. She was making herself ridiculous in her
peevishness.”
“ Just remember, she deserves our
pity. Imagine being done out of your home and expectations by your
father and brother.”
“ Is that why my share is wrapped
so tightly in trusts?”
“ That and to protect you and your
children from a spendthrift wastrel. Should you be so daft as to
fall in love with one.”
“ You know that won't happen. I'm
too level headed.”
5. Lost in Bath.
Charlotte looked
out the window from the first floor apartment on Cheap Street that
the Answorths hired for the month. It was raining. It seemed that
it was always raining, always gray in Bath. As she watched the
crowds walk by underneath, she realized that her discontent was
more related to not knowing anyone and sitting alone in the
apartment than to the weather.
The last two weeks were a tedious
repetition of Dr. Answorth going to the pump room to drink a glass
of steaming sulfurous water, then to the bath to soak. A short
stroll around one of the crescents, more water and then, after a
very mediocre meal, to the assembly, or concert for the evening.
The only variance was when there wasn't an evening entertainment;
then they stayed home and read. The assemblies were especially
difficult for Charlotte because she wasn't used to waiting on the
side of the room for a dance. Looking at the gowns the other young
women were wearing didn't help either, her best ones were so far
out of the current mode that she felt a little frumpy just seeing
them hanging in the closet. The way her social life was going she
would chat to the devil, smoke, fire, horns and all, just for the
company.
The devil appeared, not in his
conventional red complete with horns and pitchfork, but in the form
of an elegantly dressed succubus. There was that Elizabeth Talbot,
walking below with a few companions. They were looking for a bakery
to buy some Sally Lunns or Bath Buns, and taking their time about
finding it. The women in the party seemed to be pointing things out
to Elizabeth. Charlotte swallowed her pride, grabbed an umbrella,
and told Mrs. Answorth that she was going out. The devil you know
was good company if there was no one else to talk to.
She called “Miss Talbot!” Elizabeth
stopped and turned, “Miss De Vere?” She was surprised by the
unexpectedly friendly greeting. When they were at the dance in
Staverton, Charlotte's attitude could best be described as cold,
when it wasn't actively hostile.
“ Miss Talbot, I am so glad to see
someone, anyone, I know.”
Elizabeth decided to take that for
an apology, at least on speculation. “Miss De Vere, my friends and
I were just looking for a bakery on Lilliput Street. Would you like
to come with us?”
“ May I?”
“ Of course.” Elizabeth introduced
her companions. After a few minutes exchanging greetings, the
friends decided to wander off and let Elizabeth catch up with
Charlotte. They'd meet at the bakery and continue from
there.
“ Miss Talbot, what brings you to
Bath? I thought you were going to remain in Staverton.”
“ Boredom, mostly, there's nothing
to do at the Hall. So when the firm needed me I jumped at the
chance to get to Bath again.”
“ The firm?”
“ The family business. Our agent,
Mr. Netherfield, unexpectedly had to return home to deal with his
father's death. The junior, Mr. Jones, is doing the work, but they
need someone experienced to watch over him.”
“ And you're
experienced?”
“ Of course I'm experienced, I'm
family. So for the next few weeks
Freddy replied, “I didn't notice. I
was too busy dancing.”
“ She was rude about you while you
danced.”
“ Was she? She was upset about my
subterfuge at trying to give her a bit more capital. I really don't
understand her objections. I suppose I offended her pride in some
way or another.”
Their father added, “I hope Lizzy
that you didn't let her remarks spoil your evening.”
“ No father, but I could have done
without them. She was making herself ridiculous in her
peevishness.”
“ Just remember, she deserves our
pity. Imagine being done out of your home and expectations by your
father and brother.”
“ Is that why my share is wrapped
so tightly in trusts?”
“ That and to protect you and your
children from a spendthrift wastrel. Should you be so daft as to
fall in love with one.”
“ You know that won't happen. I'm
too level headed.”
5. Lost in Bath.
Charlotte looked
out the window from the first floor apartment on Cheap Street that
the Answorths hired for the month. It was raining. It seemed that
it was always raining, always gray in Bath. As she watched the
crowds walk by underneath, she realized that her discontent was
more related to not knowing anyone and sitting alone in the
apartment than to the weather.
The last two weeks were a tedious
repetition of Dr. Answorth going to the pump room to drink a glass
of steaming sulfurous water, then to the bath to soak. A short
stroll around one of the crescents, more water and then, after a
very mediocre meal, to the assembly, or concert for the evening.
The only variance was when there wasn't an evening entertainment;
then they stayed home and read. The assemblies were especially
difficult for Charlotte because she wasn't used to waiting on the
side of the room for a dance. Looking at the gowns the other young
women were wearing didn't help either, her best ones were so far
out of the current mode that she felt a little frumpy just seeing
them hanging in the closet. The way her social life was going she
would chat to the devil, smoke, fire, horns and all, just for the
company.
The devil appeared, not in his
conventional red complete with horns and pitchfork, but in the form
of an elegantly dressed succubus. There was that Elizabeth Talbot,
walking below with a few companions. They were looking for a bakery
to buy some Sally Lunns or Bath Buns, and taking their time about
finding it. The women in the party seemed to be pointing things out
to Elizabeth. Charlotte swallowed her pride, grabbed an umbrella,
and told Mrs. Answorth that she was going out. The devil you know
was good company if there was no one else to talk to.
She called “Miss Talbot!” Elizabeth
stopped and turned, “Miss De Vere?” She was surprised by the
unexpectedly friendly greeting. When they were at the dance in
Staverton, Charlotte's attitude could best be described as cold,
when it wasn't actively hostile.
“ Miss Talbot, I am so glad to see
someone, anyone, I know.”
Elizabeth decided to take that for
an apology, at least on speculation. “Miss De Vere, my friends and
I were just looking for a bakery on Lilliput Street. Would you like
to come with us?”
“ May I?”
“ Of course.” Elizabeth introduced
her companions. After a few minutes exchanging greetings, the
friends decided to wander off and let Elizabeth catch up with
Charlotte. They'd meet at the bakery and continue from
there.
“ Miss Talbot, what brings you to
Bath? I thought you were going to remain in Staverton.”
“ Boredom, mostly, there's nothing
to do at the Hall. So when the firm needed me I jumped at the
chance to get to Bath again.”
“ The firm?”
“ The family business. Our agent,
Mr. Netherfield, unexpectedly had to return home to deal with his
father's death. The junior, Mr. Jones, is doing the work, but they
need someone experienced to watch over him.”
“ And you're
experienced?”
“ Of course I'm experienced, I'm
family. So for the next few weeks
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