Read Online The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody by Isabella Hargreaves - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Isabella Hargreaves
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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
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
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