Mr Burnett spoke quickly. "When you do decide, I should be happy to take them into town for you and have them framed by a man who often does similar work for me. He is a fine craftsman and will do them justice, I promise you."
Catherine thanked him again and left the study, taking the wallet and its contents with her. Before returning upstairs, she took a moment to remind him of their dinner engagement on the Sunday and received his assurance that he would be there.
"I am looking forward to it, very much," he said.
***
If success may be judged by the satisfaction and pleasure of the participants, then the dinner party might have been judged to be completely successful.
It was the first time they had entertained anyone at all, however simply, since moving to the Dower House. Dr Harrison's illness had precluded the possibility. Catherine was careful not to make too much of it, though.
Lilian, conscious of the fact that Mr Adams was dining with them for the first time, paid special attention to the table linen and silverware, ensuring that everything was exactly as it should be. She had slipped out into the garden and picked a small bunch of cream roses to adorn the table and set candles at either end.
Catherine had discussed the menu with Mrs Giles and decided upon fish and a terrine of veal and ham rather than a roast, with plenty of vegetables from the garden. She was satisfied that it provided a variety of tastes without being extravagant. She surveyed the room before going upstairs to dress for dinner and was well pleased.
When the gentlemen arrived, both ladies had been down and waiting in the parlour for almost half an hour. Catherine, though in formal mourning, appeared remarkably well, if a little pale, while Lilian, who had taken great care with her preparations, looked very pretty indeed. Her golden hair and fresh complexion, enhanced by the glow of candlelight, were quite exceptional. Indeed, Mr Adams seemed so completely captivated, he could not leave her side even for a moment, a fact that both her mother and Mr Burnett noted, separately, but upon which neither made comment.
At dinner, when they could drag their attention away from the excellent fare, the conversation was all about Rosings and what was planned for the estate after the fire. The accountant engaged by the Trust to ascertain the extent of the losses and recommend the best course of action for the future was still working on his figures, Mr Burnett informed them.
"I understand that he believes there is so much damage to the West Wing, it does not warrant restoration. I think he intends to recommend that the main body of the house be restored and refurbished, and the West Wing be demolished."
Catherine was curious. "And do you suppose the Rosings Trust will be willing to accept such a recommendation?" she asked.
Frank Burnett was cautious. "While I am not privy to the attitudes and opinions prevailing among members of the Trust, I am inclined to think that they would see it as a practical solution. To restore the entire property would cost many thousands of pounds and to what end?" he continued, as the others listened. "I recall that much of the West Wing was devoted to displays of trophies and memorabilia of wars, collected by Sir Lewis de Bourgh and his father. Now, except for some miscellaneous pieces of armour and a few medieval artifacts that have survived the fire, that original collection has been totally lost, together with the furniture and accessories. What good would it do to restore the West Wing without any of its contents?"
"Could not similar items be found and purchased?" asked Lilian, but Mr Adams explained that not only would that be very costly and probably impossible to do, since many of the items were exotic pieces, collected in foreign parts, but the value of the original collection could never be replicated.
As Lilian nodded, understanding the point of the argument, Catherine said, "I do not think it would be either sensible or wise to attempt such a thing. I cannot predict what the Trust will decide, but if I were to be asked, I should tell them that what money is available should be spent not in restoration of the West Wing, or the purchase of expensive items to replace those destroyed by the fire, but in establishing a school for the children of the parish, in particular the girls of this district, who get no schooling at all. It would be a far more fitting memorial to the family of Sir Lewis and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I might even be so bold as to predict that both Jonathan Bingley and Mr Darcy, if consulted, would agree with me."
There was a silence after she had spoken.
Clearly, her ideas had surprised the rest of the diners, but her words and her voice had left no doubt in the minds of her companions that Catherine felt passionately about the matter. Unlike the children of the parishes of Kympton and Pemberley and, more recently, Netherfield and Longbourn, whose schools had benefitted from the generosity of Mr Darcy and Jonathan Bingley, those children on the Rosings estate had only the charity of the church to rely on for their education. Consequently, many of them received no teaching at all, except at Sunday school. It was a circumstance that Catherine and the late Dr Harrison had long regretted. Their efforts to remedy the situation had not met with success because of the intransigence of Lady Catherine de Bourgh; now, Catherine could see a way to set it right.
Mr Burnett made the point clearly.
"I believe I am not wrong in thinking that the de Bourghs and in particular Lady Catherine never grasped the principle that a community that is educated and enlightened makes for a better society; rather, they feared such notions would only serve to give the children of the poor ideas above their station."
Catherine concurred. "Indeed, and while she would gladly encourage young women from the villages on the estate to enter into domestic service at Rosings as a means of improving their lives, Lady Catherine would not contribute to their education, lest they sought to rise above the status of servants. Similarly, young men could be apprenticed to artisans or employed as labourers on the estate, or be trained as footmen and butlers, but would then forfeit the right to attend a school! There is an illogicality about it which offends me deeply," she said.
Mr Burnett declared he had seen a lot of that all over England.
Mr Adams said he thought that was very unfair and Lilian, her eyes flashing, added that it was surely more than unfair, it was also un-Christian, for were we not taught that all children were equal in the eyes of God?
At this, her mother smiled and said, "Ah, but there are many similar things done, which might have been considered un-Christian, such as the taking of tithes from tenants, at times when harvests were so poor they had little enough for themselves, and disallowing the taking of game, even to feed starving families.
"Too many children went hungry while there was more than enough food around, which they were forbidden to take. I used to wonder at the heartlessness of men and women who would enjoy sumptuous meals while their tenants survived on meagre rations."
By the time this discussion had run its course, no one wanted any more food and as the servants cleared away the dishes, Catherine rose to leave the room. They repaired to the parlour for tea and coffee, and the younger couple seemed determined to enjoy as much of each other's company as possible, leaving Mr Burnett and Mrs Harrison to entertain one another.
Seating himself in a chair beside Catherine's, Frank Burnett asked if she had decided which of Dr Harrison's sketches were to be framed.
"I have to be in London next week and can take them for you, if you so wish," he said.
Catherine went to fetch the wallet of sketches, which she then laid out on a card table between them. After some discussion and upon his advice, she chose three sketches of the children. "There, I think I should like those framed—they would look well on the wall behind the landing, do you not think?" she asked.
Mr Burnett agreed, but added, "Will you not choose one of yourself as well?" and he turned over several as he spoke. They were all well drawn, some of her alone, capturing a quality of youthful energy and freshness, that he remembered well, and others with one or all of her children, which had a different but undeniable charm of a
contented and serene woman and her family.
Catherine shook her head. "No, I do not think I should care to be framed and hung," she said with a crooked little smile. "Now, it would be different if I were dead!"
He looked rather shocked, but persisted.
"Would not your mother, Mrs Collins, wish to have a framed likeness of her daughter and her children? Or your sister?"
She thought about it and hesitated, then relenting, said, "Yes, perhaps Mama would like one, and maybe Becky. All right, Mr Burnett, I shall let you choose a couple; I am not particular which; pick any that you consider might suit," she said, and went away to ask for a fresh pot of tea.
Frank Burnett did as she asked and by the time she returned, he had set aside the sketches to be framed and replaced the rest in the wallet. When she returned, Catherine treated the subject as closed and proceeded to pour out more tea for everyone.
Changing the subject, Frank Burnett asked, "Mrs Harrison, I do recall that you used to perform exceedingly well upon the pianoforte at Rosings. May one ask if you still play?"
She replied without hesitation, "Not often and certainly not as well as I used to. I have had little time and no inclination recently, and without Lady Catherine to prompt me, I am probably badly out of practice."
He looked genuinely disappointed.
"Do you not mean to take it up again? It would be a pity to waste such a fine talent. I remember even Her Ladyship being silenced by your rendition of Mozart, one evening when we were privileged to have the company of the bishop at dinner. I cannot believe that you have lost your love of music?"
Catherine laughed, surprised by the accuracy of his recollection.
"Mr Burnett, you do have a good memory. I had quite forgotten that occasion. Well, I do still deeply love music and perhaps I shall play again—sometime in the future," she mused.
"Please do," he said, encouraging her. "I am sure it will afford you both pleasure and comfort. I can vouch for my own enjoyment and would entreat you to practice and play again."
Catherine bit her lip, discomposed a little by the directness of his remarks.
"Perhaps I shall and I will tell you if I succeed. Meanwhile, may one ask, Mr Burnett, if you still sing as well as you used to do?"
This time it was his turn to look confused and embarrassed that she had remembered. It was clearly unexpected and he took a moment to frame an answer. "I have to confess that I have not had occasion to sing of late, Mrs Harrison, and unlike the skill involved in playing an instrument, which may be regained by practice, it is unlikely that the voice can be similarly restored if left unused for many years," he replied, rather self-consciously.
Catherine looked very censorious.
"For shame, Mr Burnett, that is a poor excuse. I am quite certain that a good singing voice can and will, with some practice, be restored. When you are next here, Lilian could play for you. Mr Adams has a very pleasing tenor voice and sings in the church choir; perhaps you and he might attempt a duet. Will you at least try?"
He was genuinely disconcerted, not ever having anticipated that the tables would be turned on him. Unable to refuse, he agreed to try when he returned from London and was immediately rewarded with some encouragement. "Excellent; I shall ask Lilian to learn some of the songs you used to favour and we shall see how well you do. I have no doubt you will do very well," she said, and seeing his rather crestfallen demeanour, she regretted her initial reproving manner and smiled warmly, which appeared to have an immediate effect upon his spirits.
The evening had passed so pleasantly that when it was time to go, both gentlemen seemed reluctant to leave such congenial company. Likewise, the ladies, who for the first time in many months had been able to enjoy an evening of good food and interesting conversation.
Neither Catherine nor her daughter had ever before entertained two gentlemen without either Dr Harrison or another male family member in the party. Each had been privately concerned that awkwardness or plain ineptitude would spoil the occasion.
But no such thing had eventuated.
As Messrs Adams and Burnett took their leave, they thanked Mrs Harrison for inviting them, and John Adams especially expressed his particular appreciation.
"It has been a very great pleasure, ma'am," he said, and though he was addressing her mother, it was upon Lilian's lovely face that his eyes were fixed, leaving Catherine in no doubt that the time was fast approaching when she would have to speak seriously to her daughter about Mr Adams.
She may even have to speak to Mr Adams himself, she thought, feeling somewhat daunted at the prospect.
But for tonight, she decided, it was sufficient that the evening had been a most satisfactory one. In truth, thinking over the past six months, which had been more than usually melancholy, she could not recall a happier occasion.
Chapter Five
Mrs Darcy was visiting her cousin Emily Courtney at Oakleigh.
Mr Darcy had promised Emily he would advise her on some of the work that was being done on the manor and had come over with his steward to take a look. While they were out inspecting the work, Elizabeth and Emily took tea together in the parlour.
"I understand Rebecca is back from Kent; has she brought you word of Catherine?" asked Elizabeth. "Cassy met her in the village a few days ago and said she looked well, if a little anxious."
Emily laughed. "Anxious is certainly right," she said. "Lizzie, I do not understand why Becky allows herself to be so distracted by matters over which she cannot possibly have any influence. I have advised her that it is of no use to worry endlessly about the way other people lead their lives, even if they are your nearest and dearest."
Elizabeth was curious, but careful about asking too many questions.
"You are quite right, Emily," she said and asked casually, "I suppose she worries about Catherine's future, now she is widowed and with Lilian to support? But in truth, she need not at all. Mr Darcy tells me that the generous endowment left to Mrs Harrison by Lady Catherine, as well as her portion of Dr Harrison's annuity, should see Catherine quite comfortably settled. Rebecca need have no fears for her on that score."
Emily waited until Elizabeth had finished speaking.
"Lizzie, it is not Catherine's future that exercises Becky's mind; she is far more concerned about Lilian's prospects."
"Lilian? Why, she is only seventeen and I am informed as sensible as she is pretty. What can there possibly be about Lilian to cause Rebecca any concern?" she asked and it was clear to Emily that her cousin Lizzie knew nothing of the matter of Mr John Adams.
Reluctant to gossip, yet keen to obtain the advice of her cousin, whom she both trusted and admired, Emily showed Elizabeth some of Rebecca's recent letters, in which she had voiced her disquiet about Lilian and Mr Adams. Furthermore, upon her return to Derbyshire, Rebecca Tate had gone directly to see her friend, Emily Courtney, and much of her visit had been taken up with a recital of her observations and reservations about her goddaughter and Mr Adams, as well as what Rebecca assumed was Mrs Harrison's unwillingness to take an active interest in her daughter's affairs.
Becky had been both puzzled and somewhat censorious on that score.
These matters Emily related to Elizabeth, making every effort not to exaggerate Rebecca's fears, but hoping that Elizabeth would help her provide her friend with some reasonable information that may allay her concerns.
"I cannot believe, Lizzie, that Catherine would neglect to advise her daughter, if there were reason to do so; she is both a loving and conscientious mother. I feel Becky is being unduly anxious. Do you not agree?"
Elizabeth did agree, but could not hide her confusion as to why Rebecca Tate should harbour such fears.
"I think, Emily, that it is far more likely that Rebecca has misconstrued Catherine's attitude—for she is by nature a remarkably serene and imperturbable woman, who will not, unlike her sister, permit a situation or person to cause her to panic. Cathy is very like her mother, Charlotte; unless she judges that ther
e is something quite seriously wrong with Lilian's friendship with Mr Adams, she is unlikely to interfere. I do not think for one moment that one could ever suggest that Catherine would be derelict in her duty as a mother."
Emily shook her head, still bewildered, "I do hope you are right, Lizzie. Becky seems to fear that Catherine has made no enquiries about the gentleman's family or background. She claims they know little or nothing about him or his family."
Elizabeth laughed, "Is that all? If it is, it should not be difficult to remedy. It was Jonathan Bingley who appointed Mr Adams to his position as curator of the Rosings estate; I shall write to him forthwith and discover how much he knows about young John Adams, and you will be able to set Rebecca's mind at rest. It is not possible that Jonathan would have recommended him to the Rosings Trust unless he had very good references."
Recollections of Rosings Page 8
