Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman

by Amelia Grace Treader

  Freddy, still fuming the interview with Lord Staverton last evening, his temper not improved in the least by his sleepless night, impatiently sought Elizabeth. She, her father, and Major Travers were sitting in the front parlor, evidently discussing something of mutual importance. Sam was doing his best to convince Mr. Talbot that he would be able to support Lizzy and wasn't just after her fortune. It was a difficult proposition and Mr. Talbot was raking Sam over the coals in the process. Freddy strode in, broke into the conversation, and demanded, “Elizabeth, did that little trollop tell you where she was going?”

  Elizabeth spat back, “If you mean Charlotte, she said she was going to the Royal Oak.”

  “Good. I have some papers to deliver to her.”

  Major Travers spoke up, “Freddy, let me deliver them. You're in no fit state.”

  “No Sam, I'm looking forward to it. I want the pleasure of seeing the smile wiped from her face.”

  Elizabeth pointed out, “I seriously doubt she's smiling. She was crying to herself last night as she packed.”

  “Then from her damned brothers.”

  His father intervened. “Freddy, no. If these papers must be served, you should not do it. If you insult one of them in the process, you can invalidate the bills.” Which while not strictly true, was a powerful argument. It passed muster in Freddy's confused and tired mind.

  Freddy paused, “Sam, if you would.”

  “I won't say it would be my pleasure, but I'll do it.”

  Sam rode off and found Charlotte working in the Royal Oak. Having spent the morning cleaning mugs and plates, she was wiping the tables down for the nighttime rush. She looked ragged and red eyed, as if she hadn't slept much more than Freddy. She looked up when Sam entered, “Major Travers, what brings you here?”

  “Nothing good Miss De Vere. I wish my friend weren't so damned pig-headed.”

  “What is it?”

  “I'm sorry, but here, these.”

  Charlotte read the bills with an increasing sense of foreboding. “He's foreclosed on the estate. Wants 25,000 pounds from me or my brother.”

  “It's worse than that.”

  “How?”

  “Your brother's post-obit bond. It properly belongs to the estate.”

  “75,000 pounds? How does he expect me to pay that! I earn my room and board here, maybe a few pennies more.”

  “I don't think he expects either of you to pay.”

  “Not debtor's prison?”

  “Yes. Do you have any idea where your blasted brother is? These debts are properly his. He's the one who needs to see the inside of Fleet Street Prison.”

  “No. I never want to see him again.” She started to cry.

  “Please don't.” He offered her his handkerchief.

  “It's, it's just that yesterday afternoon everything seemed to be going so well. Freddy.”

  Sam was never his best with a weeping woman, but he tried. “Miss De Vere, listen to me, I know Freddy, went to school with him, you know. He'll calm down. It might take a week, but he will.”

  Charlotte sobbed, “I'm not sure I want him to calm down, or that I want to see him again.”

  “Please, don't shut him out. That would destroy him.”

  “I'll try, it's just he's hurt me too.”

  “I know. I've never seen him so angry and upset. He wasn't able to think straight.”

  “Stop apologizing for your friend, he acted beastly.”

  “Yes he did. Freddy will need to make his own apologies, but I can at least make some explanations. He thought he was betrayed. There's very little that gets Freddy angry, but disloyalty does. At least it did when we were in school together. Can't believe he's changed much about it.”

  “Disloyalty?”

  “Disloyalty, betrayal, dishonorable conduct, whatever you want to call it. He thought you and your good-for-naught brother cooked this up together. That hurt him very deeply.”

  “We didn't.”

  “I know. Miss De Vere, you still have friends who want the best for you. Elizabeth, me, even Freddy's father. Don't do anything silly and it will all be fine.”

  Charlotte raised her tear-streaked face to Sam's, “Really?”

  “I or Freddy's father will come and check on you every day. Now take those documents and file them safely. You'll need them when we find John.”

  “I don't understand.”

  “Trust me on this. Those foreclosure notices will force John's hand.”

  Charlotte stiffed her sobs and took the papers to her room. Meanwhile, Sam rang for the innkeeper who promptly arrived, “Where is that dratted barmaid? She spent this morning weeping while she did the dishes. I hope I didn't make a mistake offering her a position.”

  “You didn't, I sent her to her room with some important papers about her estate. She needs to keep them safe. While she's gone I need to ask you to look out for her.”

  Mr. Hobbes staggered, “What do you mean 'look out for her'?”

  “Keep her safe, I don't know how rough your clientèle is, but she's affianced to Mr. Frederick Talbot.”

  “Funny way to be affianced if you ask me.”

  “They've had an argument. That's all. Either old Mr. Talbot or I will be checking on her daily.”

  “So that's what it is, is it?”

  “Her brother said some things that made it look like she was taking advantage of Freddy.”

  “That blackguard, as if Miss De Vere would ever consider such conduct. I've known her since she was a little'un. She was always a right one, a real lady.”

  “I know. Keep her busy, don't let her mope or do anything silly.”

  “Never fear that sir.”

  “Good man, and don't let her dwell on debtor's prison. Miss Elizabeth or her father would pay her debts before that happens.”

  “Why not you?”

  “I'm the 'wastrel' Miss Elizabeth wants to marry.”

  “You don't sound one to me.”

  “I have to convince Mr. Talbot senior that I'm not. It will take a bit of doing.”

  Charlotte came back down, she'd rinsed her face, and while her eyes were still reddened from crying, she seemed calmer. “Major Travers, thank you. I'm sure you must be off.”

  The next morning Mr. Willis timidly knocked on the door to Freddy's study. A sharp “Come in, damn you.” greeted his efforts.

  He quietly asked, “Mr. Talbot, sir?”

  Freddy snarled, “What is it?”

  “Sir, I need to get back to Bath, Mrs. Willis will be worried. I can be back in a few days.”

  “Go blast you.”

  “I'll take the canal, might find something interesting.”

  “Damn the canal and all who ride it.”

  “Sorry sir, I'll be off.”

  “Go Already! But be back by the middle of next week. I'm likely to need your help when we start foreclosing properly.”

  “Yes sir.”

  Charlotte found the morning similarly bleak, although she didn't snap anyone's head off. She just tried to carry on and look happier than she felt. About mid-day a large coarse man came to the Royal Oak. Charlotte did her best 'cheerful barmaid' impression and smiled at him, “What will it be, sir?”

  He replied “Did you have a death in the family? I'll have a pint and whatever the ordinary is.”

  She passed the word back to the kitchen about the food and drew a pint. As she put it on the bar for him, he passed her a shilling, and said, “Here love, why don't you come and sit with me?”

  Charlotte started “I, I couldn't.”, but Mr. Hobbes nodded that she should, and so she took the pint to the man's table and sat, very stiff, upright and proper, across from him.

  “Don't worry, lass. It's just I like pretty company when I eat, and you're a worthy eyeful.”

  The man looked vaguely familiar to Charlotte, but then she had met so many new people in the last few weeks that she couldn't be sure. The man noticed her searching his face, then chuckled, “Think we've met somewhere. I'm called '
Gentleman Jack'. Newbury usually finds me, but I've come after one John De Vere, sometimes 'Lord Staverton', or James Smith among his other aliases. 'ave you seen him?”

  “He's my no good brother. What's he done now?”

  “Just skipped off from Newbury races owing more than we can write off. Lifted some blunt from one of our bookie's cash boxes while he was at it.”

  “Sounds like him, he was here two days ago. I hope I never see him again.”

  “What happened, lass?”

  Another older gentleman, dressed like a farmer, though possibly with cleaner clothes, came into the pub. He asked, “Is Miss De Vere here?” Then he noticed her sitting with her companion. “Jack, old boy! It's great to see you again. Outside of the pleasing company of Miss De Vere, what brings you to the Royal Oak?”

  “George, what are you doing in the country? I thought you were a city boy.”

  Charlotte looked at the two of them in confusion. “Mr. Talbot, do you know this man?”

  “Jack and I go back a long time. Why we started out in business together, didn't we?”

  “Yes, those were good times.” He paused, “Wait, if this young moll is Miss De Vere, what is she doing tending bar?”

  “Let's just say my future daughter-in-law is taking a temporary position pending future employment.”

  “You mean your young,” it took him a second to remember, “Freddy and her?”

  “Lizzy told me they'd just agreed to be married when that wonderful charmer of a brother of hers showed up. Angered Freddy and now the whole thing's a big mess.”

  “Freddy still has a temper does he?”

  “Yes, he rarely shows it, but it’s there. Anyway what brings you to Holt?”

  “Chasing one deadbeat, a John De Vere.”

  “Sounds like a long story. Miss Charlotte could you pull me a pint to share with my friend?”

  The two men were deep into reminiscences about Mr. Talbot's early and not completely respectable career when Charlotte returned with the pint and Jack's ordinary. One thing bothered her as she listened, so she interrupted them, “Mr. Talbot?”

  “What is it Miss De Vere?”

  “You said I was your prospective daughter-in-law? You don't object to me?”

  “Anyone who could cause such a rise of passion out of Freddy has to have caught his affections very deeply, and if you were just after his fortune, you'd have coordinated with that brother of yours. I'd have known.”

  “What?”

  “That your brother showed up as a surprise to you proves you weren't planning anything. We'll need to deal with him, but you'd best leave that to Jack and me.” He laughed, “We have a bit of experience with deadbeats, don't we?”

  Gentleman Jack added, “That's true, Georgie here and me were partners in the betting line. Damn-me if Georgie here wasn't one of the best at figuring out the juice. He then had this daft idea of applying his odds calculations to the market, grain, and coal. All sorts of things. Tried to talk him out of it, but good thing he didn't listen.”

  “I'd still be a bookie, wouldn't I? Not saying I don't miss it, but running the firm was much more interesting.”

  “I'd say it was a bit more lucrative too.”

  The morning brought Charlotte a furtive visit from one of the house maids, Betsy. “Ma'am,” she began, “It tain't right. I think you've been a'witched. Someone's put the evil words on you.”

  “Don't be silly Betsy, and you should call me Charlotte.”

  “No Ma'am, I daren't. I brought this bottle, put some of your hair and nail parings in it. An' if it's to really work, a little from your chamber pot. Then we'll seal it and hang it in the chimney.”

  “This is superstition Betsy, what would Dr. Answorth say?”

  A familiar voice came from behind them in the doorway to the pub, “He'd say to humor her.”

  “Dr. Answorth! What are you doing here?”

  “I've come to ask you to stay with Mrs. Answorth and me again. It's not right that you should be a maid here.”

  “Sir,” Betsy curtsied, “That's what I've been telling her. She won't listen.”

  “Both of you, please. I've been cosseted and watched over for all my life. I need to see if I can make my own way. If even only for a short time.”

  “But a common public house is no place for gentlewoman.”

  “Both Major Travers and Mr. Talbot have promised to check up on me, and Mr. Hobbes keeps a close eye on what I'm about. I'll be safe.”

  Knowing Charlotte well, especially knowing how determined and stubborn she could sometimes be, Dr. Answorth realized that further argument would serve little purpose, “If that's what you think, Miss De Vere, I won't argue with you further, at least for the moment. However, if you find you need it, our door is always open to you.”

  “Thank you Dr. Answorth. Were circumstances otherwise I'd joyfully take up your offer. Believe me, I have my reasons for wanting to stay this close to the hall.”

  After Dr. Answorth departed, Charlotte and Betsy filled the bottle with the appropriate ingredients, sealed it and hung it inside the main chimney in the tap room. “Don't be surprised Ma'am,” Betsy added before she left for the hall, “if someone comes looking for it. It throws the curse back and causes terrible pain, so the witches try to find it, even at the risk of discovery.”

  “With my luck it will be John.”

  “John?”

  “My good for naught wastrel of a brother. Someone I never want to see again.”

  Sunday service marked the change in Charlotte's status. She walked with Mr. Hobbes and his family to the church in Holt. Dr. Answorth's curate, Mr. Cartwright, had proved himself as a preacher while the Answorths were in Bath, and was conducting the service at Holt. It was a big relief to Dr. Answorth to only have to preach for the services in Staverton.

  The Talbot's were seated at the front of the church as behooved their status as one of the chief families of the parish. When Mr. Hobbes and family entered, Freddy shot a hard stare back at Charlotte, then turned away quickly. The back of his neck reddened with emotion. Charlotte left the company of the Hobbes family and sat with the other servants in the back of the church. Elizabeth noticed this. She rose calmly and deliberately walked to the back of the church where she sat beside Charlotte. Her actions caused a hushed whisper of surprise to rise from the congregation. Mr. Talbot caught Major Travers' attention and remarked, “Good girl that. See why I must make sure you're honest. Can't bear to part with her otherwise.” Freddy pretended not to hear.

  The butler from the hall addressed Elizabeth and tried to alert her to the social solecism she was committing. “Miss Talbot, please. You should sit with your family at the front. Sitting here encourages over familiarity and is bad for discipline among the servants.”

  Elizabeth looked him firmly in the eye and replied, “I'm sitting with my friend. You may find it leveling, but it wasn't that long ago that we Talbot's sat in the back of the church, if we were even admitted to it at all.”

  “Yes Ma'am”

  “Thank you. Now Charlotte, you must tell me how you are faring. Unlike Sa-, Major Travers, I can't visit you evenings at the Royal Oak.”

  Freddy caught up with his sister after the service. “What the hell was that about?”

  His mother said, “Freddy, your language.”

  “Lizzy, what where you doing with that woman?”

  Elizabeth teased him, “Which woman?”

  “You know which one, that trollop you sat next to.”

  “I sat next to several trollops, which one?”

  “The one you know I mean.”

  “Oh, Miss De Vere?”

  “Yes that one. Stop teasing me.”

  “We were attending service. That's all. What else do you do in church on Sunday mornings?”

  “Alright then, Miss Logical, what were you talking about?”

  “Nothing much.”

  “Me?”

  “No, I can't talk about you with her. Actually I was a
sking how well she liked being a bar maid. If I can't marry Major Travers, I may need to look into a new career.”

  Their father silenced them both. “Freddy, Lizzy, that's enough bickering. You're acting like little children. Stop it. If Lizzy wants to chat and pass the time with her friend, that's her look out.”

  12. The Beginning of the End.

  A week after John De Vere's calamitous visit, with the situation between Freddy and Charlotte unchanged, Elizabeth and her Major Sam decided to find Freddy and give him a piece of their minds. They understood why he was angry, but a week of his ill humor was just too much. It took a while, but they found him closeted having a heated discussion with his father in an outbuilding. “Freddy, about Miss De Vere.”

  “Yes, what about that hussy?”

  “That was ungentlemanly on your part. Sending her off like that.” His father added, “That's what I've been telling him. Daft boy won't listen to reason.”

  “I'm no gentleman. She and her brother made that very clear.”

  “Of course you are,” Sam interjected, “Freddy, you're one of the best gentlemen I know. Birth isn't everything, you know.”

  “It doesn't matter, I'm not being betrayed again. Damn woman. She deserves it.”

  Elizabeth fumed, her temper was never as even as Freddy's and she was reaching the end of its tether when it came to her brother. “Freddy, listen to me. I have no idea what game that slimy brother of hers was playing, but there is no way I can believe that Charlotte could have been involved.”

  “Is that true?”

  “Of course. Look you idiotic moon-calf, didn't you once tell her that I'd saved your bacon more than one time?”