It was the moment I had pictured in my mind a hundred times over the course of the last few weeks, still somehow, never quite like this. Instead of the dream-like quality of my imaginings, this had the unmistakable stamp of cold reality upon it. I had prepared my answer, and yet, now that the time was at hand, I wavered, feeling the weightiness of the question before me. From this day forward, my life would be changed forever; it both thrilled and terrified me to consider it. But when I looked into Richard’s dear face, as he waited in calm anticipation of my answer, all reason and hesitation melted away.
“Darling boy,” I said. “Yes, of course I will.”
With that, Richard rose from his genuflection to demand what was due him in his new position as my betrothed; he enfolded me in his arms and claimed his first kiss – his first kiss from me, that is. He performed the maneuver so proficiently and to such dazzling effect that I suspected he had some prior experience in the field… or a very natural talent. At that moment, I did not much care which.
A party of three waited to offer the first round of congratulations when we issued forth from our brief tête-à-tête. I embraced my father and mother in turn, and then received the most enthusiastic reception from Agnes. Richard and Papa retreated briefly to the study to execute the ritual of begging the father’s permission. In this case, it was a mere formality comprehending no suspense or trepidation on either side.
Mama took the opportunity afforded by the absence of the men for a few personal words. “I am so happy for you, my dearest girl! What a fine young man he is – so handsome and obliging. And you are quite certain that this is what you want?”
“As certain as may be, Mama.”
“Then, I am satisfied. Oh, but how shall I do without you when you are married and settled so far away? I have come to rely on you so.”
“We shall see each other often. It cannot be more than forty or fifty miles from Fairfield to Wildewood, and what is that in this day of improved roads? Yes, I call it a very easy distance.”
After the initial excitement, Agnes had grown quiet. Now, with a touch of melancholy, she said, “You must visit Wallerton regularly, Jo. Your friends shall miss you as sorely as your family will.”
“Do not despair, Agnes. I shall be there very frequently; depend on it. And you must come to Surrey. Now that county will hold two points of interest for you: Wildewood and Millwalk. Remember, we all agreed to visit Frederick at Easter. There is no reason to abandon the outing. We shall simply invite Richard to join the party.”
When Richard reappeared, I suddenly wanted nothing more than to be alone with him, to revel in our mutual joy and make plans for our future. Accordingly, the two of us embarked upon a protracted walk, taking a circuitous route to his lodgings in order to announce our news to his father. The bite of winter freshened the air, but I felt no chill wrapped in my woolen cloak and snug on Richard’s arm. In my euphoria, my feet barely touched the pavement as I made my first public promenade as an engaged woman. My heart brimmed with emotion, and my mind overflowed with ideas to discuss with my beloved. Yet, now that we were alone, neither one of us seemed in a hurry to break the companionable silence.
Finally, Richard commenced, saying mildly, “You might have told me, Jo.”
“Told you what?”
“About your inheritance. There was no need to hide it from me, surely.”
“Pray, do not take offence, Richard. I did not conceal it from you in particular. Long before I came to Bath, I made the decision to tell no one about it.”
“It would have made no difference to me.”
“Unfortunately, that is not the case with most people. I am glad you proved yourself the exception, however.” I continued in a lighter vein. “And I trust you were not too displeased to learn of it.”
“Not at all. I only hope that everything I henceforth discover about you is equally pleasant, my dear. Do you have any other wonders in store for me?”
“One or two perhaps, but no more fortunes hidden away if that is what you mean. And lest you think me in the habit of keeping secrets from you, I should tell you one other bit of news. I shall soon have the honor of introducing you to my brother Tom and our dear friend Arthur, of whom I have told you. We have just had a letter to say that they are both coming from Oxford to celebrate my birthday. Now it shall be a celebration of our engagement as well.”
14
Getting Down to Business
During our courtship, romance had its glorious day in the sun. After the engagement, the business of getting married began in earnest, for serious business it certainly was, as I quickly learnt. No sooner had Richard and I issued the formal announcement of our joy than a series of meetings between the interested parties commenced for the purpose of negotiating settlements and drawing up agreements, all relating more to the transfer of funds than to the exchange of lovers’ vows.
I discovered, to my amazement, that Richard and I had very little share in the proceedings; the fathers and the solicitors handled nearly the whole of it without us. My duty, it seemed, as a direct consequence of accepting the match, was to take the financial bargain that came with it. What had belonged to me would henceforth belong entirely to my husband. That is the way of things. There was nothing whatever that I could do about it, so I chose not to grumble. Instead I counted myself fortunate to have been allowed my choice as to marriage partner, and to have a prudent father now representing my interests in the disposal of my future happiness.
There were other compensations as well. Since our help was not wanted for framing contracts, Richard and I were free to devote most of our time to each other. A variety of social events competed for the remaining hours. Something in the special circumstances seemed to demand a more frenetic pace of activity from us all. With the three families – the Walkers, Pierces, and Grahams – sharing the honors, barely a night was allowed to pass without a party, dinner, or outing planned amongst us.
On one of the few evenings that my parents and I were to be found at home and alone (except for Richard and Agnes), Tom and Arthur arrived, fresh from completing their term at Oxford. A welcoming celebration immediately ensued as parents were reunited with son, sister with brother, and dear friends with dear friends all round. Arthur and Agnes greeted one another with a shy awkwardness as befits lovers kept apart by circumstances for a long while. When my brother and Mr. Evensong were introduced to Mr. Pierce and informed of his important new standing in the family, they were both taken quite by surprise, having received no word of our engagement beforehand.
Tom recovered from the shock quickly enough, embracing me and wringing his future brother-in-law’s hand enthusiastically. “What outstanding news! Congratulations, Mr. Pierce. I hope you appreciate what a fortunate man you are.”
Richard responded in his easy, urbane manner. “Thank you. I am very sensible of that fact, sir. I’m sure I have done little to merit the favor your sister has shown me or the kindness of your excellent parents.”
“Perhaps in time, however, you may prove yourself worthy, Mr. Pierce,” said Arthur, leveling something of a measured glare at him. “I would certainly advise that you endeavor to do so,”
“Easy, Arthur,” Tom interceded. “There’s a good chap. You needn’t pretend to be so menacing. If anybody should be jealous for Jo’s honor, it should be me. She is my sister, after all. Mr. Pierce will see her right, or he will have me to deal with.”
Before the skirmish could escalate, I cut in. “That will suffice! Mr. Pierce will have a very pretty first impression of the pair of you. After the way I have built you both up too, I daresay he will never credit me with good judgment again. Pay them no mind, Richard.”
“It is quite all right. I take it as a compliment to you, my dear, that you have such… loyal… protectors. I hope your friends will soon be convinced that I am chief amongst them.”
The little tempest passed, but I noticed Arthur remained subdued. He sat a bit apart from the group throughout the evening, unable
or unwilling to fully enter into the otherwise festive mood of the gathering. It disturbed me to see him looking so low, so I finally took myself from Richard’s side long enough to speak to him.
Arthur began before I could. “Jo, you must allow me to apologize. I beg you would forgive my rudeness earlier, for how ungraciously I received your good news. May I wish you all possible happiness in your marriage, as I should have done before?”
“Thank you, Arthur.”
“My surprise at your announcement is a poor excuse for bad manners, but it is my only defense. I know I have no earthly right to object to your choice.”
“You have no reason to object, more like. You do not even know Richard, and when you do, I hope you will be great friends.”
“He must be a fine man. He could hardly have won your respect and affection otherwise. Still, I very much doubt that Mr. Pierce and I will ever be good friends,” he concluded darkly. “There, I have done it again. Forgive me, Jo. Perhaps I should not have come; I shall only spoil your celebration with my disconsolate attitude.”
“Nonsense. You are always welcome in our home, Arthur, regardless of your state of mind. Yet something must be troubling you. Truly, you do not seem at all yourself tonight. Are you unwell? Or is it your mother?”
“No, I am in exceptionally good health, and my mother is tolerably well also. I had a letter from her just before I quit Oxford. Please do not concern yourself; there is nothing whatever the matter with me.”
“I know you far too well to believe that, old friend. Come now. Let us have no secrets between us. Tell me what is responsible for this gloomy aspect of yours.”
“I suppose I am a little preoccupied,” he suggested after some further hesitation. “I have a lot on my mind at present. You see, I came to Bath not just to visit friends but on an errand of business, a matter of no small importance to my future. I am invited to call on a certain gentleman visiting here who has a fine parish in Surrey at his disposal. At the generous recommendation of a mutual acquaintance, he has agreed to consider me for the post. This is a man of uncommon influence, I understand, so his endorsement could be the making of me, Jo.”
“Why, Arthur, this is wonderful news! It is precisely what you have been hoping for, what you have worked so hard to secure, is it not? You needn’t be uneasy; the man could never find a better candidate.”
“Thank you. Unfortunately, I cannot share your optimism. I very much suspect there is something in the situation that will not suit me at all. From what I hear, he – the fellow who holds the living – is a very formidable person, not to be easily won over.”
“No doubt you have excellent references at the ready. But if you need someone else to put in a good word, I daresay my father would be happy to oblige. Of course, we are nobody to him, whoever he is.”
“By a strange coincidence, I think you may know him after all. I believe it can be none other than your future father-in-law of whom I speak. The man’s name is Pierce, Mr. Randolph Pierce.”
“Really? Indeed, that is the man. How extraordinary! Well then, you do have a daunting challenge before you; Mr. Pierce is a formidable man, to be sure. Only think, should he appoint you rector, I would see you – and, if I may be so bold, Agnes – constantly in years to come. How cozy we should all be in Surrey together: you, me, Richard, Agnes, Tom, and Frederick. Yes, you must try your best for the appointment, Arthur. Why not start tonight by learning to get on with Richard?”
“Must I? I am not sure I feel up to it just now.”
“My word! You are in an odd humor tonight, Arthur. I have only asked you to become acquainted with my very particular friend, for your own sake as well as mine. You act as if I had proposed you have a tooth drawn.”
Against his will, I pulled Arthur back to the conversation circle as I seated myself next to Richard again. Arthur made a half-hearted effort to join in; he nodded and smiled unconvincingly, spoke when spoken to, and treated Richard with tolerable civility if not cordiality.
After he and Tom left that night for their own lodgings at the White Heart, Richard rose to go as well. I followed him to the door, saying, “You will put in a good word with your father for Arthur, won’t you? I should be ever so grateful if you would.”
“Of course, my pet, if you wish it. Although I cannot say that I find his manners especially engaging. Still, I know you think very highly of him, and that is recommendation enough to satisfy me of his good character.”
“Thank you, Richard. I really cannot account for Arthur’s behavior tonight; he was not at all himself. I do so want the two of you to be friends, but you have got off on the wrong foot, I fear.”
“Yes, Mr. Evensong seems to have taken an instant dislike to me for some reason. I daresay he will get over it in time.”
~~*~~
Tom rejoined our family party shortly after breakfast the next morning, but Arthur did not arrive until mid-afternoon because of his appointment with Mr. Pierce. Everybody waited in suspense for the outcome of the interview, with Agnes suffering the most perturbation due to her vested interest in the case. We gathered round when Arthur came in, expecting a full report.
“Well, Mr. Evensong, what can you tell us? How goes your business with Mr. Pierce?” my father inquired on behalf of us all.
Arthur begrudgingly informed us that, after a long discussion, the two of them had concluded their business without coming to any satisfactory understanding. “There is very little chance that I will ever be rector of Wildewood parish. I can tell you that much.”
“Why are you so pessimistic about your chances? Has Mr. Pierce definitely decided to give the preferment to another man?” I asked.
“Not exactly, no.”
“Then what exactly did he say?” pressed Tom.
After a thoughtful pause and a heavy sigh, Arthur explained. “He said that although he would reserve his final decision until my ordination, the job was as good as mine. However,” he hastened to add as the group reacted to this news, “I told him I was not interested.”
“You did what?” exclaimed Agnes.
“Oh, Arthur! Surely you are only joking,” said I. “You would not really refuse such an advantageous situation, would you?”
“I would and I have.”
“But, why?” Mama chimed in.
“Because I was fully convinced that the outcome of accepting would have been insupportable. For various personal and professional reasons, which it can serve no purpose to enumerate here, I am quite certain that such an arrangement would have suited neither myself nor Mr. Pierce in the end. I will not be put into such an untenable position. I am sorry to disappoint you all, but I assure you that it cannot be helped.”
As the protests rose again from more than one quarter, Papa came to Arthur’s aid. “Now, now, there’s an end to it. Let us say no more about the matter. We must trust Mr. Evensong’s judgment. I am sure he knows what he is about.”
~~*~~
Arthur’s unpopular decision put a stop to all the blissful speculation between Agnes and myself over the delightful prospect of living always as neighbors together in Surrey. Immediately upon discovering that such a possibility existed, our imaginations lost no time in fixing it as a certainty of fate and adding to the picture such embellishments as our lively minds naturally supplied. Now the dream with all its trimmings lay dashed to pieces at our feet.
“How could he do it?” demanded Agnes that night in my room. “He knows we cannot marry or even be engaged until he has secured a living. What was he thinking of, to throw away such an ideal situation where we could all have been so happy?”
“He must have had his reasons,” I offered weakly. “You know that Arthur has exceptionally high principles and standards.”
“Do not defend him! ‘Principles and standards,’ you say. Pig-headedness more like.” She stomped about the room, eventually dissipating some of her exasperation. “Perhaps you could speak to him, Jo. He listens to you. If you could only persuade him to reconsider,
it might not be too late. He could apologize to Mr. Pierce – say that he has changed his mind and wants the appointment after all.”
“I think there is little chance of that. You give too much credit to my influence with Arthur, and I highly doubt Mr. Pierce would be prepared to overlook such an insult in any case.”
“Oh, very well, then. I suppose we shall have to resign ourselves to it, but it is all extremely vexing! If we must suffer such a setback, he could at least have had the courtesy to offer some kind of credible explanation.”
“As disappointed as I am at the outcome, I believe Arthur may be right. Indeed, when I consider it, I cannot image that he and Mr. Pierce would at all suit one another. Between them there is too great a disparity of mind. Added to their philosophical differences, perhaps Arthur disapproves of Mr. Pierce’s character.”
“That may well be. Mr. Pierce would not be my first choice for a neighbor either. But if you can tolerate having the man as your father-in-law, Jo, I would have thought Arthur could put up with him as his patron. No, he had better have a more compelling reason than that or I’ll not soon forgive him.”
15
On the Town
In contrast to Agnes’s lingering distress over the failed negotiations between Arthur and the senior Mr. Pierce, everybody else diplomatically forgot the incident entirely, or at least had the manners to pretend as if they did. Richard appeared at our door next morning at the appointed hour, followed directly by Arthur and Tom, none of whom alluded to it in any way.
We had already determined that the day should be spent showing the newcomers the sights of Bath. Their stay would not be long, so there was no time to lose. Accordingly, we set forth shortly after breakfast – Agnes, Tom, Arthur, Richard and I. I had, by then, been in Bath over three months, and Richard nearly as long. So, the two of us served as guides for the tour of the now familiar streets, landmarks, shops, and views. The weather, though cold, remained agreeably dry for our long outing, which began with a visit to the magnificent Abbey followed by a stop at the Pump-room. Almost as soon as we arrived at the latter, Mr. Cox appeared to pay his compliments to the ladies and be introduced to the two unfamiliar gentlemen. He attached himself to our party whilst we remained there but did not attempt to follow us beyond.
For Myself Alone: A Jane Austen Inspired Novel Page 9
