Chapter 6
Two months later
Thomas had never liked hunting. A contest between two dozen riders (assisted by hounds) and a solitary fox hardly deserved the epithet of sport.
Shooting birds on the wing was uncomfortable and dangerous, and for eating he much preferred rabbit.
But fishing he enjoyed, once in a while, especially on a warm afternoon when he could enjoy the riverside views and let his thoughts flow lazily like driftwood on the river.
It was Sunday, and he had dutifully attended morning service, lunched with Fanny and his father, and admired baby Jane, who was fed in the nursery by the upper housemaid Grace Hill.
The afternoon was now free, and he had invited Edward Gardiner, a keen angler, to join him on the river Lea if the weather held.
They took a supply of wine and fruit cake, and set off in a light carriage to a favourite spot on the border of the Longbourn estate, just beyond the tenant farms.
They made a base beneath a willow on a sloping bank, and probed a deep pool for bass or catfish lying on the bottom. After ten minutes with no pull on either line, Edward leaned back with a sigh.
‘The fish are asleep.’
‘I could uncork a bottle.’
‘Later.’ Edward yawned. ‘Did you hear of the scandal at the Lucases? The laundry maid was found to be with child, and after much interrogation and gossip, Haines the footman admitted responsibility, and both were dismissed.’
‘Not an unusual occurrence.’
Edward grinned. ‘Except that a rumour began that Elsie had been seen flirting with Signor Pavan.’
‘Elsie being the maid?’
A nod. ‘What set tongues wagging was that Pavan quitted Lucas Lodge at the same time.’
‘Wasn’t he moving on to paint the Robinsons?’
‘Exactly!’ Edward threw up his hands. ‘Why would the footman confess a sin never committed?’
‘Perhaps he longs to marry the fair Elsie.’
‘If you ask me, the reason for these rumours is that Pavan is Italian—that is to say, foreign, not English, and therefore assumed untrustworthy. But I’ve met him occasionally in Meryton, and he seems to me entirely respectable.’
‘His father is in trade, I believe.’
Edward nodded. ‘Francesco Pavan. It seems he exports through a London agent, and keeps urging Mario to nose around and make sure the agent is capable.’
‘With what outcome?’
‘None, since Mario thinks Francesco is trying to entice him into giving up art in favour of business.’
‘Another father with plans for his son.’
‘He has my sympathy.’
Thomas laughed. ‘I see a solution. You should take over as Francesco’s agent, instead of Mario.’
‘There’s no reason why Pavan senior would trust me.’
‘Mario could recommend you.’
Edward snorted. ‘As if his approval counted!’
‘No escape then?’
‘My future has been pre-ordained, and I must live it out whether I like it or not.’
Thomas fell silent, aware that the same might apply to himself.
Next morning a letter arrived from Henry Leighton, who had studied classics with Thomas at Balliol.
Oldest son of a baronet, Leighton was for Thomas a kindred spirit, omnivorous in his interests, and careless about cutting a fashionable figure in the ton.
In his late twenties, Leighton had yet to marry, hating to be tied down.
Tall, thin, abstemious, he was a magnet for young ladies who valued good character as well as rank; but his heart was not easily touched.
The letter covered several sheets in a hasty scrawl, and opened as usual with news of mutual friends; but its main objective emerged only at the end.
Sorry to hear of your domestic disappointments, but don’t give way to despond!
Life is for the living of it, and the wise man will lay down a stock of experiences to ruminate over in later years.
That at any rate is my philosophy, and I have accordingly planned a trip to Italy leaving in May.
Not the full three-year Grand Tour, but a year in a warm country where people love food, wine, art, culture.
I have a guide, servants, funds, and need only companions!
I have a Yes and some Maybes from our band of brothers.
Wives, sisters, moreover, he had offered before to fund the Grand Tour, and should have no difficulty supporting a shorter version partly bankrolled by the Leightons …
But what of Fanny?
As if by divine inspiration an idea dawned.
He would invite Edward—the practical and reliable brother whom Fanny trusted.
With this inducement Fanny might relent.
Best of all, he would provide Edward a means of escaping the legal profession.
In Venice the would-be businessman could recommend himself to Francesco Pavan.
He might make other contacts during the journey as well.
‘I don’t understand.’ Fanny’s voice choked with fear. ‘Why would you do this?’
‘But my dear, have you never read of Paris, Venice, or Florence? Would you pass up an opportunity to experience such wonders for yourself?’
‘If you are bored, stay a few days in London.’ She stared at him, as if he had lost his reason.
‘How can I live in countries where I don’t speak the language?
How will I know what to order in a tea room—if they have tea rooms?
Or what to buy? What if I dislike the food or the accommodation or the people? ’
‘That’s part of the fun, dear. You will cope splendidly, I’m sure.’
‘They say foreigners cannot be trusted.’
‘Some can, some can’t, just as here. Suppose you had been born French: would you have feared the English?’
‘What on earth are you talking about?’
Thomas sighed: Fanny always had difficulty with analogies. ‘I beg you. Just trust me.’
‘I must make this journey whether I want or not?’
Thomas thought a moment. ‘You have vowed to obey. But I dislike compulsion.’
‘Do you not see how nervous I will be if you leave me alone with the baby?’
‘You have my father, your family, and all your Meryton friends. Mrs Hill will nurse and mind Jane just as she does now: after all, you visit the nursery only two or three times a day. In fact we could both go to Italy, and Jane would be well looked after at Longbourn.’
‘So I can stay here?’
He approached and kissed her gently on the cheek. ‘Yes dear. Don’t concern yourself any more.’
‘Of course you may go.’ John Bennet sipped sherry. ‘The cost will not be excessive if your friend is as generous as he seems. It is what I always wanted for you.’
‘You’re content to look after Fanny and Jane?’
‘The Hills are good people. We will manage.’
Thomas paused, wondering whether this could really be happening. ‘We will incur the wrath of Mr Gardiner, if Edward decides to come.’
‘Father or son, we must choose.’ An ironic smile. ‘Better to stand by the son, who will be around for longer.’
Thomas laughed. ‘I hope Fanny will cheer up in time.’
John Bennet shrugged. ‘The artist is due in May. He will distract her.’