Chapter 8 A Fine Kettle #2
Lindy dropped heavily onto the settee, another worry on her lips. “Nell did not like being in London, and I am not nearly so venturesome as she is.”
“Darling,” Rose sat down next to her. “Certainly you would find a few little rout-parties and trips to the theatre agreeable.”
And that is where you plan on introducing me to the ‘eligible young men’ you mentioned to Mamma? How could I ever find any man agreeable after knowing Mr Alwyn? That is one matter that must be settled at once.
“Aunt, I need to tell you…I do not intend to marry.”
“Don’t be foolish, girl!” her mother squawked. “Marriage is the best way to ensure you’ll live comfortably in your dotage, and if you choose wisely, you may actually find happiness.”
“That seems highly unlikely,” Belinda murmured, drawing a peal of laughter from her aunt.
“Oh Lindy, why so fatalistic?”
“I’m simply rational! Many women do not marry — our new queen has no husband, and yet she wears the crown.”
“But there is only one throne in England,” her mother said dryly. “And you are not in line for it.
“Well I hardly thought I was,” Belinda muttered. “But there are other ways that members of our sex may make their way in the world.”
Ignoring her mother’s frown, she folded her hands in her lap, over the pocket where Mansfield Park was tucked, and a notion stirred within her mind.
“If I were to go to town, it would only be with the intention of—”
She cleared her throat as her half-formed thought clotted like cream.
“—of looking for a respectable lady whom I might serve as a companion.”
The sisters were quiet until, smoothing her brow, Rose asked delicately, “You want to become a lady’s companion?”
“Yes.”
The room fell even more silent, if that were possible.
They don’t believe me, Lindy thought. “Catherine is a lady’s maid, which is not so very different.”
“The unusual circumstances suit her natural disposition.” Aunt Rose shrugged.
“Well, certainly my natural disposition would allow me to keep an elderly woman at ease,” Lindy countered.
Then, as if magically, several facts formed neatly on her tongue.
“I remain calm during little upsets. I have a strong voice for reading, and a neat hand for writing. I’m always happy to make a fourth at the card table, and I’m sure I would not grow weary going upstairs to fetch shawls to fend off draughts, or tinctures to settle coughs. ”
Her mother snorted. “Your days would be dull as tombs!”
“Some of them would, yes — perhaps even most of them, but I would enjoy a sort of respectable independence, and with Aunt Rose’s help, surely I could find an employer who…”
She barely caught herself from saying, ‘who would not make me miserable’.
“…who is a delight to serve.”
Her aunt and mother exchanged a look.
Lindy nodded earnestly. “It is a good idea.”
“It is not a bad one.” Rose chewed her lip, then shot Barbara a look. “And it would get her out of Trippingham, as there is so little for her here.”
Yes! Think of Mr Turner’s toothy grin! Belinda urged them silently.
“Alright then,” Mrs Everson said finally, though with a shake of her head.
Excusing herself to go upstairs to collect her things, Belinda wondered why she felt so little joy in doing so.
I won them over, proving my reasoning is sound.
Isn’t it?
Within half an hour, she was outside in the sunshine, bidding her mother farewell and trying to focus on what a fine day it was to travel to Whitehall.
She and Rose would remain there for a few days before continuing on to London with Uncle George.
She climbed up into the carriage behind her aunt, and they were soon on their way.
“Oh, I see the iron ran a little hot,” Rose said, having caught sight of a scorch mark on Belinda’s dress.
Blushing, her niece hid the mark within the folds of her skirt. “I’m sorry I was so careless with a gown that you had made for me.”
“‘Careless’ is not a word I’d ever think to call you! And no garment lasts forever. Even before I saw that, I was set on ordering several gowns for you once we are in town.”
“No! Please, I’ve brought with me a perfectly suitable wardrobe.”
Rose laughed. “I only let you pack that up as I knew there’d be no getting you to London if you thought a farthing would be spent on you there.
Honestly niece, you must accept that those who love you, will always want to give you the finest things they can!
” Growing somber quite suddenly, she asked, “Now tell me, do you truly have no desire to marry and have children?”
Belinda shifted on the squab before answering.
“I am not swearing off all possibility of it, but I think it unlikely that I will ever meet a man whom I admire wholeheartedly, and —”
Mr Alwyn’s visage drifted through her memory.
“— and who would desire to have me as his wife.”
“Oh Belinda, mark my words — London is full of men who, meeting you, will be instantly besotted!”
“Well, if they are as rash and irrational as that, then stop the carriage here, I beg you,” Lindy said archly.
Bursting into laughter, Rose reached out to clasp her niece’s hand.
“I want what is best for you, and we shall work together to discover whatever that might be.”
Warmed by such affection, Belinda knew, Yes, my dear aunt will help me navigate whatever I am to face.