Chapter Twelve
Jane
Sevenoaks, Kent
All the days are starting to run into one another and I cannot begin to think what I must write yet. I’ve been out every day on the horse and I am grown into a confident horsewoman. Even G-U-F, who doesn’t venture far these days, took a walk out to watch me and said I was very competent.
Thomas continues to be a kind cousin, though his brother is a strange fish.
He pulls spiders’ legs off, and executes tiny mice for entertainment, and loves nothing more than to hear Cassy scream when he does it.
At other times he appears to be as kind and thoughtful as his brother - we cannot make him out.
Whenever we can, Cassy and I escape to the gardens on our own - she to draw, while I read or compose.
I’m at my happiest when I’m writing, and I know Cassy loves her painting, and she’s collecting quite a lot of landscapes now, which have been very much admired in the evenings when we sit in the drawing room.
‘I should like to do something for the girls,’ G-U-F announced last night, a particularly sunny evening after dinner when Cassy was looking her prettiest, and charming our great-uncle with her accomplished paintings.
‘They must be introduced into the world. I’m not getting any younger, and matters must be settled. ’
I saw my mother instantly sit up to pay attention. ‘How kind of you, Uncle Frank. I know you’ve always had our family’s best interests at heart.’
‘Mr Humphry writes to tell me his brother Ozias has arrived in Seal. Well, what do you think, Cassy and Jane? How should you like to sit for your portraits?’
My mother tried not to show her disappointment, and Cassy spoke up instead. ‘I should be very honoured to have my portrait painted, sir. I’m sure I can speak on Jane’s behalf too, when I say we should both be delighted.’
‘In that case, we’ll drive over to Seal tomorrow and have the whole thing settled.
’ G-U-F tapped the side of his nose, and looked knowingly at my mother who actually blushed when he spoke again.
‘Fine portraits of pretty young girls will keep them in the minds of their cousins when they’ve left the county, and show them that their old uncle holds his nieces in high esteem when they’re hanging on my dining room walls.
I’ve several fortunes to discharge when I’ve gone to join my maker, and it’s as well to keep the family guessing as to who might benefit best, and keep them all dancing attendance. ’
He laughed out loud after that, and I was shocked to see my mother and father joining in, but I suppose they’re just one part of the family to whom they’re hoping that G-U-F will be favourable.
Cassandra didn’t look very happy, and I cannot blame her if our uncle is intent on securing an alliance for her with his grandson.
I am choosing to ignore the fact that he mentioned the word cousin in the plural, and am glad to know that we’ll be gone in another month, away back to Steventon, and far from talk of marriages and settlements.
***
We had a pleasant day at Seal last week, visiting the Walters and the Humphrys.
Mr Ozias Humphry has just returned from India, where he said he’d painted many miniatures, but he was very disappointed not to have received all the money he was owed.
G-U-F arranged for Mr Humphry to paint our portraits and make some initial drawings, which seemed to cheer him up enormously.
G-U-F said my mother must take us into Sevenoaks to visit the mercer for some stuff for new gowns so we shall look our best for our pictures.
It is so long since I had anything brand new, being more used to having Cassy’s cast-offs, and G-U-F’s been so generous we could afford the most exquisite silk and muslin.
My mother had every fabric in Whitby’s brought before us but in the end the choice was very simple.
Now it has been made up I do not think I ever possessed any dress of such perfection, and my uncle declares we shall have a dinner and a ball before we go home so I can wear it.
My gown is after the new French style that Eliza has written to me about; it has a pink satin layer underneath the finest white gauze, banded with fine stripes and covered entirely with glossy spots.
I feel quite like a woman of the first fashion!
I hadn’t expected Thomas to take any notice.
‘Now I must look at you, Jane,’ he said with the warm smile of an affectionate brother, ‘and tell you how I like you and your glossy spots … indeed, you look very nice.’
‘Thank you, it’s the new dress that my great-uncle was so good as to give me,’ I said, my cheeks aflame. ‘I thought to wear it for my portrait, and I shall be able to wear it at the ball … I feel very fine.’
‘You’re a picture, my dear. A woman can never be too fine while she is all in white,’ my uncle pronounced, and I must admit, I enjoyed being so flattered very much.
There was a little money over, and Mama said I might choose a parasol.
When we walked into Sevenoaks, we saw some pretty cream parasols in the shop window, but I had my heart set on the dearest green silk, edged with fringe that I spied on a shelf behind the counter.
It is my very own parasol, and I feel most proud and very grown-up.
Thomas teased me mercilessly when we went for a walk in the afternoon, and took it from me, parading along in imitation of what he flatters himself is matchless mimicry.
‘How very grave I’ve become,’ he declared in a high-pitched voice, one hand on his hip, ‘I fancy myself quite the little woman!’
We had the first sitting today - Mr Humphry came over to Sevenoaks, and made a sketch of Cassy to begin with.
She was very pleased because Mr Humphry remarked on her watercolour paintings, and suggested she might be depicted looking very accomplished with her paintbrush in hand, and her painting box at her feet.
When it came to my turn, I felt rather shy so Mr Humphry suggested I hold my parasol to give me something to think about, and then Thomas came in to pull faces, immediately putting me at my ease, which helped very much.
He is such a clown - I could not help but smile, and I know forever more I shall not be able to look at my picture without remembering my cousin Thomas who made me smile and feel less afraid.
Mr Humphry said he liked my expression, and he was very pleased with the first sketches.
He’s coming again tomorrow, and will make notes on colour and perhaps try a drawing of me sitting down too.
***
I think my mother thought our uncle was to make some sort of financial settlement on us when he said he wanted to “help the girls”, and though I think she likes the idea of us being pictured for posterity with the idea of reminding our Kentish cousins that we are young, desirable, and marriageable, there is no guarantee that we’ll be married off or left a legacy, and she mentions the fact every time she’s on her own with my father.
I was about to knock upon her chamber door this morning before I went down to break my fast, when I heard them discussing the situation.
Thankfully, Cassy has no idea how much our mother is hoping such an alliance will take place.
‘If only we knew exactly what Uncle Frank has in mind. If a settlement were to be drawn up conferring a certain amount a year if the match were to take place, I would feel easier,’ said my mother.
‘But, Cassy is full young to be engaged just yet, and Uncle Frank may still leave something for the girls, regardless of them being allied with their cousins. However much we might think it a fine thing for either of them, I do not think Cassy shows the slightest inclination for Lucius or matrimony, and besides, I have a feeling her heart may be engaged elsewhere.’
‘I suppose you mean Mr Fowle,’ answered Mama.
‘He may well be smitten - indeed, I have always suspected he admired her, but I am not assured of Cassandra’s feelings.
In any case, we do not see the Fowles very often, and he may yet look around for a wife who will bring her own portion to add to a curate’s stipend. ’
‘They’ve always been very fond of one another, and we know he always asks after Cassy whenever he sees Jemmy. If anything, absence makes the heart grow fonder. You know how true that can be, my dear,’ said my father. ‘You surely have not forgotten how it was with us.’
There was a pause, and I knew my father was kissing my mother on her cheek.
I took the moment to knock, and when prompted opened the door.
They were standing hand in hand looking like any young couple, though I knew it was many years since they’d married in Bath, the city they loved, where much of their courting was played out.
Breakfast is a splendid affair at the Red House, and my uncle who has a hearty appetite always has a fine selection of breads, toast, pound cake and coffee or chocolate to drink.
Thomas had a brown moustache after drinking his chocolate this morning, and insisted on speaking French when I tried to point it out to him from the opposite side of the table.
When he stopped being silly and making me laugh he asked if we could be excused to go riding.
‘Don’t forget Mr Humphry will be along later,’ said G-U-F. ‘He’s occupied at Knole this morning, making sketches of Madame Baccelli.’
‘It is a very shocking business; the way the Duke of Dorset conducts his life for all to see,’ said Mama, lowering her voice.
‘We heard La Baccelli thinks nothing of scandalising all of Kent by wearing the Sackville jewels at every ball. We read all sorts of gossip in the newspaper. Tell me, Uncle Frank, is it true what they say about the Duchess of Devonshire falling for his charms? She’s no more sense than Lady Foster or Lady Derby had. ’