Cousin Prudence Read online

  There was little enough time for speculation however for they were soon in Brunswick Square and at the house which would be home for the next two months; and Emma was keen to make her mark upon the running of it. It was a fine modern town house with tall sash windows and a narrow frontage but spacious enough behind for any

  family that might do a moderate amount of entertaining though it had but a modest three stories. There were a sufficiency of reception rooms that they might easily hold rout parties with a small room perhaps dedicated to those who preferred to withdraw for a convivial game of cards, and, though Emma deplored it, probably to gamble over them. It was quite convenient for The Inns of Court for John’s work as a barrister; and yet also close to any fashionable part of town which might be visited during the season, and too within an easy ride or drive of St James’ Park, Green Park and Hyde Park.

  And it was fortunate that Emma had the knack of making people like her, or Isabella might have returned to find herself short of a superior sort of cook-housekeeper over the minute way in which Emma liked to run the housekeeping!

  There was little enough time on this day to do much exploring, though Emma and Prudence did explore their immediate vicinity and found a small subscription library which caused them to be so late home that they met George on his way to look for them, convinced that they had become lost.

  Their respective maids followed, resigned; each was used to her mistress being readily seduced by a good book, at least until the effort required to read it all through was required.

  Chapter 9

  Once the ladies were returned to the house in Brunswick Square, and Emma had been teased by her husband that she would start the book she had borrowed and fail, as usual, to read more then a few chapters before wanting to try Prudence’s book, they might sit down to eat. After nuncheon had been discussed and cleared away, George was to set out on the commission of essential duties. George, who knew his way around the city, undertook to see to the purchase of mounts for the ladies to use in London; he was happy for his own riding needs to use his brother’s gelding, which may not be of any great pedigree but was a good sturdy mount with enough turn for speed to make it possible to ride to Hartfield readily at need; and to travel greater distance too if necessary for the horse had superior stamina. It was also a biter and George made sure to have a red ribbon tied to his bridle to indicate this. He had bought the horse for John from Mr Cole who had not had much idea about how to treat horses; and John was gentling the poor beast misused by ignorance rather than cruelty.

  He took Joseph with him, half wishing that he could have brought James, the Woodhouse groom, but Mr Woodhouse might of course have need of him; and James would not wish to be so far from his daughter Hannah for a full two months in any case. Still, Joseph was full of common sense; even William Larkin had agreed that for someone from so outlandish a place as Yorkshire Joseph showed a good degree of shrewd judgement. Between them, the two men found a couple of mares as would suit Emma and Prudence and paid a fair price for them, thirty five guineas each which they might easily, said Joseph in satisfaction, see again in returns on reselling them if they picked their market well.

  George thought the better of him for his thrift and was given to understand that though ‘t’gaffer’ would spend all that was necessary for his daughter and her companions to have a good time in London, he would not expect her to be profligate.

  Profligacy to Joseph’s mind seemed to involve purchasing gee-gaws she would not use or wear more than once, or gambling or making foolish investments.

  Apparently Mr Blenkinsop had no objection to his daughter making any investment she considered sensible.

  Northern young ladies appeared to be of independent turn of mind.

  But then, reflected George, if Prudence were anything to go by, he had already had ample opportunity to find that out!

  While George was out, Emma and Prudence amused themselves by shaking out and hanging up their gowns. Prudence already had a good many gowns with her in the latest style.

  “Just because I can spend as much as I suggested to that awful woman does not mean that I intend to do so,” said Prudence, seeing Emma look at her gowns, “I had some made by a mantua maker in Harrogate; I thought it would be less extravagant than paying for a London modiste, and besides quite as satisfactory; they are suitable for a debutante, aren’t they? I took her advice.”

  “Quite unexceptionable,” said Emma, “charming in fact; this one though surely shows your designs in the embroidery?”

  Prudence flushed and looked pleased; it was a gown of the finest white muslin embroidered in white and touches of gold with a running pattern of flowers and leaves.

  “Indeed, this is one that I made for myself and suited the embroidery to the styling,” she said; for the bodice had sprays of leaves running from a central flower. “Do you think it suitable dear Emma?”

  “I think it beautiful,” said Emma, “and you should save it for any special Ball to which you are invited! We must pay for tickets to public assemblies until we make acquaintances in town of course, and perhaps we might hire an assembly hall to give a Ball in your honour; if there are any to be had. But it is early in the season and that might be more easily procured before more people arrive. George shall see to that; he is quite wonderful at handling all sorts of details.”

  “Indeed yes,” agreed Prudence, “and I can only hope that I am so fortunate in obtaining as fine and gentlemanly a husband for myself; for having seen the marvellously kind way he treats you, yet as an equal and not a chattel, I will not settle for any less in my own aspirations!”

  Emma blushed; praise of her George was music to her ears!

  “I only hope that you will not find yourself disappointed,” said Emma, “for to my mind there is nobody like George and I am the luckiest woman in the world!”

  Prudence kissed her cousin fondly on the cheek; Emma and George were such a wonderful couple! She knew her father would be disappointed if she did not find a match for herself in the season but when she described how she sought a love as profound as that between her cousin and George he would surely understand, for her father had only her happiness at heart, and all his ambition for her to marry well was in order to re-establish her in the estate to which her mother had been born! She helped Emma to unpack her gowns.

  Emma too was clever enough with her needle; and had supplemented what the dressmaker in the village had made for her. Prudence held up one of her gowns, in navy lustring, beaded with gold Indian beads and blue glass bugles on the bodice and in patterns at the bottom of the skirt. It was cut with the newly fashionable high neck with a standing lace collar.

  “Why Emma! This is surely a dowager’s gown!” she laughed.

  “Well I can scarcely wear pastel muslins to escort you to balls like a debutante myself can I?” laughed Emma “How do you like my turban?” she produced a blue velvet turban adorned with a peacock feather.

  “Oh! It will look absurd upon you my dear Emma, as though you borrowed your grandmother’s costume!” laughed Prudence “Oh DO put it on!”

  Emma did so and cavorted in front of the mirror.

  “Do you not think I look prodigiously respectable in such headgear?” she asked.

  Prudence considered.

  “Emma, you have the charisma to carry it off; any girl – for you are hardly more than a girl – of less presence would indeed look ridiculous but you even make so hideous a thing as a turban look quite charming,” she said.

  Emma preened.

  “I do fancy that I can carry it off better than I feared I might,” she said, “and the blue brings out the colour of my eyes. I have a special one here in gold-woven muslin for that special occasion; it is a prodigiously rich fabric! George bought it for me as a surprise gift when he was in the city! I feared to cut into it at first but I took apart one of my old gowns that will not wash any more to use as a toile for it had been a favourite of mine; and though the train is modest I think it will be v
ery fine.”

  “Oh Emma, you will be the queen of any ballroom you wear that to!” cried Prudence. “I have longed for a gown of such a fabric but I knew I should have to come to London to purchase that; and I fear that I shall have to pay a modiste to make if, for we shall be too busy to sew much if all goes well.”

  “Then we must go shopping!” said Emma with enthusiasm, “and though I have enough gowns to be going on with, we shall both want more if you take.”

  “A Long Meg like me looks good in the style that is fashionable; right up to the moment that a man comes to ask me to dance and finds he must look up at me,” said Prudence wryly. “Perhaps there will be taller men in London.”

  “Oh! George is taller than you; and he is not alone in his inches,” said Emma, “I am sure many men will rejoice to dance with a tall, elegant girl who they might tool about the dance floor without getting a crick in their back as with the more petite ladies; I know it is more enjoyable to dance with someone closer to you in height, for I am not short myself,” she smiled, “do you think I might get away with wearing this silk overgown with a variety of coloured muslins if we make it over a little each time?” she brought out a black satin overgown with half sleeves.

  “Oh there is so much we might do with this!” said Prudence “If we can match the silk, a flounce all about the edge, and echoing the ruched necklines that are fashionable; and if I do some tambour work on motifs we might finish the edges and appliqué them to change the look, and beaded motifs the same; and I brought a lot of silk ribbons that I bought from a mill nearby papa’s mill and I shall make ribbon flowers for you, daisies and roses!”

  “Oh Prudence! Did you make the flowers on your sage green travelling gown? I admired them so much!” said Emma, “if you will make me such I would be in transports of delight!”

  It may be said that the women were quite amazed to find that George had returned for it hardly seemed an instant since he had left!

  And on the morrow, now they had good horses, they might go riding with the protective following of Joseph while George investigated the hiring of assembly rooms.

  Chapter 10

  The day was fortunately fine when Emma and Prudence sallied forth to ride in Hyde Park; they might, another time, walk in St James’ Park which was open to pedestrians only save with the licence of the crown where favoured notables might drive in their carriages. Emma had a desire to see the deer and too the cattle in St James’ park in order to compare them to George’s own beasts to see whether or not these royal cattle – whose milk was on sale to the public at midday when they were milked – were in any wise superior to those of their own herds. Privately Emma doubted that they would be; for cattle subjected to the curious scrutiny of those not familiar with farming might not be expected to be so content as their own wonderful beasts. Today, however, they were to ride, and to air their new redingotes for the purpose, Prudence’s being in olive green wool with black trimming and frogging in her favourite military style, which she carried off so well with her statuesque figure; and Emma’s in Madonna blue trimmed with white velvet. They made an attractive pair, and turned a few heads, though there were few riders in the park this early in the season. George had decided to accompany them after all, at least initially, leaving them to Joseph once he was certain that the escort of just a groom would not be looked at askance. George had no wish for either his wife or cousin to be viewed with opprobrium!

  “Who is that man over there I wonder who looks at us and seems to be approaching?” wondered Emma.

  Prudence glanced over and colour rose to her cheeks.

  “That – that is Alverston; Mr Alver’s cross uncle,” she said.

  “Mr Alverston has a different yet similar name?” Emma was intrigued. “Forgive me dear cousin but I cannot think it nice to just use his surname, the way Mrs Elton has referred to George” she added. Prudence shook her head quickly.

  “He is Lord Alverston…. So it is, I think correct to just refer to his title; that is why the name bears a resemblance but is differentiated; I told Uncle Henry but I think you were not there….”

  Alverston had approached within earshot so she said no more; and it was apparent on a horse and less elevated in height by comparison to her that he was a very tall man indeed, even allowing for his large and sturdy mount. The ladies and George bowed a greeting, which Alveston returned.

  “Miss Blenkinsop! I pray you to introduce me!” said Alverston “Though I fear you may be at a disadvantage; I fear I was rude enough, in my concern for my nephew and a familial connection to leave without furnishing you with my name!”

  “Why Lord Alverston,” said Prudence, “your man John was quick to furnish me with your consequence in case I should in any way fail to recognise it! Cousin Emma, Cousin George, permit me to introduce you to the Marquess of Alverston, the best driver in all the land who can even take poor roads safely at speed. Your Lordship, my cousins, Mr and Mrs Knightley.”

  “Your servant, ma’am, Mr Knightley,” said the marquess. “John is a trifle partisan; I hear his words in your introduction.”

  Prudence smiled.

  “He was induced to admit that there was a great deal of enjoyment to be had in travelling so fast – there was an implication of trusting the one who drove – but that too many people seek that exhilaration without having the skill to handle it,” she said.

  “You will not find my nephew so ill prepared for the road now; I have trained the cub to the point he almost hated driving,” said Alverston, “I understand the silly whelp had to deliver his apology in person since he was so foolish as to permit his puppy to eat the written version?”

  “Oh he said all that was proper; it was most civil of him to rectify his poor little dog’s appetite by seeking me out in person,” said Prudence. “He is very young.”

  Alverston gave a harsh laugh.

  “Ah, excellent; you have not fallen prey to his good looks and winning manners,” he said. “He will grow up well enough I dare say; but he is no fit suitor for any woman yet. Though I have heard nothing but how lovely Mrs Knightley is from Arthur,” he bowed to George, “and if I may be permitted to say so, he did not exaggerate! Miss Blenkinsop, how fortunate you ladies must find it that you are cast in two different moulds than none can compare one with the other!” he wore half a sneer.

  “Oh I cannot be compared to Cousin Emma; she is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen!” said Prudence, warmly, smiling at Emma.

  “And you are regal in your height!” said Emma quickly.

  The lines of cynicism faded on Alverston’s face.

  “A word of advice if you will take it,” he said, “to see such generous affection between cousins is a rare and beautiful thing; do not permit any of the old cats that you will meet in the town try to come between you.”

  “My wife and our cousin have, I think, too much good sense to listen to harmful gossip,” said George, “but the advice is heeded. And if your nephew is in town, I will not think ill of him should he wish to be much in our company until his sudden er admiration has run its course. Mrs Knightley does not play games.”

  Alverston nodded.

  “My thanks,” he said. “Miss Blenkinsop! Shall I be seeing you and your escort at Almack’s?”

  “No My Lord,” said Prudence, “even my cousin, whose birth is better than mine, does not move in the sort of circles that attend such a ….rarefied place.”

  His eyebrow and the corner of his mouth both twitched.

  “Rarefied? A singular choice of words,” he said. “Your speech does not in any wise suggest that you would be out of place there.”

  “Sir, I am the daughter of a Mill Owner,” said Prudence, with simple dignity, “and wealth may purchase education, but not social standing. My mother, Emma’s aunt, was however gently born and my father desires for me the same advantages that she had; and I fancy that Almack’s would have been above her touch also.”

  “Then, Miss Blenkinsop, I have a way in which I
might make amends for my rudeness in failing to help you personally and leaving only John and his biased opinions,” said Alverston, “I have a good knowledge of the Patronesses; and I might put your name forward, and that of Mr and Mrs Knightley as suitable candidates for vouchers; and then you might duly purchase them and make use of Almack’s as a further launch upon the social scene.”

  “You are very good sir!” Prudence almost stammered “It is a favour beyond the mild offence that was quite understandable under the circumstances!”

  “It is a matter that is easy for me; and so no great favour,” said Alverston.

  “In that case I am happy to accept,” said Prudence with a little bow.

  He smiled.

  “Good girl! I thought you had sufficient instincts as a lady as well as pride that you would not be stiff necked about it – but would cavil as a mushroom would not,” he said.

  “My cousin is indeed the soul of gentility,” said Emma defensively.

  “Oh Mrs Knightley, have I not just said so?” said the marquess. “Will you let me have your address so that I may pass it on to the Patronesses?”

  George readily furnished the marquess with their address and Alverton nodded, committing it to memory. He raised his hat briefly and rode off.

  “I thought you said he was disagreeable?” said Emma.

  “Well he was rather on the road,” said Prudence, “it is kind of him to wish to make amends; I rather ticked him off for trying to buy me off.”

  George laughed.

  “I would say that he is a hard man a lot of the time, and something of a cynic; he was truly admiring my dears that you are ready to defend each other so readily and he finds that a welcome breath of fresh air in a society where, as I understand it, the rivalry to be noticed on the social scene can be intense. I would also say,” he added, “that terrified of him as Mr Alver may be, he would be a man that a nephew might go to in serious trouble. I should also say that he would make a bad enemy but a good friend.”