Lady Vernon and Her Daughter: A Novel of Jane Austen's Lady Susan Page 2

  Upon the death of Sir William Martin, at the end of the winter season, Sir Frederick and Lady Vernon, accompanied by her parents, traveled to Ealing Park, the Martin estate in Derbyshire. The family circle was so compatible, and of such comfort to Lady Martin and Sir James, that they were all urged to prolong their visit as long as they could. Sir Frederick readily consented; he was very fond of Lady Martin and her son, and his kindness, his steadiness, and his good humor were so pleasing to them that if Lady Martin ever did sigh, “Ah, if only she had married my James!” it was quickly followed by “But I daresay she could not have done much better.”

  The Vernons did not return to Churchill Manor until December and found that owing to some delays in the procurement of materials and laborers (for many had been hired from the local population and could only be enlisted when they were not wanted on their own properties and farms), their improvements were but half-finished. They remained, therefore, only to give a few informal balls and dinners for the neighbors and to pass out shillings to the carol singers and pres ents of money and mince pies to the servants. Once the slice of twelfth cake was eaten, they again removed to London. An appeal from Lady Martin (who was, at her son’s insistence, to remain at Ealing Park) that she not be abandoned to James and his merry set of friends for the entire summer persuaded them to put off Churchill Manor once again. A visit to Mr. Lewis deCourcy at Bath was followed by a long stay in Derbyshire, where Sir James’s succession of balls, water parties, and picnics kept them well into the beginning of autumn.

  It was in the middle of this visit that Sir Frederick received a letter from Mr. Deane, giving a favorable report of his progress and yet acknowledging that it would be many months more before the renovations were complete. Sir Frederick was content to give his steward all the time that was necessary; his lady, however, confided to him a very particular reason that they must be settled well before the date that Mr. Deane had proposed.

  Sir Frederick’s delight in the prospect of an addition to their family was exceedingly great, and when their visit at Ealing Park was concluded, they repaired immediately to London, where they would remain until Lady Vernon was confined.

  In the early part of spring, they welcomed into their family a daughter, christened Frederica Susannah, and the matter of a fixed residence now acquired some urgency.

  “A child must be given the advantage of open space and fresh air,” Sir Frederick decided. “Churchill Manor will not be ready for another six months at least and—I am sure you will forgive me—I do not think that Ealing Park would suit, at least not for the coming summer.”

  “Why may we not find another purchase?” suggested Lady Vernon. “We have fortune enough, and it will be something that we may settle upon Frederica, as she will have no claim upon Churchill Manor.”

  “An excellent scheme!” declared Sir Frederick. “I will leave the choice entirely to you. Only let it have some fishing and some grouse or pheasant or woodcock to shoot, and whatever you like for yourself, and I will be content.”

  Lady Vernon turned up an excellent property in Staffordshire. The manor house had been built within the last century, and both the grounds and the interior were laid out in a style that combined elegance with comfort and sense, while the extensive woods offered some of the finest sport in the country. The neighbors were said to be as agreeable a collection of folk as one would meet anywhere, with the nearest of them being the Clarkes, an affable couple who, despite dissimilar natures, were admired through all of Staffordshire as models of conjugal felicity. He was a quiet gentleman who enjoyed a morning stroll with his dogs and the remainder of the day among his books, and his wife was a lively woman who must spend part of every day visiting the neighbors or walking into town. There were also the Misses Clarke, two little girls a few years older than Frederica, who, Lady Vernon and Sir Frederick hoped, might be companions for their daughter.

  Sir Frederick was so pleased with his lady’s choice that he left all of the bargaining to her as well. Lady Vernon did justice to his confidence and got a price that was three thousand less than he would have paid, and Sir Frederick rewarded her cleverness by settling the difference upon her.

  The dwelling was christened Vernon Castle, and they were so delighted with it that it became their country home, and Churchill Manor was only opened for a fortnight every Christmas.

  chapter three

  The Vernons were as enthusiastically courted as any couple will be when they are handsome, clever, and have plenty of money. Every picnic and shooting party at Vernon Castle added to Sir Frederick’s affability, and every reception at Portland Place added to his wife’s brilliance. Even little Frederica, who was not seen enough to give any material impression of her character or appearance, was said to be the prettiest and most well-behaved child who ever lived.

  Alas, after ten years of universal goodwill, there came a decline in their fortunes, for which Sir Frederick’s brother bore no small responsibility.

  Charles Vernon’s pride had sustained a blow when Susan Martin chose Frederick over himself, but he knew that the surest way to preserve Sir Frederick’s trust and liberality was to keep up a facade of family affection. When he was not imposing upon his brother’s hospitality, he was in the company of a very fast set who had a love of gaming and a reliance upon speculation rather than employment. Charles introduced some of these acquaintances to Sir Frederick, who found them so personable and their manners so engaging that he set down their impulsiveness and indiscretion to affability and allowed them to lure him into an ill-fated speculation. The result of this was a considerable financial loss. To Sir Frederick’s credit, he blamed no one but himself for the error of judgment, nor did he allow self-reproach to embitter his warm and openhearted nature. Charles Vernon was equally complacent; he had no conscience to provoke embarrassment or remorse. If he did experience any anxiety, it was only when he wondered whether his brother’s situation would affect his own invitations to shoot at Staffordshire and to dine at Portland Place.

  Lady Vernon would surely have advised against the scheme, but these associates had imposed upon Sir Frederick at a time when she had been obliged to spend several weeks in town, to attend to her ailing father. His untimely death, followed in a fortnight by her mother’s demise, deprived Sir Frederick of his most prudent counsel, and Lady Vernon learned nothing of the predicament until it was irrevocable and the money was lost.

  Sir Frederick’s creditors were kept at bay until the disposition of his father-in-law’s fortune was known, as his daughter’s bequest might be equal to what they were owed and spare them the embarrassment of having to go to the duns. The will was read, and as with almost every other will, it brought more disappointment than consolation. John Martin had been so confident in his daughter’s security that he never ceased to indulge his own extravagance, and what modest fortune he had managed to set aside (as his wife had not long survived him) was to be divided among his faithful servants, with the remainder settled upon Frederica. The latter portion allowed her parents a life interest, but this amount was too little to materially relieve their present distress, and Sir Frederick decided that they must settle their debts by finding a tenant for their house in town or a purchaser for Vernon Castle.

  “Churchill Manor has long been ready for our tenancy,” declared Sir Frederick, “and it would not do to keep two country houses and have nothing in town, as Frederica will be out in a few years, and it would be greatly to her advantage if we retained Portland Place.”

  “I confess, my love, I am more concerned that Freddie be left with no place at all,” his lady replied. “Vernon Castle was to be settled upon her.”

  “You are quite right, my dear, but a good match will make Freddie her own mistress, and if we sell Vernon Castle and are frugal for the next few years, I may mend my affairs and add considerably to her portion. There is something else in its favor, as I have the advantage of an immediate offer. Charles has written that if we find ourselves compelled to give up Vernon
Castle, he will take it off our hands. You know that Charles has always wanted a property of his own and he is particularly anxious to settle on something quickly.”

  Lady Vernon could not conceal her surprise. Where had Charles Vernon, always in want of ready money, got the funds to purchase any property at all? Had he profited from his brother’s loss and having deprived Sir Frederick of money now meant to take his property as well?

  “And why is he so eager to settle now, pray?”

  “He is engaged to be married.”

  “Charles? Engaged?”

  “Yes, it all happened only in the last fortnight, it seems. Even our friend Mr. Lewis deCourcy has written to me of his surprise at how speedily it all took place. But Charles is nearly five and thirty, you know, and ought to have settled before now.”

  “But how is Mr. deCourcy involved in the matter?”

  “It is his niece, the daughter of Mr. deCourcy’s elder brother, Sir Reginald, whom Charles means to marry. Their sister is Lady Hamilton, so the connection is an excellent one for my brother. I have been told that Mr. deCourcy means to extend to Charles the same patronage he did to your father.”

  “To place him in a banking house?” Lady Vernon inquired with some surprise. She did not add that she would not have put Charles Vernon where he might have a free hand over other people’s money. “I wonder, then, that Charles would purchase an estate so far from town. And what sort of offer has he made you for Vernon Castle?”

  Sir Frederick named a price that seemed so shockingly low to Lady Vernon that it took all of her self-command to keep from expressing her indignation. “And what do you mean to do?” she asked Sir Frederick.

  “My dear Susan!” he cried. “It was through your efforts that we found Vernon Castle and I would not let it go to anybody without your consent. Our affection for the place, and our intimacy with our good neighbors, the Clarkes, would make it very difficult to surrender entirely. I thought that it might be of some comfort for you to know that Vernon Castle has not gone to strangers.”

  Lady Vernon wisely refrained from remarking that she would not be comforted to see a property that was to be settled on their daughter pass down to Charles Vernon and his children. After a moment’s consideration, Lady Vernon observed, “My dear Frederick, it is not always wise to enter into business with family. If matters go wrong, there is so much ill feeling, and you would not want to risk that, particularly when the occasion of Charles’s marriage may bring us all together more. Surely Miss deCourcy will bring something of a fortune into the marriage, which ought to allow them to purchase. Let us look elsewhere. My Aunt Martin has a very wide acquaintance, and I am certain that she can help us find a purchaser, and if she cannot, we may reconsider your brother’s offer.”

  “Your advice is excellent!” agreed the amiable Sir Frederick. “I am quite of your opinion. When you next write to your aunt, lay our situation before her, and I will wait upon her reply before I give Charles my answer.”

  Lady Vernon to Lady Martin

  My dear Aunt Martin,

  I know that some word of our circumstances will have preceded this letter, for it seems that anything in the way of misfortune can never be kept to one’s self. To be sure, it would have been more interesting if I had run off with the groom, or some natural son of Frederick’s had turned up at our door, but alas, it is only money that distresses us, or the lack of it at least.

  We must, it seems, give up Vernon Castle if we are to remain above water, and will be compelled to spend our country months at Churchill Manor. I can only hope that you and James will overlook the informality of the neighborhood and come to visit us there. You need not worry about its being too lively, or of falling into a crowd that demands that you always appear to advantage—those people will certainly drop us, and the only excitement that is likely to occur will be for someone to be mistook for a stag or a grouse and to be shot by another in his hunting party.

  In the meantime, if you or my cousin happen to know of a purchaser for Vernon Castle, one who would give us a price that would be fair enough to alleviate our present distress, I hope that you will be the means of an introduction. We have had one offer made to us, one that is so small as to be insulting, and I cannot allow Frederick to be taken advantage of, not even out of fraternal affection. But of that, I will say no more.

  I remain,

  Your affectionate niece,

  Etc. etc.

  Lady Martin gave this letter to her son, who immediately responded with an offer to forward whatever money was necessary to ease Sir Frederick’s distress. A succession of letters followed in which the matter was argued back and forth with all of the lively antagonism that had marked the youthful quarrels of the cousins, for Lady Vernon had a strong aversion to accepting charity while Sir James was determined to bestow it. The genteel arrangements between her father and his creditors, and the more vulgar maneuvers by which Charles Vernon had remained solvent, had given Lady Vernon a thorough disgust of indebtedness.

  Convinced that his cousin would not yield, Sir James wrote to Sir Frederick.

  If you are determined upon the sale of Vernon Castle, allow me to be your surrogate. I promise that I will find you a purchaser who will not offer a penny less than what is fair. Devote your energies to my dear cousin, whose recent loss must make your obligation to her uppermost in your consideration. Give me the power to act for you in all the rest.

  To this Sir Frederick consented and Sir James acted with discretion and speed. Before a month had passed, Sir Frederick was informed that a gentleman named Edwards, with a wife and two sons, had taken a fancy to Vernon Castle. Sir Frederick gave his wife’s cousin power to act in his stead and the business was concluded without the necessity of Sir Frederick even going to Staffordshire.

  Charles Vernon was very angry when he heard that he had been cheated out of Vernon Castle, and he confided to Miss deCourcy that it had all been Lady Vernon’s doing, implying that she had come to regret her choice and as she could not bear to see Charles happily married to another, she meant to thwart him in everything. This left Miss deCourcy with no fond feelings toward her future sister-in-law, and with no desire to ever know her.

  chapter four

  Frederica Vernon had not reached her eleventh year when her family was obliged to give up Vernon Castle. Still, she possessed the strength of understanding and superior abilities that supported her in the loss of all that was familiar and reconciled her to the move from Staffordshire to Sussex.

  She was not disheartened by the prospect of a quieter style of living, for she had never been easy in any company outside her family circle. She had not yet learned to feign an interest in conversation or mask her desire to retreat to a book. Under the tuition of her mother and an excellent governess, she became diligent and accomplished, but nothing was acquired for praise or show. She learned to play upon the harp and the pianoforte with considerable proficiency, though never with the élan of one who means to perform before company. She learned to paint and sketch but confined her subjects to flowers and wildlife, for she would not impose upon a human subject to sit for her. When the weather was poor, she was happy to pass the day in Churchill’s superior library, and when it was fair, she was equally pleased to explore the grounds for some curious specimen of moss or leaf, or to attempt to improve the flower beds and greenhouses.

  Her parents and governess approved this activity, which was particularly suited to Frederica’s patience and curiosity, and given complete liberty to do as she liked, she brought the forcing garden back to use, laid out a convenient kitchen garden, cultivated a variety of flowers, and coaxed the pear trees into bloom and yield.

  That winter, the Vernons went up to town with every expectation that their society would not be as eagerly sought as when they did not have to practice anything like economy. Sir James Martin, however, had resolved that his cousins should not be slighted by anybody, and they were not two nights in London before he gave a grand party in their honor. He
had a spirited set of companions to supply the gaiety, ladies and gentlemen picked up before he had come into his title and who could not be got rid of afterward; the elegance was furnished by the distinguished families who had a sister or daughter of marriageable age, for Sir James was considered to be one of the most eligible young men in England.

  At this gathering, Lady Vernon was introduced to a Mrs. Johnson. Mr. Johnson had made his fortune in trade, which had put him at variance with his lady. She believed that her husband’s wealth entitled them to know everyone of distinction, while Mr. Johnson was of the opinion that it relieved him of the necessity of knowing anyone at all. He contrived to be at his club when his lady received visitors, and sent her to balls and parties when he wanted to spend a quiet evening among his books. Her accounts of gaiety and noise, meant to tempt him out of his misanthropy, had the reverse effect and always left him very glad that he had stayed at home.

  “What an agreeable party!” Mrs. Johnson began. “Sir James brings together such lively company. I am sure that Mr. Johnson, if only he would come out, would not find it at all tedious.”

  “Does Mr. Johnson not like dancing?”

  “He would like it well enough if it could be accomplished alone and in silence and with a book in one hand! And if I tease him for being so dull, he will threaten to give up London altogether and move to the country! Perhaps he would come out if Robert Manwaring would stay away,” she declared with a nod in that gentleman’s direction. “But that will never happen, for Manwaring is as determined to seek pleasure as my bon mari is to avoid it.”