Jane Austen’s First Love (7 page)

F
rom the moment of our arrival at Goodnestone, Charles and Brook Edward had become inseparable, and it did my heart good to see my brother so happily engaged. After seeing to it that my brother was comfortably settled in the room he shared with his new friend, Cassandra and I removed to our own chamber to unpack our trunks and prepare our toilette for dinner.

Lady Bridges offered to send one of her daughters’ maids to assist us, an indulgence we gracefully declined, preferring to spend a few moments alone together; and we got ready as we usually did.

“The Bridgeses seem to me a delightful family,” said Cassandra as she sat at the dressing-table while I helped re-arrange her hair.

“I prefer Sophia, Marianne, and Sir Bridges to anyone else in the household.”

“It is too early to pass such a judgement, Jane. We have only just arrived.”

“Three weeks more will make no difference in my impressions of them. It was plain to see who and what they all were upon our first introduction. Sophia and Marianne are bright and compassionate. Sir Bridges is a congenial, admirable man in failing health, who finds his wife extremely irritating. Lady Bridges is a proud woman who places too much emphasis on appearances and social standing—”

“Jane!”

“Fanny seems to be a self-centered snob. Elizabeth is only one step removed from such self-importance by her love of our brother—”

“Jane, enough! You are too harsh. All the Bridgeses have very interesting qualities.”

Having finished with my sister’s hair, we changed places, and she set to work tidying mine. “
Interesting
,” said I, “is a term I reserve to describe people or things so dull or ordinary, that I can find no more promising attribution.”

“
I
use it to describe things I like; and I like them all very much.”

“You like everybody, dearest; it is perhaps your finest quality, and one which I can never hope to emulate.” I sighed. “If only I could be as good as you, I would be truly content.”

“You
are
very good, Jane; a better person than you know, and I am proud to call you sister.”

Our gazes caught in the looking-glass. I repeated the sentiment, and we exchanged a smile of deep affection.

“I hope,” said Cassandra, “at dinner, you will be a
bit
more gracious to Lady Bridges, with no more ironic inquiries about bridges. I fear she does not possess our sense of humour.”

“I fear you are right,” replied I with a laugh. “Hereafter, I shall endeavour to follow Mamma’s advice, and
think
before I speak.”

The house was alive with the laughter of children as the family gathered for dinner. The moment we entered the drawing-room, my brother Edward moved to Elizabeth’s side, and the two fell into the quiet, affectionate tête-à-tête peculiar to lovers. Fanny and Sophia were apprehended by their mother, whose opinions she sought with regard to changes in the menu for the
al-fresco
party to be held a few days hence.

My heart leapt when Edward Taylor’s dark eyes caught mine, and beat even faster when, after exchanging a few words with his cousin, the two crossed the room to where Cassandra, Marianne, and I stood together.

“How have you fared since your arrival, ladies?”

“I hope you enjoyed a lovely afternoon?” added Mr. Payler, with a shy glance at Cassandra.

“We did, thank you,” answered she.

“My only regret is that I never had the opportunity to thank you both again for your assistance this morning,” replied I. “Had you not appeared so fortuitously and been so obliging, our unfortunate incident on the road might have had a more disastrous result.”

“I am truly sorry for the inconvenience and distress this morning’s events must have caused you,” replied Edward sincerely; continuing, with a twinkle in his eyes, “however, I must admit, for
my part,
I cannot consider it to be an unfortunate incident.”

“No?”

“No; for it provided me a chance to—” He paused, as if rethinking what he was about to say. “—a chance to do something very rare, which is essential to my happiness.”

“Pray tell, what is that, Mr. Taylor?”

“It allowed me the opportunity to prove
useful
.”

I smiled. “To prove useful is, indeed, something to which
I
daily aspire; but it so often eludes me.”

“Well then, you understand how I feel. The circumstance also provided another benefit, Miss Jane. It concluded with an invitation to dinner at Goodnestone, which is always a delightful prospect.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the announcement that dinner was served, and we all progressed into the very sizeable dining-room, which Sophia explained was the room they used for dancing, when the furniture was removed. I was astonished by how elegantly the long table was draped and set, and the quantity of plate on view, considering that it was only a family dinner. A great many footmen assisted us as the family took their seats by rote, leaving open seats only on the side of the table opposite Mr. Taylor, which (to my disappointment) prevented any meaningful continuation of a discussion I had only just begun to enjoy.

Sir Brook made a toast of welcome to his visitors, noting his delight that we had come all the way from Hampshire to celebrate his daughters’ engagements. To my brother Edward he added, “It is no secret how pleased Lady Bridges and I are by our Elizabeth’s choice of husband; and as for Fanny’s intended, Mr. Lewis Cage—he, too, is a most amiable man, and we look forward to his joining us for what I believe will be a remarkable month.”

As the soup was served, I said to Sophia beside me, “What is Mr. Cage like? Do you know him well?”

“Not really,” answered she quietly. “Their betrothal was very sudden, and just a fortnight after Elizabeth and Edward announced
their
engagement. We have only met a few times. I know that he is very fond of books.”

Marianne added in a low voice, “I dare say Fanny has never read but one book in her entire life—and I cannot be certain she even finished it.”

“She and Mr. Cage must have found other interests in common,” said I, smiling, “other than reading.”

Sophia did not immediately reply, and Marianne said with gravity,

“Of course you are right, Jane.”

As the dinner continued, light conversation was heard from the top of the table, and congenial laughter from the children at the bottom. I made a point of complimenting all the dishes that I tried, which seemed to please Lady Bridges when she overheard it. At one point, I found Edward Taylor looking at me, and our glances converged in a brief but mutual smile.

After the desserts were consumed, we left the men and withdrew to the drawing-room, where Charles and Brook Edward engaged in a game of chess, the younger boys played on the floor, and Lady Bridges held court on a sofa, with Fanny and Sophia on either side, Elizabeth and Marianne seated beside them, and Louisa and Harriot at their feet, in a tableau which looked to be a family habit of long standing. Cassandra and I procured two unoccupied chairs close by, and I said to Lady Bridges:

“I believe you mentioned in your letter, ma’am, that both your daughters’ weddings will take place at the end of the year?”

“Yes.” Lady Bridges’s smile reflected her genuine enthusiasm with regard to the subject matter. “It was Mr. Knight’s wish at the first, that Edward and Elizabeth not be married immediately, as they are both so young, and Sir Brook and I could not agree more. We think to have a double wedding in December.”

“Mamma,” said Fanny with a calculated sweetness, “I have told you before: my wedding day must be all my
own
. And I still do not understand why
I
must wait until December.
I
am not so very young, and neither is Mr. Cage. Surely
our
nuptials should not be governed by the cautious thinking of Mr. Knight!”

“You and Mr. Cage have not been very long acquainted, my dear,” said Lady Bridges. “Your father and I were engaged for more than two years, and I believe that an engagement of some length is a healthy thing. Besides, when I think of all the linen and wedding clothes which I must have made up for your trousseaus—and on top of
that,
all the festivities I am obliged to arrange
this
month—it is enough to make one’s head spin.”

“I still say it is not fair,” protested Fanny with a frown. “I am the eldest; I should be able to marry whenever I choose. Mr. Cage lives so far away; a lengthy engagement is really not convenient, Mamma.”

“It is not such a hardship for Mr. Cage to come hither to see you, Fanny,” replied Lady Bridges. “Remember, he can always stay with his friend Mr. Deedes in Canterbury.”

“Where does Mr. Cage live?” inquired I.

“He is the owner of the manor of West Langdon in Milgate, Bearsted, devised to him many years past,” answered Fanny proudly. “He has told me all about it, and I so long to live there! It is by all accounts a large and magnificent estate, with ever so many grand parlours and chambers and extensive pleasure-grounds.”

“Where is Bearsted?” asked Cassandra.

“It is some thirty-eight miles to the west,” answered Elizabeth, “near Maidstone.”

“Fanny will be very happy with Mr. Cage,” noted Louisa with an envious sigh, from where she sat on the carpet, “for he has a fine house
and
three thousand a year.”

“I hope Mr. Cage possesses other fine qualities, apart from his house and income,” said I, laughing.

“Oh that he does, my dear,” replied Lady Bridges. “He is a most amiable man of unexceptionable good character.”

“I will have a new carriage and four, and ever so many gowns, and family jewels which are worth a fortune,” said Fanny. “We will have ever so much more to live on than Elizabeth and Edward. As it does not suit Mr. Knight to give up much at present,
their
income will be small.”

Elizabeth blushed at this declaration and cried defensively,

“Edward is heir to numerous properties at Godmersham
and
Chawton, and will one day be far richer than Mr. Cage could ever hope to be!”

“Perhaps so, but in the meantime, you must be content to live at Rowling.”

“Rowling is an excellent house. Papa is fitting it up very nicely for us.”

“I am sure you will be happy there, even if it
is
small and dark. Sadly, the parlour does not have a good exposure, the windows face full west, and I hope you will not find the fireplace too drafty; the last tenants made complaints of that nature.”

“I am sure the house will be charming and suit all our needs,” insisted Elizabeth, her eyes flashing. “At least it is within walking distance of Goodnestone, so I may see Mamma and Papa whenever I wish! Whereas
you
will be a full thirty-eight miles away, and may only see them at Christmas!”

“Girls! Girls!” cried Lady Bridges. “I will hear no more of this! We have much to celebrate to-night. If you cannot be civil to each other, you had better not speak at all.”

I, too, was weary of this discourse, and troubled to see that such contention existed between the sisters; Cassandra’s countenance reflected her equal disenchantment. At that moment the door opened, and the tea and coffee were brought in.

As the beverage service was set up, to my surprise, I noticed Edward Taylor and Thomas Payler standing in the open doorway, beckoning to my sister and me. From their silent gestures, they made known to us that they wished to go without—and wanted us to join them. The other ladies in the room appeared too engrossed to perceive their presence.

Cassandra shook her head slightly at me. I was dismayed; Edward Taylor wished for me to join him for a walk! How could I refuse? It was not at all inappropriate if we both went, for we would have two escorts. To my sister, I whispered:

“You
cannot
deny me this.” Standing, I said to Lady Bridges: “Forgive me, madam. I have a slight headache; I am sorry to miss tea, but I think I require some fresh air. Might my sister and I be allowed to take a walk in your gardens?”

“You may,” replied she, adding, “I wonder where the gentlemen are? They should have arrived by now.” Her attention was then diverted to the business of serving the tea and coffee.

I gave Cassandra a meaningful, imploring glance; she hesitated with slight confusion, but at last, sighing, rose and accompanied me as I crossed the room and slipped out the doorway.

Holding a finger to his lips, Edward Taylor led us through the oval ante-room into the central hall, where he quietly closed the connecting door. I could not help but smile.

“What is the meaning of this intriguing removal, Mr. Taylor?” stated I softly. “Were you not enjoying a glass of port with the other gentlemen?”

“We were,” replied he, keeping his voice equally low so as not to be overheard, “and I enjoy a good port as much as the next man; but Sir Brook and your brother have spent the past twenty-five minutes discussing the difficulties of rent collection from recalcitrant farmers, and have now embarked on the price of hay. It seemed the ideal time to make our exit.”

“I should think these subjects to be of interest to you,” said Thomas Payler, “as you and I shall one day be in charge of tenant farmers ourselves, and will have regular dealings with the sale of hay.”