Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave - Stephanie Barron [92]
And she is undoubtedly useful, in knowing everyone, and being welcome everywhere.
I arrived at No. 24 Upper Berkeley Street—but a few steps from Scargrave House's door—with a spirit for adventure and a desire to encompass Eliza in my schemes. Fortune was with me—my brother was out and Eliza at liberty. Her maid Manon showed me to the sitting-room, where the petite comtesse was tucked up before a brisk fire, her writing things at hand, and her little dog, Pug, established in her lap.
“My dearest Jane!” my cousin cried, thrusting the dog to the floor and standing in haste. “I had not an idea you were in London! Have you eloped with some dashing young man, and come to me for protection?”
“Having heard of the affair of Harris Bigg-Wither, you cannot believe it possible,” I said, smiling. “I am sworn off men for a twelvemonth at least, having failed to attract the men I like, and behaved infamously to the ones I abhor.”
“You should have been wasted upon such a poor pup,” Eliza rejoined dismissively; “and had you asked my advice, I should certainly have counseled you the same. But I suppose your family is mortified? They always are,” she finished cheerfully, “when women think for themselves. Well! How are we to celebrate such a meeting?”
“I was hoping to prevail upon you, Eliza,” I said, “to accompany me on a matter of some delicacy.”
“Delicate affairs being my chief occupation,” she observed, her eyes sparkling with interest.
“It concerns the Duke of Wilborough,” I continued, “or rather, his brother.”
“Trowbridge? Good Lord, you haven't set your cap at that fellow, my dear? I'm as fond as the next of dangerous rogues; I was quite susceptible to them, at one time. But Lord Harold is too much of the real thing.”
“I think him quite the most evil man I have ever met.”
“And with reason.” Eliza fluttered her many-ringed fingers in my direction. “There are those who say he was the financial ruin of Sir Hugh Carmichael, and that he seduced his wife; in any case, she was sent away to family in Wales until the child was born, and poor Sir Hugh shot himself in the middle of Pall Mall not two months ago. A scandalous business. But how do you come to know Lord Harold Trowbridge?”
“I shall tell you in the carriage,” I said, “for time is of the essence.”
“But, my dear Jane—I must think what to wear. For this old thing cannot do for the Duke of Wilborough's residence. No, indeed.” Dismayed, she surveyed her short-sleeved gown, of pumpkin-coloured silk overlaid with bronze braid, and cut as always in the latest fashion. At forty-one, cousin Eliza has not cast off her youth, and to judge from her effect on most gentlemen, her care is well rewarded. She cast a swift glance in the mirror and hurried towards the door; Pug at her heels. “I shall not be a moment, Jane. Manon!”
1. Spencer Perceval (later Prime Minister of England, assassinated in the House of Commons, 1812) was Attorney-General in 1803, and thus should have argued the case for the Crown. His “indisposition” may, in fact, have been overwork—he was engrossed at this time in preparing the prosecution of a Colonel Despard, who had recently plotted the assassination of George IE and the overthrow of the government.—Editor's note.
2. As noted elsewhere, a defense lawyer in 1802 could do very little for his client—being barred from questioning or cross-examining the prosecution's witnesses or allowing the defendant to testify on his or her own behalf. His role was limited to arguing points of law as presented in the prosecution's case.—Editor's note.
3. Austen scholars believe that Eliza de Feuillide is the probable model for Jane Austen's most outrageous heroine, Lady Susan, of the eponymous novel. Eliza was probably the natural child of Warren Hastings (Governor-General of Bengal from the 1760s to the mid-1780s), and Jane Austen's aunt, Philadelphia Austen Hancock. Hastings stood god-father to the