Charlotte: The Practical Education of a Distressed Gentlewoman Read Online Free Page A

left.
    Charlotte shot a panicky look at
her solicitor, Mr. Cruise. “What am I going to do? He wouldn't
leave me destitute would he?”
    Dr. Answorth interjected, “That
would be wrong, wouldn't it?”
    Mr. Cruise wasn't sure, so he asked
Mr. Bayliss, “Your employer, Mr. Talbot, would he do such a
thing?”
    Bayliss coughed, and carefully
considered his words before replying. “While they are personally
charming and generous, if perhaps a bit vulgar and not to
everyone's taste, the Talbot's are ruthless in business matters.
They won't cheat you, but they will drive a hard bargain and expect
you to hold to the letter of the contract.”
    Charlotte queried, “Contract, what
contract?”
    “ Your mortgages, for example are a
contract where you promise to pay back funds with interest on a
given schedule. They're all legal and correct, but if you default
on them, he won't hesitate to foreclose.”
    “ Oh. Mr. Barford, doesn't the
income from the farms cover the payments? Father thought it
did.”
    “ On a good year, yes.”
    “ This year?”
    “ Maybe.”
    “ So I don't really have many
choices, do I? It's either sell my estate to him or he will take it
from me.”
    Mr. Bayliss frowned, dealing with
clients whom his employers had driven into a corner was his least
favorite part of being the Talbot's solicitor. That this one was a
pretty and personable young woman made it harder. He told her,
“Miss De Vere, Mr. Talbot often arranges matters that way in
business. I'm sorry for you. Why do you think the Talbot's are so
successful in financial affairs?”
    Mrs. Answorth added, in a very
quiet voice. “You do have one choice, Charlotte. I hesitate to
suggest it, but Mr. Talbot is single.”
    “ No!”
    “ It's not as if you would be able
to marry for love in any case.”
    “ But not him. Not someone I
detest.”
    Dr. Answorth added, “You should
consider it. He's personable, seems to have decent manners and
morals, and more importantly, he is rich. That rich marzipan can
help you swallow an otherwise bitter pill.”
    His wife continued, “You know you
can't marry freely, where you'd like. There are few of your rank
who will or for that matter can marry a penniless bride. Mr. Talbot
might, if you were nice to him. If he saw it as an advantage. At
least he isn't vicious.”
    “ Nothing will ever induce me to
marry that bounder. Why just look at how he treated his groom. Sent
him to London and back in a day's trip, and that was after a hard
day riding around Staverton Hall.”
    Mr. Bayliss coughed to draw
attention to himself again. “Henry has nothing to complain about.
He is very well paid to be a confidential messenger for the
Talbot's.”
    Charlotte replied, “Is being well
paid all that matters to you? How about loyalty?”
    Bayliss continued, “Loyalty goes
both ways, Mr. Talbot is very loyal to his employees, looks after
their needs and expects their loyalty in return. Henry's invalid
mother is at the rheumatic hospital in Bath. Henry thinks it's on
charity. It's not.”
    Freddy, on entering, overheard that
last exchange. “I'd appreciate it if you could keep that secret.
Henry would be upset if he found out about my
involvement.”
    Bayliss thought, “I'd be willing to
bet Henry knows.” but kept his thoughts to himself. He added aloud,
“Mr. Talbot, I wish you would let people know about your
charities.”
    “ Sorry Mr. Bayliss, no, that's a
private matter. I don't desire the attention. Charity is not
charity if you use it to publicize yourself. I might be wealthy,
but thank God I'm not a Pharisee.”
    Freddy then sat down at the table
across from Charlotte and asked simply. “Have you made a decision,
or should I go back to the pub and get another pint while you
continue discussions?”
    Charlotte gave Freddy an intense
look of dislike. Mrs. Answorth broke in, “Dr. Answorth had a
suggestion. You and Miss De Vere could get married, a marriage of
convenience. That way she could stay in her