The Persuasion of Miss Jane Brody (7 page)

“I will go out directly and start calling on those on your list whom I have marked. I will vouch for your characters and education and advise each lady that you are commencing next Monday. That will give you almost a week to organise your lesson plans and supplies. I think your fees are reasonable for what you can offer. I do so hope that you are successful.”

“And I shall do the same,” said Elizabeth. “I am looking forward to my first efforts at teaching.

“Ought you to obtain your brother’s permission first?” asked Jane.

Elizabeth paused. “I don’t see how he could have any objection.”

Jane nodded in acceptance, although wondering if Lady Elizabeth was correct.

By the time Jane and Anna left Mrs Courtice’s home, Jane felt more confident that their enterprise would succeed. Arm-in-arm the sisters walked to the home of the next person on their list. They made half a dozen calls, which gave them hope that their enterprise would succeed, arriving
home at five o’clock.

As she flopped onto her bed in relief, Jane thought again of Lady Elizabeth’s offer to assist. It had been a God-send. So many of the mothers had asked for instruction in fancy work. Jane was thankful she had been able to assure them that the lessons would be conducted by Lord Dalton’s sister, whose fine needlework was known by many of them. Her name certainly enhanced their establishment. It was impossible then not to think of Lady Elizabeth’s brother. Their brief and highly emotional encounter seemed a lifetime ago. Although she hadn’t seen him once to remind her, it had replayed in her mind throughout the exhausting nursing of her father. She thought of him frequently and longingly although she had known him such a short time.

After a week of social calls and preparations, they were ready. The first day of the sisters’ new school began early, as Jane’s always did. Instead of writing pamphlets at dawn she organised plans for lessons. Anna was eager but nervous about teaching children other than her siblings, so Jane spent time over breakfast reassuring her that all would be well. “Besides, Lady Elizabeth will be here with us this afternoon for the sewing lesson. All the mothers want their daughters to have daily embroidery lessons, so Lady Elizabeth will be very busy.”

As quickly as the first day began it was over. At three o’clock, when the last nursemaid led her charge away, Jane, Anna and Elizabeth collapsed on the worn sofa in the sitting room. “Anna, pull the bell for tea please,” Jane requested. “I don’t think I could get up again.”

No sooner had they finished their tea and scones when their maid knocked on the door and announced Lord Dalton, who entered immediately.

Surprised, Jane rose quickly to her feet, brushing her dress to dispel its creases. “Lord Dalton. We weren’t expecting you. But of course, we ought to, as of course, you might collect your sister. I just didn’t think.” Jane mentally groaned as she listened to herself blathering on.

Luckily Anna saved her from her
faux pas
by calmly greeting Lord Dalton and offering him afternoon tea, which he accepted. Anna offered him a seat and rang the bell for more hot water.

Lord Dalton’s face was unsmiling. He bowed stiffly. “Allow me to tell you both how deeply sorry I am about your father’s passing away. He will be very missed, not only by his family, but by his many friends, acquaintances and parishioners.”

“Thank you Lord Dalton, you are very kind,” responded Jane formally.

“Despite the circumstances I am glad to see that you are going forward boldly Miss Brody.”

Again Jane was flustered, this time by his praise, and she hesitated before thanking him.

“My sister informs me that you have commenced a school for young ladies. If I can be of any assistance to you, please let me know.”

“We will.” Jane smiled her thanks. “Perhaps one way in which you could assist would be to help us in our quest for a midshipman’s position for our brother Christopher. He desires a naval career and now is the right time for him to start, he believes, and indeed he is the usual entry age.”

“Certainly, I will do all that I can to assist through enquiry of my contacts in the Admiralty.”

“Thank you, we would be so glad to see Christopher settled. I’m sure it can be no fun to be the only boy in a girls’ school,” said Anna.

“And perhaps as he gets older, unseemly,” said Lord Dalton.

Jane could only agree that it would appear odd to many people and may deter some parents from sending their daughters.

The awkwardness of their first meeting was worse than Jane had imagined but as the visit drew to a close she didn’t want it to end. She searched his face for a sign of his emotions but could see none. He was master of the impassive.
Her
emotions seesawed from blushing embarrassment to bewildered joy at seeing him again. Watching his face as he teased his sister, she remembered with surprise, the way the corners of his eyes crinkled. He listened with interest as Anna spoke of the children in her class but with her he was almost silent. When the siblings departed, Jane sighed with relief and realised how tense she had been for the half hour of the visit.

 
Six

Jane and Anna worked hard over the next month, always hoping that their acquaintances would send more children; yet no matter how many mothers to whom they presented their syllabus, not one more child arrived on their doorstep. Jane had the dilemma of whether to let the house go when the lease ended and find a smaller, probably less well-located residence, which risked losing the few pupils they had. Their servants were already few in number: a cook-cum housekeeper, a maid and Joe the odd-jobs and outdoor man; all of them long-term employees. It was already difficult to pay the creditors but they managed – just.

Meanwhile, Lord Dalton had been as good as his word. His application to a friend in the Admiralty and their brother’s influence, had combined to find an opening for Christopher. So by the conclusion of their first month in business Jane and Anna were tearfully sewing, mending and packing to send him off to sea. Christopher appeared not in the least upset about leaving his family for an adventurous life in the Royal Navy, but was wildly enthusiastic to start. It was only at their final parting as he was put on the coach for Portsmouth, with a returning officer from his assigned ship, that he showed any emotion and clung to them both as they hugged him and exhorted him to write often. Jane and Anna waved and smiled bravely while the coach was in sight, then held each other sobbing before walking home arm-in-arm.

However, disaster struck soon afterwards when one family withdrew their two daughters. The explanation given was the comment: “I would never have sent them here if I had truly known the manner of your behaviour, Miss Brody.”

“Whatever can you mean Lady Murdoch?” Jane asked.

“If you don’t know, nothing I can say will make any difference. Your past behaviour and writings have let you down. No-one will want their daughters educated by you once they realise.” Lady Murdoch looked haughty and displeased.

Jane was confused. “I have no idea what you can being talking of. There must be some mistake or some untrue story being circulated.”

“Where there is smoke, there is fire, as the saying goes,” Lady Murdoch said as though imparting a pearl of truth.

“Who can possibly be saying anything about my behaviour that could be construed as unseemly? I assure you there is no truth in whatever unsavoury tale you have been told. I can only think that someone has set out deliberately to disparage me, perhaps to destroy my livelihood from running this school. You need to remember Lady Murdoch, that your precipitate actions without evidence are damaging not only me, but also my younger sisters and brother who are completely innocent of any wrong-doing. As am I, I might add!”

“Well, I can’t run the risk with my children’s innocence Miss Brody. You must staunch the rumours about your liaison with the Marquis of Dalton or take the consequences.”

“Now we are getting closer to the truth of the malevolence. What exactly has been said? I can’t understand how my name has even been linked with that of the Marquis.”

“Well, it is being linked and in a most distasteful way. Your writings in favour of women’s education have thrown you into the mould of Mary Wollstonecraft, whose reputation was of an immoral Jacobin. It is not a reputation you can bear if you are running a school for young ladies. Your association with Dalton has been coloured by that background.”

Jane felt ill at the thought. It was so much worse than she could ever have expected. How could the little time she had spent in the company of Dalton have ever been interpreted in such a way? Some evil mind and motive must be responsible.

Lady Murdoch saw her distress and her softened words showed that she had some sympathy and disbelief, but she was still implacable about her children leaving. “Even though I have seen only good in what you are trying to achieve and in your behaviour Miss Brody, and though I held your parents in high regard, I cannot risk scandal attached to my husband’s name or our children. You must understand that I will continue to support your charity causes, of course, as they are so worthy.” Lady Murdoch patted her arm in a gesture of condescending compassion then departed the house.

Jane knew that the loss of two pupils was a serious blow to their fledgling school; and indeed their creditors’ bills began piling up within a very short time. Anna offered to take a governesses’ position but Jane refused to let her sacrifice herself, arguing that Anna was needed to keep running the school for the few pupils they had. Lady Elizabeth still refused to give up, and she and Mrs Courtice forayed out to many morning teas to find more pupils.

Unfortunately their efforts came to little, as at each turn they were challenged to defend both Jane’s educational views and her honour. Lady Elizabeth’s staunch rebuttal of any impropriety by Jane was treated with smug looks of disbelief. The source of such slander remained a mystery to the women.

Jane’s first thought was outrage. As time passed she decided she had to know what was being said about the Marquis of Dalton and her. Once she made up her mind she asked whether she might accompany Lady Elizabeth home after her fancy work class to speak with the Marquis.

Lady Elizabeth readily agreed. Arriving at Dalton House, Jane felt all the awe she had experienced at each previous visit as she walked under the portico and through the imposing foyer.

The butler informed Lady Elizabeth that her brother had just returned and would soon be in the drawing room ready for tea.

They had only a few minutes to wait for the Marquis. He entered the room just as Elizabeth pulled the bell rope for the tea to be brought in. On seeing Jane seated near his sister he paused, his face briefly betraying his surprise before he greeted her with cool courtesy. Jane contained her impatience for answers and joined in the siblings’ conversation.

As soon as the tea cups were empty in their saucers, Elizabeth turned the conversation to the one occupying Jane’s mind. “Jonathan, some nasty rumour is being circulated about Jane and you. No-one knows where it started but it is affecting enrolments at Jane’s school. I’ll leave you to discuss the matter and what can be done.” Elizabeth left quickly giving Jane a reassuring smile.

Dalton looked annoyed. Jane didn’t know whether it was about the rumour’s existence or her presence in his home to discuss it. Undaunted, Jane launched into speech. “I’ve been told by a mother who withdrew her children from the school that there is speculation about an inappropriate relationship between us. Have you heard anything of this nature, my lord?”

A frown etched his forehead. “I have heard nothing myself Miss Brody - but perhaps that is understandable as the subjects of such talk are often the last to hear it. I am very sorry that your reputation is being attacked. I have said nothing to harm it. Indeed, I would never intentionally do anything to damage your reputation.” He looked sincere.

“Then how has such talk come about?” Jane felt close to despair. She was no nearer to knowing the cause of her current financial woes or the name of her tormentor. She could not think of one person to whom she might have caused harm that would warrant this type of revenge and nastiness. Of course, there could be many people who found her ideas and beliefs threatening.

“I will do all I can to find out who is spreading rumours, but I may be the last person to hear.” Jonathan sounded concerned and earnest in his desire to help her. “Can I lend you money to make up your shortfall?” he asked.

“Absolutely not!” Jane was adamant. She felt desperate to get away from his charity. “I must go, there are many tasks to complete for tomorrow’s lessons.”

“Let me call the carriage for you Miss Brody.”

“No, no. Joe is with me. I will walk … thank you.” Embarrassed and dispirited, Jane left quickly, feeling no less worried and no wiser.

After several weeks Jane despaired of ever making a go of the school sufficiently to pay their household bills. “Oh Anna, we will have to give up this house after all when the lease expires and sell all that we can. If not, it’s debtors’ prison for us, I fear!”

Anna looked stricken. “Yes, of course, we will do whatever must be done.”

“I had better look for another, smaller house. We will need to move before Christmas. And we must sell most of the furniture so we can fit into a smaller residence. The money we receive will pay some of the bills from the time before Papa died.”

“Will it be enough though?” Anna asked.

Jane shrugged her shoulders and frowned. “If not, we may have to alternate in taking a governess position. One of us will stay at home to care for and teach Katherine and the few pupils we have and to provide a home for Christopher when he has shore leave.”

The arrival of the first debt collector on their doorstep, who their housekeeper sent on his way, was the sign that their steps to reduce their costs and sell their excess furniture were not sufficient to cover the expenses without their father’s ongoing income.

Despite this situation, Mrs Creevy and Joe refused to find other employment, preferring instead to stay with the family they had served for the last twenty years.

“How can I leave you now Miss Brody,” stated Mrs Creevy, their middle-aged housekeeper who had begun working for the family soon after Jane’s parents married. “After all you have been through? What would your mother say to me! When she took to her bed the last time she asked me to help you should she not live and I won’t go back on my word.”

Joe said much the same, citing Rev Brody as his source. Jane cried softly after they had left the sitting room. Such devotion to their parents and themselves was a wonderful thing, but also a grave responsibility.

Both sisters applied for governess positions and placed their names with agencies known to Mrs Courtice. It was Anna who was most sought out, however, as Jane’s name as a pamphlet-writer in favour of non-traditional education for girls was far too well-known. So it was that Anna was the first to obtain a position - with a Lord Marchmere’s family in London. “At least I won’t be far from home,” she told Jane, putting a positive spin on her impending departure and new role.

The change to the school’s address caused the final collapse of Jane’s enterprise, as the distance to travel for the remaining pupils outweighed the benefits of their education with Jane. According to their parents, taking their carriages out of household usage twice a day when they were needed, rather than the children walking with their nursemaids to Harley Street, was too great a burden.

Jane shed some bitter tears in the privacy of her bedroom. Where were her dreams now? Of a new way of educating girls through her school, and money enough to live a worthy life?

With the impending closure of the school, Lady Elizabeth’s last needlework lesson arrived. At the end of the day, Jane and she concluded it as they had done the first day of their new venture, with tea in the sitting room.

Lady Elizabeth was subdued and wishful as they drank their tea. “Such a shame that we cannot continue Jane. It has been a great pleasure working with you and the children. I hope that you will be able to recover your means.”

“I can’t see how at the moment Elizabeth. I will need to live a very quiet life with Katherine until she is old enough to take on governess work herself and then get a teaching job myself. In the meantime I will tutor some pupils if possible. The existing creditors seems to have all been satisfied by the money raised from the sale of the furniture, but if another comes out of the woodwork I dread to think what may happen.”

“I have mentioned your predicament to my brother, Jane, and he has promised to try to find a solution to your problem.”

Jane’s heart sank. The thought of Lord Dalton knowing that she had failed in all she had attempted to do was depressing. “That is very kind of you Lady Elizabeth but I would rather he were not bothered by my problems.”

“He was most concerned to hear of your financial predicament and most solicitous of your resolving the issue.” Lady Elizabeth looked at her with compassion.

“I fear there is nothing that he can do to assist me.”

“Well, we shall see. He is generally most resourceful.”

A noise in the hall was followed by the appearance of Lord Dalton himself behind Mrs Creevy as she opened the sitting room door. “And here he is,” said Lady Elizabeth.

“Jonathan, I was just telling Miss Brody that you have promised to try to find an answer to her current financial problems.”

Lord Dalton bowed slightly to Miss Brody in response, his face serious and his dark eyes searing hers. “Indeed, if you have time tomorrow morning Miss Brody, I would like to call upon you to discuss the matter. I may be able to assist. I have options you may wish to contemplate.”

Jane swallowed her pride. “Thank you Lord Dalton. Would ten o’clock suit you?”

He nodded. “I shall be honoured.” Turning to his sister, he asked, “Are you ready to depart Elizabeth?” She agreed and gathered her reticule and shawl in readiness.

Lord Dalton took his leave of Jane in his restrained way. She could see his eyes searching her face keenly for her state of mind and emotions. Jane very carefully kept it blank of all but polite courtesy as she bid him goodbye until the next day. In contrast, she hugged Elizabeth tightly and thanked her for her assistance with the school and said how much she would miss her daily visits.