Page 38 of Searching for Mr Tilney

My cousin Jane takes my arm and leads me away from our party. ‘Oh, Cassy, I am most relieved to hear it. I had begun to wonder, it’s been talked of as a great match.’

‘My mother has certainly talked much on the subject, and longs for such a union, but I do not depend upon it.’

‘Yet, your cousin Lucius is very attentive, Cassy. He seemed to enjoy dancing with you at the ball, and look, he’s coming over now. I think it’s high time we fetched some water.’

‘I really do want to avoid him, but to walk over to the pump while Mr Fowle is standing there, I do not think …’

My cousin takes my arm before I can argue further and then we are soon lost in the crowd, and queuing for water. When I look behind me, I can see Lucius has changed his mind and found a group of young men to talk to, though when they all look in my direction and barely disguise the fact they find me amusing, I cannot look a minute longer. And then I see my sister with our cousin Thomas, and her cheeks are quite pink as she talks to him. I know she is very fond of him, and that they shared some fun together last year. I can see by the way she regards him, she holds him in high esteem. From what I hear of their animated discussion, they are talking about battles, and the British army, a subject close to Thomas’s heart, and I’m not sure who is the more teasing. Jane misses Henry so much while he’s at Oxford, but I think she’s found a good replacement for the present. When I think about Lucius and compare him to Thomas, I cannot help thinking how different two brothers can be.

The crowd is moving, and we’re almost at the stand when Mr Fowle suddenly appears from nowhere to tip his hat at us.

‘Good morning, Miss Austen, Miss Cooper,’ he says, and I can hardly disguise my disappointment because he smiles at my cousin and doesn’t even look in my direction.

‘Good morning,’ answers cousin Jane on our behalf, and I become dumb, flustered, and unable to speak. But, they are discoursing happily enough, and I am relieved. I know sometimes I am accused of being too reserved in company, and that people think me grave and unbending, yet in my heart I am none of the above. I just cannot rattle away as some do, or laugh where I do not find humour, but I wish I could be as engaging as my beautiful cousin. Mr Fowle looks completely entranced as they talk; he hasn’t taken his eyes off her the whole time. He looks extraordinarily handsome this morning, his navy coat very becoming to his dark looks.

‘Shall you be attending the concert tomorrow evening, Mr Fowle?’ my cousin asks, and tucks her arm through mine, as if to draw his attention to me.

‘I have no plans for such delights, Miss Cooper, as I will be spending the evening with my parents, and they have chosen to spend a quiet night in with some friends.’

‘But, that is most disappointing,’ my cousin continues to say, ‘there are to be fireworks, and all kinds of performing acts, as well as the music. Could you not be excused from your party at home? We’d love to see you in Spring Gardens, Mr Fowle, would we not, Cassy?’

I am mortified beyond belief at what my cousin is saying, and when Mr Fowle regards me with an enquiring glance, I cannot meet his eyes. I look away, and now he must think I do not wish to see him there because I do not speak. If only I had the courage, I would implore him to come to the concert.

‘I am expected to help host a small evening party, and in any case, I think on this occasion it will be best if I stay at home, Miss Cooper. I daresay you will not miss me … you will be occupied with your Kentish cousins, and I could not hope to compete for your attention.’

With that, he bows curtly and leaves us.

‘Why did you not say something? One word of encouragement from you and he would have changed his mind, I’m sure.’

‘I do not think my speaking to him would have made any difference,’ I say. ‘You know I have not your gift for such open discourse, and he seemed determined to snub us.’

‘You’re just a little shy, and all the more so because I know how much you like him. But, you must encourage him, Cassy. How can a gentleman know your partiality otherwise?’

My eyes follow him, and I see he is talking to the same young lady as before. She is as fair as I am dark with golden curls framing her countenance, her white skin touched with the soft bloom of a peach, and the suggestion of graceful movement in her stance, even though she is perfectly still.

My mother appears, and supplies the information I do not want to hear. ‘Don’t look now, girls, but the young lady talking to Mr Fowle is a Miss Penelope Brooke from Newbury. Mrs Fowle has been telling me that she is the young lady of the season in Berkshire … she is the only child of the Brooke family of Donnington Hall, and that she is to inherit everything on her father’s death. Mr Brooke made his money in trade … apparently starting his working life as a corn chandler, and is not at all puffed up with importance. Indeed, since arriving in Bath the Fowles have dined with the Brookes at their house on the Crescent, and are returning their hospitality tomorrow evening.’

I try not to stare, but I cannot help noticing her fine clothes, and the way she looks up at Mr Fowle as if she admires him. No wonder he doesn’t want to attend a concert in Spring Gardens. He is clearly engaged and delighted by the company of a certain Miss Brooke.

Chapter Nineteen

I am out of sorts today, and cannot put a finger on why that should be so. We have been to the Pump Rooms again this morning, but there was hardly anyone there, owing to an early shower of rain. I do not feel like going to the concert after all, I’ve decided, especially if we are to be drowned in water, and I’ve half a mind to say I have a headache and cannot go.

My sister Jane is all excitement as we go upstairs to dress, and says she cares not if tempests storm over our heads and the roof of the concert building is blown off. ‘Though, for myself,’ she says, ‘I do not always care for the music; I am looking forward to the fireworks and the ferry. Thomas says Spring Gardens is just like a smaller Vauxhall lit up by lanterns and lights, with dark avenues where lovers stroll. I cannot wait to see it … there should be much to observe about the people attending.’

‘I daresay we’ll get wet through, and it feels very cold this evening,’ I answer too quickly. ‘I’d far rather stay at home by a good fire.’

Jane turns to examine my face, with a look of concern. ‘What is wrong, Cassy? Please tell me; you’ve not been yourself since yesterday morning.’

I know I can confide in Jane. ‘The only person I wished to see this evening is staying behind at their lodgings, to entertain the Brooke family of Donnington Hall.’

‘And who are they?’

‘A family with their coffers full of money, and a beautiful daughter in tow.’

‘I see, but I am certain you will meet with Mr Fowle before long. He is so fond of you and could not stay away. You know he would always do his duty to his family first. You are sure to see him at the next ball.’

‘Where he will probably spend all his attention on the Brooke family, and in particular on Miss Brooke who is not yet rich, but will one day inherit a fortune.’