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“Oh, damn the major-general!” cursed the earl. “I’ll write him a note. Let me give you a draft for Drummond’s and you can go straight from there to Dover.”

This plan receiving Richard’s approval, he called for his horse and spare shaving kit, then tucked away as much of his breakfast as he could before his mount was brought round from the mews.

As soon as he heard its hooves on the cobbles, Richard got up to depart. Leaving the helmet of his uniform on the vestibule console where he had set it down on his arrival, he pushed one of his father’s more practical tricorns onto his head. He kissed his mother when she emerged from the saloon.

“Going so soon, Richard?” asked the countess, who was entertaining friends. “I was hoping you could nip over to Gunter’s for some more macaroons before you left.”

“Just as soon as I get back from Vienna, Mother. Where are the footmen?”

“But they are so slow, Richard! You are much quicker on your horse! But did you say, Vienna, dear boy?” she asked as her son disappeared through the front door. “Why, that is miles away!”

Finding herself speaking to air, the countess turned to her husband. “Did he say Vienna?”

Chapter 24: Dreams

After six weeks working for the Garths, Jane had become accustomed to her lot in life. Aside from the long hours, she actually enjoyed teaching the children and loved her charges. Of course, she missed being able to walk in Longbourn’s garden, clipping flowers and breathing the fresh air. Instead, she had begun to routinely take the children out into the courtyard after lunch ‘to shake the sandwiches down’, even though the only thing ‘fresh’ about London air before Christmas was its frigidity.

But she realised that her tenure at the Garths’ was likely nearing its end—Miss Fairfax’s leg must soon be mended. Surely a cripple could have recovered in such a length of time? Thus, when Mrs Garth sent a message to the schoolroom requesting her presence in the parlour after lunch, Jane took the news with what fortitude she could. One part of her mind immediately began to wonder how she might find her next position. Arriving in the blood-red hall unescorted, she knocked tentatively on the door and admitted herself upon Mrs Garth’s summons.

“Why, Jane! There you are! I suppose you have guessed that I have heard from Jane! ...Fairfax, I mean,” added Mrs Garth, to avoid confusion.

Jane nodded and gave a forced smile.

“It is the most extraordinary thing, but she is still not well enough to return!”

Although Jane involuntarily gave an audible sigh of relief, Mrs Garth, preoccupied with her own affairs, continued on without noticing.

“I had wanted to bring Cherise out after Christmas. I fear I must now ask your help. I know you have not been taught deportment like Miss Fairfax, but I can see that you are every inch a gentleman’s daughter! Would you be willing to take on this extra duty?”

“Well, of course, Mrs Garth. I would be glad to,” replied Jane, wondering what was involved. She had heard that some families hired professional chaperones.

“Oh, thank you! There is a seamstress coming this afternoon to fit the first of Cherise’s ball gowns. You will also need to have some more silk gowns made for yourself, so that you can chaperone her. Of course, I will pay for them. The seamstress will need to measure you, and you should choose the designs, which must be approved by me. Your dresses should be pretty, but demure and plainer than Cherise’s.”

“Yes, ma’am, and if it’s any help, my uncle could probably provide the fabric at cost price, as he usually does for my gowns.”

“Oh, does he? I quite forgot he is a trader.”

“Yes, ma’am. All my dresses were made with fabrics from his warehouse.”

“Oh, really? Even the gold silk? I thought it quite fine! Do you think he could provide some silk at a discount for Cherise also? She requires such a quantity of dresses! My mother brought myself and my sisters out only when we had reached our full height. It is dreadfully expensive to get new dresses made and altering them always looks so shabby. But Mr Garth is of the opinion that Cherise’s face will lengthen like his sister’s, and that it would be better to bring her out now while she is still so pretty. What do you think?”

Jane was surprised to have her opinion sought. Her own mother’s strategy had been to throw Elizabeth and Mary on the marriage market simultaneously when Jane did not become immediately betrothed on her come out as Fanny had predicted. Lydia and Kitty had joined them the year after. It was a move that looked remarkably prescient in retrospect.

“I think if Cherise is ready to come out, then she is not too young,” replied Jane diplomatically.

“Just so!” said Mrs Garth, much struck. “And if that is not enough, Mr Garth wants to bring a potential suitor home for dinner tomorrow—a successful merchant who wishes to borrow a large sum to expand his business. I do hope the seamstress will have the gown ready. Cherise’s old gowns, while fine enough, are a little juvenile in style.”

“I am sure her pink gown could be made to look a little more dashing if required, ma’am. It is still very much in fashion.”

“Excellent,” said Mrs Garth. “I will leave Cherise in your capable hands.”

Jane could not help but be pleased with the new task she had been assigned in Cherise’s come out. It was wonderful to be looking through fashion journals again, thinking of new dresses. Even though they had not been able to afford many gowns at Longbourn, much enjoyment had been derived from planning each one and a few imaginary ones besides. She quickly picked appropriately modest designs from the seamstress’s coloured plates, all in excellent taste, noting the yardage and notions her uncle could supply. Mrs Garth flitted in towards the end of the fitting, approving Jane’s choices and admiring Cherise’s first grown-up gown.

Retiring to bed that night after the pleasures of the afternoon, Jane cast herself as Cinderella, reunited by chance with Mr Bingley at a ball, after which he would come banging on the Garths’ gate with Mr Darcy in tow, explaining how he had been searching for her high and low since her disappearance from Longbourn.

On the following evening, Jane quickly and efficiently dressed in her gold silk once more, before adding a fichu to her shoulders. Satisfied her attire was appropriately modest, she hurried along the hall to help Meg attend Cherise. Off they went downstairs to wait in nervous anticipation for their visitor in the dining room.

When they heard Cherise’s parents approaching, chatting with a bass-voiced guest, Jane gave an encouraging squeeze to her pupil’s hand before fixing an appropriately bland smile on her face.