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Practicing The Jubilee, or Not
Qui vole un buff, vole un bœuf.
[ Who steals an egg, [will] steal an ox. ]
—A Farmer’s Axiom
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Hyde Park, Monday July 25th.
“Aren’t they magnificent?”
Letty had to agree with Ovolina. The line of one hundred blue hussars on their chargers, plumes bobbing, swords flashing, practicing for the Jubilee events were mesmerizing. Two rows deep, fifty horse stirrup to stirrup trotted west across the northern expanse of Hyde Park, churning the verge into divots, vibrating the air with pounding hooves. Just as they were in danger of crashing into the trees lining Park Lane, Jack shouted an order which other officers repeated, the two lines to break into four. Each section then wheeled to become a column of four rows heading south. Onlookers applauded as the column rode by. Letty smiled, terribly proud as Major Tremaine, in front of the lines with the standard bearer, led the squadron. Once beyond their audience, she heard Jack’s voice calling out more orders, and the troopers peeled off to form a column of two lines heading out the Stanhope Gate Towards Green Park.
They watched them disappear along Park Lane, so Ovolina studied the work being done around the edges of the Park. Booths and displays were being erected, but remained roped off and patrolled by companies of militia in red coats. Letty had never seen so many.
“I wish we could see what they are preparing in Green and St. James Parks.” The parks had been closed for several renown artists who were creating the promised exhibitions and spectacles for August 1st.
“Well, we can ride over to the Serpentine. They are building the ship models which will recreate the Battle of the Nile for the sixteenth anniversary of Nelson’s victory.” They trotted down the path to the Serpentine Lane.
“Oh, those models are as big as a man, and so detailed.”
Letty nodded. “It will be spectacular to see the eighty or more all sailing together. I hear there will be fireworks and the French ships will burn.” They walked their horses along the lane, watching the dozens of model makers assembling the ships.
“How will they make them sail in a line like I’ve seen in etchings?”
“I have no idea.” Letty smiled at Lina. She’d been asking her so many questions about events Letty knew nothing about. She would not be seeing Jack today, as he was busy with Jubilee preparations. Today, the Gillyflowers would have a meeting to assess the success of their new ‘tactics’ as Jack called their ploys. There were some announcements for couples’ engagements, successes to be celebrated. Emily and her mother had generously arranged for champagne punch and cake. Afterward, they would plan for the different parties and balls leading up to Monday, August 1st. the King’s Jubilee and the weeks after. She imagined they wouldn’t want to plan anything for the Jubilee, just take in the sights. She could feel the excitement in the air. The anticipation created its own energy which she felt from those around them riding and walking on the lane. There were more conversations, more laughter.
“Good morning, ladies. Enjoying the day?” Letty didn’t turn immediately, recognizing the voice. Blusterfield.
“Mr. Blusterfield. Yes, was we are taking in the sights and preparations for the Jubilee. Vastly entertaining.”
Ovolina added, “It is all so thrilling. Will you be attending the celebrations? We have seats in the grandstands for the spectacle at St. James.”
Letty pursed her mouth. If only Lina would keep her mouth shut around this man. “The Cosingwell’s were good enough to provide our family tickets for St. James.”
Blusterfield kept jerking on the reins, to keep his Arabian in place. “My, that is quite special to be seated in such august company. I understand the Regent and Wellington will be seated there. You must be doing quite well for I hear you have found a steward for your estate.”
“We have. He is settling in well. An officer, a hero of the wars.”
“Well, that is good news. If that is the case, I see no reason why you can’t come across with the rest of your father’s loan in the next two weeks.”
Letty stared at him. “This is quite unexpected and unwelcome.” She gave Lina a sharp glance to keep her quiet. “What has brought this on?”
Blusterfield languidly shrugged. “As you can afford a gentleman steward and have such consequential friends, I see no reason to drag out the payments.”
“We don’t have that kind or ready cash lying about.”
“If not, perhaps your rich friends like the Cosingwells can loan you the amount.”
Letty squinted at him. “That is a crass suggestion, and ungentlemanly in the extreme.”
Bluster field’s face turned red, starting with his ears, and quickly covering his cheeks. “Regardless of your opinions, I expect to be paid by Friday, August 5th.”
Letty huffed, “That is an unreasonable time.”
“You can always accept my offer of marriage.” He tipped his hat, saying, “Enjoy the celebrations,” as he rode away. Lina could only gape after the man,
“He asked you to marry him?”
“Yes, several weeks ago.” She took in Lina’s horrified expression and couldn’t help but smile. “No, I would never consider such an offer. Butterfield’s proposal is no more than blackmail.”
“Thank goodness.” Lina followed Blusterfield as he disappeared among the crowds of riders. “What are you going to do?”
“I have no idea.”
~ ~ ~
Evening July 26th, Cosingwell Mansion, Mayfair
“It has all been so gratifying, so miraculous,” Emily said, pulling Letty down to sit by the garden fountain. It was a beautiful night for a small garden party. “Caroline told me of your meeting on Monday. I knew you would be a help to all those wall—” Letty gave her a one raised brow caution. Emily chuckled at being chastised. “I mean your Gillyflowers. Four engagements in just two weeks. You organized an army and look what they’ve accomplished. I hear your sisters are hearing wedding bells too.”
“Emily, thank you, but as far as Lina and Treccia are concerned, that is still in the air. I have hopes. Our successes have been the work of many people, smart women.”
“With the end of this Season, will you revive this next year?”
“We, or I if my sisters marry, don’t have the finances to spend another Season in London. I believe, though, the Gillyflowers will continue. Several ladies have picked up the mantle, and with the good will we have cultivated among the ton hostesses, I feel certain you will see the Gillyflowers return.” Letty laughed. “However, there will have to be new ploys. There will be no Jack and company to assist us.”
Emily gave Letty a sly look and called over a servant to their bench with ratafia. Letty accepted a glass and sipped. “The Cosingwells make the best ratafia I have ever tasted. Is it a family secret or can I get a copy?”
“Well, as you are practically part of the family, I think I can write it out for you.” Emily said, leaning close. “Speaking of family, what has been happening with you and Jack?”
Letty mentally groaned. So it starts. “We are friends, nothing more.” She thought of that one kiss. Just friends. “He is planning to stay with his regiment, which will leave soon.”
Shaking her head, Emily smiled, caustic rather than mirthful. “You said Aunt Cathy told you she has willed him Plumwell Park?” She offered a warmer smile. “She must like you.” Shaking her head, she waved a hand, saying, “It is just like him to hare off when—
“Emily, stop, just stop.” Letty clenched her jaw. “Jack is leaving, escaping with the army because of you and the rest of his family.”
“What? We haven’t asked him to leave.”
“No, but you haven’t let him, the real Jack stay.”
A bewildered expression sat on Emily’s face. “What are you talking about?”
“He is leaving because his family doesn’t value what he does or who he is. Instead you have insisted he is still ‘mad Jack’. As a child, he used to encourage that attention, but he’s a grown man now. He refuses to have everything he does labeled a misadventure.” Letty frowned at Emily’s continued look of disbelief. “I heard your father call Jack’s military service a ‘madcap adventure.’ If you’d seen him in Hyde Park on Monday, leading a hundred troopers through their paces, you wouldn’t call his military service ‘madcap.’”
“Letty, what has come over you? We love Jack.” Her friend didn’t relent or change her expression. “I don’t understand.”
“Emily, its not me, its what you all think of Jack.” Letty then told her about the granite tower and what the family said about it. How Jack felt about it. “That tower was quite an accomplishment for a fourteen-year-old, and everyone dismissed it as an adventure.”
“I remember playing knights in it that summer.” Emily grinned, gazing off for a moment. She looked back at Letty. “I have never seen you so . . . You care for him.”
Letty pursed her mouth at her friend’s dissembling. “Yes, I care about him, enough to see him respected for the man he has become rather than the child you think he still is.” She set down her drink and stood. “I have no right to instruct you on your family. My apologies. I just don’t want to see you drive him away to parts unknown—again, when you don’t mean to.” When Emily continued to frown perplexed, Letty said, “I’ll say goodnight.” As she walked home, Letty called herself all kinds of a fool for saying anything. Obviously, Emily hadn’t appreciated her meddling. The Cosingwells won’t and neither will Jack.
~ ~ ~
Thursday, July 28th, Lindsey House, Mayfair
There was no way. Letty pushed away the ledgers and stray papers with calculations scrawled on them. She rubbed her eyes and laid her head on the study desk. They simply didn’t have the remaining eighteen hundred pounds of their father’s three-thousand-pound loan to Blusterfield. They had barely paid the fifty pounds a month. Over the last two years, they hadn’t even repaid half the loan. He would take the house, the furniture, and a good portion of the estate that wasn’t entailed to Edam. She couldn’t ask Emily or her parents for help, she just couldn’t. Since the garden party, Emily had not been in touch with her. Letty feared she’d ruined their friendship.
From what he told her at Plumwell, Jack too, returned to London two days ago. She hadn’t heard from him either. If he talked to Emily, he might learn that Letty had repeated what he told her about the tower folly. Jack might be upset with her meddling, violating his trust.
She straightened up when she heard their butler, Crumbly shuffling down the hall. She thought absently that because of her father, the poor man will have no support in retirement from the Lindseys. Crumbly stood at the door and announced, “Mr. Pound, my lady.”
Without her word, Mr. Pound entered, agitated. He bowed, saying “my lady,” then stood irresolute, a large binder in his hand.
She excused Crumbly and indicated a chair for Mr. Pound.
“I am surprised to see you here, Mr. Pound. Is there a problem at Lindsey Hall?”
“No, my lady, the estate is doing well. I found the last steward’s records actually hidden behind some books. I need to show you what I’ve found.” He set the binder between his legs and pulled out three papers. He came to her desk and laid one paper before her.
“What is this?”
“It is a receipt signed by your father and Mr. Blusterfield for the balance of a three-thousand-pound loan. It was concluded a month before he died. I saw in your records that you have been paying on that loan monthly for the last two years.”
Stunned, Letty had trouble focusing on the paper. There it was, signed by both parties and witnessed by the then steward, Robert Jones. She waited for the room to stop spinning. Taking several deep breaths, she could give Mr. Pound her attention. “What are the other two documents?”
“Both are letters. This one is from a Lord Elgin about purchasing all of your father’s statues. Lord Elgin was ready to write up the contract. This didn’t happen because your father died.
She read the brief letter. Lord Elgin acknowledged the mediocre quality of many of the statues, but he could use them all. He had offered two thousand pounds. Letty buried her head in her hands. Her father hadn’t intended to leave them without funds.
“Mr. Pound, what other revelations do you have in your hand?”
“It is a letter from Mr. Blusterfield to Mr. Jones.”
“What?” She held out her hand for it. It was indeed in Butterfield’s handwriting.
In the letter, Blusterfield asked Mr. Jones to bring him the receipt and letter from Elgin to him, stating a time and place, promising a large reward. The letter was dated two days after her father's death.
“Mr. Pound, what do you make of this?”
“Mr. Jones obviously didn’t deliver the papers, but hid them. I fear Mr. Jones may have paid for his actions with his life if he met Blusterfield.”
Letty tried to sort out what to do when she realized Mr. Pound still stood before her. “Mr. Pound, I am deeply indebted to you for this. You can’t have had anything to eat if you just reached here from the estate.” She rang the bell on her desk. When Crumbly appeared, she asked him to find Mr. Pound something for dinner. “Please, go have something to eat and when you are done, come back and we will decide what is to be done.” One thing she was going to do is write Lord Elgin.
~ ~ ~
Friday, July 29th, Lindsey House, Mayfair
Mr. Blusterfield handed his cane and hat to Crumbly and entered the study. His smug smile froze on his face when he saw more than Letty in the room. Mr. Pound and a well-dressed man sitting around Letty’s desk. Lester stood by the door.
“What is this? Are these gentlemen here to negotiate payment by turning over this house and goods?”
Letty could not fathom the man’s arrogance. “No Mr. Blusterfield.” She turned to the well-dressed man. “This is Mr. Barthappel, my solicitor.” She said “Mr. Barthappel,” gesturing to him.
He rose and handed Blusterfield several papers. “This is a writ requesting the return of the twelve hundred pounds Lady Mimolette has paid to you for a loan which was already discharged. Against my recommendation, she will forego the two years’ interest if that writ is satisfied by August 5th.”
“This is nonsense. I will do no such thing. That loan was never—”
“Mr. Blusterfield, we have the receipt with your signature. We certainly can take this to Magistrate’s Court if you wish.” When he didn’t respond, Letty came around from behind the desk. “I have also given your letter to Mr. Jones to the Westminster Magistrate. I am sure you remember. The one where you request he bring you that receipt shortly after my father’s death. Bow Street Runners are now searching for Mr. Jones. Hopefully, he is still alive.”
Mr. Blusterfield eyed the four men in the room and then Letty. “You will regret this.”
“Not as much as I regret having to deal with you at all.”
Crumbly was right there with his cane and hat. He left without another word. Letty breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Barthappel raised both bushy eyebrows. “What an unpleasant man. I believe he is in for a great deal of well-deserved trouble.” I and my men will be at his doorstep with a writ of confiscation on August 6th.” Letty thanked all the men and had a nice Bordeaux brought in by Crumbly to celebrate. She assured Mr. Pound that he’d earned a portion of Mr. Butterfield’s repayment.
~ ~ ~
That evening, as their carriage drove up to the Beddington's mansion, Letty should have felt at ease now that they had resolved the Blusterfield loan so favorably. She wasn’t at all. The sisters were there to celebrate Caroline’s engagement. She would see Emily and the Cosingwells. It was like her first ball when she was sixteen, nervous and unsure of what would be a better outcome than being ignored.
Unlike her, Lina and Treccia were excited. Attending would be several men they had previously been introduced to. One benefit from all their schemes had been that both sisters were far more confident in talking to others, appearing far more vivacious, which always attracted men.
The mansion, gaily lit, illuminated dozens of couples and individuals standing on the steps outside, waiting in the receiving line. As they took their place at the end, who should appear but Amelia Peevy with a man on her arm. “Letty, Lina, Treccia, I would like you to meet Mr. Hasselwhyte. We met at the Dance Palace. He is an up-and-coming banker.” They greeted each other and exchanged pleasantries. Of course, they shared their opinions on the Jubilee Celebration in a few days. Amelia said, “We are going to Green Park to see the bridge and pagoda. What about you? Of course, Letty’s sisters wanted to see everything and peruse the scores of booths lining Hyde and Green Park. As the receiving line moved up, Mr. Hasselwhyte asked, “Have you heard about the banker Blusterfield? I believe you know him. He is on the board of the Wheatherton Bank.” He leaned in, telling secrets. It seems he has been caught in something illegal and was given the sack today.” Letty couldn’t stop a “What?” from escaping. She had met with the man at ten, and the news has reached the bank board by the end of the day? “Yes, I believe it was the Magistrate Donaldson who spoke to the Board, asking questions.” Letty shook her head. How fast things can turn.
Caroline greeted them with hugs and introduced them to her fiancée, the handsome Frederick. He was particularly solicitous with Letty, thanking her for coming. Once they were free of the receiving line, the three sisters wandered through the house and saw that the ballroom was decorated with streamers, flowers, and paper decorations. The official engagement announcement would be here.
It required very little time for both Lina and Treccia to zip off with friends, male and female, lost in the labyrinthian house. While Letty greeted and talked with several of the Gillyflowers, for the most part she was on her own.
She finally sat on a bench on the large terrace outside. She sipped champagne and listened to the music. Soon a footman liveried in green came out on the terrace to inform those gathered there that the ‘official proceedings’ would begin in the ballroom. Making her way there, she stood in the circle of people around an enormous cake and massive pyramid made of fluted, air-twisted crystal glasses filled with champagne. The sight left Letty stunned at the considerable costs it represented.
An arm brushed her arm, where her long glove did not cover it. She glanced up to see Jack gazing down at her. He wore a stylish black coat and pantaloons, a crisp white shirt, waistcoat, and cravat which was intricately tied in a knot she didn’t recognize.
Letty stepped back. “What, who invited you?”
“Now, is that any kind of a greeting for someone on a first name basis?”
“I’m sorry. I didn't know someone had introduced you to the Beddingtons.
“Oh? You introduced me to Miss Beddington.” Letty frowned, not thinking that brief encounter explained his presence at a family celebration. He dipped his head closer. “I must say, you are looking particularly fetching tonight.”
Annoyed and nervous, she couldn’t think of a thing to say other than a dubious “fetching?”
“Yes, as in ‘fetch.’ Any man seeing you will want to chase you down and whisk you away.”
She just shook her head at his nonsense. Was he making jokes or chasing?
“I understand that you have shown Mr. Blusterfield the door. Good for you.”
“I wasn’t me. It was Mr. Pound.” She fumbled with her reticule for a moment. “Thank you. He has been a Godsend.”
Jack just nodded; “I’m glad.” Neither said anymore, watching the family gather for the announcement.
Servants came and began distributing the champagne pyramid to the surrounding guests until each had a glass in hand. Each glass had the engaged couple's names engraved on it. Mr. Beddington opened with a brief speech on how glad he and his wife were at the new addition to the family, formally announcing the engagement. He led a toast to the happy couple as they stood there arm-in arm. Then the mother spoke, mostly about raising Caroline with a few embarrassing stories.” Afterward it was the groom, Frederick’s turn to speak. “Jack, my man, come here.” Letty watched Jack saunter up and Frederick threw an arm around him. “This is the brave man to whom I owe my happiness. He saved my life twice, once at Salamanca charging with Merchant, and then when he introduced me to Caroline.
“I had watched Caroline from afar for several weeks, but could not seem to wheedle an introduction to this beautiful woman from anyone.” Letty inwardly cringed. Was that because of the Gillyflowers? “Until I saw Jack. I couldn’t believe the old cavalier was in London and hobnobbing with such fine families.”
He hugged Jack one-armed. “This man and I charged Frenchmen together many times in Spain, that is, when we weren’t exploring for Wellington. Happily, his ballroom exploring allowed him to introduce me to Caroline.” He raised a glass to Jack. “ Thank you, my friend.” Jack smiled and raised his glass to the bride and groom. Some of the men cheered as they raised their glasses again. Letty saw Emily standing with her parents on the far side of the ballroom. They had the oddest expressions on their faces.
There was a rush of family and friends surrounding Frederick and Caroline to congratulate the family, or for many, they took the opportunity to nick another glass of the finest champagne of the evening. The champagne pyramid was quickly reduced to a bare table and empty flutes. Letty backed out and disappeared into the garden, sure the Cosingwells had seen her standing with Jack when he was called out.
In the garden, she discovered a water feature that consisted of a beautiful rock waterfall along with a bench. She sat, wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, unhappy with herself. She was being a coward. Emily was a dear friend, and she’d risked that friendship. She had to admit that Jack too had become dear to her. She was afraid, afraid she had ruined or warped the close kinship she’d felt with both of them by coming between them in what was a long-standing family matter.
Gradually the night grew colder, but she remained seated still clutching a full glass of champagne. The sun set late in July. There was a long twilight that Letty usually enjoyed, but tonight it dimmed the garden depressively. She watched the mansion lights sparkle in the waterfall, the sounds failing to sooth her.
“Hmmm. You never struck me as someone who preferred drinking alone.”
Letty stiffened and looked up. Jack stood in his formal wear, the white of his shirt and cravat glowing in the early evening. She glanced at her champagne. She held it out to him. “Do you want it? It is excellent champagne.”
“Nah, the bubbles are long gone by now.” He sat at the far end of the bench, regarding her. She looked at him, and impulsively drank the entire glass in one go.
“You’ve been playing least in sight tonight. Your sisters were searching for you.” When she said nothing, not knowing what to say, he came over and took her empty glass. “I’ll go let your sisters know where you are.” He walked away.
“Jack.”
He returned. “Yes.”
“I’m sorry.”
“About?”
She gave him an annoyed squint. “About what I said to you at Plumwell. I told Emily what you shared concerning your family. I apologize. You’d said that in confidence, expressing opinions about your family I had no right to, to . . .
“Say?”
She rubbed her shoulders, looking at anyone but him. “Yes.”
“Well, that explains Emily’s rather cryptic mention of the tower.” He sat down on the bench again. “Is that why you’ve been hiding out this evening?”
She scowled at him rather than answer.
He stood and walking away, said over his shoulder, “For being such a fine and knowing woman, you can be such a giddy goose.”