Chapter 12

Trafalgar House

Sanditon

Dear Lizzy,

It was much as we feared. Nothing has been ordered, and all the money is gone. He left the place in a dreadful mess as well. We are doing polished wood floors now in the halls and all of the public rooms because there will never be any way to obtain enough matching tile or carpeting in time to have it laid in. Also, the lifts must be built and there is no order here. Can you arrange something with the men who are working at Pemberley? Or perhaps they know someone.

I think I might be able to do many of the wallcoverings and fabrics in the guest rooms from what Uncle Gardiner has sent and promised, but now in all public rooms, we will paint and find art to enhance the decor, as again, we will never find enough matching wall coverings in time. I received an express from Uncle this morning that he appropriated an enormous order of incredibly costly gold-leaf from the docks, a whole cargo's worth, and found a man and his three sons who can apply it. It is a mad thing to spend so much money on, considering how much we've lost to that villain, and how much it will cost to fix it all, but gold-leaf trim and mouldings are all the rage in New York and Paris just now. So, though we did not intend it, the gilt will lend the impression that we intended to be the height of fashion, though wall coverings are still the preference here at home. Perhaps we shall set a new fashion.

The guest rooms can all be as different from one another as necessary, as long as all of the materials and furnishings are a fine quality. We ought to be able to find matching silver enough, but I fear we shall never find enough matching porcelain tableware. We cannot do with less than four different sets of matching gold band plate with enough settings each to serve at least a thousand. Hotels are not like houses. Pieces are broken constantly, and guests steal items. We will have standing orders with mills for regular tableware and cutlery replacements forever.

I cannot imagine any mill in the country being able to fill such an order so quickly, but Lord Rutherford has sent word to Staffordshire to learn if a connection he has there can help. The few hours of sleep I am blessed with are often interrupted by this worry, and wherever shall we find the crystal? Nothing can be shabby, or there is no point to any of it. Uncle sends wagon loads of items daily. I nearly wept when I opened the crates of wall sconces. I could not have asked for finer quality.

To complicate matters HE is here, as if anyone had time for him. I have hired a sturdy, hardworking, trustworthy woman, Joan Smythe, as an additional companion and assistant, because I am working a great deal later each day than Georgie and Mrs Annesley. When I had just sent Joan to take a message to someone, HE turned up. He behaved appallingly, insulted me, and when I lost my temper, he kissed me. I must be a maddening type of woman to a man. Every time I lose my temper or act contrary, they forget themselves.

I taught him a clever trick that I learned from Miss Carmichael, and Mr Wilson showed the man to the door. He returned again the following morning with flowers, and can you believe the beast had the audacity to request a courtship? I must be fair, and acknowledge that it came with a very pretty explanation and apology regarding his previous behaviour. I informed him that he has a cruel manner about him that I cannot like. He reminds me too much of Papa, but I am relieved that we have talked things out directly, and I hope to learn to know him better in the future.

I know you found great results with a man who vowed to amend his behaviour for your sake, but I just do not have the patience for it. Is it too much to ask that a man be perfect already before I meet him? This gentleman seems to think that he can win me over, and I have my doubts, but am willing to at least know him better. At least his resolve led him to drag his brother Mr Tom Parker from his bed and make him do something useful. Can you imagine the weak-hearted man took to his bed when we arrived, drowning himself in brandy because you only sent a pair of girls to help?

Mr Tom Parker has promised to sober up and help in the future, so if grandstanding and panegyrics will solve the problem, then we shall have it sorted. I suppose that is unkind of me to speak so of my host, but perhaps I am just too tired and out of sorts. I am doing my best here, Lizzy, but if we cannot sort out the furnishings and the other orders, I do not know if we shall be able to open the entire hotel at once. I make you no promises.

Your Exhausted Sister,

Lydia

Over the course of the next days, many crates of the finest French linens were delivered from a cargo her uncle found at the docks, more than enough to be cut and hemmed into the necessary number of bed sheets and pillowcases once the seamstresses finished their other work. It was accompanied by crates of extremely fashionable ruffled aprons and caps for the maids that had been obtained by Madame Clarisse, along with many bolts of fine quality, handsome cloth for maids' uniforms, grey with plain aprons and caps for the morning, black with stylish aprons and caps for the afternoon and evening. Materials were also included for liveries, as well as patterns and fashion plates, of unique uniform frocks and liveries, designed by Freddie Vaughan, which would distinguish the hotel by having such well-dressed servants. The patterns came with a letter for Lydia thanking her for the fine fabric she had sent him, and included drawings of the lovely frocks he had sent to his family with it.

Mr Tom Parker and his family began spending each day at the hotel, each member of the family finding something they could do well, and devoting themselves to it. Messers Tom and Sidney learned from some of the craftsmen how to do certain labours, and helped all day where they could. Mr Arthur Parker was always on the go, travelling about Sanditon and neighbouring towns looking for skilled workers and resources. Mary Parker often assisted the seamstresses or sometimes she worked with Lydia and Joan, who was so capable and intelligent that Lydia could not do without her, and vowed to find some excellent employment for her when they had finished at the hotel, either for herself or possibly for Elizabeth.

Having so many people helping made the work go that much faster. Most of the family had lived in Sanditon much of their lives and knew everyone for miles, collectively. When something was needed, someone somewhere in the hotel knew where to obtain it, which simplified many matters. Towards the end of another week, Lydia had been able to return home in time for dinner twice. Mr Sidney Parker, who was sharing Mr Arthur's bachelor lodgings, used this as an opportunity to court Lydia assiduously.

Lydia noticed Mrs Parker giving Sidney very strange looks several times, and wondered about it. So far, Mr Parker seemed affable enough in the bosom of his family, however, Lydia had also seen him behave quite badly in the presence of these same relations, and she remembered that her father was capable of being affable himself when the situation called for it. Lydia did not like mercurial people who changed from affection to abuse without warning, but the gentleman still made her treacherous heart beat wildly, and when he smiled at her in a certain way, Lydia knew she was still in some danger from him.

There was a great deal of excitement in the area, considering the time of year. A lady who ran a school was to come, a Mrs Griffiths who had some charges, one in possibly ill health, who was to take a house in the neighbourhood for the sea air, cold as it was that time of year. Rumour had it that one of the students was an impossibly wealthy West Indian heiress in delicate health.

Eventually the ladies arrived, and Mary Parker gave thanks that when a letter had arrived a week before their arrival, from her sisters' friend, about the forthcoming arrival of a West Indian person in delicate health coming soon to Sanditon, that Diana Parker had been too busy to notice or open it, due to her fixation with helping with the hotel, because Mary knew that if Diana was appraised of such a person coming, she would have made the largest possible nuisance of herself in an attempt to be helpful. When the Parker sisters were at leisure, they imagined every sort of ailment upon themselves and their youngest brother, and it was her opinion that their constant remedies made them quite worse. When they were attempting to be of assistance to others, they tended to make quite an officious spectacle of themselves. They were far better off assisting at the hotel and supervising the army of seamstresses.

Mrs. Griffiths was a very proper, genteel widow, who supported herself by receiving genteel girls and young ladies that needed lodging and chaperonage while working with their masters for finishing their education, or to learn how to come out into society. She usually kept more under her care than the three who were now coming to Sanditon, but Miss Lambe paid in proportion to her fortune, and so Mrs Griffiths took fewer students in order to devote herself to Miss Lambe's comfort.

The girl was about seventeen, of mixed West Indian descent, always shivering and tender, had a maid of her own, was to have the best room in the lodgings, and was always of the first consequence in every plan of Mrs Griffiths. She was always complaining of the cold and damp, and was frequently irritable, however Lydia observed that if she had been taken from her home, and made to live somewhere so obviously uncomfortable to her, such as the Outer Hebrides, she might be peevish as well. Lydia had only spent a few evenings in company, and so she had so far found very little opportunity to sketch the young lady's character, but Georgiana seemed taken with her, and had made efforts to befriend the girl.

The Misses Beaufort were quite displeased with Lydia and Georgiana, considering that in some foolish plan of being the most fashionable girls in Sanditon, they had beggared themselves before they came, on six new gowns and bonnets each, as well as new parasols, before setting out, and now lacked funds to entertain themselves, or even purchase a subscription to the library. They were less than amused to have such fashionable rivals, and reconciled themselves to being very frugal until quarter day, hoping that they might distinguish themselves at least by their accomplishments, and so upon settling in, the elder Miss Beaufort devoted her time to her lyre, the younger to her pencils.

Before she had been there two weeks, two men came to work on the lifts. The man working at Pemberley sent his two most experienced journeymen, his sons, to begin the job in Sanditon. When he and his other men had finished in Derbyshire, the tradesman would come to Sanditon himself to complete the work. Whenever Georgiana and Mrs Annesley came to help, they spent hours writing to every manufacturer or tradesman they could discover, inquiring whether enormous quantities of everything from serving trays to candlesticks could be ordered in time for the upcoming spring.

When Lydia had been in Sanditon nearly three weeks, there was an assembly that the entire community was looking forward to, and which everyone at Trafalgar House insisted that she must attend. Lydia had been working very hard, and was not averse to one evening of frivolity. Mr Parker had asked her for the first and the last, to which she acquiesced, and though she reminded herself daily that she did not like him, she could not help looking forward to dancing in his arms. For as discerning as Lydia saw herself, she was in some danger from the gentleman.

*****

In the afternoon of the day of the assembly, a modest carriage pulled up before Trafalgar House, and Misses Charlotte and Beatrice Heywood stepped down. Mrs Parker was overjoyed that Charlotte had returned with her sister, and introductions were made to Lydia and Georgiana immediately. The story of how they had met when their carriage turned over and Mr Parker had injured his ankle was told over again. Much praise was heaped upon the young ladies and their parents for their kindness and hospitality, while the Parker's contentment at having their friends with them again was laboured upon at length.

The Misses Heywood were genteel girls, the daughters of a very minor gentleman of about a thousand a year with what sounded like far too many children. Eleven, and all from the same mother! Lydia thought poor Mrs Heywood sounded very put upon, and thought she might crown her husband with a heavy object before allowing so many confinements. But though the family obviously had nothing to put by for dowries, and all of their children would have to marry or make their own way in the world, the girls were very well turned out. Far superior to how she and her sisters had been in Meryton before Elizabeth took them in hand, likely because the family saved appropriately, and only spent when the situation called for it.

Only the three eldest girls in their family were out, and the young ladies were obviously accomplished, well educated, and were very well dressed, considering how large of a family they had. The fabric of their gowns was the equal of much that could be found in Uncle Gardiner's warehouse, and the girls both displayed perfect manners and spoke French flawlessly. Mrs Heywood must have been quite the slave to their education, Lydia mused, and their father must be very careful indeed with his expenses. Far more than either of her own parents had been, she reflected.

The young ladies were filled with enthusiasm to learn that there was to be an assembly so soon upon their arrival, and they eagerly went above stairs to help each other unpack and prepare for the event. Lydia and Georgiana had left their maids at home, and helped each other, or Mrs Annesley assisted Georgiana if Lydia was not available. They spent the afternoon together in this way. Comparing gowns, changing ribbons over and over, adding seed pearls to each other's hair. Like the rest of the household, they took a tray in their room for dinner, and many giggles were exchanged while they made their preparations.

Lydia was all anticipation to enter the assembly, and she noticed Miss Heywood was as well, her eyes sparkling as she looked about expectantly. Lydia spied Sidney over in a corner talking to some of his friends. His eyes met hers and he gave her a devilish smile, setting her chest to pounding, as she reminded herself again that she did no t like him. When it seemed as if everyone had arrived, and the band started up the first strings of the first set, Lydia watched him make his way across the room. She heard a sharp gasp of delight next to her and looked over with some concern to see Miss Heywood smiling at Mr Parker, eyes shining, as if she might burst.

Sidney Parker drew up to the women, ignoring Miss Heywood completely, and bowed over Lydia's hand. As he led her to the floor, she heard another tell-tale gasp from behind her, this one of despair. She wondered, is this the disappointment of a girl as heartsick with infatuation as she had been when she met Sidney Parker or something more serious? As they lined up for the first dance, Lydia glanced over and saw Miss Heywood's crumpled expression, her sister's look of horror, the Miss Heywoods' subsequent flight to the terrace, and Mary Parker's look of deep concern for her poor young friend.

Lydia's eyes hardened as she saw the truth of the matter. She looked at Sidney's deceitful smile and saw George Wickham before her, and she fought as bile rose to her throat. Suddenly, it was not so difficult at all to remind herself that she did not like this man! Lydia pasted on a pleasant expression, fixed her eyes on a location just above her partner's left shoulder, and proceeded to finish out the dance for the sake of appearances. She made no response to his efforts to draw her out, and when the set was over, she barely laid her fingers on his arm as he led her to the side of the room.

He attempted to take her in the other direction, but she steered them firmly in the direction of Mary Parker, who was with Miss Heywood, who had just returned to the room with her sister, and was looking miserable. Lydia sat heavily in a chair near the three women and began to massage her ankle. "Dear me! I believe I have turned my ankle! What sad luck! And poor Miss Heywood quite obviously suddenly has the headache. You poor dear! Miss Heywood, if it were not for ill luck, we should have none whatsoever, should we? Mrs Parker, might I trouble you for the loan of your carriage back to Trafalgar House? Miss Heywood and I simply must rest."

Mary understood, and immediately sent Tom for the carriage. Lydia avoided the intense gaze of Sidney upon her as they waited. As Mr Parker assisted Charlotte into the carriage, Beatrice clutched Lydia's arm and said, "Perhaps I should come too. I am not sure-"

Lydia laid a hand on her arm and said, "I have seen what the trouble is. I shall look after her. I promise."

"That is terribly kind of you," the younger girl said worriedly, peering in at her sister's pale face.

"Not at all," Lydia reassured her. "I have five sisters, including Georgiana. Seven if you count the sisters of my brother Charles. I completely understand. Enjoy yourself tonight, Miss Beatrice. Your sister will be well." Lydia climbed into the carriage and took the seat across from Charlotte. Once the carriage had begun to move, she reached over and took the other lady's hands and said, "He gave you expectations when you were last here, did he not?" Miss Heywood's face crumpled, and the young woman burst into tears. "He is such a beast!" Lydia said vehemently. "I have been attracted to him ever since we met, when my sister took over her estate here, but his manners are ghastly, and he is often cruel, though I admit I found myself in some danger from his charms."

Miss Heywood dried her eyes as the carriage drew up to Trafalgar House. As they entered, Lydia requested mulled wine and sandwiches be sent up to Charlotte and Beatrice's room. When the two had helped each other from their gowns, and were relaxing by the fire in their dressing gowns with their repast, Lydia said thoughtfully, "I sensed that he could not be trusted. He does not love either of us. He has complained to me more than once that his fiancé's father cheated him financially somehow. My experience is that men who make such complaints publicly are not to be trusted. A proper man does not wish to be pitied, and does not share his trials with all and sundry. I wonder if he abandoned you to chase my dowry. I noticed Mrs Parker was giving him strange looks when he paid me undue attention. I do wish she had said something to me two weeks ago."

"Is your dowry very large?" The other girl asked, unthinking, then blushed. "Oh, how improper, please forgive me!"

Lydia grinned, "Terribly so. Embarrassing, really. My sister is Lady Darcy, and she is a genius at investing and trade, but before that, we were the five daughters of a minor gentleman of two thousand a year, whose estate was entailed away to a ghastly distant cousin. We had only a bit over twelve hundred each, and only on our mother's death. My mother was not raised as a gentlewoman, so we did not even receive the education that would have made it possible to take positions, if necessary, until Lizzy took it all in hand."

"Your sister is a businesswoman, and you are opening a hotel, even though you are a gentlewoman with a fortune. Do any of your other sisters do anything interesting?" asked Charlotte with all the interest that a young lady with limited prospects might have for the idea of women earning a successful living.

"My sister Kitty was away in Ireland for two years during her first marriage, and she wrote a collection of children's books while she was there. They have been published since her return. They have been very well received in London, and she is opening The Children's Theatre here in Sanditon this summer, with theatricals of her stories and others for the young ones," Lydia answered.

Charlotte gasped, "Your sister is Mrs Brandon? My siblings quite adore her adventures!" The two ladies talked for the rest of the night, giggling, nibbling sandwiches and sipping wine, reviling Mr Sidney Parker, and were on a first name basis by the time Beatrice came in very late with a worried expression.

*****

It was understood the next day that Mr and Mrs Parker would not come to the hotel, because they would be making the rounds about Sanditon with Charlotte and Beatrice. Charlotte wished to go to the hotel she heard so much about, but Lydia assured her there would be plenty of time for her to assist, and wished her a delightful day with their hosts. Lydia was glad that Tom and Mary would stay away, because she was certain that Sidney would try to gain an audience with her, and she did not wish for a spectacle.

Wilson had warned all the workmen that Sidney Parker was not permitted at the hotel for any reason, and very early in the morning, after conferring with Mrs Annesley and Mr Arthur Parker, he had poached the tallest, most burly footman they had ever seen from the household of a local gentleman who rarely paid his staff on time. He was promised an excellent reference when Lydia finished her work at Sanditon, and his only responsibility was to follow Lydia about and ensure Sidney did not approach her.

Lydia and Joan were counting towels just after seven in the morning, when she heard Sidney outside the door to the room she was working in. Her new footman John was informing him that he was unwelcome in the hotel, and to clear out. Lydia had no intention of allowing the man another audience ever again, for any reason. He was a snake, and therefore it was pointless to listen to anything he might say, for it would likely only be falsehoods.

Sidney was arguing with John when Timothy Wilson rounded the corner of the corridor. "I am glad to see you, Mr Parker! I was asked to give you this message from Miss Bennet." There was quite a bit of noise and scuffling as a blow to the stomach stole Parker's wind, and a crunch to the face blackened his eye. John and Wilson dragged Mr Parker out the front doors and dumped him unsolicitously upon the steps, as the Misses Parker came into view walking up the lane. "Mr Parker, we care not how many of your relations come in and out of here each day, you are not welcome, and the presence of your family will not save you from the consequences of you disturbing Miss Bennet or Miss Heywood again in any way. When your family comes here, you should make an excuse, and find something else to do. If you are seen within a half mile of this hotel again, you shall regret it."

The two men left him unceremoniously, and when they were gone, his sisters hurried up to him to see about his injuries. Lydia watched from the window as he snapped uncharitably at his youngest sister, who flounced away in a huff. His eldest sister shook her head in a disapproving way, touched him upon the shoulder, then hurried indoors, blinking away tears. A few moments later there was a noise behind her, and Lydia turned to see Miss Diana Parker standing behind her in the doorway. "I am sorry you saw that, Miss Parker, I cannot imagine what you must think of me," Lydia apologised.

"No. I love my brother, but I am far from ignoring his faults. He deserved it. The sheer audacity of his even coming here this morning is astonishing. We all were so confused when he began to pay attention to you. He had all but declared himself to Miss Heywood before she went away. We expected an announcement when she returned. For him to cut the poor dear so cruelly, I cannot account for his behaviour," Miss Parker sniffed.

"I have seen men react to my dowry in such a way many times," said Lydia pointedly.

"Oh no! I do believe it was avarice! Our dear father left him something. Not a great deal, but as you can see from Arthur, enough to exist on in a genteel manner, even if he never took a profession. He does not need money," the older woman said naively.

"There are some men who are never satisfied," Lydia observed. "But I shall not quarrel about the matter. I will not, however, entertain any more of his company here." Miss Parker agreed that this was sensible, and followed her sister to prepare for her day.

Pemberley

Derbyshire

Dear Lydia,

I write with glad tidings of great joy. Mary has delivered a hearty boy, Reginald George Fitzwilliam. He was quite a large babe, I do not know quite how Mary managed it, and her labours were difficult indeed. I have never witnessed a woman struggle so. Mama is prodigiously proud of Mary for her accomplishment, and has been visiting often. We are still waiting for Jane, but it cannot be long now.

Mary and Richard will remain at Pemberley until the spring, when they will return to Rosings. Mary feels guilty about how little time they have spent there lately, but Richard assures her that it brought both of them great comfort to be so close to their family at such a time. Richard is monstrously proud of his new boy, and carries the babe about with him in the stables quite constantly, already teaching the infant everything there is to know about horses.

I am greatly displeased at the news of Mr Parker's inconstancy. I did not like him either, when we were in Sanditon, and I did not like the idea of him courting you. I shall write to thank Wilson for his protection of you and send a gratuity for him and this new John, to show my appreciation. It is possible, Lydia, that you might benefit from your own personal footman in the future, if you continue with this new independent spirit. If this John is appropriately protective and imposing, and Wilson has Montague check his background, you should consider offering him a permanent position.

All is well with the children. Baby Rose is quite the sweetest child ever created, and Kitty and Master Andrew thrive. I hear from Mr Farinacci regularly. He says you work very hard, and have a great sense of how to manage. He and I have every confidence that you will triumph, and that the opening will be splendid. You have my thanks, Sister, for giving me this time at home with Rose. I still have not forgotten how difficult it was with the twins while searching for Kitty.

Hasn't Mr Radcliffe proposed to Georgie yet?

Lizzy

Trafalgar House

Sanditon

Dearest Lizzy,

I am splendidly pleased to hear the news of my new nephew. I shall write to my sister Mary forthwith! I long to hear news of Jane's safe delivery as well. I cannot wait to see the new babes.

As you must know by now, the proposal has been made, because Mr Radcliffe sent an express to my brother Darcy. Georgiana is glowing with joy, and I could not be happier for her. She wishes to marry from Pemberley in May, and I do hope I shall have matters well in hand here, that I might attend.

The Parkers are a kind family, but I must admit that I miss my own terribly. I greatly look forward to Mama's return, though it will not be until after Twelfth Night. I have taken a great interest in the Parker's other guests, Miss Heywood and her sister. If they do not find husbands by the end of my stay here, I shall invite them to visit me when I return to Pemberley, or perhaps to London, with your permission. They are very genteel girls from a situation rather like our own used to be, more desperate in some regards, less so in others. I do hope they find good situations for themselves.

Do keep me informed about Jane,

Lydia

Pemberley

Derbyshire

Dearest Lyddie,

You command and I obey! The time has arrived, and Jane is delivered of a lovely boy, Nathaniel Albert Bingley. Charles struts about, and boasts of his fine lad quite constantly, and one cannot decide if it is he that is more puffed up, or Richard. Darcy said one might think they had invented sons.

I hope I have found a solution to some of our problems. It has been learned by Montague that the Duchy of Exeter has finally bankrupted itself. This is that ridiculous nobleman that keeps two monstrous palaces in London, so that the duke and duchess need not reside together after their children have come. This has been a tradition spanning back several generations, so one can only imagine how much money they wasted. Two London palaces running at once nearly all the time for how many years? I cannot imagine such dissipation.

The rumour is that the late duchess and the duke's mistress were quite competitive in regard to entertaining and displaying their wealth, so it is possible that you might find much of what we need there. I am thinking that though much of their plate has their crest, they will likely also have a great deal that does not, and the very best quality too. It will all go to auction in London, and you must go with all haste to obtain whatever you can. Do not be concerned by the cost. As I said, any expense can be recovered in time, if only the hotel opens on schedule. If it does not, its reputation will be destroyed, and it shall never recover. Montague, Uncle Gardiner, and Wilson will accompany you to the auction, and handle the arrangements. You need only do the bidding.

Good luck, and enjoy yourself. I know how you enjoy these estate sales, and this one will be well worth seeing. Buy yourself something lovely and terribly expensive, if you see anything you fancy. I insist. Spend as much as you like.

Your Lizzy

Trafalgar House

Sanditon

Lizzy!

I am away to London in the morning for the auction, but I simply must write a line to share the latest news. Miss Heywood and I need not concern ourselves with seeing Mr Sidney Parker anymore. He has eloped with Miss Lambe!

Mrs Griffiths says that the terms of her father's will state only that she must marry an Englishman to claim her inheritance. His plantation and other properties were sold upon his death, and the money placed in the percents, in the amount of eighty thousand pounds. The two left a note saying they were going to Gretna Green, then instead travelled to the closest port, and boarded a ship for the West Indies, and were presumably married when they reached the open sea.

The Parkers and Mrs Griffiths are terribly upset, the Parkers are embarrassed as well as grieved, for it seems they may never see their brother again, and Mrs Griffiths now must return to London and take on several more students out of necessity, but I am happy for the two of them. Mr Parker obviously requires a fortune to be happy, and Miss Lambe has said that any husband willing to live with her in the West Indies would suffice, her only desire was to leave England. They have both received what they wanted from the match. As Charlotte Collins used to say, not everyone wishes to be romantic.

You are correct that I am terribly excited about the auction. It is not every day one has the opportunity to witness such a spectacle. I shall do as you say and buy myself a diamond tiara and a matching parure. What a lark!

Your Soon to be Heavily Bejeweled Sister,

Lydia