For Myself Alone: A Jane Austen Inspired Novel (16 page)

“Well then, we must be prepared for the alternative. With a sound plan in place beforehand, there will be no temptation to panic if and when you are served with notice of Mr. Pierce’s definite intention to sue. His solicitor’s letter will state his client’s claims and stipulate a specific amount in damages. That is when the real negotiations begin. There can be a lot of wrangling back and forth before a mutually agreeable settlement is found. I will, of course, handle all of that for you, according to your instructions. Unless the two parties arrive at a complete impasse, the case need never come to trial.”

“What do you recommend?” Papa asks. “I suppose Jo must be prepared to offer Mr. Pierce something.”

“Yes, I believe that is the wisest path if you wish to keep out of court. It needn’t be a huge sum. As little as a thousand pounds might well do the trick. After all, if he takes the matter to trial, he will have ten times the trouble and perhaps clear no more than that in the end.”

I cannot help interrupting. “Excuse me, Mr. Gerber. May I be frank?”

“By all means.”

I rise from my chair and pace the confines of the small room like a caged tiger. “You speak of claims, damages and settlements as if it is simply a matter of course. Perhaps for you it is, but not for me. In fact, it strikes me that the whole scheme is little better than a form of legalized extortion! Do not misunderstand me; the money is of minimal importance to me. It is the principle involved that is impossible to surrender. Mr. Pierce’s bad conduct is responsible for placing me in this dreadful position. And now, on top of what I have already suffered, he threatens to drag me into court. Does such barbarous behavior deserve to be rewarded?”

“I understand your repugnance for the notion, Miss Walker. Obviously, you are a woman of high ideals, and I admire you for it. My own personal sympathies tend in much the same direction, I assure you. However, years of experience have taught me that survival often demands compromise. In the judicial system, taking an unyielding stand for one’s principles can prove exceedingly hazardous… and enormously expensive. That is the plain truth. As your solicitor, it is my sworn duty to steer you away from such peril.” He pauses and sighs thoughtfully. “Nevertheless, should you be firmly of that mind, there is another course of action you may wish to consider – a very effective but extreme measure. I hesitate even to mention it.”

“Tell me,” I demand. Mr. Gerber looks dubious. “You promised to be straightforward with us, sir. Now, tell me your idea.”

“As you wish, Miss Walker. But let me first remind you that this is
not
a recommendation, only one possibility, and that I advise
very
careful reflection before taking such a drastic step. In the end, however, you must be the judge of whether or not it is the best solution. I am entirely at your service; I will do as you instruct me regardless of what you decide.”

“Yes, yes, I quite understand, Mr. Gerber. Now what is it?”

“Well, Miss Walker, the surest way to prevent Mr. Pierce getting his hands on any of your fortune is to dispose of it before he has the chance. You can divest yourself preemptively. Whilst the money is still yours to do with as you like, you can give it away.”

27

Home Again

Give away my fortune? What an idea! Such a strategy would never have occurred to me, yet I must acknowledge it has a certain appeal. The money has never brought me any joy, and the thought of Richard’s father finding the cupboard bare after dreaming about its contents so long makes me laugh aloud. “Oh, to see the look on his face … It might almost be worth it, Mr. Gerber. You say it has been done successfully before?”

“Oh, yes. People go to great lengths to avoid paying a judgment, especially when they believe, as you do, that the plaintiff deserves nothing. I have known defendants in such cases to go so far as to emigrate, or even submit to imprisonment rather than give in. Although it is more common to hide or actually dispose of assets in order to keep them out of reach – a large bequest to a near relation, for example. However, I must state again that I consider such radical measures completely unwarranted in your case, Miss Walker, at least from a practical standpoint. In my opinion, Mr. Pierce’s claim is not strong enough to endanger the bulk of your fortune.”

“Yet you have also said that juries are unpredictable, and, as I have told you, it is the principle as much as the practical that interests me.”

The discussion continues some twenty minutes more, the solicitor explaining various details concerning the legal process and the likely sequence of events in order that I should be fully prepared for every eventuality. No immediate decision will be required of me, as the wheels of legal process grind exceedingly slow. For now, Mr. Gerber charges me to give very earnest consideration as to how I wish the situation handled, to keep him apprised of any new developments, and to take no serious action without first consulting him.

That evening, Mr. Ramsey calls again, spending most of his visit in quiet conversation with me. “So, your business is finished here?” he asks.

“Yes, for now.”

“And are you satisfied with Mr. Gerber?”

“I am satisfied that his counsel is wise and well-founded, yes. It is not the most pleasant news to hear, but I would not have thanked him for giving me anything less than the truth. He told us at the outset he would be direct, and he has kept his word.”

“I am pleased to hear it.”

“The quality of Mr. Gerber’s advice notwithstanding, I come away from my first encounter with the legal system scarcely less ignorant than when I began. The little which I could understand, however, appears to contradict the very few notions I had entertained on the matter before. It seems the law has only a nodding acquaintance with justice and an even more tenuous association with common sense. I find it sadly disillusioning. Are you certain you can be happy pursuing a career as a barrister, Mr. Ramsey?”

“The law is a flawed institution, I grant you. Still, I believe reform is coming, and perhaps I shall be able to do my part. At any rate, it is an honorable profession and genteel enough to suit my mother. Of course, she does not intend that I should ever make a living at it. I can, though, if I am obliged to, and that gives me hope for the future.”

“As we are speaking of Miss Graham…” I say mischievously.

“Oh, were we?”

“Perhaps not, but I felt certain we were both thinking of her just then. Be that as it may, I had an idea you might like to know she is to come to me in Hampshire soon. So, should any chance occurrence or errand of business coincidentally take you in that direction, you may have the pleasure of meeting with her again sooner than you expected.”

“Thank you, Miss Walker,” he says with a warm glint in his eye. “I shall certainly bear that in mind.”

~~*~~

I return to Wallerton with thoughts of everything I have lately learnt about my situation stirring round in my head. Thankfully, I have weeks to sort it all out, since the event that will seal my fate – the scheduled wedding date – is still three months off.

A letter from Richard has arrived whilst I was away, insisting on a more expeditious response. It says in part,
“I know you asked not to be disturbed, but you leave me no choice. I can tolerate this silence no longer. It is still my earnest desire that, in the end, you will agree to marry me in May as planned. Yet every day that passes without word from you eats away at that hope a little more. I beg you, Jo, put an end to this awful suspense. Have I not been punished enough? Come back to me and let us be happy together as we were before.”

Richard’s words tug at my heartstrings. I find myself softening toward him despite my efforts to resist. He has done wrong, certainly. Still that does not mean that he is entirely without redeeming qualities, without any proper feeling. Perhaps he really does love me, just as he has claimed all along. In some ways, I should like to think so. Alas, I will never know for sure. Strictly speaking, his professions only establish that he would rather have the whole twenty thousand pounds by marriage than whatever fraction thereof he might realize in a settlement.

~~*~~

The next morning, I prepare to visit Agnes after my absence. Although I ordinarily prefer to walk the distance or ride horseback, today’s persistent, unseasonably late fall of sleet demands that I commit myself to the carriage instead. On my way, I remember that Mr. Gerber has cautioned me against discussing my legal situation with anyone beyond my own family. However, I have little need to be evasive with Agnes, as she proves remarkably disinterested in the subject. Once she hears that the trip to London has been a success, she is satisfied and ready to move on to more interesting topics.

“I am glad to see you, Jo, but I have hardly had a moment to miss you, what with all my other visitors,” she says with considerable animation, looking much like her old self again. “Your good brother has come every day, and Miss Ainsworth was here on Monday. And then, who do you think came calling Tuesday?”

“I haven’t a clue.”

“Mr. Cox!” she says, laughing. “Well, you needn’t look so surprised. Miss Graham wrote you that he might come, and so he did. He claimed some business brought him as near here as Guildford, but I cannot help suspecting it was just an excuse. He sat and talked with Mama and me for nearly an hour. Then, at his insistence, we took a turn in the garden together before he went away. Mr. Cox asked after you as well, Jo. Perhaps you shall see him when next he comes, for he said he will call again that he might be introduced to my father.”

“Well, I must say his visit seems to have done you a world of good, my dear. I did not realize that you cared for his company so very much.”

“I am not certain that I do, but does that mean I cannot enjoy the fact that he apparently cares a great deal for mine? It is flattering to be liked so much, you know, especially after everything that has happened.”

“Yes, of course, but take care, Agnes. The poor man may be falling in love with you. You would not want his broken heart on your conscience.”

“I’m sure I should be very sorry to break his heart. Still, I never asked him to fall in love with me, did I?”

However, invited or not, Mr. Cox declared his passionate ardor for my fair friend when he called on her again a week later, according to Agnes’s spirited report to me the next day. Apparently, after doing his best to ingratiate himself with her father, the young gentleman had once again taken her for a stroll in the garden. There he sought to recommend himself to her by expounding on the considerable scope of his worldly resources, and by elaborating on the extent of his love for her, which he allowed to be of equally prodigious proportions. Whilst the eloquent recital of his adoration did not fail to gratify, judging from the glow of Agnes’s cheeks as she retold it, neither did it succeed in winning for him the object of that affection. Agnes turned down his offer.

Surprised, Mr. Cox wondered if she could be perfectly serious in her refusal.

She was.

Would she like to take a little time to reflect before answering?

Not necessary.

Could she at least give him leave to hope for a more favorable response at some future point in time?

No, she could give him no such encouragement, but would he like to stay to tea?

Not likely. Apparently the unfortunate fellow left the place at once, entirely forgetting to visit his other friends in Wallerton, of whom he always claimed to be excessively fond.

“Poor Mr. Cox,” I lament after hearing the whole story. “I was afraid he had become too attached to you, Agnes. Were you not at all tempted to consider his offer? With Arthur out of the way, I suppose you are perfectly free to accept someone else.”

“I am free, but I shan’t accept the first offer that comes my way. Still, Mr. Cox has done me a great service. His proposal has taught me that I needn’t despair about my fortune being now so small. As he generously pointed out, I have other assets which more than make up for it. If Mr. Cox is eager to take me, with or without a dowry, surely there will be other men of consequence who feel the same. I am bound to like one of them well enough to marry. Therefore, I am through being downcast over Arthur Evensong. I shall never forgive him for what he has done…”

“Nor shall I.”

“…but henceforth I shall set my sights somewhat higher.”

I cannot help wondering if Agnes’s bravado is sincere or a mask for a heart still aching over Arthur’s abandonment. Either way, her new optimistic outlook is a refreshing change from the low morale under which she has suffered these many weeks. “Yes, I am sure there are any number of fine gentlemen who would be proud to have you, Agnes.”

~~*~~

When I return to Fairfield, I find Frederick in the parlor, reading the newspaper. He glances up as I enter. “Ah, there you are.” Presently, he continues in an off-handed way, “How did you find Miss Pittman today?”

“In tolerably good spirits, I am happy to report. I believe she has turned a corner in her recovery. She begins to seem much more like her old self again.”

“I am pleased to hear it.”

He returns to his paper, and I take up my needlework. We sit together quietly several minutes until Frederick makes another casual attempt at conversation.

“Your friend took this financial setback very hard, I think. I have done what I can to cheer her, but I daresay she would much rather it was Arthur who came calling. I am a poor substitute, to be sure.”

Since Agnes still keeps the change in Arthur’s standing to herself, I take care in my answer. “I would hardly characterize the situation in that way, Fred. I know your visits have been greatly appreciated, and I believe they deserve at least a small part of the credit for Agnes’s improvement.”

“Well, if I have been of any service, then I am gratified.”

We fall silent again, each of us attending to our own pursuits.

Finally, Frederick adds, “As you judge that my visits to the Pittmans have been of some little use after all, perhaps I should trot round tomorrow before I return to Millwalk. It is two days since I was last there, and I should hate to be remiss. What do you think, Jo? You know them better than I do.”

“By all means. In such cases, it is far better to err on the side of giving too much consideration rather than too little. Besides, I truly believe the Pittmans would be very glad to see you again.”

“Just as you say, then. I shall stop there on my way.”