A Parson Comes to Tea

A week or two ago Charlotte had asked me if she might invite a certain Reverend Lewis over to tea. The good Reverend had been a long-standing family friend of the Middletons and was now Curate at Great Gandersfield some twenty miles away from Winterbrook. I could see no harm in a visit from a man of the cloth and Miss Downing assured me that Charlotte had been working very assiduously and deserved the treat of renewing an old acquaintance. Consequently I had Jenks write to the man extending an invitation to call on us should he happen to find himself in the district one afternoon. I had a reply by return of post – the man was certainly keen!

The Reverend Lewis arrived just after two this afternoon. I had Eleanor pick him up from the station in the Rolls. He seemed rather overawed by the whole experience and was certainly very nervous as he was introduced to me. The reason for the nervousness I was to find out later!
I had been expecting someone a little older but he can only be in his late twenties. Tall, dark-haired, a pleasant, rather handsome face, he held himself well, formally dressed in his dark clerical suit and collar.

After a few minutes of pleasantries I rang the bell for Jenks.

“Jenks, would you fetch Miss Charlotte?”

Charlotte joined us in the study a few minutes later. I was pleased to see that she was beautifully turned out in her best cream and lace dress. Her hair was up and she was wearing the pearls that had been one of my gifts to her at Christmas. When she saw the Reverend Lewis her face lit up with a smile.

“Charlotte, it is a little while before tea will be served in the drawing room. Why don’t you take Reverend Lewis and give him a tour of the estate. It is a fine day and I’m sure that he would appreciate some fresh air after his journey in the motor car.”

“I’d be delighted Sir George,” she beamed.

The two of them set off, Charlotte leading the way.

Tea was a pleasant affair. The Reverend Lewis had visibly relaxed. He and Charlotte had spent a very enjoyable afternoon. They had walked over to Home Farm and had called in on old Mrs Harrison, now bed-ridden who had appreciated the pastoral visit. They had also been to the stables and had watched Lucinda schooling her favourite pony. Both girls are turning into fine horsewomen but it is Lucinda who has the edge when it comes to horses. She joined us for tea, looking happy and content. It was delightful to see the two sisters in such good form. I know that Miss Downing has constant trouble from Lucinda and finds her surly and rebellious but I had no hint of that side of her character this afternoon.

As tea came to an end the Reverend Lewis leant over to me.

“Sir, there is something that I would like to discuss with you in private, may I crave a few moments of your time alone?”

“Yes, of course, my man,” I agreed, “Come through to my study.”

We left the girls in the drawing room and I led the way to my study, closing the door behind us to make sure that we weren’t disturbed. I bade him take a seat by the fireplace.

He shook his head. “No sir, there is something I must ask you that requires more formality than that.”

I was a little taken aback by the sudden seriousness in his tone and I noticed that he was again as nervous as he had been at the start of the afternoon.

“Ask away my man,” I said blithely, “No need to stand on ceremony.”

He swallowed hard and took a deep breath.

“I would like your permission to ask Charlotte to be my wife,” he said.

Well, I was totally taken by surprise. I had had no inkling that there was any romantic affection between my ward and this young clergyman. I could only assume that this was a relationship that predated Charlotte’s arrival at Winterbrook and that perhaps they had remained in correspondence since. Of course, it was totally out of the question, but it would have been cruel to the young man to deny him without hearing him out first.

“Reverend Lewis, please, do sit down. Before I can give you an answer I must hear more about you and your prospects in life.”

It was as I expected. The young man was pleasant enough but totally unsuitable. He was from a respectable enough family, the younger son of a country lawyer, but there was little money and no reasonable chance of preferment. As far as I could see he had little to offer Charlotte. No, she would make a much better match than this, and although he was obviously infatuated with her that was not reason enough to ruin her future by marrying her into a life of genteel poverty.
I listened to what he had to say but at the end I shook my head.

“I am very sorry Reverend Lewis, but I cannot give my blessing, nor my permission for this proposed union. Your prospects, as you have honestly described them, are not good. You are a pleasant enough fellow I’m sure, but as Charlotte’s guardian it is my duty to do the best by her. In all conscience I cannot agree to her marrying you simply on the basis of shared affection.”

He took it well I must say. He was obviously disappointed but he did his best not to show it. He thanked me for my time and bade my good day. I had Jenks call for the car and he accompanied him out to the front.

I went through into the drawing room where Charlotte and Lucy were waiting. I knew that they were both aware of what Reverend Lewis had been to speak to me about. Charlotte got to her feet as I entered the room. She was clearly on tenterhooks so there was no point in being anything other than direct.

“I am sorry to disappoint you Charlotte,” I said firmly, “But I cannot allow you to marry Mr Lewis, he has no real prospects as I am certain you are aware. You can do far better than that I am sure.”

Her face went white and her nostrils flared. I thought she might burst into tears or shout and scream but she didn’t, her voice was quiet but full of controlled passion.

“You cold-hearted beast,” she said slowly, “What right have you to ruin my every happiness? I will never forgive you, you complete and utter bastard!”

I heard Lucinda gasp. Charlotte was not hot-tempered like her, the outburst was completely out of character. She turned on her heel and stalked out of the room.

Lucinda stood there open mouthed at what she had just witnessed.

I felt the anger burn in me. I had done my best by the girl, saving her from a most unsuitable marriage. It was only natural that she was disappointed but that did not give her the right to speak to me with those words or in that tone. However, I wasn’t going to demean myself by chasing after her.

“Stop gawping girl,” I admonished Lucinda, “Find Miss Downing and ask her to come to my study.”