Re: Knowl Park
Chapter 4 Part 4
Master Philip never did understand why Morning Calls always took place in the afternoon, but two afternoons later whilst working in his father’s study, he observed Mrs Higson alight from her carriage and climb the steps to the manor house.
She was a fussy, sour-faced woman who looked down on almost everyone simply because her husband was a rich merchant, and they lived in a fine town house with more servants than they needed, just for show.
They had a daughter “of marriageable age” called Esme. Philip had met her a few times and thought she was pleasant enough, but there was no spark between them. Their union would have been a suitable marriage as far as her parents were concerned, but Philip was adamant that he would only marry for love.
A murmur of voices came from the entrance hall. “I shall go and see if Mrs Marsden is in,” said the butler. He knew that she was, but this was proper etiquette. If the homeowner did not want to meet the caller, the message that she/he was out would be returned, and the caller would be sent on their way.
Philip’s mother never refused a visitor, even if she did not like the caller, so Mrs Higson was admitted to the parlour where Sarah Marsden joined her. Tea was called for, and then it began. Mrs Higson was unhappy, and her shrill voice was raised, but Philip couldn’t make out his mother’s replies.
Philip wanted to work, needed to work, but he couldn’t concentrate with the annoying tones of the woman in the next room rattling around his head. He was about to leave when he heard the woman say his name. He would not normally eavesdrop, but his curiosity was piqued, so he quietly opened the door between the two rooms, bringing him out unnoticed, directly behind Mrs Higson.
Putting a finger to his lips and giving a slight shake of his head, his mother immediately got the message and leaned forward as if interested in what the woman had to say.
“ … Well, as you can imagine, I was shocked. Your son, cavorting with not one, but two common maidservants, without a chaperone!”
Lowering her voice slightly, but not very much, she continued. “Now I’m not one to tell tales,” which nearly made Philip snort, “but if it got out that Master Philip was carrying on with women from the lower classes, it could have a disastrous effect on his chances of a suitable marriage. Quite disastrous.”
“How so?” At the sudden sound of Philip’s voice, Mrs Higson gave a cry of alarm and spilled her tea.
“You used the word cavorting. Tell me prey, what exactly did you see,” Philip continued as he walked round from behind the visitor.
Initially spooked by Philip’s unexpected appearance, she began, “I, I, well, I was told you were seen, um, kissing and cuddling with serving girls, in public.” Philip could almost see her climb onto her high horse as she continued in a haughty tone, “Do you not see how that could damage your chances of a suitable marriage to a lady?”
“Told? You mean you did not actually see what happened? Am I to be tried and convicted upon pure hearsay? How monstrous!”
“I am a grown man and have come of age. If you wish to discuss my personal life, though it is none of your business, then you should have the good grace to do so to my face, not come and tell tales to my mother behind my back.”
“As far as I am concerned, a suitable marriage is one where both people love, respect, and trust each other no matter what their status.”
“I pity any woman who has been taught from an early age that their only purpose in life is to marry someone with money, or power, or a title, and must then spend the rest of their lives in tedium with someone they do not love.
“If I am one day lucky enough to marry, I will choose my own wife as she will have chosen me. It won’t matter if I fall for a Princess or a beggar, a Viscount’s daughter or a tavern maid. I will only marry for love.”
“Your comment about a lack of chaperone is quite insulting. A chaperone is only needed where someone cannot be trusted.”
“Saying that I will have reduced my chances of a suitable marriage is absolute poppycock. How can spending a day in the company of several intelligent, interesting, attractive young ladies possibly do anything of the sort?
“As for cavorting, I do not see how holding hands, walking arm in arm, escorting ladies in a gentlemanly manner, or kissing three of my closest friends could be considered anything of the sort.”
“Now if you will excuse me, I have work to do. Good day to you.”
Worried that Philip might see them if he came through the door into the corridor, Millie and Amanda rushed off in different directions to make sure they didn’t get caught because they had been listening outside the parlour as their friend gave the horrible woman a telling off.
Up until then, Amanda still hadn’t been sure if she had been kissed by Philip. It had happened so fast, if at all, and she didn’t want to make a fool of herself by asking Millie or William what they had seen, especially if she had imagined it.
Now she knew it was true. She had seen Philip kiss his friend Charlotte, whom she knew was in love with someone else, and she had been right next to Millie when Philip had kissed her lightly on the cheek after paying off the showman.
Just a few seconds ago she had heard Philip say that he had kissed his three closest friends at the fayre. It was true then, Philip had kissed her atop the Ferris Wheel. She hadn’t imagined it.
Whether he had done it for any reason other than to encourage William to kiss Millie was another matter though. Still, that coupled with the comments about choosing his own wife, and only marrying for love, irrespective of their status had given her hope.
Perhaps one day they could be together.
© December 2021