“Fifty pounds a year?” Isabella now turned to face Mr. Smith.
"It is half his yearly wage, though you wouldn't know it by the way he lived, and is quite generous considering I will most likely need to take on another partner," Mr. Smith spit back indignantly.
He had quite the smug look on his face as he rocked back and forth on his heels, hands pleasantly clasped in front of him. What was torturous to say for the lawyer, and unbelievable to hear for Isabella, was quite enjoyable for this horrible man.
He had positively backed her into a corner. With such a small amount, there was no possible way for Isabella to live alone. It wouldn't even support a house staff of just one or two servants. He had meant it to force her to beg before him for that which she had denied him all those years ago.
“Good heavens, Izzy, what did you do?” Louisa asked as she listened, horrified and enraptured by the retelling.
“Well, I refused to give in to his boorish demands. I told him I would find a way to settle on such low income and that was the end of that. I will starve to death before I give that man the benefit of seeing me grovel at his feet.
“But Izzy-without a home or any possessions of your own, how will you do it?”
“Well, after I announced I would not give in to the wretched blackguard, Mr. Smith stormed out of the room, slamming the door quite loudly behind him. Mr. Jenkins, the poor man, began apologizing profusely, saying that if there were anything he could do to help me, he would.”
“Well, what is there to be done, Izzy?”
“I thought on this fact for the better part of last night. I have come to one conclusion. I will need to find myself some sort of employment.”
“Certainly not?” Louisa asked with surprise, though Isabella could already see the wheels turning in her head that this was the likely alternative.
“I think we both know that this is how it must be,” Isabella said with a defeated tone.
“It is either that or giving in to Mr. Smith. My pride, however sinful to keep, will not allow such a thing. I will not be offended at all if at such a declaration you find yourself unable to keep my company.”
“Absolutely not!” Louisa said using a firm tone.
“You are my dearest friend. You were the only one who cared to spend time with me when we were together at school. I would never abandon you, no matter the cost.”
“Not even if I am a lowly scullery maid?” Isabella asked, tears welling in her eyes.
In all honesty, she had spent the whole of her night not just thinking about a life of employment but terrified of the fact that she had no idea what employable skills she had.
Though she may have been born on the lower side of the peerage, her father had never spared her a comfort, and she feared she could not even dress on her own, let alone take on tasks.
“You will be no such thing,” Louisa said firmly. She placed her own small, delicate hands in Isabella's lap and began to ponder.
“I understand now why you have come to me. We will most certainly find something that would be suitable for your position.”
“But I don’t have a position; I am free of status now and completely destitute, without any skills at hand.”
“Of course you have skills,” Louisa encouraged. “Why, you were always one of the top performers in our school! Do you not remember? Mrs. Mason would have you stand and recite your French lessons before prospective students. Why, that is it!” Louisa said with the light of a plan. “You could easily find employment as a governess.”
Isabella thought this new idea over for a bit. She unquestionably had loved school and took to it quickly.
She was accomplished enough in her educational knowledge as well as music and other various genteel talents. She could certainly teach such things to young lords and ladies.
Of course, it was a definite step down from being one of the peerages to serving and educating them. It was not as low as the serving class but somewhere in between.
Between her employment and her small allowance, Isabella would most certainly be able to manage on her own.
“Do you think I would be hired as such? Mr. Jenkins did offer to help me find employment when I found myself in need of it.”
“Of course. I am quite sure that Mrs. Mason would also be happy to give you a shining reference. You could most likely find a home here in London to instruct pupils at and we could still be close friends.”
“Oh, my dear Louisa, I fear wishing so much good fortune to happen at this time in my life is much like wishing to catch a star. I will be quite satisfied with any position and your continued friendship, even if through correspondence only.”
“Have faith, Izzy,” Louisa said, reaching across the small table of tea and taking Isabella’s hands.
“We will find a way to overcome this hurdle together. Certainly, it isn’t something to worry about now. The Season is almost upon us. Mr. Smith certainly won't put you out till after. It will give you an opportunity to more earnestly search a match and perhaps escape all the necessity for such talk.”
“I hope you’re right, Louisa,” Isabella responded, giving her a grateful squeeze of the hand in return.
“I was frightened by his rage upon my declaration not to heed his request. I am almost certain he will do everything in his power to hinder my progress at every turn.”
Chapter 2
The following week, Isabella made her way back to Mr. Jenkins’s office after receiving a note that he had found a suitable position for her. She had been reassured by Louisa that she would have at least the season to see if she could come up with a better course of action before settling on being a governess.
It was not to be the case.
Sadly, no more than a week after finding out about her father's untimely death, Mr. Smith had visited Rosewater house. There he had informed Miss Isabella that she would have a month only to collect items and vacate her home.
He then proceeded to boldly go through the house, solicitor in tow, informing her of what things he planned to sell.
Isabella hadn’t informed the servants yet of the impending liquidation of her father’s estates. Mr. Smith even went boldly into Isabella’s own room and rifled through her belongings. Mr. Smith announced he would be procuring all her belongings including dresses and jewelry.
The solicitor, embarrassed, hastily suggested that such tactics were not necessary to the closing of the amount owed.
Mr. Smith reluctantly allowed Isabella to keep her clothing but still required all jewelry be turned over to him for selling. She didn’t have much in the way of fancy jewelry.
Therefore, she didn’t care much for giving it up if it meant not allowing Mr. Smith the satisfaction of seeing her beg him for marriage.