Jill Pitkeathley - Dearest Cousin Jane

Jane Austen (17751817)

Reverend George Austen (17311805), father of Jane

Cassandra Leigh Austen (17391827), mother of Jane

James Austen (17651819), brother of Jane

Mary Lloyd Austen (Mrs JA), his wife

Edward Austen Knight (17671852), brother of Jane

Elizabeth Bridges Austen Knight, his wife

Henry Austen (17711850), brother of Jane

Eliza Hancock de Feuillide Austen (17611813), his wife q.v., known as Betsy as a child and later as Mrs HA

Cassandra Austen (17731845), sister of Jane

Francis (Frank) Austen (17741865), brother of Jane

Mary Gibson Austen (Mrs FA), his wife

Charles Austen (17791852), brother of Jane

Frances (Fanny) Palmer Austen, his wife

George Austen (17661838), mentally handicapped brother of Jane

Philadelphia Austen Hancock (17301792), sister of Reverend George Austen, mother of Eliza

Tysoe Saul Hancock (died 1775), husband of above and father of Eliza

Jean Capot, Comte de Feuillide (executed 1794), first husband of Eliza

Hastings de Feuillide (17861801), son of Eliza and the Comte de Feuillide

Philadelphia (Philly) Walter Whitaker, niece to Mrs George Austen and cousin to Jane and Eliza

Warren Hastings, first governor-general of India, godfather of Eliza

Christmas 1787

I have always found that the most effectual way of getting rid of temptation is to give way to it, so I shall accept both your offers, said Eliza as she glanced from one of my brothers to the other. Smiling at them both, she took the hands that each of them had held out to her and stepped down from the stage. The wind is chill in here, she went on. Now which of my two charming squires will fetch me my shawl?

I will, they chorused eagerly, but while James waited for her to choose the messenger, Henry, younger and more agile, was already running down to the other end of the barn where the outdoor clothing was piled upon a chair. As he returned with the multicoloured shawl, a gift from Elizas godfather, I saw him glance triumphantly at James. Because Henry was my favourite brother, I was always on his side in these silly competitions that had developed between him and James for Elizas attention, but even I could see how she flirted outrageously with them both and played them off against each other. I had overheard my parents talking about it, too. They were not quarrelling, my parents never did that, but they were certainly disagreeing about Eliza and the way two of their sons were reacting to her.

Tis nothing but harmless fun my dear, said my father. After all, she is a married woman with a small child so can have no serious designs on them.

Mr Austen, replied my mother, you may be a clergyman well versed in the sins of your parishioners, but you are innocent of the wily ways of a woman like her. Why, she has been headstrong and spoiled since the time we first knew her and that racketing life she has led in France has not made her conform to our simple country ways. I tell you both James and Henry are in a fair way to having their heads turned and it is not a good example either to our girls. Cassandra is almost fifteen now and we must think of these things.

But Cassandra is as innocent as her father, he replied, and not one to think ill of anyone.

What about Jane then? my mother persisted. I can see that she is fascinated by Betsy, and you know how easily impressed she is by anything out of the common way.

My mother had never quite become used to the idea of the niece she had always known as Betsy being called Eliza, as she suddenly announced she wished to be known when she was fifteen years old, and found it even more difficult to refer to her as Madame la Comtesse, as she should rightfully be known since she became the wife of the Comte de Feuillide three years ago.

Jane listens to everything Betsy says and takes it all in. Why only yesterday I overheard both girls being told how the Comte adores her and would never think of taking a mistress as most French counts do. I ask you, Mr Austenis that suitable talk for a child of twelve?

If you are worried, said my father, have a word with my sister. I am sure that Philla will reassure you that it is just Elizas way and there is nothing to worry about. As far as I can see, both the boys are enjoying the acting scheme, and Jamess writing talents are being encouraged after all. Now that he is back from France and going up to Oxford, the parsonage might seem a little dull to him without our acting plans. After all, my dear, it is Christmas and we should all be enjoying ourselves. Look how we all enjoyed Elizas playing last night.

Come Mr Austen, did I not arrange the hiring of the instrument especially for her? And you know I am the first to encourage the acting, but I do not want to risk encouraging anything else. Glancing up and seeing that I was nearby and might be overhearing, she closed the conversation with a meaningful look at my father, telling him, I am sure you know just what I mean.

Henry, fresh from his triumph with the shawl, was eager to begin rehearsals again, but Eliza told him that she must now spend some time with her son, little Hastings, and could rehearse no more until he was abed.

Mama and your sister have watched him all day you know, and it must now be his mamas turn. Her dark, wide-set eyes held his fascinated gaze.

But dear cousin, said James, you know that both my sisters are only too delighted to care for him, even if Aunt Philla needs to rest.

I was out of humour that he should volunteer my services without asking me. I was, in fact, rather nervous about taking care of little Hastings because of his peculiar condition. No one mentioned it, but it was clear he did not thrive. He could scarcely walk and, though Eliza made light of it, I had heard my mother whisper that he reminded her of my brother George, who was similarly stricken and could not live a normal life at home with us but had to be boarded out at Monk Sherborne. As Cassandra and I had been away at school in Reading, I had not been to visit him at Monk Sherborne recently, but I knew my parents went regularly. We had first seen Hastings last Christmas when Eliza and Aunt Philla brought him to stay; his father, the Comte, was engaged with his estates in France. James was not at home on that occasion as he was with the Comte in France. Eliza had invited him for a visit there. Our family could not afford a grand tour such as many young men undertook before Oxford, but my parents thought a visit to France might be a substitute. The result was that Henry had had all Elizas attention that year and, although but fifteen at the time, had been her escort and played quite the gentleman to her in their first tries at acting. His nose was quite put out of joint that James, older and taller and an Oxford man, was now competing for her attentions. He was writing some of the scripts, too, so Eliza gave him a good deal of attention in return, diligently asking him how he wanted this line or that spoken. It was really amusing and gave Cassy and me some fun to watch them making fools of themselves.

She is a married woman, we repeated to each other in our bedroom, she can have no serious intent.

I liked the idea of two men fighting over me, but Cassandra was as ever sensible and serious.

No, Jane, she is improper and our brothers are ridiculous. Have you read the piece that James has written and Eliza is to act tomorrow?

Oh yes, and I think it very fine.

Fine? When it refers to women being superior and no longer in second place?

But Cassy, why should we be in second place? Eliza does not seem to take second place to anyone. She has plenty of money as far as I can see, a husband who adores her, and yet she is free to go about as she pleases. Do you not envy her? But I knew what my dear sisters response would be before she said it.