A Woman of Influence (25 page)
Read A Woman of Influence Online
Authors: Rebecca Ann Collins
Colin Elliott had concurred, adding that his friend Harding, being an astute lawyer, would welcome the opportunity to hear her story at first hand and to question her about matters that required further elucidation, since she had been a witness to much of it.
And,
wrote Becky,
this possibility did not appear to discompose young Alice at
all. She nodded and, when I asked if she would mind, responded that she would be
happy indeed to answer any questions that may help free her husband.
wrote Becky,
this possibility did not appear to discompose young Alice at
all. She nodded and, when I asked if she would mind, responded that she would be
happy indeed to answer any questions that may help free her husband.
Mr Elliott had accompanied them downstairs and helped them into the cab he had waiting, directing the driver to take them to Mr Harding's chambers.
When Catherine received her sister's letter, she was surprised at first by its lightness of tone. Becky's description of their arrival at Mr Harding's chambers was so entertaining as to make her sister forget the seriousness of their mission.
When we arrived, it had started to rain, and the roads were wet and dirty,
and both Alice and I had to tread very carefully indeed to stay out of the
mud and other unpleasant-looking matter that was running in the gutters!
This is something I complain of constantly whenever I am in London. Of
all these well-heeled ladies and gentlemen, does no one look down at what
is under their feet and ask for some improvement to be made?
The lawyers' chambers in these parts of London are situated in some
of the oldest and dingiest buildings you can imagine. Mr Dickens does not
exaggerate. One cannot help but wonder that men who are said to make so
much money in their profession should continue to occupy such inhospitable,
dreary rooms.
Judging by the surroundings, I was confident that the astute Mr
Harding would turn out to be a fusty old man, with his wig askew and a
loud, booming voice. Imagine then my surprise, when his clerk admitted us
into a room filled with books and papers and shortly afterwards a hand
some, well-dressed gentleman entered and was introduced to us by Mr
Elliott as "my friend Mr John Harding."
Harding would turn out to be a fusty old man, with his wig askew and a
loud, booming voice. Imagine then my surprise, when his clerk admitted us
into a room filled with books and papers and shortly afterwards a hand
some, well-dressed gentleman entered and was introduced to us by Mr
Elliott as "my friend Mr John Harding."
Cathy, my astonishment was so great, I do believe I stared for a few
seconds at least before holding out my hand, over which he bowed in a
most courtly fashion, before turning to do likewise with young Alice, who
was introduced by Mr Elliott as Mrs Rickman. Mr Harding cannot
be much more than forty, or perhaps just a little older, and he is by any
standard a most personable gentleman. We are fortunate indeed that such
a man should take an interest in our case.
seconds at least before holding out my hand, over which he bowed in a
most courtly fashion, before turning to do likewise with young Alice, who
was introduced by Mr Elliott as Mrs Rickman. Mr Harding cannot
be much more than forty, or perhaps just a little older, and he is by any
standard a most personable gentleman. We are fortunate indeed that such
a man should take an interest in our case.
Catherine read on, hoping to discover what had become of their mission to help free William Rickman, but found only continuing praise of Mr Harding.
He was courtesy itself, insisting that Alice and I should be seated beside
the fire, without which we should have frozen in that room, and take
tea and biscuits before proceeding to the business at hand. I have to say
I was exceedingly impressed with his manners and subsequently his legal
knowledge, which Mr Elliott had assured me was extensive.
He explained every particular of the possible application for a pardon,
before asking Alice a number of very searching questions, which she, it must
be said, answered without hesitation or equivocation. I believe both Mr
Elliott and Mr Harding were mightily impressed with Alice.
At the end of our meeting, Mr Harding remarked that her statement
and answers to questions had been remarkably consistent and credible,
which, coming from a lawyer of his standing, is high praise indeed.
So you see, dear Cathy, it was certainly an advantage that I had
brought Alice along to London with me. I am sure you will agree.
We are now safely lodged in this very comfortable little hotel, and
tomorrow, if we are fortunate enough to have some fine weather, I hope to
take Alice to Regent's Park and visit the London zoo! She is very keen to
catch a glimpse of an elephant!
Mr Elliott did invite us to visit the Ladies Gallery in the Commons,
but I think that may be a little unwise in the present circumstances. One
never can tell who one might bump into in the lobbies at Westminster.
Besides, Alice does not have a gown suitable for such an occasion.
We are to meet with Mr Harding again on Friday, and thereafter, we
hope to return to Kent. God and the railways willing, you shall see us on
Saturday afternoon.
Your loving sister,
Becky
but I think that may be a little unwise in the present circumstances. One
never can tell who one might bump into in the lobbies at Westminster.
Besides, Alice does not have a gown suitable for such an occasion.
We are to meet with Mr Harding again on Friday, and thereafter, we
hope to return to Kent. God and the railways willing, you shall see us on
Saturday afternoon.
Your loving sister,
Becky
In a hurried postscript, written just before sending her letter to the post, she had added:
Dearest Cathy, a note has just arrived from Mr Harding. He has made
some enquiries and would like to acquaint us with the information he has
received and has asked us to call on him this afternoon at half past four. I
am hopeful this will be good news!
some enquiries and would like to acquaint us with the information he has
received and has asked us to call on him this afternoon at half past four. I
am hopeful this will be good news!
Catherine could scarcely wait until Saturday afternoon to discover what it was Mr Harding had found and if this would materially affect his ability to pursue the application for a pardon for William Rickman.
She showed Becky's letter to her husband, saying, "I do wish Becky had waited until after their meeting with Mr Harding to send this letter to the post; she could then have given me some indication of the way things had turned out."
Frank Burnett heard the frustration in his wife's voice and laughed gently as he read Becky's letter through.
"Dearest, you should know your sister well enough by now to be aware that she would never have considered holding her letter back once it was finished. It is so like a writer; having added a postscript that whets your appetite for more, she sends it off to the post!"
Catherine could see what he meant; he was right--it was exactly what Becky would have done. Yet Catherine was impatient to know what had happened; what had Mr Harding discovered, and why was he so keen to meet them?
"I do wish I knew," she said, and her husband could not but be amused at her impatience. Since being married to Catherine and having her sister Becky living at Edgewater, he had been frequently diverted by the divergence in their characters, yet they were so close and clearly devoted to one another. He knew Catherine would fret until Becky returned on Saturday, and then, he was certain, neither would be satisfied until all had been revealed.
"I fear there is no help for it, my love," he said gently. "You must wait until your sister returns. Meanwhile, can I interest you in a story that may be of some relevance to the situation your sister and Mr Harding are trying to resolve?"
Intrigued, Catherine came to sit beside him as he continued, "When I was at the British Museum last week, I discovered, by some assiduous searching, that there have been pardons granted to convicted men, not many, mind, and certainly not without a good deal of difficulty, but it has been done. One, I found, involved a man who had been transported to New South Wales, a certain William Robinson of Edinburgh, and another was a young man, one George Bates of Sussex. In the latter case, evidence was adduced of the exemplary conduct of the man Bates after his conviction and the possibility of false witness having been given at his trial by those who wished him out of the way."
"And were they both pardoned?" Catherine asked.
"They were, one by the Governor of New South Wales under the power granted to him by King George the Third, and the other was released much later, my recollection is that it was around 1850 or thereabouts."
Catherine was delighted.
"Does that mean William Rickman may be granted a pardon too?" she asked, but her husband was loathe to raise her hopes too high.
"Not necessarily, my dear, but to the lawyers, the existence of a precedent means there is a good chance of success. Well, these cases can certainly be termed precedents. I made a few notes, which Becky may wish to pass on to her friend Mr Harding," he explained.
So pleased was Catherine with the information her husband had uncovered that she was less inclined to spend the time until Becky's return in a state of anxiety. Instead she could now look forward to her sister's arrival with some hope, thanks mainly to Mr Burnett's discovery, and for this she felt particularly loving and appreciative of him.
"You are such a comfort to me, dearest," she said, settling in beside her husband, and for her subtle change of mood Frank Burnett was grateful indeed. Together, they had discovered the pleasures of love, which had been cruelly denied them in youth, and having done so, they cherished one another with singular warmth and devotion.
***
Becky returned with Alice on the Saturday as advised and went directly to the Dower House. Alice was eager to be reunited with her son and Becky had some good news for Catherine and Frank. She revealed that Mr Harding's enquiries had confirmed that a credible case could indeed be made that William Rickman had been a victim of false witness and he intended to lodge an application for a pardon immediately. His hopes for a successful outcome were high, she said.
It was excellent news, and Catherine congratulated her sister on her success. "I am so proud of you, Becky; if Rickman is pardoned, it will be all due to you," she said.
But Becky would not accept all of the credit for it; she was careful to point out that success was not guaranteed by any means. "We shall have to wait awhile. Mr Harding has warned us it could take many months; if he does succeed, it will be due not to me but to his skill and persistence. Cathy, he is a truly remarkable gentleman. I have to confess that I have not met any person that I have admired so much in years. He is both principled and clever, a rare combination, I think you will admit," she continued, eyes bright with enthusiasm.
"Mr Elliott informs me that Mr Harding, though not much over forty, is so well thought of by the Prime Minister, he is to advise the government of Mr Gladstone on his new legislation."
Catherine and Frank exchanged glances; this was high praise indeed. They had no recollection of Becky being so exhilarated by meeting anyone else.
"And when will you know if he has been successful in obtaining a pardon for Rickman?" Mr Burnett asked.
"Not for a while, I fear, but he has promised to write and keep me informed of his progress in the case. Indeed, I may even have to go back to London; I shall not have to take Alice with me again though. She has made a full statement to Mr Harding with which he was very satisfied."
"Will you take Nelly then?" asked Catherine.
"I may," said Becky, sounding uncertain, and once again Catherine and Frank looked at one another. Becky's enthusiasm was certainly high, and they could not help wondering at the reason for it.
However, neither said anything at all.
After Becky had returned to Edgewater, taking Nelly, Alice, and Tom with her, Mr and Mrs Burnett went upstairs. After Catherine's maid had left the room, Frank Burnett entered their bedroom. Catherine, still seated before her mirror, was trying on a pair of earrings he had bought on his visit to London. Standing behind her, he admired them, but she seemed rather preoccupied.
"Do you not like them, my love? I thought they suited you rather well."
His voice interrupted her musing, and she was quick to reassure him.
"Of course I like them, Frank. I love them; they are beautiful. I am sorry, my dear, I think my mind was wandering... I cannot help worrying about Becky..."
"And her sudden enthusiasm for Mr Harding?" he concluded her sentence. Catherine turned to look up at him, disbelieving.
"Was it obvious to you too?"
He nodded, "One would have had to be very unobservant not to notice that she showed a certain partiality for the man; he must be a very personable fellow indeed."
"Perhaps he is, but to be so impressed on such short acquaintance, Frank, I cannot deny that I am somewhat apprehensive for her. After all, we know very little about this Mr Harding other than that he is a clever lawyer. Of his character, his family, we know nothing," said Catherine, and her voice told him that she was at least considerably perturbed by these latest developments in her sister's life.
"Frank, I should hate to think that Becky might make a mistake again, attracted to a man who is clever, handsome, and successful, just as she was to Anthony Tate," she said, and he was struck by the depth of her concern.
Their light-hearted banter had deepened in tone. There was no doubt that Catherine was anxious, and Frank felt he had to reassure his wife.
"You must not leap to conclusions, my love; your sister clearly admires him-- perhaps he appeals to her sense of adventure--but she is not an impressionable young girl anymore, and I cannot believe she will allow her sound judgment to be overthrown by first impressions, however remarkable."
Catherine was not entirely convinced. "You are probably right, Frank, but Becky is impulsive and easily moved; if Mr Harding is as impressive as she says, and if he does succeed in getting Rickman a pardon, I fear her judgment will not stand in the way of her admiration for the man."
"Dearest, you are not suggesting that your sister is in danger of falling in love with him?" her husband seemed incredulous.
"No indeed," she replied and laughed as she did so. "If I thought that, my concerns would not be as serious. I do not believe my sister will fall in love so easily; my fear is that she will become entangled with a man she admires for his style and professional achievements, but does not love, just as she did with Mr Tate, and then she will be miserable all over again."
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