The Secret Life of Miss Mary Bennet by Katherine Cowley (tharntype novel english txt) 📕

turning to crime and other vices. Thus, the ultimate goal must be money. You and your mother and your sister, who went from having plenty to having little, should know that more than most.”

Since her father’s death, the lack of funds had plagued them. But the loss of money from the estate was of less importance in her mind than the loss of stability and of her lifelong home.

“In terms of your second response, I will not contest your lofty ideals, but ultimately, the recipients of charity need money—it is survival; it is life. And those givers of charity maintain their own position through money, and by performing acts of charity maintain the social order and thus their access to money.”

His cynicism frightened her. “Whatever do you mean?”

“I mean that charity exists to keep people in their place. It gives them enough to prevent desperation, for desperation causes desperate actions which often challenge the positions of those who give charitably.”

Mary rolled her quill between her fingers, unsure if she should take notes on something so antithetical to everything she believed.

“In terms of the third question, I assume you mean that peace is the purpose of government. But let us return to the first half of the question. What is the cause of social unrest? Rebellions rarely happen when people are satisfied with their position, when they have sufficient money for the needs of their station. But when a lack of money, and thus of the necessities of survival, causes suffering, that is when people rise up.

“It is in the best interests of the government to keep the status quo intact. We do not need a bloody revolution like in France, where tens of thousands were killed and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands were disrupted. Obviously those in positions of authority want to maintain their power and fortunes, and will do whatever it takes—force, propaganda, and a slight redistribution or democratization of power or money when necessary.

“As you pursue this course of study, you must remember that at the root of almost every question or problem, money is a primary, if not the primary, motivator.”

Mary was appalled. “But there is so much more to life than money. So much of greater worth that motivates people. Paul himself writes that ‘the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’”

Withrow exhaled audibly. “It is true that money has caused great sorrow and strife and evil. And there may be individuals with loftier motivations, or who at least believe their motivations are something better. Though more often than not at the root you will find money and self-aspiration.”

“That is the most cynical statement I have ever heard uttered,” declared Mary.

“You do not have to agree with anything I teach you, but I do expect you to learn it and understand it.”

Mary suspected there would be much she would not agree with, but the rest of his lesson focused on very practical, factual knowledge. He was unforgiving of error, but good at answering her questions. At the end of the hour he outlined the planned course of study: estate management, accounting, balance sheets, the political system, the current political parties, the judicial system, the stock exchange, and how to quickly read a ledger and find information in it. The planned lesson schedule would keep her occupied for five weeks, all the way until the ball.

“Why do I need to know all this?” asked Mary.

“When you are a governess to a bunch of little boys, they will need to learn this so they can become leaders in the worlds of business and politics.” His words had none of the resistance, none of the doubt she had overheard from his conversation with Lady Trafford.

“Will they not learn these things from their fathers? Or a tutor? Or from school?”

“Eventually, yes; however, you will provide the foundation that will give them an advantage. It is never too early to learn essential life skills.”

These did not sound like Mr. Withrow’s words or sentiments, but rather Lady Trafford’s, something he adopted because making the argument suited his purposes. Yet he delivered them in such a manner that if Mary had not spent almost two months in the same household, she would have thought them genuine.

His sentiments on the centrality of money, however, were definitely his own.

*

When Mary returned to her room, her letter packet was in precisely the same position, but the hair was gone.

Her hand went to the mourning ring and she clutched it tightly, wishing for her father’s advice.

She wanted to rationalize the disappearance of the piece of hair: perhaps it had fallen out on its own or come undone when the letter packet was moved for cleaning. But she had secured the hair firmly. And she had placed the packet in a seemingly haphazard position on the table. If someone had moved the packet for cleaning, they would not have placed it back so precisely.

The hair had been secure prior to her lesson with Mr. Withrow, and he had been with her the entire time. Which meant it was not Mr. Withrow, and not Fanny, who had observed their lesson. That left Lady Trafford, Mrs. Boughton, or one of the many other servants. But ultimately, it must be at the direction of Lady Trafford.

She looked hastily around her room. She felt as if she were being watched, but of course, no one was there. Now that she knew for certain that her letters were being read, she would need to be very careful.

She removed her writing supplies and sat at the table. She needed to gather more information about Lady Trafford and Withrow. Maria Blankenbeckler was in Brighton, and she might be able to help her.

Dear Maria,

I still have no current plans to visit Brighton. It is strange to be so close to you in terms of miles, and yet, for all practical purposes, so very far away.

I