Escapade

Chapter 1

Of the many blessings of a numerous family of children, a certain social self-sufficiency ranks high. An adequate group of sons will supply a good deal of its own entertainment from within its own ranks, tripping each other up and wrestling, exchanging insults, and above all daring each other to acts of deviltry, without being unduly anxious to retain the good opinion of outsiders. With the passage of time such incitements become almost automatic, with a mere exchange of glances being sufficient to invoke the spirit of mischief.
It was a fine late summer's day when Matthew, Jonas, William and Daniel Loftus, the Squire's sons, were lounging before their own stables and perceived their nearest neighbour riding towards them.
“There's Bob Arkwright again,” Matt said. “What is it makes him come round so often? He has already had two of my father's bitches, what more can he want?”

“I cannot tell,” said Will. “Why do you not ask him?”

“Mr. Arkwright, sir,” said Matt, nothing loathe. “May a gentleman inquire what is it draws you to us so often? I do not think my father's brandy any better than yours.”

“Dear boys, can you not guess? I hope to be your brother by Michaelmas,” said Mr. Arkwright. Matt, Dan and Will gaped at him in just the gratifying manner he had hoped. Jonas, quicker than his brothers, passed his hand before his face, the better to disguise an involuntary smirk. “Yes,” Mr. Arkwright continued. “Your father and I have been in consultation some time already. We are almost agreed I shall have your sister to wife.”

“But, Mr. Arkwright,” said Will, “have you spoke to Amelia?”

“Why would I do that? I have your father's favour, 'tis all that is necessary.”

Matt and Jonas looked at each other.

“Why, not at all, sir,” said Jonas. “Do you not know that there is a new fashion? You will be much laughed at, sir, if you do not ask my sister yourself first, before she is commanded to it by my father.”

“Laughed at! Why should I be laughed at?”

“It is now-a-days considered quite unmanly not to hazard yourself with the lady, sir,” said Jonas. “A gentleman who lets his father-in-law undertake all the work of wooing and winning on his behalf is looked upon as quite craven. Mr. Harper over at Lonsgate could hardly show his face in town for a week when it was known he had Miss Betty Greenwood bestowed on him without her knowledge.”

“Craven! I will not submit to that, sir,” Bob Arkwright cried. “I will not be compared with Mr. Harper.”

“Well, then, away with you, sir, to Amelia and be at your courting yourself,” said Matt.

“I will indeed,” said Bob Arkwright. “Gentlemen, I thank you, I should not otherwise have known.” And he turned forthwith to knock upon their front door, rather than to seek out Squire Loftus in the kennels as he had originally intended. Matt, Jonas, Dan and Will waited until Mr. Arkwright had been admitted, and the door had well closed behind him, to burst out in uproarious laughter.

No further exchange of words was required amongst them to determine them to run round to peer in the window of the ladies' sitting room, to see for themselves the progress of Mr. Arkwright's attempt upon the maidenly sensibilities of their only sister. They reached their vantage point just as the ardent suitor was ushered in, and they were further enlivened to observe that Amelia was alone in the room to receive the frankest expression of Mr. Arkwright's ardour, and that the window was open to permit them to hear.

“Well, Miss Loftus, I've had my eye on you for some time,” Mr. Arkwright said. “You're a fine dashing filly, and want only a masterful fellow in the saddle. What say you?”

“Whatever do you mean, Mr. Arkwright?” said Miss Loftus. Her brothers could easily perceive that she was considerably astonished and somewhat ruffled.

“Why, damn-me, Miss Loftus, I'm popping the question. What else would I mean?”

“I'm sure I've no idea, Mr. Arkwright.” Miss Loftus was here guilty of a little dissembling, for she had already a quite precise idea, which was that for no consideration would she ever marry such a rough and loutish man, distinguished even among her father's cronies for his vulgarity of address.

“Come, come, Miss Amelia. You may be as coy as you like, but I'm sure you can have no objection, so why do we not tie the knot immediately?”

“Indeed, sir, you can hardly be so assured of anyone's intentions – and clearly you are utterly mistaken as to mine.”

“What a spirited little filly she is!” cried Mr. Arkwright, reaching out to embrace her. Amelia jabbed him in the fleshy part of the thumb with her needle, and left the room. So prompt was her withdrawal that she heard nothing of the suppressed laughter outside the window.

Amelia went quickly down the passageway leading to the kitchen and offices, to seek the protection of her mother's presence. She waited only until the flush of annoyance had faded from her cheeks before entering the still room, and saying,

“Maman, I have come to see whether you might need some help. So many bramble-berries as there have been this year!”

“Why, yes, my dear, how thoughtful of you. I declare, we must have a still-room maid, but Squire will not hear of any more expense. How ever are you to have any prospects if you are to be always at work? I must speak to your father. This time I shall be quite insistent. Truly I shall.”

Amelia made no reply. Her mother had always some such plaintive litany on her lips, and some such desperate resolution.

Had Miss Amelia even wished to speak, she would have been interrupted, for from the front part of the house came a bellow of inarticulate rage and mortification. Mr. Arkwright had comprehended that he was rejected.