Brougham Park

Chapter 2

Some amendments to the proposed travel were thought to be necessary. A friend of William, Mr. Carter, was to accompany him. Rather than being in town for 5 weeks, it was agreed (after a long debate) that 8 weeks will not do much harm. After all, the London season was beginning in January and leaving it too soon would deprive the young men of their share of amusement.

Having Charles Carter as part of the party was considered an advantage as his father owns a house in town. It has been a custom for the Carters to go to London during the winter. Unfortunately, though, the father is suffering from a mild gout and was advised that Bath shall do perfectly well at the moment to make him feel better. Thus, the family has gone to Bath these past three weeks, with Charles left behind to accompany William into town.

As the anticipated day of departure dawned upon Brougham Park, an air of melancholy descended upon the estate. The once vibrant surroundings now exuded a sense of desolation, as if bidding farewell to a cherished presence. Mrs. Dawson, caught in the grip of emotions, found herself unable to suppress a heavy sigh that escaped her lips, mingling with tears that welled in her eyes. Her beloved son, the very essence of her maternal devotion, was about to embark on a journey that would keep him away for the better part of two months.

"8 weeks! 8 whole weeks!" cried Mrs. Dawson. "Is it truly necessary for you to go? What will I do when you are gone? Oh dear me... I cannot believe that you are so heartless as to abandon me for a whole 8 weeks. Did you not consider how I would feel? Did you not consider how your sisters would feel about you leaving them behind while you enjoy yourself heartily in London?"

"But Mama, we have spoken about this several times," said William in protest. "I really hope that we could all go together but Papa would not consent. You know him well enough to understand his feelings."

This was not the first time that Mrs. Dawson has spoken this way. It is acknowledged that she loves her son dearly and is quite unable to bear even a temporary separation. She kept trying several methods and arguments to stop him from leaving but in vain.

"Mama", he continued, " I will not be gone for a long time. It is simply for amusement and you know how dearly I wish to have gone to London. Had father not despised Town, we could have all gone there for the winter."

"I know that very well. Oh, why should your father hate town? I should be very much forlorn without you. Oh dear," his dear mother continued in that manner. She resorted to silence, hoping that at least her visible disapproval might put off the expedition altogether.

William, who knew that nothing would persuade Mrs. Dawson, moved to the writing table and tried as much as he could to settle all his letters of business while he awaited his friend's arrival. Samantha and Kitty too had tried to pacify Mrs. Dawson but to no avail. So, Kitty decided to continue her embroidery while Samantha sat by her brother.

"Have you packed everything for your journey? You did not forget anything did you?" inquired the sister.

"I'm quite sure that I have everything I need. How are you feeling right now?" the loving brother asked as he gazed into her face.

"I... um, I... I will be fine," was all she could answer. She tried to suppress her feelings but William knows her too well. "You have to be honest with me. I know that you are trying to hide your feelings."

Samantha was silent for a while before she began to express her feelings. "You know me too well. I couldn't bear you leaving us all. I am not sure how I would cope in your absence. And the responsibilities you gave me, I'm not quite sure if I could handle them all."

"I'm sure you will do just fine. I did not give you anything too difficult. All you have to do is to visit our tenants and see if they need any help and collect their rent."