A Vindication Of Miss Everlee

Chapter 1

Cambridge, 1791

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Midge hadn't been seen in several hours. They went to see their friend's production of the third act of Handel's oratorio, Solomon, in their drawing room and half way through Midge wiped at her eyes with a handkerchief, sat back in her seat, caught half a breath in her throat and then rushed out.

Nobody was too concerned. They were used to her rushing off midway through such things for, as much as she loved music and performance, she often became far too overwhelmed with emotion and felt the need to process what she had just heard. Unfortunately, this came with a disappearing act.

Sometimes she would walk about by the river, or through the streets. Other times, if the weather was particularly gruesome, she would venture into the old bookshop and just breath in the smell of dust and old books. Cambridge was well known to her so (as long as she stayed in the Jewish areas) the paths she walked were familiar and comforting. She would follow as though she were in a dream, with no reason to concern over where she was going. Therefore, her thoughts were free.

"You really shouldn't let her run off by herself. It is a shonde having her run wild," their Grandma, and every other relative or friend or acquaintance, would always say.

"She never goes anywhere that isn't safe, nor does she go to any actual outing alone. Have you ever seen her at any gathering without someone to accompany her?" defended her older sister, Ruth.

And yet, still, it just didn't seem right that the Everlee sisters- both the older and younger- were so comfortable with roaming the streets as though they were working men. While it was true that they weren't subject to the same social scrutiny as Christian girls, surely it was never proper for girls to be so independent? Then again, soon Midge would be one step closer to that description for she was going to have a job of her own.

After their father died thirteen years ago, the three Everlee siblings were supported by their better acquaintance, Ebenezer Walden. He was their father's second cousin- or something like that- and had married successfully. After all, Walden was a master of a Devonshire estate, whereas Everlee was a mere merchant who consequently left only a small bundle of savings and the house they lived in.

Then, it came that Walden could offer even more. In exchange for a new governess for his son, he thought a further salary and a reasonable dowry would do nicely. As the eldest, the Miss Ruth Everlee received the offer first. However, she felt herself too old to marry and so what need would she have of a dowry? Furthermore, she could not leave Midge and Simon alone together- the twins would not be able to stay alone in their house in harmony for very long.

And so the younger Miss Everlee was Devon-bound and Simon was destined to feel consistent harmony in his own home, and not just for the few fleeting hours when she disappeared.

That particular day, she sat by Jesus Green on an old bench that overlooked the river. It was rare even she had the bravery to go outside the realms of the Jewish areas alone, but the day was too great to avoid any natural sight. There were punters going by and so she admired how the pole glided through the steerer's hands, slotting down to break the surface of the sun-soaked water and then sending waves across the sides as it was lifted back up again.

She studied the rhythm of its movement and thought back to Solomon. She doubted that there would be many opportunities to enjoy music on a country estate in Devon. There certainly wouldn't be any punting. Did she really mind about leaving those things? Perhaps she left the showing earlier that day because she didn't want it to end and she hoped to teach herself to allow thoughts of it to be enough.