A most intriguing proposition

Phoebe has quite begg’d me to accompany her to a meeting at R- House with Josiah, Mr K-, Sandy, and Mr Q-, that wish to convoke about the business of her polishes and cleansing receipts, and draw up an agreement.

Sure, says I, you may quite entirely trust your interests to be well-look’d-after, you surely do not require me.

I should feel more comfortable, says she, and I go apprehend that she fears that she may be at some disadvantage on account of her colour and her sex.

Why, says I, I confide that you are at least as good a businesswoman as myself, and mayhap better, but do you desire another feminine presence, I shall come with you.

So I go with her to R- House and we meet in the chamber that Josiah keeps for business matters, and there is a deal of legal verbiage, but Josiah or Sandy will nod at me to confirm that all is quite in order, and I then squeeze Phoebe’s hand and she goes sign the documents.

Mr K- shows far more exceeding amiable than I had anticipat’d, shakes both Phoebe and myself by the hand, says this is an excellent morn’s business; and once we are in production he confides with a smile that we may anticipate a testimonial that these items are employ’d in all of His Grace the Duke of M-'s establishments.

I smile and say, sure they could have no better.

He goes on a little to talk very enthusiastick of his grand-daughter, alas that her poor grandmama never had the chance to see her. I remark that indeed she is a very fine child and her parents quite doat upon her. He adds that sure dear Matty also has a very fine child.

My dearest Eliza comes to say that a collation has been laid.

We descend to the dining-room, where we discover Milord already ensconc’d along with the Marquess of O-, that desir’d to conclave with him the morn. Introductions are made and I observe that the Marquess displays the most excellent civility towards Phoebe. Has seen engravings of those very fine paintings by Mr de C- upon the evils of the slave-trade. Eliza remarks that Mr de C- has the very finest touch in drawing children: quite lately did a most charming group of her girls, sitting on the grass making daisy-chains.

He takes out a little memorandum book and makes a note, adding that he does not have any children at present but will bear this in mind for future occasion.

In due course the gathering breaks up: Milord to take the Marquess to convoke with Roberts, Josiah and Sandy about their business, and Phoebe to go visit Seraphine. She thanks me exceeding hearty for my presence and for putting her in the way of this fine opportunity: she will quite be able to pay off all their accounts and start quite fresh.

And, oh, she says in a low voice as we make our farewells, I am in some suspicion that I increase again. Could not replace Camille, but will be very welcome to us.

I go with my darling to their family room, and we exchange a quick kiss. I have Bess coming any moment, says she, for a little training in business matters, and I daresay Meg goes practice. 'Tis a good time for Miss N- to take Quintus thro’ various matters, without his big sisters declaring that sure they were more advanc’d at his age.

And I am like to suppose that the nursery-set will desire their tiger.

I smile and say sure I would not disappoint them.

O, I have a very fine romp in the nursery with my precious bundle and the rest of the nursery set until my hair starts come down.

As I descend the stairs endeavouring to pin it up again, I see from the window that Josh goes romp upon the lawn with the wombatt, so I will go see how that fascinating creature does, and the rest of the menagerie, and whether there is progress upon a tutor in the classicks.

Williams accosts me and says if I will permit, she will put up my Ladyship’s hair for me. 'Tis a very kind offer and sure she can contrive it better than I may.

When I go out into the gardens, I see that there is some fellow that talks to Josh, that goes present him the very fine points of the wombatt, makes it roll over so that he may examine the pouch, &C.

As I draw closer I see 'tis the Marquess of O-.

Josh looks up and sees me and runs come hug me. I tousle his hair.

Do you know the Marquess of O-, he asks, has been to a deal of places about the world, but not to the antipodes.

Alas, says the Marquess, I had been planning an expedition in those parts, but then I succeed’d, and was oblig’d to take up my responsibilities.

And advizes, goes on Josh, that I should study drawing as well as the classicks and mathematicks do I intend pursue a scientifick career, 'tis of quite the greatest utility.

Sure you will be a very accomplisht fellow, says I.

But, he says, I daresay Miss N- will be calling me do I not go now to the schoolroom.

He carries the wombatt back to its pen, and goes indoors, after telling the Marquess that he is quite welcome to come visit the menagerie again.

What a splendid little fellow, says the Marquess after Josh has gone indoors.

Is he not, says I.

(Sure I cannot help but be somewhat prepossesst by a fellow that appreciates Josh’s qualities.)

The Marquess looks around him and says, sure he spent a deal of time more than he anticipat’d here: His Lordship so exceeding welcoming, Roberts such a repository of hortickultural wisdom. Sure he should be on his way back to his club.

What, says I, you have not open’d up O- House?

Not yet, he says, but he supposes he should be about the matter.

And thus, I presume, do not maintain a carriage -

Indeed I walkt here this forenoon, I find I get little enough exercise in Town.

Well, do not let me keep you from healthfull exercise, but you are very welcome to come in my carriage – for do I look to the sky I fear it forebodes rain.

The Marquess says that he has not yet got a weather-eye for this clime; and would be exceeding gratefull for the ride.

Once we are set off, he looks a little awkward, shifts his feet, and clasps and unclasps his hands. Indeed, Lady B-, I have been in hopes of finding some occasion of conversation with you –

Oh? says I. (For I daresay that some prudent arrang’d marriage impending may not deter every fellow from making suit to another lady entirely.)

- sure, I am not hanging out for your favours, 'tis not such a matter at all.

He clasps and unclasps his hands. In my travels, Lady B-, I have ever found a local guide of the very greatest utility. And sure Town and Society are as strange to me as any place I have been – o, I have spent some time in masculine company and with those who follow scientifick pursuits, in my brief sojourns in this country, but I have never been in what is consider’d Society.

I suppos’d, he goes on, that my late brother was entirely a malade imaginaire, that made a pastime of quacking himself and taking the waters &C but was in entire health – would eventual marry – beget heirs - but 'twas not the case; is said by his medical attendants to have been of a sickly constitution for many years and unlike to have liv’d to any great age. But I never thought the title and its duties would fall to me. I am sadly ignorant of the accept’d usages.

Surely, says I, there are gentlemen - colleagues - that might advize?

I have heard, he says with a smile, that Lady B- is most exceedingly admir’d for the excellence of her ton; and that is a very enviable thing – but I am most particular taken by the discovery that you were not born in the purple.

Indeed I was not, says I, unless it might be some fine stage cloak that I was wrappt in as an infant.

Which leads me to suppose that you understand the ways of Society better than those that were born to it and grew up in it and never had to think about it.

Perchance! says I.

Also, one notes that ladies have a very great importance in Society and I am in some fears I may misstep out of ignorance.

'Tis possible, says I. I think you had better come and take tea with me.

When we arrive at my pretty house I hand my hat and gloves to Hector and request him to desire tea of Euphemia. And perchance the fire in the parlour could do with stirring up.

After Celeste has brought tea, and the fire stirr’d up, I pour us each a cup, lean back in my chair and say, 'tis an intriguing proposition, but I am like to suppose that the world will consider you go make suit to me, unless –

I look into my tea-cup.

- did you open up O- House, says I, there are doubtless housekeeping matters that you would require female advice upon – do you have any female relatives?

Only a great-aunt or two that would prefer to stay in their cozy homes in the country.

Excellent! And there will doubtless also be matters of decoration, new furniture, &C, on which you might desire the advice of a lady so not’d for the excellence of her taste as Lady B-.

That is a prudent thought, he says.

Why, says I, do you go about opening up O- House, I may come visit there to advize, and bring my manservant Hector with me to protect my virtue and my reputation, and 'twill be all entire aboveboard.

He looks at me somewhat nervous. Perchance he thought he should have to offer more persuasions, but this provides most excellent opportunity to find out what he is about.