Unhistoric Acts (18)

Unexpected autumnal blooming

Helen Horrocks paused in the fine spacious hall of Tetterdene. Oh, she had been over-awed when they first came here! Quite daunted – this is none of I! But somehow, Tetterdene had become like one of those reserved dowagers that gradually manifests graciousness and affection. Or mayhap, she thought, it had acquired a patina of happy memories from this entire unexpected autumnal blooming of love and anticipated motherhood.

Phil and Cathy had decided not to host any large grand parties yet – a few friends, family members, no great ceremony. Phil was invited around somewhat but Cathy smiled and said, O, she had the perfect excuse to linger indoors – venture a little into the gardens – and would look down at their adorable little Lord Tasselwyke, Rowley, still a babe at breast.

Evelyn – her dear conscientious Evelyn – had looked seriously down at Helen and said, must feel it his duty to continue at his post in the Admiralty, provided she did not fret – would come down every weekend – and could not wish her to spend the summer in the heat and stink of Town –

Dearest Evelyn.

She took a deep breath and began to climb the stairs. They were fine shallow stairs, and not polished to a dangerously high gloss, but even so, she found herself resting several times as she made the ascent. Had it been the like, so many years ago, when she had been increasing with Phil?

What she remembered of that time was the grief at Rowley’s shocking death – he that was such a famed whip, cut off in a driving accident – the shame following that terrible interview with his trustee, that she had had no notion was a lying villain – the gratitude to her family that did not cast her out even did they prefer her to observe discreet concealment – taking her walks after dark –

That was after the sickness had mostly receded. O, she had been exceeding qualmish at the beginning! – had feared she might disgrace herself before the parson during their clandestine ceremony – dear Rowley squeezing her hand and whispering bear up!

Well, she was a deal older now, a grandmother, must make a difference. And did not women talk of the variation of their experience in breeding and lying-in?

Here she was at the landing – the library door was slightly ajar. She went in and the one person inside immediately leapt up and pulled and pushed one of the armchairs closer to the door so that she might be seated in it.

Thank you, Miss Hacker – for it was Clorinda’s secretary-companion, that she had been somewhat surprized to discover such a young woman – had expected some middle-aged spinster or widow, one or another’s poor relation that took such a place in preference to governessing – I was looking for Lady Bexbury –

O, said Miss Hacker, returning to the piles of documents spread upon the library table, has gone pay her accustomed respects at her late husband’s tomb in the family mausoleum – lay flowers –

Helen raised her eyebrows – had had no notion that Clorinda had such a practice, but, of course, had been wont to visit Tetterdene when it had been under Chancery during the days of the spurious Marquess, the lunatic bigamist. It was a little surprising – a very short marriage that her friends understood had been entirely a matter of convenience on both sides – but showed a very fine feeling.

The door opened and came in Clorinda herself – Helen! – no, do not get up, stay there, and let us ring for refreshment. You are looking exceeding well – and the babe?

Manifests very lively, said Helen with a laughing sigh, particular at night. Dr Ferraby declares himself very pleased at how we both go on.

Charming! said Clorinda, going to look over Miss Hacker’s shoulder after ringing.

Shortly there came a fine tray of cooling drinks – barley-water for Helen, that found that sat easy upon her, a choice of shrub and lemonade for the other two.

They exchanged gossip of their connexions, and what had gone forth during Clorinda’s visit to Ammerpark.

There was a little pause. Over the rustling of papers on the table, Helen said, dared say Phil had not yet spoke to Clorinda about this matter of the Dabney connexion –

Clorinda groaned, and said sure she would be grateful of somewhat stronger than shrub did she have to encounter that subject. But what was it now? Pleading poverty and begging money?

O, 'tis not that so much these days – I think they now apprehend that the spurious Marquess was a considerable drain on the estate, being kept in a crack madhouse rather than confined at Bedlam, and it is only due to your interventions with Chancery that it was not in a deal worse condition at his death.

Clorinda snorted and said, had been very fortunate in the agent.

No, they do not make financial demands, but they see that here is Phil has connexions in a very good set as well as being in the Lords, and doubtless enjoys influence and interest and they fancy could advance their sons into very eligible places. And there is Cathy very well-connected and might take their daughters about somewhat in Society, make introductions –

La, was I not a lady I might spit!

Miss Hacker was heard to suppress a snort of laughter.

But, Clorinda went on, looking thoughtful, they are not all of a likeness. Perchance some of 'em ask in an entire civil way whether His Lordship might help 'em, and others, as it might be the Fraylinghams, entirely demand that he put himself out for their benefit.

Helen spluttered a little, and said, supposed she had the right of it.

Should be entire happy to look over their letters – for I will have knowledge of a deal of 'em from coming across 'em in Society – and see whether they are deserving cases. It would not hurt to show somewhat magnanimous –

As, said Helen, one hears you do with Lady Trembourne!

O, poo! said Clorinda. Shows exceeding chastened by her experience.

Say you so! But I daresay you have the right of it and not all of that family are entire monsters.

I hear well of a Mr Mysell-Monting at the Foreign Office – Sir Vernon speaks highly of him, and Mr MacDonald is acquainted with him, I think they play chess together –

There was another stifled snort from Miss Hacker.

– the family are some Dabney connexion. Lady Sarah Channery is an agreeable young woman but I very much doubt she is at present seeking any kind of advancement for her son, that must still be at breast. Mayhap the promise of a place at a good school? unlike that she is yet thinking that far ahead.

It would be a very great kindness in you to advize on the matter, said Helen. We are so new-come to Society – and Cathy does so much already – understands the running of an estate &C, that Phil and I would be quite helpless about – on top of new motherhood – we do not like to lay more upon her, the darling –

Clorinda smiled and Helen collected that Cathy was her goddaughter. I am pleased, Clorinda said, to see dear Cathy so well-suited in her marriage – had shown no inclination to any aspirants since her first presentation – her parents in no mind to constrain her to a match, although they had had several very gratifying offers –

One must suppose! agreed Helen. Quite apart from her rank, her qualities must have greatly commended her.

– one was a little concerned that she had set her heart upon one that would not be deemed suitable ­–

Helen murmured that she had heard the tale of Lady Jane and Lieutenant Knighton as had been.

­ – matters seldom fall out so well! but no, was just that was waiting for the right one. That she could be a helpmeet to and not merely an adornment or fine breeding stock.

A splutter from Miss Hacker.

Always, said Helen, so kind, so helpful –

I fancy, said Clorinda looking thoughtful, that her mother would have impressed it upon her what a stranger within the gates she was when she first married –

Helen minded that although Her Grace’s brother was entirely the thing and received everywhere, his wealth came from trade and that must have been even more a consideration when Their Graces wed.

There was a little tap upon the door and came in her dearest husband, that she had not anticipated for several hours yet.

No – do not rise, he said, stooping to kiss her cheek. I took an earlier train – very quiet at the Admiralty – even Channery left early, to make a flying visit to see his son in Yorkshire.

Clorinda raised her eyebrows a little at that.

He greeted her with extreme civility and desired her to make her companion known to him.

Dear Evelyn, thought Helen. One would not wish him less conscientious, but, o, she missed him during the week.