Unhistoric Acts (26)

Prepossessed at her practical grasp

Rachel had been considerable taken aback by the invitation, and not sure whether she should accept it – we shall be a family party, Lady Pockinford had said, but I have a deal of philanthropic works upon hand, and one or two of 'em have got into somewhat of a muddle – would that I had taken Lady Bexbury’s notion of finding some sensible young woman to be a secretary. But indeed, dear Lady Rachel, I have been so immense prepossessed at your practical grasp, that could you come assist me for a few weeks, 'twould be quite the kindest thing, and you would be company for Aggie –

One observed that Aggie was a little sulky at being reft away from Hughie, that was going to some slum parish to study under a clergyman whose theological and liturgical principles accorded with his own, in preparation for taking orders.

She had therefore consulted darling Mama, that had sighed and said, 'twould be entirely for the best to have Rachel out of the way were they going to have Grissie’s mother about the place, that alas they were obliged to show hospitable towards. Sure she had no objections to Grissie herself whatsoever – one saw dear Greg entirely smitten – but –

She had given a deeper sigh. I have had years of dealing with My Lady Scorpion and her jibes and bearing 'em with equanimity. I fear you might flare out. Biting her lip, she had added, I hoped that Lady Bexbury might have been persuaded to stay – has such a gift for smoothing over social difficulties – but insists that there are a deal of matters she needs to address at her Shropshire estate. Very conscientious, especial when one considers that she has but a life interest now that the Marquess has been found, may not leave it to her Ferraby relatives that have been so helpful in bringing the mine round. No, my love, I think this invitation most prudential.

Rachel had not told even darling Mama about the feelings that burgeoned 'twixt her and Artie Demington, that Lord Pockinford still showed inclined to match up with poor Scilla Fendersham. But – did she gain such approbation from Lady Pockinford –

And at the very least she would be gaining some very useful instruction in philanthropic matters!

In former days, one heard, in the time of the present Earl’s father, all visitors had been obliged to go and admire his herd of most out of the common superior cows, but this imposition was no longer required.

There was a fine lake with an island with a duck-house that was a folly in the style of the Brighton Pavilion, very amuzing – one might wish to have rather more skill with water-colours than Rachel could claim to paint it – and indeed to paint the very fine collection of ornamental waterfowl. Lady Pockinford, that was no hard taskmistress, said very early on in Rachel’s visit that she should not stoop over this task all day, and she would ask Artie might he row her on the lake a little as very sanitive recreation.

Why, there could be no objection, after all – rowing on the lake in full view of the house, and of Aggie that had taken to sitting in the gazebo in the style of a Temple of the Winds up on the little hill, not working upon the hideous little purses she had been wont to make to give be raffled for charity, but reading serious tomes intended to prepare her for being a clergyman’s wife.

Rachel had been there some days, sorting out the papers of a charity that Lady Pockinford had inherited: Mrs Manderby, alas, became invalid, and advized to travel to Madeira for her health. Rachel was of the opinion that the lady had been a muddler even before that, but was beginning to come about to make some sense of the documents. Was an excellent scheme, she considered, for providing apprenticeships in trades and professions to the offspring of respectable parents come to reduced circumstances: or could be. Once one had sifted out the letters from those offering apprenticeships from those applying –

And one should perchance enter up these details in a ledger –

Could not discover that there was one already –

Rachel was very glad to go for a jaunt on the water the afternoon!

Artie, she could see, was considerable preoccupied and looked sadly. She did not rush to interrogate until they were on the far side of the island, where it was unlike that their converse would be overheard.

O, Artie, is anything the matter?

Artie sighed deeply and said, here was his father purposing to invite Fendersham and Scilla to join 'em, now he was assured that the Trembournes would not be about the place.

Rachel groaned. And then said, well, I will go write a letter to Scilla at once – 'twill not seem at all exceptionable, she is my dearest friend, I have already been writing to her – and tell her what forthcomes so that she is forewarned.

Artie looked at her with adoration and said, she always had a plan, that was a very sound way of going about. I am not sure what she might do –

La, she has friends about her I surmize – her granddam sounds to be an excellent woman and by no means unworldly – Sallington and Mr Roberts are antient friends of Bobbie Wallace –

Artie smiled a little and agreed that indeed she was not solitary – but fancied her brother was not one she could feel confidence in confiding in –

Rachel trailed her fingers in the water. One realized that not all fathers were the like of dear Papa, that had, family legend ran, his own reasons for disliking the notion that fathers might make up marriages for their offspring will-they nil-they. Oh, she dared say that did she demonstrate an inclination to some very ineligible fellow there might be discouragement – and very careful attention to the terms of any marriage settlement! – but there had been no instructions to make particular agreeable to South Worpley or Wayseth – or, she supposed, Sallington, that was considered quite the prize.

Let us return to shore, and I will write my letter.

A few days later, Rachel was explaining her system to Lady Pockinford, that showed most impressed, and was also wondering whether one should find some means of discovering whether those that offered to take apprentices did so in all sincerity and would treat 'em well and instruct 'em as they should, or merely regard 'em as cheap labour –

The Countess sighed and said, indeed that was a difficulty. One might ask for letters from their parish clergyman, but, she looked distressed, there are those show very pious in church and put largesse in the collection plate for show may not behave so well behind closed doors, Pharisees, alas. Have had certain cases apply to the Potter-Welch Registry for servants – Oh! she cried, 'twould mean a little outlay, but we have found Matt Johnson’s investigation agency very useful in that matter.

They were looking over the correspondence when came in the Earl in a great taking. Here is Fendersham writes that he is detained over some matter of a commission over cholera that Sallington is getting up – very meritorious I am sure –

Lady Pockinford said, indeed, 'twas a thing that they should be thinking of themselves.

– but sends Miss Fendersham in advance –

By herself? Presumably there will be a maid –

No, they have had Flora Ferraby visiting – has offered escort her this far – I suppose there can be no objection –

Not at all. Will Miss Ferraby be staying?

No – obliged to travel on it seems – will see Miss Fendersham and her luggage onto the fly –

Oh dear, thought Rachel. Doubtless there would be expectations upon Artie to show the suitor towards her.

She smiled and said, how delightful it would be to see Scilla! Had been greatly missing her dearest friend. But what a pity that Miss Ferraby would not be coming too.

Though one observed that the Earl was somewhat relieved at that.