Unhistoric Acts (29)

The sooner this reconciliation took place

Leda assured Clorinda that although was not the like of what she had anticipated of this stay in the hunting-box, la, 'twas better than a play! Particular, she added, as she confided all would come round happily, since there had been this romantic elopement of the lady Lord Demington was being pushed into matrimony with.

Even so, said Clorinda, pushing her hands through her hair in a fashion that would likely make Sophy very cross, what am I to do with 'em? I am disinclined, she added, to inform the Pockinfords just yet – besides, there is the strongest likelihood that the Earl lies groaning abed with the megrim, tended by his Countess.

Indeed it had been a shock to see the young man upon their doorstep! Especial as he was by no means the romantic hero Leda had been in anticipation of from Lady Rachel’s talk. A pudgy young fellow, rather plain and a little shorter than his lady-love – but one could see she doated upon him! And he upon her, but that was less remarkable, such very fine looks that she had.

I hope, said Clorinda, that we do not have 'em sitting about gazing into one another’s eyes for hours upon end, 'twould be exceeding ennuyant.

But it turned out that they, or at least Lady Rachel, had no intention of behaving thus. She had heard of the excellent works that went on in the village about the mine, and would greatly wish to go look upon the dispensary and the cottage hospital and the school, and oh, was there not an institute and reading-room?

Clorinda preened a little and said, indeed they were in very good ways. And the mine was run in quite exemplary fashion.

Would have been most improper for Lord Demington to reside under Clorinda’s roof was Lady Rachel also there, but there was an entirely eligible inn in the village where he might stay.

So over breakfast Leda said, purposed to walk down to the village in order to go make enquiries concerning that scoundrel of a mining machinery engineer.

Lady Rachel said, that her uncle Geoffrey had said somewhat that Miss Hacker was employed in Mr Johnson’s investigation agency and that he supposed that there was some such matter upon hand.

Leda looked at Clorinda, that gave her a discreet nod. Entirely so, she said. The former village schoolmistress – a perfectly respectable young woman – was beguiled by a fellow that came into these parts about some business to do with mining machinery. She is now in a very good position as a governess, but those that take an interest in her condition consider that it would be entirely proper to seek out the fellow and prevail upon him to provide for his son’s education and establishment in the world. So they have commissioned me, by way of the agency, to discover what I may about him so that he may be pursued.

That is very fine work! exclaimed Lady Rachel.

Alas, said Clorinda, that the law no longer permits of suing a bastard upon such fathers without the mother is on the parish. For the fear of such a matter, brought against a fellow that flaunted himself as respectable, was a very telling argument for him to make provision in bygone days.

Leda had no doubt that Lady B had been at work just so in former days! She went on to say that as she intended walking down to the village, the morning being so pleasant, did Lady Rachel wish to go there?

That would fall out exceedingly! cried Clorinda. You might introduce her to the Randalls – and Miss Levett at the school – and I am sure they would quite delight in showing her all the good works that go on while you go interrogate Mr Marston and Mr McAllan &C.

Clorinda, Leda fancied, was in quite the greatest desire to be a-writing on her Newgate novel.

She set off with Lady Rachel, that was somewhat disposed to be curious about the work of the agency, a very common thing. Doubtless, from being the niece of Mr Merrett, supposed it all a deal more dramatic than it was, was very seldom they were looking into a case of suspected murder in order that he might prove his client innocent of poisoning her husband, however much the wretch had deserved it.

And Lady Pockinford had mentioned that they undertook enquiries on behalf of the Potter-Welch registry?

'Twas so, Leda confirmed, to ensure that all was as it should be. Steady work.

How would one, enquired Lady Rachel, go about discovering the like of a household that it was?

Why, said Leda, one might go to the kitchen door in the guise of one that peddled some kind of goods – perchance she would not mention lucky white heather, tuppence a sprig! – and see whether one was like to be invited in to rest one’s feet and take a cup, and whether they did that in some fear of the mistress or housekeeper, and how they looked more generally. Or to the front door as charity-collectors to see what reception they received.

Lady Rachel widened her eyes.

Of course, said Leda, there are some several establishments that have been using the registry this long time and have a very fine reputation, we would not be looking into them. For she came to have a notion that a deal of Clorinda’s acquaintance obtained their servants by way of the Potter-Welch enterprize and from the orphanage, and very like the Merrett connexion were among 'em.

But here they were at the village, and Lady Rachel exclaimed over how very neat and proper all was, and was that not an exceeding tall chimney?

That, said Leda, that had learnt of the matter during her previous visit, is for the smelting works, to carry away the noxious vapours. Here we are at the Randalls’ house –

Fortunately Mrs Randall perchanced to be in, and was entirely overcome to be introduced to Lady Rachel, that made very civil and said she had heard what exceeding good ways they were in here with the dispensary and cottage hospital, &C.

So Leda left her in those good hands, and walked up to the mine office to find Mr McAllan, that she fancied would be able to tell her somewhat of that rogue. She was taken a little aback to discover Lord Demington there already – but turned out was by way of being an old acquaintance, had spent some little while recruiting his health at the hunting box with his friend Mr Lucas the previous year.

She explained that she had a confidential commission from Lady Bexbury, and McAllan said that His Lordship would surely like to go see how the steam-pump fared, and called for his assistant to go take him up to the mine to see.

He gestured Leda to a seat and said, was ever eager to give what assistance he might to Lady Bexbury.

Leda unfolded the matter to him – Ellen Hudson now in an excellent place as a governess, by no means in want – McAllan said, was delighted to hear that, a very fine young woman monstrously misused by a scoundrel – has friends that took the thought that it would be an excellent thing could the father be prevailed upon to make provision for little Theo’s education – mayhap bringing on in a profession –

McAllan thumped the table, swore in Scots, and said, sure the fellow should pay! – had a fine remunerative position in a firm in Leeds – of course, may no longer be at the same one, but I daresay they will know what has become of him – here, I will write down the direction for you.

I apprehend, said Leda, that he was a married man?

Gave it out thus, the wretch.

Leda nodded and closed her little memorandum book that now contained these details and said, would not trouble a busy man like Mr McAllan further.

Walking back through the village she could observe that Lady Rachel was being taken excellent care of; so she might as well return to the hunting box and see how Clorinda did the morn – though, looking up at the sky, sure 'twas nearly noon.

Clorinda, she found, was in a somewhat fretful mood at her traveling desk. La, my darling, here was I in hopeful anticipation that we might have a pleasing quiet time together, just the two of us, no need for Lady B at work –

Leda kissed the top of her head. Sure it had not previous dawned upon her that mayhap Clorinda herself was in requirement of a rest from quite constant being bothered by the troubles of others and was not just indulging Leda with a little holiday from visiting grand houses.

– most exceeding prepossessed at the way young Bobbie Wallace got matters under hand without I was obliged to intervene and is now, I may confide, married to the lady of his heart and on his bridal tour.

Wowskie suddenly started up as the dogs outside commenced to bark. And what is this? groaned Clorinda.

Leda went to peep surreptitious out of the window. 'Tis a carriage – with a crest upon it – I fathom it out as the Pockinford arms? – and there, stepping down from it is Dumpling D – I mean, Her Ladyship the Countess.

Just her? exclaimed Clorinda, jumping up herself. Why, indeed it looks as though she has come alone, save but for Copping. Why, she said, beginning to smile, I take this as a good sign.

And indeed, once Lady Pockinford had ceased sobbing upon Clorinda’s bosom, and been persuaded that a glass of madeira, even at such a time of day, could only be entirely sanitive, she declared that Lady Rachel would be a daughter-in-law after her own heart and she had informed the Earl her husband of that opinion before flying to Lady Bexbury in hopes that the pair had not yet set off to Gretna. Purposed to take 'em back at once to be entirely reconciled with the Earl, Lady Rachel’s father written to in proper order –

Furthermore, Lady Rachel was so very helpful to her, since she had not been as forethoughtful as dear Lady Bexbury about providing herself with a secretary –

Clorinda’s foot, concealed from view by the low table, brushed briefly against Leda’s. That jumped up and said, perchance she should go down to the village to fetch the young couple?

For the sooner this reconciliation took place, the sooner their unexpected guests would be away.