Rescue Operations (10)

So very different from their expectations

Sandy poured himself a glass of port and sat down to enjoy the very charming sight of Maurice in a dressing-gown at the chafing dish, making a light supper of omelettes. A skill that he had developed a very fine hand at. Fine fresh eggs and butter from Martha Samuels, that had come up to Town for a fitting at Mamzelle Bridgette, that she considered entirely in the light of an ordeal that she underwent for those occasions when she was obliged to support her husband’s consequence in Society, either in local county gatherings or meetings of the Royal Society or other savants.

Looking about this pleasing domestic scene, Sandy thought how much had changed since he had first entered Maurice’s lodgings. True, that first time he had not been paying much attention to their surroundings but only to Maurice himself. Had only been later that he had observed how very bleak those surroundings were, not at all what he would have expected.  But that was entirely changed now.

Fine furniture – the sumptuous carpets he himself had presented Maurice with on the floor – a painting or so on the wall, including Raoul de Clérault’s portrait of Maurice in his guise as sober businessman of African heritage – the cabinet containing Maurice’s collection of antique lace – some particular fine examples framed behind glass upon the wall – flowers on the table –

With a flourish, Maurice handed him an omelette on a plate – good china! – and a fork, and commenced upon making his own.

Such a scene as he could not have imagined during those first encounters, that had been somewhat of a frenzie.

But after they had eaten, there were matters to discuss – this trouble over Betty Higgins’ daughter’s husband, to begin with.

Maurice gave a slight sniff, and said, understood that the fellow kept a draper’s shop, and however genteel an enterprize that might be, not the kind of establishment that Mamzelle Bridgette dealt with. However, dared say the wretch might be known about in the trade more generally, would ask around – in fact, the morrow e’en was going to a meeting of the local businessmen’s association, mayhap one or another might have some intelligence. Whether he’d been in any financial troubles or such.

That would be very good of you, said Sandy.

Maurice sighed and said, had they not been tempted to go ask Nat to send two or three of his boys to have persuasive words with Lotting on the proper duties of a husband?

Was an expedient had crossed my mind. May come to it – but would prefer to explore other possibilities first. And would it entirely stop him?

Maurice groaned and said, fancied the fellow was one of the sly cunning kind – was in his interest that his poor wife could work and contribute to the household – no doubt keep him in idleness –

Sandy apprehended that what Maurice meant, was, not like his own violent and drunken father, that had not been moved by such considerations, would strike out at random in his rage.

He sighed. If one might find some lever to persuade him to concede to a separation – we contrived that with the rogue O’Callaghan, though was then clapped up in debtors’ prison anyway, died there of gaol fever –

They both groaned. Sandy added that matters were in the hands of Leda and her cohorts at the agency, Gordon was sounding out among his own acquaintance –

Well, there are no better hands one could think of! said Maurice. He stood up and went to put the plates and cutlery in the sink, poured himself a fresh glass of gin, refreshed Sandy’s port, and went perch himself on the arm of Sandy’s chair.

Have you spoke to Geoff Merrett lately? – not very lately – was advancing to me the interest of a friend of his for membership of the club.

Oh? Sandy raised his eyebrows.

There is a certain captain in the Hydrographic Survey – brother to the Countess of Nuttenford – has been at sea some years but is given out upon the return to these shores with his maps and soundings &C – of the disposition. Of course, may be entirely disinterested – one of his family connexion – but –

Sandy removed and began to polish his spectacles. O dear. I am in some supposition that he has never mentioned this gallant mariner to Dr Asterley, that one has perceived looks with some jealousy upon Geoff. Well, I will endeavour sound out the matter do I have occasion to have private converse with Geoff.

Maurice ruffled Sandy’s hair and said 'twas exceeding good of him.

Sandy sighed and said, had known Geoff Merrett a very long time. At Maurice’s lifted eyebrow he said, and there had at one time been some passages but they were now back entirely on the terms of antient friendship.

Maurice grinned and said, would not be about making jealous scenes.

Sandy reached up to pull him into a kiss.

The following evening, with Maurice going to be a most exceeding sober and respectable businessman with quite the highest reputation as a very sound fellow among his peers, Sandy found himself at loose ends at home, and invited by Clorinda, that found herself in a similar situation, to come take a little supper with her.

Indeed it seemed seldom these days that the two of 'em sat thus, vis-à-vis before the fire, or, at this season, the firescreen, since there was a final summer-like spell of warmth and no need for a fire in the hearth. They looked at one another almost with unease – matters having turned out so very different from their expectations.

There had, he supposed, when he had come to live with Clorinda, been some vision in his mind of two mourning doves, that were in some sense both widowed but unable to reveal their condition to the generality. Clorinda had lost Josiah Ferraby, suddenly stricken down with a heart attack while walking and talking with Sandy in the grounds of Raxdell House; and just as she and Eliza Ferraby were coming around to coming to terms with the loss of their beloved, the symptoms of Eliza’s lingering painful mortal illness first became manifest. Society knew that they had been her greatest friends – were they not some relation? – but not the true inwardness of their loves.

And then his own beloved Gervase, Viscount Raxdell, leader of fashion, acclaimed sportsman, reforming politician: dead in a driving accident that only his own skills had prevented from being fatal to far more than himself.

But here they were, with new loves at a period of life when they might have supposed that the heyday in the blood was tame. O, Clorinda had still had certain antient favourites, but Sandy was like to suppose that they were come to years when they were more interested in sitting in her parlour reminiscing than engaging in energetic romping. New loves that were entirely not what anyone would have anticipated!

He looked over the table and enquired what Leda was about the e’en.

Clorinda smiled doatingly, and said, Mr Dumaine was very pressing that she should go be Babsie Bolton about his premises and observe whether there was any sharping afoot. Has quite the highest esteem for her capacities in the matter.

Sandy frowned and said, had heard some rumours of a low den that became somewhat fashionable with a certain set of young men, that might benefit from Miss Hacker’s eyes upon the play, but apprehended that no ladies are admitted.

Clorinda looked thoughtful. Let me consider upon it. Mayhap Larry might gain the entrée?

Hector came in with a very fine poached salmon, with Euphemia’s famed cucumber relish to’t, and an excellent dish of potatoes, and peas, and conversation lapsed for a while.

They looked upon the considerable amount of the fish that was still remaining, and Clorinda said, did it not get eat up belowstairs, had no doubt but that Euphemia had plans to pot it. And she minded that she had meant to ask, had Sandy seen aught of Geoff Merrett lately?

Sandy raised his eyebrows and said, this was the second time in two days that he fancied he was supposed to be Geoff’s keeper.

Not in the least! said Clorinda tartly. I am not so much troubled about Geoff – well, somewhat – as about the gossip around Janey not yet increasing. Not that Janey herself seems in the least troubled by it, but she was the first of that younger set to wed, and all her friends that have married since are setting up their nurseries.

Sandy frowned – Clorinda lifted her eyebrows and said, John Knox face? – and said, had heard one or two scurrilities concerning Merrett having left his cuckoos in other fellows’ nests and not filling his own.

O, poo! said Clorinda, fanning herself vigorously as Hector came remove the remains of the course. Once he had departed she said, I very much doubt Geoff left any cuckoos with those sad neglected wives he was wont to console: as you will collect, I had a brief passage with him in his very youthful days and took that opportunity to instruct him –

Sandy began to laugh. Instruct him in the Malthusian arts!

Quite so. And mayhap he feels no particular yearning towards fatherhood – and not all women desire maternity – may be an agreed matter 'twixt the pair of 'em. Well, I will endeavour sound out the matter –

Lady B goes contrive! said Sandy with a snort of laughter.

Clorinda pulled a face at him, and then said, had been thinking they should convoke over Nardo di Serrante – had some suspicion that Marcello and Alf were relieved that he was out of those parts, as likely to go do somewhat impetuous foolish like unto his father in earlier times, greatly to their own detriment –

Indeed: here, I apprehend is Marcello goes present as a tedious monomaniac on the subjects of grapes and goats and questions of agrarian improvements, a harmless bore like unto Mr Nixon, entirely useful to the Cause.

The Contessa would be proud! said Clorinda, looking a little tearful. But as to Nardo – I am reminded of Evelyn Horrocks – that starting, that indeed Horrocks does a deal less these days, and trembling of hands –

Sandy nodded. Shock to the nerves. Well, let us consider upon how we might come about to suggest to him some course of restful treatment –

Perchance not Malvern!