Rescue Operations (13)

A place in good practices

Beaufoyle, Lord Sallington, sat in the library at Nitherholme under the disapproving gaze of the late Grace Billston’s portrait – really, he should ask his aunt Jane whether she would prefer to have it! – on a fine sunny autumnal morning dealing with his correspondence. That happened to be, this particular morning, an agreeable indulgence.

A letter from Hannah, that had said to him that he really ought to do something about the library, that was sadly depleted since his aunt had had all those classical works she had inherited from her great-uncle transported to Hampshire. She was astonished he had not already set about building up a collection of fine works on the history of art &C. As a result he had commissioned her to look about for him, and here she was, writing that she had the prospect of a very fine set of Vasari’s Lives.

One from Julius, that was entirely proper and what an old childhood friend might write of a visit to Town, for sure they were obliged to exercize some caution in what they put in writing. But it was clear that he was quite exuberant at the excellent reception his various talks upon his botanical researches had received, and that he was in pleased anticipation of convoking with Lord Offgrange and other fellow botanists at Dambert Chase.

Dear Polly Fendersham was also exuberant – having quite the finest social whirl – being dressed by Mamzelle Bridgette, sure they would not recognize the stylish creature she had become – been to the theatre – a music party at the Knowles’ – Beauf smiled.

His sister Bella, complaining upon being made to go upon calls with Mama and to attend dancing-classes and instruction upon deportment, and o, Essie, might she not come and keep house for him at Nitherholme instead of this beastly matter of being presented and coming out and having to be a young lady? While he smiled somewhat at the notion of Bella being a young lady – though indeed going to school had wrought a considerable improvement on her farouche ways – he was also amuzed by the thought that she might keep house. Nitherholme went on very well indeed under the hand of Travers and Mrs Martingale and Bella had never demonstrated any inclination to domesticity.

Entered Travers to say, Mr Wilson had arrived –

Why, said Beauf, send him in, and bring coffee and some refreshment, for I doubt not he has been about the business of the works some while.

Travers ushered in Ben Wilson, Hector’s strapping son, engineer in the Nitherholme ironworks, that came on in quite the most modern of ways. Was also very forward in being of assistance in any matter in the vicinity requiring his skills, such as agricultural machinery &C. Beauf rose to greet him and shake his hand.

Really, it had answered entirely better than all had feared. So very black a face in these parts – but quite aside from Ben’s entire competence in his profession, had had the way to get on terms with the local men, by not only having that fine skill with his fists that he had learnt of his father, but displaying an entire eagerness to be instructed in the local manner of wrestling, at which he had shown a most apt pupil. Took a general interest in such pastimes as hound trails and fell-running. Had been took up by Drew Fendersham and his set, that were most prepossessed by his command of the pugilistic art, and his knowledge of London and its ways, as well as his extreme handiness.

Beauf did not like to interrogate, but he had a little concern as to the impression that Ben made upon the womenfolk of the surrounding neighbourhood. Had heard that in bygone days Hector had had had considerable troubles on that account, and one had already seen the interest that Julius’s less dark, but still somewhat exotique, complexion, aroused in local females.

Ben greeted Beauf with great civility, and was waved into a chair. He took out several documents from the portfolio he was carrying, and said, had had a notion for facilitating certain processes –

He explained these in considerable detail to Beauf, but alas, 'twas all Greek to him. Replied that sounded very answerable, but mayhap he might discuss it with Mr Dalgleish in Firlbrough?

Why, said Ben with great enthusiasm, I was hoping to convoke with him over the matter – might I be spared for a few days –

Beauf grinned and said, Mullen had said to him, had had it from Hector, that was a place in good practices did not require an eye upon everyone all the time –

Ben grinned back and said, indeed the works were in good practices. Would gather his traps and consult Bradshaw and be about the matter –

As he left, Beauf wondered if discoursing with Enoch Dalgleish on the mysteries of engineering was the only reason why Ben looked so eager, or whether there was metal still more attractive than iron? Did not Dalgleish have several pretty daughters as well as a couple of sons?

As Clorinda Bexbury was wont to remark whenever yet another marriage was in prospect among their circle, the world must be peopled! Well, thought Beauf, he had done somewhat towards that with his adorable daughter Kate, and when he saw how the demands of her station fretted upon Bella, he could not regret Kate’s illegitimate birth and her upbringing among Flora and Hannah’s orphans. Of course, one had not yet seen the entire proof of their experiment – the children still all so young – but so thriving, so happy –

Kate with what it was perhaps fond paternal prejudice that he thought was already a talent for art – that did it develop would not have to be constrained to ladylike watercolour sketching as a pastime – He smiled at his thoughts of sending her to study art on the Continent – sure that would be many years hence –

But he should spend some time about business matters!

He had become quite immersed in these when Travers came to say, a light nuncheon had been laid in the small dining-room and Lord Demington had returned from his walk.

When Beauf entered the small dining-room, he found Artie Demington ensconced in the window-seat with a mug of ale in his hand and a plate beside him. He stood up to greet his host.

Really, Artie was looking exceedingly well – an entire advertizement for the benefits of marriage! Still of a somewhat short and pudgy figure, but had an air of confidence that one had not seen during his bachelorhood, as well as showing the effects of exercize in the open air.

How now, Sallington! – what a splendid day it is, shows exceeding dutiful of you to stuff indoors. Indeed the Nitherholme herd is quite remarkable –

While Artie was by no means the monomaniac about cows that his late grandfather had been, he had begun to take a serious interest in agricultural matters, both in bringing about improvements on the Pockinford estates, that were a little neglected under his father the Earl, and in a more general way, joining the Royal Agricultural Society and being intensely fascinated by what modern science might bring to the business. His wife Rachel sometimes laughed and said, sure he had only married her to gain a connexion through marriage to the Samuels!

Beauf went to the sideboard to help himself to a plateful and went to sit vis-à-vis Artie. Said that the herd was perchance not what it was when his aunt Lady Jane had had it under hand and took the dairy in charge, but she set things on such sound lines –

Indeed, one cannot fault those cow-sheds – quite palatial! – and one observes that there was as 'twere a tradition established –

Quite so. Would by no means tamper with that – have been about model cottages and drainage &C, paving roads, but have not interfered with the ways of the soil.

Artie grinned and said, no doubt had had the benefits of his brother Rollo’s opinions on sanitation –

At exceeding length!

Artie got up to replenish his plate – well, a fine walk in the fresh moorland airs would give a man an appetite – and came back and said, of course Sallington could have no frets about Lord Rollo – happily married and relishing the joys of fatherhood, taking a fine interest in matters of public benefit – hoped Lord Gilbert was pulling round now he was in the Diplomatic – ?

Beauf shrugged. We have not heard that Gillie has seduced a Grand Duke’s mistress, or fought a duel with a high-ranking officer in some foreign army, or started a revolution, we must be content with that.

And Lord Stephen?

Beauf chuckled. Sure they had been prepared to be worried by Steenie – but here he was, not merely devoted to those pursuits that demanded a steady hand and a clear eye, that meant that he frequently declined invitations to late-night frolicking, but against everyone’s anticipations, had developed literary ambitions. Doing far better than they had anticipated at Cambridge.

Artie sighed. I feel myself, he said, in the capacity of an elder brother to Ketterwell – his parents having returned to the Continent so that Trembourne may quack his imaginary ailments – though Undersedge also takes some concern on Grissie’s behalf – is getting into a very raffish fast set. He groaned. Sure I was foolish myself, but at least I was not going to low gambling-dens run by Yankees that no-one knows who they are or what their origins may be.

Beauf wrinkled his nose. Indeed one must be concerned. He cleared his throat. Ketterwell has always seemed to me somewhat easily led –

Artie groaned again and said, precisely so.

Well, I will think upon this – ask around about this set of his and low gambling-dens –

Of course, he considers me naught but the staidest of married men and no mentor he will take note of!

Alas, thought Beauf, that Bobbie Wallace was now also Benedick the married man. But mayhap Barty – ?