Succession (22)

A very unEnglish proceeding

Thea loved the musical ladies’ little house. She loved her singing lessons so much, indeed, that she had made an opportunity to visit Aggie and have a conversation with Sister Linnet as to whether this was worldiness and vanity –

But, she said, clasping her hands before her, and looking into the sister’s serious and sympathetic face, what felt like vanity was being desired to sing for company – o, Thea has such a pretty voice! – when I knew I was uninstructed, could do a great deal better, was not doing the music the justice it should have – oh, indeed I was shy, but that was very painful to me.

Sister Linnet sat back in her chair, and said, those opinions did Lady Theodora great credit. For 'twas one thing to encourage children by praising their infant efforts in some art, and a different matter for one that was come to maturer years. And she minded that they had previously spoke upon the Parable of the Talents, and did one have a talent, why, she could not suppose it a sin to endeavour to make the best use of it through study and practice.

So Thea felt reassured, and that, perchance, now she came to a greater confidence, she might attain to do good by singing – perchance even go teach, Aggie had some notion to do with their Sunday School of having a choir –

But that was a distant prospect and meanwhile she should think upon improving herself, and doing her exercises and scales, and developing her taste –

Artie, she found, when very timorous putting the matter to him, was quite entire her champion. Said it was the like with him and agriculture – did one want to do a thing, why, one should do it properly, and study upon the best ways, &C. Added, with a grin, did this bring her about to performing for their mother’s drawing-room meetings could not suppose that their progenitors would have the least objection, and he confided that Simon’s opinions in any matter at the moment had not the least influence.

O, I am not in the least ready for public performance – but, Artie, what was it that Simon did?

Her brother shrugged and looked baffled. They are so exceeding close upon the business I am quite afeared to interrogate further. Embezzling the Vice Society funds and laying them on slow horses? 'Tis a mystery.

But here she was in the ladies’ little house, studying upon the score of some songs that Miss McKeown felt she was ready to try, and listening to Zipsie’s lesson.

For there was another thing – had not previously realized what a fine amiable and musically-knowledgeable creature was the Honble Zipporah Parry-Lloyd. Had been on distantly friendly terms, for the Parry-Lloyds were entirely part of their set, but Zipsie had ever been somewhat of a lonely figure – no particular friend in their circle, considered somewhat awkward in her manner –

But Zipsie in her element was quite different! Could speak almost as an equal to the ladies – brought up in that very musical family at Bexbury House – o, we are quite the nest of singing birds, can all play at least three instruments to some degree of competence –

Not in the least haughty or proud – when Thea had sighed that her voice was by no means as good as Zipsie’s, Zipsie had responded that she fancied it was, in fact, better, but had not had the advantages of proper training since childhood, dared say would come to surpass hers in due course –

They became, to Thea’s delighted astonishment, quite bosom friends. She might have felt some qualm over deserting Nora, for the cousins had been close since the nursery, but she came to understand how much that had been because they had been thrown together. Sure, these days Nora became besotted with lace-making, spent a deal of time in her late granddam’s lace-making chamber, as well as devoted to her new sister Myo, and an adoring aunt to baby Adelaide.

She had even discovered that Zipsie, besides singing, playing the piano, the oboe and the violincello, composed music. Had set certain poems – it sounded as though she was trying one over with Miss McKeown at present – and was writing a string quartet – 'tis only for the family to perform, of course, but I should like to see can I contrive to do it.

Zipsie came quite glowing out from the music-room into the little parlour. O, I see now where I was mistook! she said, but I fancy I can repair it. She plumped down on the sopha next to Thea and glanced at the score in her lap. Sure you are quite ready for that! Thea blushed with pleasure.

But, my dear! Is’t possible you might come now to tea at Bexbury House?

O, Zipsie, yes, that is so kind! – and Grissie said supposed I might do so after my lesson, so would not get into a fret.

It had really become quite the usual thing. She need only inform the coachman that he might return to Trembourne House without her.

They had some common gossip of forthcoming balls and parties – Zipsie sighed. How long must I go on failing to catch a husband before Mama and Papa will let me go study music abroad as Aunt Dodo did?

Daringly, Thea ventured that mayhap they feared she too would bring home a revolutionary spouse.

Zipsie let out her notorious howling laugh. Mayhap the Imbremeres might introduce me to some Ukrainian patriot? – a fine handsome Cossack perchance – but, to be serious, why should I cry hey for a husband? Aunt Dodo might have appeared on stages all over Europe had she not married, and had it not been prudent for Uncle Casimir to come breathe the free air of Albion –

Quite the operatic tale! Thea ventured.

O, entirely! But here we are – let us go in, and have tea, and I am sure the little ones will wish to demonstrate their new pieces –

So they went in – o, Bexbury House was quite different from Trembourne House, or Pockinford House! – the air is full of noises, sounds and strange music, that charm the ear, and hurt not – someone, somewhere in the house, would be practising, or rehearsing, or having an impromptu concert. And there would be friends of the family in and out and about – young – and not so young! – men come to play tennis in the fine court in the house – ladies calling upon Lady Abertyldd or Mrs Brumpage Parry-Lloyd – business associates of Sir Oliver Brumpage – old colleagues of Count Casimir –

Such a bustle! murmured Zipsie. Ho, Giana, what are you at?

Her younger sister Georgiana, that was carrying a violin-case, said that she was going to tea, and to play her new piece for Granda –

Well, do not run like a mad thing! Let us ascend the stairs in a ladylike fashion –

So they went up the very fine staircase, and into the large reception room that had been designated the music-room, where tea had already been laid. Lady Abertyldd was pouring out for her father in his bath-chair, and young Georgie was strumming on the piano.

La, Georgie, cried Zipsie, cease that horrid racket, we have company.

Fie, said Thea, do not treat me formal as a guest.

Lady Abertyldd turned round and said, Georgie might spare his family, and had he not learnt a new piece with which he might delight 'em?

Giana pouted and said, had come very specific to play for Granda –

Lady Abertyldd said, sure they might both play, but since Georgie was already sat at the pianoforte, let him go first, while Giana ensured her fiddle was in tune &C.

She handed Thea a teacup and said, cinnamon toast on that platter – bread and butter on that – cheese straws there –

Thea sipped tea, and nibbled on a finger of cinnamon toast, and made civil to Sir Oliver, that was a very agreeable old gentleman, while showing attentive to Georgie’s playing.

Then Giana stood up and played, very pretty.

Sir Oliver said all the proper things, and Thea minded upon what Sister Linnet had said about encouraging infant efforts, and she dared say that their music teachers were more critical! But sure, they were Parry-Lloyds, and perchance one set a higher standard.

Zipsie said, but Thea had not eat a thing, did she not find that she was ravenous after a singing-lesson? And Lady Abertyldd said that indeed one was, and Lady Theodora should not hold back out of some mistook notion of etiquette, for there would be more sent up shortly, they were in anticipation of Oliver’s arrival, and quite often he brought a friend or so.

Zipsie snorted gently at this: Thea fancied that she supposed her brother to be attempting to raise interest in her hand among his set. But sure the Honble Mr Oliver Parry-Lloyd showed more to advantage in this family circle than she had been wont to find him in ballrooms &C….

The company, which by now included Lord Abertyldd and Mr and Mrs Brumpage Parry-Lloyd, was delighted by the exquisite playing of a piece of his own composition by Count Casimir, Zipsie’s Aunt Dodo turning the pages for him.

This had only just ceased to that silence that, Thea already apprehended, was more to be valued than applause, when quite burst in the Honble Oliver, accompanied by Rich Osberton and their latest bosom-companion, Lord Rondegate.

The most extraordinary thing! he declaimed. Quite like unto an opera –

Lady Abertyldd went about to show his guests to chairs and offer 'em tea, hand around the platters of cinnamon toast &C -

– last night, Lady Wauderkell was found wandering the streets, a bloody knife in her hand, and when approached by a peeler, declared I have slain the deceiver! And when he went along with her – for she did not seem like to attack again – found at their lodgings Mr O’Neill in a very desperate state, not, indeed, dead, but very severely injured – surgeon sent for –

Count Casimir turned to his wife and said somewhat about this being a very unEnglish proceeding – did the lady perchance have Italian ancestry?

O, really, Ollie! said his mother. What a tale to tell before ladies and children. I daresay 'tis some quite exaggerated rumour goes about the clubs.

Thea, that had commenced to shiver, felt a little reassured at this dash of commonsense, even did Ollie protest that had had it from a very reliable fellow.