Succession (27)

Such a good and interesting set

Lord Peregrine Shallock was exceeding prepossessed by the marriages Myo and Cretia had made. Had feared the worst, after Rina – and of course none had anticipated that Myo would have wed – but here they were, in fine establishments, good parts of Town, open invitations to Peregrine to come stay –

Well, he did not want to impose on a house of mourning, even though in spite of the hatchment that Trembourne House sported and the very proper mourning with which its inhabitants were decked, he did not descry any great grief at the demise of the late Earl.

Myo had wrinkled her nose and said, why, had not had opportunity to become much acquainted with her father-in-law – remained in this house less than a se’ennight recovering from the journey and then was off to one of his pet spaws to be quacked – mayhap upon further acquaintance a proper familial affection would have developed –

And while her husband, the new Earl, seemed somewhat stunned at this turn of events and the responsibilities that had unexpected fallen upon him, did not have the air of one devastated by the loss of a father.

Peregrine considered whether he would be cast into sincere grief when his own father departed life, and was like to think that although he would perform the proper outward show, he would not be greatly troubled. Feared Talshaw, upon his elevation, would not even show the suitable respect, from mutterings his elder brother had made. Was not at all happy being dragged about to such occasions as might be where he would meet appropriate partis – dull as ditchwater, and, he complained, chaperones scrutinizing one’s every move.

Well, did Peregrine achieve this fellowship – and all the signs seemed propitious – marriage was the last thing he needed to trouble with. One could not entirely like the notion of going around as a second son trading one’s breeding for an heiress aiming at social advancement.

Though when he looked at Cretia’s husband, was a very fine fellow indeed – not in the least coarse or vulgar – one could not have the least objection to his manners or taste – here was this house in a very good part of Town, done out in quite the best style – so perchance one need not suppose that 'twas only their fortune made heiresses eligible –

Peregrine grimaced. He had made an entirely ample breakfast – how very excellent was the cook! – and had some notion to go exploring, since he found himself a little at loose ends in Town. He rang the bell for Grimshaw, the butler.

Grimshaw came in, and bowed, and enquired was there anything further Lord Peregrine desired?

He conceded that he had quite finished, his compliments to the cook, but did Grimshaw know was there such a thing as a street directory about the house?

Grimshaw confided that he might find one in the library, alongside a guidebook or so, and gave him directions.

The library, when he found it, was clearly still awaiting the filling of its shelves, but a bookcase near the door had the works he was looking for, alongside other useful volumes such as dictionaries, Bradshaw, &C.

He opened up the directory and sought the direction for the manufactory of Roberts and Wilson’s superior preserves. Well, he had known it was somewhere on the Borough side of the river, and the address did not convey much to him. He sat down at the table with guidebooks and maps.

One had heard, he collected, that there were some very rough and dangerous parts thereabouts. Though 'twas also where there was a deal of bustling industry. What he could not see was any reason to go there did one not have business there – La, I was just passing through, on my way to visit a friend that is confined in Bedlam or the Marshalsea? Observe an operation at Guy’s? Did not seem a likely tale. Could hardly walk to and fro in the street hoping that Miss Wilson might emerge.

He had been very taken with Jessamy Wilson on meeting her at Marashaylles in the summer – but had no notion of how one went about improving one’s acquaintance with a young woman in such an entirely different station to one’s own. A respectable young woman earning her living and protected by family and friends. He was – lord, 'twas not the like of Talshaw making some remark on young women on the estate at Roughton Arching – he was interested in her. Sure she had an exceedingly fine physical presence, but she also had a remarkable character.

But how did one contrive to further encounters?

It would be a deal easier – though also considerably daunting – to pursue an acquaintance with Babsie Bolton, he supposed.

He was still musing upon this when came into the library Cretia, wearing a very gratified expression. La, Grinnie, she cried, the kindest most civil note from Lady Bexbury! – hears you are staying with us and extends an invitation to accompany us to her soirée this e’en have you no other engagement.

Well, that was beyond civil! Lady Bexbury’s soirée! Indeed one had heard of 'em, but he had never supposed he might attend one. Had a by no means definite engagement to go play billiards with Smithers and Averdale at the latter’s club but they would certainly not mind did he cut. He expressed to his sister his entire enthusiasm for accompanying her.

She smiled, and plumped down in a chair opposite, and clasped her hands upon the table. Grinnie, dear, she began, and then glanced about the library, and sighed. You will observe, she went on, that the shelves are somewhat bare. Mr Grigson has desired me – he is very caught up with business at present – to be about the matter of filling 'em up, and sure I do not know where to start. She made a little pout, and said, was lately at a party and overheard two of the young ladies making mock of the library in some country house they had lately visited, saying that looked as though was a deal of old books purchased willy-nilly by the yard and then bound to match with the crest imprinted, 'twas clear that none in the household ever opened a book.

So, I should wish to have a proper library, but really I do not know where to begin, and here you are, have had a proper education instead of Miss Baddeley teaching us deportment, I say to myself, surely Grinnie will know what books should be in a gentleman’s library.

Peregrine blinked, and thought that really, Cretia was greatly improved these days. Why, he said, certainly there are the great works of the literature of the nation – Shakspeare – Dr Johnson – Pope - &C&C – works of travel – histories, mayhap Gibbon – studies of political economy – I daresay Mr Grigson could recommend works on China that he might desire to have to hand –

O, that is a fine notion!

–  encyclopaedias – bound sets of newspapers and magazines – I will make out some memoranda upon the subject.

She jumped up and kissed him on the cheek and said he was quite the best brother!

Undoubtedly Cretia was improved!

He felt a little nervous at the prospect of Lady Bexbury’s soirée – sure the lady herself had shown the kindest of women, but he had some qualms at who he might meet there, a set very different from that around his father and Talshaw.

He was given further qualms when they were admitted to Lady’s B’s charming Mayfair establishment by the famed Hector, that Peregrine knew was the father of Jessamy Wilson. Now in middle age but still a fine upstanding ebony figure that looked as if he had not forgotten the pugilistic art that he had practised in earlier years.

And there was what must be a brother almost as impressive circulating among the throng in the reception room with a tray of glasses of wine and fruit cup.

There was Lady Bexbury, that greeted 'em very warm, remarked upon the success of the exhibition of Arts of the East, was glad to see Lord Peregrine &C&C –

Now, that was – here she was, a woman of fifty at least – but there she had on the wall, a painting – was it a de Clérault? – of her in much earlier years, in picturesque Neapolitan dress, and did not shrink from that contrast. And there was a portrait of another woman of similar age, but dark where Lady B was fair –

That, said Grigson, is give out Her Ladyship’s great friend Abigail Gowing, that married a Russian grandee at outs with the Tsar, went with him into Siberian exile –

A young man nearby made a choking noise, and was slapped upon the back by his companions. Daresay you are not used to champagne –

Very like!

It turned out that Grigson had already met the young man and introductions were made – Flinders Carter, from New South Wales –

And this was Lord Stephen Beaufoyle – various members of his set –

These young men made exceeding welcoming and Mr Grigson moved on.

Lord Stephen had lately been at Cambridge – lord, did I go to Oxford had the greatest fear I would be in Gillie’s shadow – deep scholar, mighty sportsman –

One had not, hearing of Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle from Talshaw, apprehended that he was a scholar!

Lord Stephen and his friends were getting up a magazine – would be delighted did Lord Peregrine wish to contribute –

Somehow this conversation led the group towards the gaming table, presided over by a young lady – young woman? – dressed somewhat plain, with a jade bangle around her wrist. There was something a little familiar about her, but surely they had never previously met?

Miss Hacker, murmured Lord Stephen. Protegée of Lady Bexbury – some connexion of the late sawbones – He made introductions.

Hah! cried young Carter, have heard of you from Tommie Thorne and Mr Hackstead! Was’t not you that Tommie –

Alas, this reminiscence was abruptly cut off as a wine glass fell to the floor, to Lord Stephen’s claims that he had been nowhere near it – a draught from the window mayhap – an unevenness in the baize – as the younger Wilson came to take it up, fortunately unbroken, and to commence upon blotting the spilt wine from the carpet. He wore what could only be described as a very deliberately unreproachful expression.

Meanwhile Miss Hacker was enquiring that had she not heard that Mr Hackstead had married Mr Thorne’s sister –

Clorrie, yes, that my Pa says shows that women could quite equal if not surpass men as surgeons –

This casual remark created such questions that no game had been put in hand before the music of the evening had commenced.

Peregrine was greatly gratified at having made the acquaintance of such a good and interesting set, and the next morn received invitations to an editorial meeting of Helicon, to go play tennis at Bexbury House, &C&C.