Growing Good (17)

Not in idle frolic and frivolity

The Library was certainly coming about! – la, thought Vicky, soon I shall find myself out of a place, though indeed I have made a few memoranda concerning further improvements, may keep me here a little longer – but have laid up a tidy sum in the Savings Bank, even have I done the proper thing and handed over a portion to Ma for my keep. Mayhap they might promote my interest among their circle – might be others require their libraries setting in order? – could also enquire of Hannah –

But really, this post was exceptional congenial! The library itself all one could commend – the chamber fine and warm to work in, even did Ma insist upon her taking her shawl – and of course, excellent well-fed by Miriam.

At this precise moment Vicky was resting from toil in a comfortable easy chair beside the fire, with tea and a generous plateful of bread-pudding sent up by Miriam. There was somewhat of a bustle about the house the day – Mr Grigson and Lady Lucretia had returned from Anclewer, and would pass a couple of days in Town afore going on to New Year revelry at Carlefour Castle. She apprehended, from below-stairs gossip, that Mr G was not one of your fine lords, that can spend the Twelve Days of Christmas in idle frolic and frivolity, but was obliged to attend to certain matters of business.

The general feeling about the housekeeper’s sitting-room had been, that was a deal better than having to fear the bailiffs! No, Grigson was a sound prudent fellow that was not about to be dazzled by Society.

The library door opened and peeked in Lady Lucretia. O, Miss Jupp – no, do not get up. I came to return these books, and see was there others I might take on this next visit –

Let me, said Vicky, ring for fresh tea and a second cup. Do you sit down, Your Ladyship.

The footman was far too well-trained to raise an eyebrow at the sight of his mistress eagerly discussing Jane Eyre with the librarian, and nibbling a piece of bread-pudding.

Lord, this is excellent good – why do they never serve this in the drawing-room?

Vicky snorted. Fie, 'tis common – what the cook makes for below-stairs out of stale bread, to save waste –

Lady Lucretia blinked. Vicky wondered what other delicious things she knew not of – dared say had never eat anything so low as dripping toast! that was a fine thing of a chilly evening. She poured her tea.

There was some discourse of books, and Vicky consulted the list of recommendations by Her Ladyship’s friends, and produced several volumes for her to take away.

Lady Lucretia expressed herself exceeding grateful, then put down her teacup and looked somewhat thoughtful. After a pause she enquired was Lady Bexbury in Town?

No, said Vicky, this year – for one need not disclose that 'twas her usual practice: we do not blabber about Her Ladyship’s doings was a lesson impressed upon 'em – she goes pass the season at her god-daughter Flora Ferraby’s establishment in Surrey and will not return until after New Year.

Lady Lucretia nibbled her underlip in a way that Sophy would have scolded 'em for. I daresay, she said, the matter is not really urgent – will not matter until the Season commences – only, 'twas a warning my sister Lady Iffling gave –

A warning?

About Lord Blatchett, that she apprehends is making a serious suit to Lady Isabella Beaufoyle?

That was interesting, thought Vicky, though after Bella had seen the Oaks Merriam library she fancied that the odds on Blatchett were no longer favourable! Mayhap she should not boast upon her own acquaintance with Bella – might look somewhat vulgar – but –

It so perchances, she said, that I was a schoolfellow of the young woman that is now Her Grace of Mulcaster’s secretary – Miss Vernall – and might drop a word in her ear, when they return to Town?

Secretary?

To keep her diary for her – write those letters that do not require her personal hand – keep her papers in order - &C&C.

What an excellent notion, sighed Lady Lucretia. Sure one supposes that once the Season begins – a deal of affairs upon hand – must be an entire boon. Would save a deal of the flurries there used to be when I was living with Rina – Lady Iffling.

Vicky poured her more tea and offered her the last of the bread-pudding.

Lady Lucretia licked her fingers and then said, Miss Jupp, had you ever considered taking a like post to your friend’s?

Well, thought Vicky, at the very least it promised further employment and, she fancied, a deal of interest.

***

Artie snuggled against Rachel. This had been a very fine festive season in Harrogate – there was really a good deal in favour of a rather quiet Yuletide with one’s dear wife and adorable infant son, and the tactful company of a sensible older lady, instead of either the cheerful riot that pertained at Monk’s Garrowby among the Merrett connexion, or the rather more sober celebration at Pockinford Hall.

Rachel was really so much pulled-round in health, it was the most cheering thing, but was also being sensible and not over-doing just because she felt her forces restored.

Rachel rolled over and stretched and sighed. O, Artie, this has been entirely blissful! And I will not complain that you are going to Nitherholme, because that must be entirely agreeable for you – a fine herd of cows – Josh Ferraby to discuss 'em with –

Artie groaned and said, and a large and most miscellaneous house-party! Fancy Sallington is paying off a deal of obligations. Still, does not sound to be entirely a party of young creatures making up matches where I shall feel myself the completest gooseberry – though indeed there are several members of Bella’s set, and Sallington indeed hints that there may be an engagement announced, there will be others of soberer years, while it does not seem that young Steenie’s coterie of versifiers think of love in terms of matrimony rather than wistful rhymes –

Oh, very good! said Rachel, as she rose from the bed. Do you suppose he will have any news from Gillie? I cannot help but be a little anxious over Verena in those wild and chilly parts.

Because it was the last breakfast before his departure, they had Jonathan with 'em, that was coming along a fine well-grown lively lad, though still in dresses – a while yet before he should be breeched – and he was permitted to have Fatima sit in his lap, with cautions that 'twas because this was a special occasion and he must not expect it as a regular thing.

So they looked at him very doatingly as he ate, and fed titbits to the cat, meanwhile chatting about the company in and around Harrogate – Lady Saythingport quite the most delightful of companions – Lady Sarah Channery and her set very agreeable –

Lord, but her husband is quite the dullest fellow! remarked Artie. One used to consider old Nixon of the Home Office somewhat of a bore, but is naught to Sir Stockwell. I do not wonder she prefers to live in that very agreeable manor here in Yorkshire – and so much better for her children –

Quite!

But too soon it was time to take the fly to the station, to kiss and embrace Jonathan and Rachel – to commend their care to Lady Saythingport. Still, it was quite the happiest thing to see how well Rachel was looking, and also that her spirits were so much recovered, remembering how low they had been. He should not repine at their continued separation.

***

Business, of course, did not rest just because Society was out of Town. It was, indeed, stitch-stitch-stitch to make sure that gowns would be ready for final fittings when ladies returned to Town and all the display of the Season.

But even so, Mr Maurice of Mamzelle Bridgette, that crack modiste’s establishment, might take a few days’ holiday, leaving matters in the very capable hands of his partners, Maude Coggin and Thomasina Jupp, while he went to visit his sister Hortense and their mother at Dolly Mutton’s by the sea, and then pass a while with the senior partner, Biddy Smith, in Worthing.

Ma would always be – even with calm and kindness one saw that she would never come back to what they could, just about, remember what she had been, before the full toll of Jacques Allard’s brutality and the struggle to keep the family fed and warm had fallen upon her – would always be a little nervous at sudden noises – somewhat vague – but indeed she knew who they were, and was not suffering.

Hortense sighed and said, sometimes asks why you do not come. You was always her favourite.

Maurice sighed himself. Can I get away during the busiest time o’year I will, but even now I bring on Coggin and 'Sina into partnership, have to keep my hand on business.

Hortense smiled. I know you would.

May have a little more free time, these next months –

For he would not pout and complain and behave in the fashion he had himself experienced from Basil Linsleigh, just because Sandy MacDonald was going to Scotland with this young fellow from the antipodes –

In January?

Might as well be about the task of taking him round our fine Caledonian institutions of learning as soon as maybe – and besides, 'tis a deal of a while since I attended a proper Burns Night Supper –

So he had that to take into consideration.

Returned to Biddy’s, and observed that, the weather being dry and a little sun peeping through, a well-wrapped up Binnie was promenading Pompey in the garden.

Biddy came out to greet him, and draw him aside before he went into the parlour.

Is Marie ill? she enquired, for sure is not her usual self. Just sits there upon the sopha falling into a doze over The Lady’s What-Not.

She hasn’t told you herself?

Biddy shook her head.

Maurice snorted crossly. One of her patrons dropped dead on her, la, you probably saw the reports in the papers though 'twould not have mentioned the circumstance.

No!

A certain earl that loved the lash. Very fortunate one came that was able to arrange for the body to be moved – the deceased’s medical man gave very tactful evidence at the inquest – but I fancy it shook our Marie considerable more than she would like to show.

He sighed. She could probably do with a good holiday – go recruit somewhere – but in her line of business –

They both sighed.