Challenges (19)

Just enough hope

Ollie – the Honble Mr Oliver Parry-Lloyd – could not remember that there had been all this to-do when Brump had married Rettie. But he had been still practically a schoolboy then, and not called upon to do the polite handing teacups &C around the pack of elderly relatives that descended when they heard matrimony was in prospect. These days he was expected to show his face, and not run off to join his friends in manly pursuits.

And there were certain intrusive interrogations about what he was doing with himself, and sly questions about whether there might be another wedding in prospect –

Because, here he was, the second son, his elder brother Brumpage married and with two thriving offspring already, there was some expectation that he would not be just an idle wastrel about Town. Indeed, he had had a salutary shock with that Rathe business! But there was no great necessity – the Abertyldd estates were in excellent condition, and his mother was one of the heiresses of the Brumpage cotton fortune.

At least there was no expectation that he would join the colours – the military tradition of the Parry-Lloyds consisted of some very distant family stories concerning the Civil War, with one brother fighting for the Crown, and another all for Cromwell and Parliament, and one great-great-great-uncle that had joined the Hon Company’s Bengal Cavalry and died young of some tropical fever.

Nor was there a supposition that he would take orders and be put into one of the livings to which his father had the presentation, Lord Abertyldd having been persuaded of the evils of this practice by that genial and learned clergyman, Hugh Lucas senior.

What had never been quite openly voiced was the hope that Ollie – a handsome fellow that took after the Parry-Lloyd rather than the Brumpage side of the family – a deal of address – fine sportsman – accomplished musician – might succeed in attracting an heiress, or at least a young lady whose parents were like to provide handsomely for her. Such as Chloe Ollifaunt.

One could have no objections to Chloe, that was a very well-looking young woman – danced divinely – part of a very good set of young women and the bosom companion of Lady Isabella Beaufoyle, doated upon by Her Grace the Duchess – not, it was true, particularly musically-gifted herself, but the niece of Mrs Knowles and well able to appreciate musical subtleties – so would sort exceeding well among the Parry-Lloyds –

Also, had ever shown amiable to Zipsie, for Ollie had observed that his sister had been the target of certain cattish misses.

But.

There was sometimes a certain satirical glint in Miss Ollifaunt’s eye, and he was never sure whether she and Lady Isabella might be making jests upon him behind his back. Took no particular pains to conceal that she was a clever woman, nigh unto a blue-stocking, and had been heard to – did she not outright condemn idle wastrels – speak with approbation of those that took up responsibilities – made something of themselves –

One might, perchance, go join Artie Demington’s set that convoked about agricultural questions? A little more to his taste than Lord Rollo Beaufoyle’s sanitation reform circle! Take up some serious study – here was Gerry Merrett, of all people, became quite engrossed in the diggings of the monastery ruins at Monks Garrowby– running up and down to libraries and going to lectures of learned societies –

Ollie heaved a sigh and looked at his reflection in the mirror, and informed it that he should certainly pull round did he have any notion to Lady Theodora Saxorby – go in for good works, perchance.

O, Chloe Ollifaunt was all very well as young women went, he fancied a fellow might jog on with her in marriage as well as most, and love was something for poetry and plays –

But, Thea.

He had barely noticed her for a considerable while – always with her cousin Lady Eleanor Upweston, both of 'em shy and unforthcoming – some fellow had referred to 'em as that pair of white rabbits and 'twas alas not entirely unjust. Had always done the civil things – danced with her at balls, was it only for the sake of her brother Artie - &C&C – but she had not drawn attention to herself.

Then it had come about that she and Zipsie had met over singing lessons with Miss McKeown, and they had become quite bosom friends. And one day he had walked into the music-room, where he had heard Zipsie and some other young lady trying over a song, that he fancied was a new one of Zipsie’s own composing, and walked in.

A quite animated young lady with an exquisite voice, trying over a line.

He paused in the doorway, listening, until Zipsie turned her head and caught sight of him. Ollie! Don’t linger there letting in a draught, come in or go away.

So he went in, and shook hands, and desired to hear the song in its entirety.

She acceded to the request – and he was lost.

Thea. Lady Theodora Saxorby, daughter of the very strict and particular pious Earl of Pockinford and his philanthropic Countess. Doubtless they had a better marriage in mind for her than the younger son of a Viscount, though he dared say that was preferable to running off with the drawing-master as the Balstrup girl had done.

Ollie sighed. One apprehended that Thea was pious herself, but in a fashion that distressed her parents – notions to joining a sisterhood – ever going visit her sister Lady Agatha, that had married the Puseyite parson Hughie Lucas. That union, he supposed, might give one a little hope? The elder Lucas was an esteemed scholar and preacher, rector in a comfortable living; Mrs Lucas was the sister of Lady Pockinford and a noted poet: but although they moved in Society were hardly of elevated rank – the Simpson sisters had been heiresses of gentry stock.

Just enough hope.

***

Sir Oliver Brumpage looked with pleasure upon the agreeable and pretty young creature pouring coffee for the both of 'em. Lady Theodora had been quite chased out of Zipsie’s dressing-room while Lady Bexbury’s Sophy was trying experiments with hair and veil to see what would look best.

He accepted the cup, and smiled at Thea and enquired what she had been about lately.

Thea made a little moue, then smiled and said that 'twas quite the height of the Season, and even now FanFan was safely married to Mr Reveley, there were still a deal of social obligations, besides the forthcoming wedding! But managed to go over to Hughie’s parish occasionally, and Aggie had desired her to express most exceeding gratitude for the donation for the Mother and Baby charity.

Oh, pooh-pooh, 'tis little enough, and I must anticipate that Lady Agatha is her mother’s daughter and doing excellent good works there.

Oh, indeed. While the sisterhood is very inspiring, Aggie reminds me that a lady may be in the world and do good work.

He was pleased to hear that: doubtless sisterhoods were an excellent thing and provided a useful way of life for ladies that failed to marry, but seemed a sad fate for Thea.

The latter went on to say that Aggie sometimes sighed that she had heard of the very fine matters that the Brumpages had put upon hand in Heggleton – would that they might do the like in their parish –

Why, that is somewhat of a different business – the prosperity that comes from industry – and while I was not the only manufacturer in the place, was undoubted the wealthiest, and 'tis a sad truth that that will make one’s ideas attended to! And even so, could not carry all before me – there were struggles and argifying before we got things done – 'tis never a matter of waving a hand like one in the Arabian Nights.

He gave a sigh. When the weather comes about a little milder, intend making an excursion there – cannot run an enterprize entire by action at a distance – see how things go on in general. Was in some hopes that young Brump might take an interest in the business, but devoting himself to management of the estates takes up all his time –

Artie was telling me, how very conscientious he attends the convocations on agrarian improvements.

Aye, will tell any he can persuade to listen about some new manner of fertilizing crops!

With Artie, said Thea smiling, 'tis mostly cows and better milk.

They looked at one another in amiable understanding. Sir Oliver hoped that Lady Theodora did not neglect her music?

Not in the least. Managed to keep up her lessons with Miss McKeown even was Zipsie so took up with preparations at present and unable to practise –

At this moment looked around the door young Ollie, blushed somewhat and looked conscious upon observing Lady Theodora, and asked might he come in.

Fie, lad, we are not telling secrets! Come on in, and ring for another cup. Ollie did so, and settled himself in a chair whence, his grandfather observed, he might gaze at Lady Theodora.

When all the matter of cups and coffee and how he preferred his had been accomplished, and he was carefully balancing the cup and saucer in his hand, Ollie commenced upon remarking that had been considering that would it not be an excellent thing did he pay some attention to the family business and the other concerns in Heggleton? So, took the notion that was Granda intending a visit there, might he come along – for 'twas a deal of a while since had been there, and had not had more than a boyish interest in machinery &C at the time –

Lady Theodora clasped her hands and looked most admiring at this proposal – for one could not suppose that such a serious young lady approved of young idlers that spent most of their time sailing, did the weather permit, or playing the bassoon and singing – and one must concede the boy had some musical capacities! – or playing cricket in due season.

However, Sir Oliver fancied that this was a device: Charley and Dodo had been somewhat nagging about the imprudence of his going alone without some family member – for however devoted and competent Barnet is, he is no longer a young man, Pa, you must admit – and Cissie had written in the same tune. But still – did the lad come along and see what a fine bustling place Heggleton was – what an absorbing matter was the manufacture of cotton – what a deal of interest there was in municipal improvements –

Why, should be exceeding glad of your company.

Lady Theodora smiled at both of them and said she quite envied 'em: how much more agreeable than the frivolity of the Season.