Connexions (6)

Desirous to get quite caught up

Sure, returning to Town after all those months recruiting in Harrogate, 'twas like opening a novel and discovering 'twas the second volume and you were in the midst of the tale not knowing who the characters were or how they had got into that predicament –

Oh, there had been letters, and visitors had conveyed the latest gossip, but somehow it had all seemed very distant compared to Rachel’s agreeable gentle round of taking the waters – increasingly lengthy walks in the Stray – strolling about the shops – taking tea with her little group of new friends –

So here she was, very desirous to get quite caught up with all those philanthropic matters she had been neglecting – especial as one heard that her mother-in-law, dear Dumpling Dora, had been in a sad way due to the family troubles over Rachel's horrible prig of a brother-in-law Simon. That it was a great relief to hear was going to Peru with the explorer Enderby, and one did not wish, really, well, not very much, that he got eat by a jaguar. Was also a great relief that her papa-in-law Lord Pockinford had finally conceded to stop brooding and glooming on the family estates and had come to Town and opened up Pockinford House, so Lady P was no longer residing with darling Artie.

No, Rachel loved Dumpling Dora but had very much rather not share an establishment with her!

She was very much behindhand with getting all in order for the Seamstresses’ Summer Workshops, but la, here were her relatives in the greatest eagerness to come call and inform her of what went forth in their lives.

She found herself somewhat aghast at her sister Leah and cousin Inez, as they talked not merely of their extremely eligible suitors – Archie South Worpley, heir to the Duke of Humpleforth, had the greatest notion to Inez, and Lord Trelfer, that would in due course become Marquess of Emberry, was entirely infatuated with Leah – but of their considerable inclination to those suits.

What had happened to Leah and Inez, that had still been romping girls, more or less, when Rachel had been brought to bed and it had all gone so desperate badly? One understood they were still in the habit of getting up charades and amateur dramatics in the family tradition, had not turned Evangelical or followed in Thea Saxorby’s footsteps and started leaning towards sisterhoods.

No, their considerations were undoubtedly worldly.

Leah sighed. Our families, she said, and she and Inez exchanged glances, have this reputation of being rackety, and demonstrating a certain carelessness over rank, not entirely comme il faut –

You have made an entirely proper marriage, Inez went on, nothing could have been more suitable than a match with Lord Demington –

Rachel had not married Artie for that, but for his excellent good heart.

– and sure, one has no complaints of Greg’s marriage, but really, look at the former generation! My parents’ elopement that there was a play made out of! –

Aunt Em! groaned Leah. Uncle Geoff! – even is he now married to Janey, entirely suitable, there is still a deal of gossip links his name with this or that lady in past days – Aunty Lou married into industry!

Rachel snorted that the Ferrabys were received and esteemed everywhere.

And, of course, we adore Mama, we do not wish to conceal our lineage, but was somewhat of an eccentricity in Pa, that could have married anyone –

One apprehended, thought Rachel, that Leah would not be practising certain pretty family traditions when she had her own home: but kept silence.

Inez took up the plaint – there was her sister Di, the greatest beauty of her Season, threw herself away on a mere second son –

Given Sallington’s disinclination to matrimony, she may yet at least be a Duke’s mama! suggested Rachel.

– and much as one liked Verena, both lovely and amiable, could not consider her a really suitable spouse for Gussie –

Oh? said Rachel, raising her eyebrows.

Leah sighed. One might overlook that Sir Hartley is a mere baronet – very old family, an MP, very wealthy from tin – but the whole world knows she is not his daughter –

The whole world? Really?

Leah went on, – but the daughter of this Cossack that she and Gussie have been staying with these several months in the Ukraine.

Rachel clenched her hands out of sight and refrained from saying that her sister and cousin appeared to be preparing to marry two of the dreariest young men at present about the Marriage Market because they had the tinsel show of rank. Gussie and Verena clearly adored one another, though she was not so sure about Di and Rollo after some years of wedlock. Her aunt Em had a most agreeable life at Attervale with Lalage Fenster. Uncle Geoff had perchance been waiting for a woman that would suit him, as Janey clearly did: capable of an intelligent understanding of his legal cases, even was her first love mathematics.

She was not convinced that Trelfer was not a great bore simply because, according to Leah, he had a passionate interest in military matters – 'tis not playing with toy soldiers as that awful sister of his will twit him, 'tis understanding battles – his greatest regret is that he may not join the colours on account of his rank – takes up that fellow Hicks that was in the Punjaub in order to learn more about that campaign –

One supposed that might come about to be useful did Trelfer ever succeed and take part in the counsels of the nation?

Was very glad when they departed and she could turn once more to Sir Oliver Brumpage’s very civil letter from Heggleton offering whatever the charity might require in the way of cotton.

A much more useful visit was one that she had been solicited to by a note from dear Aunty Lou Ferraby. A young woman that had been brought in to a wholesale stationery business that Mr Knowles had come into in the course of another transaction – they had took a thought that they might produce a line specific for philanthropic enterprizes – Miss Frinton had quite the nicest notions about keeping records – she was employed by Matt Johnson’s agency – but now that dear Rachel was returned in health to Town, might well answer to have some convocation over the matter?

What a very excellent idea, Rachel had thought, having had to do with the somewhat haphazard records of various excellent causes. Did one have volumes that were already laid out in neat columns – with indexes – clearly marked with their purpose - &C&C – would be exceeding beneficial.

So, here came Miss Frinton, a very respectable-looking sort of woman some years older than Rachel herself, that looked a little daunted at being admitted to Lady Demington. Rachel rose to greet her and shook her hand, saying it was very good of her to come call, while waving her into a comfortable chair.

Rachel rang for tea, that came with a well-supplied cake-stand.

Meanwhile Miss Frinton was delving into the satchel she had been carrying, whence she took out several very handsome volumes –

These, she said, are samples that we had made up, that we should desire your opinions concerning.

Rachel enquired how she liked her tea, and offered cakes. Miss Frinton looked as if she had not expected somewhat resembling a social call and Rachel wondered whether she should have been more formal.

There was a little uneasy silence, then the door burst open admitting Jonathan, that must just have returned from his airing, crying Mama! here is Fatty-puss wishes come in! as Fatima slithered past him and made towards Rachel. Maggs pursued, wringing her hands.

Miss Frinton’s expression softened at the sight of him.

Come along, Master Jonathan, Her Ladyship your mama has company –

O, I know 'tis contrary to nursery discipline, but might he have one cake with us and make civil? Maggs looked severe, but nodded. So Jonathan was introduced to Mama’s guest, and allowed to choose just one cake from the stand, and to Rachel’s relief made no difficulty to being borne off to have that sticky hand washed when it was done.

Fatima jumped up into Miss Frinton’s lap.

You do not mind cats?

Not at all – what a fine puss. And what a delightful boy you have – she gave a wistful smile – that is such a charming age –

You have younger brothers – nephews – ?

Did not your aunt mention it? she responded with a renewed reserve. I have a boy of my own – now at school – attends that fine establishment in the City Mr Knowles’ son and his cousins go to –

One hears it provides an excellent education. Rachel felt a little embarrassed – one did not wish to pry into what might be sad circumstances – and found herself blushing somewhat.

Miss Frinton smiled a little and said, perchance, did Lady Demington deal with so many excellent philanthropic causes, she did not come to apprehend how many young women that were betrayed were not cast out by their families into destitution as one might suppose from plays and the penny parts. Would only encounter, mayhap, those sad cases who were – obliged to give up the babe to the Foundling Hospital or go on the parish or turn to the streets –

Rachel blushed a little more and conceded that she had had such commonplace notions, also, there was ever gossip about young ladies in her own station sent abroad for their health and the child fostered out, though had never come across a specific case.

Can the family afford another mouth to feed – is the mother herself earning – I had an excellent position with Mr Johnson – Ma – that is, my mother – keeping house and able to take care of Walter – we were in comfortable circumstance. But, she went on, let us get to business –

Rachel sighed and said that she was a sad ill-educated creature that was she flung upon the world did not know what she should do.

Miss Frinton gave a genteel snort and replied that was not at all what Lady Demington’s connexion gave out, that was that she had the most admirable business-like practices.

Rachel had thought she could not blush any more deeply, but found she could. To cover her confusion she picked up one of the volumes, that she immediately found most prepossessing.