Two weddings and several revelations (1)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Belinda knows not how she should be styled

Belinda stirred and came to wakefulness. It still surprized her, how quickly she had become accustomed to the habitual noise and bustle of a mews in a fashionable part of Town. She was no longer disturbed by the rumbling of carts, the clattering of shod hooves upon cobblestones, or the cries of street-sellers and the sometimes heated exchanges taking place at the kitchen door.

She had, of course, been grateful to dear Clorinda for offering shelter to a lady still overshadowed by antient scandal. Certainly none of her own relatives would have taken under their roof one that had notoriously run away from her husband to set up in business horse-breeding and training with another man. A scandal that had been revived when her husband, succeeding to a title, endeavoured a bigamous marriage to a wealthy heiress, was denounced by Belinda at the very altar, nearly murdered her, and was confined as a lunatic in the care of Chancery until his recent death. And the even more recent revelation that he had not been the rightful heir.

Could she, Belinda wondered, still call herself, was she so inclined, Lady Bexbury?

Possibly her relations might have found her some lonely distant cottage where she might reside out of the gaze of the respectable, but she had the impression that ladies in her position were supposed to take themselves abroad, a prospect that filled her with horror even had lameness not been increasing upon her.

Even had there not been the trouble from her dear Captain’s relatives over the business, she did not have the heart to continue it without him. Had also noticed that their local society, that had not shown particularly concerned over their state while the Captain was alive, became a little – chilly – towards a woman alone. Did the wives and ladies in the horsey set they had frequented suppose that, had a woman once run off from her husband with another man, she might, middle-aged and lame as she was, levant with some other woman’s fellow, being by then in the habit?

Belinda sighed. Dear Captain Penkarding: the finest of friends, the most excellent of business partners: but perhaps his greatest virtue had been that he had had no desire to share her bed. Oh, once or twice, crowded inns at race-meetings and the like, they had been obliged to share a chamber, but had been entire courteous constraint 'twixt the two of 'em. He had not troubled her with a matter she detested; and she had provided him with a most useful masquerade for desires that the law looked upon with great heaviness.

Little Molly, the under-housemaid, came in with morning tea, and then returned with hot water. Was there anything else? she asked. Belinda considered her state of health and determined that she would not need assistance in rising and dressing the morn.

Indeed her leg felt better than was wont: Hector and Euphemia’s Patience, that was a trained nurse and ambitious to become one of Mrs Fry’s nursing sisters, had lately prevailed upon the Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth’s Hindoo ayah to teach her the art of champooing, and had undertaken the same upon Belinda. Belinda shook the leg. A deal less stiff.

When she went out into her sitting-room, a fire already lit and burning brightly, she found Euphemia herself setting the table for her breakfast. Should you, she asked, care for a fine fresh country egg? Mrs Samuels came by to leave a basketful yesterday, fresh the morn.

Mrs Samuels? said Belinda – sure indeed I could fancy a fine soft-boiled egg.

Elder sister to the Duchess of Mulcaster, said Euphemia, her husband is a very clever fellow, in the Royal Society, is land agent to Admiral Knighton, she has a pretty hand for drawing and keeps hens. Comes to Town, I hear, in order that Maurice may go dress her entire proper for these two family weddings they are about. Her Ladyship offers that you might care join ‘em for tea –

But, said Belinda.

Euphemia gave a hearty chuckle. Is not one cares much for the uses of Society, she said. I will go see about your egg.

And one of those weddings, thought Belinda, buttering a nice warm muffin, was of the Duke’s daughter to the true Marquess of Bexbury, usurped by that monster she had married. A pleasant young man, from all she had been told, but she did not fancy to intrude herself upon him.

Euphemia came in with a large brown egg, cooked to the exact degree that Belinda liked. Sure they did her most exceeding well here.

When she finally pushed her plate away – a very fine egg indeed, and wherever Euphemia got her butter, it gave the lie to all she had heard about the inferiority of Town comestibles – she could hear Prue coming downstairs to begin the nigh endless task of keeping all clean and sweet. She came in to clear the table, asked if Belinda needed any help, and then took the china and cutlery into the scullery, where she could be heard lustily singing hymns as she washed up. Belinda smiled.

She picked her shawl off the back of the chair and draped it over her shoulders, pulled herself to standing, took up the stick that rested at her side, and walked with only a little hitching in her stride to the back door. She stood there for a moment, sniffing the air: that pervasive Town tang of smoke, but underlying it, the good stable-scent of horse and hay, from Clorinda’s own stable near at hand, and, further down the mews, Sam Jupp’s fine livery stable and carriage-hire business. 'Twas homelike.

She limped over the cobbles into the stable, where Nick Jupp was brushing Melusine’s tail into spun silver. He nodded. Y’r Ladyship. Did you want to go out on Columbine?

'Twill wait upon you finishing your task, she said, sitting down upon a convenient bale of hay.

He looked at the tail in his hand, remarked that Her Ladyship would not be going out until later, did she ride at all today, and went to saddle Columbine. Belinda looked around her. Such a pleasingly well-run stable, one could tell that Nick had had his training under Ajax, and took a pride in how well turned out the cattle under his care were. Had no ambition to be a businessman like his brother Sam – look how thin his hair grows from the worry and the fret, he had remarked one day.

Nick boosted her into the saddle and she took the reins. A nice crisp autumn morn for a ride in the Park – sure her days of wild gallops in the hunting field were done – 'twas a little tame perhaps, but she took care to go ride there at the unfashionable hours when there was no great press of those more interested in seeing and being seen than enjoying a fine canter. There was also the consideration that she had rather not display herself at those times when her presence might cause adverse comment.

The Park was sure exceeding pretty with the leaves turning colour &C, but 'twas not the country she was used to. There were a few others about, but she dared say that they were those like herself more interested in equestrian exercize than Society.

And then she noticed that one of the riders was coming towards her. Belinda frowned, and was about to turn Columbine in a different direction, when the rider lifted his whip in greeting, and, peering a little, she perceived that it was no encroaching stranger but Terence Offerton that had ever been a good friend of the Captain’s. Had writ a very fine condoling letter for one that she suspected but seldom put pen to paper.

How now, Mr Offerton! she cried, how do you the day?

Why, well enough, but I must confess, was riding out the morn in hopes of encountering you.

What!

Why, had lately heard that you were come to Town, to live with Lady Bexbury –

Sure I did not suppose 'twas an on-dit.

I daresay not generally, but I had come about to hear it through my acquaintance with Mr MacDonald –

Belinda stared. Terence Offerton, that never read aught but the Racing Calendar except it might be the adventures of Jorrocks, and was, insofar as he bothered with political opinions, a diehard Tory, an acquaintance of Mr MacDonald, that learned radical philosopher – Oh. Oh. Might it be so?

She smiled.

- and, he went on, confide I am not the only fellow would be most entire eager to have the benefits of your understanding of the equine race. Would not wish to impose, and sure I hesitate to invite a lady to a bachelor establishment such as mine, but 'twould be an immense boon might you cast your eye over my cattle some day and give me your thoughts upon 'em, for they do not do as well as they might.

Why, 'twould be an entire pleasure! As you may have heard, I go somewhat lame these days, but would still be pleased to walk a deal of a distance to see your fine creatures.

'Tis exceeding generous of you, and, he went on awkwardly, should not wish take advantage of your kindness –

Oh fie! Thanks to Lady Bexbury and her good friends, came to an agreement with the Captain’s family over the business and the estate, have not been left in penury, if that is your concern.

Even so.

Well, I will consult with Lady Bexbury, that has the very nicest sense of the ton in such matters, said Belinda.

They rode on together companionably for a while, until Terence saluted her with his whip and took his leave.

Sure 'twas most exceeding gratifying to have her services thus solicited, though mayhap 'twas entire a kindness in Terence Offerton, that must consider her in sad case, her occupation gone, and go about to find somewhat that would engage her mind. Yet, had she not thought, last time she had been at the races with the dear Captain, that had she had the handling of Terence’s colt, she might bring him on somewhat?

She sighed a little and turned back to home, as she must now consider it. Indeed Clorinda had desired her to treat it entirely as her own home, invite company, &C, but she still had somewhat of hesitation about doing so.

Comments

[kore]

OMG yes! MORE! I spent this evening being horribly sick, so this is very welcome.

(Is that an echo of Othello??)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

I suspect anyone who hangs around Clorinda long enough finds random Shakspeare cropping up all the time.

[kore]

I love that that was how she learned to read. (And write.)

[rymenhild]

A Belinda story! How delightful! You're so generous to us.

[kotturinn]

How lovely to have Belinda centre stage.

[threeringedmoon]

Thank you!

[loligo]

Belinda!!

[castiron]

Aw, Belinda! With more horses to work with!

[aedifica]

Oh, this is what I didn't know I wanted!

[nenya_kanadka]

My thoughts exactly!

[nenya_kanadka]

...I ship it. In a panromantic dudesexual guy/ace but not aro woman kind of way.

Quite squeaked for joy when this popped up in my notifications, and was in no way disappointed. :D

[tree_and_leaf]

Hurrah, how nice to see some more of Belinda!

[genarti]

Belinda! Oh, wonderful to see more of her, and to get her view on things for a while!