Two weddings and several revelations (4)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Mr MacDonald is presented with problems

Alexander MacDonald, MA, thanked the footman (as if he could not find his way to the secretary’s offices in Raxdell House while suffering from a high fever and blind drunk into the bargain), and paused outside the door. Because although that was entirely true, and still, in his dreams, he found himself treading the corridors and galleries of Raxdell House, he had returned most exceeding seldom since the accession of the present Viscount Raxdell. For, as in too many of those dreams, there was that sense of – oh, just around that corner – mayhap in that room – if he just looked hard enough – opened that door –

(Dark hair lightly frosted with silver, cut in the most exquisite style; broad shoulders; winged eyebrows over hazel eyes; lips curving in that private smile that was just between the two of them - )

Shaking himself, he turned the handle and went into the outer office, where the clerks were busy at work. The nearest leapt to his feet and came over: a pretty doe-eyed creature with an anxious expression. Mr MacDonald? – Mr Cartwright said we were to expect you –

Sandy looked down at him and coaxed kindness into his expression. Indeed, Mr Cartwright asked me to come by about some matter –

The clerk bustled over to the inner office and tapped discreetly upon the door. Cartwright came out, most exceeding affable, ushered Sandy into his sanctum, rang for coffee, desired him to take the more comfortable chair.

That fellow Edwards answers exceeding well, he remarked, not only most excellent diligent, but has picked up a deal of useful legal understanding from being in a Chancery solicitors’ office.

I am pleased to hear it, said Sandy, who had had some qualms about recommending a fellow he had never even met, however deserving.

But the matter I wished to open to you, said Cartwright, is about a couple of the tenancies at Ammerpark – have come to the conclusion of their terms, and I am in some doubts whether we should renew 'em, or go seek new tenants. So I thought I would ask you, quite informal, about any dealings you had had with 'em, over the years, and your impressions, for of course His Lordship has not yet built up that knowledge of his tenants –

Quite so, said Sandy, mayhap you could just remind me of the farms and the names and I will endeavour to recall –

As he was reminiscing a footman came with coffee, and begged that they might excuse the liberty, but Mrs Seraphine was desirous of a word with Mr MacDonald did he have a moment or so to spare when he was done here.

Sandy declared that he would be delighted to speak with Seraphine. After the footman had gone he turned to Cartwright and said, he hoped that all was well in the kitchen department?

Entirely so, said Cartwright. No troubles that one may see.

Daresay it is some message she wishes to send to Euphemia, or some package of spices or such. But to return to our own business –

When that was concluded – surprizing how it all came back to him – he took an amiable leave of Cartwright, said he could see that all was well under hand, and that he dared say he could still find his own way to the kitchens, but that it would be, he supposed, proper to have one of the footmen escort him.

So he was conducted through the ways he knew so well to Seraphine’s sitting-room.

Where, once the footman had left him, he found her – Seraphine, that would move serene and unworried through every kitchen crisis – in quite the greatest taking.

Oh, she said, dabbing at her reddened eyes, I thought I had calmed myself, but indeed, I am put into quite the greatest of worries –

He handed her his own handkerchief and asked, was it some matter to do with Roberts? Or one of her children?

This brought about further sobs. At length Seraphine looked up and said, there has been some fellow coming around, asking was I that Seraphine Pyecroft that had her bastard child baptized upon such and such a date at our old parish church, and did the child still live –

What!

What can it be about? she cried.

Sandy removed his spectacles and polished them while he thought, frowning the while. Why, indeed I cannot see why any would be looking into the matter this long while after the fact. Julius is of age, doing well, gains a considerable reputation in matters of horticulture and botany, has the patronage of Lord Sallington, that I cannot think would be at all perturbed by the revelation – sure I cannot see how it could harm him did it become known. And that wretch his father was already apprized of the matter.

Seraphine blew her nose. Has ever believed himself Elisha’s son, she said.

Mr Roberts, said Sandy, has indeed ever been quite the truest father to him. But I will convoke with Lady Bexbury in the matter, that can ever see further through a brick wall than most.

Seraphine gave a shaky laugh and said, that she can. She said she would have his handkerchief laundered – looking at its sodden condition in her hand – and returned to him.

Sandy went on his way, pondering. But he could not give his entire mind to the subject, for he had agreed to meet Tom Tressillian somewhat clandestine in a coffeehouse neither of them normally frequented and where they were not known. He hoped that this was just an actor’s instinct for the dramatique and that it was no heavy matter. Perchance 'twas just that Tom did not want his fellow-actors to see him in converse with one that was known a critic, and mayhap currying favour.

Tom was already seated in a secluded corner when he arrived.

They exchanged some general civilities, and then Tom went about to discover whether Sandy might prefer the interest of a friend of his, that was interested in management rather than acting, to Lady Ollifaunt? For he dared say that she was in need of good hands to undertake the matter in her provincial theatres.

Why, said Sandy with a smile, indeed she will often say that one can find actors anywhere – Tom looked somewhat insulted – but one that can take charge of the business side is worth their weight in gold. I think she is in Leicestershire on their estate at the moment, but will certainly be coming to Town before long.

One hears her theatres are quite out of the common way – very fine indeed.

'Tis so, Sandy agreed. Was that all the matter you wished to talk of?

Tom looked down into his coffee-cup, frowning. One might, he said at length, entirely dismiss the matter as the forgeries of jealousy, put about by that ass Linsleigh –

Sandy felt the dour Calvinistical glower come upon his face, and heard in imagination Josiah Ferraby’s growl of exceeding wishful to punch him upon the nose, but smoothed his expression to blandness.

- but it begins to be rumoured about the club that you and Allard –

Really?

Tom looked up with a slight smile. My dear MacDonald, you are both most entire discreet, but has one played Much Ado under Miss Addington’s direction, one is exhorted that Benedick and Beatrice must ever display a consciousness of where the other is. There is somewhat of the like. And one may suppose that jealousy conveys Linsleigh some apprehension – Not that one could ever like the possessive manner he used to manifest, he added. Exceeding poor ton.

Sandy raised his eyebrows. But indeed I am in some wonderment that any should care – apart from that great bore –

Tom grinned. Oh, come, MacDonald, are there not a deal of fellows about the club have had aspirations -

What! (And then he recollected Chumball and Pemberton talking to Maurice with the expression of schoolboys outside a confectioner’s shop.)

- Why, I hope there are not resentments against me –

Tom looked at him in amazement and then smiled. Why, I confide that there is some resentment goes t’other way –

What!

But, said Tom, I must be off to the theatre. But I thought that you should know how matters go.

'Tis welcome, said Sandy, wondering whether – indeed, how - he might seek confirmation of this tale, that might be the wild figment of an actor’s mind, mayhap with Sir Hartley Zellen?

He lingered a little, worrying. Matters had latterly been a deal easier with Maurice, but this was just the sort of thing like to provoke a touchy response. And here he was with a deal of matters he should like to open to Clorinda, but tonight she went dine with Sir Vernon Horrobin, he collected.

But as he arrived at her pretty house, and was handing his hat and coat to Hector, the carriage drew up at the door and Clorinda herself came in. My dear! I am entire glad to see you! Hector, please to bring madeira and port to the parlour, and then go ask Euphemia can she provide me with some nice little supper? I do not dine out the e’en after all.

They went into the parlour and she turned to him a mirthful face such as he had not seen her wear since before Eliza Ferraby’s last illness – mayhap even before Josiah Ferraby’s death. O, my dear Sandy, she said, beginning to giggle, I have received a diplomatic ultimatum.

Dearest silly creature, what can you mean?

Hector came in with madeira and port and a reproving look. Euphemia, he said, finds it no trouble at all to provide a nice little supper and will be about the matter at once.

After he had gone Clorinda began to giggle again. Oh, Sir Vernon thinks I do not treat his intentions with the seriousness they deserve, and goes about to bring me to the solemnity of matrimony by ceasing our very agreeable romps until I concede to that condition.

Sandy began to laugh. Why, I think he does not have full intelligence of the situation.

Indeed not, for I still have other avenues of commerce does he cut that one off, he does not drive so hard – so hard – O, I am a wicked bawdy-minded Clorinda – so hard a bargain as he supposes.

Sandy looked at his dearest friend, quite collapsed in the giggles, with great affection. She still enjoyed the embraces of her antient favourites Admiral Knighton and Matt Johnson, and, he suspected, the more occasional pleasures of other fellows – one might perceive that there were a deal of young fellows that did not in the least regard the exquisite and charming Lady Bexbury in the light of an aged aunt.

She sipped her madeira. But, my dear, I thought you looked a little troubled when I came in, but sure I was so distracted by my own mirth –

He opened to her Seraphine’s trouble. She frowned. Indeed I cannot see why any should be poking into that matter so long after the fact. I can only think that perchance one goes think there is some scandal to be drug up concerning some fellow that used to frequent my house the day, that is in some position now where 'twould be entire deleterious was it known that he had begot a bastard upon Madame Clorinda’s dusky cook. But I cannot think of any. But, she broke into a grin, dear Matt comes call upon me tomorrow e’en and I shall go pose him this problem, for I daresay he can find out who it is goes make these enquiries.

Sandy grinned back and said that indeed Sir Vernon was in a great misapprehension as to the strength of his position.

Why, he has an entirely pleasing aptitude for the arts of Aphrodite, but sure he is not the only fellow that does so. But, my dear, is that all?

Sandy sighed and said, was it not proverbial that love and a cough could not be hid, and he heard that there was an on-dit went about the club -

'Tis not, said Clorinda with a sudden sharpness in her tone, that you are ashamed - ?

No! cried Sandy, 'tis not that, not in the least, but – indeed, 'tis a situation I have never encountered before. And I should greatly dislike for Maurice to encounter any vulgarity or unpleasantness upon my account –

Clorinda smiled and said, she had no doubt at all that Maurice was most entire capable of dealing with such situations himself – on reflection, Sandy confided that this was indeed the case – A deal better than you are, she added. Does any come nudge you in the ribs and make some covert congratulation, I confide you will go paralyze the fellow with a Calvinistical glare.

Sandy conceded that 'twas very likely that he would.

I have always found an enigmatical smile and silence to answer exceeding well in such cases, said Clorinda. Makes the person who has introduced the subject wonder have they got the matter by entirely the wrong end and you are too civil to correct 'em.

I will be lessoned by the wisest sibyl in Society, and go practice an enigmatical smile.

Not, said Clorinda, afore we have had the nice little supper that I hazard Euphemia is about to bring to us.

Comments

[azurelunatic]

Oh, Sandy!

[nenya_kanadka]

Holy fucking shit! That's my fanart in your icon! :D (I had forgotten that I'd even put that earlier baji-naji design up online at all, but yes I must have, back in about...2007 or so?)

One is most charmed to see it reappear in a new context, delighted that you liked it enough to use, and quite sure that nand'Sandi and Clorinda-daja would appreciate its significance were it explained to them.

:D

[alatefeline]

:) :) :)

[azurelunatic]

One is delighted to be introduced to the artist!

One finds oneself in such improbable circumstances that one is obliged to raise one's hands to the skies in confusion and thanks, and make one's default icon an homage to the fortune and chance involved.

[nenya_kanadka]

One has been smiling all week at this coincidence!

I see that you have credited it to my very antient Geocities site, which I had forgotten even existed. :P If you were willing, I might suggest updating that to either "Asicho from Shejidan.net" (where most of my baji-naji art is) or me here as nenya_kanadka.

(Sudden image of Jago et al discovering the collected works of Mme C- C- in the human Archive, and reading them in order to try to understand humans better. And then they get to the fatefull philtres and the cursed curricles... :D)

[cesy]

Aww! I love them so much.

[nenya_kanadka]

SANDY! Oh man that first bit about Gervase is so bittersweet.

And Clorinda giggling! Heeeeee, o Sir Vernon, you have NO IDEA.

[adrian_turtle]

Oh, Sandy! Still so clueless about being an object of desire! (Obviously, he doesn't know about all of us. But the gentlemen of the club trying to be discreet. *smirk*)

[violsva]

Perchance Julius has come into some legacy? (Hopefully one without strings attached.)

Oh, Miss A- is directing! (and no doubt having her own problems now with excitable young theatrical types...)

Enjoying the picture of Sandy half-seriously practicing enigmatical smiles in the mirror.

[entirelydisregardablelout]

I suspect that a Calvinistical smile would be even more quelling.