the_comfortable_courtesan

Maurice ever takes care of his connexions (1)

Business was most gratifyingly thriving for Mamzelle Bridgette, that most stylish of Mayfair modistes. Did not in the least hurt that there were the Mulcaster and Offgrange weddings in prospect, and with the brides being fitted out, and their families as well, there was a deal of work upon hand.

Maurice Allard bowed as Viola, Duchess of Mulcaster, entered the fitting room with her great friend Lady Wallace. Your Grace – Your Ladyship – some tea?

Oh, that would be delightful! exclaimed Her Grace. Maurice nodded to Thomasina, that he had but lately given the especial privilege of coming see how matters went in the fitting-room – for she had showed most exceeding well in the workroom, he had the most excellent reports from Coggin as to the fineness of her work and her exceeding proper conduct, and so he felt it time to bring her on a little in the other aspects of the business.

She made a pretty bob to the ladies before bustling about boiling the kettle over a spirit-lamp and brewing tea.

What an enchanting pretty creature, said Lady Wallace in her rather deep voice, as she looked upon her through her lorgnette.

Is she not, hazarded the Duchess, Sophy’s daughter?

Indeed so, said Maurice. Comes learn a little of the business here.

Thomasina handed them both their cups of tea, and looked at Maurice for further instruction. He nodded to her to stand quietly and wait. Miss Coggin and a couple of the other women brought in the partly made-up gowns for trying-on.

Neither the Duchess nor Lady Wallace were ladies who made a great to-do and fuss about their dressing. They did not take sudden notions or change their minds when the gown was half-finished. Maurice sometimes thought they did not really care that much for the niceties of dress and style, but were entirely aware of the necessity to be dressed appropriate to their rank and in the crack of fashion. And they trusted him to accomplish that end.

So when other ladies might have been fiddling at the trim or examining the buttons or considering the neckline, or at least exchanging gossip during the fitting, not these two, that were known quite the political advisors to their husbands. And there was something he found most agreeable in hearing them discourse of a recent pamphlet by Mr MacDonald, that they found most telling and pointed, as he went about with pins and stitches.

The Duchess sighed. Sure I am entire delighted that my lovely Cathy at last finds a husband to her liking, and that Rollo has won the lady his heart has been set upon this while, but, dear Susannah, two great Society weddings in the family in the same Season, is’t not quite an immense distraction? When there is so much else that one might be doing.

Indeed 'tis somewhat of an embarrassment of riches! Though I could wish that dear Bobbie would settle -

O, said Thomasina after they had taken their departure, what fine nice ladies they were.

He smiled at her. Sure they are very pleasant in their manners and give no trouble.

And how handsome a lady is the duchess.

Why, have you not heard Tibby expatiate upon the Duchess?

O, that was Aunt Tibby’s Duchess?

Indeed so. But you should not suppose all our patrons will be so agreeable.

For indeed, their next client was one he did not look at all forward to receiving. But was one he could hardly turn from his doors, although she was hardly the class of lady that he would desire to be associated with Mamzelle Bridgette. The dancer Carlotta Delgado, purportedly the byblow of a Spanish nobleman and reputedly the mistress of Lord Saythingport. For there was every appearance that he had been keeping the tempestuous lady these some several years, being seen with her at those places where fellows might be found in such company, occasional being subjected to jealous scenes with flashing eyes and heaving bosom.

A masquerade that doubtless suited her as well as it did him, since she was of what Maurice had come to learn was known in polite circles as the Sapphic disposition and was entire happy to have the position of a lord’s mistress with none of the usual duties. A fine-looking creature if you cared for that style of thing, no doubt. And it was certainly benevolent in Lord Saythingport to put business in Maurice’s way (now it was no longer a matter of used to have me for a guinea a time).

But he could not like the lady. In particular he could not like the way she paused upon entering as her eyes fell upon Thomasina, standing meekly holding a pincushion, then crossed the room to put two fingers beneath her chin to tilt her face up, saying, and who is this pretty little black kitten?

Thomasina, said Maurice in measured tones, go desire a reel of basting thread from Miss Coggin – I used more than I had anticipated upon the Duchess’s gowns.

When she had gone, he glared at the Delgado and said, There will be no molesting or seduction of my people, tommie, understand?

La, Miss Nancy, she replied, falling into the accents that suggested Limehouse rather than Spain as her place of origin, 'tis entirely none of your business.

Maurice felt his lips curl in a nasty smile. At your years, Miss Delgado, I daresay one would not recover so very fast did one break a leg – indeed one might never be the same again. 'Twould be most material to one of your profession.

She gave what, he supposed, was intended as a scornful laugh. Do you go threaten me, little molly?

I merely go convey you a prudent warning.

She snorted, but then looked a little perturbed, and Maurice wondered if Saythingport had ever let drop anything concerning his very useful connexions that had served the club so well.

Thomasina returned with the thread and the fitting commenced. After the Delgado had left, with somewhat of a flounce that her gowns could not be completed quite as immediate as she would have desired, Thomasina turned to Maurice with a little puzzled frown.

He patted her gently on the shoulder. We cannot entirely pick and choose our clients, he said, and she does not pay the bills, her patron does and is exceeding generous, does not make minute detailed examinations &C.

Mama said, said Thomasina, that I should be wary of gentlemen that paid me the like compliments –

Indeed you should! But there are some few ladies – while there will be women that do not marry and find a fine devoted companionship with some other woman –

O, like Cousins Dorcas and Prue!

- somewhat of the like – there are some like that lady that have wicked designs on members of their own sex, and while at least cannot result in coming upon the parish with a bastard, can be exceeding detrimental. For you may see she is not a very nice lady.

Indeed, said Thomasina with a little shudder. Mama gave me, she went on, a hatpin against fellows that might be too pressing –

Exceeding wise! But I would be a little cautious about using such matters upon a lady, that will just say she was being civil.

O, indeed! cried Thomasina, for there were ladies would come visit the school, with a view to placing their own daughters or nieces or wards there, would sometimes make most effusive to the preceptresses and even to we pupils. But I think one may see a difference?

One may, but I think 'twould be hard to explain the matter to a peeler did a lady cry out that you had gone attack her with a hatpin.

Thomasina gave a little giggle. He stroked her hair and told her she was a good girl.

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cesy

Yay Maurice!

kore

OMG, protective and threatening Maurice, my heart.

And there was something he found most agreeable in hearing them discourse of a recent pamphlet by Mr MacDonald, that they found most telling and pointed, as he went about with pins and stitches.

<333 YES

That woman totally deserves a hatpin.