Two weddings and several revelations (8)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Conversations at breakfast tables (2) The Abertylld establishment at Bexbury House

Philip Dabney, Marquess of Bexbury, looked across the breakfast table at his mother. It was very noticeable how much better she was looking: no longer tired and thin – he thought with a stab of guilt that surely, in the past, she must have stinted her own food in the interests of domestic economy. Because now, in the lavish housekeeping of the Abertyldd establishment, its kitchen in the hands of one that had trained under the fabled Seraphine, one could see her growing, not plump exactly, but less haggard.

How extraordinarily kind were the Abertyldds – providing them with their own suite of rooms in Bexbury House and their own servants, it was entirely more than one might have expected from Lord Abertyldd’s very antient friendship to his father.

But of course they could not stay here indefinitely, in particular with his marriage in prospect. Philip closed his eyes for a moment. There were times when he felt that he was in some tale of the Arabian Nights, swept up by a djinn into a glorious palace of delight, that even contained a fine princess in the form of the lovely Lady Catherine Beaufoyle –

And then he would be brought entirely back to earth by hours in convocation with lawyers, most exceeding unfantastical, and going about looking at town houses that were not at all suitable, and Cathy showing quite the finest understanding of estate management, that one never found manifested by the ladies in fairy tales –

Not to mention, finding himself the proprietor of that very unromantical thing, a lead-mine, or rather, part-proprietor, for he could by no means reconcile himself to Dowager Lady Bexbury completely divesting herself of her late husband’s legacy. He also took the very prudent consideration that, contrary to her appearance of a Society featherwit, Lady Bexbury was a shrewd businesswoman that had been running the mine some twenty or more years and done exceeding well by it. So they had entered into a formal partnership, bringing in her former good advisor Mr Dalgleish of Ferraby and Dalgleish, as well as young Sir Harry Ferraby, to put everything on a sound business-like footing.

Not that had all been entire business with the still exceeding lovely and charming Lady Bexbury –

My dear, said his mother, looking up from perusing her post, sure I have finally managed to sound out the mystery about Lady Bexbury that I knew there was but none would tell me.

Oh?

As if one would mind – these many years since and her so widely received in Society, so noted a philanthropist &C – 'twas that nice blunt creature Mrs Samuels revealed it, Her Grace’s sister – but indeed I was pleased to hear it, for dear Rowley used to speak of the exquisite Madame Clorinda, that was so admired among his set, that was at that time the mistress of the former Lord Raxdell, that was so most exceeding particular in his tastes, and 'tis most agreeable to think she flourishes thus.

Why, said Philip, I daresay there may be those about Society would still spurn her on that account: yet one sees that the Pockinfords, that are very strict Evangelicals, have the greatest admiration for her, and 'tis said that Lady Jane Knighton, that was known very exacting, was her sponsor in Society, had her presented at Court, &C. Indeed I am in some terror myself of making my bow to Lady Jane, that shortly comes up from Hampshire with the Admiral and Miss Knighton –

Mrs Dabney gave a sigh. Such a romantic tale about her and Admiral Knighton. And all say she has softened remarkably since her marriage.

Philip turned his attention to the letters beside his place. There was one in the distinctive clear hand of Lady Bexbury. He broke the seal. Why, Mama, Lady Bexbury thinks she has at last found a Town house that will answer, and offers that we might like to come visit it in the next day or so, mayhap with Cathy?

She takes a deal of trouble for us, said his mother. 'Tis above and beyond kindness. We should certainly go see the place – but, dear Philip, 'tis very good and dutiful of you, but can you really wish to have your old mother reside with you?

Fie, Mama, you are not old, and Cathy entire joins in my desire that you should live with us.

What an excellent young woman she is – really, my dear, when I think back to the society we encountered at home, I think 'tis an entire falsehood that really good Society such as we have encountered here holds itself high and mighty and takes pains to show exclusive, for have we not received quite the warmest welcome?

Philip thought back to the provincial town circles they had known, the whispered gossip that his mother was no widow and never a wife, the little hurtful gestures; the knowledge that did he wish to marry, he might only aspire to some lady that for some reason or other hung upon her family’s hands that they were eager to dispose of –

Why, I daresay my being a Marquess has somewhat to do with it, but I do not think that is all of the reason. Mayhap we find ourselves in a particularly good set, that do not suppose they demonstrate consequence by delivering the cut and blackballing: do you not think so?

I think you have the right of it. 'Tis true good breeding.

And what do you purpose do today, Mama?

This afternoon, Charley Abertyldd takes me to a select drawing-room recital at the Knowles’. I thought to beguile the time until then with a little china painting.

Oh, Mama, you do not need to undertake that these days!

But Phil dear, 'tis a thing I enjoy – in particular with this exceeding fine china that Lady Bexbury has put me in the way of procuring, and not having to paint what Mr Pottinger assures me will sell in his shop, for indeed that became a little tedious. And I am so solicited to provide pieces for raffles or bazaars for good causes, 'tis some little recompense for the kindness we are shown. And what are you about, my dear?

Lord Rollo – 'tis most exceeding kind of him – goes introduce me to his tailor and bootmaker &C, and then we go lunch at his club so that he can introduce me around a little in his set.

He rose to his feet and went around the table to kiss his mother. And then tonight we dine at Mulcaster House.

Comments

[redbird]

I am amused that Mrs. Dabney is pleased that she has "sounded out the mystery" when she's missing layers of secrets much more serious than "the Dowager Marchioness is the famed Clorinda."

[aedifica]

I have been enjoying all of these, but especially this one. I'm not sure why, unless it's the fairy-tale nature of their story. Virtue rewarded! The Lost Heir! Etc.

[cesy]

Lovely!