Two weddings and several revelations (12)
Jan. 24th, 2018 08:45 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_comfortable_courtesanJulius Roberts ponders upon his future (1)
Julius wondered whether it had been such a fine idea to come to Town. But he would not have been contented had he stayed alone at Nitherholme either. It was a matter of being discontent wherever he was, it seemed. And sure there were matters he might be about in Town, opportunities to talk botany and horticulture that he somewhat missed. Oh, there were local scientific and philosophical societies, but 'twas not quite the same thing.
As he left that very fine conversazione – indeed had been an entire treat - a detaining hand was laid upon his arm. Mr Roberts, said the Marquess of Offgrange, 'tis entirely too long since I have had the opportunity of convoking with you. Are you at liberty I should be delighted would you come smoke a pipe or so with me at Offgrange House.
'Tis most exceeding kind of you, Your Lordship, and most agreeable, indeed I had been hoping for a chance of conversation. But supposed you would be entire took up with this happy event in your family.
The Marquess gave a half-laugh, half-groan. Sure there is a deal of business goes on before we ever get the couple to church!
They got into the Offgrange coach and drove off.
'Tis so, said Julius, 'tis why His Lordship comes to Town. And seemed to me that there were matters I might be about – see my family, call upon nurserymen, have a deal of good talk on botany and horticulture – did I come with him. And sure there was a matter I wished to desire your advice on, for I am in some mind towards exploration -
Why, indeed it is suited to your time of life, before one has given hostages to fortune, and acquired responsibilities, and grown somewhat less agile of habit. But, said the Marquess, there are some regions where I think you would be imprudent to venture –
I take your meaning, said Julius, and have quite writ America out of consideration, for one hears tales of kidnapping and lurements even in those states that do not have that foul institution. For he knew that while in this country or indeed in Europe he might readily be taken for Spanish or Italian, even, perchance, French (though his own French forebears were from the Pas de Calais, not the Midi), he apprehended that in the United States there was a most meticulous calculation of degrees of African ancestry and was like to think that he would be readily named as quadroon.
The Marquess sighed. I will consider upon the matter, he said, and whether I know of any that make up expeditions –
'Tis most exceeding kind, Your Lordship.
The Marquess waved a dismissive hand. Is there not an as it were freemasonry among men of science?
Perchance! said Julius, who was less sanguine that this was the case. Sure Lord Offgrange was a fine democratic fellow, but there were others stood more firm upon their station. There were those, he apprehended from Bobbie Wallace, that lifted their eyebrows when they heard that Bobbie had frequented the nursery and the schoolroom at the Raxdell House phalanstery, as certain of those hostile to the Raxdell coterie had termed it. Servants’ children mingling not merely with the Ferraby offspring – sure, Northern industrialists, they know no better – but with the heir of the Duke of Mulcaster and the scions of the ancient Wallace lineage of baronets. Not to mention the other rumours… Most exceeding wide of the mark, and just as well so, but still nothing that any would have desired in circulation.
Though, went on the Marquess, one finds that some will still draw a line against women, unless they be most extreme exceptional, a Mrs Somerville or a Miss Herschel.
That was, said Julius, a very fine piece by Lady Diana I lately read – I trust that her change of state will not entirely divert her mind from her botanical studies.
The Marquess smiled fondly, sighed, and said, The world must be peopled, eh? But I look at the fine example Lord Rollo has had before him, with such ladies of learning in his family, and confide that he would not hinder her in the matter.
But here they were already at Offgrange House, and a somewhat agitated footman coming to assist His Lordship from the carriage, saying that Her Ladyship apprehended that they were supposed to be dining with the Abertyldds this e’en? The Marquess smote himself upon the forehead. Sure I had it in my mind that 'twas tomorrow –
The Marchioness, already dressed for company, was running down the steps like a girl and not the sober mother of a flourishing family. Oh, Tony, she cried, can you be ready before we are quite unmannerly late?
Trust me for that, said the Marquess, raising her hands to his lips to kiss them, dearest Hippolyta. He turned to Julius. Alas, Mr Roberts, I grow absent-minded; I very much hope that we may resume our converse some other day before you leave Town? – I confide messages to the gardener’s cottage at Raxdell House will find you?
Indeed so, said Julius, I beg you, do not let me detain you.
Lord Offgrange rushed up the steps as his brother-in-law Mr Geoffrey Merrett came down them. Really, Nan, he said, you will catch your death of cold standing out here in your finery, go indoors at once.
Indeed 'tis chill, she exclaimed, turning back to the house.
Mr Merrett raised his eyebrows and grinned at Julius. I daresay they begin to wish that Di and Rollo would do as they did and elope -
Indeed I have heard somewhat of that, said Julius. 'Tis one episode among the most epic adventures of Lady Bexbury that are told within my family.
Say you so! why, I confide that they must be privy to a deal that is not more generally known.
Why, Mr Merrett, said Julius with a smile, surely you would not stoop to digging into servants’ gossip -
Geoffrey Merrett snorted. Have had to do with such matters in cases I have defended, he said, can discover most material evidence by such means. But 'twould be entire ungentlemanly to go pry into the affairs of Lady Bexbury, though I am persuaded that there can be nothing but what would do her the greatest credit – a deal of doing good by stealth, &C. But, Mr Roberts, I confide that Tony has brought you out of your way in his forgetfulness of his engagement: I was about to look for a cab, would be entire happy to drop you wherever you would find convenient.
That is most exceeding kind of you, said Julius, indeed Offgrange House is somewhat out of my way.
Mr Merrett, that well-reputed barrister, famed for the eloquence of his speeches in court, given out a talented amateur actor, was considered a most eligible bachelor, but had so far evaded all attempts at conveying him into matrimony. There were rumours of mistresses, but Julius, observing a certain sidelong glance, wondered if that was the entire truth. Or any truth at all.
He waved down a cab with no difficulty, and they got in.
I daresay, said Mr Merrett, you have matters to be about, but it comes to me that there is a matter in which your advice would be most extreme valuable to me –
Julius raised his eyebrows. He had never heard Mr Merrett spoken of as one that pursued botany or horticulture – resided in chambers – mayhap had notions of a window-garden or a jardinière?
- 'tis the matter of a wedding present for my niece Di. I daresay one might give jewellery or somewhat in the common way, but with her great fondness for botany, sure there must be something that she would like a deal more – mayhap some fine volumes upon the subject that might form the basis of her own library –
Julius looked thoughtful. I fancy, he said, that a fine microscope would be most appreciated. For although 'tis most agreeable to have one’s own books about one, I confide she will still have the run of Lord Offgrange’s most remarkable collection. Also, he went on, is there not a very fine collection at Monks Garrowby of the late Earl’s?
Mr Merrett groaned. Indeed 'tis give out a most remarkable collection, but –
Julius minded that there was some shadow about the late Earl, some hint of family disgrace.
- but sure m’brother Nuttenford will sometimes say, we should do something about seeing what is there and going about ordering it – our father was very close about it, 'twas not in the least like Tony, that would have the children in from very early years to show them his fine botanical plates and his specimens. No, m’father would lock himself in there, said did not want sticky childish fingers about the place.
He was silent and thoughtful for a moment and then said, Might you – no, I daresay you have other business – but sure one would desire one that knew something of the matter –
It was not, thought Julius, an expedition to remote parts, but he supposed that such things took some time to arrange. And 'twould be an entire reasonable excuse to quit Nitherholme at least for a spell.
Why, he said, indeed it would be a great pleasure to examine the collection, but as for the matter of ordering it, 'tis my sister Hannah has that skill.
So I have heard – MacDonald quite sings her praises in the matter. What is she like to do when Flighty Flora finally concedes to Sallington’s suit?
Julius could scarce keep a straight face at the notion of that determined creature Flora Ferraby as flighty; but, he supposed, it must look somewhat that way, did one not know the inwardness of the matter.
Why, said Julius, was it in your mind she might find a place at Monks Garrowby?
Geoffrey Merrett blinked for a moment. Why, 'tis an idea worth considering. Quite aside from m’father’s collections, Nuttenford will say they ought to do something about the library, 'tis an entire disgrace.
Clearly Mr Merrett had no notion that Hannah Roberts was H.C.R., that esteemed writer on a deal of topics in several well-thought of periodicals, and even did Flora marry – a most unlikely prospect – would have no need to be looking out for a place.
There was a brief pause, and then Geoffrey Merrett said, sure I am sadly ignorant about the matter of microscopes. I daresay you have business to be about – Julius shrugged – but if you have no pressing engagement the e’en, you would be very welcome to dine with me at my chambers and give the benefit of your understanding on the matter. Sure 'twould hardly be the handiwork of the famed Seraphine, but my man has a very good way with a mutton-chop.
Indeed I am entire free and at your disposal, said Julius, and sure it is prudent to take advice on microscopes do you wish one that would be entirely what Lady Diana would desire.
He was in some suspicion that Mr Merrett did not merely desire to discourse of microscopes, a suspicion that was proved entire correct after the conclusion of their meal and the consumption of some excellent port.
It was very agreeable: and yet – oh, it was foolish in him, as if such an indulgence was not a rare enough pleasure in itself. The circumstances entirely what one might desire: a handsome fellow, and not merely a gentleman but an aristocrat, that was quite clearly no novice in such endeavours; comfortable and discreet surroundings. But –
Well, if one cannot have one thing, one must make do with the thing one can have.
It was what he told himself, returning at a very late hour to his attic room in the gardener’s cottage at Raxdell House, and finding that for all his exhaustion from his exertions, sleep did not come as readily as it might. Was it not entire gratifying and flattering to receive every indication from Mr Merrett that he would most greatly desire repetition of the evening’s activities? Julius thumped his pillow and sighed.
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Date: 2018-01-24 11:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-24 07:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-24 10:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-25 09:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-26 05:26 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-01-25 09:46 pm (UTC)Di is Tony and Nan's daughter, then, and Rollo (short for what?) is Viola's younger child with Biffle? Essie's little brother. And the other couple is their sister Cathy and the lost Bexbury heir?
I love the comments about who is and isn't included in the democracy of science, too.
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Date: 2018-01-26 11:03 am (UTC)