Two weddings and several revelations (16)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Encounters (1): School-fellows in the Park (1)

Janey Knighton did not care very much for Town. She dared say it would be even worse once she had been presented at Court and obliged to go about in Society, but it was quite bad enough as it was: o, you must have a maid with you do you go out, a groom do you go ride, all most extreme tiresome. No-one cared at home in Hampshire, even seemed quite proud that dear Janey quite ran wild, had not the least objection did she go out sailing quite by herself in the little dinghy, well-taught in its handling by dear Papa: but the rules in Town were entire different.

However, she had by now worked out that Mulcaster House was very large and somewhat rambling and it was quite easy to lose oneself, or at least be plausibly not found upon searching, and that there were a deal of side entrances where one might slip out quite unobserved.

So, one Sunday afternoon, she put on very plain clothes and her school cloak and bonnet and slipped down the side-stairs to a discreet door and out into the world, all by herself. But she knew what she was about. She needed to walk a little, but then she might catch an omnibus, an adventure in itself, to take her to her destination.

She was going to meet her best school-friend, that she had some reservations about inviting to Mulcaster House, because it might cause a fuss, and Janey hated fusses.

It was with some relief she got off the omnibus at Hyde Park – sure she had not anticipated the smell - and entered at the Park gates, looking about her. But no-one particularly noticed her, she was glad to see, and she was able to proceed quite entire unmolested to the agreed meeting point.

No-one there yet, but consulting her little watch suggested she was early to the rendezvous.

She could still recall when she had first arrived at the Misses Barnards’ school at Hitchin, wondering whether it had been such a good idea to say she wished to go away to school rather than have a new governess if dear Dickery was going to be married, for it hardly seemed worth having a governess for the short space of time left before her come-out. She was not used to being among a crowd of girls. One of the preceptresses took her up to the room she would be sharing with three other girls, and paused, hearing an outbreak of turmoil and tears from the younger set further down the corridor. She looked about her.

Oh, she cried in relief, Miss Jupp! Would you kindly show Miss Knighton where she may put her things?

The young woman who was placing clothes very neatly indeed into a chest of drawers turned around. She was dark-skinned, with very curly hair, and very, very pretty.

Why, certainly, Miss Green, she said amiably.

Miss Green said she had better go before there was an entire outbreak of hysterics, and left.

I fancy this is your trunk? said Miss Jupp. So this must be your bed, and this your chest of drawers. She smiled at Janey. I arrived yesterday so I am become a little acquainted with the place. She frowned a little. I think they did not know that you are a somewhat tall young lady and that is a somewhat short bed; here, you had better have this one, and I will take that, 'tis entirely no trouble. And I will put my things in this chest –

Janey sat plump down on the nearest bed. Have we not met before? she said. Sure there is a look of familiarity.

O! cried Miss Jupp, Knighton, sure I daresay you will have encountered my mother, that is Lady Bexbury’s lady’s maid – 'tis through Lady Bexbury’s kind interest that I come to be here, though sure I am no charity case, Papa can quite afford the fees -

Oh, indeed, said Janey, Lady Bexbury is quite the dearest friend of all our household.

They smiled at one another.

Janey had wondered whether the other young ladies at the school might show themselves uncivil towards Miss Jupp, but it very soon became widely known that Miss Jupp had quite the finest notions about hair and dress – when Miss Gallace had been asking some impertinent questions about her family, Miss Jupp had looked dreamily at her hair and said, would it not look a deal more becoming gathered up and tied with a bow? And after she had taken a comb and ribbon to the matter, all agreed that indeed, 'twas entirely more becoming. She also had a fund of Society gossip, as well as displaying herself quite a consummate horsewoman, becoming quite the general favourite.

It was Janey who had some difficulty in getting on terms with her fellow pupils, especially after the business of having a special tutor to come instruct her in the mysteries of the higher mathematics, but there was quite the greatest improvement once they had started to put on a play. Janey, being so tall, was desired to undertake a male part, and in the course of rehearsals, happened to disclose that she had been taught to speak verse and how to move by Miss Addington, that famed actress. This rendered her a great deal of consequence.

But Miss Jupp – Thomasina – had remained her very greatest friend.

And, here, walking briskly along the path, very fine-dressed, was dear Thomasina herself.

Janey! I was entire unsure you would be able to come. You managed the omnibus? – Janey nodded – let us walk, 'tis too cold to stand about.

O, Janey, sure I wish you could have been there t’other day – we took the Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth’s gowns to her for her final fitting – a lady of her rank and so very wealthy, that feels the cold so badly from having been bred in Bombay, we go to her rather than oblige her to come to our premises – a very fine-looking lady of her years, does one credit for dressing – but, oh, Janey, have you heard of her pets? She keeps mongooses, that are from India, somewhat like unto weasels, very tame, and more curious than any cat. Sure I thought Cousin Maurice was going to get into one of his takings the way they came about us –

Oh, 'Sina, you have such an interesting life!

Thomasina snorted. Though a deal of my time this past week has been making up bills and sending 'em out and writing letters to say that we would be obliged for payment, and suchlike. But do you not see a deal of Society?

Janey snorted. Sitting in the drawing-room when ladies come to call, 'tis all. I am quite bored to distraction. And all so distracted – cannot find any that might sit down for a game of chess or such. 'Tis all very well for Papa, I fancy goes meet old shipboard comrades, calls at the Admiralty and so forth, may get out of the house and be away from it all. And Mama goes about making sure the philanthropic set keep up to the mark.

They walked along in silence for a little while. At length Thomasina said, I hear it given out that the younger Amberts and Merretts are most passionate enthused for amateur dramatics – sure I am surprized that Miss Addington has not made any introduction, for I hear she goes instruct them –

Why, said Janey, 'tis a thought – though I daresay I should have to play the woman, as I was not obliged at school –

Thomasina giggled. Are there not fine breeches roles, such as Miss Addington used to be so noted for?

There are so –

Janey Knighton! came a sudden cry. What do you here – though – the voice softened into a chuckle – sure I am a naughty truant myself, run off without a maid to protect me from seducers and kidnappers –

Flora Ferraby stood before them on the path, rosy-cheeked from the cold, trying to look severe, and manifestly failing.

Janey was ever astonished to observe how small and delicate-looking Miss Ferraby was. One supposed she must be a large and daunting figure, from her public reputation, but there she was, quite enchantingly pretty and dainty.

And – la, 'tis Sophy’s Thomasina. Flora tilted her head to one side. I collect you were both at the Misses Barnards’ school – they both nodded – but my dears, meeting in the Park at this season? Are you not chilled to the bone? Can you not find some tea-shop to rendezvous in? 'Twould be a deal more answerable.

They glanced at one another.

Let us, Flora went on, go find one, for indeed I find myself in great need of tea having been walking about this while.

They followed her obediently and shortly found themselves seated in the warm, cups of tea before them.

Comments

[rymenhild]

There are very many delightful friendships in this series; but this friendship is already a new favorite. Lady Jane's tomboy daughter and Thomasina Jupp! I see that Janey is the true daughter of all three of her parents, too.

[alatefeline]

Agreed! Eeeeeeee squeeeee!

[davidgillon]

And that Thomasina is the true daughter of both of hers.

[kore]

OMG, this is amazing.I love seeing all the various influences and combinations in CC:TNG.

[movingfinger]

I see the sorting-things-out gene has been strongly expressed in Miss Flora Ferraby.

[em_h]

This whole series has been a bright spot in my day for the last three years, but "Two weddings and several revelations" is one of the most … happy-making? comforting? something like that ... for some time.

[cesy]

Eee, this is lovely!

[nenya_kanadka]

Eeeeee! Oh, these three meeting is quite lovely.

(Am several weeks behind and foresee a quantity of delightful reading before me. :D)