the_comfortable_courtesan

After breakfast, Charles helped Hester back into her chair so that they might go into the hall and she be introduced to the household: Mason, the butler, and Mrs Mason, the cook, Mrs Fossitt the housekeeper, the three indoor maids Livvy, Hettie and Maria, Charles’s valet Parker. Little Maria came forward, made a dip, and presented Hester with a posy.

Oh, how charming! cried Hester. How very pretty a nosegay this is. She held it to her nose. And smells so sweet.

She looked at them and swallowed and said, was sure they had served Sir Charles exceeding well all these years, would not wish to begin by making any great changes in the household, but was there any matter they wished to open to her, hoped that they would. Dared say they could see she was not one that could bustle about but would hope to have matters under hand.

Charles patted her hand and said, sure his people had been wishing to see him bring ‘em a Lady Fairleigh these many years, and were entire delighted now one had come.

And this, added Hester, turning to Milly, is Miss Millick, that is my feet and companion.

Now, my dear, said Charles, do you feel in shape to make a tour of the house and mayhap a little look around the grounds?

Why, replied Hester smiling up at him, should desire to furbish myself a little for the day, put on somewhat more fitting than this wrapper.

Tut, have been a bachelor household for so long, I neglect the proper way of things, but we shall get into ‘em, never fear. Perchance you should like some warm water to wash with?

‘Twould be exceeding convenable; and mayhap one of the maids to help me?

Of course! He struck himself upon the forehead. Will Livvy suit?

Entirely.

Livvy bobbed, looking entire delighted, and came over to help Milly push the chair back to Hester’s chamber. Where Selina was sitting queenlike upon the bed, but condescended to mew a greeting as they entered, and then to jump down into order to come jump up into Hester’s lap and begin her deep rumbling purr as Hester stroked her head.

Livvy showed some inclination to stand about looking doating at Selina, but at that moment Hettie and Maria came carrying between them a large can of water, and the bustle of washing and dressing for the day began. Selina took the opportunity to whisk out of the window, doubtless to pursue her own toilette in some secluded corner of the flowerbeds.

Really, Livvy was very apt and neat-handed about the business for one that had, Hester supposed, never had to undertake the duties of a lady’s maid. Lacking of course that polish and initiative in the matter of a maid that had been properly trained, but by no means manifesting a rustic awkwardness or clumsiness. Dear Milly was watching her quite like unto a hawk, ready to step in at any faltering, but ‘twas not in the least necessary.

Soon enough she was dressed fit for the daytime and seated comfortably in her chair, ready to be shown around her new home.

Dear Charles came at once to push her, although the chair was so constructed that required no great muscular effort along a level. First he showed the drawing-room: has not seen much use, he said, in a bachelor household – daresay ‘twould be proper to go invite the neighbours to dine, now they may bring their wives, will it not be burdensome for you, my love – and I confide may need some furbishing to suit your taste.

O, has a very pretty view over the lawn to the orchard!

I only wish you might have seen it in blossoming time – but there will be many years for that, I may hope.

She looked around the room. It had what dear Clorinda was wont to describe as pleasing proportions – and the furniture, though somewhat of an old-fashioned style, was good, and well-polished-up. A fine Turkey carpet upon the floor. ‘Tis entire charming, she said. Perchance ‘twould benefit from a freshening of the paint? And – did you not mention that you had some very good china? – might one not have a cabinet to display it, ‘tis quite entirely a done thing.

Was also in my mind that you might require a writing-desk, for I daresay that there will be a deal of family letters go to and fro.

Hester considered upon this. Or, she said, I have seen a thing – a writing board that would fit across my chair, would be exceeding convenable – and mayhap a press to keep papers in. They looked at one another with most exceeding affection. Dearest Charles, she said, I am in some concern that did I express some whim to have the room decked out like the Pavilion at Brighton you would at once be about it.

Did that please you, indeed I should.

I fancy ‘twould be entire out of keeping with the place, not that I have any inclination to such a show. Is the piano in tune?

I fear not – has not been touched this age.

Milly went over and struck a note or two. Indeed requires tuning, but seems in good order.

Would be agreeable to have a little music of an evening, murmured Hester, and do I not recall that you have a fine singing voice?

Why, am greatly out of practice, but a little domestic music would indeed be most agreeable. I will find out about a piano-tuner, daresay there is one in the vicinity, and also consider upon the matter of painting.

Then there was Charles’s study and business-room, and the various domestic quarters.

Now, my dear, I might carry you to see the upper floors, though indeed ‘tis entirely a matter of bedrooms and attics, or we might go out into the grounds.

On such a beautiful day, let us go out.

‘Tis a working farm, said Charles as they came out of the front door, no fine gardens such as you have been used to –

It pleases me quite exceedingly, responded Hester. These pretty beds of country flowers and herbs delight me far more than all those exotic blooms that the late Earl so doated upon.

It was entire delightful to her: so unlike the pompous state of Monks Garrowby. The apple and pear orchards. The hens and the pigs. The dairy cows. And Charles’s great pride, his renowned herd of fine Herefordshire beef cattle, that placidly stood in their fields fattening upon the lush grass.

And this, said Charles, as they came to one that stood alone in his field, is my fine bull Prinny –

Prinny? Behind Hester, Milly gave a shocked gasp.

Why, his full name is Prince Florizel of Bohemia, but we have got into the habit of calling him Prinny. Has a deal of acknowledged progeny, unlike his namesake. And maintains a far better figure for his kind –

Hester giggled. La, Sir Charles, you talk positive treasonous!

Oh, she felt positively giddy the morn, out here in the sunlight and the fresh light breeze, the song of the birds and the buzzing of bees, the mingled scents of the countryside, with dearest Charles.

My dear, do not wish to overdo you your first day here: there will be a deal of time for further exploration.

So they returned slowly by a different direction to the house, so that she could see a little more of the place.

It was also pleasing to go sit in her drawing-room, to have lemonade brought, and along with it, a dish of strawberries and cream, most exceeding delightful.

My dear, said Charles, taking her hand when they had finished this little repast, I should really give some little time to business, having been away this while: would you mind very much did I go spend some few hours in my study attending to matters?

She lifted his hand to rest her cheek against it. Should not wish to hinder you from your responsibilities: and sure there are matters Milly and I may be about here, so that I may have occupation to my hands. She looked about. Perchance I could have my workbox and my embroidery frame there by the window, to have a good light to it. And mayhap put out some books upon those shelves? And there are various little ornaments that the children have give me that I should like to put about where I may look at ‘em –

Why, you must make yourself entirely at home. You may mark the bells here: this is for Mason, and this is for the maids.

He bent down to kiss her. Until later, my darling.

Milly, said Hester, I daresay there are a deal of boxes as yet unpacked - ?

Sure, said Milly, have not yet had time to unpack ‘em all, and know not where I may put everything, but I think I may put my hands upon your workbox and the books we packed and your mementoes of the dear children. She went bustling out.

Hester leant back in her chair and closed her eyes. All still felt like some happy dream. Yet, how could she give dear Charles the happiness he deserved? A poor crippled creature like her, unable to be a true wife –

Milly came back in saying with a somewhat doubtful expression that here were the samplers that the girls had worked, did she really wish to display ‘em? Hester gave a little laugh, remembering the mutinous faces of Nan and Em and Lou as they were obliged to be about learning their stitchery, the prickings of fingers, the kissing of them better, the praising of any part that was satisfactory accomplished. Indeed I should, she said, I know they are not the finest examples of the art, but they are remembrances of my dear girls’ childhood.

And, she said, I mind that we packed those excellent fine china vases and posy-pots that the boys brought back from their Grand Tour: would they not sit very pleasing upon the mantelshelf, and you might see could you cut a few flowers to put in ‘em?

Oh, said Milly, ‘twould indeed make a very pretty effect.

But, said Hester, mayhap you could first of all bring me in my work-box, so I may look over whether there is aught I should send for – I am minded to work a waistcoat for Sir Charles, but I daresay I shall require fresh embroidery silks as well as some suitable stuff.

Milly looked at her with a fond expression, as if this were an entire proper proceeding. And indeed, she confided ‘twas, there was little enough she could do for dear Charles.

As Milly went out Hester felt a little shiver. So little she could do: could not even be a proper wife. What kind of a wedding night might they have? O, was there somewhat she might bear that would make Charles happy –

Milly pattering to and fro and chattering was at least a little distraction from these thoughts – and then, had the time flown that much? dear Charles came in and said, he dared say ‘twas the hour for tea, and would be most agreeable to take it here, and hoped that matters with her got on –

And here came Hettie with the tea-tray, that Milly went to take most immediate, and to place upon the table, and set out ready to pour.

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From:

nineveh_uk

It is delightful to have another glimpse of Hester and Sir C- F_. And I have every confidence that Sir C- F-'s former experience will produce an entirely acceptable wedding night.