The Ironmaster's Tale (2)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

In due course they rose and dressed, and Madame Clorinda expressed herself desolate that she might not desire him to stay to dinner the e’en, but would hope he might stay for tea – or mayhap somewhat stronger – afore he left?

Tea would be entire pleasing, said Josiah. A fellow in his position was not accustomed to take strong liquors during the daytime unless for some matter of health.  So they went into her charming parlour, and she rang for her manservant to go desire Seraphine to prepare tea.

Josiah remarked that it must give a lady a fine sense of security to have such a fellow about the place.

Indeed 'tis so, she agreed, most particular since he has studied the pugilistic art – was a time that Sir Barton Wallace – do you have his acquaintance? – Josiah shook his head – was minded to make a prize-fighter of Hector, but he preferred to come here, where his sister Phoebe was already housemaid and his cousin my cook.

Prize-fighting is a chancy way to make a living, though I understand that gentlemen will also practice that art? – in our parts 'tis wrestling rather than boxing –

At this moment came in a woman, somewhat lighter of complexion than Hector, carrying a tray with tea-things upon it that she laid out upon the table, and said she would be back directly. And returned with platters of anchovy toast, some savoury-smelling things he did not recognise, and warm scones.

Why, this is something like!

Fie, would not send you away empty, for sure, stoking furnaces is hungry work.

She poured tea and said, she apprehended from Mr Boxtell that his business was in iron – those, Mr Ferraby, are currie-puffs, they are exceeding good but you may find 'em somewhat high-spiced –

Indeed they were. He took a gulp of tea. Indeed, I am in the business of iron, but the way things are in industrial affairs in these times, that will encompass a deal of other matters; also, I am one of a party in our vicinity that goes about improvements.

He looked over at those lovely blue eyes, that wore an expression of sympathetic interest, and found himself telling Madame Clorinda a deal of his troubles – there were so many matters it was exceeding hard to come at did one not have any interest in the right quarters, as it might be fellows that might sponsor private bills &C, or come in on a project for canals that would greatly advance business – oh, there were names he had been given, and he had sent in cards, and sat around in anterooms, and even got so far as meetings in some cases, but did not get very far. And government offices - !

These were worries he had not even dared voice more than very vaguely to Eliza, for he did not wish to fret her when her spirits were already so lowered by her poor health.

'Tis indeed thus, agreed Madame Clorinda, that comes about that 'tis more of a matter of who you know than any merit in your cause –

He sighed. Entirely so, he said. I make some acquaintance in the City that does some service –

Sure indeed it must –

Daresay 'tis a matter of time and patience just as it is with any undertaking. But I confide that I have already took up a deal of your own time –

Why, Mr Ferraby, you have beguiled it most agreeably –

And should be about my business.

Well, my dear, let us fix upon a time when you may come dine and spend a night with me at greater leisure –

This concluded, he stood to take his leave, and found himself kissing Madame Clorinda farewell quite as if she were some sweetheart – he was not sure was this quite proper in the circumstance, but she did not seem to dislike it.

As Hector showed him out he pressed a guinea into his hand, and gave him another to be conveyed to Seraphine in compliment for the fine tea.

He had felt a deal brisker in spirits after that assignation: what a very fine woman was Madame Clorinda. Had anticipated something harder and coarser, but indeed, for all that admirable practicality, there was something most exceeding fetching about her. Sure even that practicality was fetching: an excellent prudent creature.

A few days later he arrived at her door for the promised night of pleasure. There was a little nagging anxiety: perchance it had been the extremity of his desires so long unsatisfied that had made her appear so exceeding seductive, and today she would appear more commonplace?

Hector, he thought, looked upon him with a certain warmth as he let him in, took his coat and hat, and showed him into the parlour –

Oh. Still indeed quite the entirely most ravishing of creatures, and this time, dressed rather more revealing, that rose, came over to him, took his hands in hers, lifted her face for a kiss –

Why, Mr Ferraby, 'tis an extreme pleasure to see you again. Do you come sit by the fire and – La, sir, perchance you should prefer to ascend to the boudoir at once, and dine later? I will desire Seraphine to hold dinner back a little.

Indeed, he found himself quite over-mastered by the impetuosity of lust, and was only too eager to ascend to her boudoir – where a fine fire was already blazing – and be at once about amorous sport. So eager indeed that they were neither of them fully undressed before they were engaged in the business.

After they were done, he was somewhat apologetic for his unmannerly haste – Fie, Mr Ferraby, 'tis exceeding gratifying to a lady of my summers that has been of my trade nigh upon a dozen years, to find a fellow so exceeding taken by my charms; and so very apt at the arts of Venus himself.

He smiled down at her flushed face. Why, Madame Clorinda, I fear you flatter me.

Sure, Mr Ferraby, I confide you are a fellow of sense and judgement that is unlike to be readily cozened by a flattering tongue, and I would deal with you as one that prefers plain dealing.

He scrutinized her, and considered how often she must have been obliged to speak sweet and beguiling to fellows whether or not she felt thus inclined, kissed her, and said, indeed he should entirely prefer her to be straightforward with him, for he was a blunt provincial fellow that did not understand all these fancy Town ways of saying one thing and meaning another –

O, poo. But, my dear, let us up and dress, and I may hope that my gown is not so disarrayed that Docket will go scold me upon it –

Docket?

Docket, that is my lady’s maid, is most exceeding exacting.

So they went downstairs, and sat by the fire, and Hector came in and poured them both some most excellent wine, and went about laying the table for dinner. Then Seraphine came in bearing platters that smelt most exceeding delicious and he realized how very hungry he was.

Mutton chops; a boiled chicken; roasted cod; creamed spinach; potato collops; gravies and sauces; good solid food but most exceeding well-prepared. He helped Madame Clorinda to some chicken and cod and took a couple of mutton chops.

You have a most excellent cook, he remarked.

Is she not? I am greatly feared one or another will poach her from me. She signalled to Hector to refill their glasses, and then leave them with the bottle.

After the meal was finished they went to sit by the fire: she rang for Hector who served Josiah with brandy and herself with madeira and then cleared the table.

It was exceeding agreeable to think that they had the whole night before them: he looked at her across his glass and she smiled back.

Comments

[aedifica]

Oh, yay! The last line was an excellent close for this installment.

[azurelunatic]

Practical Clorinda, suiting the menu to the suitor.

[kore]

It's so neat seeing all the dear familiar details again through Josiah's eyes.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes! I'm like, oh I remember this! But it's still new and different. I hadn't realized for example that Josiah hadn't wanted to dump his networking worries on Eliza (since she was still so under the weather at this point).

And his immediate hearteyes over Clorinda is so sweet in light of later developments. 😍

[castiron]

Awwwwww! This is delightful.