The Ironmaster's Tale (3)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Thinking of what she had said about plain dealing and his own sense that sometimes he was but a Babe in the Wood when he came to Town, Josiah took a sip of the very fine brandy and said, have lately been approached by a fellow called Langford, that offers to make connexions for me among those that have interest, in return for a commission –

She sat up and looked thoughtful. Langford – tall fellow, dark hair that grows in a widow’s peak, plausible manner about him –

That sounds like the same fellow.

She looked into her glass and swung one foot to and fro. Why, may be a fellow of entire probity in matters of business, but –

But?

O, made suit to one of my sisterhood some several months since: she had been in keeping for some considerable while, then the fellow came into his inheritance, was obliged to go marry befitting his station and live upon his estate, but did the entire proper thing and made a tidy settlement upon her. So, this Langford makes suit to her, offers set her up in an establishment, presents her with some fine jewellery; and all seems in order but that when she comes to the establishment he proposes, she finds it somewhat poky – o, says he, he has some affairs in train that he waits upon to come round, and when they do of course they will move to more eligible accommodations –

She took a sip of madeira. But then, some little while later, he comes to her, and says, the most tiresome thing, is being dunned for a debt, that would be no matter at all once these affairs of his come about, might she lend him the amount – for he gives it out that he is in some fear of being thrown into debtors’ prison over the matter –

And 'tis finally, when matters come to this pass, that she comes to me, saying, is it wrong in her to feel a little mistrustful? And sure I sigh a little, and say to her, my dear, did you go get the jewelery he gave you valued? Sure I am a wicked suspicious Clorinda, but here you are, left exceeding comfortable, sure there are designing wretches about that will take advantage of women’s trusting hearts: and indeed, you were many years with a most excellent fellow that behaved entirely proper, that must incline you to suppose that all men are of the like. So she gasps and says, might it be so? She had put him off, saying that 'twould take some little while to put her hands upon the amount in question, 'twas no more than the truth: and she will go at once to a reputable jeweler.

And I was in no surprize whatsoever when she called again to say, paste! The scoundrel. Have thrown 'em back at him and give him his congé.

Why, said Josiah, I am not sure I would wish to enter into any business arrangement with a fellow that behaved thus towards women, even did I not take a consideration that he is very like to lack scruple towards men, in particular those he may suppose innocent trusting provincials.

Madame Clorinda smiled. Mr Ferraby, she said, I am like to suppose that one does not become a wealthy ironmaster is one an entire simpleton that will trust any plausible rogue that goes about with a pig in a poke. Indeed I have had quite the testimonial to your capacities from Mr Boxtell.

He looked at her in admiration. Madame Clorinda, he said, ‘tis a deal too much to ask of you – you are already doing much for me –

She raised her eyebrows with an agreeable expression. Say on, she said.

I can see, he went on, that you have a very fine understanding of the way things go on here in Town.

She gave a little shrug. Mayhap and perchance! 'Tis somewhat of a necessity in my trade to know who’s in, who’s out, who’s up, who’s down.

Might you constitute yourself the advisor to a provincial fellow on these matters?

A slow smile dawned across her face. Why, Mr Ferraby, it had been in my mind to make some such offer to you. But sure, there are fellows do not wish to be lessoned by a woman –

Josiah chuckled – as if he did not owe so much of his success to his beloved Eliza and her prudent counsel. The man who does not hearken to the wisdom of women is a fool, he said. Should be most obliged for any help you might give me: and should not wish you to be a loser by the matter –

Fie, Mr Ferraby! Perchance you have not give the matter any thought, but what a fellow gains from being the patron of a crack courtesan is a deal more than boudoir business: they wish to display their consequence, or be envied among their circle, or, I have heard, have one that will distract other fellows at the gaming table with a tantalizing glimpse of bubbie. Or they desire one that will listen very sympathetic to the tales of their law-suits, or whatever else concerns 'em. You already pay most exceeding generous for my services –

But, she said thoughtfully, Mr Boxtell gives quite the highest praise to your acuity in the matter of investment: might you convey a little advice on the matter to me, 'twould be entire recompense.

Why, 'twould be a pleasure.

They smiled at one another. Well, she said, the thought that most immediate has come to me upon your situation, is that 'twould be most advizable did you go about a little to make informal acquaintance in Society and get yourself known, and I will consider upon how we might go about this. There is also a little matter of dress, but I think I know how I may come at that.

Indeed, said Josiah, I have wondered about that – sure I have no desire to join the dandy-set, but yet –

'Twill make a difference, she said, 'tis shocking that people will judge so upon externals, but as they do, one must attend to 'em.  But, my dear Mr Ferraby, I think we have discoursed enough of this matter for now, and I daresay we might now repair once more to my boudoir to pay Venus her dues.

It was well within a se’ennight that he paid his next visit to Madame Clorinda, coming to an apprehension that he had by some happy chance found one here in Town that he might talk to of his affairs and his difficulties, a thing he had hardly known how much he missed.

My dear! she cried, rising to greet him, you come entire apt to the moment, for I have just received these for you.

Laid out upon a low table were a number of little notes, sealed, he observed as he picked one up, with some aristocratic crest.

I have, she said with a pleased expression, obtained the entrée for you with a good tailor, crack shirtmakers, bootmakers, hatmakers, and a barber. Do you take these introductions along, I fancy you will be most exceeding obsequious received.

He sat down. I will?

It perchances, she said, that I have considerable interest with Viscount Raxdell – that is, the new Lord Raxdell that quite lately succeeded, was formerly the Honble Gervase Reveley, has a deal of consequence among tailors &C, for was praised by Brummell himself for the exceeding niceness of his taste in dress. Sure, she added, I should greatly like to bring about an introduction 'twixt the two of you – he takes an interest in canals and also gives some mind to improvements upon his estates – but has been obliged to spend a deal of time out of Town upon his estates bringing matters into better order than they were left by his late father. Mayhap upon some other occasion.

When you say you have considerable interest with him –

O, to speak bluntly, have been his mistress these five or more years, but, dear Mr Ferraby, you need not be concerned that there will be any matter of calling out or such, Lord Raxdell quite understands that I do not grant exclusive rights in my person and I will give my favours as I will.

I am in the greatest relief to hear it! But ‘tis above and beyond kindness to commend me to his tailor &C.

Why, I fancy 'tis not his own tailor, that will only take personal introductions, but nonetheless a very good fellow that will see you dressed entirely in Town style.

He drew her into his arms. But for the moment, he murmured, perchance you could undress me in Town style?

La, Mr Ferraby, you are pleased to be saucy!

Indeed, he was received most exceeding obsequious at the establishments to which he had been given recommendations. He gulped somewhat at the prices: but would, he dared say, be entire false economy to cavil at them. And looking at himself arrayed in this new style, he could see that there was somewhat of a difference – or was that just his own opinion?

'Twas not, he found, when making certain calls, and finding that instead of taking his card with somewhat of a sneer and closing the door upon him, the footmen confided that their masters were at home, he was received, and was able to open certain negotiations that he thought would never come to pass.

Comments

[davidgillon]

perchance you could undress me in Town style?

<3

[aedifica]

I'm really enjoying seeing this side of the story!

[azurelunatic]

Getting doors opened! Trading expertise!

[kore]

She gave a little shrug. Mayhap and perchance! 'Tis somewhat of a necessity in my trade to know who’s in, who’s out, who’s up, who’s down.

We already know somewhat of how Clorinda talks, from her own diaries, but it's really something to see this very charming side of her.

[entirelydisregardablelout]

"who’s in, who’s out" is from King Lear, near the end. I don't know about a source for "who’s up, who’s down" (other than her own pleasant parallelism).

KING LEAR

    No, no, no, no! Come, let's away to prison:
    We two alone will sing like birds i' the cage:
    When thou dost ask me blessing, I'll kneel down,
    And ask of thee forgiveness: so we'll live,
    And pray, and sing, and tell old tales, and laugh
    At gilded butterflies, and hear poor rogues
    Talk of court news; and we'll talk with them too,
    Who loses and who wins; who's in, who's out;
    And take upon's the mystery of things,
    As if we were God's spies: and we'll wear out,
    In a wall'd prison, packs and sects of great ones,
    That ebb and flow by the moon.

[sharpiefan]

I'm very much liking this side of our best belov'd Lady B-'s story. :D

[rhi]

It's lovely to see this all from Josiah's POV and I can't wait to see how he describes all of this to Eliza. (It must have been some description if she promptly wrote to Clorinda, after all!) Thank you again for posting all of these!

[nenya_kanadka]

Right? I'm dying to see the Eliza bits! :D :D

[nenya_kanadka]

Yet again I'm struck by how much friendliness there is in this story. How well Clorinda and Josiah get along already! How Gervase is so helpful!

And all the teasing is adorable. ❤