the_comfortable_courtesan

Writing his weekly letter to Eliza, Josiah remarked that she might consider that he had been frivolously laying out upon vain adornment, but 'twas more in the light of casting bread upon the waters, for sure made a difference. He also added that he had been attending to her recommendations concerning healthful exercize and found it answerable. He conveyed to her the gratifying progress that their affairs made, hoped that she did not go about to over-do, and desired her to kiss all the children for him.

He sanded and sealed the letter, and looked at it lying upon the table. He looked up and around the room, and sighed. There was naught wrong with his lodgings – sure they were a shocking price but that was London – and sure he was not living in entire squalor, yet he could not help contrasting the place with Madame Clorinda’s charming house, that was always so very well-kept.

Where, he thought with happy anticipation, he had an assignation on the morrow. And then looked once more at the letter lying upon the table. How very quickly it had become a deal more than simply the easing of lust. How agreeable was Madame Clorinda’s company out of bed as well as in it: he had not expected that. But had he not been entirely inclined towards her by the kindness of her conduct to that poor little actress? Not just the exquisite face and form. And then he had also discovered her wit and her prudence –

He did still love his dearest Eliza. But – the prospect of returning to London in future no longer filled him with a feeling of despair at facing arduous struggle.

Josiah looked across the breakfast table to Madame Clorinda, golden hair still tousled from their morning romp. You know, he said, that I must return to the north by the end of this week, but I hope that I may return when I am next in Town?

Why, Mr Ferraby, do you have any doubts in the matter? She smiled over her coffee-cup. Shall be entire delighted to re-make your acquaintance. Do you have a deal of matters to be about until your departure?

It so perchances that I do not, and that, indeed, I find myself quite at leisure today.

Oh, that falls out entire pleasingly! Sure, Hector was saying to me that, did you not require to leave very abrupt the morn, he would greatly like to give your boots a little attention, and furbish your garments somewhat: I am in some concern that he takes an ambition to seek a place as a valet –

Why, 'tis very civil in him, and I should not in the least mind lingering a little, should I not be in the way.

Not in the least, my dear, but I regret that 'tis the morn upon which Docket has obtained for me preference to a fitting with a crack new modiste, Mamzelle Bridgette, and I dare not cut.

Dear Madame Clorinda, I confide I can entertain myself for an hour or so – there are newspapers, I see you have many fine books, I will not be at all at loose ends – Indeed, I might consult with Hector over the best care of boots –

She smiled at him. And should you be at leisure this afternoon, I was purposing to go visit Mr Robinson’s studio, and should be delighted could you escort me?

Mr Robinson?

Zoffany Robinson, the artist – perchance you met him at Mr Pargiter’s reception for Miss Addington? – a most agreeable fellow, his studio is a great place of resort for all sorts and conditions, and he has a fine gallery.

Josiah considered this proposal for a moment, and it seemed entirely agreeable. Why, do you care for my company, I shall be entire delighted to escort you.

They smiled at one another. Clorinda rang for Hector to convey him the intelligence that Josiah would be staying, and would be requiring somewhat in the way of nuncheon before they went out. Hector nodded. Clorinda rose, and said, she had better go dress, had no doubt that Docket was waiting all impatience.

Josiah turned to Hector and said it was most exceeding civil of him to offer to furbish up his boots and clothes, and would be exceeding grateful for any hints he could give on keeping them properly. Hector gave him a small smile and said, did Mr Ferraby desire to observe the matter, would there be any objection to coming belowstairs? Should not like to be about such matters here – he glanced about the parlour.

No objection in the least, said Josiah, do I not intrude.

Hector conducted him downstairs and found him a chair to sit upon while he undertook the tasks.

Josiah had been hoping for some opportunity of converse with Hector – not, he thought, in the manner of one who seeks out servants’ gossip, but to be reassured in certain matters. So as Hector addressed himself to the boots, with explanations of what he was doing and why it was the proper thing, he said, I daresay I need be in no fret about Madame Clorinda’s well-being and prosperity while I am gone?

Hector looked up with a beaming grin. Oh, Mr Ferraby, indeed you need have no worries! Madame is exceeding well situated. I think she may take a little concern that Mr Reveley, that is now Lord Raxdell, will be obliged to go marry, but we confide that does he so he is like to make a generous settlement. And there are other regular patrons –

His sister, the majestic Phoebe, came in with the just delivered clean laundry for sorting. She gave a little snort and said, General Yeomans is a fine generous man and showed heroic in the wars in India, but do you not think he looks frail of late? And, she gave a little shudder, sure I could not fancy Mr Hacker, that cuts up dead bodies.

Mr Hacker, said Hector with an air of reproof, is a very learned fellow and famed for his skills at surgery.

Still, said Phoebe. And we have not seen aught of Sir Barton this age. Hector gave a snort. Gambling wastrel, he said.

In order to change the subject, Josiah cleared his throat and said, he was minded to suppose that it would be proper to give Madame Clorinda some token of appreciation –

They both turned and smiled upon him. But, said Hector, one would really need to ask Docket –

Did not Madame say somewhat about some very stylish shoe-buckles she saw?

But has Docket give 'em her approval?

They both sniggered a little.

Seraphine came in and said sure it was time for elevens, would Mr Ferraby care to join 'em? 'Twas naught fancy –

It might not be fancy, but it was very excellent cake that she served along with their tea. Indeed, he remarked, I am delighted to observe how very well-looked-after is Madame Clorinda –

We hope, said Phoebe, we know what is proper.

One can see that, said Josiah, who knew what to look for in a well-kept household, and this one was entirely such as Eliza would have approved – he halted that thought.

We apprehend, said Hector, that you will be visiting us in future, Mr Ferraby?

I am obliged, said Josiah, to come to Town several times in the year about various matters of business, and it is entirely soothing to my spirits to have the company of Madame Clorinda, for they give me a deal of bother and fret while I am about 'em. So indeed I hope to call here again when I return.

Hector and Phoebe beamed upon him and said, he had become quite the favourite with Madame already.

Indeed, said Phoebe, I have not seen her so merry since Captain Knighton had his sailing orders for the China Seas.

'Tis so, agreed Hector. But I was minded, Mr Ferraby, that you may have matters that you would desire to keep in Town, are you back and forth, rather than to keep conveying ‘em hither and yon.

Josiah considered upon this. Certainly he would have no use for his new fine Town garments at home, where they would only cause comment - Eh, Ferraby, quite the dandy I see - that would not serve their interests particularly well. Why, is it no trouble, he said, should indeed be grateful, for it cannot be good to keep packing things up, and there is always the possibility of 'em going astray –

Entirely so, said Hector. Do you leave 'em with us. And, he added, should you ever be wishful to go see a prizefight, should be delighted to take you some time.

I know little enough of prize-fighting, said Josiah, in our parts 'tis wrestling, in former days I was accounted a tidy wrestler, but I apprehend boxing is quite a great matter here in Town.

Sure I did not greatly fancy that life, said Hector – Phoebe gave a little snort – but I know somewhat of the pugilistic art.

Perchance when I return to Town, said Josiah.

Seraphine came in and said that Madame had mentioned the matter of a little nuncheon –

Why, is it just for me I should be happy with bread and cheese –

Seraphine looked affronted. Fie, Madame should be back as soon as maybe, and even was she not, sure we can do somewhat better than that. I have some soup a-cooking, and there is that potted game I put up from the present that Mr Reve – I mean, Lord Raxdell – lately sent. And 'twould be no bother at all to bake a few apples.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

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kate_nepveu

These conversations are an unexpected delight!

azurelunatic

The household has shown rare approval. :D

kore

OH MY GOD, I love Clorinda's household approving of and cosseting Josiah. This is really just delightful. (I also love how he keeps thinking Eliza would like this or that....) And their shrewd appraisals of Mme C's clients!

coffeeandink

I really enjoy seeing Josiah's POV on this.

genarti

I really love seeing Josiah's view of them all, and his comfort level belowstairs!

aedifica

Oh, I didn't know I wanted this! It was great to see the belowstairs take on these things, and a growing friendship between Hector and Josiah.

nenya_kanadka

Eeee! Hector and Phoebe and Seraphine! I love how just getting Josiah's narration gives us several more points of view. I just want to hug this thing and roll around in it forever. 😍❤❤

sharpiefan

Your icon is a thing of beauty. :D

Thank you! :D From a comment someone made here about how Sandy was annoyed that Clorinda didn't tell him for ages! 😂

(All my Mme C icons are shareable--I had a post or two with them that went down in the fall of Photobucket. Eventually I will re-host!)