The Ironmaster's Tale (6)
May. 26th, 2018 07:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_comfortable_courtesanBut one was waving to him with their whip from a trap – his trap, he observed in the fading twilight.
Dalgleish! He exclaimed. This is good of you.
Why, said Dalgleish, in that curious accent of his, I was calling upon Mrs Ferraby with the latest reports from the works, and she said that you were expected back, and that she had been used to come fetch you in the trap – and young Harry was saying could he not drive down, and sure I daresay he is capable but one could see that she did not like the thought of him coming among this rough crowd, entire understandable, so I said I would come.
It was an unexpected relief, for he had anticipated that he should have to walk home from here. So they saw to loading his trunks into the trap, and drove off, with Dalgleish conveying to him how matters had been going at the works, and he mentioning some of the business that he had been about that they would need to convoke concerning, matters were coming about very satisfactory.
And soon enough he was at his own front door, and the children running out to greet him, followed by Eliza with Quintus in her arms. Dalgleish declared that he would not stay, no, would not come in, had no doubt Mr Ferraby was exhausted from travel, would take the trap round and see the trunks disposed –
Also he suspected that Dalgleish was daunted by the excited children, so waved him off about the matter with thanks for the kindness.
He kissed his dear hoyden daughters Bess and Meg, that wished to know what he had brought them from London, and had he been to the play, and a deal of other questions, tousled Harry and Josh’s hair, and thence came to Eliza, that even in half-light he could see still pale, dark shadows beneath her eyes, with an air of weariness. He kissed her cheek and then bent to kiss the slumbering Quintus.
They all went in to the family room, and he distributed the presents he had brought, and a fine supper with a mug of ale was brought in for him, and he looked about with great satisfaction at his fine healthy offspring. Sure perchance the room was a little shabby, but it was spotless clean, even if one might never keep it entire tidy, and as comfortable as ever was. Patty came in to take Quintus to the nursery – he presented her with the ribbons he had brought her, to pleased blushes.
At length the children were all chased off to bed, though still in such a condition of excitement he had no doubt they would still be chattering for some while – Eliza looked at him and smiled and said, I will shortly go and tell 'em to quieten down and compose themselves for slumber, but indeed, they are pleased to see their Papa again. And I am pleased to see you looking so well in spite of that dreadful journey.
Oh, I become used to it I fancy. Have a deal of things to talk over, but they may all wait. But, my dear, how do you?
Eliza sighed. Why, I fancy I pull round a little, but I still find myself unwonted tired and having to conduct a deal of business while lying upon the sopha.
He looked at her. Still his dearly beloved Eliza, friend and companion and partner, helpmeet: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health.
It still seemed to him prudent to sleep in the truckle bed in their chamber: there was so much of years of habit.
When he woke next morn, Eliza was already up. After he had made his toilet, he went to see where she was – in the family room, instructing the girls about various matters of domestic management. They both ran to him, already babbling of what they were about and what they did and that they would go at once to fetch his breakfast.
They are such good girls, said Eliza once they had gone out of the door, and make themselves so very useful about the place, but indeed, I did not wish to lay such responsibilities upon 'em just yet. Will all come soon enough I doubt not, come along to make the finest little housekeepers, but I do not like it that it must take time from their lessons. And that minds me, did I write to you about having Mr Bing, the curate, to come a couple of times of a se’ennight to instruct Harry and Josh beyond what I may teach 'em? Perchance I might, but –
Dear Eliza, said Josiah, you have all the worry of the works upon your head when I am away, and even was you in quite the finest health, there are only so many hours to the day.
Bess and Meg came in bearing platters of food and a teapot. They laid the table very proper.
Why, this is something like! what handy girls you are.
Indeed they are, said Eliza, we need not be ashamed of 'em in the least. But now, you two, you should not be about neglecting your education – Bess and Meg groaned – so go fetch your slates and your schoolbooks – sure, she went on, once they had left the room, I may be about hearing 'em their lessons in between my other business.
'Tis not all too much for you?
So be I may lie down a little to’t, I can contrive. Should not wish my girls to grow up ignorant.
It was an excellent breakfast: the girls indeed came on in housewifely skills, but also, seemed to him as they were about their lessons, did not neglect more scholarly accomplishment. He rose from the table and said that he must be off to the works, to see how matters got on – not that he did not have entirest confidence in Mr Dalgleish, but still, did not like to be an absentee.
Eliza saw him to the door, and he found himself giving her the heartiest farewell kiss, and walking off down the road whistling, almost as if matters were as they had used to be.
Sure the works were in fine fettle, had been got into the good modern ways of doing things, had come on exceedingly since he had inherited; and now, he would not say they entirely ran themselves, there was still a deal of a need for guiding hands, but he no longer felt that he had to be there himself day in day out, he might take the longer view.
He also took the opportunity to call in upon Lowndes at the newspaper office and see how matters were coming along with improvements.
All in all, it had been a pleasing day when he returned home to enjoy supper with his family about him. Indeed it was a pleasure to look at his thriving offspring, even were they somewhat noisy and over-excited. But who would be the kind of father whose children fell into meek cowed silence at his approach? Perchance they now felt themselves of an age beyond playing bears – and little Quintus was still too small –
Perchance it was a little embarrassing to have them beg for tales of London and its pleasures –
Your Papa, said Eliza, does not go up to London to enjoy himself among its delights. He is about matters of business.
Indeed, said Josiah, find myself convoking with a deal of tedious fellows, most exceeding dry matters.
Later, after they had all gone to bed and he had gone as desired to say goodnight, he returned to the family room where Eliza was reclining upon the couch, looking through his accounts. He laid a hand upon her shoulder. She leant her cheek against it. His heart was lightened as it had not been these long sad months.
He perched beside her - she shuffled over so that he could sit in comfort, and laid her hand on top of his where it lay. He looked down at her thin, work-worn hand, with the ring upon the wedding finger, and lifted it to his lips. Dearest Eliza, he said.
She smiled at him. I will not pry and interrogate, she said, 'tis quite entirely your business, but I hope that you, that – it seems –
He put an arm around her shoulders. Dearest, he said, does it make me comfortable once more with you, soothe my temper, I know 'tis what the world considers wrong and sinful, but – You will see from the accounts, he went on, that I have come to an arrangement and may seem to you somewhat extravagant, but she is a prudent businesslike woman of good sense –
Eliza rested her head upon his shoulder. I hope, she said softly, she is also – that sounds – oh, I hope she is also agreeable in character?
Josiah paused, thinking how very exceedingly agreeable in character was Madame Clorinda. Yes, he said. At length he went on, also, I come to an understanding of how valuable it is to have the counsel of a lady that knows somewhat of society and how matters go on in Town, for there are things one would not wish to disclose to another man, for fear of seeming a foolish ignorant provincial, but she is a most excellent advizer. I do not think that it will show entirely yet, but I am in some confidence that matters already begin to come round in our favour.
Why, that is excellent news! She gave a little sigh and looking a little sideways he saw tears on her eyelashes. Even was it not for the fear, she began – o, Jos', I am so tired and weakly these days –
My dear 'Liza, while I can see you bear up remarkable, 'tis plain that you do not yet entirely pull round, 'tis not to be wondered at. And – he stroked her hair – though I cannot deny I miss those joys we used to share, I had a deal rather have your company through the years than lose you for a moment’s pleasure.
Oh, Jos'. She sobbed a little on his shoulder. Indeed she was still not her old self, his dear wild girl.
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Date: 2018-05-26 01:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-05-26 03:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-05-26 07:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-05-26 07:38 pm (UTC)Also, seeing these events again, I am struck by how direct the parallels between Eliza and Lady N- are. And how much of a dick the latter's first husband was.
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Date: 2018-05-27 01:02 am (UTC)INDEED.
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Date: 2018-05-27 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-05-27 01:02 am (UTC)My dear 'Liza, while I can see you bear up remarkable, 'tis plain that you do not yet entirely pull round, 'tis not to be wondered at. And – he stroked her hair – though I cannot deny I miss those joys we used to share, I had a deal rather have your company through the years than lose you for a moment’s pleasure.
Oh, Jos'. She sobbed a little on his shoulder. Indeed she was still not her old self, his dear wild girl.
AUGH
Eliza wanting to teach her girls while lying down a little bit and fretting about their education really got me.
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Date: 2018-05-27 03:34 am (UTC)I just want to give them all so many hugs right now though!
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Date: 2018-05-27 07:38 pm (UTC)ME TOO
And I can see how Clorinda's kindness (above and beyond merely helping Josiah get his sexual needs met) is already making her a net good in Eliza's life, and can quite understand how a couple more thoughtful exchanges would lead to the almost immediate rapport they seemed to develop.
It moved so quickly beyond "the man we both love" to their having their own whole relationship, I loved it.
Clorinda does love the wild girlsno subject
Date: 2018-05-27 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-07-17 04:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-07-17 05:47 pm (UTC)