The Ironmaster's Tale (8)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

It was quite extreme delightful to present himself once more at Madame Clorinda’s pretty house, to be admitted by a smiling Hector, and to be so very warmly greeted. Indeed, he apprehended that she had set the hour for his arrival to permit of a very congenial romp before they dined.

I suppose, he said, running a hand over the very fine curves of her arse, we must go to the theatre.

Why, I confess 'twould be a deal more agreeable to stay here about smelting, and I have no great hopes for the play, but indeed I think 'twill be useful for you to meet certain of the fellows that will be of the party, most especial Mr Nixon. We need not stay exceeding late: perchance we might bank the furnace a while?

He chuckled, gave her bubbies a gentle squeeze, and said she entire persuaded him. Interest at the Home Office was by no means to be sneezed at.

Indeed I apprehend 'tis so. And while Mr Nixon is a somewhat verbose gentleman, he is a deal more agreeable than Mr Pargiter as to his character. She raised a hand to his cheek. My dear, I think 'twould be wise did I have Hector come shave you while Seraphine goes put dinner upon the table.

Very prudent.

There was quite a company in Pargiter’s box at the theatre, including Madame Clorinda’s friend Miss Gowing – though Sir Barton was not in evidence – Mr Nixon of the Home Office as promised, Mr Hacker the surgeon and anatomist, a merry pretty creature that he supposed of the same profession as Madame Clorinda and Miss Gowing, one Miss Daniels, and some several others to whom introduction was made.

The play was indeed not remarkable, but Miss Rabbit showed a little better than before; Mr Jenkins was very fine; and Mr Winch created hilarity out of what on reflection were not very amuzing lines.

Afterwards, as the company gathered in the private room taken by Mr Pargiter – whose sour face cast an entire gloom over the occasion – Madame Clorinda tapped Josiah on the arm with her fan, and said, should go make civil to poor little Miss Addington, say somewhat agreeable to the other actors, that I have known this age, sure you are no longer a stranger in this company.

He looked down at her. 'Tis kind of you, he said.

La, at least she does not go freeze does she find herself upon a stage in front of an audience. She moved away. Josiah looked around and was about to go open converse with Hacker, for had some notions concerning a hospital upon which he confided a surgeon’s views would be most material, when Miss Gowing tapped him upon the arm with her fan, rather harder than civility entirely demanded.

She looked over to where Miss Addington was hanging upon Madame Clorinda’s arm and gazing into her face. Hah: one observes that little miss Mouse goes fall entire in love with Clorinda, 'tis an old story. But, Mr Ferraby, while she is thus occupied, would desire a word or so with you.

Oh?

She withdrew him a little out of the press of company. If you hurt Clorinda, she said, I will cut out your heart, roast it and eat it.

Josiah raised his eyebrows, a little irked that he was obliged to look up slightly at the taller woman.

I have not seen her in such spirits since Lord Sallington was sent to Turkey by his father – oh, there was talk of some naval captain that put a smile upon her face, until was ordered to the Indies, but 'twas when I had been beguiled into going to Bath for the season, did not see it myself. She is quite entire taken with you.

Indeed I am pleased to hear it, but should by no means wish to assume that does a woman like her show amiable –

Oh! cried Miss Gowing, snapping her fan very emphatically, Clorinda can show amiable until the crack o’ doom – see how agreeable she shows to Winch, that I confide is already half seas over and anyway has no mind towards our sex – but I have known her this entire age and can tell does her heart incline. Well, she went on with a small smile, have we convoked as gossips over the teacups.

But tell me, said Josiah, feeling somewhat warm with embarrassment, and hoping to change the subject a little, I fancy I have not heard the full story of Lord Sallington –

I daresay! She would not say how she pulled him out of a gutter into which he had fallen quite blind drunk, and then drew him away from the very bad set that had led him into such coarse ways: 'tis a tale does her quite entire credit, I think one must agree. Josiah nodded. And sure I fancy that had she been so minded, she could have persuaded him to a flight to Gretna and a marriage – he was not yet of age, as I collect – for they became quite inseparable, save that she did not altogether abandon her profession, but indeed she was most exceeding fond of him. But seeing how he had pulled round and began to show a son a father might have pride in, the Duke took some consideration that 'twas time he put him to some work to do with the responsibilities of his station, and had interest with the Ambassador to the Sublime Porte, and I doubt not thought that 'twas a good long distance from Clorinda’s charms, that, indeed, I thought he showed some inclination to himself but that it would have looked exceedingly poor ton to have made her his mistress having sent his son away thus. So instead showed generous, and advanced her interest among his set, that is somewhat of a mixed blessing but does well for her consequence –

So she has said to me.

Quite so. And young Sallington finds the Diplomatic so congenial and does so well that there seems little likelihood he will return anytime soon – more like that he will posted elsewhere for his advancement. Must be quite an age until he inherits, the Duke being a hale fellow in middle years. And sure she will say that they were young and foolish and 'twas by no means a thing that would last: but I confide that does a fellow send a lady a Turkey carpet or such-like from time to time he does not forget.

Shows very well in him if so, said Josiah, trying not to think of some – doubtless tall – handsome young duke’s heir, travelled, polished: an entire fit match for the lovely Madame Clorinda. But – if it comes to matters of particular favour – have heard somewhat concerning the young man that is late become Lord Raxdell?

Miss Gowing wrinkled her nose. Sure I was like to suppose that Mr Reveley had held off so long upon the matter of choosing a mistress because he wished to find one that would set him off very pleasing, so that they might be give out as an exceeding handsome couple. For I daresay you have heard how he is most exceptional noted for the niceness of his appearance and the excellence of his ton. And he and Clorinda looked very well together indeed: when he drove her out in his curricle behind his famed matched blacks they were an entire cynosure. But he has been an excellent good friend to her, and if he does go marry now he is come into the title, I confide will do all that is entire proper in the way of a settlement.

Josiah felt somewhat of relief that the matter was put in these terms, for however reassuring Madame Clorinda had been, he had been in some anxiety over poaching in the preserves of one that was so noted a shot and fencer.

Fie, I see this sad saucebox goes prattle to you, Mr Ferraby, said Madame Clorinda, coming up and tapping Miss Gowing on the arm with her fan. I daresay the naughty slut casts her eyes upon you, the wicked creature.

The two women looked at one another with great affection and Josiah could see that 'twas all said entirely in jest.

But, what, no Sir Barton?

Miss Gowing gave a deep sigh. The dreadful crocodile comes to Town and dines with him, and I daresay goes about bewailing her lack of grandchildren, 'tis quite her constant theme. But I will go flirt a little with Mr Robinson, to show that I am not in the least distressed in the matter; for otherwise the Daniels will be telling the world I go about wearing the willow.

Do you so, my dear, for 'tis an excellent fine sight to see you a-flirting with a fellow, and I will go conduct Mr Ferraby to Mr Nixon to make 'em better acquainted.

Hah, I see Miss Clorinda goes contrive! said Miss Gowing, bestowing a kiss upon her friend before making her progress over to Mr Robinson.

Madame Clorinda, smiling, shook her head. Oh, my naughty Abby, she said. I hope she came about to entertain you while I made civil to the actors? They are old friends. But let us go over to where Mr Nixon converses with Mr Hacker.

Josiah looked at her. Why, he said, I daresay, have you brought about this meeting I should make civil to the gentleman, but I can think of business I had rather be about.

Why, there will be entire time for that, Mr Ferraby, she said, drooping her eyelids. Now, come along and do the polite.

Mr Nixon was all that was amiable, and Josiah confided that would be a useful fellow to know at the Home Office, but, Lord, how he did talk! Sure he was well-informed on a deal of matters, but one might wish to ration out the information. However, in due course he also managed a few words with Hacker, that showed entire disposed to make some occasion to talk over the matter of hospitals.

It really was not undue late when they took their departure, and it had sure been a profitable occasion.

Comments

[aedifica]

I am a little troubled by how Clorinda talks to Abby--the narrative says it's all said in affection and I will take the narrative at its word; but even aside from that, it doesn't seem in keeping with Clorinda's persona to talk so in public.

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Clorinda is very good at reading a room and whether she is likely to be being overheard - and at Zoffany Robinson's studio they were among old friends who knew them of old. And she trusts Josiah enough to display her wonted informality towards Abby in front of him. (Possibly also a test...)

[kotturinn]

Abby! Fierce Abby! Love this light on their friendship.

[kore]

OMG I LOVE what we are seeing of Abby. And Miss A-. I love meeting these dear people again from Jos's perspective.

[white_hart]

Oh, Abby!

[kore]

But, Mr Ferraby, while she is thus occupied, would desire a word or so with you.

Oh?

She withdrew him a little out of the press of company. If you hurt Clorinda, she said, I will cut out your heart, roast it and eat it.

Josiah raised his eyebrows, a little irked that he was obliged to look up slightly at the taller woman.

//DIES

ABBY <3333

[nenya_kanadka]

I usually can't stand shovel talks, but this one! Abby! :D

[kore]

It was an "eat YOUR heart in the marketplace sunny-Jim" shovel talk and thus entirely appropriate for C's BFF. :)

[entirelydisregardablelout]

If you hurt Clorinda, she said, I will cut out your heart, roast it and eat it.

I am minded of Willow's words to Riley on Buffy the Vampire Slayer: "And remember, if you hurt her I will beat you to death with a shovel. A vague disclaimer is nobody's friend. Have fun!"