The Ironmaster's Tale (11)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

'Twas a fine enough day that he determined to walk to Robinson’s Kensington studio by way of the park. Sure 'twas an agreeable sight: found himself thinking how much the children would like the sight, the cows, the sheep, the fine riders upon their horses –

One of whom waved to him and cantered over: Lord Raxdell. Ferraby! Delighted! How do you the day? He dismounted, as came up behind him some three or four fellow riders, and shook hands most extreme hearty.  Abertyldd, Fanshawe, Dabney, let me make known to you Mr Ferraby –  Ferraby, permit me to make known to you these sad fribbles –

Fanshawe was heard to murmur somewhat about the exceeding fortunate Mr Ferraby? before one of the others nudged him in the ribs. They all made very civil – was he not lately at that very fine prize-fight with Wallace? asked Abertyldd. Agreeable fellows. But, said Raxdell, such idle fellows as they should not detain a man that was doubtless about important business –

Josiah shrugged. Would not, he said, hinder you from the pleasure of your ride.

There was an amicable parting and he walked on, feeling quite foolish gratified at this mark of esteem; sure he got on. And he did not doubt to whom he owed this success. 'Twas not in the least what he had anticipated upon proposing to set up a mistress in Town.

Perchance it was entire foolish of him, and sure their relations were set on a sound business-like footing, but he thought of Madame Clorinda as a friend. It came to him, on that thought of sound business-like footing, that he had latterly been visiting her a deal more frequently than the terms of their initial arrangement, without they had undertaken any further negotiations. He took out his little memorandum book and made a note to raise the matter with her, for would not have her be a loser, or neglect other business, for his sake.

He came to Robinson’s fine house in Kensington – one saw that he did exceeding well out of painting! – and was shown into the studio. As ever there was a deal of company. Robinson was in converse with some fellow, but waved to Josiah to beckon him over.

Ferraby! You come most happy upon the hour! Here are you two fellows should be made better acquainted, for I doubt not there are matters where you have mutual interest.

Josiah looked at the other man – a youngish fellow, with a slight air of wariness about him that Josiah recognized for 'twas the like, he feared, of one he had himself been wont to manifest when less sure that he would be found accepted of society. Further observation of the man’s physiognomy gave a hint of the reason: the fellow was, he surmized, Jewish, but had he the entrée to Robinson’s set, there could be entirely no objection.

Permit me, Robinson went on, to introduce to you Jacob Samuels, most exceeding noted for his studies in geology and his skills in surveying –

(Why, thought Josiah, that was indeed a matter of mutual interest now this canal project began to move.)

Delighted, said Josiah, extending a hand.

 - Josiah Ferraby, that makes very fine iron and has a deal of dealings upon hand in all manner of business including canals.

Have heard somewhat of that, said Samuels.

Robinson smiled upon them, then saw a new arrival that he should go greet, and left them.

Why, this falls out most fortunate, said Josiah, for have long had a project for a canal in mind, and it now comes about that certain matters that hindered its being put into practice are now no longer in consideration, and we may move forward. And sure we shall need one that understands matters of surveying.

Samuels said would be entire happy to present testimonials from various enterprizes that he had worked upon –

And should you require any to speak for me and that I do not purpose some bubble to delude investors, there are those –

Oh, said Samuels with a lopsided grin, sure the name of Ferraby is well-known and well-reputed, 'tis hardly a question of taking up references.

But sure 'tis incivil in us to talk business in this company. Might we dine together some e’en – he paused, conscious that there might be some question of religious constraints upon diet –

'Tis entire agreeable, and I may reassure you that I do not follow ancestral ways: my grandfather indeed converted to the Church of England, though I myself am somewhat of a freethinker.

'Tis very well. They fixed upon a time and a place, parted with expressions of mutual esteem, and went mingle more generally with the company.

There was a deal of good company and good converse, a number of matters set upon hand; and sure the afternoon was quite crowned when in came Madame Clorinda, with, Josiah surmized for he had not yet had the pleasure of his acquaintance, General Yeomans supported upon her arm in such a fashion that it seemed as if she leant upon his. A fine soldierly fellow still, but one might see the ravages of age and, no doubt, those of the assorted perils of the Indies, now upon him.

She went about to make the introduction, and the General showed most exceeding civil, even going so far as to say that next year, once the weather grew milder, Mr Ferraby must join 'em when he held a bachelor party at his place in Surrey – Josiah caught sight of Mr Hacker just behind them making a little grimace, and confided that he had some concerns over the General’s continued health.

Excellent fine things, remarked Sir Barton, coming up to them. A very pleasant place.

He took the occasion of making his farewells, upon which he presented her with the very fine shoe-buckles commended to him by Docket, to open the question of whether he went take advantage of Madame Clorinda’s generosity –

La, Mr Ferraby – she gave a bawdy little chuckle – sure 'tis a resource does not grow any the less with use. But, she grew more sober, indeed I find your company in general most uncommon agreeable. For 'tis not merely that you are most pleasing attentive to my own enjoyment when we are abed, but that when we are out of it you will treat me as a reasonable being and converse with me rather than talk at me much as fellows talk to their dogs, not anticipating any apprehension of their remarks but merely an expression of great sympathy –

Josiah laughed.

 - and you understand that 'tis a business I am about and do not go pout or make jealous scenes when I must be about seeing other patrons, and give me most excellent advice about finance – indeed, she cast down her eyes, mayhap 'tis a foolishness in me, but tho’ 'tis really not that long we have been acquainted, I find myself thinking of you as a friend.

Why, my dear Madame Clorinda, 'tis entirely out of my own sense that there is that friendship to the matter that gives me to be concerned that you do not make yourself the loser over our business. He kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear.

Sure you already show exceeding generous – and indeed I set my initial offer somewhat high, to see whether you were one that would go haggle over price. But I will go convoke with my household people as to whether we have been at any unusual expense on account of your visits, though I fancy had there be any great matter of such they would have made it known to me.

Your household are indeed very good.

She gave a little sigh. O, I fancy they would be entire suited to quite the finest service, but that there are those bear 'em some prejudice for their colour and would not advance 'em as they deserve but keep 'em in low places. And they are most greatly prepossessed with you, I may disclose.

She then giggled a little and said, and, as for being a loser over our business, sure I find that there are fellows hear that I have most considerable interest with this fellow Ferraby, that is give out one of the coming men, and come about me in hopes that I will advance their own interest with him.

Say you so!

Why, 'tis supposed I have your ear, and may obtain preference for 'em in your enterprizes, or at the least contrive an introduction. 'Tis somewhat the like of the young fellows that had a notion to aspire to the dandy-set and hoped that I might bring it about to make 'em acquainted with Mr Reveley as was. And offer very pretty inducements to the matter, that was I inclined could go make a trade in – sure now I think upon it, when I was known Mr Pargiter’s mistress, daresay could have made a pretty penny from the thespian interest by putting it about that I could influence his critical opinions.

Josiah laughed. But you do not incline to that trade?

Poo, 'tis unfitting to a votary of Venus. 'Tis much about like going write scandalmonging memoirs, 'tis a thing I cannot like.

Josiah looked into her face. You are a good woman, Madame Clorinda.

She blushed and cast down her eyes. Sure I endeavour to live by honest whoring and without cheating. But indeed, Mr Ferraby, we grow unwonted serious, and I was in hopes that we might contrive to some fine smelting afore you departed.

Comments

[aedifica]

As it's somewhat early in my morning, my eye skipped a phrase so that I read

...found himself thinking how much the children would like the sight, the cows, the sheep –

One of whom waved to him and cantered over...

and had to go back to see what it really said!

[catlinyemaker]

But it's so... plausible (well, not really) but you did conjure up an immediate and vivid image that set me laughing. :)

[entirelydisregardablelout]

(Yes, I am come on these writings late.)

...found himself thinking how much the children would like the sight, the cows, the sheep –

One of whom waved to him and cantered over...

His first meeting with Sir V- P-?

[violsva]

:D Mr S-!

[rymenhild]

It's so sweet to see Josiah and all our friends like this.

[kore]

'Twas not in the least what he had anticipated upon proposing to set up a mistress in Town.
Perchance it was entire foolish of him, and sure their relations were set on a sound business-like footing, but he thought of Madame Clorinda as a friend. It came to him, on that thought of sound business-like footing, that he had latterly been visiting her a deal more frequently than the terms of their initial arrangement, without they had undertaken any further negotiations. He took out his little memorandum book and made a note to raise the matter with her, for would not have her be a loser, or neglect other business, for his sake.

....man, I'm gonna cry

Permit me, Robinson went on, to introduce to you Jacob Samuels, most exceeding noted for his studies in geology and his skills in surveying –

MR S-

Might we dine together some e’en – he paused, conscious that there might be some question of religious constraints upon diet –

JOSIAH <333 (always so thoughtful)

sure the afternoon was quite crowned when in came Madame Clorinda, with, Josiah surmized for he had not yet had the pleasure of his acquaintance, General Yeomans supported upon her arm in such a fashion that it seemed as if she leant upon his. A fine soldierly fellow still, but one might see the ravages of age and, no doubt, those of the assorted perils of the Indies, now upon him.
She went about to make the introduction, and the General showed most exceeding civil, even going so far as to say that next year, once the weather grew milder, Mr Ferraby must join 'em when he held a bachelor party at his place in Surrey – Josiah caught sight of Mr Hacker just behind them making a little grimace, and confided that he had some concerns over the General’s continued health.

OMG, General Y-

La, Mr Ferraby – she gave a bawdy little chuckle – sure 'tis a resource does not grow any the less with use.

....LOL I think that's actually somewhere in Shakespeare. Probably multiple times, at that.

– indeed, she cast down her eyes, mayhap 'tis a foolishness in me, but tho’ 'tis really not that long we have been acquainted, I find myself thinking of you as a friend.
Why, my dear Madame Clorinda, 'tis entirely out of my own sense that there is that friendship to the matter that gives me to be concerned that you do not make yourself the loser over our business. He kissed the sensitive spot behind her ear.

//SOB

Josiah looked into her face. You are a good woman, Madame Clorinda.
She blushed and cast down her eyes. Sure I endeavour to live by honest whoring and without cheating.

(Shakespeare indeed.) That's really C-, she charges high (she knows her own worth, and also uses it as a test of her suitors), and she pulls the strings of society a lot, but she doesn't cheat people. (Abby, on t'other hand, seems to count cards....?)

[castiron]

Once again we see why Josiah is a worthy friend and partner for Clorinda!

And a little twinge for Fanshawe and Dabney, who'll both be deceased in another couple of volumes....

[azurelunatic]

Josiah Ferraby, that makes very fine iron
Sure his name will never be uttered alongside Ea-Nasir's, except by means of contrast...