The Ironmaster's Tale (14)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

He walked down into the town and the printing office, where Lowndes in his shirt-sleeves was printing up some notices concerning an auction of farm-stock, but would be entire at liberty once that job was done.

Josiah presented him with a package of most exceptional good tobacco that he had been put in the way of by Hector, and they sat down to smoke. First they dispatched the matter of an advertizement for a piano, to get that out of the way, and then spoke somewhat about the improvements that were upon hand and where they might go next.

Josiah remarked that had made acquaintance with a very noted surgeon that he confided would be of very great assistance was one thinking of setting up a hospital – though mayhap one should begin more modest with a dispensary –

Would be an excellent thing. I will start working it up in the paper, to get minds turning upon it – He made some notes on the back of a discarded sheet.

It was very agreeable, thought Josiah, to spend some time with a young man that took a wider view of matters, for – he knew not how it was – it came about that he began to find a deal of the fellows he had to deal with about this place very narrow in their ideas, did not think of the broader issues –

A silence fell. Lowndes cleared his throat and said, among the papers he was sent from Town lately were one or two low vulgar scandalmonging sheets – but he confided that they were not anything that anyone about these parts was ever like to see –

Oh? said Josiah, lifting his eyebrows.

 - no names given, but imputations made about a certain gentleman grown wealthy in the metallic line, in connexion with a certain lady of the Town –

Why, said Josiah, who had heard somewhat of this already and been conveyed warnings by the prudent Madame Clorinda, such fellows will be making up a deal of matter to fill their columns, and do they observe a man and a woman showing civil to one another 'twill be an on-dit that there will be an elopement or a crim. con. case or a duel fought over the matter very shortly, and 'tis a squib that entire fails to fire and very soon forgot. I confide that the lady in question is the one that is the mistress of Lord Raxdell, that I have had to do with over the canal: have met her in his company ('twas no lie), and would not show uncivil towards do I encounter her in other society.

But is’t likely, he went on, that I would go poaching in the preserves of an aristocratic gentlemen so famed for his abilities with pistol and sword as His Lordship?

Lowndes grinned. Have heard it whispered that there was a certain young fellow used to go out after rabbits until he met finer game and began courting her; but indeed, you are not some young fool that would put the entire canal plan at risk for a woman’s favours.

Why, I may admit that she is a very fine woman, and exceeding witty into the bargain, very widely admired, 'tis a pleasure to converse with her.

Lowndes looked a little envious.

And 'twould not serve in Town circles to acquire the reputation of some severe Evangelical fellow that would not even show mannerly to a courtesan of her quality but would be turning upon his heel and giving the cut.

Indeed I very much doubt any around here would see such rags or hear such gossip: but do I ever come across 'em can set their minds at rest.

I confide, said Josiah, there are those would be most disappointed to find there was no scandal to be drummed up (for there were certain ladies in the community that took something of a spite against Eliza, a mere farmer’s daughter that had, did you wish to look at it in that light, entrapped the heir to the ironworks, as if he had not been quite desperate to make a match of it himself).

But I hazard, he said, as he rose, you have business to be about, and I should not detain you further.

He paused at the sweetshop to buy treats for the children, and then returned home.  Eliza was reclining upon the sopha, but seemed in most exceeding good spirits. Jos’, my dearest! I think we have a solution to our difficulties!

Do we so? he asked, coming to sit beside her as she rang for tea. She handed him a note. Came by the carrier this very afternoon, she said.

He perused it: 'twas from her cousin Frank, that had but lately been away at school, and had returned to the farm, and was not minded to farming – and since he would not inherit, that was not to be wondered at – and was not inclined to the plan his family had had for him, that was to put him to becoming a country attorney, at least not before he had looked about him a little. And might he come stay a while in the town with Cousin Eliza and her family? Mayhap he could make himself useful by taking the children for their lessons – for indeed there had been some attempt to get him to stay on at the school as an undermaster, but he wished to see a little life beyond the schoolroom first –

Why, this answers exceedingly! said Josiah. Do we say, we are obliged to go do a favour to a relative – and he is an amiable young fellow and the boys like him –

And I mind on you saying that you were impressed with the education he had had at that school –

Indeed, much more in the modern style. I daresay he will not stop very long, for he is at that restless time of life – but perchance he may take a notion to coming into the works? But 'twill certainly get us out of this tangle with the curate.

He leant over and kissed her. Comes about very satisfactory, he said.

That evening he looked with great pleasure about his fine family around him. Harry and Josh reading to their mother, Bess and Meg playing very pretty on the floor with little Quintus, bringing that somewhat solemn child into the chuckles –

O Mama, cried Meg, would it not be the finest thing to have a baby sister?

Oh yes, cried Bess, 'twould be entire delightful, sure Quintus is a dear creature, are you not, my little lambkin? she asked, hugging him to her and giving him a kiss, but Meg and I were saying, sure we are quite outnumbered by brothers and would desire another sister to make all equal.

Why, said Josiah, observing a glint of moisture upon Eliza’s eyelashes, 'tis not somewhat one may go order as though 'twere pig-iron: we must take what comes, and be thankful. (It must come as unhappy remembrance to Eliza, of that small infant girl that never drew breath, between the births of Josh and Quintus.)

Indeed we must, said Eliza. Go on, Harry.

But later, when they were alone, she wept a little upon his shoulder and said, had always wished to give him at least a round dozen fine children, and sure she did indeed quite long for another daughter, 'twas entire foolish.

Well, my dear, I think we may allow that we make very fine offspring together, but I had rather stay at the ones we have and keep my dearest 'Liza.

Did I not say 'twas foolish? For I quite have visions of a cruel stepmother that will also not be as kind as might be to her husband –

Really, my love, I hope you would trust my judgement better than that.

Hmmmph: have I not seen some of the ladies about the town that think I was a wicked designing creature that ensnared you when you were a guileless youth, would greatly like to get their claws into you was I no longer here, would be about spending your money very reckless upon vain adornment &C, have no notion of business or I daresay prudent domestic management –

He gave her a squeeze. Sure there were none of 'em ever tempted me even in their fresher days. But how foolish is my dear Eliza, that I hope to be quite Darby and Joan with – and 'tis by no means the case that your endearing young charms go fade and be ruined, you are still an exceeding fine woman. (For indeed she was, and he did still miss their conjugal pleasures, if not with the same desperate yearning as before he had found other recourse.)

Sure I am a foolish creature! she said with a little sniffle. But I was wise in my choice of a husband.

Cousin Frank was a very amiable young fellow, most exceeding grateful for their hospitality, delighted to come reside in what for him seemed quite a metropolis, exceeding eager to undertake the matter of lessons and any other help he might give to Cousin Eliza. Why, she said with a smile, he would be doing her a great service could he go down to the circulating library and take back her books, and while he was there, see if they had the ones on this list, or might be in the way to get em –

O, there is a circulating library? his face lit up. Would it be extravagant in me to take out a subscription?

Fie, Frank, we can put you on ours, 'tis no great matter.

Josiah grinned to himself. He was reassured to find that Cousin Frank’s notion of the delights of the town was a fine circulating library.

And do you need any paper and pencils and such for teaching the boys, get 'em there and put 'em on our account.

Did he have to leave – and sure there was a deal of business that he needed to be about in Town – he was happier to depart now that there was a less troubled expression upon Josh’s face.

Comments

[aedifica]

Hooray for the cousin!

[jesuswasbatman]

I love how convenient the supposed relationship between Clorinda and Gervase is to all sorts of people!

[genarti]

I'm really enjoying this view of not just Josiah's view of his relationship with Clorinda and the events we've seen through her eyes, but also his view of London connections (like the canal conversation dinner) and family matters and the people of their town, and all kinds of things Clorinda wasn't around for and in some cases might only care about for a loved one's sake. And also, Eliza -- it's awful that she's so tired and sad and pulled down, but we know things will look very much up for all involved, and meantime it's really nice to see the strength of their relationship in a difficult situation before some of those later resolutions.

Also, huzzah for the cousin and for circulating libraries!

[kore]

it's awful that she's so tired and sad and pulled down, but we know things will look very much up for all involved, and meantime it's really nice to see the strength of their relationship in a difficult situation before some of those later resolutions.

That is so well put, yeah.

[rhi]

Oh, cousin Frank is great! I hope he (eventually) goes on to be happy elsewhere. Meanwhile, yay! Eliza has in-house support when Josiah's in Town!

[nenya_kanadka]

*general gleeful squeaking over more Ferrabys*

And oh, I hadn't known (or, remembered, if it was mentioned in Clorinda's narrative) about Eliza's stillborn daughter. Owww.

But Flora!! It really is neat to know there's a lot of happiness in store for them all. ❤❤❤