The Ironmaster's Tale (19)
Jun. 8th, 2018 07:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_comfortable_courtesanSure one might have wished for your presence, but I fancy 'twould have caused a deal of a fluster –
Fie, had I but took thought, might have contrived some manner of concealing myself behind a screen – for there was a fellow last night at the General’s, had also been in Madras and had had a deal to do with the princes in those parts, and was saying that although one never saw the ladies of the court, 'twas entirely known that they would be listening and observing from concealment and are oft most noted advizers with the finest understanding of the politics of the situation.
They smiled at one another.
Why, 'tis a contrivance one might consider for future occasion! But indeed they were all excellent fellows of considerable apprehension and learning and most exceeding radical views. Sure I find myself exceeding prepossessed with Mr MacDonald, but that I wonder somewhat would he accept a place with one that has the tinsel show of rank. I am also in a little concern that he does not entirely trust His Lordship’s sincere adherence to matters of reform – caught him looking at him once or twice with a very thoughtful expression.
I daresay Milord has already formed some opinions of his own!
I daresay! But how was your card-party at the General’s?
O, entire agreeable – very mild play, 'twould not have pleased Abby had she been there, but 'twas largely an excuse for society. Mostly old comrades of the General’s from the Indies, one or two from East India House, Mr Hacker, that took the opportunity to have a convocation with a fellow that had been a surgeon in the Company’s service. Sure one is astonished that any survive their service in the Indies.
But, she went on, I go get into an entire fret over this soirée I purpose, and would open the various matters to you to be assured I do not go be over-ambitious and aspire beyond my capabilities –
My dear Madame Clorinda, have already heard from some several of your set how much anticipation they are in of that occasion.
O, truly? She looked pleased. But, dear Mr Ferraby, I would just convoke a little with you over the matters of the supper-table and the music to be assured that all seems proper to you.
He looked at her very fondly and said, he doubted not that she entirely went about to soothe his masculine vanity, for he confided that she could arrange a soirée within a day or two’s notice with one hand tied behind her.
She blushed and said, sure he was a shocking flatterer, and doubtless had some design upon her.
How comfortably companionable they were, to be sure. Why, indeed I have some designs upon you, but they will wait, do you care to open to me these matters of supper-table and music &C.
So she smiled, and opened the matters to him, and indeed they were quite entire beyond criticism, and in due course she came sit upon his knee, and her hair came cascading out of its pins once more, and all was entire delightful.
How very fine and handsome was the reception room: doubtless those were the fine Turkey carpets that Lord Sallington has sent from Constantinople upon the floor. A splendid blaze of candles. Miss Gowing was setting out cards and counters and grumbling a little to Madame Clorinda – I cannot believe that you extended an invitation to that rattle Hattie Daniels! Sure she will be provided with gossip for a fortnight at least.
La, my dear, I had rather have her here, and see how mild an occasion 'tis, than speculating upon it and spreading wild phantasms of what went forth.
Miss Gowing snorted. Fie, do you suppose do you take her up a little you may bend her to your own ends?
Why, can be no disadvantage to hear her intelligence –
Miss Gowing gave a sudden smile. O, Clo’, she said with a sigh, I suppose there is somewhat comes to her moves your tender heart to pity, 'tis the old tale. You go advance the lady’s interest, and do her a favour, I hope it may not serve you some ill turn.
Even if 'tis so, said Madame Clorinda in the nearest to a testy tone he had ever heard in her, 'tis quite entire none of your business, Abby.
Abby Gowing laid a hand for a moment on her friend’s shoulder. I am a sorry teaze, she said in remorseful tones, and you in the frets over this occasion.
O, poo, said Madame Clorinda, with a somewhat vigorous tap of the fan on Miss Gowing’s arm, I am not –
At this moment came in Miss Lewis and Miss McKeown with their music portfolios, and introductions were made. They and Madame Clorinda went to have their heads together over at the piano.
Miss Gowing shook her head. Quite the softest-hearted of creatures, she said.
Mayhap, said Josiah, but I apprehend also has a level head.
She gave him a thoughtful look. 'Tis so, she agreed, looking around at the room.
And then the company began arrive. Indeed, 'twas exceeding gratifying to see how many of 'em there were and how little they went manifest consequence by arriving extreme late. Showed very civil to Madame Clorinda, bowing over her hand – Lord, was Mr Nixon about making sheep’s eyes at her? – he turned to Abby Gowing, who cast up her eyes. La, I fancy he is smitten, the great bore.
He watched Madame Clorinda move among the company, making introductions between those not already acquainted, bringing together those that might find agreeable converse together, as Hector went about with wine. Sir Barton came over, gave Miss Gowing a somewhat familiar caress, and sat down at the gaming table, where he was shortly joined by Mr Hacker, Mr Pargiter and General Yeomans.
Why, said Boxtell, coming up to Josiah, 'tis a very fine company Madame Clorinda brings together – sure, here is Lord Raxdell, shows most excellent ton by coming so early. But who are those ladies beside the piano?
That is Miss Lewis and Miss McKeown, that will provide us with a little genteel musical entertainment the e’en.
Excellent! Hah, I see Mr Donald is somewhat taken with the plump little one. – Indeed, Donald, that had shown himself so very helpful over the intricacies of the laws on patents, was making most exceeding civil to Miss Lewis. – But is not the taller one a fine-looking woman? That chestnut hair reminds me of my mother.
Later on, Josiah observed Boxtell gazing with a quite infatuated air at Miss McKeown as she sang some pretty Scottish airs. Well, the fellow was a widower with grown children, could be no objection at all in the matter.
Sure the thing was going exceeding well: no brangles at the card table, a deal of good and very civil conversation, an excellent and much-praised supper, the music entire delightful. Sure even Pargiter looked less sour than usual, or mayhap 'twas just that the cards ran his way.
And when all had gone – indeed, had lingered a flattering time! – Madame Clorinda sat plump down into a chair, slipped off her fine kid slippers and said, La, I fancy 'twas not an entire disaster.
He went to put his arms around her and kiss the top of her head. 'Twas an entire triumph, my dear. I fancy, from what was being said as all departed, that you will have a deal of solicitations for invitations to the next one you hold.
She turned her head to look up at him. Say you so! Why, I daresay you go flatter me with some design to beguile your way to my bed –
Well, I know not how it goes with you, but I find myself most exceeding weary.
Why, would not deny that has been a somewhat exhausting enterprize; but I fancy has done well. She took his hand and rested her cheek against it.
Indeed they were inclined for naught but slumber, and 'twas somewhat late of the morn that they rose. When they went breakfast, Hector said very chearful that there was a deal of little notes and cards arrived.
Madame Clorinda smiled and said, dared say she should pass what remained of the forenoon about looking at 'em: but I confide you have business to be about, Mr Ferraby?
Alas that 'tis so: but, might we dine - ?
She looked a little considering and then said, 'twas entire well, and would go speak to Seraphine about the matter.
Sure matters were coming about most extreme satisfactory; no longer, oh, mayhap, or leave your card, or call at some other season. No, it was, come in, Mr Ferraby, and what might we do for you the day? or good news about some business that was upon hand, or his advice desired. Entire gratifying.
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Date: 2018-06-08 03:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-08 09:10 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-08 11:05 pm (UTC)Why, can be no disadvantage to hear her intelligence –
Miss Gowing gave a sudden smile. O, Clo’, she said with a sigh, I suppose there is somewhat comes to her moves your tender heart to pity, 'tis the old tale. You go advance the lady’s interest, and do her a favour, I hope it may not serve you some ill turn.
Even if 'tis so, said Madame Clorinda in the nearest to a testy tone he had ever heard in her, 'tis quite entire none of your business, Abby.
Abby Gowing laid a hand for a moment on her friend’s shoulder. I am a sorry teaze, she said in remorseful tones, and you in the frets over this occasion.
O, poo, said Madame Clorinda, with a somewhat vigorous tap of the fan on Miss Gowing’s arm, I am not –
I love we get to see more of their dynamic, and more of Abby too.
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Date: 2018-06-11 12:13 am (UTC)*uses Abby icon*
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Date: 2018-06-11 12:14 am (UTC)