The Ironmaster's Tale (22)
Jun. 11th, 2018 07:29 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
the_comfortable_courtesanFrank spoke with great enthusiasm about the children’s aptitude for learning – sure, they were an entire pleasure to teach, he might not be in the same case with those that were more reluctant scholars – supposed that in time Cousin Ferraby would be about sending the boys to school? Mayhap finding a governess for Bess and Meg, to instruct 'em in the ladylike accomplishments, for he fancied that Cousin Eliza had entire too much to be about to undertake the matter –
Why, you are entire welcome to stay as long as you wish, Mrs Ferraby entirely praises how useful you make yourself about the household, but I daresay you have ambitions?
They were silent for a while as they negotiated a somewhat steep spot, and then Frank said, why, he had had some thoughts about his future but had no idea whether they might prove answerable. Cousin Eliza had said that did he have any notion towards iron she was like to think Cousin Ferraby might find him some place in the works, or there are various other enterprizes about this area where they had some interest; but somehow his inclinations did not turn in that direction.
They reached a point where they might look over the town, and Frank remarked that sure one could see that the ironworks were exceeding fine, and Harry was impatient for the day when he might take his own place there –
Josiah chuckled. 'Tis some several years off yet, he said.
You will likely think it foolish, said Frank, but I have quite the greatest fancy to India.
Why, Mrs Ferraby has been telling me that you go to missionary meetings, and one hears that the Company is now obliged to admit missionaries to the parts under their rule –
O, I have no fancy to be a missionary! – one would, I apprehend, have to take orders – and – no, I do not feel that I have as 'twere a call to the mission field. No, would greatly wish to go into the Company’s service – not on the military side, I do not think I am cut out for a soldier – but I have no notion how one might go about applying for a post.
Josiah contemplated this for a few moments. May be a hard and somewhat dangerous life in those parts, he said at length, mindful of General Yeomans’ tales.
Frank snorted. One may stay all one’s days in the same spot and be cut off in one’s youth with the smallpox or some low fever, and at least did I go to India I would have seen somewhat of the world.
Josiah sighed. Well, is that your desire, once I am returned to Town I will go ask about as to how the thing is managed and whether 'tis feasible.
Oh, Cousin Ferraby, I should be most exceedingly obliged!
Why, I make no promises – may be all posts are reserved to sons and nephews of Company servants, though I fancy there was some outcry about patronage and 'twas opened up somewhat more to merit – but I will see what might be done.
They walked on a while, and Josiah opened the question of how Frank found Eliza.
Frank responded that he thought she came around to be a little better, though still obliged to spend a deal of time lying upon the sopha, and looking weary at the end of the day: he tried to take as much as he could from her hands, but between household matters, the ironworks, and business to do with the improvements in the town, he was like to think that she tended to overdo. Indeed, Cousin Ferraby, I wonder if it might benefit her to go to the seaside or some watering-place, where she might rest?
Josiah sighed. I am sure 'twould, but the difficulty would be to get her to concede to it.
I quite see that! What an exceedingly fine woman she is, even somewhat pulled down: I fancy that Mr Dalgleish and Mr Lowndes both have a considerable admiration for her.
Do they so!
Oh, I am sure they would not offer anything improper, but they seem to find her company most agreeable when they come upon matters of business.
Why, I think that shows that they have excellent judgement!
Oh, they are very fine fellows! And have also a great admiration for you. Mr Lowndes wonders that you do not seek election to Parliament.
Josiah snorted. As if I do not have enough upon hand at present – though sure there are fellows that write MP after their names upon whom the responsibilities sit very lightly. But indeed, was I to seek election would be with a view to active participation in the government of the nation. But 'tis such a bad system – And 'twould mean a deal more time spent away from home –
Frank nodded. That must be a consideration, he said, to one that has a wife and family.
'Tis so, agreed Josiah. (But, indeed – no, he did not yearn precisely for Madame Clorinda, but surely he might look forward somewhat to seeing her again? These visits to Town no longer seemed the tiresome burden they had once been.)
Returning to Town, and entering once more at her front door, somehow there was a difference now that he was a resident of the establishment and no mere visitor. Hector beamed upon him and informed him that he had been going lesson himself upon some of the finer points of valeting with Lord Raxdell’s man, Frederique.
Why, you go improve yourself, I see.
Madame, said Hector, has also obtained interest with Ferguson, that is the butler at Mulcaster House, for me to learn a little more of those mysteries.
Josiah smiled and conveyed him a guinea. He proceeded on into the pretty parlour, where Madame Clorinda jumped up from the sopha and came embrace him very hearty. My dear Mr Ferraby! 'Tis an entire delight to see you again! They kissed.
He held her a little away from him to scrutinize her looks: indeed she looked exceeding well, the dear creature.
She began quite babble of the various arrangements there were upon hand – a soirée in prospect, for all were entire anxious to see him again – some several household matters – there were a deal of cards and notes for him kept by against his arrival – o, she said, la, I run on. Oh, she said, casting down her eyes, I daresay 'tis not proper for me to say so, but oh, what a most excellent lady is Mrs Ferraby – such a kind letter as I could never have expected to receive – sure I should have known that your choice of a wife would have been most out of the common exceeding fine, 'tis a sad thing that she no longer enjoys the best of health –
Why, those sentiments do you entire credit, I see that you have quite penetrated to her surpassing qualities –
O, 'tis not just my own opinion! Here is Seraphine most greatly desires embark on an exchange of receipts, Docket is quite entire prepossessed with the fine lotion she sent, is there at all aught we might do for her – I mind me that is she somewhat of an invalid, she might find a cashmere shawl a most exceeding grateful thing? I fancy I might put you in the way of acquiring a very fine one.
That is quite the happiest thought, my dear. And I mind she mentioned that, although we do now have an excellent circulating library in the town, she would be very pleased to have your recommendations of the newer books that they may not have yet.
Oh! sure, I will be about making up a reading list. But, my dear Mr Ferraby, do you sit down, sure I am a shocking hostess, and I will be about ringing for tea, or somewhat stronger should you wish it.
He took his accustomed place beside the fire, and said tea would be entirely welcome, finding himself relishing the pretty domesticity of this arrival. Sure there would be quite ample time for smelting.
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Date: 2018-06-11 10:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-12 03:56 am (UTC)I love them all so much!
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Date: 2018-06-12 05:18 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2018-06-12 05:17 pm (UTC)<3
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Date: 2018-06-12 05:16 am (UTC)//VIBRATES WITH ANTICIPATION
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Date: 2018-08-13 12:01 am (UTC)(psst: 'They walked on a whole, and Josiah opened the question of how Frank found Eliza.' -I wondered if it was a whole mile, and then realized it probably was meant to be 'a while.')
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Date: 2018-08-14 09:01 am (UTC)