The Ironmaster's Tale (32)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sure they had a most agreeable Yuletide, now that Eliza was so exceeding well, and able to go into the kitchen as she had formerly done and cook all the traditional seasonal dishes. And he took the children about to gather greenery to deck the house, and to choose a fine Yule-log to burn in the hearth. All quite entirely agreeable and so much happier than the last year or two.

But then it was the long cold dark winter months, and some several troubles at the works – sure 'twas entire time they went about expansion! – and a deal of bickering breaking out over various matters to do with improvements, and exchanges of cross letters in the newspaper –

And the children having coughs and colds and as a result brangling very fretful among themselves.

My dear, said Eliza, after one such outbreak, you will be exceeding glad to go up to Town again, I daresay.

Oh, mayhap and perchance. Should not wish to leave just yet – am like to think matters will come round shortly to such a condition that I may leave 'em to other hands – but –

There was a short pause. Jos’, my dear, she began, after this silence, mayhap I am a foolish demanding wife –

What, my love, you? Tell me who says so and I will go punch 'em on the nose.

O, 'tis my own conscience says it to me! But sure I should very much like to go to Town with you some time – 'tis not just a matter of a jaunt to see the sights and the fine shops, but I should like to consult Mr Hacker once more, and now I am so well should not wish to put him at the trouble of coming here –

There is no trouble comes to you - ? He saw her hung head. Fie, I apprehend you go ask again whether we may risk increase and mayhap gratify Bess and Meg with a little sister.

You quite find me out! For indeed I feel so very well –

Why, even was it just for a matter of pleasure, 'twould be entire delightful to have you in Town with me, my love. (For it came to him that did he have Eliza with him, he would be held from the temptation to go call upon Madame Clorinda and cast himself once more at her feet.) Of course, there is a deal of business I have to be about – but you will collect that I said that Sir Barton Wallace had lately married, perchance you might call upon his wife for a little feminine company?

Eliza looked a little startled at this suggestion. Why, do you think it proper, Jos’, now that he goes marry –

I will go at once write to him and ask may you call. And I am like to suppose you have a plan to send the children to your cousins’ farm?

Would it not be most exceeding healthful for 'em, after they have been so sickly all winter? And sure they owe us a favour or two for our services to Frank.

So the plan was made, and all put entirely in order. Evenden expressed himself entirely gratified to host Mrs Ferraby as well as her husband – Josiah had been in some hope he would declare that it was too much of a bachelor establishment to welcome a lady and so they might take decent lodgings or even stay at an inn. But indeed there was no positive objection to Evenden’s hospitality.

Although Eliza declared herself so entirely in health, he did not like that she should suffer the rigours of the journey by stage, and so hired a private carriage for the two of them.

Fie, my dear, you go about to spoil me entirely!

Not in the least, my love.

So they travelled in considerable comfort to Town and were made most effusive welcome by Evenden. Josiah could feel Eliza looking sharp-eyed at the place as they were shown to their bedchamber, and the sitting-room they might use for their own, and all the various splendours of the place that Evenden was eager to show off.

Of course, he said, a lady would not be interested in his laboratory –

Eliza very mannerly did not go snort at this.

Why, she said, when they were left alone, as she bounced upon the fine large bed, indeed 'tis somewhat of a bachelor establishment. But, she said, lifting the covers and running a hand over the sheets, at least the beds are aired, his housekeeper has some understanding of what’s what.

Indeed: and sure I have taken the time to speak to her and praise such matters and convey her a compliment or so during my stay.

Well, my love, I hope I have got you into good habits of noticing such things. Now, I daresay we take a little quiet supper here the e’en?

'Tis so. Evenden waxes most apologetic, but there is some convocation goes forward at the Royal Society that would not wish to miss, would we excuse him.

I fancy I should prefer not to have to make civil! but dine very quiet with my husband as we go make plans. For I see, my love, that there are a deal of notes and cards have been left for you.

Josiah looked at them and sighed. For they had not been arranged in the tidy fashion that Hector would have undertaken, but left very higgledy-piggledy upon a tray. Well, let us go into our sitting-room and ring for tea and be about looking at these.

So they went into the sitting-room, and rang for tea, and while the china was very fine, the tea itself was by no means comparable to that that came from Seraphine’s kitchen – I suppose, said Eliza, 'tis some matter of London water that I have heard of?

I daresay, said Josiah. Well, here is one for you, that I fancy from the seal is from Lady Wallace – and another, that I know not who it may be from –

O! cried Eliza, breaking the wafer and opening it, 'tis Mr Samuels’ young lady. How very kind – she regrets that she may not invite me to take tea at her home, because 'tis so disagreeable there at present over her determination to wed him, but offers that perchance we might go visit the British Museum together? I fancy from what he said that she is a little eccentrique in her ways, but quite the finest creature, as one may apprehend from her devotion to him.

Why, my dear, indeed the Museum is a thing one must see, and it would be good in you to show civil to Miss Knowles. Most fortunately, I do not have any business entanglements with Mr Knowles, that has his fingers in a deal of pies from what I hear, exceeding fine large mansion in the City, have heard of him from Boxtell.

And Lady Wallace writes most extreme civil: would be charmed would I call upon her – perchance we might dine with 'em while we are in Town –

My dearest, do not look so anxious. Sir Barton is a fine amiable fellow, excellent good heart.

Well, my love, do you think it proper. But she still looked worried.

However, once she had made acquaintance of Lady Wallace she seemed greatly reassured: came back from her first call upon her quite bubbling over.

Jos’! You never told me that there is a limestone quarry upon Sir Barton’s Somerset estate!

Why, my love, I do not think Sir Barton ever spoke of the matter to me. But, a limestone quarry, you say?

Quite so! and Lady Wallace entire appreciates that that is a very fine thing to have, and that 'tis a matter that we might have some interest in, and goes about to bring her husband to see the very great advantages there might be in some mutual arrangement.

Josiah laughed somewhat immoderate. Why, indeed he has wedded a clever wife!

O, very much so! And has quite the finest understanding of politics.

Say you so! And do we go dine with 'em?

Indeed we do.

She also had quite the happiest excursion to the British Museum with Miss Knowles, and plans for the seeing of further sights.

Comments

[rymenhild]

Eliza is so crafty!

[aedifica]

The British Museum! I should make an icon sometime of one of my photos from there. I'm glad Eliza enjoyed her visit too!

[kore]

ELIZA <33

[violsva]

Oh, Eliza! And dear Lady W- and Mrs S- (to be).

[nenya_kanadka]

Eliza! Susannah Wallace! Martha! *happiness*

Though I confess I am in such great eagerness to see Eliza meet Clorinda that I can't quite pay attention to intervening plot points properly. Hee. ❤❤❤

[tamarillow]

I am torn between wanting to see the plot points from early book one from the other side as soon as possible, wanting the expansion of the plot to go on forever...

[nenya_kanadka]

I have this precise quandary myself!

[castiron]

It's nice to get a view of what everyone's doing when they're not around Clorinda.

Susannah!

And the Cluebat of Wisdom is being loaded....

[castiron]

Tangential question: when is volume 7 due to go up on Amazon? (i.e. will it be going up soon enough that it's worth waiting on ordering my current cart for a couple of days so I can add it to the order?)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Matters have been a bit put back because of my travels - I'm hoping to go live with Vol 7 at the end of next week.

[castiron]

Thanks!