The Ironmaster's Tale (37)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

The next morning Josiah was obliged to go to the City to see some tedious fellows there about business, he remarked as he breakfasted with Madame Clorinda, but then met with His Grace of Mulcaster at his club to talk iron, and then purposed to go call upon Sir Barton Wallace and leave his card to inform him that he was in Town – there is a matter of a bill goes through Parliament, would desire his interest in.

Why, one hears he becomes most unwonted attentive to his Parliamentary duties of late! Seldom seen about his old haunts, quite Benedick the married man.

Becomes quite devoted to his wife, agreed Josiah, that is a fine clever lady.

Hah! I fancy that is not what the dreadful crocodile anticipated! I apprehend, from what is already give out, that for all her fine breeding and very pleasing fortune, Lady Wallace is not the docile broodmare the Old Lady had in mind.

Josiah smiled. Indeed not, he said. Very much has a mind of her own.

Well, my dear, if you are about your business, I will spend the forenoon about writing letters &C, and then go visit Sir Zoffany’s studio and see his new painting, and pay my respects to the wombatt this afternoon. And do you have no invitations to go dine, mayhap we might dine quietly here at home the e’en?

There could be no more agreeable plan, he considered, taking his leave.

His business in the City expeditiously dispatched, he took a carriage to the Duke’s club – where His Grace apologized most civil for not inviting him to Mulcaster House, but he was so lately returned that matters were still somewhat at sixes and sevens there. He dared say he would have to beg his sister to leave Nitherholme and come act his hostess.

Sure I was in no anticipation of succeeding yet! But since I have done, must take up the duties and, alas, go show myself a sober fellow, for there are those still recall the wild young Lord Sallington that I was before I fell into better company. He smiled.

After some general idle converse, His Grace moved on to the matter of the iron-workings at Nitherholme – greatly neglected, m’father paid 'em no mind, considered it somewhat beneath him, but looking over the position of my estates I find they are not in such a condition that one should ignore somewhat that may turn to profit –

Entirely so, said Josiah. From what I hear of your father, he was a fine gentleman of the old school, and had many virtues that go with that, but these days, one must mind on modern ways.

Indeed: 'tis not a matter of wanting to keep up state but to be able properly to undertake my responsibilities. The young Duke sighed. Of course, one thing I am obliged to do is marry, and there are those that urge I should look about me for a lady that will bring in a fine portion, but –

Why, there is no harm in thinking of that, and sure I know that in your station marriages are not made up in the way they are among us lesser folk –

The Duke sighed again and said, Indeed one is constrained as to one’s choice.

 - but I fancy that even so, liking is of considerable importance.

The Duke made a wry mouth and said, ladies are like to show themselves most exceeding amiable towards an eligible Duke, 'tis exceeding hard to sound their characters. But, let us talk of iron.

Josiah came away with a great liking towards the Duke, that he had not expected, and with a considerable desire to go look over the workings at Nitherholme to see what might be done with ‘em. 'Twas a remote spot – he should like to go look at maps – mayhap a canal would be of material benefit –

Also showed a pleasing disposition towards undertaking improvements.

Intending only to leave a card at the Wallaces, Josiah was informed that Sir Barton was in, and would be delighted to see Mr Ferraby.

He found himself taking tea with Sir Barton and his lady and discussing the matter of the bill currently before Parliament, and various other matters that might come before the Commons, and really, Lady Wallace had the sharpest apprehensions in the matter, and where they might find support, and how they might come about to persuade those that might be opposed. Sir Barton looked upon her very doating.

But as he rose to leave Sir Barton said, was just a thing I wished to show you – is in my study – before you go –

Josiah bowed over Lady Wallace’s hand as she conveyed messages of esteem for Eliza.

In his study Sir Barton hummed and hawed for a few seconds and then said, do you know has Madame Clorinda any intelligence concerning Miss Gowing, that has not been seen about Town these some several weeks? Sure I know I behaved very shabbily towards her, and would desire to ensure that she is not in want now I have gone marry. I hope she has not done somewhat reckless.

Josiah shrugged. Madame Clorinda has not said aught concerning the present situation of Miss Gowing, he said, but I shall ask her has she knowledge of her whereabouts.

Should be extreme grateful, said Sir Barton. Heard she had took up with that clergyman Thorne, that then married some mathematical miss most hugger-mugger just afore he sailed for the antipodes? I am like to fancy she must be some great heiress and 'tis an elopement.

One heard that his conduct was somewhat unsuited to his cloth – frequenting gambling-hells &C – so mayhap 'twas the case.

Returning to Madame Clorinda’s, he was informed by Hector that Madame had but lately returned home and was dressing: do you go into the parlour, Mr Ferraby, and I will bring you some brandy, and she will be down very shortly I confide.

He sipped brandy and looked over the notes he had lately made in his little memorandum book and indeed, very shortly entered Madame Clorinda, looking very well with her hair in a very becoming style. He stood up to go and embrace her, and thence to draw her to sit upon his knee and offer her a sip of brandy from his glass.

He spoke of his visit to Sir Barton and how greatly he had changed, and of his concern about the present condition of Abby Gowing.

O, said Madame Clorinda, Sir Zoffany supposes that she is gone abroad and is playing the tables in some continental spaw – mayhap Baden.

So Mr Thorne did not achieve the fair penitent he strove for? He went on to ask further about the mysterious marriage – all she could say was indeed there was a marriage and that the lady was said to be of a mathematical inclination.

Well, said Josiah, Mr T- is an excellent fellow and I hope that she values him as he deserves. But, my dear, while we discourse of our set, I am most heartily relieved at the cordiality Lord Raxdell manifests towards me. I was quite afeared he would come in waving a pistol or at the very least offer to call me out, but he seems entire rational and good-humour’d.

O, said Madame Clorinda with a sigh, as I have been obliged so oft to recount, 'twas a matter of evil rumours set going by some secret enemy. His Lordship and I are entirely reconciled and on our old terms, but there is ever one or another has but lately seen some coarse Holywell Street print that was made upon the matter some several months since and will go interrogate what is the ado.

'Twas most surprizing, Josiah went on, to hear of his conduct, for although 'tis quite clear that he holds you in the highest esteem and has the greatest affection towards you, I had never thought him one that was passionately ardent in his feelings. To be a favourite of yours gives him considerable consequence, of course, but…

'Twas indeed most unexpected, she said, but I never did fathom out entirely the full matter of the venomous rumours that were being put about and what suspicions might have been evoked.

He observed a little firmness about her mouth that suggested that she was holding back secrets. Perchance there was somewhat ado with Lord Raxdell’s concealed passion. Sure it was entire proper in her to keep his confidences.

Comments

[adrian_turtle]

I love watching Clorinda keep G's secrets (remembering that he is committing capital crimes) as Josiah grows closer and understands her better.

[rymenhild]

Is this when Tibby did Clorinda's hair for the first time? Yay Tibby!