the_comfortable_courtesan

Back once more home to Eliza and the children, with a deal of presents, including some excellent fine matters that Madame Clorinda obtained through her Company interest and sent to Eliza, along with very kind messages –

O, cried Eliza, such lovely stuffs – I am in some doubt as to whether there is any dressmaker in these parts fit to handle 'em – well, I will go consider – my love, you are looking exceeding well, sure this arrangement answers a deal better.

But you must not think I do not look forward to seeing my wife again and joining her in the matrimonial bed –

La, Mr Ferraby, you are a saucy fellow! Is this the prudent master of the ironworks and the leader in town improvements?

It was entirely agreeable to come home once more, see how well the children did, to feel that the plans for expansion were well under hand, that various other matters proceeded a little more smoothly than they had lately been wont to do –

My dear, he said one day as he went through the letters just delivered, we have received a most exceeding civil invitation from His Grace the Duke of Mulcaster to attend a small house-party he holds at his estate of Nitherholme –

A Duke! cried Eliza, an aristocratic house-party at some great establishment, how should I get on in such case? O Jos’, surely 'tis merely that he wishes your company, he does not go invite me as well?

No, my love, 'tis a very proper occasion, no bachelor-party, married couples, all very sober, his spinster sister Lady Jane Beaufoyle acts his hostess – His Grace said somewhat to me that because he was somewhat rackety in earlier days he is now obliged to go show exceeding proper and in good ton, downright staid – and 'tis a most excellent thing that he invites us thus. There is some matter of iron-workings at Nitherholme that he would desire some counsel concerning: but shows very pleasing that he does not summon me like some tradesman to come look 'em over, no, invites me to a house-party along with various others – I fancy he desires Lord Pockinford’s thoughts concerning their cows, that are given out most out of the common, and the Earl is known an entire virtuoso and leading savant in the matter of cattle –

A Duke! An Earl! What shall I do in such company?

Why, my love, I think you will show exceeding fine –

She gave him a very worried look. And a household of servants that hold themselves high, I doubt not, because they are in aristocratic service – She took a deep breath, and became thoughtful. Well, I will go consider over the matter –

He was a little perturbed that she was so put about in the matter, yet 'twas understandable: had she not suffered somewhat from some of the ladies of the locality that had some prejudices against a farmer’s daughter? Yet – in circles where there was not that ancient knowledge and grounds for resentment, he fancied that Eliza could entire take her place and hold her own –

He went to her one morning to say, did she wish to send to Town for any matters of dress and adornment, she should of course be about that entire expeditious, hang the cost, and found her smiling tearfully at a letter in her hand.

O, Jos’! she said, looking up from it, such thoughtfulness. I writ to Madame Clorinda desiring a little advice upon dress, and any knowledge she had of the company I was like to find myself in at Nitherholme, and o, so kind: she says she will send me Docket to come dress me and advance our consequence – no, she declares sure she does not suppose she could hold Docket from coming do that –

Well, my dear 'Liza, that would answer most exceedingly, and I fancy you could not find a finer in the matter of a lady’s maid than Docket, but I wonder that Madame Clorinda is able to do without her even for such a short space.

Why, Docket confides that young Tibby comes on and there is no great occasion forthcoming that Madame Clorinda needs dress for, so fancies she may do for what is necessary.

It was really most exceeding generous of Madame Clorinda, even so. Seemed to have reconciled Eliza entirely to the prospect of this visit to Nitherholme. Sure he had not intended that, did they start going about in Society, that they would begin with a Ducal house-party, rather than, mayhap, a visit to the Wallaces, 'twas indeed, did he come to think on the matter, somewhat daunting. But sure His Grace was a very pleasant young fellow – he wondered what the spinster sister might be like. Some shy creature that had lived reclusive at Nitherholme these many years, having failed to take upon the marriage market or had a dislike to matrimony? Or mayhap disappointed of some hoped-for match.

Docket arrived by the stage some few days in advance of their purposed departure, so that she could begin upon furbishing up Eliza’s wardrobe. She showed entire civil to Josiah, but then disappeared into Eliza’s sewing-room and was not seen until they were ready to take the private carriage Josiah had hired to bear them to Nitherholme.

How many trunks? said Josiah, somewhat alarmed.

Only three, said Docket, I apprehend 'tis a small fairly informal occasion. And this small valise, that I should prefer to carry inside.

He observed his dear Eliza’s lips twitching somewhat, and her lips shape the words lawks’amercy, this is none of I!

But at last all the trunks were stowed atop the carriage and lashed down, and they got in. The children had already been sent to frolic for a few days upon Eliza’s cousin’s farm, so there were no tearful farewells to be made.

'Twas somewhat of a tedious journey, especial when they got closer to Nitherholme, remote as it was, and the roads became a deal less smooth to ride over and they were jolted about considerable. Sure, said Eliza, this is an improvement they might be about – obtaining interest for setting up a turnpike trust.

I daresay there are not enough travellers for 'em to suppose it worthwhile, said Josiah. Though may come about so. But I fancy may be some matter of a canal is more answerable – should greatly desire Mr Samuels’ thoughts upon the practicalities.

Eliza’s hand crept into his as they came onto to Nitherholme itself. Docket looked out of the window, pursed her lips and said, had no doubt 'twas what artist gentlemen would call extreme picturesque: sure 'tis a wild lonely place.

O, said Eliza, now that is a pretty small house.

I fancy must be the dower-house, my dear – yes, look, as we come round the drive, there is the house itself.

Indeed it had a somewhat gloomy aspect, but inside all was good clean light paint and wallpaper that looked as if 'twas fresh within the last few years, well-polished furniture, flowers, sparkling clean windows – Eliza, he could see, looked about with pleasure for a brief moment, but then felt her hand grip his again as the butler conducted them to His Grace and his sister.

Lady Jane Beaufoyle did not look like a shy recluse: she was a tall woman – he fancied she might even be taller than her tall brother? – and did not at all go stoop or try to conceal her height – with a fine commanding look about her. The kind of woman one might imagine defending Nitherholme against Border raiders, or even riding in pursuit of cattle-stealers herself. Madame Clorinda knew little enough about her: had lived these many years up here with a distant cousin as companion, that had died in a consumption some year or so ago. She had written that His late Grace had not been wont to discuss his daughter with her, quite entire proper, and as Lady Jane had been out of Society so long, even Hattie Daniels had little in the way of report, except that she had an independence left by a great-uncle, and thus had resisted any compulsion to wed.

She looked at them with a severe smile as she said the civil things, and then gestured to a footman to take them to their quarters.

What, said Eliza, we are to sleep separate?

I fancy that is the aristocratic way of things. But at least we are next neighbours. The footman, I apprehend, is also to serve as my valet –

A maid arrived with a can of hot water for Eliza, and he dared say the like was being delivered to his own chamber.

Well, my love, let us wash off the dust of the roads and change into our finery, and go down and be introduced among the company.

Eliza bit her lip. Docket laid a hand upon her arm. Come along, Mrs Ferraby, you will feel a deal better once you have washed and I have took down and brushed your hair and put a little fine soothing lotion to your face.

She turned and bent a freezing look upon the footman. And you, fellow, be about making Mr Ferraby ready for company. As she ushered Eliza into the dressing-room, she could be heard muttering something to the effect that no doubt there were a deal of servants but lately come into this establishment, unused to the requirements of fine service –

Sure the fellow went about to show most exceeding punctilious in his valeting duties after that.

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elainegrey

Hurrah for this view of Docket!

aedifica

Yes! I've always wondered what Docket does to promote Clorinda's (and Eliza's) consequence within a household, and I think we've just seen a tiny bit of it.

kore

But sure His Grace was a very pleasant young fellow – he wondered what the spinster sister might be like. Some shy creature that had lived reclusive at Nitherholme these many years, having failed to take upon the marriage market or had a dislike to matrimony? Or mayhap disappointed of some hoped-for match

Ahahahaha.

Docket looked out of the window, pursed her lips and said, had no doubt 'twas what artist gentlemen would call extreme picturesque: sure 'tis a wild lonely place.

OMG, Docket (she would cut back shrubbery and set it all to rights no doubt, exalt every valley in the crack of fashion)

Lady Jane Beaufoyle did not look like a shy recluse: she was a tall woman – he fancied she might even be taller than her tall brother? – and did not at all go stoop or try to conceal her height – with a fine commanding look about her. The kind of woman one might imagine defending Nitherholme against Border raiders, or even riding in pursuit of cattle-stealers herself.

OMG, now I'm picturing her as like a kind of tall Sybil Vimes. It really is interesting seeing all these people from Jos's perspective.

Docket laid a hand upon her arm. Come along, Mrs Ferraby, you will feel a deal better once you have washed and I have took down and brushed your hair and put a little fine soothing lotion to your face.
She turned and bent a freezing look upon the footman

DOCKET <333

davidgillon

OMG, now I'm picturing her as like a kind of tall Sybil Vimes.

Well, if you swap out the nurturing of swamp dragons for the nurturing of Miss Rabbits :)

he wondered what the spinster sister might be like. Some shy creature that had lived reclusive

{Chortles most unbecomingly}Josiah is still charmingly naïve in some matters.

the Earl is known an entire virtuoso and leading savant in the matter of cattle

He didn't get that opinion from Clorinda!

rymenhild

I just want to say that Josiah and Eliza and Clorinda and everyone are so comforting. When I don't want to deal with everything else awful in the world, the stories you send us make life better. Thank you.