The Ironmaster's Tale (40)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sure the fellow went about to show most exceeding punctilious in his valeting duties after that. Rigged out in one of his fine new suits, Josiah was himself inclined to cry this is none of I!, but merely smiled a little and commended the fellow. Then went and tapped on Eliza’s door.

Docket opened it to him with a small smile upon her harsh features. He looked beyond her to see his dear wife quite remarkable elegant arrayed, a fine lace cap upon her hair, and –

Eliza looked down at the necklace. Docket assures me that garnets are quite in order for this evening – would not wish to make a very great show, that must await His Grace going dine his neighbours more ceremonious.

Even were they merely garnets, he confided that the cattish set at home would cry that Mrs Ferraby quite got above her exceeding humble origins: but himself, he thought she looked very fine indeed, and wondered that he had never thought of buying her fine jewels. (Perchance because of those spiteful ladies.)

Why, my dear, sure I shall be envied for my exceeding fine wife. He linked his arm into hers. Let us go downstairs and greet the company.

'Twas not a large party: the Earl and Countess of Pockinford, Lord and Lady Fendersham, the Honble Robert Gartslade and his wife, Mr and Mrs Leighton Jones. The Fendershams and the Gartslades, Josiah apprehended, were, if not near neighbours, residing in the same part of the country and thus knew somewhat of how matters went on there, that must be of considerable interest to His Grace that had been living so distant so long. The Leighton Jones were some family connexion: and, he came about to discover, Mr Jones had interest in certain manufactories and had quite the greatest desire to make acquaintance with one that might put him in the way of good iron.

After the ladies had withdrawn after dinner, and port went round the table, Lord Pockinford was wishful to hear about whether the Turks had anything of remark in the way of cattle? He fancied that they could by no means compare to the cows that were now bred in England, and went expatiate somewhat upon the very great improvements that had come about of recent years.

His Grace said that alas, he had not had much time to give to investigating agriculture among the Ottomans – was kept very busy about the Embassy, occasional got a ride about the countryside –

Any decent fishing? asked Mr Leighton Jones. His Grace allowed that there had been some very agreeable fishing from time to time.

Fendersham chuckled lewdly as the port went round for the third time, and said, but sure you fellows come at the matter very round about. I confide His Grace has tales of finer game than fish in those parts.

Fie, said the Duke with somewhat of a grimace, is one in the Diplomatic one must go about very cautious in such matters: 'twould not aid the reputation of our nation to be discovered about creeping over a wall into some hareem or such. That are guarded by fellows that may be eunuchs but are extreme fierce and carry exceeding sharp swords, that also renders one cautious.

And, suggested young Mr Gartslade, must be a little vexing, not knowing what a lady looks like until she is unwrapped? One might quite imagine there may be disappointments.

Indeed, said His Grace: fine flashing eyes above a veil may fly a deceptive flag.

Oho, said Fendersham, winking, I fancy there is a tale there.

Why, said the Duke, sure when I first went to Constantinople I was very young and like to have romantic notions out of the Arabian Nights: but I pray you, do not make me reveal my follies. He laughed. But m’sister has exhorted me not to keep the gentlemen lingering too long over port and snuff, so shall we go join the ladies?

They went into the drawing-room, where he saw Eliza and Mrs Jones and Mrs Gartslade clustered about Lady Fendersham, a young woman that, he observed, looked to be increasing and at present in some distress. They were casting rather dubious looks at Lady Pockinford, that Lady Jane was, he saw, endeavouring to distract with some matter.

The company seemed a little uneasy – sure Lady Jane was not one that made for social ease! But sure, had she lived so reclusive 'twas little wonder – and as all had arrived the day, seemed entire in order that all went to bed most exceeding early.

My dear, said Josiah, as they attained to their chambers, what was that ado in the drawing-room?

Eliza sighed. O, Lady Pockinford is one of those ladies greatly enjoys discoursing of medical horrors, in particular those that come in childbirth or to children, and here is poor Lady Fendersham, a young woman that goes bear her first, 'twas quite the most tactless of things, do you not think so? I fancy from her manner Lady Jane considers such discussions in quite the worst of ton even is there no particular personal implication for the company. So those of us that are already mothers went reassure the poor young thing – sure she is young to be married to a fellow of his years, 'tis his second marriage and there are step-children –

Why, my dear, I am glad that you might go about to soothe her mind. He kissed her, adding that he had no doubt they were both exceeding weary. Eliza nodded, rested her forehead a moment against his shoulder, and went into her chamber.

Well, thought Josiah, going to his own, Pockinford seemed amiable enough if somewhat of a mind with but a single thought, that being cows, and Leighton Jones was an agreeable fellow, and Gartslade a pleasant mannerly young man, but Fendersham, he fancied, was one to whom the Duke was obliged to make civil for much the same reasons as he himself was obliged to go conciliate the vicar. And he could not like the way that that noble lord had been looking upon Eliza, 'twas most unsuitable for one that was, he apprehended, quite lately married to a much younger lady that was about breeding.

The next morn showed a fine fresh day. The footman showed apt enough about the task of shaving and dressing Josiah, and bore himself respectful – Josiah dared say he had been frightened into it by Docket.

He tapped upon Eliza’s door, that was opened to him by Docket. She dipped him a brief curtesy and said, I was just about putting on Mrs Ferraby’s cap, she will be ready in a moment.

And in scarcely more than a minute, Eliza came out from the dressing-room in what he supposed was what one would call a morning-gown? and looking exceeding well in it. He kissed her very heartily and hoped she had found an appetite for breakfast.

Oh, I daresay! The air here is very good, is it not? She linked her arm into his. Indeed, she said, while Lady Jane is so terrifying, sure she shows thus to all, and while Lady Pockinford’s conversation leaves a deal to be desired, I have not yet encountered any spiteful animadversions upon my origins. Mrs Leighton Jones seems a very agreeable cheerful lady, and Mrs Robert Gartslade a pleasant young woman, that I fancy sighs a little for Town in their remote Cumbrian fastness.

They came to the breakfast room: a fine spread was laid out upon a sideboard. Do you sit down, said Josiah, and I will go make you up a nice little plateful.

Eliza went sit down next to the cheerful Mrs Leighton Jones, that said sotto voce, 'twould be wise to praise the butter and cream, that are of Lady Jane’s own making. Raising her voice, she went on, Lady Fendersham stays abed the morn – her maid takes her up some tea and dry toast, 'tis all one can face at such a time.

Entirely the best thing, agreed Eliza. I wonder would the kitchens here have any ginger, 'tis exceeding sovereign for queasiness.

Ginger, you say? asked Mrs Robert Gartslade. I must remember that. Sure I suffered considerable in that way when I was bearing little Michael.

Having provided Eliza with a nice plate of breakfast, Josiah withdrew as he could see that the ladies were embarked upon a fine womanly discourse of matters of breeding and children, and boasting a little upon their own offspring – even Lady Pockinford did not go dwell upon horrors, but mentioned that her son – Lord Demington – was just embarked upon his Grand Tour, to convey him a little polish and give him some notion of the sorts and conditions of men. Her daughter – Lady Rosamund – was yet still in the schoolroom. She looked a little regretful at that and one might speculate that the girl was just a little too young to be cast upon the marriage market when such a prize as the new Duke of Mulcaster was to be won. No doubt a number of young girls were like to be introduced somewhat premature into Society.

Comments

[rmc28]

Oh goodness, Lady P. And the foreshadowing of Little V, launched all too early.

[davidgillon]

And of Lady Rosamund!

[aedifica]

Biffle is showing his diplomacy! He turned that question off quite smoothly.

[kore]

GARNETS. <33 C- and Docket and E-, this is so great.

Do you sit down, said Josiah, and I will go make you up a nice little plateful.

That was so touching for some reason! Loved it.

[rhi]

I loved that, and I loved Josiah going, "Why have I not bought her more jewelry?" Lovely foreshadowing that that is about to be somewhat remedied!