the_comfortable_courtesan

After breakfast the gentlemen went smoke upon the terrace, the weather being fine. His Grace remarked in an undertone to Josiah as he offered him a fine cigar that he would have preferred to puff at his hookah, but no doubt did he so the on-dit would go round that he became an entire Turk. He raised his voice in order to propose that those that cared to might ride out with him about the estate – he could mount any that did not bring their own cattle –

Josiah groaned a little inwardly – he had not lately been in much habit of riding and foresaw that he would feel it later did he do so – but sure he should like to see over the estate, and 'twould show civil. 'Tis exceeding kind, he said, should certainly find that most agreeable.

Or m’sister offers show any that care to see over the gardens and the Home Farm.

In the end the gentlemen of the party, along with Lady Pockinford and Mrs Robert Gartslade, chose to go on the ride, leaving Eliza, young Lady Fendersham, that was now up and about though looking a little pale, and Mrs Leighton Jones, to the tender mercies of Lady Jane.

They were obliged to spend perchance rather longer than Josiah would have liked going look at the cows and admiring 'em, and hearing Lord Pockinford expatiate on what were the points to note that indicated excellence in their kind; but in due course after a ride across the moors, they came to the iron-workings, that were indeed not in the modern way of things. But Josiah fancied that, was His Grace able to make some investment in bringing 'em about, might do exceeding well for him. But would like to look into the books, and mayhap scrutinize any maps there were.

As they rode on to see some curious ruins, that were given out to have been a hermitage of the Middle Ages, Josiah was able to exchange a few words with the Duke, that said he was entire happy that Mr Ferraby should make free of the estate office and see what records there were; and there were a deal of maps in a press in the library.

Why, would it not seem incivil, 'twould be a pleasure to look into the matter.

Tomorrow I do not arrange any particular entertainment: Leighton Jones makes up a party for fishing, and there is company comes dine of the e’en, you are entire welcome.

When the party returned to the house, they found Mrs Leighton Jones and Lady Fendersham at embroidery and gossip in the drawing-room. Mrs Leighton Jones looked up. Lady Jane, she said, goes reveal to Mrs Ferraby the mysteries of her still-room. I daresay 'tis most exceeding instructive, but I fancied that Lady Fendersham should sit down a little after walking about the gardens and the dairy &C.

Why, he thought seeing a lady’s still-room would keep Eliza entirely entertained, so he went rather stiffly upstairs to his chamber, and discovered that one had bespoke the bringing of hot water so that he might have a bath before changing. 'Twas entirely grateful to one that had been a’horseback for a longer while than he was used.

He was shaved and dressed suitable for the time of day, he confided, and had dismissed the footman, when there was a little tap upon the door. He opened it to see Eliza in exceeding bubbling spirits. He let her in.

O, Jos’, she said, what a very excellent lady is Lady Jane! Not at all what I anticipated in a lady of her rank! Has quite the finest herb garden – o, 'tis laid out very pretty and ornamental, but also 'tis very cleverly done, she contrives to grow things one would not suppose would thrive in these parts by placing them in some particular sheltered aspect – and a still-room under her own hand, we had quite the most agreeable convocation over it. And manages the dairy – o, 'tis no such matter as the French queen’s retreat, 'tis an entire proper dairy and she can milk the cows herself at necessity, churn butter, make cheese, has it all in her own hands. Have you not noticed how exceeding good the butter is here? And the cheese is also excellent. And makes so very amiable. Perchance is a little stiff at first, but I daresay that is from living so long out of society.

I am glad you had such an agreeable time, my dear. He kissed her. And I fancy we may come about to some arrangement concerning the iron-workings, His Grace shows most prepossessing eager to bring 'em on.

I am entire delighted to hear that. But must go be changed, and have Docket advize me. She gave him a kiss and slipped out of the door.

One might see, that evening, that Mrs Ferraby was indeed in considerable favour with Lady Jane, that when they joined the ladies after dinner was found seated beside her upon a sopha, engaged in quite animated conversation, while the other ladies played some game at cards for counters.

How now, said Lord Fendersham, do I not see a fine pianoforte? Might we not have some music? Hey, Polly, he addressed his wife, you have a pretty touch upon the keys, do you give us a tune or two –

Josiah blinked. Lady Jane, that had been seated talking so amicable to Eliza but a moment since, was standing before the piano in an attitude of defence. Alas, she said, with a barely civil smile, I quite foolishly neglected to have the instrument tuned when preparing to receive company, has not been touched this considerable while, 'twould be entire cacophony did one attempt to play upon it.

Lord Fendersham shrugged. 'Tis a pity, he said, I suppose none has brought a fiddle or a flute? A little music after dinner is ever pleasing. He looked for a moment as if he might start singing, but the port had, fortunately, not been round quite enough times for him to forget propriety to that extent.

The next day the Duke showed Josiah the estate office, indicated where he might find the records of the iron-workings, and said he confided that Mr Ferraby would be quite happy to be left to explore the matter himself?

Entirely, said Josiah.

Good, said His Grace, I will go play billiards with Fendersham and oblige him with a smutty tale or two of Turkish customs and the charms of odalisques. He sighed. While I must show myself not that young rakehell I was once give out to be, I do not think it would serve either was it rumoured that I had become a strict Evangelical or mayhap turned Methodist and very like joined the Vice Society.

Josiah spent a very profitable while looking at the records and scribbling in his little memorandum book, until a gong was struck to inform any that were about the house that there would be a light collation laid in the dining-room. 'Twas a good morning’s work, and he would now be very obliged might he look over the maps.

Lady Jane was continuing to show most exceeding amiable to Eliza – desiring her opinion upon the various dishes that were laid out for the collation, &C – although very proper not to the exclusion of her duties as hostess of the company.

Afterwards, as Josiah strolled upon the terrace with a cigar, Lord Fendersham came up, nudged him in the ribs somewhat overfamiliar and said, with a meaning expression, sure Lady Jane shows a deal of favour to your fine wife!

Josiah raised his eyebrows. 'Tis exceeding civil of her, he said,

Why, Lady Jane is said to have an eye for a fine woman –

What did the fellow mean to come at?

- lived here in devoted seclusion with her cousin.

At this point in the curious conversation the Duke came out upon the terrace and Lord Fendersham moved away. His tone and expression had suggested there was some scurrility in what he said, but Josiah was at a loss to imagine wherein it could lie.

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kore

Man, I want to drown Lord F- in a bucket. Eliza and Lady J- are delightful tho!

aedifica

I'm imagining Lord F- as the character played by Eric Idle in the "wink wink, nudge nudge" sketch. :-) (I know, I know, different class and everything--but I'm having fun with it.)

castiron

Awww, Josiah got to spend a morning on research!

Awww, Eliza and Lady Jane!

Awww, Josiah completely missing the insinuation!

I'm enjoying getting to know some characters that aren't regulars in the Clorinda version.