The Ironmaster's Tale (44)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

He returned to Town for what would be alas, a brief visit, in exceeding good humour, with the prospect of this happy association with His Grace over the iron-workings at Nitherholme, and the likelihood of some very promising contracts for the provision of iron. How very charming a party 'twas, he remarked to Madame Clorinda, even could he scarce keep from laughing when they went out shooting His Grace’s preserved game-birds, recounting to her the tale of his scapegrace youth snaring rabbits.

Did you, he asked, ever come across that fellow Lord Fendersham? Was in the party – is a neighbour of His Grace. Demonstrates a very low taste in conversation in masculine company – yet seems quite prettily devoted to his new young wife, was most extreme put about when seemed she was took ill when we went to the fair –

La, I know the fellow! was one of the Old Duke’s set and I encountered him a time or two at his routs. I fancy is one of those fellows thinks that 'tis a mark of manliness to talk exceeding bawdy and to make the implication that he is an entire rake but I apprehend that he is harmless enough – may look a deal, and perchance fondle a little should he find the opportunity but I daresay is entire contented with a nice young wife.

Indeed, I think that is the case!

He conveyed their quite extreme gratitude for the kind loan of Docket’s services and her jewels: Mrs Ferraby looked quite magnificent, I was rendered almost speechless when she appeared in her glory in those diamonds. I do not think I have ever seen you wear 'em, my dear? and am most surprised, for they are very fine.

She made a little noise that was not quite a sigh. They were give me by a vicious beast of a Prussian Junker, she said, and have the unhappiest memories attached for that reason and my mistake in judgement.

There was a moment of silence between them, until he covered up what he confided must be a very distressing remembrance that he did not wish to trouble her further with by interrogating, by continuing, As I suppose that we shall receive further invitations – Lord Raxdell is already proposing a convocation on his estate for some discussion of canals and improvements – this is a matter on which Mrs Ferraby and myself should greatly appreciate further advice from you and Docket.

O, Mr Ferraby, she cried, I should be only too happy to oblige! And I apprehend that Docket would be quite entire delighted!

He drank some of the excellent brandy that he supposed her to have obtained through Mr Hacker’s good offices with his acquaintance in Sussex. Thinking upon some of the tales the Duke had been prevailed upon to tell of his time at the Sublime Porte, he remarked with a smile that did they but live in Turkey, according to His Grace 'twould be quite possible for him to live with both Mrs Ferraby and herself as acknowledged wives. For it had come to his mind that sure 'twould be of great benefit to have her judgement on some of the fellows he now made encounter of, that he fancied were not the kind that he might go introduce to Madame Clorinda.

I think, sir, she responded with a certain dryness in her tone, that neither Mrs Ferraby nor myself would look kindly on being immured in a seraglio, guarded by eunuchs, and obliged to go about veiled.

He laughed, conceding that he could not quite imagine this. But, he went on, for it had been another a thing preying upon his mind, he found himself worrying about her, in particular following that mention of a vicious Prussian Junker he minded that her profession had its dangers: my dear, I sometimes wish that for your sake our relations could be put on some more regular footing.

My dear Mr Ferraby, she replied, clasping her hands before her, and taking an attitude that greatly minded him of an actress preparing to make some telling speech, sure you are one of the dearest and best of men, but I have never had any desire to do as the lady in the play puts it, dwindle into a wife. As you must know, women in my position have been known to make distinguished marriages and did I so wish I daresay I could contrive that end, but I have no inclination towards it. While the generosity of dear, dear General Yeomans, bless his memory, has give me a deal of security, I find in myself no desire to abandon my calling, though I am now able to pursue it without ever having to bestow my favours upon Prussian monsters or any I like not. (Sure she came very apt at that concern of his.)

She paused for a moment and twisted her hands together, looking down at them. With somewhat more hesitation she went on, with a small frown, it would be like asking Sir Zoffany to lay down his paintbrush, or Miss Addington to quit the stage, or at least, like obliging Miss McKeown to sing nothing but Scottish airs and never again Mozart or Handel.

And, said Josiah, bearing in mind that he must be absent from Town for considerable periods, I should be the worst kind of dog in the manger did I object. As the utilitarian philosophers might account it, you maximise felicity among your circle, indeed, young Mr MacDonald said something to me very much along those lines.

That is an unusual, but nonetheless very pretty compliment, she said, one of the prettiest I have ever heard: he observed a little tearfulness come to her eyes, and went to kiss her. Indeed, did he think of the fine friends she had, surely she was well-protected.

She and Docket were able to provide him with quite the finest advice on purchasing a fine set of sapphires for his dearest Eliza – he had no doubt that she would cry out at the extravagance, but, sure, were they going to be going about making visits in Society, 'twas only proper that she should have her own jewels. And seeing how much Madame Clorinda’s sapphires had become her, they seemed a particular fine choice, with which Docket concurred.

Bess and Meg were most greatly impressed with 'em, would beg their mama to take 'em out from their case and let them look at 'em, hold ‘em up to the light, drape 'em against themselves. Perchance they began grow a little past their hoyden years? but then they would go brangle with their brothers or join in their games and he fancied they had not yet done so. Little Quintus was also quite magnetized by the sapphires, but 'twas, alas, a desire to put 'em into his mouth.

There was a deal of news that reached him over the following months that made him greatly wishful to go to London and punch noses: for there was a deal of vulgar scurrility concerning Madame Clorinda and the Duke, and remarks in low scandal-monging rags, and coarse Holywell Street prints, and sure he would have liked to have been able to protect her from that, though upon reflection he knew not how one could come at that.

'Twas most in particular aggravating that Lady Jane took some foolish prejudice against Madame Clorinda, for he was like to think that that was whom she intended when she warned Eliza of a rapacious harpy and conniving trollop that was in their circles and distracted her brother the Duke from his duty of finding a bride and also went about casting her lures at other members of his set, including Mr Ferraby, she heard.

Fie, cried Eliza, I collect that there was some matter of an enemy that Madame Clorinda supposed was a fellow wished make an exclusive bid for her favours, went work against her a while since. But I must wonder whether 'tis some rival that is a viper that she nurtures in her bosom, that goes work against her behind her back, that wishes ascend to her position –

Josiah could not quite imagine this of any of the ladies in Madame Clorinda’s set. There was Hattie Daniels, most well-set-up by Mr Nixon, but went conduct herself most indiscreet with Mr Jenkins, sure one could not imagine her acting so covert. It was said there was some secret about Mrs O’Callaghan – not really a widow, it was given out – but it was hard to suppose her an intriguer. But there might be rivals that were not in her circle? He did not like to tell Eliza that Lady Jane had such enmity towards her other dear friend. For ‘twould be entire like Eliza to make a quite open defence of Madame Clorinda as entire the finest of women to the Duke’s sister.

It was a hard winter for 'em generally: so much to do with the works: the children all ill, and Eliza consequently very pulled down. Listening to the chorus of coughing about the house, Josiah wondered whether 'twould answer to move out of town away from the works and their smokey miasma. But he could not like that business of setting up as country gentry: it was entirely deleterious to industrial enterprizes, led to neglect. He would endeavour persuade his dear helpmeet to go recruit a little at Harrogate, and send the children away to her cousins’ farm again. That would set ‘em all up.

And as for cousins, there were the most gratifying letters from Cousin Frank at the East India College, that got on quite remarkable, and was in the greatest anticipation of his departure for Madras. 

Comments

[kore]

Thinking upon some of the tales the Duke had been prevailed upon to tell of his time at the Sublime Porte, he remarked with a smile that did they but live in Turkey, according to His Grace 'twould be quite possible for him to live with both Mrs Ferraby and herself as acknowledged wives. For it had come to his mind that sure 'twould be of great benefit to have her judgement on some of the fellows he now made encounter of, that he fancied were not the kind that he might go introduce to Madame Clorinda.

INCOMING OT33333333333 (yes I know I am a sad repetitious jackdaw about this, I just love it so much)

He did not like to tell Eliza that Lady Jane had such enmity towards her other dear friend. For ‘twould be entire like Eliza to make a quite open defence of Madame Clorinda as entire the finest of women to the Duke’s sister.

ELIZA <3

[aedifica]

I noticed Josiah's observation that Clorinda took on a posture like an actress when she made her speech about not dwindling into a wife. I wonder to what extent that was a conscious decision on her part and how much was her childhood influences!

[violsva]

Also one suspects it's a speech she has made more than once before. :D

[aedifica]

True!