The Ironmaster's Tale (47)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

But then he was obliged to return home, and see his dear Eliza off to Town about being dressed suitable for the company they now frequented, and he doubted not that Lady Wallace would be entire glad to see her, between her dreadful old mother-in-law and Sir Barton flapping about like a mother-hen. And would also be able to further her acquaintance with that excellent young lady that was to become Duchess of Mulcaster, as well, no doubt, as to be quite the greatest favourite of Lady Jane –

So he kissed her goodbye, and said sure she should take counsel of that excellent lady they both knew of, and in particular of Docket that was the finest philosopher of female dress, and she was not to stint herself or think it necessary to go make economies but consider that she was to go manifest their consequence –

Fie, Josiah Ferraby, I hope I know what is proper! Sure I have seen a little of society now and get some notion of what is required.

Her letters were full of the excellent company she visited with: remet with the Leighton Jones, and their friends Baron and Baroness Gartslade, that were the parents of the Honble Robert, quite the most agreeable couple. And remarked upon how gracious Lady Jane showed, and what a very excellent Duchess Miss Thorne was like to make, sure 'twas clear His Grace entire doated upon her, 'twas the prettiest thing to see 'em together! She did among all her press of business and engagements manage a little time to go visit that certain excellent lady, that was ever quite the best of company, and was also to see how Seraphine did and counsel her about her condition.

She came back in excellent spirits but he could see that she was a little pulled down in bodily health still, and said that he hoped she was still of a mind to go spend a little while at Harrogate, for he fancied it would do her quite a power of good.

Oh, indeed, my love, I mind how much good it did me and that I should not let myself get into such a lowered state again but take a few weeks there entirely as a precaution – but, dear Jos’, should you mind did Madame Clorinda come join me? For she has had a most trying few months and though she will put on a brave face I fancy has been greatly lowering to her spirits, and 'twould do her a deal of good to get right away where none knows her, and rest and take the waters – she says she might give herself out the wife of a sea-captain that is upon voyage and will dress in that station –

Though, she went on thoughtfully, I am like to suppose she will not 'scape notice e’en so.

Josiah grinned. I daresay she will not! but my love, if you would like her company –

O, 'twould be quite the most agreeable thing! and she says none of her set ever goes to Harrogate – though perchance they begin forsake Bath and Brighton, 'tis for Margate or Weymouth, that are considered a deal more select.

Well, he apprehended that Madame Clorinda would not go expatiate upon her troubles to him and would ever put on a brave untroubled face to greet him: but he wished she would feel that she might open her worries to him. Felt somewhat of a jealousy that she seemed entire ready to disclose such matters to Lord Raxdell, had he put MacDonald in the way of being of assistance to her. Though of course that was quite an antient friendship. Mayhap in time? Or perchance she would feel able to communicate any worries to Eliza, had she already felt able to tell her that she had had a trying while.

He minded that in quite early days of their acquaintance, she had remarked that what gentlemen required of a crack courtesan, besides any boudoir business, was a sympathetic ear to their troubles, whether 'twas their losses at cards or at the races, or matters of law-suits that did not come about as they wished, or inheritances they waited on impatiently from elderly relatives that showed no disposition to die. Indeed one might guess that she had grown entire used to turning to 'em an attentive expression and concealing any concerns of her own, providing 'em with the refreshment of her beauty and her charming conversation. But surely, by now, she and he had come to be on such terms that they might be more frank with one another?

He conveyed his dearest Eliza to Harrogate, and saw her bestowed under the care of that excellent fellow Dr Jessop, that thought it entire prudent in her to take the waters now, rather than wait until she was entire done up, would that more ladies took that line. He kissed her goodbye, and told her to be a good girl and mind the doctor’s instructions, and she laughed, and kissed him very heartily, and said, go on with you, Jos’ Ferraby.

It was agreeable to see her in such wicked spirits when he thought back to how sadly she had been on her first visit.

Hardly had he returned home than there came a letter to say, her dear friend the sea-captain’s wife, that lives at Islington Green had come, and they were exceeding comfortable in lodgings together with her maid Tibby (he apprehended that Docket remained in Town, for a maid of such quality would quite have revealed the masquerade): and the news was, just afore she left, Seraphine was brought to bed, and had borne a fine son that she named Julius, that the entire household went doat upon. And was doing exceeding well herself though of course was still lying-in, under the care of Mrs Black, that was some connexion of theirs that had been at the Lying-In Hospital.

Although sure Mrs Cathcart was dressed very plain and proper for her supposed station, and wore caps that quite distressed Tibby for their lack of lace or any other ornamentation, did they walk out together, 'twas to be observed that a deal of gentlemen would put up their quizzing-glasses, and there had been some several attempts to scrape acquaintance, little notes pressed into Tibby’s hand, that tossed her head and said, 'twas not the good practice of their household to take little notes and she threw 'em all onto the kitchen fire. They led a very quiet life as ordered by Dr Jessop: water brought in the morning, nasty stuff that it was but doubtless did 'em much good; a little walk to the circulating library in the forenoon; chairs to the baths in the afternoon; was the weather fine they might stroll a little in the Stray, but they were quite contented with books and one another’s company. Had been some two or three proposed excursions to her at first, but had quite fallen away now she had company.

Josiah smiled. He dared say there were fellows also looked with admiration upon that fine figure of a woman Mrs Ferraby and the two of 'em considered the toasts of Harrogate. The two of them, followed by that very fine-looking black maid, must be quite the sight.

He turned to the rest of his correspondence. How now! a letter from Sir Barton Wallace, that was not wont to be much of a letter-writing fellow. He broke the seal. Sir Barton expressed his most exceeding gratitude for Mrs Ferraby’s late visit to them: entirely the best thing for his dear lady, to talk to one that had such fine understanding of matters of motherhood, did her so much good, for in her present circumstance she felt the want of a mother or other female relative about her to confide in. Would most greatly desire her presence at Lady Wallace’s lying-in – could Mr Ferraby spare her – for although she ever kept a brave face, he fancied that she would desire some female friend about her. The sawbones Hacker might be very well reputed as a man-midwife and he had bespoken his services, but still, a congenial female companion would be entire soothing to her spirits at such a time of trial, he confided.

Well! Josiah would never have suspected such a touching sensibility in Sir Barton, showed very well in him, sure marriage had greatly altered him and for the better. Indeed he would be delighted that Eliza should go attend Lady Wallace’s lying-in. He grinned. As if he might hinder her from an act he was sure she would consider quite in the light of charitable duty.

Sir Barton went on to communicate some gossip from among their set, including the astounding fact that that sober Scottish fellow that was Raxdell’s secretary was give out to be the helpless slave of passion at Madame Clorinda’s feet. Had been in the habit of going see her at Raxdell’s behest upon matters of business, but of late took bouquets of flowers, lingered a deal of time in her house, cast lingering glances when he was obliged to depart –

Josiah frowned. That sounded quite extraordinarily unlike MacDonald. From what he had observed of his relations with Madame Clorinda, he had a great affection for her, but there was somewhat of the brotherly about it, rather than anything of the amorous. Perchance there was some ploy afoot.

He shook his head. He doubted 'twas any concern of his, and there was a deal of correspondence upon sober business matters that he should address himself to.

Comments

[aedifica]

Yay for Eliza and Clorinda getting to spend some time together! And I loved Josiah's reaction to the gossip about Sandy (unlikely, probably a ploy, not his concern).

[rymenhild]

Josiah is putting the pieces together one by one. I'm looking forward to his figuring out Raxdell and MacDonald's secret.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes! I love seeing him figure things out from the available information. Him and Eliza both. They're such excellent partners for C.

[brokenallbroken]

Perchance there was some ploy afoot.

Oh, Jos', 'tis ever so. :D

[kore]

Josiah frowned. That sounded quite extraordinarily unlike MacDonald. From what he had observed of his relations with Madame Clorinda, he had a great affection for her, but there was somewhat of the brotherly about it, rather than anything of the amorous

//dies

I love the picture of Mrs Cathcart and Eliza and Tibby at Harrogate.

[violsva]

Awww, Sir B-.

[castiron]

Some ploy afoot indeed!