The Ironmaster's Tale (53)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sure 'twas a smaller and more intimate soirée than they had lately been. He was quite entire embarrassed by Mrs O’Callaghan coming up to him and singing somewhat lachrymose the praises of Madame Clorinda in ridding her of that scoundrel her husband, that now languished in gaol. Could have her little boy with her, without any fears that her husband would steal him away, or else teach him his own coarse habits.

And there was Pargiter – he apprehended that she went keep house – and mayhap more? – for Pargiter – looking most unwonted amiable, in converse with Mr Nixon and Mr Gordon Duncan about some notion he had of an opera upon Irish legends.

His Grace looked in for a very brief while, kissing Clorinda’s hand with a very warm friendly air, and coming over to wring Josiah’s hand and say he hoped to have some convocation while Mr Ferraby was in Town, was’t convenable. Mulcaster House was now entire in order – m’sister, he said, has been about the matter and got it entirely under hand, you might come there?

Entire honoured, said Josiah. Tomorrow I am obliged to go interview several governesses, for we wish employ one for our girls, and alas, there was a young lady thought she would be obliged to go out governessing that Mrs Ferraby was greatly prepossessed with, that has, we hear, gone marry very well indeed. He smiled at the Duke, whose own smile was quite radiant.

They settled upon a mutually agreeable occasion, and took an amicable farewell. As His Grace departed, came in Lord Raxdell somewhat late.

How now, Ferraby! Delighted to see you. Alas, am about to leave for Ammerpark for a bachelor party with my fribble set – but I am in hopes that we may see you there with Mrs Ferraby later in the summer? MacDonald remains in Town are there any canal matters you need convoke on. And I was entire able to contrive an introduction betwixt Sir Barton and Samuels – you will mind that Samuels is an entire virtuoso at billiards, that I thought was like to raise him in Sir Barton’s esteem –

That was a very happy thought!

- and he and his lady go join 'em in Somerset. He accepted a glass of wine from Hector, moved slightly out of the press of company, and lowered his voice. I daresay you will not have seen anything of it – the reports in certain low scandal-monging rags that the fellow who set about foully libelling a certain fair lady of the town was actuated by spiteful jealousy that she had spurned his advances, and that she displayed the soundest judgement in doing so, for his very numerous creditors discovering his whereabouts, he was lately set upon and conveyed to the Marshalsea, where he now languishes with little hope of release.

Josiah raised his eyebrows. Say you so!

His Lordship gave a little sigh and said, MacDonald has some old acquaintance in those circles. Will say that they draw attention to corruption in high places and the evils of aristocratic privilege &C, but –

Josiah nodded. He does not go with you to Ammerpark, then?

No: 'tis an entire frivolous party of pleasure, shall not be attending to any matters of business or improvements.

Clorinda came over, and Lord Raxdell kissed her hand. Radiant Flora, he said. She smacked him with her fan. La, 'tis exceeding difficult to continue to present goddess-like with a stout wombatt upon one’s lap that goes nibble upon the draperies.

That is not what is given out, he said with a smile. I assure you, the wombatt is most exceedingly envied.

O, poo. But, my dears, I see that we are to be delighted with a duet between Miss McKeown and Mr Duncan. Let us go listen.

The next morn, at the breakfast table, he looked upon the spread set for them and said my love, are we expecting guests?

O no, said Clorinda with a smile, 'tis entirely a demonstration of Seraphine’s pleasure at having a gentleman in the house that appreciates a good table before him to cook for. Also, I am sure 'twill all get eat up by someone or other even do you not consume everything, for there are young people in the household that are still getting their growth.

He lifted the covers and helped himself to the devilled kidneys, for Seraphine had a very good way with those, some bacon and eggs, and – what is this, my dear? – 'tis kedgeree, she replied, I will take a little myself for 'tis really very good. He buttered a pikelet and she poured coffee.

There was indeed still plenty left for the young people, he conceded as he drank his coffee, and took out his little memorandum book with the notes upon the three ladies advanced to his notice as possible governesses. He described Mr Morrison’s school that they considered would entirely answer admirably for the boys: would that there were similar establishments for girls but they had not yet heard of any along those lines rather than about ladylike accomplishments. Many would doubtless think his dear girls sad hoydens, though they were well-advanced with their needle and had made themselves most useful about the house when their mother was so very pulled down, but sure, he would rather that than fearful missish creatures that squeaked yes and no and trembled to dirty their clothes.

Lord, he said with a fond smile, when I think of my first meeting with the future Mrs Ferraby, in her nightgown with a shotgun on her arm at the farmhouse door, because she had heard the dogs and thought there was a fox in the henhouse – her father, he explained, was sleeping off market-day. I was a foolishly wild boy – I did not even have the excuse of filling the family pot by going out poaching of nights, 'twas purely to show off that I was as bold as any other of the lads even was I my uncle’s heir to the works – but then I saw her there, looking most greatly unimpressed by me and in two minds whether to tell the dogs to chase me off, and she was the finest woman I had ever seen. I had rather my girls of that metal.

Sure but they must be, responded Clorinda. I am sure any governess that comes with Mr MacDonald’s recommendation will be entirely suited to your ideas of their training, fitting 'em to be rational companions to their future husbands or competent to earn a respectable living if necessary. I have the very greatest confidence in his judgement.

Josiah raised his eyebrows for a moment at the warmth in her tone. He said with a smile that he hoped he had no reason for any jealousy concerning Mr MacDonald.

O, fie, Mr Ferraby, this rumour of his hopeless passion is one I have gone put about to draw the sting of a malicious tale set about to cause trouble with Milord. I am indeed most exceeding grateful to Mr MacDonald for his most helpful services on legal matters &C, but as you have observed, I look upon him as a dear brother and he returns the sentiment.

Josiah laughed. 'Tis just that after hearing my dear spouse describe the stir her dear friend caused in Harrogate I am surprized that any young man that spends as much time in your company as Mr MacDonald does remains completely unmoved.

O, she made a little grimace, but you know that he conducts himself on entirely rational principles and to sigh for me would be quite irrational.

Comments

[aedifica]

I misread "MacDonald remains in Town are there any canal matters you need convoke on" as "carnal matters" at first!

[kore]

NOT JUST YOU

[kore]

Lord, he said with a fond smile, when I think of my first meeting with the future Mrs Ferraby, in her nightgown with a shotgun on her arm at the farmhouse door, because she had heard the dogs and thought there was a fox in the henhouse – her father, he explained, was sleeping off market-day. I was a foolishly wild boy – I did not even have the excuse of filling the family pot by going out poaching of nights, 'twas purely to show off that I was as bold as any other of the lads even was I my uncle’s heir to the works – but then I saw her there, looking most greatly unimpressed by me and in two minds whether to tell the dogs to chase me off, and she was the finest woman I had ever seen. I had rather my girls of that metal.

I love how they both love that story.