The Ironmaster's Tale (59)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

There were sounds of an altercation outside the door and Eliza’s voice saying, Hector, I know very well who is within, I assure you I do not have a pistol about me and do not intend some jealous scene.  She entered and rushed across to embrace Clorinda. Oh my dear silly girl, when we had Mr MacDonald’s letter I said, depend on it, this is Madame Clorinda getting into one of her fusses –

Fusses? I do not get into fusses, she protested.

Eliza laughed very fondly. One of your fusses, she repeated. You are so very sensible when it comes to other people’s troubles, but when it comes to Madame Clorinda, oh, the fuss and the turmoil. I am sure you will try to tell us that there was some reason that you thought it good to keep this from us, but really, my love –

No matter whose the child, went on Josiah, how should we not want to know a matter of such concern to you? You must know we would stand your friends.

Clorinda burst into tears. I am not such a foolish creature as you suppose, she sobbed, I have made very excellent plans. I purpose retire to Surrey, to go live in General Yeomans’ place there, the tenants lately left – o, 'tis quite the prettiest place, I love it exceedingly – while giving out that I am gone to Carlsbad to aid Abby Gowing in the distress she has got herself into.

Josiah looked at Clorinda and frowned.  Miss Gowing we apprehend is not at Carlsbad? –  Clorinda nodded – If you are quite sure she is not there you must have some knowledge of where she really is: it has quite struck me how very coincidental 'twas that she disappeared supposedly to continental spaws at exactly the time that Mr Thorne departed for the antipodes with a newly-wed wife that none had seen. Especially when they had been much seen together beforehand and bets were being placed as to whether he would make her a penitent magdalene or she turn him into a prodigal parson.

O, said Clorinda, you have quite sounded out the matter. Miss Gowing is become Mrs Thorne and by now I daresay is in the antipodes and surrounded by flocks of wombatts and platypuses.

Josiah had indeed begun to fathom this matter out, and had considered it entire confirmed upon hearing that Mr Thorne’s bluestocking bride thought naught to donning the cabin-boy’s breeches and climbing the rigging to undertake astronomical observations. Sure he could quite imagine Abby Gowing doing the like.

And I suppose Carlsbad because 'tis a good long distance away?

Yes, said Clorinda, and also a place where there would be much high play, just such a place as everyone would expect to find Abby staking her bracelet.

Euphemia came in with a well-supplied tea-tray.

After she had gone Clorinda looked from one to the other of them and said, still rather tearful, O, my very dearest dears, you came all this way for me?

Once we had read Mr MacDonald’s letter and apprehended what it purported, said Josiah. He took out his little memorandum book. I think you had better show us this place of yours, my love, we shall have to hire a carriage I suppose, I have some information here somewhere of reliable jobbers. Meantime, Mrs Ferraby and I must find lodging –

Indeed, said Clorinda humbly, 'twould not be at all right for you to remain under my roof.

Eliza snorted. I am not leaving you alone to work yourself up into another state of the frets. Also there are womanly matters that we should discuss. I shall most certainly stay.

Josiah looked at her and then at Clorinda, and said that indeed he did not like leaving her alone.

My dear loves, she said, her voice shaking, I should so very much like your company. I will go at once to Seraphine and desire her to prepare the best dinner she may – o, said Eliza with a grin, I think Seraphine will already have that under advizement for I entered the house by the back door, to avoid unwelcome notice –

I see, said Clorinda with somewhat of a pout, that I am quite entirely behindhand and find that matters are less in my own hands than I supposed.

Eliza smiled on her and said that ‘twas time that somebody took care of their dear Madame Clorinda, that would else worry herself quite to pieces.

Yes, says Josiah, looking at her desk, I see you have been puzzling over your accounts and making many calculations and little lists. If I thought you would mind me, I would most certainly forbid you to do any such thing that must bring a frown to your pretty face. However, I am by no means reckless enough to do so when I have the two of you ranged before me and prepared to twit me as supposing myself the Grand Turk. But should you like me to look 'em over I am at your disposal.

Clorinda smiled. Sure you have schooled me so well in managing my affairs that I think that quite unnecessary.

As I was lessoned by Mrs Ferraby.

Go on with you, said Eliza.

They all looked at one another with great fondness, and Clorinda said that unless somebody else had already bespoke the matter she would go ask Hector to bring in the brandy and madeira, or she was like to think there was also some sherry would Mrs Ferraby prefer that.

Josiah said that he would do that, for he wished to apologize to Hector for manhandling him, and to commend his devotion to protecting his mistress, and also would desire him to be about bespeaking them a carriage for the morrow –

Eliza looked at him with a small smile and said, la, my dear, I fancy you wish leave us to converse of womanly matters unsuited to masculine ears –

Why, there is somewhat of that, Josiah conceded.

But indeed, said Clorinda, sitting up and endeavouring pat her somewhat dishevelled hair into place, Hector may reassure you about my Surrey property, for he and Phoebe went see whether 'twas answerable for us to decamp there and whether there was much needed doing. But sure 'tis a fine modern place.

Josiah went out to where Hector was, one might only say, hovering in the hall, and said they would be glad of some refreshment, and was also most heartily sorry for having to lay violent hands upon him, for sure 'twas a very meritorious thing in him to defend Madame Clorinda –

Hector said stiffly that sure he should have apprehended that Mr Ferraby could have intended her no harm –

Why, said Josiah, I daresay there are fellows would take this matter very adverse, but I would wish to do all that is proper – ensure that Madame Clorinda is provided for, make provision for the child in due course –

Indeed he wondered should one be about bespeaking Hacker for her confinement, or mayhap she had been about that already?

 - but we purpose go overlook the Surrey place the morrow –

Hector said, he fancied that they could get as good a carriage as any, sound horses, from Jupp’s stables in the mews –

Why, that would answer exceedingly, if you would go make the arrangements.

Hector said that he would be about bringing them some refreshment, and then be about the matter. 

Comments

[aedifica]

Everyone is being so sensible!

[violsva]

Awww, sweethearts!

[kore]

Clorinda smiled. Sure you have schooled me so well in managing my affairs that I think that quite unnecessary.

As I was lessoned by Mrs Ferraby.

Go on with you, said Eliza.

They all looked at one another with great fondness


OT3 LIFTOFF (although really it's delightful to see it happening so subtly over a while)

[davidgillon]

Go on with you is so perfectly Eliza.

[anne]

Hector is such a mother hen!

[rhi]

Oh, man. Everyone is being so reasonable and careful of each other -- I love that Josiah immediately apologizes to Hector. I also love Eliza's air of 'hang the proprieties; you're pregnant! How can we fuss over you if we leave after coming all this way?'

New parts of this really are the bright spot in my day. Thank you!

[nenya_kanadka]

Aaaahhhhhhh. Hearteyes generally! Oh, Eliza! (And all the rest! ❤)