The Ironmaster's Tale (60)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Josiah lingered in the hall, but found he could no longer keep himself from seeing how his two best loves were, so returned to the parlour, where he found the very pretty sight of Clorinda’s head upon Eliza’s shoulder, Eliza’s arm about her –

He found tears come to his eyes. For he must think of how Eliza so yearned for another child, that would be such a perilous undertaking, and how that might have put her in a resentment towards Clorinda – and sure, now he came to muse upon the matter, he was minded to suppose that there had been some such thought in Clorinda’s mind, a delicacy that had held her from informing 'em that she increased with the child that Eliza might not bear.

They were both such excellent women.

Hector came in with the tray.

Later, after a fine supper prepared by Seraphine, and some idle chatter of inconsequential matters over madeira and brandy and port, 'twas entire time to go to bed.

They looked about at one another. Somehow, seemed cold and harsh to separate, for one or another to go sleep in a truckle-bed in the dressing-room – and sure Clorinda’s bed was a fine large one, could easily accommodate three in comfort, seemed a loving friendly matter to all lie in it together.

Are you sure about this? he asked Eliza in a low voice, as they walked into the bedchamber, Clorinda moving like a sleepwalker with a dazed looked upon her face. She nodded.

Doubtless all were tired and would go sleep quite soon. But sleep did not come entire instantaneous. There was a little restless shifting about and around.

Then Eliza lifted herself up upon one elbow and said – and he saw, gleaming in her eyes, the wild girl he had thought gone for ever – my dears, I have ever wondered what it is that a crack courtesan does with a fellow, might you bring yourselves to demonstrate?

Clorinda sat up with a soft giggle and there was an endearing little dimple beside her mouth as she said, o, our dearest Mr Ferraby does not really require enormous exertion of my professional skills, I do not have to go about making immense efforts to arouse his interest –

Indeed, said, Josiah, that first time 'twas quite the reverse problem. Sure I thought 'twould be all over before it began. They looked at one another. There was, indeed, no need to go arouse his interest.

Clorinda looked at Eliza. Are you sure, my dearest? For I should not like you to be distressed at all.

She reached over and squeezed Clorinda’s hand. My darling, I long to see.

Clorinda turned back to Josiah and smiled. My dear, there is a little tenderness comes to my bubbies of late – he nodded: had ever been the like with Eliza – but you may still look upon 'em, and I fancy they will display to advantage do I ride St George upon you.

Indeed that ever showed her off very well indeed, and she rode him to an most entire pleasing mutual conclusion, her lovely head thrown back with gasping cries, then flopping down upon him laughing as he groaned and spent himself.

She rolled off and into Eliza’s arms. And Eliza kissed her. And went on kissing her, her body moving upon Clorinda’s as if she desired merge into her, as if –

He smiled at them. It was a very pretty thing. Eliza looked up at him, entirely the wild girl.

My dearest darling, murmured Clorinda, there should be entirely no objection did you move your hand a little, did it please you to do so. And did you shift your leg, thus –

Oh. Clorinda’s little squeeks, Eliza’s sighs. He knew those so well and what they purported.

And it was a pretty thing, and he loved them both, and they loved one another, and they both loved him, and – how could it be wrong?

As they groaned and fell a little apart, he gathered them both into his arms, felt their arms go about him, and kisses were placed wherever lips came nigh a spot that seemed good to do so. The three of them, entangled, loving.

No need, at least not yet, for words.

Stirring a little in the night, he saw Eliza’s eyes flicker open, and they both looked at the lovely slumbering figure between them and smiled.

He had been in some concern that there might be some awkwardness the morn. But found himself waked by the alternating kisses of his two adored ladies as if he were some sleeping prince in a fairy-tale. Eliza, with her arm about Clorinda, pressing a kiss into her neck – for, of course, 'twould be Clorinda that would go be in a doubt and a fret in the matter. Eliza, having come to this discovery, strange as it must seem, would, he fancied, be about re-ordering matters in her mind as she might re-order matters in the household when some new matter came about.

They both kissed their lovely darling and hoped she felt well the morn?

Indeed, she said with a little smile, sure I do not feel at all any queasiness at present. O my loves, she said, 'twas not a dream, was’t? She looked anxious from one to t’other.

They both embraced her very warmly and said, was’t a dream, 'twas one they had all shared.

But, said Eliza, I fancy we should all be about readying ourselves to face the day.

Josiah ran a hand across his chin and said, perchance he might prevail upon Hector to shave him?

All dressed and looking entire proper, they went to breakfast in Clorinda’s pretty parlour, where they found themselves smiling at one another a good deal and pressing feet under the table.

Hector came in to say that Mr MacDonald was at the door, seeming somewhat agitated.

O, said Clorinda, pray do send him in, I know not what the matter may be, but if he is agitated it must be of some moment.

Mr MacDonald came in, looking indeed very agitated, and then observing the company with a frown.

Yes, you confidence-breaking weasel, said Clorinda, observe the effects of your meddling. But speak, what is the cause of your concern: I hope 'tis not that Mr O’Callaghan has escaped from prison.

Nothing of the kind, said MacDonald, sitting down rather precipitate. My most recent intelligence was that he was suffering from jail-fever: 'twould not conduce to plans for escape. But what is this report that you are going to Carlsbad about some business to do with Miss Gowing? Surely 'tis a very imprudent enterprize in your circumstances.

Eliza gave a snort of laughter.

O, he said, looking somewhat cross, all comes clear, 'tis yet another device of Madame Clorinda’s, that should turn her talents to writing fiction. Doubtless you are in fact going to, I think the tradition is, Calais?

She returned his glare very calmly. Should I tell one that I have already seen cannot be trusted with a confidence?

My dear, said Josiah, much amuzed, do not teaze the poor fellow so. You must surely concede that by his action he has greatly increased felicity. (Eliza snorted again.)

Clorinda endeavoured to put on a displeased pout but broke into laughter herself. That is so, and I will also concede that I have been a very foolish Clorinda. Here, she said, draw up to the table and join us in breakfast: I believe you will find porridge in that dish there.

MacDonald glared at her again but did as she bid, helping himself to kedgeree and some chops.

Comments

[perennialanna]

Will someone pass me a fan? It seems a little warm in here of a sudden...

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Perchance I could go desire Seraphine to prepare a cooling sherbet?

[aedifica]

Oh, I've always wondered how it happened! That was so nice. (And very brave of Eliza to ask!)

[kathmandu]

"Eliza, having come to this discovery, strange as it must seem, would, he fancied, be about re-ordering matters in her mind as she might re-order matters in the household when some new matter came about."

This casts such an interesting light on the bridge between the wild girl and the pragmatic, organized aspect of Eliza.

Also, awwwwwww!

[annotated_em]

Awwwwwww!

[redbird]

Aaawwwwww.

I don't suppose you know their trick of doing all this comfortably without getting tangled with so many arms and legs in one bed (she asked hopefully)?

[kore]

\\\\o//// I am just grinning like a fool into my laptop screen.

[nenya_kanadka]

MY HEART!

Also correct me if I am wrong but I think this scene must be new for the Josiah book! I feel like I remember them being *in triangle* for the first time in Surrey, and also that it seemed a little sudden--probably because Clorinda had left a very special scene or two out as too dear to commit to paper. ❤❤❤

(But I do remember the "I've always wanted to know what a crack courtesan does..." line from Eliza! So clearly a reread is in order. XD)

[kore]

I don't quite remember! I know people who are rereading Vol I along with this, but I think I might wait til it's finished to compare and contrast (which would be FUN). I tend to reread the earlier volumes as they come out in the pretty little new editions.

[azurelunatic]

EeeeeeeeEEEE|EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

[davidgillon]

it was a pretty thing, and he loved them both, and they loved one another, and they both loved him, and – how could it be wrong?

Indeed.

[white_hart]

Oh. Oh. I am somewhat o'ercome, I fear.

[ashbet]

I have to get on a plane this morning and leave one of my dearest loves (heading home to my daughter and cats!), and this brought happy tears to my eyes!!

<3