The Ironmaster's Tale (63)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Perchance matters did not look entirely brighter, but sure there was business enough to distract their minds and occupy their thoughts. There were at least letters exchanged, even if they fancied that their dear love did not reveal all the worries in her heart but ever endeavoured to present a bright face –

Do you not think this parson sounds a tiresome encroaching fellow? remarked Eliza, looking up from the letter she had just received.

Oh, indeed. She goes depict him as a comic figure such as might be presented by Mr Winch very effective in a play, but I fear he takes advantage of his cloth. For she may very properly eschew other society, but a parson has a certain privilege. I only hope he does not encroach so far as for Hector to be obliged to go employ his pugilistic art.

We may hope not, 'twould cause a deal of scandal. But she writes that His Lordship and Mr MacDonald go pass a few days with her, that must be very agreeable for her, to hear news of how matters go in her set and have some civilized conversation.

Then there was the turmoil of getting the boys off to school: even though they would back at the end of the week, 'twas a strange thing to feel their absence once they had gone. But indeed, 'twas only a matter of a few days, and they came most exceeding boisterous back, recounting all their new experiences and new acquaintance, and, Oh, Papa, there are a deal of occupations and entertainments laid on of Saturdays and Sundays for the fellows that may not go home because their parents are too distant, whether 'tis Calcutta or Cornwall, might we not stay sometimes?

Eliza looked a little sadly at this, but sure, 'twas a very good advertizement for Morrison’s establishment that the boys were so wishful to stay when they did not need to, and he fancied 'twould do them good to make schoolday friendships, so said he would think upon the question.

And the girls continued to quite doat upon Miss Netherne, and to work hard and win her praise, that she did not give out lightly.

While Quintus entirely throve, and relished a game of bears.

There was a visit from Frank, that came to make his farewells to his family before he sailed for Madras, and expressed his exceeding gratitude for their assistance in helping him to this fine place in the Company’s service. Sure 'twas a sad thing to hear of the fine old General’s death – but he dared say he was still remembered out there.

Josiah went walking with him and conveyed a little manly counsel – for he was going far from family and friends, though very likely he made new acquaintance. And very like, he added, your Cousin Eliza and myself may be in Town when you come about to embark and may come to the docks to wave you goodbye.

That would be exceeding prime, said Frank.  'Tis very pleasing to see how well Cousin Eliza is these days, sure Harrogate did entire wonders.

Indeed she has come about remarkable!

There were a deal of solicitations from their acquaintance to come visit. Sir Barton was most anxious for some advice upon matters to do with the quarry, and Lady Wallace was also eager for Eliza’s counsel upon the care of infants – for, she wrote, she had no opinion whatsoever of the edicts of the dread crocodile upon such matters. There was also a deal of business that would be the better of his presence in Town.

Well, my dearest, said Eliza, I fancy we can contrive. Do I go straight to Somerset, you might spend a few nights in Town, and then take the stage onwards, and then we might return by way of Surrey, and then I might return home, and you could be about business for a while –

Why, my love, that seems exceeding answerable!

'Twas an entirely excellent plan. A few nights in Town would give him opportunity to arrange for further convocation with various fellows on matters of interest, and to hear what on-dits went about, and sure there were matters needed his hand upon 'em.

So they set off, and he took rooms at a decent inn in Town, and having kissed Eliza as she took the stage onwards, went to see what was ado at Sir Zoffany’s studio.

How now, Ferraby! cried Sir Zoffany. Do you hear anything from Madame Clorinda in this reckless flight to save Gypsy Abby from the consequences of her folly?

Alas, no, said Josiah, 'tis still somewhat of a mystery, then?

Quite entirely, said Mr Hacker. One wonders quite what sort of pickle she had got herself into – perchance was some matter of an accusation of sharping at cards but one might also speculate that she had offended some person of degree, for she was never one to respect rank.

I daresay, said Josiah, we shall hear the whole story in due course.

Mayhap! said Sir Zoffany, but Madame Clorinda has ever displayed a very pretty discretion in preserving secrets. Oh, he said, his voice changing, here comes Miss Addington.

Well! thought Josiah, observing the actress moving through the company, that was no longer the little scared rabbit, she was flirting quite outrageous with nigh every man she greeted. He turned to Sir Zoffany. O, 'tis quite the scandal, said the latter.

I surmize it to be a case of furor uterinus, muttered Hacker, and proceeded to provide a deal of details perchance not suited to general company.

Mr Jenkins entered the studio, observed Miss Addington, and ostentatiously gave her a wide berth as he came over to shake hands with Sir Zoffany. He sighed deeply and said, sure I never supposed a few romps on tour would cause such trouble. 'Tis an understood thing – the tedium of provincial places &C – means nothing in the theatre. But she makes a deal of it – I fear may bring Hattie at outs with me –

(For by now all were quite aware – including, so gossip gave out, Mr Nixon himself – that Hattie Daniels was very oft to be found backstage at the theatre in Mr Jenkins’ dressing-room at times when he was not took up by performances or rehearsal.)

Miss Addington started to move towards their group, and Mr Jenkins moved away.

Mr Ferraby! exclaimed the actress, fluttering her eyelashes, you must be missing dear Madame Clorinda very much –

Is not her absence quite a general loss to society? he said. And of course one must worry about the perils of the journey even before she attains to whatever brangle over Miss Gowing awaits her in Carlsbad.

Are you in Town long?

Indeed no, a few nights afore I go to the Wallaces in Somerset.

Miss Addington pouted prettily. La, one would hope to see more of you.

And, said Josiah, feeling warmth under his collar, what do you play in at present?

What was the minx about? Was she no longer favoured by Lady Jane? What was the ado?

Why, he said, I observe Mr Samuels, would desire a word or two with him, pray excuse me.

He went over to Jacob Samuels, that hoisted his eyebrows and said, Has she been casting her eyes at you too? 'Tis the most extraordinary thing. One must suppose that was Madame Clorinda here she would give the chit a very telling set-down, and she might mark her if none other. Quite shocking ton.

Josiah sighed and said, could not fathom it. Mayhap Hacker was right, and 'twas some female trouble that might be treated? But let us not speak of it. I go to the Wallaces very shortly, for further convocation over the quarry.

What an excellent fellow is Sir Barton! Sure I would not have expected it to have been at all in his line, but he lately came to a lecture I gave upon fossils –

And he did not fall asleep?

Not at all! Takes a most exceeding interest. But if you go see him about the quarry, I have some observations you may wish to look at – you might come take tea tomorrow? Matty would be entire delighted to see you. Though I had better warn you, at present we have her brother and sister living with us. He lowered his voice. Their mother is considerable ill and has been ordered south by her physician in the hopes that 'twill restore her, while certain business matters take their father abroad. So there is somewhat of a reconciliation brought about upon these grounds of practicality. Indeed, I brought Sebastian with me, 'tis entire desirable that he should get about in a better set than he was used to, but I take a concern that Miss Addington will go casting her lures about him, I must go see what he is about.

Well, this was an ado entirely of the kind that one supposed Clorinda would untangle most expeditious was she here. Mayhap 'twas the great success and acclaim that Miss Addington latterly enjoyed that went to her head?

Comments

[alatefeline]

Ah, it's wonderful to see these characters young and in the midst of trouble once again!

And such a fascinating perspective, the things Jos' knows and doesn't know, sees and doesn't see. Though I note he is rather better than me at tagging 'this is notably odd and while I don't quite get it I bet my loved who is better at social dynamics would.' A skill to cultivate, perhaps.

[nenya_kanadka]

Yes to all this, and I especially love that about Josiah's approach! He's really good at noticing that something seems strange and then sort of filing it for later reference. (And of course he really values the opinions of both Eliza and Clorinda.) He's a really thoughtful guy, observant and not super quick to judge. I see why the other two like him so much!