The Ironmaster's Tale (64)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

He contrived to despatch some useful business during this short sojourn in Town, had a most agreeable rencontre over tea with the Samuels and their young relatives, that conducted themselves very meek and proper, and set off in good spirits to the Wallaces in Somerset.

La, said Eliza when they were remet, I fancy 'tis not Lady Wallace has any fret about the child – ‘tis a bouncing lusty boy – but desires one that has experience of childhood that may put Sir Barton’s mind at rest, for of course Old Lady Wallace will be talking about fits and I know not what that may come to infants.

Josiah chuckled. Sure he manifests proud fatherhood – desired me to come into the nursery look at the little fellow.

As if you were not entire the like!

Also took occasion to interrogate me as to whether I have any intelligence about this matter of Miss Gowing in Carlsbad –

Eliza sighed. Does him credit, she said, and sure one sees that 'tis better that the entire truth be not known –

He kissed her and said, let them not go fret themselves in the matter. And anyway, he was like to fancy that this scandal of Miss Addington’s shocking behaviour quite drove it from people’s minds.

What, Miss Addington! What is this? There was somewhat in the Duchess’s last letter about Lady Jane sighing that better she were in the grave with her dearest Miss Billston –

He told her.

The naughty chit! Sure had I been there there would have been pulling of hair and mayhap worse!

That’s my wild girl Eliza! But let us go and make civil to the company.

'Twas a most agreeable time they spent with the Wallaces – matters came on most exceeding prepossessing with the quarry, and they were ever good company – but there was a little impatience to be away and to see Clorinda.

At last they were driving up to the Surrey house, and there, standing upon the steps, dressed very fine, was their darling, that was just beginning to show her condition a little. O, my dears, come in! she cried, for it begins turn a little chill, does it not?

So they went indoors and there was quite the warmest reunion with loving embraces and the exchange of many kisses.

O, how well our dear Clorinda is looking! cried Eliza. Let me just see if that fine colour is rouge, no, 'tis the natural effect of country air.

And of my dearest Ferrabys, she said. Come, let us sit upon the sopha and try conduct ourselves like rational beings at least until Euphemia brings in the tea.

My dear, said Josiah, putting an arm about her, you cannot expect us to conduct ourselves with philosophical calm (she gave a sudden burst of laughter that caused them a little concern, but doubtless 'twas the volatility of her state), for we have missed our darling most extremely and worry about her quite continually.

Really, my dears, I am in Surrey, not Ultima Thule or the antipodes, and I have my household around me, and 'twas only last week I had a visit from Milord and Mr MacDonald, but indeed, I am very glad to see you, and – o, Mrs Ferraby, you wicked woman! Do you venture to be saucy?

Euphemia entered with the tea-tray and they endeavoured to put on very calm and proper faces until she had gone.

Eliza said that there was something about being with their lovely Clorinda that put her in this giddy mood.

My dear helpmeet has been entirely giddy since our last meeting, Josiah said fondly, though she contrives to hide it in society and manages attend to business in all soberness. But really, she is quite the wild girl I met in the farmyard that night once more.

They looked at one another with very warm affection.

But my dears, said Clorinda, pouring tea, I live quite out of the world here and do not go about in local society. Do you hear how things go on in our circle?

I think we put our darling to the blush, said Eliza, whispering something in her ear that did indeed make her blush. Shameless creature, said Clorinda, squeezing her hand. Now tell me about your visit to the Wallaces.

So they told her how well Lady Wallace and her son were doing, how fond fatherly Sir Barton showed, and that Eliza had took the opportunity to mention to Lady Wallace the use of spunges, for there were many that found the notion that a woman ran no risque did she feed the child herself somewhat aslant of the case, and 'twas advizable that she should allow a little space before thinking of further increase. And the Wallaces were seeing a deal of the Samuels, that were also doing well.

Eliza went on to say that Her Grace of Mulcaster was in suspicion that she went about to increase, but purposed keep it very much in the dark at present, for fear that Lady Jane would make her lie upon a sopha for the next nine months. Lady Jane is busy about a deal of good works, her subscription concerts were being most successful, and 'twas thought she might get up patronage for this opera of Mr Gordon Duncan and Mr Pargiter’s – Clorinda groaned – No, Mr Duncan is really quite in hopes that it may turn out well.

Miss Addington, however, said Josiah, is very much leading her a dance, 'tis much supposed in our set that her successes have gone to her head and she is almost drunk on 'em, and several have remarked to me, oh that Madame Clorinda was here to give that naughty chit a set-down over her behaviour, for she would mark her if none other. She will go about jealously pouting does Lady Jane praise Miss McKeown for her singing, and then flirt herself with Miss Lewis, yet also madly flirts in a very general fashion, indeed, would doubtless go flirt with the wombatt was’t like to respond to her wiles, she has certainly fluttered her lashes at me. Her rumoured amour with Mr Jenkins has his admiring coterie going so far as to hiss her and there is a considerable coolness 'twixt her and Miss Daniels. Mr Jenkins, when I ran into him at Sir Zoffany’s of late, said sure he never thought a few romps on tour would make such trouble.

O dear, sighed Clorinda, she was ever volatile but this business is not good news. Sure I should rap her knuckles for her did I have the chance and tell her she should keep her dramas on the stage.

Yet, said Eliza, I suspect there may be some fault on Lady Jane’s side, for she is you know inclined to overbear, even, indeed, particularly, with the very best of intentions.

O, cried Clorinda, how matters do go awry when I am not there to keep 'em in hand. She then laughed. Does the wombatt perchance stray? Sure 'tis because I am not there to manage matters.

Josiah and Eliza joined in fond laughter, and then Eliza said she must go see Seraphine and Julius, gave her one last warm kiss, and left them. Clorinda leant against Josiah, who put his arm around her in such a way that he could gently caress her increasing belly.

Comments

[nenya_kanadka]

Man, Miss A- was in a rough spot, as I recall, but geeez she picked a terrible way of calling for help. Except...it did work! It eventually came to Clorinda's ears! And presumably next time she was in trouble she talked to Lady J with words or something.

Must have been so odd for everyone around her though.

Eliza offering sauciness! God I love her.