The Ironmaster's Tale (65)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

After a moment or two, Clorinda said in a questioning tone, that sure some gentlemen would not like it was their wife and their mistress to be towsell-mowsell together.

Why, said Josiah, kissing her ear, it makes my two dear loves so happy, and 'tis very pretty to look upon, and anyway, I think we may entirely agree that between us three there is always enough to go round, so really, 'twould be quite foolishly churlish to object.

Besides, he went on, I am in such a habit of trusting my dear helpmeet’s judgement and doing her bidding, from the time she told me to go hide in the scullery while she saw off the keepers, and then her advice that getting her with child was the only way to get her father to consent to our marriage, and after that in so many business matters, that I cannot think anything that she thinks is right can be wrong.

That is really quite out of the common, my love, said Clorinda, snuggling closer. But tell me, did Miss Addington really flirt with you?

She said very meaningful that I must be missing Madame Clorinda very much –

The little bitch!

– but tell me, yourself and Miss Addington…?

Oh no, she did have a notion to me at one time, but even had Lady Jane not already been paying suit to her, I could not have fancied the idea, for 'twould be quite exhausting to deal with her. A little girlish amuzement 'twixt myself and dear Abby I will confess to but that was many years since. This is all entirely out of the way for me. But I do love both my dear Ferrabys so very much.

He hugged her closer. And we both adore our lovely Clorinda and wish we could contrive so that we did not endure so much separation. Why, he said, as his gaze fell upon the garden, I see that the fountain goes play now – how does that come about?

O, said Clorinda with a smile, when Milord and Mr MacDonald were here, while Milord did great slaughter amongst the rabbits – for they are quite a plague this year – Mr MacDonald went about finding out why the fountain did not play and how it might be brought about to do so, he found it most exceeding entertaining, and with a little assistance from Roberts with digging &C has done as you may see.

'Twas a side of MacDonald he had not suspected: quite the practical philosopher. Sure one had seen his theoretical grasp upon matters, when discussing canals &C.

He nuzzled at Clorinda’s neck. I fancy Eliza will already have asked are you taking care of yourself, and giving you prudent advice in the matter –

O, indeed, said Clorinda with a little giggle. I am to walk daily in the gardens provided the weather is not entirely adverse, 'tis quite the best thing, but must wear stout shoes and not get my feet wet, and take a little nap of the afternoons do I feel sleepy, and I daresay she goes instruct Seraphine about matters of diet in between talking nonsense at Julius and bouncing him upon her knee. She smiled fondly.

Our best of Clorindas must take care of herself, 'tis of quite the greatest importance.

O, indeed I do, and my good people are ever most exceeding careful of me: here is Phoebe, went chide Prue about polishing the stairs too high, for fear I might slip. That is why they are now covered with drugget, does not look so well, but she would not be persuaded otherwise.

I am exceeding glad that she is so toward in the matter.

Clorinda sighed. 'Tis with her as with Hector: was it not for their colour I confide they could aspire to quite the highest service.

I daresay 'tis so, but sure they are very devoted to you.

O, poo, murmured Clorinda in a drowsy voice, and he surmized that she was inclined to a nice little nap. He moved to hold her in such a fashion that she would not wake up with a crick in her neck. They were disposed thus when Eliza came in from admiring Julius and convoking with Seraphine – Josiah laid a finger to his lips. Eliza smiled upon them and came sit down upon the sopha, looking adoringly at the sleeping Clorinda. Their treasure.

No, my dears, said Clorinda the next morn over breakfast, I fear 'tis only proper that you accompany me to church so that Mr Gorston may see what fine prosperous friends I have that may defend me from my husband’s plots to get control of my fortune, with the confederacy of Milord and Mr MacDonald.

Eliza snorted coffee through her nose and they were obliged to spend some while mopping up.

Well, if we must, said Josiah, sure we have troubles enough with our own vicar but this fellow sounds a deal worse.

They assembled in the hall, dressed suitable for church-going. Dear love, said Eliza, raising her eyebrows, do you intend going to Quaker meeting? For you are dressed quite exceptional plain and that bonnet must cause Docket much distress.

My dearest, replied Clorinda with a deep sigh, even thus arrayed I have had a deal of annoying attentions from other members of the congregation but none shall say I go to church to show myself off. Also, I must look very sober and discreet so that Mr Gorston will give credence to my tale that my husband wishes confine me as a lunatic to get control of my fortune, rather than supposing that I am indeed disordered in my wits.

Really, my love, said Josiah, I wonder you do not turn your talents to writing Gothic novels, I am sure you might quite rival Mrs Radcliffe.

Clorinda blushed.

The day being fine if a little chill, they walked to church along with the household, that were all dressed exceeding properly and did entire credit to the establishment. They sat with Clorinda in her pew and observed a good deal of interest from the congregation. Josiah also noted many glances from the oily Mr Gorston, that preached a sermon upon vanity and vain adornment: but 'twas not, one could see, directed at Clorinda.  As they left the church he showed very welcoming indeed: Josiah had observed how his eyes gleamed at the gold he had put into the offering plate. Such wealthy and respectable-seeming friends must do Clorinda a deal of good in this place.

Her people however were looking very upset, with Prue nearly in tears, and Phoebe communicated that Mr Gorston was looking very marked at them in the gallery while thundering about vain adornment. This is a sad countrified place, sighed Clorinda, for there is nothing at all remarkable about how you dress, or would not be in Town.

They returned home to a fine Sunday dinner prepared by Seraphine, laid in the fine dining room. Eliza was again very much prepossessed by the fine contrivance by which food was conveyed from the kitchen to the table without carrying it along corridors and up stairs, so that it arrived still hot rather than cooled down. Josiah took out his little memorandum book and went over to inspect the device and make some notes upon its workings.  

Comments

[ashbet]

Their treasure <3<3<3<3<3

[kore]

//clings to story in middle of nasty heatwave

[nenya_kanadka]

Never enough domestic OT3 scenes! 😍😍😍 That nap, AWWWW!

And grrrr once more at Mr Gorston, that complete dipstick, making Prue cry!! I am sure their colour inspired him to extra vehemence, the utter ass.

[adrian_turtle]

Oh, how they all take such care of her! Eliza warning her not to get her feet wet, and probably talking to Seraphine about food (while Seraphine politely rolls her eyes, having just been pregnant herself.) And the carpet on the stairs so she doesn't slip!

He moved to hold her in such fashion as she would not wake up with a crick in her neck.

Oh, Josiah!