The Ironmaster's Tale (68)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

And indeed, said Clorinda, sitting up and looking thoughtful, 'tis not just a question of concealing some true tale that one had rather not be made a common on-dit, 'tis putting some other tale into circulation – sure it takes only a little for such a tale to take on an entire life of its own, did we not occasional hear that one or another’s cousin or mother-in-law or friend’s acquaintance was at some German spaw and saw Abby at the tables staking her bracelet?

Josiah chuckled. 'Tis indeed so, he said, and now there is a deal of speculation about what the ado is in Carlsbad.

Clorinda began to grin. O, Mr Ferraby, might you perchance go hint about that you had heard – mayhap you have business connexions in those parts? – that Abby, that ever had a bold democratic, nay, even a revolutionary, spirit, had become most exceeding attached to some fellow that was greatly opposed to the tyrannical rule that has come about as a result of the Congress of Vienna and the maintenance of the Balance of Power – mayhap, 'tis some Polish fellow that desires to free his nation, or a Russian that objects to the oppressive rule of the Tsar – la, I daresay Mr MacDonald is entire apprized of the various parties that might be in play and sure one hears that there is quite a confederacy 'twixt all these revolutionary fellows that groan beneath tyrannical rulers –

Josiah began to laugh quite immoderate. Dearest love, he said, I fancy you are supplied with the beginnings of another Gothic tale.

Clorinda giggled. 'Tis scarce more respectable a trade than my own, I fear, did I wish to change my occupation. But sure, do they go speculate upon what Abby is about in the Habsburg domains, they will not make any association with Mr Thorne’s bluestocking bride that goes, I daresay, make a pet of a platypus in the antipodes.

You are a clever woman, my dear.

Fie, I am a silly creature, said Clorinda, 'tis considered a most becoming thing in a lady of the Town.

Josiah smiled at her. Why, you may not paint, but I fancy you present a deceptive face nonetheless. For I have observed from our earliest encounters that you are a lady of exceeding shrewd judgement.

La, tell nobody!

Why, I will not go gossip it about, but I fancy those that are your true friends entirely apprehend the matter and 'tis why they are your friends. He put an arm about her. But, my love, you also have some other very fine qualities, and while 'tis true that seems most strange to sample 'em without we are in company with my dear Eliza, are you agreeable should greatly like to take advantage of this opportunity.

O, indeed I am a sad foolish Clorinda that grows quite obtuse, perchance 'tis the effect of my condition. And mayhap I might give you some several kisses and caresses that you may convey to dearest Mrs Ferraby?

Indeed 'twas agreeable, though not as agreeable as would have been might their triangle have been recomposed.

'Twas entirely too short a stay, but he might not linger as he would wish.

And these particular kisses, said Clorinda, as they made their farewells, are for you to pass on to Mrs Ferraby.

I shall do so with great pleasure, he responded, but o my love, I do so hate to leave you. We do worry for you here, away from all your friends. (And, he did not say, with that nasty creature of a parson that looks upon you so lustful, and, I greatly suspect, also looks very doating upon what he supposes your matrimonial portion might be, and considers upon the perils that may attend a seafaring profession. But he dared say that Clorinda was entire sensible already of the parson’s nature.)

My dear, she said, this is Surrey and there are good roads, Milord could be here almost instantaneous in his curricle did I need to summon him: I beg you, do not imagine me immured in some Gothic castle in a mountain fastness. Really, my love, I should be in much more likelihood of peril was I in truth on the way to Carlsbad and whatever trouble Abby might have got herself into. Here the worst danger is that I am like to perish of boredom.

He groaned into the side of her neck, kissed her once more, and took his leave with several backward glances at where she stood, waving her handkerchief.

It was indeed painful, and worrisome, to leave her, even had he spoke to Hector and covertly conveyed to him several homing pigeons so that he might most expeditiously send a message was there any need, taking the thought that as the season progressed into winter other means of communication might be hindered. Hector had been most prepossessed with the birds – for indeed they were very fine creatures, nothing like the common pigeons that infested the London streets – and found a suitable home for them in the stable loft. Josiah warned him not to overfeed 'em – needed to be kept in fine flying condition.

But it was agreeable to return home and to see how well matters went there these days, and how exceeding well Eliza looked. And he could be about choosing a plot for a new house, and writing to an architect that had been recommended to him as entire suited to the task by Sir Zoffany, and the fellow responding most civil that he was at present at liberty and entire at Mr Ferraby’s disposal.

So Mr Bramdon came and they gave him hospitality, and was a fine civil fellow that one could see admired Eliza, and was acquainted with Jacob Samuels – no sounder fellow for a survey, he conceded – and went look over the plot, and listened to their requirements, and made a deal of drawings, and then, to the great delight of the girls, constructed a model of the house that he proposed, 'twas quite entire charming, and indeed it quite delighted Eliza as well. And once his presence in the town became known, and that Ferraby was having a fine new house built, there were several others approached him, and Josiah also took the thought that there were certain matters such as the hospital that might benefit from having an architect’s understandings –

And indeed, although Bramdon admired Eliza, also showed some disposition to flirt with Miss Netherne, so seemed entirely sensible to suggest that mayhap, now he got such a press of business, should take lodgings in the town with an office where he might conduct it more convenable. He agreed 'twas entirely proper – had not realized how very flourishing the place was, what a demand there was for the services he might offer.

Comments

[aedifica]

"make a pet of a platypus in the antipodes" has lovely alliteration!

[nenya_kanadka]

I can just SEE the twinkle in Clorinda's eye as she starts brainstorming gothick rumours to spread... 😂