the_comfortable_courtesan

Josiah continued his stroll through the town, greeting one and t’other, showing civil, not distant or haughty, not in the least spoilt by fine company, still entire concerned with local matters. And trying not to recall the previous night, and Clorinda’s letter.

Eliza was most exceeding took up with kitchen matters, now that she was able to be about 'em as she had always used to be at this season, and there were a deal of exceeding fine baking smells about the place, and the children begging for a little taste of this or that, and Eliza laughing, and oh, there was a time when this would have been entirely all he would have wanted – his dear wife restored to health and activity, his children around him, matters going on well with the works and in the town –

'Twas not just the ache of missing their beloved Clorinda and the concern for her, that he could never quite forget. He had, he realized, come to have a view beyond this town and its concerns. Sure 'twas gratifying that there were a deal of matters had been improved: nuisances done away with, almshouses built, schools established, a deal of worthwhile enterprizes in hand, model cottages, a dispensary already operating and sound plans for a hospital –

And sure there were now fellows enough that saw the sense in these things and could take them up and run 'em and mayhap he did not always entirely see eye to eye in every instance, but here was Abbott turned out quite the finest fellow, took a good broad view of medical and sanitary matters, even had he not walked the wards at Barts and would not have been his own first choice.

It was – fie, he said to himself, does it go to your head, Jos’ Ferraby, that you have Dukes and Viscounts and such come desire your advice? 'Twas most exceeding flattering, he conceded, and one must be aware that the improvements being undertaken by His Grace of Mulcaster would become quite a cynosure, it was a fine feeling to think one had had a hand in those: but after all, a deal of that had been knowing how apt to the practicalities of the task was Jacob Samuels, and it was an entire pleasure to assist him on in his career. And not just upon matters to do with improvements upon their estates and questions to do with ironworkings or quarries on their properties: sure his acquaintance would often turn to him about matters that came before Parliament and desire his thoughts as to what was the proper attitude to take.

Had there not been certain questions of such nature in the letters he had lately received?

He was not wont to think of himself as an ambitious man: did not desire to set up as a landed proprietor or aim at a knighthood or marry his daughters above their station. Provided that there were good sound almshouses and a well-run hospital and good solid cottages in place of hovels and such-like amenities, he did not care if they bore the name Ferraby. But he liked to see things done properly: sure he had had the greatest respect for his uncle, but had been somewhat of a relief to be able to take the works into his own hands and bring things about into the modern ways without having to fight a deal over each change.

But these days – was that he came about to move within a wider sphere. They came about to move within a wider sphere, his dear Eliza the confidante of Ladies and Duchesses: and he knew that they owed this to their best beloved Clorinda.

He sighed and passed a hand over his face. Sure things had greatly changed. For the better, certainly, but they had become different and made for a certain unease. He was no longer some simple provincial fellow.

But he could still enjoy the simple family pleasure of sitting down to a fine Christmas dinner with his wife and children and friends, and Eliza’s exceeding fine cooking of her special receipts of the season, and looking about at his boisterous children, and his handsome wife – that, he noted, looked a little wistful –

As if, he thought, she minded upon one that she missed to see at table. Did he not the like? But sure he could not come about to imagine how they might ever see their darling seated among their family, however much they might desire it.

After the meal, Miss Netherne offered to play the piano so that there might be a little dancing, and Dalgleish offered that he had brought his fiddle, and did not dance himself, and she blushed a little, and Josiah bowed to her and offered that she might dance with him, and Lowndes wondered if Mrs Ferraby would care to tread a measure with him, and Abbott desired Miss Ferraby to dance, and Harry said, come along Meg, and they made up a set. And 'twas all very merry if not perchance what would have passed in a fine ballroom. And there was changing of partners, and he danced with both his daughters, and at last with Eliza, and by then all were inclined for a little rest, and Abbott had brought his music, for he fancied himself a singer, and Miss Netherne was entire agreeable to accompany him.

Then the children were chased off to bed, for they began to droop and very like in a very short time would come to fratch and brangle from tiredness. Eliza served round to the company the punch she made from an old family receipt, that was somewhat deceptive strong, but all greatly relished.

At length their company took leave, somewhat reluctant – for there they were, going off to their lonely lodgings, from this fine warm family house, and he saw them all casting glances at pretty Miss Netherne somewhat flushed from dancing and perchance the punch, but he minded that she was a young woman in his care and there would be no matters of catching under the kissing bunch that the children had made and hung in a doorway, that he fancied crossed their minds –

So civil adieux were said, and then Miss Netherne said, O, how very agreeable a day – sure it quite reminded her – and looked a little tearful. Eliza put an arm about her and said, My dear, I fancy the punch may be a little oversetting are you not used to it. But I fancy do you go have a good night’s sleep you are young, should take no ill effects.

So kind, said Miss Netherne in choked tones, kissed Eliza upon the cheek, and almost ran from the room.

Eliza shook her head. Alas, she said, I fancy we stirred up memories of happier times. Also, she does not speak of it, but I fancy her sister is not in a very satisfactory place. She came over to sit upon Josiah’s knee and kissed him, then rested her head upon his shoulder. She sighed. Here are Bess and Meg, agitating again for a new sister.

I fancy they are not yet quite of an age when one might explain to 'em the perils of the matter.

Quite so. She sighed again. O, and I know that our darling has her devoted household about her, and the company of Mr MacDonald, she is not forlorn and alone, but even so –

Entirely, my love. One must be concerned, we miss her considerable.

Indeed I would not borrow trouble, but I cannot help but wonder how she will do –

Sure, my love, that is entirely borrowing trouble. Let us get through these next months – that will be hard enough, for with the troubles with the roads, and the business we have upon hand, do not know when either of us might next travel.

Eliza sighed again and buried her face in his shoulder.

Well, he said, looking up from it, his face grown somewhat warm, 'tis a very pretty notion that I daresay our darling never had the experience of before, to be a-tumbling in the hay.

Why, 'tis such a sad miserable cold gloomy time o’year, I thought I would mind on summer pleasures, and indeed, that the pleasures we had during our courting would be somewhat out of the common for her.

Indeed I am like to think so. What a very pretty talent you have in the matter, my love.

Eliza blushed. Why, was quite inspired by our own darling’s facility.

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tree_and_leaf

It would be interesting to know Eliza's punch recipe!

rymenhild

Thanks for this particularly lovely update. Josiah and Eliza are so sweet, and it's fascinating to see Josiah recognizing the changes in himself.

aedifica

Yes! I particularly liked this bit of Josiah's introspection:

Provided that there were good sound almshouses and a well-run hospital and good solid cottages in place of hovels and such-like amenities, he did not care if they bore the name Ferraby. But he liked to see things done properly...

Edited Date: 2018-07-31 12:03 pm (UTC)

kore

But she was not entire desolate, for a day or so later she came to him with a wicked smile and said, had been about to write a letter to their very dearest darling, and hoped 'twould be agreeable to him to sign it. He took it from her.
Well, he said, looking up from it, his face grown somewhat warm, 'tis a very pretty notion that I daresay our darling never had the experience of before, to be a-tumbling in the hay.
Why, 'tis such a sad miserable cold gloomy time o’year, I thought I would mind on summer pleasures, and indeed, that the pleasures we had during our courting would be somewhat out of the common for her.
Indeed I am like to think so. What a very pretty talent you have in the matter, my love.

I LOVE THESE.