Love in the Mews (2)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sam shifted from foot to foot as he waited. Indeed he was before the agreed time – he could by no means expect Sophy yet – did she come at all – sure he was being somewhat ambitious in aspiring to her – that, no doubt, would in due course go take a place as lady’s maid to a Duchess or Countess among Lady Bexbury’s connexion –

He sniffed anxiously – but he was so used to the smell of stables, dared say he would not notice it about himself – had washed himself most thorough – but –

And here she came, quite exact upon the hour, most exceeding well-turned out, and smelling very sweet into the bargain. La, Mr Jupp, am I late? Sure I thought Prue would never halt in telling me of the fine sermon they heard at chapel the morn! She slipped her hand into his arm.

He looked down at her, looking up under the brim of her fine hat, and said, do you not go to chapel with Mrs Dorcas and Prue?

Docket says, said Sophy, casting her eyes down, that 'tis proper to go to church with Her Ladyship, and Her Ladyship goes to the parish church.

'Tis said that Docket is the great authority on what is proper?

Entirely! said Sophy firmly. 'Tis a great advantage to be instructed under Docket – do I not have the example of Tibby before me? One may see the respect Docket commands in her profession. She went on to inform him that Docket had been in very grand service before taking the place with Her Ladyship, before she was Her Ladyship, knew the way of things in these fine aristocratic households. Her set-downs were a thing to see!

I suppose, said Sam at length, as they came to the Park, that one day you will go be lady’s maid in some grand household yourself?

O! cried Sophy, no, I do not think so. Sure I could not fancy to leave Docket, for does one not be very careful to be beforehand in matters, she will go overdo, and then be poorly, can no longer undertake any of the heavier tasks and will tire very easily. And then, well, have been about these great households when we go visits with Her Ladyship, and 'tis not like ours. Daresay one might get used to such a place in time – But then, would have far to seek to find a lady that would show so well for one’s efforts as Her Ladyship! Does one great credit, 'tis entirely pleasing.

That was a very pretty way to show towards Docket, and it was always pleasing to see one that took pride in their work, whatever it was. I daresay, he said, with her philanthropic connexions, Her Ladyship looks about for some comfortable almshouse or such for Docket?

Certainly not! said Sophy very fiercely. 'Twould quite kill Docket to be put out to grass thus – for she can still work, 'tis just a matter of taking care so that she does not overdo. And Her Ladyship will prevail upon Mrs Smith that is Mamzelle Bridgette to invite her go spend some weeks recruit at the seaside, does her a deal of good. But sure I prattle a deal of our affairs! How go matters with you now you go have a second stable over Kensington way?

Sam was entire happy to tell her how very good a thing it was to open a second stable, and what a most excellent location it was at, and minded not to say aught of how very agreeable it was to have his father over there getting matters under hand so that he might have all at the old stables under his own hand without interference. Sure his father would come back of an evening and go interrogate, but he could see that all went entire well.

Also, he went on, there is a very fine house goes with those stables, we are in hopes that Ma and Pa will go set up there, 'twould be most fitting – though, he added hastily, sure the lodgings over the stables in the mews are very comfortable, now Her Ladyship has had 'em done up so well.

Indeed, said Sophy, and now your brothers and sisters are gone out into good places must be a deal less crowded.

‘Tis so: do very well for themselves. 

They walked on a little way, and he enquired whether she would care to take a syllabub?

O, that would be refreshing!

So he took her over to where he might treat her to that refreshment, and they might watch the crowds, and Sophy had comments to make upon the ladies’ dress, and he had some thoughts upon some of the horseflesh that went by, and 'twas all most agreeable.

And when they walked back towards the mews, he dared to advance the suggestion that perchance they might walk out again some other time when she had an afternoon free? O, said Sophy, smiling up at him, perchance we might.

 

Maurice gave Sophy a cousinly kiss and then sighed. La, I fancy you have a deal of instructions from Docket concerning the gowns that are a’making for Lady Bexbury –

Why, said Sophy, 'tis entirely so, I have the notes here so I do not have to trust to memory, and to sweeten the matter, I have begged some macaroons of Euphemia –

Oho!

 - though, indeed, they are the ones she considers not entire perfect enough for Lady Bexbury’s drawing-room meeting!

I am sure they taste quite as good, said Maurice. Let us have some tea, I have a little breathing space. He looked about his workroom, brushed off a stool and gestured to her to sit. Sure you are looking well, little coz.

You are none so bad yourself, said Sophy, for Maurice was looking very well indeed.

Why, business is very good, Biddy goes talk of making me a partner in due course –

O, Maurice, that is very fine news!

Sure I go become an entire respectable fellow!

They smiled at one another.

And your mother is well?

Maurice gave a little sigh. As well as may be expected. The new lodgings improve her spirits, and having Hortense come back from the place she was in to live with her – fancy it suits Hortense as well. And 'tis none so far from Covent Garden that Marie may not come call several times of a se’ennight to take tea, when business permits.

Some time, said Sophy, I must go call myself when I have a little free time or an errand in that direction. O, really, Maurice, do not try to scowl like Hector, sure I will carry my hatpin in my hand do I so, to prick any fellow that tries any rudeness.

Maurice laughed. He picked up a macaroon and nibbled upon it. First you go cast flirtatious glances upon fellows and then you go stab 'em with a hatpin!

O Maurice Allard, I do not! there are saucy fellows will go make themselves a great nuisance without a young woman even looks at 'em. And, she sighed, fellows that however many flirtatious glances you make, do not proceed even to an arm about the waist, let alone a kiss.

What, said Maurice, perching upon the work-bench, first making sure it was clear of pins and needles, is there some fellow you go incline to? He frowned. Cannot be any in your household – of course, Lady Bexbury goes visit at Raxdell House quite often – Jerome says there are several of the footmen there quite expire at your feet –

O, poo, said Sophy, silly fellows, I am not in the least minded to any of 'em.

Or mayhap that you encountered at some place where you have been visit, that has now come to Town –

Sophy shook her head. She then hung down her head and said in a small voice, you will mind, from when you come visit, that there is a livery-stables at t’other end of the mews, that is under the hand of the Jupps –

Ah, said Maurice, have I not noted a very fine young fair-haired fellow – young Nell and Nick’s brother, I apprehend? – has the charge of the place? He whistled. 'Tis a fine flourishing business, too. But is he not at all beguiled by your flirtatious glances?

Sophy let out a deep sigh. Why, has been in the habit of giving me a civil greeting when I go to and fro upon my errands –

O, said Maurice with a wicked grin, I daresay he just happens to be about the stable door just upon the hour when little Sophy is sent on her errands –

Indeed, 'twas somewhat coincidental, Sophy conceded. And then one day he offered that we might walk out in the Park was I free of a Sunday afternoon, and we have done the like some two or three times since, but the matter does not progress as I supposed it might.

Exceeding proper in him! said Maurice. I fancy 'tis an excellent sign.

Think you so? asked Sophy.

Goes stand you treat, perchance? Sophy nodded. Why, I think manifests that he has a considerable liking to you. He looked thoughtful. It so perchances, he went on, that Elias Winch has lately give me passes for the play on account of a favour I did him – occasional will go give a select private performance to a particular audience and I go be of assistance to him in the matter – and at present we are working here 'till all hours with the orders we have upon hand, should not like to take the time –

O, said Sophy, that must be most exceeding entertaining!

'Tis most exceeding unsuited for young women! – but there could be no exception to going to the play, and you might say you have been give 'em – you need not give details, sure there are a deal of the theatrical set are intimates of Lady Bexbury’s household – and that should be grateful of his escort –

Sophy began to smile. The very thing! she said. Should answer exceedingly.

Comments

[aedifica]

Oh, lovely! And it's neat to see Sophy and Maurice talking about family, too. I don't remember, what is their connection? (I remember about Maurice's side of the family being more or less in disgrace [or a disgrace], so I was surprised to see that Sophy knows them well.)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

The back-story on this - which I don't think has actually come out anywhere before - is that Sophy's (late) mother was Maurice's mother's sister, was widowed quite early in marriage but managed to eke out a relatively comfortable living for herself and Sophy as a dressmaker/seamstress in a modest way of business, and occasionally provided refuge for Maurice, his mother and his sisters when his father was violent in his cups.

[aedifica]

Thank you!

[kotturinn]

Oh Sophy, you are lovely! So nice to see her at the centre of a story.

[brokenallbroken]

I see Clorinda isn't the only one about contrivances.

[kore]

Sophy is a complete darling, and I really like seeing her with Maurice.

[entirelydisregardablelout]

occasional will go give a *select private performance* to a *particular audience* and I go be of assistance to him in the matter

Performances at the Disposition Club, and Maurice provides him with "women's clothing", perhaps in the finest style?

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Quite - I'm not quite sure how early the term 'drag' came into use (I believe it's recorded at around the later date of the Boulton and Park case) but that was essentially what he was up to.