Love in the Mews (3)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Sure things came about to get along, Sam thought. Had been a most agreeable excursion to the play – perchance they might venture that again! – and coming home he had dared to put an arm around Sophy so that she was a little protected from jostling by the crowds in the streets. He smiled to himself as he went about the stables with a lantern, making sure all was well afore he locked up for the night.

There was a soft throat-clearing at the stable-door. Mr Samuel Jupp?

Sam turned. It was that molly dressmaker that was some connexion to the Bexbury household. Yes? he said in tones that he hoped were civil but not over-warm.

Eyebrows arched and lips curved in a sardonic smile. La, Mr Jupp, here I come about a most manly office, being, I confide, Sophy Lacey’s closest male relative, as her first cousin.

Sam straightened up. Well, the slight figure before him was not Hector –

Fie, I merely came to sound out your intentions and whether you go lead on a maiden’s affections –

I hope, said Sam, that I have done naught presuming towards Miss Lacey, a fine young woman that I hold in the highest respect.

Sophy’s cousin – Sam did not at the moment recollect the name, had he ever heard it – looked about, gave a disdainful sniff, holding a handkerchief to his nose, and said, might we discourse of this over ale somewhere – not, I think it would be prudent, the Beaufoyle Arms –

The – oh, he must mean the Buffle Arms – well, it was indeed a prudent thought, was not a conversation he would wish to have there, most in particular not with a fellow the like of this. He grunted, nodded, and said, we might do so, do you know of a place –

And then thought, perchance that was not so wise a suggestion –

I am acquainted with an entire respectable tavern nearby, you need be in no fears that you will be drawn into some den of inquity: come along.

So Sam, hoping none was watching, followed the fellow out of the mews and down a neighbouring street or two and into what was indeed an entire respectable sort of tavern in a lane between two streets. His companion found a secluded corner nook, desired two mugs of decent ale from the pot-boy, and then turned to Sam, who looked about the place.

Maurice Allard, he said. It sounded French, though the fellow had as London an accent as Sam himself: but if there was French blood somewhere, explained why he was somewhat lighter in complexion than Sophy. Sophy’s cousin, and, aside from questions of kinship, am considerable indebted to her mother and her for kindnesses in my childhood. So I take a concern over how she does: sure, she could not be in a better place, Lady Bexbury’s care for her household is a most exemplary thing, that severe creature Docket entirely doats upon her, one hears there are ladies will come beg Her Ladyship to have Sophy come dress their hair or give their own woman some fresh notions –

I can see that Miss Lacey comes about to become quite a mistress in her trade, growled Sam.

Entirely so. And I should not wish her to go pine away wearing the willow. So I would wish to discover whether you merely trifle with her.

Certainly not! said Sam, banging his mug down so fiercely a little ale slopped onto the table. I have – I have – I have the greatest admiration for your cousin, that is quite the finest young lady I have ever seen, that does so well for herself, 'tis an entire honour to walk out with her.

I should hope so! But do you have intentions?

Same gazed down into his mug. Why, he said, I fancy it will come around that my father and mother will go live at the Kensington stables, and I will be in charge here, and sure the apartments over the stables are a deal better than they used to be, and I shall find myself in a position to marry, but –

But? Maurice Allard narrowed his eyes.

 - a fine young woman the like of Sophy, used to an elegant household, and so dedicated to her profession –

Maurice Allard relaxed a little. Indeed I fancy she would be loath to give it up! – would be in the frets about Docket &C. But sure, you would not be about taking her to the antipodes, or even Kensington, but t’other end of the mews –

Oh. Sam looked down into his mug and up again. Hector and Euphemia lived in the mews cottage, and his sister Sal did for 'em. Sure a fellow in a good way of business as he anticipated himself to be would not expect his wife to occupy herself all day about the chores of the household, would certainly keep at least one servant, have a charwoman come in for the rough, send out the laundry – there might come children, he certainly hoped so, but that was a deal of a way ahead – Sure he would be most reluctant to disoblige Lady Bexbury, that they owed such a great deal to –

I am like to suppose, said Maurice, that all might be contrived exceeding harmonious and to the benefit of all. However, I am also like to suppose that the sooner you put matters on a more regular footing the better, because one of these days Hector is going to find out that somewhat has been going on clandestine and there will be an explosion.

Say you so? Maurice nodded. Sam nibbled his lip. Mayhap, he said, mayhap, did I go and offer that I would wish to walk out with Sophy, very proper and formal – ?

Would look well, Maurice agreed. 'Twould mean being scrutinized by Docket I hazard, mayhap even an interrogation by Her Ladyship, but would be diplomatic.

But, said Sam, 'tis all very well that I do this, but would Sophy be agreeable? Should not wish discomfort her.

My dear Mr Jupp, I have undertook this task precisely because I am in the apprehension that Sophy would be entirely agreeable.

Comments

[azurelunatic]

Oh, Maurice! :D

[redbird]

awwwww

[rhi]

Oh, what a sweetheart! He's just been interrogated by Maurice and his main worry is not putting Sophy to discomfort? Lovely man!

[violsva]

Oh, this is great!

[aedifica]

:-D :-D :-D

[rymenhild]

Maurice asking about Sam's intentions and contriving for their happiness is just delightful.

[kore]

However, I am also like to suppose that the sooner you put matters on a more regular footing the better, because one of these days Hector is going to find out that somewhat has been going on clandestine and there will be an explosion.

SMART MAN

[rmc28]

One imagines that there are still stories told about the reveal of Titus & Tibby walking out together.

[kore]

Hector the Protector! I wonder if he is perhaps based somewhat on Bill Richmond https://www.history.com/news/the-18th-century-black-sports-superstar-youve-never-heard-of Altho I confess I picture him as looking like young Joe Louis

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Joe_Louis_by_van_Vechten.jpg

[derien]

We all need a cousin who will perform such offices for us!

[entirelydisregardablelout]

Biffle, Buffle, Beauf -- can nobody in London say "Beaufoyle", or is it one of those weird English names that they don't bother to pronounce "bow foil"?

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

'Biffle' was the family name/name for intimates based on what Lady Jane's infant lisp made of her brother's name (awww!). 'Buffle' is how the particular London working-class in more or less what is now Mayfair rendered it. 'Beauf' is the kind of contraction friends might use.

(No, actually, it was really pronounced 'Chumley-Feestonhaw' like all these weird English aristo names.)