Finding her place (6)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

 Sophy came to find, now the Season was properly under way, 'twas exceeding difficult to prevent Docket from over-doing, in particular as she herself had not yet acquired enough of the necessary arts to take matters from Docket’s hands. Sure she did not know what was proper wear for all the very mixed occasions that Her Ladyship was about at and might only follow behind Docket and try to be about any necessary matters of furbishing before Docket went about 'em. To tend very carefully and in good time to all matters that she could take into her own hands. But Docket would not sit and instruct Sophy about any matter that she had not yet learnt: all had to be entire perfect and under her own hand was Her Ladyship to be going about in Society and displaying her consequence.

Sophy sighed, for it seemed to her that upon occasion Docket grew a little short of breath and was obliged to stand still for a moment or two to gather herself and perchance was even a little dizzy – but would show testy did Sophy show at all concerned or troubled.

Came to the day when the Contessa di Serrante’s ridotto was to take place. Sophy had heard a deal from Docket about Her Ladyship’s triumphs in Society at Naples and what an exceeding fine feeling the Contessa, that was of a most antient house in those parts, had for her. But, said Docket with a sniff, will be a deal of foreigners at the ridotto: including, I hear, some several Germans. She said Germans as one might say, venomous vipers. So it was of the very greatest importance that Her Ladyship should look most exceedingly well.

'Tis somewhat of a compliment to the Contessa, remarked Docket, that Her Ladyship’s costume is the very picturesque dress of the peasant women of those parts when they are arrayed for festivals and holidays – though made up in far finer stuffs! But becomes her excellent well.

Sophy could entirely see that once they had dressed Her Ladyship. Though, even did she wear a mask, would she truly be in disguise?

Hmmm, said Her Ladyship, very apt upon this reflection, what jewels shall I wear? Sure I daresay there will be many that know me to be Lady Bexbury, but in order to confuse those that will not immediate recognize me, such as the Graf von Muhlen, that the Contessa wishes go teaze, I should wear somewhat that people will not immediate say, o, there goes Lady Bexbury. Not my rubies, sure Lady Bexbury's Hindoo rubies are well‑known and I daresay the story told of how I acquired 'em. And I do not like to wear my fine emerald and diamond parure that Mr Ferraby gave me, for there are those in our set will quite mind on the occasion and suppose it signifies something. Also my diamonds and the dear Admiral’s pearls might be recognized. But I have not wore the sapphires this age.

Indeed, said Docket, and I cannot think why not, for they are very fine and suit you admirably. Sophy, go fetch Her Ladyship’s sapphires from the jewel‑chest.

Sophy went at once into the closet to unlock the jewel-chest and took out the sapphires. Oh, how very fine they were, and one could see they would look most exceedingly with Her Ladyship’s costume.

Docket fastened them around Her Ladyship’s neck, and clasped the bracelet around her arm, and stood back to admire the effect.

Fan? murmured Her Ladyship. Docket put a fine ebony and black lace fan into her hand, that went very well with the black and silver domino mask.

She looked at herself in the mirror and they looked at her. Docket nodded and said she had ever thought Her Ladyship would look well thus.

Her Ladyship turned and gave them a ravishing smile as she told them to rest a little was they going to wait up for her.

Docket gave a slight snort as Her Ladyship went out of the door.

But indeed, although there was a deal of a matter of tidying up and putting away, once that was done, and Celeste had brought up a nice little supper upon a tray, after that Docket conceded to do no more than sit looking through recent numbers of Ackermann’s and La Belle Assemblée while Sophy wrote up her book.

Sophy felt her eyes begin to droop, and sure, she must have dropped off for a little, for she was started awake by Her Ladyship returning in most excellent high spirits and inclined to giggle at somewhat that had passed at the ridotto. But she bustled about as much as she might – for one saw that there were certain matters that Docket considered quite entirely as her right and duty, such as restoring the sapphires to the jewel-chest and ensuring it was securely locked and the key bestowed in its safe place.

Docket informed Her Ladyship that she should sleep in the morn, 'twas quite the best thing –

La, I am not mistress in my own household, but I will be obedient!

Docket looked weary herself, but Sophy hesitated to exhort her to go to bed while she finished tidying. She was a little surprized, even shocked, to hear Docket say, you finish up here, Sophy, I will go to bed. 'Twas not like her.

So Sophy made sure everything that needed putting away, was put away in its right place, and anything that needed its stopper putting in had its stopper put firmly in so that it would not spill even did one knock it over, and the dressing-table was wiped clean –

Sophy looked about, and began to snuff all the candles except the one candlestick to light her to bed, and to make sure the guard was over the fireplace, and that all was in its proper place –

And she was just about to go to her own bed when she became aware that the sound from Docket’s room was not the regular breathing of sleep, nor snoring, but a kind of breathy gasping, that gave her considerable concern. She tiptoed towards the door of Docket’s chamber that was slightly ajar.

Docket! she whispered. Docket?

Sophy? croaked the reply. My drops – ?

Sophy put down the candle and looked on the table, where she saw the vial with the drops, a bottle of water, a small spoon, and a glass. Setting her teeth in her lip, she poured water into the glass and, remembering Dorcas’s careful instructions, measured a very little portion of the drops into it, then handed it to Docket.

Dorcas also told me, she said in a low voice, that 'twas a good thing to prop you upon pillows rather than lie flat? – Docket nodded, so Sophy plumped up the pillows and helped Docket into a sitting position.

Docket’s hand clutched hers. Will you stay with me a little – just until the drops bring me around –

Of course, said Sophy, perching upon the edge of the bed and keeping hold of Docket’s hand. Do not tire yourself with trying to talk.

She did not know how long she sat there thus, but Docket’s breathing began to ease and she seemed more comfortable at last. Mayhap, said Sophy, you might essay to sleep now?

Docket nodded. You are a good girl, Sophy, she said in a hoarse voice. Before I sleep, there is a thing I should tell you about myself –

Docket! said Sophy, I am like to guess what 'tis you go reveal, and it does not matter. 'Tis your own business. She stooped over to kiss Docket’s cheek.

When Prue came in the morning, Sophy exhorted her to try not to wake Docket, jumped out of bed herself, washed and dressed and made a hasty breakfast before preparing matters in readiness for Her Ladyship’s levée: for this morning she would be rising late and not expecting company so 'twould be a matter of some simple dressing of the hair and a pretty wrapper. She fancied that did Docket slumber on, why, she could manage the business herself.

She was just pouring Her Ladyship’s chocolate into the cup when Docket came up behind her and almost caused her to pour it into the saucer.

Fie, said Docket, but in an affectionate tone, what is’t Her Ladyship says about not mistress in my own household? She tasted the chocolate and said, 'Tis well. But I will take it in, I should not like Her Ladyship to get into a fret.

Sophy handed over the cup and saucer very ceremonious with a little dip.

They smiled at one another.

Sure, said Docket, I think you have passed the trial by now and I hope you wish to remain in this place.

Oh, Docket, said Sophy, indeed I do.

Comments

[kore]

Docket’s hand clutched hers. Will you stay with me a little – just until the drops bring me around –

Of course, said Sophy, perching upon the edge of the bed and keeping hold of Docket’s hand. Do not tire yourself with trying to talk.

She did not know how long she sat there thus, but Docket’s breathing began to ease and she seemed more comfortable at last. Mayhap, said Sophy, you might essay to sleep now?

Docket nodded. You are a good girl, Sophy, she said in a hoarse voice. Before I sleep, there is a thing I should tell you about myself –

Docket! said Sophy, I am like to guess what 'tis you go reveal, and it does not matter. 'Tis your own business. She stooped over to kiss Docket’s cheek.


Aww man, I cried. Such a simple moment but so moving. They all support each other so much.

[em_h]

Yes, I didn't realize, until all the pieces came together in this instalment, that Docket's second protégé would be someone who would be equipped to quietly recognize Docket's secret, and to see it as not all that odd or important.

[alatefeline]

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3