Succession (26)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Could it possibly be – ?

Polly Fendersham sighed at the uproar that she could hear taking place in the hall. Fancied 'twould not have been so had her stepson returned himself from Town to his estate to take matters under hand again, but he lingered there about this – he was not old enough that one might term this maggot of his a senile fancy? – this to-do about Lady Wauderkell. So Drew had returned solus, and was making free of the house to invite his boon companions to dine, to gather with 'em in order to take their hounds to run trails, and she dared say there would be meets of the local fox-hunt and the obligation to lay on hunt breakfasts in due course.

She had been leading an agreeable quiet life – o, undertaking those duties of estate management that could not be left until Lord Fendersham’s return, but otherwise, enjoying her music, her extensive correspondence, the care of her bees, an occasional walk to Julius Robert’s cottage or Elthorne the hermit of the moors’ hut with a basket of good things, reading a great deal –

She minded that 'twas some little while since she had visited Julius, that might be feeling a little the lack of Sallington’s presence at Nitherholme – Sallington in his letters quite groaned upon the tiresome business that required his presence in Town. Sure, the exhibition of the arts of the East was going in a most gratifying fashion, but he felt obliged to do a deal of escorting of his sister Bella and her bosom friend Chloe Ollifaunt. He could reveal to Polly that there were certain suitors that he did not like the look of – nothing that one could obviously object to, but a feeling – but did not want to set Bella’s back up by making too open warnings –

Polly saw the wisdom in that – was quite proverbial that to warn a young woman against some detrimental was more like to turn him into a quite fascinating creature! – but she missed her neighbour. Had indeed nudged her mind towards visiting Julius – Sallington mentioned that he fancied that there was at present staying with him one Davison, a learned scholar of Persian that was the fellow of an Oxford College, about perchance designing a garden in the Persian style in the grounds at Nitherholme. An entirely eligible person was Polly holding dinner parties &C –

Polly sighed, and thought that would hardly sort with Drew’s set that treated the place quite as their own, alas – mayhap she might invite him to tea – doubtless a desiccated creature worn with study, there could be no objections, surely? would be agreeable to discourse with him.

After she had read this fine budget of correspondence, she would make up a basket and walk – or mayhap drive the gig – over to the cottage. Warn Julius to ensure his fox was secure against the hunt.

A fine fat letter from Tina in Halifax – how the children missed their Granny! – Colonel Wallace constantly asking had they heard from her – Polly groaned – heard Una was settling in very well at Blackheath – and a deal of news of how matters went on with 'em.

And one from Una, that did indeed express that she found living with the Ferrabys in Blackheath most agreeable – went to school with Hester and Maria – Lady Louisa quite the kindest of ladies – she seemed content, but Polly wondered whether she was putting on a brave face.

Quite a packet from dearest Christie in Lima! – she opened it and two daguerrotypes and a further package fell out along with his letter.

O! he desired to convey to darling Mama the happiest news! Had long fixed his affections upon a fine young Englishwoman – sure, she was a little relieved at that, one heard the senoritas were exceeding handsome – that had been residing in the city for some considerable while with her father, a clergyman of the Church of England. The latter had not wished to lose the services of a dutiful daughter –

The wretch! cried Polly.

– but had lately one might only say fallen to the designs of a recently-arrived widow in the community and his dearest Amanda was now freed to accept his own hand. Had had 'em both took by a travelling daguerrotypist – sure it does not do her justice! – and also enclosed some of her pretty watercolour sketches of sights about the place. Now that dearest Mama had got into a habit of voyaging, might she consider coming out to Peru? Would not wish to delay the nuptials until that time –

Certainly not! declared Polly, they have waited quite long enough. For, from the portrait, Miss Amanda must be approaching thirty, though of fine buxom looks. And 'twas rather more of an expedition to go to Peru than to Nova Scotia. Furthermore, did not like to leave when matters at Fendersham Hall were in such turmoil.

She contemplated dearest Amanda’s sketches and found 'em entirely charming. Must certainly, she told herself, show 'em to Sallington. O, and here was a portrait she had essayed of Christie himself!

Polly blew her nose and wiped her eyes. Such very agreeable news.

And here was more agreeable news! She already knew the substance – for of course the election of Mr Robert Wallace as Member of Parliament for the borough of Firlbrough had been reported in the newspapers – by a very pleasing majority over the Tory candidate, one Birling – but she had quite longed for Scilla’s account.

Scilla’s very handwriting showed her exuberance at this feat. Ned Granton showed most civil in presenting Bobbie as his successor, now he is obliged to take up the reins at Granton Hall – everybody hereabouts apprehends the condition of Squire Granton, and his stubborn refusal to pass 'em over to Mr Ned in spite of how much he has been failing – all of the party in the town most welcoming – great admirers of Sir Barton – read Aspasia’s columns quite religiously – sure Bobbie felt quite embarrassed. But had been studying upon the interests of the town – getting up industrial questions – not neglecting those of the county set –

Declared that he took 'em as quite the model in what can be done in civic improvement – for really, the town is most prepossessing – fine buildings – bustling trade – excellent schemes of good works –

The ladies most pleasant – o, Polly-Granny, I know you will say that I think any ladies that wax admiring over Mark and little Freddie are quite angels – but fine intelligent ladies that I am sure you would like. They told me a most amuzing story about their contrivance so that the new Public Library should have more than serious and improving works upon its shelves! I quite immediate made a contribution to their fund for purchasing the flowers of modern literature.

On a less happy note, I see Papa is still behaving very strange over That Woman: I suppose 'twould be entire excessive to get a mad-doctor to see him over this monomania?

Polly sighed and wished that the problem might be that simple, since having her stepson certified lunatic would merely consign the care of the estate to Drew, that was still a careless prodigal even was he of age – mayhap he might pull round in time.

She put the letters into the pigeon-holes of her desk that signified they were to be replied to, and leaned back and stretched. She would take a light nuncheon – she rang the bell – and then put up a basket to – no, not walk, she thought, looking out at the blustery sight of clouds whipping across the sky, take the gig – to the cottage.

A pot of her own heather honey; a few peaches from the hot-house; a cheese from the dairy; one of the hams that had been smoking, before they all got eat up by Drew’s rout; no need to provide jams or preserves, for Julius’ mother sent him Roberts and Wilson’s finest! – not, perchance, a fruitcake, that gloomy Mrs Dunstall, that was a fine baker, might take as an insult to her craft. Ah! Some of the potted game, that there was quite a plethora of, since Drew had been invited about to shoots in the vicinity.

One might ask was there any particular requirement for a delicate-stomached scholar –

Well-wrapped up, Polly drove off.

Sure the weather was not entirely pleasant, but one might consider it bracing.

Here she was at the cottage, and one might observe that there was already a lamp lit in the parlour, the afternoon was so gloomy.

Also gloomy, but she was the like even at midsummer, was Mrs Dunstall when she opened the door to Polly and made a dip. She took the basket with as close to a cheerful look as she was capable of, and went to show Polly into the parlour.

Lady Fendersham, she said in a voice of doom, pushing the door open.

Julius and a – o, not an elderly academician, quite a young fellow near about Julius’ own years, and rather well-looking – were standing close together by the table, contemplating something upon it.

They looked up in startlement.

Lady Fendersham! cried Julius, recovering himself, a pleasure – and I see you have very kindly brought us a basket of good things. Permit me to make known to you Cuthbert Davison – Mr Davison bowed very proper – a fellow at Oxford, deep studies in Persian, we purpose a Persian garden at Nitherholme and go plan it out – Davison, Dowager Lady Fendersham, our neighbour –

They made civil and Polly remarked that she had lately heard from Sallington that some such matter was in project.

Julius desired Mrs Dunstall to bring tea – and was there anything in the way of lardy-cake, or crumpets? – Mrs Dunstall sniffed, and said she would see what she could do – and they moved to the easy chairs around the fire.

Polly was conscious of a certain unease in the atmosphere. Could it possibly be – ? Surely not. But indeed Julius and Sallington had been parted a considerable while…. She swallowed, and began to interrogate about Persian gardens.