Growing Good (9)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Very taken with Miss Parry-Lloyd

Cecil, Baron Rondegate, was feeling exceeding pleased at the places in which he found himself. Sure he was still obliged, from old acquaintance, sometimes to go about in that tedious old set, but here he was, in these very good circles of refined musical taste, that suited him a deal better. He was really greatly indebted to Sallington to putting him in the way of an introduction to the Knowles, Mrs Knowles being given out a famed hostess of music parties and one that could, in another station of life, have become a professional, and that merry band, the Parry-Lloyds and their connexions.

He had had some glancing acquaintance with Ollie and Folly Parry-Lloyd and their father, Viscount Abertyldd, in the slips, but due to his mother’s strictures about eschewing dangerous pursuits – had come across reports of fellows slain by cricket balls – had not been encountering 'em lately on the pitch.

And he must feel quite inordinate gratitude towards the Honble Robert Careldon and his friend Mr Francis Narthing! Was not quite certain how they had found him out but suspected that he had been observing a footman in a manner approaching ogling during that visit to Careldon’s brother Lord Antherley in Northumberland. Had took him aside and made extreme discreet interrogation and sounded out his disposition and offered to put him up for a club of like-minded fellows where one might be secure from the dread hand of the cruel laws, or those that took advantage of the fear of 'em to extort money or favours.

A very fine place! Excellent set of fellows! A deal of whom one would never have suspected in the least how their desires tended.

That had brought him into something that one might consider actual friendship with Sallington – the Earl of Sallington, heir to the Duke of Mulcaster, noted for his connoisseurship in the field of art, considered quite the prime matrimonial prize on the Marriage Market, though given out quite desperate in love with that fiery eccentric female, Flora Ferraby. Also, unlike Rondegate, under no great urgency to continue his line, his younger brother Lord Rollo having married exceedingly young and commenced upon a highly philoprogenitive course.

So, here Cecil was, these various introductions having been made, at what must be the last of the Knowles’ parties afore Society left for country-houses, looking with considerable approval at Miss Parry-Lloyd.

A very talented young woman! Magnificent singer; played the piano, the oboe, and the violoncello, and was at present delighting the company with the latter.

Cecil was a little puzzled as to why she was not considered a more eligible parti. Doubtless he was not best able to judge of the charms of women, but she did not seem positively ugly – not, perhaps, a great beauty, but he was not at all sure that he would wish for a great beauty. One had heard of the troubles the Imbremeres had had on account of the exquisite Verena, even though she was entirely devoted to her husband.

Allard, at the club, that was Mr Maurice of Mamzelle Bridgette, crack modiste, had had no complaints of Miss Parry-Lloyd’s character – and I can tell you, little problems of temper are oft revealed during fittings! – but what I will say, is that she is done no favours by the conventions of what unmarried young women may wear. Fancy she would show better with the greater freedom accorded married women – darker richer colours –

Well, he would take that judgement as he would have taken Sallington’s on a painting.

This was a very pleasing piece she was playing – was it new? did not recognize it.

There was, indeed, a short silent appreciative pause after she had concluded.

Then there was the likelihood that she would come well-endowed: not only were the Abertyldd estates prospering, the viscount had married one of the three daughters and heiresses of the very wealthy cotton-manufacturer Sir Oliver Brumpage. That also showed promisingly fecund – there were a deal of younger Parry-Lloyds and Lady Abertyldd’s sister, Mrs Fairleigh-Merrett, also had a substantial brood. Was, admittedly, not the like with their sister that had married the Polish patriot and composer Count Casimir, whose surname English tongues could not encompass – but while a fine musician he looked a sickly fellow, that might have somewhat to do with the matter.

When the performance came to an interlude, he observed Miss Parry-Lloyd standing alone, and went up to her with a glass of fruit-cup.

O, thank you, Lord Rondegate! I was standing dreaming.

He waited until she had refreshed herself with it a little, and then enquired, what was that charming piece for 'cello that she played so well just now?

Her jaw dropped, she went bright red, and her hand shook. He took the glass before it spilt or she dropped it. Recovering herself a little, she swallowed and said, 'twas a Caprice of my own composition.

She was a composer? Oh, he had already been envisaging perchance their own music parties – but this? He saw himself taking care of her – nourishing her talents – a patron of the arts –

He asked did she write much music? – o, she set songs – a few matters for family performance –

'Tis a considerable talent.

She blushed again. That is very kind of you.

Made a little more ordinary social converse – discovered that the family were on the point of decamping to Hembleby Hall for the seasonal revels, though alas Papa was detained by some official business for a day or so – Abertyldd was given out conscientious about his Parliamentary duties, sat on committees &C, Cecil felt some qualm that he did not show quite the like.

But was the Viscount still in Town, might seek the opportunity of an interview in order to sound out whether he would look favourably upon Rondegate making a suit to Miss Parry-Lloyd.

So a day or so later, he entered the impressive portals of an unusually deserted Bexbury House, and was conducted to His Lordship’s study.

Lord Abertyldd was a still fine upstanding well-looking fellow – one to be reckoned with at the wicket or as a bowler – greeted Rondegate very amiable, offered him a glass of sherry – never take anything else at this time o’ day – made very civil about the late Baron, Cecil’s father, with reminiscences of certain particular triumphs on the cricket-pitch and the turf –

Gradually came round to sounding out Cecil’s business.

Had become very taken with Miss Parry-Lloyd – her musical talents quite beyond compare –

This brought a fond paternal smile and the remark that Zipsie was none of your young lady tinklers or trillers –

Quite so – entirely admirable – have naturally, in my situation, been looking about for a wife –

Understandable!

– and have seen none that I incline to as much as your daughter, so should desire your permission to ask for her hand in marriage.

Was that a look of relief that fleeted across the Viscount’s face? Why, he said after an extremely brief pause for thought, I should have to open the matter to Zipsie – Zipporah – she is named after her grandmother, the late Lady Brumpage – for her views on the matter, but for me, and in the expectation that one would not find anything adverse upon consulting with your men of law –

Hassetts.

– could have entirely no objection. Care for a game of tennis?

Cecil sighed, and said His Lordship would doubtless consider him the completest muff, but had promised his mother to eschew any pastimes like to prove dangerous until he was wed and progeny in expectation, and she quite collected to show him reports of individuals that perished on tennis-courts as well as cricket-pitches.

Good lord!

Cecil shrugged. As if one does not take one’s life in one’s hands crossing the street! But puts her in such a fret –

Mothers, agreed Abertyldd, here is Charley – Lady Abertyldd – very concerned over Ollie’s yachting excursions, hangs over the weather reports in the papers, must be a deal worse with a single chick as 'twere.

Sighing, Cecil conceded that was the case.

That first step of the venture concluded, he was in considerable conceit of himself and took himself to spend an agreeable convivial evening at the club among fellows of like interest.

Lo, there was Sallington! A-smoking one of those cigarillos he had got into the habit of from that Yankee fellow di Serrante.

Join me in a glass, Rondegate? – and while I mind on it, are you not already promised for the New Year, why do you not come to Nitherholme? 'Twill be quite Liberty Hall – a very miscellaneous crowd – shooting, hunting, though I daresay you are still maintaining discretion over such sports –

Cecil accepted a brandy from the passing footman and communicated his own news.

Falls out very well! – have the younger Parry-Lloyds among the guests –

Very apt to my own purposes! He lifted his glass towards Sallington. But do we speak of courtships, minds me I meant to convey you a warning – no, not some damsel that lays snares for your own feet! – no, one perceives that Blatchett has been making a considerable set at your sister Lady Isabella –

Sallington frowned, and nodded.

– and among his cronies he goes talk in a fashion that really, one cannot like, about the delights of taming spirited fillies to the bridle –

Fortunately, said Sallington, tapping ash from his cigarillo, I do not think Bella is greatly inclined to him – came upon her and Chloe Ollifaunt waxing very satirical over the defects of the library at Oaks Merriam –

Lord, it was terrible, was it not?

– and I had heard certain things myself that would lead me to discourage the match. He grimaced. Here am I, obliged to go about in Society in order to act the brotherly chaperone – cannot entrust the business to Steenie, too young and too poetical –

Cecil nodded commiseratingly.

After some more indifferent converse, came up Colonel Adams about some matter of a collection of Mogul paintings that might interest Sallington: Cecil took the thought that he had done a good day’s work and might go recreate himself with a little carnal enjoyment.

'Twas not the like with him as with Sallington and some of the other club members, such as Careldon and Narthing, that there was one to whom he was bound in ties of mutual affection, and might consort with here in safety, free from the fear of prying eyes and scandal. No, he would take advantage of the provisions for members that were not in that happy condition, well-remunerated and their health took care of by that crack physician Asterley.

Comments

[cesy]

Excellent!

[azurelunatic]

the delights of taming spirited fillies to the bridle

*growl*