the_comfortable_courtesan

The yearly family gathering

Hector fancied that the governors of the almshouses did the inmates very well over the festive season – very like was writ into the terms of the foundation! – but Euphemia would have thought it shame for him to go visit Mr Mamber without he took a fine basketful of treats. And indeed, he prided himself, his dear wife’s cooking and baking were entirely out of the common excellent, everywhere praised – had put in a pot or so of her home-made jam as a particular compliment, rather than somewhat from Roberts and Wilson’s jam manufactory.

Sure he had never anticipated what was to come, many years ago when he had felt obliged to chide Euphemia, in those days kitchen-maid and apprentice to Seraphine, for giddy girlish behaviour. Mayhap – even then – there had been a little whisper of envy when she, along with Tibby, had indulged rather imprudent in the wassail-bowl that year they had passed at Yeomans, and gone be very forward to Mr MacDonald under the kissing-bunch?

But he had ever been mindful of what should be our good practices in the household, and had seen and heard too much of bad practices and what came of 'em, to even think of setting his heart upon a young woman that was under his charge as Madame – then Her Ladyship’s – major-domo.

But then there had been those months in Naples, where things had been different, and they had been more on an equality, and he had observed that she came about to be a sensible young woman that went about to improve herself by studying upon cooking in the Neapolitan manner, and also a very fine figure.

However, back in Town they returned to their previous stations, and somehow that made things very uneasy, and then Thomas, that was a footman at Mulcaster House, showed an inclination to court Euphemia. That had been a hard time. But matters had come round right at last, and they had declared their mutual affection – and in due course they had married.

Mr Mamber was a-looking into the basket very delighted, and making sounds of appreciation, as Hector looked around the room observing that all was neat and tidy and kept very proper. It was a gratification to him that after all those years of taking care for the ease of others – for is that not what a butler does? make all smooth and easy for his employers by taking thought – in spite of having come to want through bad advice over investment of his savings here was Mamber, the kindest of men, being well-looked after.

Then Mamber minded himself of manners, and enquired how Hector’s offspring did – there was Ben, would very shortly marry Lucy Dalgleish, went spend the season with her family in Firlbrough. Mamber exclaimed, and Hector remarked that Mr Dalgleish was a fellow that did not care what a fellow’s colour or religion or language might be, so be he understood the principles of an engineer.

And here was Patience, for a wonder did not have some patient on hand at present, came be at home this little while –

Passing on by way of William and this excellent scheme for training in the ways of good practice, proceeded to Jessamy and the manufactory and that they now had a fine estate to grow fruit –

He expatiated somewhat on what a fine place Marashaylles was – mature orchards &C – flourishing fruit bushes – convenient to Town – Mamber sighed, and said that had had relations in those parts once, had gone visit in his childhood – very pretty part of the country. He looked a little wistful.

Why, said Hector, when it comes about spring, fine weather and the blossom coming out, we must see can we contrive to a jaunt out there for you.

'Tis not, added Hector, that we go set up as landed proprietors – 'tis held by the company as an asset – and sure I could not fancy to set up thus, give me Town.

Mayhap, he thought, that was partly because in Town a dusky face was no particular uncommon sight – not like these country places where any stranger is a suspicious thing! – but did not think 'twas entirely that. Liked the bustle and the variety.

In due course he took his leave from the good old fellow, to return to where Euphemia was assisting in the preparation of the feast for the yearly family gathering in the Buffle Arms.

He looked in at the door. Patience, that with Jessamy was laying the table, grinned at him and said, did not dare go into the kitchen! Here was Ma would concede that Miriam might be admitted at least as an undercook, and Nell was put down into the rank of kitchenmaid –

Hector smiled at his strapping daughter, remembering the tiny baby that Aunty Black had handed to him so many years ago. Will not venture in, then!

Seraphine, of course, along with her husband Elisha Roberts, was obliged to go to Ammerpark when the Raxdells went there: but now Miriam was mistress of the kitchens at the Grigsons’ fine Belgravia establishment, and they were away on visits, was at liberty to join the rest of the family at this revel.

Miriam, said Jessamy, says she goes cook a fine dinner for the staff that remain in their house this e’en, can you imagine? Will be quite wore out. And her brother Joe goes spend the day with his intended’s family, but I see Dan has arrived.

Hector raised his eyebrows. Daniel Roberts was by now, he estimated, already ordained a Methodist minister. Would he feel it his duty to go take exception to his Allard cousins, for Seraphine herself had only lately conceded to a cool civility towards 'em rather than the chill hostility born years ago in the differences 'twixt the respectable Pyecrafts and their relatives.

He looked down the long room to where the guests were already mingling and saw, to his surprise, Daniel showing very deferential towards Dorcas. Dorcas, that with Prue went minister to the fallen women in Covent Garden by holding prayer-meetings and Bible-readings – though, did one think further, Elisha Roberts, himself a very esteemed lay-preacher, had a great respect for her and her gifts of the spirit.

Was a great shame that Phoebe and her family were not present, but these days Raoul de Clérault was by no means the outcast of his family – gone be an artist and married his black model – Phoebe, that had been in good service as a housekeeper. No, these days here was Raoul a Royal Academician, and they were the more prospering part of that family, particularly due to Phoebe’s skills in concocting polishes and preparations for cleaning that were now very widely sold under the style of Candace. Also the older generation, that perchance could still remember former glories in France, had since passed on – for all they had favoured the Revolution afore falling foul of The Terror, had been much inclined to stand on their antient rank. So 'twas Raoul and Phoebe welcomed his relatives to celebrate Noel with 'em.

Here was another family dissension came be some way to being made up: sure there had been feelings when Clo Marshall had become quite the leading attraction of the Buffle Arms Song and Supper Room. For Titus had had visions of his daughter on the operatic stage, rather than singing in such a place songs that were being whistled about the streets of Town and become quite catch-phrases: Ow, give over, do! – Oo does 'e think 'e is - &C. But here they all were – including Gordon’s wife, that was the governess at Yeomans, that must be spending a few days of the season at Campden Hill with his family.

But there was Titus making entirely amiable towards Timothy, excellent well.

And here were Maurice and Marie, with that child she had took in. Both doing very well, even did one not wish to think too closely about how Marie earned her living. But sure, one should not judge harshly, about what either of 'em had done to survive and support their family – their father had been a brute and a sot. Hector himself, had good fortune not come his way, fancied he might have been obliged to become a prize-fighter. Had not liked the notion, but might have been forced to’t.

Had had quite unexpected good fortune – had not, perhaps, been fully aware of it at the time, as a young man had been, he fancied, somewhat of a prig and very prim in his notions about taking a place in a house of sin, even was it rescuing him from the perils of his position with those awful creatures the Bascombes.

Here came Matt Johnson! young Dickie Smith, that was doing exceeding well being 'prenticed to the work of Johnson’s agency, had come to Hector saying, there was Mr Johnson, had no wife or family, said that had had no time in his days in the Runners to be about that, and sure even had he had so, one felt 'twas a dangerous proceeding – malefactors bent on vengeance or seeking hostages – So, here he will go be solitary at Christmas – last year Frinton had him come dine with 'em, but she goes this visit –

So Hector had ruffled Dickie’s hair, and said would send an invitation to Mr Johnson. Did not need to mention that one reason Matt had not married was his long devotion to Her Ladyship, going back before her elevation!

Went over to greet him, and remark on how time went on, and how the young people grew –

Here came Lizzie Smith bouncing out to greet her favourite Maurice, quite too large these days for him to hoist in his arms – a fine thriving curly-haired girl, already going to school – Hector fancied Nell did not intend Lizzie to spend her life in a tavern! – saw how well her brother Sam’s daughters were doing and had ambitions for her.

Miriam came out of the kitchen and rang the bell that was normally used to call Time to summon the company to table.

Hector looked around and began to usher all into their proper places.