the_comfortable_courtesan

Far too long since there was the like at Nitherholme

Beauf – Beaufoyle Beaufoyle, Earl of Sallington, heir to the Duke of Mulcaster – looked out of the library window, sighed, and wondered why he had undertaken to hold this house-party? Oh, he knew it looked well to his neighbours around Nitherholme that he was not some eccentrique recluse – had arranged that the New Year’s meet of the local foxhounds would take place here – there would be a ball to which local society were invited – and would also be bidden to the shoots that would take place –

Would also look well in the eyes of Society that he did not go live as some hermit in this rather remote Mulcaster estate, though sure these days, with the railway, was no longer as remote as had used to be in the days when his aunt Lady Jane had been its chatelaine. Along with her consumptive cousin, that his father always referred to as that Billston hag.

No, these days ‘twas by no means exile. One was not demanding a great effort of travel from one’s guests – his stepmother had contrasted the positively pleasant excursion it was these days to the jolting over bad roads in the past –

But he knew, with a certain unease, that he was choosing to invite a rather mixed congeries of guests in order to have it over with, and thus might leave a repetition for some while, save for occasional family parties, or bachelor shoots.

A further cause of unease was Julius – there seemed, somehow, something troubling him – with all this flurry and fuss he did not have leisure to go delve into what it might be. Beauf did have a guilty consciousness that he had been away from Nitherholme for several months about elder-brotherly duties concerning Bella’s debut – but really, that was an entire necessity and one could not entrust such a delicate task to Steenie! But there was the railway – scientific meetings he might wish to attend – Julius did not have to emulate their friend Elthorne and become another hermit of the moors – could have come to Town.

Beauf then minded something that Hannah had said, during one of her plaints upon their mother Seraphine, that the latter feared that Julius met no suitable young ladies in that rural fastness, and making murmurings about discovering young women of learning that might make very proper wives for a distinguished botanist – the like of Mrs Veriker in her younger days – might he not go give lectures at this college that Janey Merrett patronizes?

That might well discourage Julius from visiting Town!

Came up to him at the window his dear friend Polly, Dowager Lady Fendersham, and remarked that even at this bleak time o’year the gardens looked very well. Nothing scrubby about 'em.

He turned and took her hand. Dear Polly, he said. It is very good of you to come stand in the capacity of hostess to this gathering – I do not think anyone is like to make anything of it –

O, I am sufficient long in the tooth that I do not think there will be any whisperings! said Polly with a grin. She was, in fact, a handsome woman in middle years that, he knew, had aroused considerable interest during her recent visit to North America, but had no mind to remarrying.

I did consider asking Julia Humpleforth, but she is just youthful enough – she was almost scandalously young when Humpleforth married her – that she might be considered eligible – and while she clearly finds herself very well suited as a wealthy widowed Dowager Duchess, the prospect of being Duchessed again in due course might be supposed to tempt her.

And of course her looks are such as would appeal to a connoisseur such as you! But, to practicalities – I may assure you that Travers is quite in ecstasy at having such an enterprize upon hand, has been far too long since there was the like at Nitherholme –

Not since the time of the Regent, or even the Mad Old King, I should fancy!

– but they can entirely manage.

Beauf glanced out of the window. Hah! There is Steenie coming across the lawn: I suppose has been alone and palely loitering and thinking poetical thoughts, but now minds that it is just upon the hour when there will a collation laid in the Turkey room –

Came quite bouncing in Bella in a riding-habit, followed at a more sober pace by Chloe Ollifaunt, crying out, O, Essie, surely we do not need to change? 'Tis a tedious bore to be ever changing in and out of one’s garments –

Beauf wondered what to say to this – indeed at present they were a small informal party before the most of the guests arrived –

Dear Lady Isabella, said Polly with a smile, Mr Enderby was remarking to me of the pleasure that he found, while he is in civilization and not about wild places looking for strange creatures, in the sight of women prettily arrayed.

Beauf observed Chloe give her a nod, unseen by Bella.

Do you put it like that, said Bella, mayhap I will go be changed and have my hair tidied.

She and Chloe departed and Beauf told Polly that 'twas a great shame that ladies were not admitted to the Diplomatic: his father oft remarked the like.

I wish I might find some diplomatic way of stopping Drew from hanging out gaping at Chloe – I cannot suppose that she would look favourably on any suit of his.

Beauf snorted. Sure I believe he can read – can make out the racing fixtures &C – but I doubt is even one of those fellows that will tell you of this prime book he read about Jorrocks, lord, there is a chap that knows hunting and hounds.

They looked at one another in sympathy. With the prolonged absence of Lord Fendersham in Town over this brangle to do with his former betrothed Lady Wauderkell, for whom one supposed he still retained a tendresse, Polly had her step-grandson Drew upon her hands at Fendersham Hall. That in the absence of his father and his strictures was inclined to treat it as Liberty Hall and have his boon companions in and out every day, along with their trail-hounds, while making free of the cellar.

I confide, Beauf went on, that Artie and Josh will have had a fine convocation over the Nitherholme herd – 'twas quite my aunt Jane’s pride and joy, undertook her own dairying &C –

Polly gave a little groan. Law, I remember that first visit I ever made here – just beginning to increase with Christie – unused to this kind of Society – Artie’s father, that was quite a monomaniac about cows, and his mother, that was one of those women that will constantly descant on tales of obstetrical horrors –

I hope, said Beauf, you have happier associations now?

She smiled, and said, indeed, and was like to think the piano was in tune?

Indeed, and you will be pleased to hear that two of the younger Parry-Lloyds are coming – Ollie and Zipsie –

O, excellent.

Also my friend Rondegate – Baron Rondegate – is coming, very fond of music though not an accomplished musician as they are – I fancy intends a suit to Zipsie.

Polly grinned and said, sometimes a chaperone’s duties required her to leave a young man and a young woman alone in circumstances where he might declare himself, and she would be on the watch!

They heard the distant summons of the gong –

Let us, said Beauf, go down.

In the Turkey chamber they found Steenie, that had a most unpoetical plateful in his hand, along with Josh Ferraby’s colleague Mr Enderby FRS and Surgeon-Major Hicks, formerly of the Bengal Medical Service.

Beauf made the necessary introductions – lord, one saw that Hicks, like other military men of his years, showed a disposition to go be smitten with Polly! – and enquired how they found the billiard-room – had lately had the table re-covered –

Very well indeed, said Enderby, and sure Hicks here has a very cunning hand at the game –

Hicks returned that did Mr Enderby ever venture explorations in Bengal, fancied he would show up the fellows in Calcutta –

Enderby remarked that sure one was tempted – had been endeavouring to persuade Ferraby of the possibilities –

Entered Bella and Chloe: Beauf was gratified to see that Bella was, indeed, dressed entirely suitable to the time o’day.

A little while later came Josh Ferraby and Artie Demington, assuring the company that they had changed since their agreeable morning in bovine company – but would not bore on about cows, save to say that the Nitherholme herd were excellent fine animals of their kind, and in good health –

Hicks gave a little groan and said somewhat about the cows of India, that might be sacred but were not always in the fine condition that might go with that.

Josh remarked that had indeed noticed the like during his visit to Madras –

So they were an agreeable company, awaiting the greater flood of guests.

Josh said that he and Enderby purposed to jaunt down to the cottage – Julius had kindly offered to make an introduction between Enderby and the hermit of the moors –

Beauf looked out of the window and commented that the weather was a little gloomy but he fancied it did not offer snow and a walk might be bracing. However, he was obliged to keep at home and make civil to the new arrivals.

That, he supposed, would all arrive at once, there being a most particular eligible train!

Well, the thing had to be done – and he surmised that Travers did, indeed, have all very well under hand – and Polly was an excellent confederate as hostess and chaperone!

He just wished there was not this nagging fret about Julius, that he would not be able to settle until all this was over.