the_comfortable_courtesan | Growing Good (20)

Breaking up into smaller parties

Might not, thought Jeremiah Gaskell, be the most proper and civil thing – should probably go mingle with the company, though already he saw it breaking up into smaller parties – one group well-wrapped up going perambulate about the gardens, another bound for the stables and a ride in the park, &C&C – but sure he was in quite the greatest longing to look upon the works in Lord Sallington’s gallery at Nitherholme!

Had been too late at the time of their arrival – already nearly dark – and all the business of getting settled in, and his Nancy in somewhat of a fluster, that was considerable calmed once she observed Her Dowager Grace of Humpleforth, that they came about to count quite as a friend, and that fine sensible woman Martha Samuels with her husband – was there not some rumour that he was like to be knighted for his services to science? – and the agreeable Lady Fendersham. 'Twas not all a rout of green girls.

Had been very mannerly directed to the gallery by a footman, and here it was, a splendid north light that one understood was a prime requirement, looking out at the front of the house towards the moors –

Lord, it had been daunting driving up to the place! Had become quite used to mingling in the county set around Firlbrough – well, visiting the Grantons at Nackerley, and occasional Whitterby Hall – but though he had thought those houses exceptional fine old places, were as nothing to Nitherholme, that sure one could believe a ducal seat. For Her Grace of Humpleforth’s dower house, that they had visited, was charming, but that was what it was – lay not quite in the shadow of Maraston Towers, but that loomed over it.

And they had been to Qualling – but Qualling, for all its commanding position at the top of a hill, was all elegance and grace. Looking at Nitherholme, and gazing northward, one was minded that 'twas not far from the Border, and built in the days of reivers.

However, inside was all comfort and in the most modern style.

Jeremiah paused in the centre of the gallery, almost overwhelmed by the riches hung there, not knowing where he might start.

He found himself looking at a still-life of fruit and flowers and nuts –

He was still lost in contemplation and quite jumped when a voice just behind him said, Hulloa, Gaskell!

Your Lordship!

Lord, let us not be formal. Feel at liberty to address me as Sallington, in the fraternity of connoisseurs.

Should hardly class myself thus!

Why, I observe you have a very nice taste – a deal better than some of the fellows that set themselves up as virtuosi in the matter –

Jeremiah was exceedingly gratified, and was encouraged to ask Lord Sallington for a little instruction concerning the paintings. This led to his notion – 'tis still rather a daydream – of founding a public gallery in Firlbrough –

For he had resigned himself to the fact that there would be no issue of his marriage, happy though it was in all other respects – and a man liked to leave some mark –

Now, that is fine work to be about! These things should not be locked up for the few but should be displayed for the many –

He gave a little laugh. Sure I came here the morn to refresh my spirit a little for this ordeal of Society with the contemplation of art, but indeed, has been a deal better than I anticipated! Let us try to find time to speak further of this.

It is not an entire castle in the air, then?

Not in the least! Sure, I had some notion of desiring a word or so upon matters of coke – having had reports that the coking at the Nitherholme ironworks could be improved – but will confess that this is more congenial. Mayhap we might ride over to the works and discourse upon the way.

***

Julia, Dowager Duchess of Humpleforth, had permitted herself a discreet smile upon observing that her assigned chambers were situate most convenient just by a staircase that, she fancied, led down to the corridor where Josh Ferraby was housed. Discreet and convenient!

O, indeed these past few years had been most agreeable – had not dared to hope that dear Josh would linger on home shores when he might be exploring in savage parts – but there he had been, taking a scientific interest in the fauna of his native land – going about giving lectures – promoting the cause of humanity towards the animal creation –

Dear creature.

And, very pretty in him, taking a paternal interest in darling Hari.

One could have no frets at all about how well Hari was being cared for at Yeomans – there was Betty Higgins quite doated upon him though there would be no spoiling – the affection of Flora and Hannah and Mrs Veriker – very shortly he would have the benefit of the excellent paedogogical skills of Ellen Marshall – there was the company of other children – but sometimes she sighed. He grew so much between her visits!

But here she was, at magnificent Nitherholme, and having been desired to introduce her step-grandson, Archibald Dalistet, Marquess of South Worpley, into this set.

She had supposed the approaches of her stepson the Duke’s offspring, quite from their childhood, to have been a device of his – sure, they came about to be on terms of civility, he conceded that she had behaved extreme proper to her elderly husband and must have took the thought that here she was, an apparently childless widow, wealthy in her own right thanks to dear Papa – would it not be a good thing for his children to ingratiate themselves into her affections?

However, had discovered that the Dalistet children had regarded the Dower House quite as a fairy-tale palace, even before she had set up her menagerie, and could not be kept away by any strictures.

Now, here was South Worpley – Archie – that had been caught up in that business that had not quite erupted into open scandal last winter, to do with that Yankee’s low gambling-den, given him somewhat of a shock. Had took up once more his boyish interests in butterflies and natural science and desired to be introduced into that good set she knew of savants and virtuosi that were making discoveries and undertaking explorations –

And had also, she noted, set his eye upon that lovely but serious young woman, Lady Inez Ambert! – that would be of the party, along with her bosom companion Lady Leah Merrett. A most eligible match in many ways though she was not sure his father would entirely approve. There was still an aura of romantic scandal over the Marquess of Offgrange – not merely that he had knocked about the Latin Americas as a young man in search of rare plants – and that there was some tale behind the name Inez – but the story of his elopement with the Earl of Nuttenford’s daughter Lady Anna Merrett. that the Earl had first offered to the Marquess and then declared would by no means have the match.

Sure they were now an epitome of domestic devotion! Imbremere, the heir, already married to lovely Verena Zellen – Diana, the eldest daughter, now Lady Rollo Beaufoyle – Lord Pedro pursuing philosophical studies in Heidelberg –

There were, of course, those that still looked askance at the Merretts and their connexions! Stole a snake and was eat by a bear in the forests of America cast a long shadow, especially when there was added to it that elopement – the eccentricities of Lady Emily – gossip over the bachelor exploits of Eddie Fairleigh-Merrett and Mr Geoffrey, even was he the chap one would want for the defence was one on trial!

Still, she fancied Archie had a certain determination –

She looked at herself in the pier-glass, gave a little nod, and turned to go face the company at large.

***

Bella thought she might consider herself safe in the Library from that simpering, tittering ninny, Lady Gabrielle, Trelfer’s sister, that, alas, took her in great admiration. Would not cease from ever expatiating upon Bella’s talents as a horsewoman – her fine showing during the chase when they were at Oaks Merriam – lord, it was ennuyant to the extreme!

She had a sudden qualm – surely she did not show thus towards Lady Emily, did she? O, she hoped not! Would die of chagrin!

But one might be confident that Lady Gabrielle would never of her own accord seek out the Library, and doubtless would not think of it as a refuge.

Bella went to sit in the window-seat, and looked out at the gardens, that had a slight dusting of snow, that created a very picturesque effect, that, she fancied, one appreciated more sitting here in the warm than promenading about, as certain of the company were doing.

What – there was South Worpley, positive making up to Josh Ferraby’s friend Enderby, that daring explorer –

Bella wriggled. 'Twas not just Josh Ferraby’s presence in the party that gave her a deal of uneasiness whenever any started to anticipate the joys of the hunt on New Year’s Day, or when Lady Gabrielle kept crying up Bella’s being in at the kill –

O, at the time, caught up in the exhilaration of the occasion, had seemed a fine exciting thing – the proper end –

But since, there had been nightmares, that she did not remember very exact, only awaking with a great start and her heart thumping, and somewhat to do with Blatchett –

She could not help but perceive that Blatchett went about to court her in entire proper fashion – admiring but respectful – and there he was, fine figure of a fellow, excellent dancer, bruising rider, kept a magnificent stable &C&C, all that seemed eligible –

Except that one noticed a certain reserve on Essie’s part that was more than his usual shyness, and that although Trelfer and Rondegate had been invited to Nitherholme, for some doubtless entirely plausible reason, Blatchett had not.

And on her own part, sure one might admire a fellow’s horsemanship and his eye for horseflesh, but could one live with a fellow that had a library the like of the one at Oaks Merriam, that was an entire sham – elegantly bound volumes of works no-one would ever wish to open, that looked well but were for show not use.

Came in Chloe, grinning, saying, fancied she would find Bella here! and Sir Oran Haut Ton – for thus, between themselves, they designated Ollie Parry-Lloyd, that showed some disposition to flirt with Chloe – had gone practise his bassoon with Zipsie.

Growing Good (20)

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