the_comfortable_courtesan

A deal more the thing

Chloe was more pleased than otherwise to have a quite exemplary excuse not to follow hounds the day – o, perchance she had exaggerated a little the discomfort she was in, but matters being after the way of womanhood was entire a reason to stay indoors. And not to get up quite unreasonable early after that late night to see in the New Year, with Julius Roberts, as quite the darkest fellow about these parts, as First-Foot.

She was coming to find this life in Society somewhat tiresome. Was more than a little homesick for Ollifaunt Hall and Mama and Papa and her brothers and sisters. Sure, had no doubt there were those looked at her with envy – there is Chloe Ollifaunt, goes spend Christmas at Qualling and New Year at Nitherholme, is entirely the bosom friend of Lady Isabella – the Duchess doats upon her –

Oh, it was quite true that she had the most passionate admiration for Her Grace! But not because she was a duchess, because in spite of the burdens that came with the tinsel show of rank was a lady of considerable learning – her collection of works in languages of the Orient and her knowledge of those tongues very greatly esteemed – and was also a very proper helpmeet to her husband.

One understood that Bella’s parents were somewhat anxious over her reckless ways – though Chloe wondered did they somewhat exaggerate those fears over that resemblance to her notorious ancestress? – and that they were glad she had such a steady sensible friend as Miss Ollifaunt. Sure she was exceeding fond of Bella! – and had seemed very thrilling – quite like unto a novel! – when Her Grace had offered to Mama that they would be positively grateful to bring out Chloe and give her a Season or so along with Bella, as quite the best influence –

In a novel, no doubt, Miss Ollifaunt, the daughter of an obscure country squire and his wife of industrialist stock, would after various misadventures, demonstrate the innate nobility of her nature and become betrothed to a Duke, or at least a Duke’s son. Chloe yawned. Ennuyant in the extreme, for she fancied Archie South Worpley was a more typical specimen of that breed than Essie Sallington. No: Bess Ollifaunt’s daughter thought she might prefer an industrialist – a businessman – a doctor – a lawyer –

Did one have to marry at all!

Having finally risen at a rather late hour, she descended to the dining-room, where breakfast was laid for those that were not about the chase, and found dearest Uncle Josh and his nice friend Mr Enderby lingering over coffee. In the distance one might hear somebody playing the piano and encouraging a pleasing though somewhat uncertain tenor in song.

Miss Parry-Lloyd, said Enderby, discovers that her betrothed has a talent that should be encouraged!

Chloe grinned. Zipsie, that could be so shy and uncertain over so many things, was very exacting in musical matters.

Enderby then sighed, remarking that one supposed 'twould be uncivil to evade the returning Nimrods and having to listen to the accounts of their triumphs? Would greatly wish to have more converse with Elthorne –

Uncle Josh also sighed, saying that 'twas part of the penalty of living in society, that one was obliged to make civil according to its various customs, and provided some entertaining anecdotes, that were matched by several from Mr Enderby, of how such matters went on in different climes.

Chloe, licking butter off her fingers as she felt free to do in this company, said that indeed there were very various customs – Mama would oft expatiate upon the ways of theatricals and their superstitions –

Uncle Josh chucked and said, here was their aunt Clorinda would still grow pale did one quote from the Scottish play!

They rose from the table and the two gentlemen said that they were going to perambulate a little in the gardens – would Chloe care to come? But Chloe decided that she had a reason to stay indoors in the warm and made the excuse that mayhap she should go see did Lady Fendersham have any tasks that she might assist with.

Uncle Josh patted her on the shoulder and said, Fie, was not obliged to run about making herself useful, like some poor relation.

Chloe blinked, as the two men went out, making surmizes as to what birds they might see about the place, and thought that, while it was indeed agreeable to spend time in the company of Lady Fendersham, that could be most amuzing about various of the guests, she was not in any great enthusiasm to be about writing out menu cards or working out the seating at dinner tables &C.

And sure she was not a poor relation, obliged to make herself useful in return for her keep, but the daughter of the prosperous Ollifaunts – that, she fancied, might have somewhat to do with Sir Oran Haut Ton’s rather desultory flirtation with her. There Ollie was, a second son – and sure the Abertyldds were exceeding prolific even if prosperous themselves! – and very like had been advized of the prudence of setting his interest with a young lady like to come agreeably endowed.

She snorted. One could do a deal worse than the Parry-Lloyds, true, amiable in the extreme, so very musical, and 'twas ever possible that the years might reveal that Ollie had inherited some of his namesake grandfather’s business acumen as well as his grandmother’s musical talents. Mayhap! But at present was an idle young man about town.

Well, she would go to the library, and find somewhat to read – for there was a fine array of periodicals taken – and go make herself comfortable in one of the easy chairs there.

Why, she cried, entering that chamber, Ferry Lowndes! – for her old acquaintance from childhood had been among Steenie’s poetical set, a little to Chloe’s surprize. Not in the field?

He grinned, shaking his head. Was not inclined to risk my neck – am not accustomed to follow hounds – and certainly not over strange country – even though His Lordship offered to mount me. Nor you?

I was feeling a little wamblesome the morn, said Chloe.

He looked at her, and she had some confidence that her looks at least were not wamblesome.

Do you sit down, he said, that is a comfortable chair by the fire. Can I fetch you somewhat to read?

Why, that was my intention coming here, but I did not suppose that there would be company – sure I have not seen you for an age – not to talk to that is – you are ever very took up with Lord Stephen’s set –

Ferry laughed and groaned. They are somewhat exigeant, 'tis true. I find they need a deal of assistance over this matter of Helicon –

Syb has said somewhat of that! I fancy you go act the sheepdog to a very straying herd of poetical sheep.

That is a very good way of putting it! He perched on the arm of the chair. Miss Vernall is a deal more practical – quite the professional. That is a very snug place she has with Her Grace, but I fancy she could, was she obliged to, earn her living with her pen.

Indeed that is an excellent place! – one supposes many secretaries must be in a position much like unto governesses, or poor relations that go be companions and wind wool and brush the lapdog &C and are much put upon, but I cannot imagine Bella’s mother behaving thus.

O, quite a model of womanhood! cried Ferry, and blushed.

La, said Chloe with a grin, I see you go be a cavaliere servente!

Ferry snorted and said, surely one might admire a lady that had qualities that would commend her in any station, even without the tinsel show.

Indeed, there is a saying of Lady Bexbury’s, that some queen is give out to have claimed, that was she turned out of the realm in her petticoat, she was endowed with such qualities she might go live in any place in Christendom.

Ferry looked at her with approval, and remarked that his own mama had been heard to say the like.

There was a brief silence. Chloe offered that they might ring for coffee? Ferry did so.

After this had come, along with parkin and shortbread, Ferry, cup in hand, wandered over to the window – sure I am glad not to be out on a day like this – does not actually snow or come down sleet but 'tis exceeding drear. He cleared his throat. Chloe – Miss Ollifaunt –

La, we knew each other almost from the cradle, let us be quite informal!

– I have overheard you speaking on various theatrical matters over the past few days – both in general conversation and while being so gracious as to act the stage-manager for these charades –

Well, somebody should!

And you have a very superior apprehension – quite understandable –

Chloe giggled and said, came quite with my mother’s milk!

– and I wondered whether you have ever thought of inditing criticism. Mayhap a piece or two for the Helicon, to see how it goes – how you feel – at first –

Oh Ferry, what a prime idea! There will be a deal of visits to the play over the next months –

Why should she not? There had been constant discussion of theatres at home, the fine toy theatre, a deal of going to plays, their school had prided itself on its tradition of the plays put on by the pupils, Chloe had grown up to understand the drama as the Parry-Lloyds had grown up with music.

She looked up and saw Ferry looking at her with a – hopeful? – expression and it dawned upon her that this new enterprize would necessitate 'em seeing one another perchance somewhat more frequent than had been the case since she had made her debut and been going about in Society. Might it be – ?

Ferry was a deal more the thing than tiresome young men about Town!

At this moment there was a noise as of flurry and bustle –

Ferry groaned and said, return from the hunt – at least they are not trampling all over the gardens, come the other way –

Chloe similarly groaned, standing up and saying she supposed it would show civil to go down, and ask how it went, and how many unfortunate foxes were killed, &C&C.

But they discovered that the company milling about in the hall was in a somewhat gloomy mood – several promising points had come to naught, the hounds checked –

The only cheerful face that Chloe could see was Bella, that came up and hugged her. Such a relief, she murmured in her ear.