Growing Good (25)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

How very pleasant life had become

Geraldine and Rachel quite agreed that it had been very civil of the Channerys to invite them to pass the New Year's season with 'em and an assortment of other guests, but indeed it was pleasant to return to Harrogate and their own company.

Lord, said Rachel, is not Sir Stockwell the most tedious gentleman in existence? Is a deal more of a bore even than Mr Nixon.

Geraldine said she did not think she had had the pleasure of Mr Nixon’s acquaintance –

Sure, these days he is somewhat of an invalid and does not go out as much as was wont –

– but fancied she had met Mrs Nixon – very amiable lady in middle years –

And an entire compendium of all the latest gossip and on-dits!

Their letters were brought in and there was silence except for the unfolding of paper for some while.

La! cried Rachel, according to Artie – that is very prepossessed by the cows at Nitherholme! – here is Lord Trelfer goes cast himself at Leah’s feet, well, that is most unexpected – she made a little grimace – before he succeeded was a hanger-on of Olverham and Plumwell, the beasts, ever making animadversions upon our ancestry.

Geraldine pointed out that there was a deal of a way 'twixt being suddenly smitten and making a declaration, let alone promising to have and to hold &C before a parson. And did Leah feel the like for His Lordship?

Goes play the enigmatical coquette, according to Artie. I am give to wonder is Trelfer aware that she, as well as I – indeed all we daughters of the family – were left very comfortable legacies by our late great-aunt and 'tis those ducats go be very attractive. Do you have any news?

Geraldine stared down at the letter she was holding. I am quite astonished! – indeed I had already had the kindest offer from Myo and Jimsie to go reside at Trembourne House – but here is a letter from Cretia, that says that Mr Grigson would be entire delighted did I go stay with them for any period I might desire, and she herself thinks that would be quite charming.

I daresay, said Rachel, that he must have some thought that it would give his establishment considerable consequence to have you in it – but I hear 'tis a very fine house – all the comforts – wonderful situation – quite the most fashionable part of Town these days –

It was very tempting! And with Trembourne House at present a house of mourning, it struck her as very answerable to her purposes. For she had had time to think about things, here in Harrogate, leading a quiet life recruiting her health, and already perceiving the benefits in restored energies, and she really had not the least desire to go rusticate once more at Roughton Arching. Especially as she would be quite alone, save perchance for occasional fleeting visits from her children. Her daughters all married; Grinnie at Oxford, Lucie at Eton; Talshaw being taken about in Society by his father.

No: since certain visits to her men of law, she fancied that she might contrive to live an independent life, and no-one could at all object to a mother going live, mayhap turnabout? with her lately married daughters? Would look entirely proper. Rina no doubt would whine and pout, but she had ever been given to that. For one would not really wish to go pay more than the very occasional visit of courtesy to Anclewer, and Iffling did not maintain a London residence. Rina would very like be begging to stay with her sisters – did her husband permit…. For one had not just heard a little troubling gossip about Rina, Cretia had let fall certain matters that made one hope that a crim. con. was not in prospect.

One might resist any solicitation to attend the opera, where there was a possibility that one might see That Woman – the on-dit being that the affair was made up yet again.

Would Saythingport object? surely it could not redound adversely upon him – quite entirely in order for a mother to go stay with daughters that were recent brides – there might have to be the occasional presentation of themselves together in company – would look well – especial was he endeavouring make a match for Talshaw –

She was about to say somewhat of this to Rachel, when were brought in cards on a tray –

La! Old Lady Balstrup and La Signora Umberti! Geraldine fancied they were making quite the Grand Tour of Balstrup connexions and must be passing somewhere in the vicinity of Harrogate.

Having been assured that Rachel would be delighted to meet 'em, she said they might come up, and to bring fresh tea &C –

Came in the elderly ladies, that were quite ecstatic at being introduced to Lady Demington – had heard so much of her good works with her mother-in-law – but almost immediate went doat upon Jonathan and Fatima, that were playing about the floor.

Such an agreeable change from Balstrup’s ill-favoured brats, that is what comes of marrying that sour-faced creature – and see how pretty he plays with Puss, no pulling of her tail or such –

La Signora declared herself quite enchanted with Harrogate – indeed there were fine towns and cities in this land such as she had never supposed! Had lived extremely quiet in Suffolk on the Reveley estate – pretty enough, but sure there was some fine picturesque landscape in Yorkshire, positively sublime.

They were, it transpired, on their way to the Antherleys in Northumberland – Lady B was some connexion of the Narthings, and the Countess had been a Miss Narthing before her marriage – fine old Northamptonshire family –

The two of 'em quite fell upon the platter of parkin and other delicacies that came from the local pastrycooks, that were very good indeed.

There was a mutual exchange of gossip, and it was very pleasing to be able to be beforehand with the news of Miss Parry-Lloyd’s betrothal to Lord Rondegate. And to open her own plans of going to live in Town with her daughters, that Lady Balstrup entirely approved.

Quite the most sensible thing! Was it not so close to the river I would be very tempted to go plant myself upon the Apsteeds in Chelsea – 'tis most agreeable in the summer but I do not think my old bones would care for it in winter –

All those years she and Myo had been mewed up at Roughton Arching – seeing no-one save family and the occasional country neighbour – sure had been as if they were under some spell or curse – had never thought to go on visits – but where should they go? could not like the prospect of Anclewer – had not supposed they had any friends in Town –

And now she had friends rather than distant Society acquaintances! And recovered health. Two very amiable sons-in-law – and really, Rina might complain upon Iffling but he did not seem an entire monster and did he keep a mistress, one was really not in the least surprized, and heard that she was a very civil-conducted young woman, and there was no open scandal. Grinnie and Lucie turning out unexpected well – sure one could not help but fret over Talshaw, but he was in his father’s hands and she had naught to do with him –

Her life had changed utterly with – o, 'twas less than a year since Julius Roberts had been at Roughton Arching, and mentioned that young Lord Ketterwell had come stay at Worblewood –

She smiled. How very pleasant life had become.

***

James Asterley sat at his desk with the agreeable consciousness of having got all his accounts up to date, certain necessary letters written, his case-books entirely in order, and that he was now able to turn his attention to composing certain letters to the medical press.

Sure this time was not entirely quiet – as a bachelor without domestic cares he had prudentially offered to various colleagues to cover their hospital duties or to be available for emergencies with their patients were they obliged to go out of Town for familial celebrations. Was the diplomatic thing – one hoped would pay off in favours returned.

A medical man without any existing professional connexions to aid him in his career needed to rely on more than his Hippocratic skills for advancement! Particularly in the case of one that was disinclined to take the path of marrying into some dynasty of famed physicians. Dared say he could – received invitations enough to occasions where marriageable female relations were on display – but fancied would lead to further problems.

Alas, he was not the like of Geoffrey! For there was nothing, he apprehended, of mere form about Geoff’s marriage to his tall young wife, and did one venture at all about Society one heard a deal of rumours concerning this or that married lady that had been his mistress.

Undoubtedly there were ladies that cared little for conjugal pleasures, seeing the marital rites as somewhat that had to be endured in hopes of children, but one could hardly interrogate women in advance of making an offer to discover their feelings in the matter. That might not yet have become apparent to 'em.

His manservant came to say there was a – fellow – at the door wishing to see the doctor.

James raised his eyebrows and desired the fellow to be shown in.

He was somewhat surprized to see the dapper figure of Maurice Allard enter, but nodded to his man to leave 'em and close the door, and gestured Maurice into the chair opposite his desk.

How now, Allard, what can I do for you?

He had a deal of respect for Allard – known for his discretion and his connexions, was a most valuable member of the club –

Allard sighed and said, 'tis my sister – would be extreme grateful could you have some discreet word with her and assure her that the late Lord Trembourne was like to go off under any slight circumstance –

James raised one eyebrow. Of course one had surmized the actual circumstance in which Trembourne had expired –

–  becomes in quite the state o’ nerves over it.

James groaned. There was Trembourne, spent a lifetime in fussing about diet and draughts &C when was in health: and when had real cause for caution, went ignore his physician’s warnings in order to indulge his desires.

O, any exertion, any sudden shock was like to have took him off – I should be happy to relieve her mind –

That is most civil – might I prevail upon you to visit her at her residence? 'Tis quite separate from her business premises.

Why, no trouble at all. He rose and went to pick up his bag. Doubted he would need it, but would give the proper professional air to this excursion.

Comments

[cesy]

Excellent!

[rhi]

Maurice is so kind under that prickly exterior!

And I'm so pleased for Geraldine!

[rabid_bookwyrm]

OH HMMMM?