the_comfortable_courtesan

Took the matter in hand

It had become the practice that the partners would make a short space in the middle o’ the day to take somewhat in the way of refreshment, however much business that crack modiste’s establishment Mamzelle Bridgette had upon hand.

Had been Miss Thomasine – Maurice’s cousin Sophy’s daughter Thomasina, the famed Docket’s godchild – that had brought the thing about.

Here was Sophy, she had said – and not just Sophy! – was Euphemia, and Nell, and all the mothers in their connexion – go declare that I shall die in a consumption afore I am thirty do I not take somewhat to sustain me 'twixt breakfast and dinner, and rest my feet a little. So here they are, put me up a basket of food, with a packet of tea, and 'tis entire far more than I can eat –

So Maurice had conceded to help her eat it up so that she did not return to accusations that she went starving herself like some fine lady – could they not perceive that 'Sina was still her fine buxom self, entirely the like of her mother? – and Maude Coggin found that Mrs Mitchell was entire agreeable to providing one of her best lodgers with somewhat to carry to work for a nuncheon – and they would sit about, and mayhap exchange titbits of what was in that day’s package, and gossip upon the patrons, and the seamstresses, and how the work came on –

And it took Maurice what he realized was a shamefully long time to apprehend that this was Sophy and his other female relatives in a concern that with Sandy MacDonald absent, he was not eating properly himself. For Euphemia had entirely got into a habit of providing Sandy with some portable supper that would just need a little heating on the fire did he go visit Maurice.

'Sina, he said, one evening as they were tidying up the workroom, Coggin having already departed, here are Sophy and Euphemia going be at some expense to feed this charitable object, and sure I am minded to find some way to recompense 'em.

O, poo, said 'Sina, though looking a little conscious – her complexion was too dark to reveal did she blush. 'Tis little enough. Here you have been quite the greatest assistance to the family in a deal of matters – pointed out to Pa that Bayswater was coming up and there would be great opportunity for stables there – put Euphemia and Seraphine in the way of acquiring that fine place Marashaylles where they may grow fruit for their jams and pickles –

But, she went on, now we are alone I may pass on what Sophy has passed on to me, from a letter Her Ladyship had from Mr MacDonald – o, he is quite well and in health, no need for any concern – but he fancies they may linger somewhat longer in Edinburgh than they originally purposed. He found that young Toby Fairleigh-Merrett is studying at the veterinary school there, and has made an introduction to young Mr Carter. They become quite the greatest friends, and Mr Carter wonders whether studying there would be quite the most useful thing he might undertake. So he goes attend lectures and demonstrations &C to see does he have the taste for it. Meanwhile Mr MacDonald finds agreeable company – old friends from his time at the university and a younger set that have heard of him and read his writings. But he considers that Flin Carter should take a good wide look at what Scotland has to offer afore he makes any final decision, so they will in due course travel on.

That was above and beyond kind! For two fellows in their situation knew better than to indite letters to one another – had been a habit, alas, that dear Loppie Loppingham could not get out of – and in the remote northern exile imposed by his asthmatic constitution, perhaps one could understand – but Maurice had carefully burnt all those entertaining epistles and hoped Loppie had done the like with his replies. He recalled that that epitome of tact, young Sallington, had taken on the task of tidying up Loppie’s effects in the cottage on his cousin Fendersham’s estate. One could trust that he had exercized discretion!

Thank you, and thank Sophy for me. And I daresay Her Ladyship had some hand in the matter too.

'Sina grinned.

So he was in an unwontedly cheerful mood when he returned to his apartments later that e’en, having provided himself with a pie from a shop that he had found reliable in the matter for a light supper –

And found among the letters upon the mat, one in the hand of his sister Marie.

He frowned. Marie was no great penwoman – would only write In case of some considerable necessity – gave him to worry –

So he tore open the envelope even before removing his coat and hat, and discovered that it was indeed somewhat troubling news.

Some while since, Marie had hired the young girl Binnie, that lived in Seven Dials, to walk her dog Pompey, that Mr Josiah Ferraby had declared was suffering in health from lack of exercize; and had come about to notice that the girl was ill-clad, and give her an old dress or so to wear; and skinnier than one of her years should be, so fed her a good meal after she came back from Pompey’s promenade. A little while later, had come about that Binnie’s mother had took up with some fancy-man, and Marie had not liked the sound of what went on, and took Binnie into her household – for she maintained her residence quite separate from her professional premises providing special pleasures for gentlemen. And there was Binnie, not only building up quite the connexion in walking dogs whose owners did not have the time or perchance the capacity to do so themselves, but brushing their coats and making 'em elegant, and studying upon teaching 'em manners, and Marie was about having her going to school to be taught her lessons –

Sure his sister, that one sometimes thought quite the most hardened of creatures, had took to the girl immensely! During the summer matters had reached a point that it had seemed sensible to put 'em on a regular footing – a proper contract of employment &C, Sandy had been most materially useful there –

But now, it seemed, the fancy-man had took his leave, and Binnie’s mother minded that she had a daughter quite of an age that could be put to some work, or even, one feared, sold on the streets, and came demand her return from Marie.

Sure, in her usual days Marie would doubtless have set the woman to the rightabout at once! But Marie had been sadly shaken when the Earl of Trembourne had expired of a seizure whilst anticipating severe pleasures at her hands. Was still not quite her old self.

Maurice sighed, laid down the letter, removed his outer garments, picked up the letter and the rapidly cooling pie, and proceeded into the living-room. He got the fire going, sat himself down in the armchair, consumed the pie without tasting it – for he would not think any the better for not eating – and meditated upon this turn of events.

This was a tangle where he greatly missed the counsel of Sandy, that had a fine understanding of the law.

Well, he had other acquaintance that knew somewhat of legal matters!

That very noted barrister, Mr Geoffrey Merrett, was a member of the discreet club for fellows of the disposition, and it might come to seeking his advice. Sure, Mr Merrett was always civil to Maurice – and had relatively lately become a member, was not one that could recall the days when Maurice had been a little dusky molly making a guinea a time gratifying gentlemen’s desires rather than a member himself and one held in considerable esteem. But –

At present Maurice was part of a set within the club that was getting up what Sandy designated a coup against Lord Saythingport – there were a deal of members felt that the Marquess considered his rank weighed rather excessively in deliberations, but so far none had spoken out. But now a party was forming. This endeavour was assisted by His Lordship being at present took up by introducing his lout of an heir, Viscount Talshaw, into Society. Maurice did not want to obtrude his family difficulties.

However, had not Bert Edwards, the Duchess of Clerkenwell Green, been a lawyer’s clerk? Was there not a revel of the sisterhood taking place at Prancey’s the very next e’en? Maurice fancied that the Queen of Sheba might attend, and while would hardly be the time or place to do business, arrange for some private convocation with Bert.

Maurice blinked and stretched.

He should write a note to Marie to say he took the matter in hand – that she should mind that Binnie had a contract of employment and there would be penalties for breaking that – he did not precisely know the law but he would be about enquiring the exact details –

He would not, of course, put it into the letter that, did the majesty of the law not come about to resolve the problem, la, he fancied they had enough credit with Nat Barron to ask him to step in and make representations to Binnie’s Ma to leave Binnie be where she was with Marie.

So the following e’en he packed a discreet valise – for one did not wish to promenade the streets in guise of the Queen of Sheba! – and made his way to the Queen’s Head, that the knowing knew as Prancey’s, on the border of Seven Dials. Was greeted quite effusive civil by Prancey, that had known in the days of their youth, before they had made something of themselves.

They exchanged a little gossip – all running very smooth under Nat Barron’s hand! – and Maurice proceeded upstairs to the tiring-room to array himself.

There was a considerable crowd already gathered when he entered the chamber appointed for the revels – a good fire in the hearth – the clinking of glasses – a little gentle music from the fiddlers in one corner – a deal of chatter –

Came over and dipped a very elegant curtsey the Duchess of Clerkenwell Green, that Maurice could see, just on a glance, had a good deal of consequence here.

La, 'tis a while since we had the honour of Your Majesty’s company!

The Queen of Sheba fluttered her fan and dipped a slightly less deep curtsey in response. Why, we hear very well of this new haven. La, give me your arm and make introductions, for I see some new faces.

Later one might proceed to business.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

castiron

Aw, Maurice! And poor Marie; very understandable that she's still shaken.

brokenallbroken

This series could serve as a textbook on networking!

violsva

Aww, I don't know if it was indicated before that Maurice and Prancey are old friends, but it's very sweet.

starving herself like some fine lady
Well, we can't have that! And not from Maurice, either.