Challenges (22)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

What are we to do with Bella

It was a necessity of duchessing, Viola, Her Grace of Mulcaster conceded, that there were a deal of social duties required in one’s position. Some, indeed, less agreeable than others, but that was the way of the world. And sure, it was not disagreeable to show oneself at the various festivities associated with forthcoming weddings in the families of members of the Mulcaster political coterie, but there had been a deal of 'em! Still, Zipsie Parry-Lloyd’s union with that civil young friend of Essie’s Rondegate would shortly be concluded, 'twould take off some of that burden.

Though then, she supposed, there would be rounds of dinner-parties &C to introduce the young couples to Society in their new station –

Came in Sybil Vernall with the morn’s post, the diary, and her notebook.

Viola looked up and smiled. Do you ring for coffee to sustain our endeavours, and sit down.

Sybil disposed herself vis-à-vis, and very shortly came a footman with good hot coffee and a platter of biscuits that looked fresh from the oven.

It was entirely a boon, Viola thought, to have a secretary that would go through the invitations and sort 'em out and see which ones were unanswerable because there was already something ado at that time, and consider a little over the others. Sybil had come about to develop a very nice sense of what was important and what was not!

So that was entire pleasant an undertaking! And so was the converse Viola treated herself to over some questions of Bengali poetry, and the translations Sybil was making for this magazine of Steenie’s –

Really, my dear, I fancy you might place 'em somewhere with more consequence! Hannah fancies that they might readily find space in The Oracle.

Sybil blushed, and said, everyone here was so kind, would wish to show some gratitude –

Well, as you will.

While Sybil was extreme useful in her secretarial capacity, Viola had no intention of keeping her working into worn-out spinsterhood. While very much doubted that Steenie himself had any notion to her, it could not in the least hurt to establish a little interest with the fellows of his set. One might anticipate that they would have excellent prospects before 'em – supposing they did not cloister themselves up as Cambridge dons all their lives – entirely eligible. Then, one might ask Hannah to introduce her to the Lowndes literary teas – mayhap Sybil’s stepbrother would introduce her to prospects among his medical acquaintance –

Of course, did Sybil have no inclination to marriage, would not force her – mayhap she might care to attend classes at one of the colleges for ladies –

Viola sighed and stretched and said, alas, could not put off any longer this family council, so would take her leave of Sybil, thought they had everything all clear – Sybil nodded – and got up.

How much easier she found Sybil – and Chloe – than Bella. And now this new brangle.

She passed through the upper hall on her way to Biffle’s study, pausing for a moment to look at Raoul de Clérault’s painting of the children in their younger days. How much like themselves they had already been. Her eyes rested for a moment on Gillie, her third son, Lord Gilbert – oh, one knew that he was currently commissioned with traveling about the Baltic regions and might not find frequent opportunity to send letters, but one must worry just a little about him in such harsh frozen parts. Especially when one understood without its ever been said in so many words that he was not just adorning embassies in social manner – squiring ladies – making himself generally useful – but that with his gift for languages and sharp brain was about more dangerous work. Fighting duels with Hungarian hussars might be the least of it.

She went into Biffle’s study and found that Essie was already there, and father and son were discussing the likelihood of a further general election this very year.

They stood up to greet her, and she went to kiss her husband, and then her stepson, before going to sit down beside the desk.

Biffle removed his reading spectacles, rubbed his nose, and then replaced 'em. This is a sorry state of affairs, he said. I can hear my late brother-in-law the good Admiral speaking of horsewhips, and indeed I am tempted to serve this fellow as we did that scoundrel Bavarian musician –

Biffle! cried Viola, you were mixed up in that? That fellow that published a scurrilous libel upon your sister, had a noxious reputation among female fellow musicians –

Not just female musicians, said Biffle grimly.

Viola collected that the fellow had subsequently run mad and shot at Clorinda as she was riding in the Park: had that not been a random act?

Essie looked from one to t’other of 'em and said, what was that?

So they told him the tale – fellow had been affianced to Franz Hahn’s sister but that sat very lightly to him – had a great conceit of his charms – hearing of his lecherous ways Lady Jane had ceased to have him at her music parties or performing in the subscription concerts she patronized, and generally put out the word upon him –

Filthy coarse satirical print –

One could see that even did one take it to law would only create worse scandal – so several of us entered into a confederacy to punish him –

But, Biffle went on, it is not just that we are older, or that Blatchett is an Earl of the realm rather than a German musician, this city is a deal better policed than it was in those days. I fancy did one undertake anything of the sort, would be took up by the peelers.

Essie cleared his throat, and shifted a little in his seat and remarked that he had heard – 'twas said of Dumaine’s – that there were fellows for hire that would deal with those, as it might be sharpers, that there was some hesitation about taking before a magistrate.

Biffle raised his eyebrows.

One hears things, said Essie.

But that might only make him vengeful, Viola pointed out. We do not want him running about the Park shooting people.

More likely, said Essie, putting about scurrilous rumours.

They all sighed.

However, Essie went on, I hear MacDonald is returning from the frozen North to Town, young Carter having determined upon pursuing veterinary science in Edinburgh rather than undertaking a Grand Caledonian Tour. Do you not think that his opinions in this matter would be quite exceptional useful?

Biffle gave a sudden amuzed snort. I was going to suggest that we place the matter before that sybil or mayhap Delphic oracle of our set, Clorinda Bexbury, but indeed, the two of 'em are a combination that has sounded out a deal of problems!

And they are as discreet – mayhap discreeter – than a priest at the confessional, added Viola.

They looked around at one another with an air of relief.

But, sighed Viola, what are we to do with Bella? I think it quite the most prudent course for her to withdraw from Society for a little while – indeed she shows no inclination to take up the round of the Season once more, still seems sadly shaken by the ordeal – but I am not sure that the best course is for her to continue moping in Town. She has murmured somewhat of, o, might she go stay at Nitherholme, but I do not think that could answer at present?

Essie shook his head and Biffle sighed. I should have been more forward about finding a more permanent secretary after Bobbie was elected – but here was Essie, kept in Town by these social obligations to his friends as well as the demands of the Season – fell very convenient –

And really, added Essie, it is entirely to my own benefit that I should acquire more understanding of politics!

But as things are at present – so uncertain – another election very likely in prospect – undesirable to change horses in midstream –

One quite saw that that was so – there was a deal that Viola could do, but she also had all the very necessary social duties upon her hands.

So much of Society was at present in Town, rather than upon its estates.

Mayhap Yeomans? murmured Essie.

And suppose she confides to the ladies of Yeomans what has come about, and Flora Ferraby gets into one of her passions of indignation about the wrongs of women &C –

Viola could quite perceive Biffle’s point. Much as one loved and admired Flora, tact and diplomacy were not her Christen names! And for a young lady already at risk of scandal, perhaps Yeomans was not the best refuge.

O! she cried. Attervale! Lady Emily seldom comes to Town – Bella adores her – Miss Fenster such a fine housekeeper and so responsible –

One could have no objection whatsoever, Biffle agreed. Such healthful airs – plenty of opportunities for riding – I fancy studying upon falconry would be entirely beneficial to our wild bird – no scandal attached to the household –

So they rose, and betook themselves to the small parlour at present give over to Bella. They found her reclining upon the sopha, a bowl of candied pineapple upon the low table beside her, next to a substantial pile of periodicals.

La, said Bella, looking up, here am I going improve my mind whilst I lie here –

Essie grinned and said, perchance they should find some clergyman of their acquaintance to come converse with her, did it not come about in novels that young ladies underwent some accident and then were converted from the ways of frivolity?

Bella cast up her eyes and said, or mayhap this holy Sister that Thea cries up!

Viola was pleased to see Bella in such spirits. Even were some of the periodicals, she observed, certain radical journals in which Flora Ferraby was wont to rant, she had far rather see that than a state of idle melancholy.

They opened to her their notion of Attervale, at which Bella cried Prime! and showed in some disposition to start at once, but Viola pointed out that they must first desire an invitation from Lady Emily and Miss Fenster.

She therefore went to write at once to 'em, without being too specific as to why 'twas desirable for Bella to rusticate.

Came very prompt a most enthusiastic invitation. Dear Em: one wondered, a little, whether there had ever been any like episodes for her, for she had been a great belle in her youth and was still acknowledged exceeding handsome. Or whether her heart had ever been given to horses and hawks.

Comments

[rabid_bookwyrm]

One hears things.

Bella is not going to be entirely free of the Yeoman's influence at Attervale, but Viola doesn't need to know that.

[castiron]

Aww, the Mulcaster family!

[azurelunatic]

Oh, excellent!

[cesy]

Hooray!