Consequences (13)

Contrivance was in hand

Clorinda looked at her darling Leda across the breakfast table. Well, she said, here is a useful piece of intelligence that dear Sandy has been able to obtain from Blatchett’s man. The various items of vendable value that he was decked with when he went out a-riding the day on which poor Mortimer Chellow was discovered dead –

Poor Mr Chellow? Leda raised her eyebrows.

Well, one might have hoped that he would have come eventually to repentance – Clorinda pulled a pious expression – though, she went on, I fear 'twas exceeding unlikely. And shooting a fellow in the back is really considered quite the lowest ton, I apprehend.

She sighed. Sandy is like to suppose that did Blatchett intend flight, having departed so very precipitate, there might be some endeavour to pawn or sell his watch – his rings – a stick-pin – fob – or so –

A grin dawned on Leda’s face as she reached for the last pikelet and the mulberry preserve. Oho. And here is Larry Hooper on most excellent terms with one that might have connexions to discover further information.

I also wonder, she continued, lavishly buttering the pikelet, whether he would have sold the horse.

Hmm. Indeed we have here a very interesting problem, and I fancy Sandy is already a hound that lifts his nose to the scent and wishes pursue –

Leda nigh choked on her mouthful at the picture this conjured.

But indeed, I must apprehend that the forces of law take the matter under advizance – that no-one has commissioned an investigation –

After mopping her chin with the napkin, Leda remarked that she had had some design to go introduce young Dickie to Grigori, as a general matter of advancing his capacities about the agency, for he came on exceeding promising. So did she so, might just mention the matter to Grigori. 'Twould do no harm to have the business in hand.

Quite so. On the matter of the horse, I daresay Sandy will have already thought of placing advertizements in local newspapers –

They looked at one another with some satisfaction. Leda gulped down the last of her coffee and stood up. Must away to the agency – have a deal of much duller investigation to undertake, and advizing upon being safe from ken-cracking.

She went to kiss her beloved and nuzzle at her neck. Am desired to go call upon Dumaine this e’en – daresay he wishes to have Babsie go perambulate about the tables to keep an eye upon matters –

Very like! And I go dine very quiet and informal with the Grigsons, Lady Lucretia still being in mourning – I fancy the Rondegates may be there –

As Leda departed Clorinda felt the stirrings of all the various matters of Society that had been quiescent over the summer. For this shocking murder was one thing, but there was other business also on hand! – the matter of those vultures Lady Venchall and Mrs Bramby – a deal of little troubles here and there –

Certain young women from the country come to Town – Claudia Lucas to study at the Ladies’ College in Harley Street – Cissie Fairleigh-Merrett’s girls to be presented at Court and given a little polish by being taken about on the Season by her sister Lady Abertyldd –

Polly came in to clear the table and Clorinda went over to her desk. Her dear beloved desk that had been quite the finest and most thoughtful gift from dearest Josiah Ferraby, very out of the common way, when he had still been in the capacity of patron to the crack courtesan Madame Clorinda.

She took a little peep into the secret compartment that contained the miniatures of Flora as a child, and the letters from her beloveds in triangle, then closed it firmly and turned to the various matters of invitations that had already arrived, before she turned to the bothers of philanthropic business. All those must be dealt with before she might indulge her pen in inditing more on her tale of the French Revolution!

But she had only just commenced upon considering the Helena Fund, and whether one might do somewhat as a memorial to Hywel Jenkins – mayhap did she speak to dear Amelia Addington about some kind of special benefit performance? – when came in Hector saying, here was Mrs Nixon came calling, was Her Ladyship at home?

La, Hector, Hattie is one of my oldest friends, of course I am at home!

With a sigh she put aside the documents and closed the desk and went to sit by the fireplace, that at this still pleasantly mild season was adorned with a splendid arrangement of chrysanthemums. She knew the reason for Hector’s hesitation.

Hattie Nixon entered, crossed the room, and Clorinda stood to embrace her friend, that promptly burst into tears upon her shoulder. One quite appreciated that she displayed excellent ton in not displaying her grief at Hywel’s death in the presence of her husband – even had Nixon been long aware of her liaison with the actor – but it burst out thus whenever she came to see Clorinda. And mayhap 'twas the same when she saw Amelia?

She lifted her head, blew her nose and mopped her face. She sighed. Fie, I know 'twas a merciful release – however much dearest Amelia sought his counsel upon theatre matters, he was an actor, 'twas painful to him to no longer be able to tread the boards – but, so many years, I cannot help but feel it.

Quite so, my dear, 'twould be quite shocking did you not. Now, here comes Euphemia herself with coffee, and the cinnamon toast you particularly relish, quite hot and fresh.

These remedies applied, Hattie calmed down considerable, and in due course came around to disbursing her budget of gossip, for she still went to and fro and up and down gathering this.

O, do you say the Zellens have already come to Town?

Indeed so – have left young Hart in Cornwall looking after their business there – has lately married, the daughter of a neighbouring family. But Jack is come to Town to go study at this School for Mines, that the Prince Consort has established.

Sir Jacob has told me somewhat of that, is very impressed with the scheme.

Now, that was very material to a certain contrivance she had had in mind! Would go call on Honora Zellen this very day.

And Pockinford House is being furbished up, so I apprehend Dumpling Dora and the Earl will be coming to Town.

So philanthropic matters would soon be bustling! – Clorinda hoped that the Demingtons were also returned to Town, for Rachel Demington’s sound practicality was of great benefit in her mother-in-law’s schemes.

But the afternoon was consecrate to an entire different kind of philanthropy!

Yes, Lady Bexbury, Lady Zellen was entirely at home to her.

Honora Zellen rose from the sopha where she was idling leafing through The Ladies’ What-Not to come and kiss Clorinda. My dear! You are entire blooming! An agreeable summer I hope?

Clorinda agreed that to be the case, and heard that the Zellens had been celebrating a marriage?

Yes, Hart was at last wed – charming creature – old Cornish family – most suitable –

And one heard that Honora had some thoughts of traveling to Naples? For she had murmured about this upon hearing the intelligence that Verena, her youngest daughter – Lady Imbremere – that had reached that spot in her travels, was in a happy condition.

O, said Honora, as a tea-tray came in, have had the most sensible letter from Gussie. He considers that now Verena’s state is a little more settled, there can be no objection to traveling home – by easy stages – taking them gently – conditions so very greatly improved in these times –

One might quite understand that the heir to the Marquess of Offgrange would greatly prefer his first child to be born, was it not literally at Dambert Chase, at least on English soil with the attendance of British doctors and midwives!

Indeed, becomes almost a pleasurable jaunt these days! She sipped her tea and they exchanged a little idle gossip upon acquaintance.

Dear Honora. Still a very well-looking woman, even was she a grandmother several times over now. Had come to a most happy matrimonial concord with Sir Hartley after early difficulties – he patronized the discreet club for gentlemen of the disposition and she had conducted a series of genteel liaisons with younger men.

While the Zellens had long been part of their political set, Honora, unlike Susannah Wallace or Viola Mulcaster, was not a political lady. But what she was noted for was her understanding of Society and her ability to manage its expectations. There had never been any scandal. O, whispers that Cara – Adeline – Verena – were not Sir Hartley’s daughters – rumours there had been a fearful accident in one of his tin-mines – but he quite clearly doated on those lovely creatures – walked them to the altar – no, no scandal.

My dear, said Clorinda, I fancy you have no particular favourite at present?

Honora’s expression flickered as she said, la, perchance I should leave the fellows to the younger ladies.

Clorinda had surmized that Honora had approached very nigh the flames when Orlando Richardson had been the most acclaimed actor of the London stage and pursued by a very great number of ladies, many of whom one would never have previously been suspected of such a course. And that she had taken the kinds of risks she had previously been careful to avoid.

Since then there had certainly been young fellows dangling about her – riding out beside her in the Park – squiring her at balls – but no special favourite.

Only, Clorinda went on, there is a young man of my acquaintance, unexpectedly fallen heir to a great title, is entirely the sort of chap that would benefit from association with a lady of your apprehension of correct ton. Need be no more than that – taking him up a little – polishing his manners – is a very pretty agreeable young fellow – Trembourne’s brother-in-law –

La, did I not see him at one of your soirées, must have been before his elevation? A scholar at Oxford? One could have no objection. I suppose mewed up in colleges they do not acquire any great experience of Society, 'twould be quite the charitable act to take him up.

Clorinda smiled. The contrivance was in hand.