David Gillon

But quite the greatest surprize! There was Bella, became quite a competent aide-de-camp, so that the family had come about to agree that 'twas high time Essie took himself off to Nitherholme to be about electoral business there – fancied that between 'em Her Grace and Bella, with some assistance from Gillie and Steenie, might manage.

So Sallington, with, what one must concede was a look of relief, set off for Wepperell Larches, had promised to go support young Rondegate there for a few days, afore going to the family northern estate, only muttering somewhat about Fendersham, that had finally been shamed into returning to his own neighbouring estate rather than lingering about Town a very unwelcome guest of the Wallaces. Tedious fellow! And no Polly Fendersham, his stepmother, to oil the wheels.

All well there! And here she was, with certain matters she desired to put her hands to, back in her own place, even was it during the season of horrid heavy weather in Town. Beloved Leda in her arms. Contrivances already in motion –

Leda lifted her head to look upon Clorinda, remarked that, there was a frown that would have Sophy give her a scold! and kissed it away.

A little later they rose, and of course Sophy already had all in order for their morning toilette, and they went down to where there was every sign that breakfast was quite immediate forthcoming –

La, there was nothing like a fine breakfast from Euphemia’s kitchen!

Sure there were letters neatly piled on the silver tray atop her desk, but there was matter she should be getting under hand –

Oho, said Leda, reaching for a pikelet and buttering it, here is Lady B has her contriving face on!

Clorinda sighed. Why, this matter of those harpies and their very genteel drawing-room gaming-hell for ladies troubles me exceedingly. Even is there no cogging, 'tis put about that the play is high, and here you already have at least one lady fears she may come to ruin. Wish to have a plot in order – I find Lady Lucretia would entirely have the entrée, but I do not suppose she has any great knowledge of card-play –

Leda put down her coffee-cup. Perchance there is a Miss Leopoldina Harper comes to Town that you are giving a little polish – ?

Clorinda wrinkled her nose. I think not, my love. You have too much other business to be about at present – 'twould be constantly putting a wig on and off and darkening your eyebrows &C – furthermore, I would not permit a well-brought-up unmarried young lady under my chaperonage to attend one of those sabbats. 'Twould quite devastate her reputation. I am astonished Lady Iffling took her sister into that company – though at least she did not play. No, I must cogitate over this –

Leda made an amused snort. Perchance you might persuade young Mr Carter to masquerade? I daresay he learnt the same tricks as Mr Tommie Thorne displayed.

I do not, Clorinda sighed, feel that Flinders Carter, amiable young chap though he is, and doubtless a neat hand with the cards, has the discretion one would require even did he dress up elegant. Very like would burst forth with anecdotes about his Auntie Abby.

One sees that, said Leda, that had only just managed to forestall just such a revelation at one of Clorinda’s soirées. And very much not the set one would wish the intelligence that she is not married to a Russian nobleman at outs with the Tsar to get out among.

Clorinda nodded. But there are other matters I must have settled, first.

So, after she had looked through the letters to ensure that there was naught of immediate urgency, she desired Nick Jupp to drive her to the City.

There she had a useful convocation with Sebastian Knowles over the state of her business affairs – indeed there was nothing to hinder investment in new mining machinery! – and an exchange of family gossip – would not be sending the children to Ollifaunt Hall just yet, Bess and Tom say 'tis quite the bear-garden during the election –

He sighed and remarked that really, 'twas high time they took a little place out o’Town themselves – Highbury was all very well, but somewhere that was a little more of a rural retreat would be agreeable – on the railway –

Do I hear of anything of the like, will mention that you are interested.

She stood up, and they shook hands in farewell, for she did not wish to linger as had other business to be about.

Here was that sober and discreet edifice wherein Cyril Grigson conducted the affairs of Grilsinger and Grigson, that extended to the China Seas and made 'em quite fabulously wealthy.

Mr Grigson was quite entirely in to Lady Bexbury!

Greeted her very warmly, offered tea, that he prepared very ceremonious in the Chinese fashion, and over which they discoursed of indifferent matters while sipping at the tiny cups, afore finally coming to business.

She hoped he found his marriage satisfactory, and his father-in-law not too exiguous.

Grigson gave his small smile and said that Lady Lucretia was turning out quite to exceed expectations, from all one had heard of her sister Lady Iffling. Quite all one could wish. Lord Saythingport occasionally a little tiresome, but the present circumstance may give him a chance to recover somewhat from the expenses occasioned by the late Talshaw.

Clorinda drooped her eyelids, remarking that one had supposed a certain extravagance in that young man.

Grigson groaned. But, he went on, I am most prepossessed by Lord Peregrine – a sober young fellow with a promising head for business.

Very pleasing! But I come to you on something of a mission –

He raised his eyebrows.

I have come to hear of a certain pair of ladies in Society that run quite the gaming-salon for ladies, that is give out, o, very genteel, they are very select in who is admitted, but I have some concerns that this is no matter of an innocent hand or so of cards to beguile the time.

One hears of such things.

The play is considerable high, that even if 'tis straight, gives one to wonder somewhat – the ladies in question are just within the bounds of respectability, not quite yet to be deemed adventuresses. And I apprehend that Lady Lucretia has the entrée, having been introduced there by Lady Iffling – rather improper, to my mind, but she did not play, at least – and I see there a device for investigation. But I would not, of course, propose that she should attend these occasions without I was assured you had no objections.

Grigson smiled broadly. Dear Lady Bexbury, do you have some plan to rout these vipers I am entirely happy for you to make my wife confederate. At present she find time hanging a little heavy – private ladies’ card-parties could surely meet with no objection –

Quite so!

They parted with exceeding good feeling and mutual understanding. La, in times bygone, thought Clorinda, would quite have encouraged a suit from the gentleman!

But 'twas back home and address herself to a matter that Sister Benedict – the quondam Mary Theresa O’Callaghan – wished her judgement upon. Here was Lady Wauderkell had been taking a most extensive retreat at the convent – desired make some recompense – had indited a collection of tales of the childhoods of certain saints, that she hoped might be published for the benefit of the good sisters – did dearest Lady Bexbury, with her literary judgement considered quite of the nicest, and Mr MacDonald, with his knowledge of publishing, think this feasible?

Rather against her will, Clorinda found herself prepossessed by the work – oh, somewhat sentimental, but, she must allow, that woman had ever had a certain fluent facility with her pen. Fancied it would appeal to more than the Romish audience – confided the Ladies Thea and Nora would entire relish it! –

Some means of tying up the business so that O’Neill could not get his hands on any profits must be found – lord, America was very vast and it was taking a deal of a while for the evidence of his previous marriage to come from Chicago! –

Hector brought in the card tray.

Clorinda blinked. Had not expected callers – why, Dodo Casimir, that she dared say lingered at Bexbury House while the Abertyldds went about electioneering at Hembleby – so she nodded to Hector to admit her.

Dodo, one perceived, was not about some mere social visit – seemed in a considerable fluster – Clorinda nonetheless asked the proper formal questions about the family – how Zipsie did – &C&C – while pouring tea and offering the sandwiches and cakes that Dodo scarcely looked at –

Here is Ollie goes get himself into trouble, she burst out – o, perchance is not yet quite in toils, but Pa writes that he is much about with an actress from Bess Ollifaunt’s theatre in Heggleton –

She put down her cup rather forcefully. Encroaching creature that has presumed upon acquaintance from being invited to the Raxdell House parties in her younger days –

La, said Clorinda, I apprehend 'tis young Rosalind Richardson, no, does she not call herself Dalrymple to avoid comparisons with her mother?

– 'tis all the Ferrabys’ fault – rather too democratic –

Indeed, thought Clorinda, remembering the children’s parties including the Roberts’ offspring and those of the de Cléraults and the Marshalls – but at least the parents were respectably married. But, she said, was not the Ferrabys – 'twas Milord – Lord Raxdell – moved by his antient friendship with Danvers Dalrymple to beg an invitation – said Danvers was very put about that his children did not seem to go to nice parties –

And of course he had no children of his own to worry about any establishing of interest! grumbled Dodo, but one saw her already mollified by the invocation of Milord, the glass of fashion and the mould of form, the entire arbiter of good ton among his set. She sighed. Sure Danvers is a more devoted father than many that have gone to church! Even so, we cannot like this for Ollie –

Clorinda with an inward groan said she would think upon this tangle.

It was really rather hard to mourn Talshaw, his sister Cretia – Lady Lucretia Grigson – thought. He had not been an amiable elder brother – somewhat of a bully and ever standing on his position as heir – and they had seen little enough of him during their childhood as he was about the education proper to his station. So he was no great loss – whereas she felt she would have been saddened had it been Grinnie or Lucie. But furthermore, being in mourning was quite the greatest bore – so many things she might not do – obliged to wear black, that did not suit her in the least –

Though she must admit, she was not missing a deal of glittering social occasions at present, since so much of Society had gone out of Town to be about election matters, so she did not have to read accounts of balls and soirées &C with pangs of envy.

But also a deal of philanthropic activity was not occurring, with such leading figures as Dumpling Dora – Lady Pockinford – gone into the country to their husbands’ estates – so there were no drawing-room meetings or fancy bazaars that only the most exceeding strict could deem unsuitable for a lady in mourning to attend. One lady remaining in Town was Rachel Demington – her husband was travelling about the country in order to address meetings upon agricultural matters connected with the election – and she was arranging working-parties to prepare for the Seamstresses’ Summer Workshops. So Cretia might go to those, and feel she was doing useful work whilst also exchanging gossip with such other ladies as remained.

One could not, of course, go ride in the Row at the fashionable hour! But Vicky Jupp had come to Cretia saying, had gone consult Lady Jane Knighton on the matter – a lady of the most exacting! – that had said she could not see any objection to riding at a quieter time o’day in one of the less-frequented parts of the Park – had done the like on Queen Maud, that Lady Bexbury had very kindly kept in her stables, during her mourning year for the late Admiral – take a groom or a chaperone –

Oh, Vicky was entirely invaluable! Here she was, went read the classics with Lady Jane, and had thought to enquire about that. Really, she did not know what she would do without Vicky. For being dragged about the Season by her sister Rina – Lady Iffling – had been a very poor guide to the ways of Society, in particular the society she now found herself among. Not Rina’s set of – one could not even call 'em friends, they were ever backbiting and scandalmongering about one another – playing at cards and getting up flirtations –

Rina had been wont to dismiss this set as bluestocking dowds but they were rather more stylish than Rina herself. The Duchess of Mulcaster might understand a deal of very strange tongues and be able to converse with savants but was ever in the crack of fashion. Mrs Geoffrey Merrett went to the college for women in Bloomsbury and was considered an entire leader of style – that, said Vicky, is my sister 'Sina, Miss Thomasine at Mamzelle Bridgette, makes Janey – they were at school together – as it were her flagship.

So interesting! Vicky knew who everybody was, and their relations with one another. She also knew what everybody was talking about, and conveyed this to Cretia so that she did not appear a ninny when these matters came up over the teacups. Advised her on what books to read – marked pieces for her in the newspapers and journals –

And such a horsewoman! Fancied it might have been Lady Bexbury’s notion that 'twould be entire in order, did Cretia take early morning rides in the Park, for Vicky to ride with her. So she took Berenice, and Vicky took Artegall, and one saw that Vicky was the most competent of equestriennes. Vicky, when Cretia commented on this, giggled a little and remarked that when she was younger had had somewhat of an ambition to be a rider at Astley’s – we were all three of us about the stables from when we could crawl –

Imagine! The elegant Miss Thomasine!

So they returned from their ride – indeed, it was much more pleasant at this time o’day rather than the fashionable hour at this season when was so horrid hot and close – and saw their mounts conveyed into the hands of the grooms, and went in to change. Vicky grinned, and said, had no doubt but that Miriam would have a fine substantial snack for 'em in the library, to sustain 'em in discoursing over the day’s business –

Cretia grinned back saying that indeed seemed quite a while since they had breakfasted!

When she was dressed in mourning-dress suited to the hour, she went into the library, and there was Vicky, the secretary rather than the horsewoman, looking at the diary and sorting through the letters on the tray, that must have been delivered while they were out.

Dutifully she opened the missive from Mr Grigson, that was at present staying with his uncle Mr Grilsinger and his mother in Lincolnshire at Carlefour Castle, that they were leasing from Lord Trembourne. Were now quite entirely in local Society, and one apprehended that there was a deal of a desire for balls and dinners at the Castle during the election! Her husband expressed his hopes that she was well, and not finding time hang too heavy – pleased to hear that her acquaintance with their neighbour Lady Rondegate continued to flourish – various news and gossip – &C&C.

Excellent well. She nibbled on a piece of bread pudding, having developed a taste for this somewhat plebian delicacy. One from Mama at Worblewood – entirely good news, Myo in quite the best of health and spirits – they were all becoming archaeologists – Grinnie fancies he may have to come to Town about business, hopes he may beg your hospitality –

A scrawl from Rina, that must be rather discontent to have Iffling back at Anclewer.

She put the letters down. Vicky looked up from the letters that were to do with various matters to do with philanthropic enterprizes –

Had a commission from Lady Bexbury –

Lady Bexbury?

– wondered had you ever attended those card-parties Lady Venchall and Mrs Bramby hold?

Cretia groaned. O, I was positively dragged to 'em by Rina – did not play myself, barely had enough pin-money to cover little needful matters – but Rina did, said it was something to relieve the tedium of the days –

So you might have the entrée?

I suppose I might, but they ever struck me as very dull – I suppose mayhap did one play rather than spectate might be different – She wrinkled her nose. O, I daresay these days I can afford it –

Vicky lifted her eyebrows and remarked that indeed, one was a little astonished that there had not been somewhat in the way of exceeding civil invitations! – young woman married to an exceeding wealthy husband – that spends a deal of time about matters of business –

Cretia snorted. Wondered why Lady Bexbury took an interest – mayhap some young friend or relative that had been lured into playing higher than she could cover?

Later that day Cretia dressing in suitable mourning walking dress – lord, she was already entire sick of black! – in order to go parade in the square gardens, very exclusive. As she had hoped, she found there Zipsie Rondegate, that had previously assured her that Dr Ferraby thought that a little pedestrian exercize, providing that there was no noxious fog and the weather fine, was quite the most salutary thing in her condition.

Here was another friendship! Most agreeable to be neighbours, and discover what an amiable creature Zipsie was, when not struck by the nervous shyness that had afflicted her while on the Marriage Market. Married to a very well-looking young husband that appeared to doat upon her – dressed in a style that entirely suited her by Mr Maurice himself – everywhere acclaimed for her music – and now to be already in this happy condition!

They kissed one another on the cheek and enquired after one another’s lawful wedded.

O, Rondegate has gone down to Wepperell Larches – makes a bachelor party of it with Sallington and Julius Roberts and Mr Davison – some notion about gardens though we suppose that the local gentry will say they have ever been thus and so, and go grumble upon all this mania for improvements.

Cretia giggled and said, la, at Carlefour Castle, they just added on some new device as each Lord Ketterwell was struck by something he saw on his Grand Tour, so there is still a quaint knot garden, but also an Italianate garden &C&C, exactly like the house.

Zipsie said gardens were all very fine and well, but must take a deal of keeping up, even did one have gardeners – much preferred having this square to walk in rather than having to contemplate over rosebushes and shrubbery &C, and fret over lawns.

And oh, to grow more serious, have lately had a letter from Granda in Heggleton, goes grumble somewhat about Ollie – for he had quite the greatest notion to a match 'twixt Ollie and Thea, would have done something handsome for 'em – but here is Ollie goes get up a flirtation with an actress – even if 'tis a young lady we knew in childhood.

Cretia exclaimed at that.

O, we did not know 'em well, even though Mr Dalrymple –

Mr Dalrymple, the old quiz?

– the very one – is one of Papa’s oldest friends. But he is not married to Miss Richardson –

– the acclaimed thespian?

– Quite – even though they live exceeding domestic with his mother and her famous pugs and their children. But they were invited to parties at Raxdell House, and we encountered 'em there – sure, Zipsie said with a wistful look, Orlando Richardson had very engaging manners – and here is his sister Rosalind Granda fears has designs on Ollie. Here we thought Ollie was pulling round after that business with the fast set he was in –

But la, I am sudden become entire ravenous! Might we go in and desire tea? I have an immense craving for your Miriam’s lemon cake.

Cretia linked her arm into Zipsie’s and said of course.