linneacarls

It was a little irksome, had one been away for some years about the business of the nation, and given leave to return to visit one’s family for what one feared would be a short while, to discover that one’s mother, whom one particularly wished to see, was from home. About some tiresome matter to do with his little sister Bella, Gillie – Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle – was apprized by his father the Duke almost as soon as he entered Mulcaster House.

It was entirely clear to Gillie that his father was in a considerable concern that, was he not immediately conveyed the facts of the matter, he might hear some scurrilous gossip upon the business and at once go act the offended and vengeful brother upon the Earl of Blatchett.

Gillie sighed and said, one duel in Buda-Pesth, where these things are taken quite as a matter of course, with a Hungarian hussar, that I may as well reveal to you, was in order to gain an entrée to their circles.

Not quite the whole truth, but at least it would reassure his father that it had been in pursuit of his duties: that were not, as was generally supposed, as a younger son of a Duke in the Diplomatic, merely about being an adornment of Embassies at tea-parties, balls &C. No, Gillie, with his gift for languages, a keen intelligence, and his athletic abilities, was at rather more dangerous work.

So he diverted the conversation into all the news of family and Town Society that he had missed while travelling in the domains of the Tsar and then the Baltic regions. Brother Essie still not married – Rollo still philoprogenitive – Cathy the mother of a promising brood – Steenie a would-be poet that was getting up a magazine –

Sad thing about the Admiral – his aunt Lady Jane came round and now out of mourning – no, not living here – has good quiet apartments near Miss Addington – convenient for her philanthropic operations – no sign of Janey increasing after these several years – has quite the salon for her coterie of blue-stocking young women –

The various marriages among their set – Zipsie Parry-Lloyd got off at last – similarly Saythingport’s youngest daughter, married into wealth rather than rank, now she is out from the shadow of Lady Iffling quite an agreeable young woman, has the greatest admiration for Lady Bexbury – Raxdell now has all his offspring suitably wed –

There was young Jimsie Ketterwell, scarce returned from his honeymoon with Saythingport’s lame daughter, when there is this shocking matter of his father’s death and he finds himself Trembourne quite unanticipated –

I saw somewhat of that, said Gillie, but did not have the full story.

His father snorted, remarking that he doubted any would come at the full story. One must commend Asterley’s very tactful evidence at the inquest, though that had not stopped gossip.

I should go convey my condolences – saw somewhat of the Countess – the Dowager Countess I should say – in my travels –

Oh, she has gone abroad – given out that she recruits from the shock at some spaw, but there is speculation that she has some foreign lover, and really, one could hardly blame her married to that hypochondriacal bore.

Being about the nation’s confidential matters abroad most fortunately gave one practice in concealing one’s emotions. Rosy.  In spite of the difference in their ages, from being colleagues they had become lovers, and he was exceedingly anxious to know how she did.

So he gave a vague smile and said, did not immediate recall any overt scandal or linking with any particular name – but as for scandal, what was the latest to-do in the Fendersham imbroglio?

It was of course imperative that he should go see Sir Vernon Horrabin, provided he could manage to do so with all due discretion, as soon as might be.

That could be, he supposed, accomplished rather more readily in the absence of Mama and Essie and Bella – his father was preoccupied with the weakness of the present Ministry and the impending likelihood of a General Election, and Steenie was unlike to notice anything that did not strike some poetical note. He had made a very proper duty call on Cathy and Phil and their household – would have to journey down to Norleigh Hall to call upon Rollo and Di – ought to go make his bow to Aunt Jane –

But first, Sir Vernon.

There were certain matters to report best conveyed verbally rather than writ down even in the securest cypher – but a deal of the business was his superior expertly gleaning his impressions of a deal of phaenomena he had encountered during his sojourn abroad.

Sir Vernon gave an approving nod and said, was all very well, but there was a delicate matter – knew Lord Gilbert had been obliged to present as the cavaliere servente of Lady Trembourne –

Gillie nodded. A device to enable the communication of intelligence that had started their whole affaire.

– fancied he might have observed whether there was some particular favourite? He sighed. Has quite vanished since her husband was interred – said to be recruiting at some spaw but I can hardly go interrogate Lady Undersedge – very troubling.

Gillie looked pensive, then shook his head. She was very much pursued, but I did not think she favoured one more than another.

One cannot suppose her devastated by the loss of that tiresome fellow. But, to other matters. Before you leave for Paris –

Paris! Gillie could not completely suppress a grin. Quite the accolade. Of course, he not only had a superior command of Parisian French, but also Provençal, Breton, other regional dialects, and was at present studying Basque for his own entertainment.

– it would be advizable to convoke with Miss Hacker over the latest methods in lock-picking, the most recent things in skeleton-keys, &C: I will arrange it.

Gillie had somewhat of a conceit in his skills in such matters but he was somewhat cast down when he met Miss Hacker at the appointed hour. She desired him to demonstrate his aptitude, sniffed, and remarked that he sure required some brush-up to his talents.

He had to concede, watching her at work, that she had an almost supernatural ability with locks. Indeed, very clever fingers.

He had been wondering whether he might apply these skills he was improving to finding out Rosy’s whereabouts.

Except –

Maybe it was a qualm that he should overcome – for in the pursuit of his duties he might well have to undertake the like – but all the sense of honour bred in him from childhood revolted from the thought of sneaking – somehow – into Trembourne House and, once there, ferreting around in Grissie Undersedge’s escritoire to see did she have any correspondence from her mother. The feeling was quite physical nausea.

Don’t, said Miss Hacker, stand staring at the lock – look lively to it!

Gillie started.

It dawned upon him that Miss Hacker was, it was given out, in the employ of Matt Johnson’s investigation agency.

When the practice was over, and she was giving him an inventory of his weaknesses very like a fencing master with a promising pupil, he wondered –

Miss Hacker, do you ever take private commissions?

She narrowed her eyes at him. Private commissions?

To investigate things –

Ah-ha. Investigate things very discreet, nothing mentioned to Sir V, mayhap – She was looking at him as if he were a not very complicated lock. Perchance there might be a lady in it?

You guess aright, said Gillie, though the matter may be rather different than you suppose.

Say on!

There is some mystery about the present whereabouts of the Dowager Lady Trembourne –

Was that a blink?

– that I am rather anxious to ascertain without I bother her relatives.

There are those, said Miss Hacker in very dry tones, saying she had been playing high at the tables at the spaws the late Earl dragged her about.

Rosy had been far too canny to get into difficulties with play, but one saw it made some explanation.

But I can assure you I intend her no harm –

She tilted her head and scrutinized him for some moments. Mayhap and perchance! What’s it worth?

Gillie gulped.

Miss Hacker grinned. O, very like one day I may require a favour from you, or from one you can require it of, and I would rather have that laid up, I am not in want –

He nodded. That was fair. And also, he had not liked the thought of this transaction to discover Rosy being a matter of cash.

Well, you go practise what I have shown you, and I will go investigate.

So there were a few days in which he endeavoured to occupy his mind with practicing lock-picking, studying Basque, and going to a fencing saloon so that that skill did not lapse. He dared say that he ought to be going about Society, but – not yet.

On his next meeting with Miss Hacker, she put down a jangling of locks and skeleton keys as she said, Delft.

Delft? In Holland? What would Rosy do there?

She slid a slip of paper into his hand, that he supposed must be further information as to Rosy’s direction there.

Thank you, he murmured, picking up the skeleton keys.

She perched against a table to scrutinize his proceedings, making the occasional sharp comment. Eventually she called a halt, not before he found his hands beginning to tremble a little.

You will not, she said, glancing at them, be at all like to be at the task so long does it come to it.

He sighed. Does it take that long, should probably abandon it for fear of discovery.

She nodded. 'Tis the wisest course. But you come about to have a nice hand in the business.

Gratifying praise!

She then shifted from foot to foot, and frowned a little, and said, 'twas give out that he was very handy indeed with a sword, but had a notion that there might be occasion when a chiv might be a more suitable weapon.

 Gillie gulped. He wondered whether this was instructions from Sir Vernon or a thought that had struck Miss Hacker quite independent. One apprehended that there might be somewhat rough and tumble came about in the proceedings of enquiry agents….

Later, he had a further thought that perchance she hinted at the Blatchett business.

Could be no model to follow

Bella – Lady Isabella Beaufoyle – looked out of the carriage window and suppressed a sigh. Sure she was entire delighted to be going to Attervale to have a good long visit with Lady Emily Merrett and her companion Miss Lalage Fenster. But she was somewhat put out that it had not been considered proper that she might just be put upon a suitable train – o, with one of the maids to accompany her for propriety’s sake – for the nearest station and take the fly from there.

No, here she was not only with her eldest brother Essie – Lord Sallington, that the family still called by the fond baby-name give him by his wet-nurse, Betty Higgins – that she might have borne with, but Mama – Viola, Her Grace of Mulcaster – as well. Anyone might suppose her an invalid!

She did, indeed, feel perchance a little what Chloe was wont to describe as wamblesome lately – had been confined to her sofa for some weeks since the Hackwold Incident. And she had to confess, inwardly, that she had had no inclination to her usual activity and that it had been somewhat of a relief to be told that it would not be prudent in the least to resume her usual social round. While there were no longer any manifest symptoms of the chill that had resulted – and no wonder! all remarked – from a ride on a night that was not merely chilly but interspersed with flurries of sleet, she still felt undue languid and unlike herself.

It had been Essie that had sat down beside her and said, it could come about that some event would cause a shock to the nerves – Quintus – Dr Ferraby was an old friend of his from the Raxdell House nursery days – said 'tis quite to be expected that even such a horsewoman as yourself might be somewhat set aback by being bolted with thus.

But he knew that the being bolted with by that skittish mare Thessaly had been quite the least of the matter. While Society gossip put it about that had been provoked so that Lord Blatchett might effect a daring rescue, in truth it had been a device to drive her towards his hunting-box. Whether – as he had told her – this was merely in order to provide a compelling reason for her father to concede to his suit to her hand, or whether he had had actual ruin in his intentions, Bella had not lingered to discover. Left alone – a chamber on the ground floor – the window unlocked – she had escaped.

Well-trained by Belinda Penkarding, she was entirely capable of saddling and bridling the cob that stood in the stables – the mare Thessaly being still in a very poor way – and mount without the need of a groom to boost her into the saddle. Her first thought had just been to get away but shortly had encountered a signpost that showed her in known territory and she had made her way to Jupp’s farm, where, most fortunate, Mrs Penkarding and Gertie Jupp were in residence.

Sure she had never had any mind to marrying Blatchett! Had, it was true, found his admiration very agreeable – a fine upstanding fellow – showed to advantage in a ballroom – and quite unsurpassed on horseback and in the hunting-field. Mayhap she had been, just a little, impressed that he took an interest in her – praised her equestrian talents &C –

However, after that visit to Oaks Merriam she could hardly take him very seriously. It was a splendid enough place – seat of the Earls of Blatchett these several generations – but what she and Chloe had most particular noticed was that he and his forebears had not at all been given to reading. Sure, one did not perchance expect a fellow in his rank to be given to deep study, but the works on the library shelves – elegantly bound in leather with the family crest stamped upon 'em – had clearly been purchased for show and not for use. Was not a collection that one would commend to Hannah Roberts to write up under her style of Bibliophilia for The Speculum of Arts and Sciences! that she was very noted for and was quite besought to come look at libraries up and down the country.

Furthermore, as the daughter of a Duke that took a most conscientious dutiful part in the government of the nation, Bella had observed that Blatchett was conspicuous by his absence at the Palace of Westminster. Though had some doubts as to the soundness of his political views from idle comments he had passed.

Bella had been brought up in a set in which the ladies took the liveliest interest in politics – Lady Wallace, one of her mother’s oldest friends, wrote political sketches under the style of Aspasia – and her mother herself was wont to act from time to time as her father’s political secretary. Then, of course, there was Flora, Miss Ferraby, that shocking Miss Ferraby, that wrote and lectured upon political matters and even more unwomanly topics, that had been a dear friend of Essie’s from childhood, and that, even with her notoriety, the family would not at all have objected to him marrying. But although they seemed on terms of great affection, to Bella’s observation, did not come to have and to hold, forsaking all others &C.

She had taken advantage of being obliged to lie upon a sopha in the warm to undertake a deal of unaccustomed reading, and had desired to be brought copies of those radical journals in which Miss Ferraby’s thoughts were published. She had no doubt that there were households where, was this discovered, there would be an immense outcry, and indeed, she began to apprehend why that might be so. But Papa himself had come talk to her and explained that Miss Ferraby was a very estimable person – her views on the education of children widely praised – but that Bella might consider that, although she was widely received in Society, her station was very different from Bella’s. The Ferraby connexion was everywhere admired: however, Sir Josiah, though raised to the rank of baronet, had been a Northern industrialist of humble origins whose abilities had made him wealthy and influential. He had also had very radical notions about the position of women and had made his daughters independent rather than bestowing portions upon 'em to catch husbands.

So there was Flora’s elder sister Miss Elizabeth Ferraby that was now Lady Ollifaunt had taken her portion and put it into theatres and had some several in provincial towns and cities, and it was known that reputations were made in 'em – was an actress had got her start there was now quite the Queen of the stage in New York! –

And it was widely given out that had she so desired, Miss Margaret, instead of marrying Sebastian Knowles, might have made a career as a musician.

Papa went on to dare say that we might see somewhat remarkable with the daughters of Sir Harry and Dr Quintus, that were of a like mind to their father. Quintus had even been heard to express that he saw no reason why ladies should not become doctors.

But, even so, Bella understood that her lot in life was different. O, there was no expectation that she should marry in her first Season, and Mama somewhat deplored the rush to get young women married off. Better to wait a little, and look about, and learn at least something of the world, and obtain some degree of judgement of men’s character.

Nonetheless, though 'twas never said in so many words, she was supposed to get married in due course.

Even with the example of her aunt Jane before 'em! – though one understood that there had been there the matter of being left a generous bequest by the great-uncle that had conveyed her her classical learning, so that she had been able to maintain her independence until such time as dear Admiral Knighton had been in a position to offer.

It was all a puzzle to Bella. She had never yet seen a man she desired to marry, except for Mr Josh Ferraby, because then one might go with him on his explorations. People said you would have babies, as if that were a fine thing, and while she found Rollo’s and Cathy’s children amiable creatures enough, had no great inclination to motherhood herself.

But what was the position did one remain single? From looking about, she fancied it came to going live with one or other brother or sister and being Auntie in the household, that struck her as quite immense tedious. O, there were cases where a man remained single and had a sister that kept house for him and took care of affairs – she wondered whether, perchance, did Essie continue in his disinclination to wed, that might answer? Would that not even be sensible? Though one heard it also came about that men that were quite old took a sudden fancy to marry some much younger woman – had not Lord Fendersham been looking very doating on Lady Theodora Saxorby? it had been much remarked – and the existing chatelaine was thus deposed.

Yet – she almost started at the thought, as they turned into the short drive up to the manor house at Attervale – was not Lady Emily unmarried? And never had been married? Here she was, had been living at Attervale, one of the Nuttenford estates, as 'twere as Lady of the Manor, with Miss Fenster, this entire age – managed the home farm – dealt with the tenants –

However, when she thought a little further about it, did she mention that as an instance of a life that a lady might lead did she not marry, she fancied that all would groan and throw up their hands and say, o, that is the Merretts for you. For somehow, though Bella did not think their behaviour was so wildly out of the common, the family had the reputation of being eccentrique to the point of scandal. Lady Offgrange that had eloped with the Marquess – the Earl himself that had married lovely, witty and wealthy Miss Rebecca Gold rather than one of the young ladies of aristocratic breeding being paraded for his approval – she did not quite know exactly what it was about Mr Geoffrey, but there was something – Lady Louisa marrying Harry Ferraby –

She sighed. Even the entirely eligible union of Lady Rachel with Artie Demington had taken place within a flurry of his parents’ misplaced expectations.

Clorinda, Dowager Marchioness of Bexbury, was visiting her old friend Mrs Dalrymple, ostensibly to discuss a new proposition concerning the philanthropic enterprize in which they both took an interest that had set up a number of optical dispensaries providing spectacles for the weak-sighted poor, or letters to hospitals providing operations were those necessary. Mrs Dalrymple, that was no longer young, had been having some little problems of health keeping her from recent meetings of the committee.

As Clorinda entered the parlour an elderly pug came up to sniff about her skirts, for had never abandoned the hope that, one day, a visitor would arrive that had happily concealed a rabbit or some such there. It snuffled around for a little while, sighed, and returned to snooze at its mistress’ feet.

No, cried Clorinda, do not put yourself to the trouble of rising, sure we are quite antient friends and need not stand upon ceremony!

They shook hands and Clorinda was waved into the one comfortable chair that was not already occupied by a pug.

The maid came with tea whilst they exchanged comments upon the weather and general matters – they say this government cannot last and there will be an election very shortly – the health of one another’s family and friends –

La, Mrs D had had a letter from her grandson Orlando in Sydney, where he was entirely thriving with his theatre company –

One was relieved to hear that, for not so very long ago Orlando Richardson had gone in some peril on account of the vengeful feelings of the husbands and other lovers of the ladies who had found the young actor most magnetic. Sure he was not the handsomest of men – nothing like dear Hywel Jenkins had been in his heyday – but had a charm that made up for any plainness.

And there was her grand-daughter, naughty Rosalind, that had run away from school to go on the stage under the name of Dalrymple, so that there would not be odious comparisons with her mother, that bright star of the London stage, Clara Richardson, doing exceeding well –

Of course, said Mrs Dalrymple, it gives one great confidence that she is in one of Lady Ollifaunt’s companies –

Oh, indeed, no vagabond player matter! Clorinda smiled. She had known Bess Ollifaunt since childhood, when she had presented the offspring of her dear loves Josiah and Eliza Ferraby with a fine superior toy theatre. And here was Bess now with some several provincial theatres that were agreed quite crack companies.

But, went on Mrs D, sure I might talk of the children for hours, let us to business.

So Clorinda took the papers out of her reticule, and opened the notion that Aggie – Lady Agatha – Lucas had had in her husband’s parish in the East End, that until one might get up enough interest to set up a dispensary, one might arrange for a visiting oculist, once or twice in a month.

One can tell she is Dumpling Dora – I mean, Lady Pockinford’s! – daughter! What a very apt notion. Or, she looked considering, there might be some local oculist that could be persuaded to give some gratuitous time to the work.

They discussed this, and various other matters to do with the charity, until there was a particularly loud burst of girlish laughter from the next room.

Clorinda raised her eyebrows.

La, said Mrs Dalrymple, as I daresay you know, since I apprehend Miss Allard is a connexion of your Sophy –

Clorinda nodded.

– here is that child Binnie that she gives refuge, the mother being most undesirable, comes shelter here a while and keep Clary company, as there is some fear that the mother may go kidnap her so that she can put her to earning her keep. And there she is, already has quite a little business in Covent Garden a-walking dogs and brushing 'em and teaching 'em manners, while being cared for by that excellent woman –

Clorinda fancied that Mrs Dalrymple did not know the precise nature of Marie Allard’s own business, providing special pleasures for gentlemen. Kept quite separate from her dwelling!

– and I daresay the mother wants to put her to making artificial flowers or some such trade, does she not have worse intentions. An agreeable child that has quite the nicest hand with dogs – the pugs doat upon her –

And Clary has not took that fever that had smitten her school?

Not in the least, in quite bouncing good health I am relieved to say.

At this moment the door opened as the maid ushered in Mrs Dalrymple’s son Danvers. That was still pointed to as a fine example of the style of the Regent’s day, when he had been one of the set around Clorinda’s dear friend Gervase, Viscount Raxdell. Had been living in a quite devoted unhallowed union with Clara Richardson for these many years, for the actress had had no inclination to dwindle into a wife and abandon the stage.

And Mrs Dalrymple was too delighted to welcome the grandchildren she had begun to despair of to cavil about the manner of their begetting!

Lady Bexbury! – servant – he bowed over her hand in the old courtly style – hoped he saw her well – how was MacDonald – here was Abertyldd went acquire a son-in-law that would be a great asset to his cricket-parties!

Further pleasantries were cut off by the bursting forth from the adjacent room of Clary, hurling herself at him crying Dada!

Followed more discreetly by Binnie, that dipped a very acceptable curtsey to the visitors. Looked in good health – clad in what Clorinda fancied to be an outgrown dress of Clary’s – one might convey reassuring report to be communicated to Marie Allard –

She exchanged glances with Mrs Dalrymple and they agreed that their business was concluded for the present.

So Clorinda went to where her carriage was waiting, and informed Nick Jupp that they might go straight home, and occupied the journey in making notes upon her convocation with Mrs Dalrymple in her little memorandum book.

Arriving home, Hector, her major-domo, informed her as he took her cloak and bonnet that Mr MacDonald was working in the library but would doubtless be grateful for some interruption.

Why, I will go interrupt him! Do you desire tea to be sent there rather than my parlour.

She passed through to what had become known as the library wing of the establishment. Sure it had been delightful to have been presented with the deeds of a pretty little house in Mayfair in her courtesan days! But when her life and circles expanded following her brief marriage to the ailing Marquess of Bexbury, that had required a widow to take care of certain discreet matters that he did not wish to entrust to the heir he loathed, it had become a little confining. But then the next-door house had fallen vacant, and, most fortunate, was part of prudent investments in Town estate made by an ancestor of her dear friend Biffle – Beaufoyle Beaufoyle, Duke of Mulcaster – that had been happy to make it over to her for a peppercorn rent.

So she had a fine library and a dining room for giving dinner parties, and had had room enough to provide lodging for her dearest friend Sandy – Alexander MacDonald, MA (Edinburgh) – following the death of his lover, and her friend, Gervase Reveley, Lord Raxdell. And also to provide refuge for Belinda, that had been married to the – supposed – Marquess of Bexbury that succeeded her husband, but had left him – set up training race-horses with her friend Captain Penkarding – returned to prevent a bigamous marriage – obliged to manage the estate when the Marquess was declared lunatic – and now, following Penkarding’s death, in business with Sam Jupp’s livery stables in the mews. Also widely consulted for her skills in horse-doctoring.

When Clorinda entered the library she found Sandy seated at the table with some several boxes piled on the floor about him, and stacks of paper before him. He was scowling at 'em.

La, my dear, have you found yet more bigamous marriages of that scoundrel O’Neill?

He looked up. Not yet, he conceded, but a good deal of evidence of debts and exceedingly dubious financial dealings. But what I am at here is trying to disentangle the matter of this lawsuit over Lady Wauderkell’s property in Cork. Occurred to me the notion that did it come about to be resolved in her favour, mayhap she might even go live there –

Clorinda grinned and said sure she would rather go live in Cork, that she understood to be a pleasant small city – healthful airs &C – rather than marry that dreary Evangelical bore Lord Fendersham, that still seemed so ardent to wed Lady W even after her elopement with O’Neill.

Sandy grinned back and said sure that might be exceeding amuzing – he fancied Lady Anonyma might get a novel or so out of the experience –

Alas that I do not have a fan about me to flap you with for impudence!

 –  But what I discover is very interesting. Her cousins brought the suit almost simultaneous upon her marriage to Sir Barnabas Wauderkell –

O! cried Clorinda, that puts a very interesting complexion upon it indeed – that perchance they did not want it to fall into his hands – one may well fancy that there was considerable family feeling against that match – and that tying it up in court proceedings, especial as I daresay he was reluctant to spend time in – I suppose 'twould be the Dublin courts? – pursuing it was one way to keep it safe for her.

Quite – he dies, and there is some compounding of the matter come to, as between family – and here is the widow with this comfortable share in a brewery to sustain her in her grief –

Clorinda snorted and said, that she might quaff the product of and mayhap distribute to the populace while she danced upon Sir Barnabas’ grave, the nasty fellow.

But here, she said, glancing at the table-top, I see Hector has brought in the post, and I should see is there aught of urgency – fie, an epistle from Naples! – I doubt 'tis anything imperative, but I long to hear how all goes on there –

She broke the seal, and sat down to peruse the letter – 'tis Alf goes write – Oh! Oh! Oh! Would you believe it! Who do you suppose has lately turned up in the vicinity of Naples?

Dearest Lady Anonyma, this is not one of your tales and you are not required to create suspense.

Basil Linsleigh!

Sandy swore in Scots. That mediocre artist had quit the realm somewhat precipitate a few years previous after his involvement in an illicit blackbirding scheme was like to be revealed, though rumour gave out that 'twas in fear of prosecution for sodomy.

Hmmm – hmmm – they go put in his way a very handsome confederate of theirs that he will doubtless desire as a model – so that is all under hand, and Marcello has refrained from employing his stiletto, the dear fellow, and we may anticipate to learn does he intend a return to these shores.

I might, however, said Sandy, inform Maurice that the wretch has not been murdered by Albanian bandits or kidnapped by Corsairs. For his lover had had an unhappy history with Linsleigh.