She Who Staples

One could get very tired of being addressed as Lord Talshaw, thought Grinnie. But otherwise, it had been a very fine day – even though he had had a general impression that there had been endeavours to ensure that he did not engage in any particular private converse with Miss Wilson.

What a very admirable young woman she was! Had had some concerns himself about how he should convey a great parcel of exceeding delicious jams &C to Worblewood, but 'twas quite a bagatelle to her – send it by the railway, to the nearest station, to be held for collection – entirely a done thing. So they went into the showroom so that he might see what a very fine selection they now had, and why not send one of everything?

He had a melancholy feeling that while an Oxford college fellow that had shares in the enterprize might attain to come upon agreeable conversable terms with Miss Wilson, now he was Talshaw 'twas no longer considered an answerable thing. It was not as though he was anything like his late brother! that one had heard rumours of, concerning molesting maidservants &C. He sighed.

Did not have any great hopes of what he might encounter upon the Marriage Market.

Still, one observed couples that seemed happy enough – on amiable terms – few that were in as mutually doating a state as Jimsie and Myo, but here was Cretia seemed remarkably well satisfied in this match with Grigson.

As he entered the Belgravia mansion the footman said that Lord Iffling had called and left a note for Lord Talshaw.

Grinnie thanked him and went into the small Willow parlour to read it.

It so happened that Iffling was in Town – invited his brother-in-law to dine the following e’en – would send his carriage was this convenable –

Very civil!

He opened this invitation to Grigson over their quiet dinner – Cretia having gone on a visit to Knighton Hall, very gratifying, when one considered how very exacting Lady Jane was known to be – and Miss Jupp invited along with her, so that Lady Jane and she can read Greek together, 'tis quite the recreation for 'em – Cretia can ride with Mrs Geoffrey Merrett – some talk of lessons in acting from Miss Addington, the Merretts doat on amateur theatricals –

It was a set one could quite entirely like Cretia getting into!

Grigson looked considering and said, why, that answered very well, for he had to be at a City dinner the following e’en himself, and would have had to leave Grinnie solitary. Dared say Iffling purposed dining at one of his clubs, mayhap putting up his brother-in-law for membership –

So, here he was, and here was Iffling’s carriage very prompt upon the appointed hour, and he got in.

But contrary to his anticipation, it did not turn towards St James, but bore northwards, and 'twas a rather longer drive than he had expected.

Drew up at length outside a fine villa in St John’s Wood. Grinnie gulped. This was, he confided, where Iffling resided with his mistress, Marabelle Myrtle. Indeed he had met that lady, upon that occasion at Dumaine’s. But 'twas a little shocking to go dine in their establishment! even did he apprehend that Rina was exceeding fortunate that Iffling had decided to eschew the vulgar publicity of a crim.con. suit.

He was admitted by Iffling’s manservant acting the butler for the occasion, that took his outer garments and stick and ushered him into the parlour.

Miss Myrtle rose and curtseyed deeply, as Iffling came over to shake his hand, clap him upon the shoulder and remark that he was looking well.

One perchance did not, in such circumstance, enquire about health of wife and children, but surely could not be at all out of order to ask after the present state of the Duke of Werrell?

Iffling shook his head. Why, does not come about to improve – the quacks are very pessimistic in his case – but he does not seem to suffer – seems contented – I think it is beneficial to his spirits to keep him at Anclewer –

It showed well for Iffling that he did not go have his lunatic father confined in some crack private asylum, or at least in a distant house with some attendant, but let him live in familiar surroundings, with well-remunerated attendants to take care of him.

Miss Myrtle served 'em both with sherry – and excellent good sherry it was too.

Looks in an entire different style from Rina! very fetching – appeared considerable fond of Iffling – while one might have supposed that was what mistresses felt for the men that kept 'em, was it only for the mercenary matters of the fine jewels &C, having heard for so many years of the constant brangling 'twixt his father and the Delgado woman, Grinnie was pleased to see this positively domestic harmony.

And they were very well done by with the dinner – nothing in the least that one might criticize there – and at the end Miss Myrtle rose and said, would leave 'em with port and brandy and cigars and manly talk –

Grinnie took a glass of port but declined a cigar. Once Iffling had lit his and taken a few puffs, said would not make hypocritical condolences over Grinnie’s late brother, had been a shocking detrimental fellow, had been a remarkable fortunate accident came to him.

He cast a meaningful look across the table.

Surely he could not mean – ?

Your father, said Iffling, is a remarkably ruthless fellow. I feel you should be warned. I was beguiled into marrying your sister when the intelligence of my father’s condition became known, and my stock on the Marriage Market plummeted, and at first I considered that a somewhat expensive favour. But then My Lord the Marquess disclosed that he had the token of a foolish prank I engaged in when younger that I should not wish disclosed, and was touching me for substantial sums to keep the matter close, until Sallington – quite the finest fellow – was able by some means to obtain the evidence so that I might dispose of it.

Grinnie leant back in his chair, expelling a breath in almost a whistle. Certain – oh, not even things Mr Grigson had explicitly said – certain sardonic expressions when mentioning their father – but one supposed that a chap that was experienced in dealing with a race that was quite a by-word for wilyness would be up to any tricks a British Marquess might play!

Daresay he holds the power of his purse-strings over you?

Well, said Grinnie, beginning to smile, he may try, but I fancy he is not apprized that my late godfather left me a tidy little competence, that affords me a certain independence –

Iffling was surprized into a laugh. Why, Talshaw, you are quite the dark horse! I will lay odds that you are a deal less biddable than your sire supposes.

He has never taken the trouble to know me.

They looked at one another. Grinnie had already felt he had an ally in Grigson, but here was another that he had not in the least anticipated. And Iffling had an understanding of Society and its intricacies that Grigson was as yet still learning to navigate.

More port? – has he tried to set you up with a mistress yet?

Grinnie blushed deeply. Not yet, but there have been certain remarks –

Iffling nodded. Are you looking for agreeable feminine companionship, I confide that Marabelle has acquaintances that would entirely suit and would not be in your father’s pay.

He gulped. And thought back to that evening at Dumaine’s, and that extremely amiable creature Babsie Bolton, that had sat very close to him, much to his embarrassment, but had been most discreetly helpful over matters of card-play. Indeed he had had thoughts of pursuing that acquaintance!

He mentioned this to Iffling, that whistled, and remarked that Babsie was considered quite the prime filly in Dumaine’s stable, and advized that they should consult Marabelle upon the matter.

Marabelle was discovered in the parlour reclining in a most becoming position upon the chaise-longue, idly perusing a collection of fashion-plates. She sprang up – Tea? Coffee? Mayhap a herbal tisane? Or more brandy?

Once the question of refreshments was settled, Iffling opened the question of Babsie Bolton’s favours.

Miss Myrtle frowned prettily. O, Babsie is an entire darling – naught in the least like that Delgado harridan – exceeding sweet-natured – but one hears that Dumaine has her favours as 'twere reserved –

Grinnie and Iffling raised their eyebrows.

She blushed a little. 'Tis said that there are certain gentlemen that desire a very discreet gallop for the sake of their reputations –

Iffling guffawed and said, hah, the entire committee of the Vice Society, I will wager – half the bench of bishops –

– and that Babsie is silent as the grave. She pouted a little. Even among friends will say naught –

Iffling shrugged and said that he would speak to Dumaine.

Grinnie, feeling very warm, said that he was most obliged.

But he was not lingering in Town, so any assignation could not be an immediate prospect: that was, he must admit, something of a relief.

Here he was at the station for Worblewood – where he ascertained that the crate from Roberts and Wilson had been delivered, and collected, all very much in order – and took the station fly through the very pretty countryside thereabouts.

On a fine afternoon like this, he surmized that most of the company would be out digging, or spectating at the diggings, and was assured that this was indeed the case. Even Lady Trembourne, in her chair.

Well, one could be sure that a great deal of care would be taken not to jolt Myo at all – fresh air and sunshine must be entirely sanitive for her –

Tea in the Dutch parlour?

Excellent well, he thought, and went through to that most agreeable chamber, that indeed looked out in the direction towards the field in question, though it was obscured by hedges.

It was not empty – Lady Eleanor was seated close to the window, working at her lace-pillow. One could not but be reminded of some painting – really, one should become better acquainted with Sallington –

She looked up –

No, do not get up, said Grinnie. You are very industrious.

Why, she smiled a little, 'tis a pleasure. But I promised Aggie some lace for a fancy bazaar in their parish –

He knew that within the family there was a certain amount of sighing over Nora’s piety and reserve. But there was something very admirable about her – and one saw that she doated upon the Undersedge infants –

He persuaded her to put by her work and take some tea.