elainegrey

Jerome had brought the promised basket from Seraphine, that contained a deal of fine tasty treats, and even some hothouse fruit – does His Lordship leave any, why, I have the reversion, for must be fresh and fresh for him, not left-overs –

So Livvy told him of how Sir Charles went set up a hothouse at the manor, so that Lady Fairleigh might have hothouse fruit, and asked was Lord Raxdell a very exacting employer?

Why, he is most exceeding nice about his dress, but he can wear it, shows very well – there will be other valets come to me, ask, how may I obtain such and such an effect with my master, and really, I must sigh and say, perchance do you go about to disguise his defects of figure with stays or some such, because one may observe that the fellow is not one that will spend a good hour or so a day in practice with his fencing master like unto His Lordship. Is particular, but shows kind and generous, 'tis not always the tale. Is not here the e’en – has seen this play several times already – I see has lent his box to Lord Abertyldd and several others of his set –

Sophy nudged Livvy. The young lady, next to Lady Abertyldd – with the white roses? – that is the Miss Brumpage that Mr Edward Merrett has a notion to.

Pretty! said Livvy.

And then the play commenced.

What a fine amuzing thing it was. The young man that determines to save his sister from a beguiled elopement by dressing in her clothes and going to the rendezvous himself – the young woman that is so horrified at her brother’s plan to beguile a young woman into a runaway match that she pushes him into the cellar and locks the door upon him, dresses in his clothes – sure Miss Addington looked most exceeding well in breeches! – and keeps the assignation – Mr Winch as the innkeeper at the appointed hostelry, o, her sides quite ached with laughing –

At the end of the evening Jerome said, sure, he would escort Livvy back to Offgrange House, 'twas no trouble in the least, and so they took their leave of Sophy and Sam, that were gazing doating into one another’s eyes, and set off, their arms linked together so that they might not get separated in the press, and Jerome keeping his stick in hand, just in case.

As they walked he remarked that did the Fairleighs stay much longer in Town, and did they concede Livvy a little time for recreation, perchance a party for Vauxhall might be made up?

Livvy said she was not certain of their plans, but sure that would be very agreeable might it be contrived.

How very civil was Jerome: did not lord it as he might have done, sure valets were oft very proud and haughty and determined to demonstrate their consequence, one saw that a little with Plender at Offgrange House.

Or perchance they might visit a menagerie? Though, had she been at Raxdell House, mayhap she had the opportunity to visit Master Josh’s creatures?

Indeed, said Livvy, was a thing came up while we were picking herbs, Sophy said 'twas a mongoose –

That mongoose will ever be looking into whatever is a new thing!

 - and then Master Josh Ferraby came up after it, and Sophy offered that he might show us his animals.

The wombatt, said Jerome, is most particular out of the common – comes from the antipodes.

At length they came to the belowstairs door of Offgrange House, and Jerome smiled down at her, and said, had been a most agreeable evening, and he hoped that he might have further opportunity of seeing her again while she was in Town, touched his hat, and departed. Livvy smiled a little to herself, and went in, and up to the dressing-room.

Lorimer came in to say, Lady Fairleigh had gone to bed, but Sir Charles was with her and said he fancied he could undertake her requirements in making sure of her comfort &C.

Livvy smiled at her and said, he has the finest hand in the matter, she will say.

Lorimer looked doating. 'Tis give out, in the family, that had loved her for many years, since boyhood, even before her parents made up the marriage to the Earl. And at last they could wed. But, my dear, 'tis late and you should get to bed yourself.

Next morning while Livvy was undertaking Lady Fairleigh’s toilette, the latter asked her about how she had enjoyed the play, and that came to an account of the play, and how very entertaining it had been, and the evening in general.

Oh, said Lady Fairleigh, how delightful it sounds. One hears Miss Addington is quite the finest of actresses –

Sir Charles came in. What, we are talking of Livvy’s theatrical excursion?

O, indeed I am put in a deal of envy, Sir Charles. For even when I was still able to get about I cannot recall that we ever went to the play.

Sir Charles looked thoughtful and said, he did not see why it could not be managed. He fancied there were those among their acquaintance with boxes at the theatre, and he might carry her in, and they could ensure she was sat in comfort. And sure it was desirable that she had some standard by which to judge her offsprings’ efforts in amateur theatricals.

O, Sir Charles! are they so bad?

Sir Charles laughed. As it perchances, Em and Geoff are by no means bad, at least as amateurs go. I do not say that they could earn their living upon the boards but they are not an entire embarrassment to watch.

I am ever in doubt that I manifest maternal prejudice in the matter!

They looked at one another very fond.

I fancy that the person to apply to would be Lady Bexbury: she will know who has boxes, and when they are like to be empty, &C.

I daresay she will be calling within a day or two: but I will write her a little note upon the matter.

Livvy recommenced the brushing of Lady Fairleigh’s hair that she had temporarily ceased. Sir Charles said that he had just looked in to say that he purposed to go to Raxdell House the morn: had had a very civil note from Mr Roberts that he was entire welcome to go visit his hothouses. Dared say they would make him quite discontent with his own efforts.

He kissed Lady Fairleigh’s hand and took his leave.

Barely had the door closed behind him than it opened once more and little Lady Di toddled in.

After an apologetic nursemaid had come to retrieve her and take her back to the nursery, Lady Fairleigh sighed and said, sure it was delightful to be among her family, and Di and Gussie were the sweetest of infants, but she found that she had grown used to a rather quieter life. A little taste of Town pleasures was agreeable, but she found herself looking forward to returning to the manor.

And Livvy found herself in inward agreement with her mistress.

For it turned out that Sophy was most exceeding well-thought-of in matters of dressing hair, would have ladies come beg Lady Bexbury for her services in the matter; Sophy cast down her eyes, and mayhap even blushed but one could not tell. There had also been some matter of advice upon dress, all entire proper to her station but so that she would not look some countryfied miss. Sure she had heard that Docket was a very daunting creature but showed most kindly towards her.

It flustered her somewhat when Lady Bexbury herself came into the dressing-room – she jumped up, and made her bob, and Her Ladyship took her hands and said, La, am delighted to see you here, Bracewell, for I hear excellent good report of how well you do for dear Hester Fairleigh, have quite the finest hand at making her comfortable and seeing to her needs.

And Livvy blushed deeply and found herself telling Her Ladyship, what she did not normally go about to disclose, about her brother Billy, that had been a cripple, carried off by a winter fever while still quite young, but that she had helped her mama look after afore she went into service at the manor, and she dared say that had got her into the knack of knowing the matter. Her Ladyship smiled and said, one might have guessed some such sad tale lay behind, and did her mother still live?

O yes, said Livvy, and is now in one of Sir Charles’ fine almshouses, most exceeding comfortable. And blushed again.

Why, I am sure Sir Charles looks well to 'em, but here is somewhat towards supplying her with additional comforts; and I daresay that you might wish to buy yourself a memento or so of your visit to Town – she pressed a little purse into Livvy’s hand. I am exceeding fond of Lady Fairleigh and it gladdens me to see her so well cared-for.

Sophy and Docket smiled after her as she left. O, said Livvy, is she not quite angelic? They looked at her very doating.

But now they came to the finely-appointed stableyard at Raxdell House, and there were grooms cried out in greeting to Ajax, for it seemed he was quite a favourite among 'em, and was conveyed away with promises of ale to convoke about some business of theirs. Sophy, saying that Ajax was very well-reputed for his skills with horseflesh, also had been a jockey and still had a deal of knowledge concerning the turf, led Livvy through past the kitchen-gardens and hot-houses –

La, there is Cousin Jerome, I wonder what he is about? – for a tall figure was waving to Sophy from within one of the hot-houses,

They went in, and Sophy made a civil dip to Mr Roberts, that was the head gardener, and said did Jerome come a-picking of these fine grapes? And Jerome, that one might see from the great niceness of his dress must be a valet, said that His Lordship liked to keep a bowl of fresh fruit about his chamber, so he came to find what Roberts had that was just at the right point of ripeness.

Roberts said that he fancied the bunches of this vine were just on their peak, and handed a few grapes over to Sophy and to Livvy, that agreed that they were entirely perfect. He went on to say that he thought there might be a peach or two also come ripe, did Jerome step this way –

Jerome paused, and looked at Livvy. But Sophy, he said, you do not make me known to your friend.

Oh, said Sophy, this is Bracewell, Livvy Bracewell, that is Lady Fairleigh’s maid – Livvy, this is my cousin Jerome, that you may apprehend is Lord Raxdell’s valet.

Jerome bowed very elegant over Livvy’s hand as she made her dip.

Sure, Jerome, I mind me that I have passes for the play, and Sam and I go take Livvy, and there is a place not yet took up, might you care for it?

Should be entire delighted, said Jerome, with a lingering look at Livvy. And may prevail upon Seraphine to put me up a basket for the occasion into the bargain.

He and Sophy exchanged the details, and he went off with Roberts.

Sophy giggled and said, Sure Jerome ever has an eye for a fine young woman! I fancy he is taken with you. Livvy blushed. But is exceeding well-conducted, I doubt there will be any requirement of hat-pin. Well, let us be about our business.

O, indeed they were fine gardens. And not only were there fine lawns and flowerbeds &C, but romping about were a deal of very pretty small children –

Came running up to Sophy with glad greeting cries perchance the prettiest of them all, a darling with golden curls holding by the hand a somewhat smaller girlchild with dusky skin and wiry black curls – Sophy! Sophy!

La, Miss Flora! said Sophy, as the child jumped into her arms and bestowed several kisses upon her, not at your lessons the morn?

'Tis such a fine day, said the other child, that Mrs Lowndes said we should take ad – take ad-vantage of it while we might.

And here is a kiss for Hannah! said Sophy, suiting the act to the words. And might there be a kiss or two for Livvy?

Livvy knelt down upon the grass and held out her arms. Flora came at once to bestow a kiss in the manner of one that fancies hers will always be desired, and Hannah a little more shyly behind.

What pretty darlings, she said.

Sophy looked at them doatingly, and said, Come, Miss Flora, you might conduct us to your sister’s herb-garden. So Flora put her hands into theirs, and Hannah took Sophy’s other hand, and led them around and about until they came to a plot at which two older girls were standing.

One was assuredly a sister of Lady Offgrange – perchance the Lady Louisa that was to make her come-out shortly – and the other must be Miss Ferraby.

How now, our Flora! Sure there is never somewhat ado but you must be about finding out what 'tis, you little mongoose. But she gave an affectionate ruffle to the golden curls.

Sophy went about to make introductions – Livvy made her dip – Lady Louisa remarked that she had heard very well of Bracewell from her mother and sisters – Livvy blushed – Miss Ferraby said she was entire welcome to make free of her herb-plot, for it fell out that she would be leaving Town shortly and it would fall into neglect for a while and 'twould be a shame that somewhat that might be of use went to waste.

Livvy looked at the herb-garden and remarked upon what a fine one it was: so well-laid-out, and everything so flourishing. Miss Ferraby blushed and said, had been a good season, and had ever had the very wise advice of Lady Jane Knighton, and of course her own mother, on the matter. And while she minded upon it, Williams, that was her mother’s lady’s maid, would be delighted did Lacey and Bracewell join her for a tea-drinking once their labours were done.

Then said, come along, Lou, let us not hover: and, also taking Flora and Hannah with them, left Sophy and Livvy to their task.

'Twas very agreeable: a fine warm day but a pleasing breeze to it; the scents of the herbs; a little buzzing of bees; the more distant sounds of the children at play. And excellent fine fresh herbs that would make up into lotions and washes and salves.