Chapter 3 #3
Chanderton had been very clear on that score.
Huxley was family, and the Dolforths did not snub family without cause.
More to the point, Huxley had some independent means inherited from his Dolforth father.
Huxley was not a poor relation of any sort.
Chanderton owned tens of thousands of acres and claimed an impressive collection of heirlooms, family jewels, and properties, but he had very few relatives with real means.
“Bernard Huxley.” Tallister dunked a second tea cake. “Sounds vicarish, or worse, headmasterish. I suppose he’ll put the children on bread, water, and Bible verses. Sorcha won’t care for that.”
Which was none of Tallister’s business. “How are your girls doing?”
“They grow. They giggle. They sigh over fashion plates and try their mother’s patience.
Coraline says they are pretty enough. To me, of course, they are all diamonds.
Thank heavens Annette doesn’t make her come out until next year, though it seems every moment of the next eleven months will be spent sewing a fabulous trousseau and polishing her French.
Why French? I have no notion. French Society has no suitable partis left. ”
France had very few solvent partis, which should matter to any doting father. “And is Coraline assessing marital possibilities for Annette?”
“I gather you ladies are always assessing the bachelors, that matchmaking preoccupies you as horse racing preoccupies the turf crowd.” He helped himself to a ham-and-watercress sandwich from the epergne and put it atop the pile of offerings already on his plate.
“I want to see my daughters happy. I do acknowledge that one modestly agreeable fellow is much like another, but for his social standing.”
Would Coraline consider her husband modestly agreeable? The marriage predated Lilly’s union with Chanderton, but from what the duke had said, Coraline had found matrimony a difficult adjustment. She was a conscientious mama and never disloyal to Tallister in public, but neither did she adore him.
Fortunately, Tallister adored himself enough to suffice.
“I don’t suppose this Huxfield fellow is modestly agreeable?” Tallister asked. “I realize he’s Coraline’s cousin and thus some sort of cousin to Annette. Cousins marry all the time.”
They married occasionally, and Tallister knew Cousin Bernard’s last name as surely as the Regent knew which titles were approaching escheat.
“Did Coraline send you here to investigate Mr. Huxley’s prospects?” Lilly asked in bland tones.
Tallister assayed an innocent smile. “Coraline expressed a passing interest in this latest addition to the family tree, however attenuated and modest the branch he occupies. We both hope he is more settled than some other family connections I could mention. Tell me about Huxton, or whatever his name is.”
“You are doing it too brown, Tallister. Bernard is on the mature side of thirty, nobody’s fool, typically English, and one can understand his speech.
He’s not a Yorkshire bumpkin, and he is in trade.
Chanderton says Huxley’s businesses prosper, and Chanderton would know.
I have no sense that Huxley is looking for a wife. ”
“Then Huxley is a fool.” Another smile, this one a bit naughty. “It isn’t good for a man to be alone. Didn’t some prophet or other say that?”
“The sentiment is attributed to the Almighty Himself. One wonders why, if female companionship is such a boon, we have no record of a heavenly spouse for the Creator.”
Tallister looked astonished, then burst out laughing. “You must convey that question to Chanderton, Lilly dearest. You will confound him utterly.”
Chanderton, who was a perfectly decent old fellow more than twice Lilly’s age, and a serial husband, had found Lilly’s question worth putting to a few bishops.
“Are you truly investigating Mr. Huxley as a potential suitor for Annette?” Lilly asked, topping up Tallister’s cup. His ability to decimate a plate of food while gossiping nineteen to the dozen was truly amazing.
“I deny investigating anybody, though one always wants to be kept well informed regarding family. Annette is too young to marry. She was bouncing on my knee only a few short years ago. She outgrew her pony just last week, or so it seems. Coraline, though, and Annette herself, seem determined on putting some bachelor’s boot firmly in parson’s mousetrap, and Coraline is curious about Huxsetter.
If he and Annette suit, why not consider him? ”
Oh indeed. Why not save Tallister from the huge expense of a Mayfair Season?
Why not form a connection with the financially healthy Lorne barony and with some earldom or other on the dam side?
Then too, Huxley was acknowledged by Chanderton himself, and Tallister was always happy to strengthen ties with Coraline’s ducal relations.
“Mr. Huxley would be nearly fifteen years Annette’s senior, Tallister. I can tell you from experience that age differences can take a toll on a bride.” Chanderton was all that was sweet and kind and considerate, but he was no Adonis. He wasn’t Adonis’s comely older brother either.
“Huxley is in his prime,” Tallister said. “Much like myself. You’ve seen him. Is he acceptable?”
Bernard Huxley was not only handsome, he was masculine. Lilly had learned to distinguish between the two.
“He presents as well as the next gentleman in fine tailoring. A bit lean, tallish, polite to a fault.” Huxley also did not fawn. He truly listened to what a lady said and had a subtle sense of humor. “You want me to invite him to an at home, don’t you?”
“I come as Coraline’s emissary. I can promise you that if you invite him, Annette will attend the same informal gathering.
If she finds any fault with him at all, I will dissuade Coraline from further overtures.
For my part, Huxley is family of a sort.
Chanderton has decreed that we owe the former vicar a modest welcome, and Coraline and I are both ever respectful of His Grace’s wishes. ”
All very noble on Tallister’s part, except that Tallister probably knew Chanderton had dined with Mr. Huxley at White’s. Tallister himself was lucky to enjoy that honor even once a year.
“Very well,” Lilly said. “My next at home is a week from Thursday. Coraline and Annette are welcome, of course, and I will invite Mr. Huxley as well. I cannot compel him to attend, and I will thank you to remind Coraline of that fact.”
Tallister rose, his plate somehow once again empty. “Coraline will account me the acme of husbands, the apex of all matrimonial partners. She will sing my praises for at least two days over breakfast, and all because of you, Lilly dearest.”
“Stow it, Tally.” Lilly endured a peck on the cheek and then got to her feet. “I will take a hand in Annette’s situation if Coraline asks me to, but only then. Chanderton believes a union can be both cordial and practical, and I agree with him.”
Lilly, in fact, made it a point to agree with His Grace in almost all matters and to keep the duke informed regarding any developments within the family.
Tallister was doubtless concerned that Annette’s settlements wouldn’t attract much notice next spring.
A quiet marriage to a family connection would spare Tallister, Coraline, and Annette embarrassment and leave that much more in the family coffers for the other three girls.
“You need not see me out,” Tallister said. “I’m off to report to Coraline, by way of a call on the tailors. Spring is such a fashionable time.”
He jaunted off in great good spirits, leaving Lilly to wonder what exactly Coraline was up to.
Sorcha might know. Lord Barclay’s widow had been carefully gracious toward Lilly and was astute, as widows tended to be.
Sorcha also had the benefit of direct dealings with Bernard Huxley and might have some useful information to share.
The butler stepped through the open door. Martin was a lovely old fellow whose parents had been born in Hispaniola. He ruled the staff with as much charm as authority, though to any caller, he was more dignified than Chanderton himself.
“Excuse me, Your Grace. Lady Barclay has come to call.”
“Delightful. That saves me having to put the horses to. Did she bring the children, perchance?”
“She did not.”
Chanderton took a particular interest in Bridget’s and Jordy’s wellbeing, and thus Lilly did as well.
“Let’s adjourn to the informal family parlor, Martin. It’s a wonder we have any food left in the larder after one of Tallister’s visits.”
Martin turned a puzzled eye on the decimated tea tray. “Mr. Greer’s gustatory habits do resemble those of a young fortune hunter new to Town. One envies him such a robust physique.”
What a delicate slur. “Doesn’t one just? Will Chanderton be going out tonight?”
“His Grace has no plans that I know of. Cook has put a beef roast on the menu with raspberry fool for dessert.”
The duke’s favorites. They figured frequently on the menus that Lilly merely glanced at before approving. Chanderton was an uncomplicated man who put on airs only to the extent duty required them.
“Please inform the duke I shall be delighted to join him for an informal supper. Spring has supposedly arrived, but the nights are still too cold for proper socializing, if you ask me.”
“According to my sainted mama, England is too cold for proper socializing, except for a fortnight in July or August.”
Martin jaunted on his way, half employee, half confidant, and all understated expertise. His first loyalty was to Chanderton, of course. As long as Lilly’s first loyalty lay in the same direction, she and Martin were the next thing to allies.
And Lilly’s loyalty belonged to her husband, as it always would, even if she had to occasionally bend a rule, interpret a preference, or forget a piece of ducal guidance. Chanderton likely did the same where she was concerned, and thus the marriage, though childless, prospered.
Or had prospered thus far.