CHAPTER SIXTEEN #3
‘Ah, and I make it a rule never to discuss theology before noon.’ Whether this was an admission of a minor defeat or walking away from a challenge was debatable.
‘Now, I have just espied your so estimable brother, Miss Brailes. I really think I ought to bring him to you.’ With this parting shot Lord Orlando bowed and made his way, with easy words and smiles, through the throng of people.
Caroline Brailes fumed and made a small ‘humph’ noise.
She then realised Mr Gilmorton was looking intently at her.
266‘My apologies, Miss Brailes. I was not staring impertinently, but trying to pluck up the courage to say with confidence that your new gown is a most becoming shade, and the triangle shapes upon the … front bit … are wonderfully sharp and precise. You see, I think it is the colour of forget-me-nots, but I have never studied the things and just think of them as tiny flowers that are blue. If I am wrong, and that is an old gown and of a totally different shade, forgive my male ignorance.’ He gave up, and looked embarrassed.
‘Why, Mr Gilmorton, that is very kind of you to say so, and you need not fear, for your knowledge of botany, however meagre, has not failed you. It is indeed the new gown I spoke of having made.’ Having seen the bill, Caroline was more than relieved that it drew admiring glances, for her mama had already sucked her teeth and wondered if she had been too generous.
Frederick had deemed it a waste of money, and his opinion was valued.
‘However, I ought to claim no credit for the colour being “becoming”, since it has been the skill of the modiste who selected the fabric, and who made the gown.’
‘But a gown upon a form, or stand, is just a piece of sewing, Miss Brailes. It is the wearer who enhances it.’ He sounded quite genuine, and she blushed.
‘Alas, it is the reverse, sir. A gown enhances the wearer.’
‘I take leave to disagree, ma’am. Why, I saw a lady walking along Milsom Street yesterday whose pelisse was of such a repellent shade, and so over-adorned with knots of ribbon and unnecessary buttons that she appeared to be a perambulating mess of haberdashery.’
267‘Oh, Mr Gilmorton.’ Louisa put her hand to her mouth to hide her laugh. ‘I have never heard anyone described in such terms. I might almost wish to have seen such an apparition.’
‘No, by Jove, ma’am, you would not have liked it had you seen it. Quite put me off my train of thought at the time. You would think the poor soul could not afford a looking glass, but then, she paid for the pelisse.’
‘Much as I hate to interrupt’ – Lord Barkby placed his hand on his friend’s shoulder – ‘I think I ought to tell you, Gil, that the Duchess has her eye upon you and I think she may be keen that you resume your duty as, er, aide-de-camp.’
‘Oh Lord. Forgive me, ladies, I cannot ignore her grace’s commands, even unspoken ones. Grandfilial duty calls. Until this evening, Lady Dembleby. I will be at your door promptly for half past seven o’clock.’ He smiled, bowed and left them.
‘If Lady Barkby can spare you, my lord, would you care to dine with us in Edward Street, before our evening amble? I realise that visiting twice in one day may seem excessive, but I can promise that you will not be subjected to Emily this evening.’
‘That is very kind of you, ma’am. I would be delighted, but I promise you that, excepting the large number of names I am going to have to invent, visiting Miss Emily is no burden to me.
I ought to ask at what hour I ought to pay my call, for it now lacks’ – he consulted his pocket watch – ‘ten minutes to noon.’
‘Oh. Then I think … dear Lydia, if I may leave you with 268your mama, and return to Edward Street with Hetty …’
‘Of course, ma’am.’
‘And I will see you and Caroline a little before half past seven? Good. Lord Barkby, if you would be so good as to give us your escort, you might make your ark-viewing visit now.’
‘With the greatest of pleasure.’
Arrangements for the evening being in place, and with Miss Newent and Hetty Goodworth exchanging places, the gathering split up. Lord Barkby, in a much happier mood after the departure of Lord Orlando Hurstwood, was his usual genial and sensible self.
‘I confess, my lord, I have never seen you so … prickly as you were with the detestable Lord Orlando. I scarce knew you.’
‘Has it given you a disgust of me? Do you now believe me to be just the sort of man you so dislike, covering it with a deceptive veneer of civility?’ He posed the question lightly, but took her response seriously.
‘No, sir. Your animosity is that of the true man seeing the perfidy of the false. The only “veneer” belongs to Lord Orlando. I have this urge to hit him whenever I see him.’
‘Then you find yourself in good company. Mr Gilmorton and I share that feeling, as I observe does Miss Brailes. Perhaps we could set upon him all at once.’
‘I think doing so, at least in the Pump Room, would have us barred from Polite Society, let alone taken up by the constable.’
‘Pity. Of course, whilst hitting him would give a certain satisfaction, I think watching you and Miss Brailes beat 269him with your parasols would be well worth seeing.’
‘Do not mock, sir,’ Louisa chided, but her lips twitched.
‘I am not mocking at all, ma’am. I think you would teach him no end of a lesson. He will be in the gardens tonight, of course, just to cause mischief.’
‘Yes, I know. It is most vexatious. Had Lydia quicker wits I would have said she asked permission at that moment so that he would know our plans, but I think she simply said what was in her pretty, empty head.’
‘Your friendship with Miss Brailes I perfectly understand, but what you, a woman of sense, find in that girl I do not know. Gilmorton was right when he described her to me as a “porcelain shepherdess”. Why take her up?’
‘Oh dear, he is rather accurate. Well, I suppose I originally only wished to help give the girl a chance to emerge from her chrysalis, though I soon saw that for a butterfly as vapid as Lydia, marriage is almost a necessity. Can you imagine her deciding things for herself? I know it sounds hypocritical, when I am scarcely an advocate for the wedded state, but she needs to find a reasonable man, who would keep her safe and secure and be able to treasure her for her nature and ignore her lack of learning, or, I fear, ability to learn.’
‘Well, there are such men. Hurstwood made the comment about “beauty and sweetness” to charm Miss Newent and insult Miss Brailes, but there is an element of truth in what he said. However, most men of sense do not simply fall for a pretty face. We, er, they, seek more than that in a lady who will share their lives. It is undoubtedly why my friend Gilmorton has formed a distinct tendre for Miss Brailes.’
270‘He has, yes, but poor Caroline dares not believe it as yet. I have no doubt that at some point she will realise it is true, and in her case I think it would not be such an unequal marriage as Lydia must make.’
Lord Barkby yet again felt the resentment that she could see the benefits of marriage for others, but not herself, and changed the subject before his feelings got the better of him. There was a short silence and then he spoke.
‘Are we visiting the nursery to see the ark, or is it coming down to us?’
‘The nursery is not large. I will have William bring down the ark. It also means that it can be placed upon a table and you will not have to bend down to peer at it.’
‘With me having such an old and crippled back.’ He used a doddery voice.
‘Really, my lord. If you had to bend down to the floor you could develop a crippled back, I assure you.’
‘Your concern is admirable. You must make sure that nursery dinnertime is not delayed, so feel free to call a halt to the proceedings.’
‘When Emily is hungry or when you are worn out, sir?’
‘Both.’ He grinned.
The Honourable Emily Henley had been asking if it was afternoon from straight after her breakfast, and had even been especially good and not squirmed when Betty tied the ribbon in her hair.
In fact, she had been very quiet all morning, and no trouble to Betty, who feared she had a cold coming on, and was glad of the respite.
When William came upstairs to collect the ark, and to tell Betty that 271her ladyship was ready for them in the small saloon, the nursemaid hoped that the unnatural serenity would be maintained.
As it was, Emily went forward with a smile on her face, her cheeks a little coloured with pleasure, and even remembered her curtsey before ruining the effect by grasping Lord Barkby about the leg, and hugging the limb.
‘You are here,’ she announced.
‘Yes. I said I would be.’
‘I have been very, very good. Betty says so.’ Emily looked at Betty, who bobbed a curtsey and nodded.
‘I am glad to hear it. So this is your ark.’ Lord Barkby surveyed the toy. ‘It is very splendid.’
‘Sp’endid. Yes. The top comes off and you can see the animals. Lots of animals. You can see Georgina and George.’ She pointed out the giraffes.
‘I can. Let us remove the roof and take out the others and then you can tell me about them as you put them in again.’
‘Two by two, Barky sir.’
‘Yes, two by two.’
Louisa watched as he emptied the ark and listened to Emily tell him about Noah and Mrs Noah and Him, whom he correctly deduced was really the son Ham, and then the animals.
As expected, she wanted Lord Barkby to invent names for all the pairs, even though she was unlikely to recall all of them later.
He was very patient, and evinced no sign of being bored by the little girl.
However, half an hour had him struggling to find names for the oversized generic birds, and Louisa thought it fair to call a halt.
‘I think finding the birds’ names is hard, Emily. Let Lord Barkby go home and think about some for them and tell 272you another time. He has named your elephants, and lions, and bears and camels.’
‘And tigers.’
‘Yes, darling, and tigers. Now, it is time for your dinner so you go with Betty, and William will bring your ark back upstairs for you.’
‘Not very hungry, Mama.’ Emily did not look mulish, but simply stating a fact.
‘Well, even so, it is time for your dinner. Now, thank Lord Barkby and let him see you are good, or he will not be so keen to come and visit you again.’
This threat worked wonders. Emily, very biddable, said thank you, nicely, and then patted Lord Barkby’s hand and begged him to come again because she really was a very good girl. She then gave her now only very slightly wobbly curtsey, and departed with Betty.
‘I see I am to be trundled out as a treat,’ commented Lord Barkby with a smile.
‘Well, I see no reason, sir, why you cannot be useful. I am being pragmatic, my lord.’
‘And thus am I designated of no use except as an entertainment for infants,’ he bemoaned.
‘And a deterrent to burglars, my lord. And an escort to concerts, et cetera.’
‘Which reminds me to depart, and return in time for dinner. I shall not be tardy.’ He rose, bowed over her hand, which he held a fraction longer than required, and left.
Louisa found herself smiling, even after the front door was heard to close.