Chapter 18 Such Vicarious Vanity #2
Though Lindy was pleased to be out of the chilly breeze, it was quite dark inside and the air smelled of hay and dung.
She tightened the loop of her arm through Miss Hartley’s, and led her to a split-board railing where Lady Raffles was waiting.
Quite suddenly, something bulky swung down out of the semi-darkness, causing Mrs Hartley to shriek, and Belinda to jump backwards, yanking Dora along with her.
“Do not be frightened,” Lady Raffles said, reaching out to pet the bobbing head of a very large animal. “They are quite docile.”
Belinda watched, her heart thrumming madly. Further back in the shadowy recesses of the large stall, she saw that a second, similar beast was reclining there. When her eyes had adjusted fully to the gloom, she recognized them.
“Why, they’re cameleopards!” she exclaimed, recalling Mr Bewick’s illustrations in The History of Quadrupeds. It had been one of her favourite books in the library at Whitehall throughout her childhood.
With quiet pride, Lady Raffles said, “Some do call them that. Please meet our Nubian Giraffes.”
“How would you describe them, Belinda?” Dora asked eagerly.
Still marveling, Lindy started slowly.
“Their faces are much like a roe-deer but longer, and thinner. Between their ears are two knobby projections, like stunted antlers, perhaps? Their eyes are large, dark and so heavily lashed, I find myself quite envious. Their hides are a patchwork of golden and tawny shapes, and their necks – oh, their glorious necks!”
“Yes,” Dora murmured, squinting determinedly. “Even I can see that their necks are extraordinary.”
“Somehow, they are simultaneously majestic, elegant, and amusing.” As Belinda’s description came to an end, she was aware that Lady Raffles was listening closely, a wisp of a smile on her lips.
“Astonishing creatures!” Mrs Hartley cut in. “So very tall, they are — and have such spindly legs! Why, I hardly believe such animals would survive in the wild! It’s very good they’ve been brought here where they are much safer.”
Pinching her lips together, Lady Raffles broke one of the carrots she’d brought in half, attracting the nearest giraffe’s attention.
“Here you are, my dear,” she said, handing Dora a piece of it. “This will be a treat for dear Selim. Hold it up to him, steadily…”
“He won’t spit at me, will he?” Miss Hartley hunched her shoulders.
They all laughed and Lady Raffles assured her that behaviour was unique to the llamas.
When Miss Hartley held the root aloft, the giraffe’s mouth was there already. Out whipped a black tongue, long and sinuous as a snake. Dora squealed, laughing as the carrot was snapped out of her hand and guided to the meaty lips that waited above.
“And now it’s gone!” Belinda said as they all heard a quick crunch. “Down his lengthy gullet.”
Dora asked, “Do you think it will arrive in his stomach by dinnertime?”
Laughing more loudly than she knew was proper, Lindy realized she had not enjoyed herself this much in weeks.
But an even greater wonder in the far reaches of the stall suddenly caught her attention, for beside the reclining giraffe was a youngling, curled up on the ground.
With its legs tucked neatly underneath it, its elongated neck arched like a rainbow over its body, allowing its head to rest on its haunches.
It was undoubtedly the most endearing animal Belinda had ever beheld.
Once she had described this charming sight in rapid and thorough detail to Dora, the two girls crooned and sighed as if they could feel the little beast’s fluffy head beneath their fingertips.
“Zaida is still quite protective of her calf, so I regret we cannot go in to pet her,” Lady Raffles told them.
“Just knowing such a darling creature exists in the world is a joy,” Belinda breathed, and the woman looked so fondly at her that she felt allowed to ask an unrelated question.
“Ma’am, forgive my boldness, but did I hear you say you are a fellow of the Zoological Society?”
“Yes, certainly you are curious about that. Most people are. The Society admits females as full members. I was the first, but there are others now. Oh, look! Zaida must have heard the crunch of Selim’s carrot and is hoping for one for herself.”
What an impressive woman, having distinguished herself in such a way!
An ember of pride – or hope – burned deep in Belinda’s bosom as the other giraffe lumbered curiously towards the railing. But her admiration was cut short by a sudden squawk from Mrs Hartley.
“Oh Dora, put those hideous things away at once! Hiding them in your reticule again, were you?”
Looking over, Lindy was astonished to see that a wire frame with lenses as thick as teacakes had appeared on Miss Hartley’s face.
She does have a pair of spectacles!
“Mamma, I simply must see the baby for myself,” Dora said crisply.
“Well, get your glimpse quickly, then,” her mother muttered, glancing around the empty stable. “Then take them off before anyone sees you.”
The uneasy silence that followed was broken when Lady Raffles stepped closer to Dora, and pointed over the railing.
“Take note, Miss Hartley,” she said in a firm voice, “of the tufts of hair on the calf’s ossicones — such an adorable sight! And do you see how pale her spots are compared to her mother’s? They will darken with age.”
“How very interesting,” Dora replied, softly. When her mother cleared her throat, the girl sighed and reached up to remove her spectacles.
“I wear a pair myself for reading,” Lady Raffles murmured.
Belinda was careful not to watch as Dora put the contentious pair away, thinking, If only her mother were not so vain, she might see well all of the time.
Perhaps realizing there were no more carrots to be had, the giraffes plodded away, their tails swishing like restless tassels, and settled back down amidst the straw.
Still ill at ease, Lindy thanked Lady Raffles effusively for the special treat she had granted them. The others agreed, bidding her farewell.
Emerging from the stable, the ladies saw that the drizzle that had been threatening all morning had begun in earnest. Bidding their hostess adieu, they hurried through the gardens towards the Gloucester Gate.
Lindy held Dora’s hand, pulling her along carefully that she mightn’t stumble.
Climbing into the awaiting carriage, they dabbed at their faces and necks with a lap blanket as Mrs Hartley longed vociferously for a hot cup of tea.
As the carriage rolled out of the yard, Lindy was contemplative.
In the previous two hours, the draw she had felt towards Dora when they met at Green Park had blossomed into genuine friendship.
The thought of being at her side from day to day was far more appealing than doing the same for someone like Mrs Phylter.
However, if I were to join the Hartleys’ household, the mother would also be my constant companion.
I mustn’t act rashly as there is much to consider before I speak of this idea to anyone.
All the way back to Mayfair, Mrs Hartley prattled on about every marvelous sight they had just seen, mentioning often what a shame it was that Mrs Caspar had missed it all.
“If only she’d gone with us, she might have fed a giraffe, for goodness sake!” She peeped out of the window as the carriage pulled to a stop. “Oh! And who, pray tell, is that?”
Peering out, Belinda saw Mr Alwyn standing on the front steps of the townhouse. He was looking up at the clouds, adjusting his coat collar.
Oh, dear! I thought that he would be gone by now!
Setting her face to indifference, Lindy replied. “That is the doctor’s apprentice, who is tending to my uncle.”
“What a fine-looking fellow!” Mrs Hartley declared, pulling a mischievous grin. “It’s a shame he’s only a doctor.”
“What’s he like, Belinda? Tell us!” Dora demanded, playfully.
Goodness, must I? Lindy bit her lip. Then, studying Mr Alwyn through the window as if she did not already have countless details of his person memorized, she said nonchalantly, “He is a competent practitioner, very knowledgable, and as you see, he is tall and sturdy. His grey eyes are warm, and his voice is low and—”
She broke off, having nearly said ‘low and soothing’.
Next I’ll tell them all about his bulging forearms!
At exactly that moment, Mr Alwyn looked over, and Belinda recoiled from the carriage window. But Mrs Hartley waggled her fingers at him, calling out, “Hallooo!”
Fit to die, Lindy could only imagine him saluting in return, a little smirk on his handsome face.
If I were to live with this woman, I’d be subjected to this sort of nonsense every day. The recent billow of hope she had felt deflated into resignation. But I was not born fortunate enough to choose my ideal situation, and every rose has its thorns.
“Such a manly demeanour,” Mrs Hartley purred, then stopped abruptly. “No Dora, don’t get those out again!”
Glancing, Belinda saw that Miss Hartley’s spectacles were on her face once more.
“Ah, there he is!” Dora propped her chin on the little ledge under the window. “And how thoughtful of him to adjust his hat that I might better see his face. Oh, he’s off down the street now – what a shame!”
“Dear Miss Everson,” Mrs Hartley giggled. “Do not look so scandalized. Your uncle’s doctor is in no real danger from the likes of us.”
“Yes,” Miss Hartley said dryly, tucking her lenses away again, this time in a pocket hidden in her skirt. “We only play at being predatory.”
Her mother cackled uproariously.
“Oh! Speaking of plays, or burlettas rather…” Dora continued. “Mamma, can we not invite Belinda to join us at the Adelphi on Friday?”
“Ah, yes! Dear Leo has arranged a private box for us!” Mrs Hartley began to root around in her reticule, before thrusting a folded piece of paper towards Belinda.
Does she carry all of her paper treasures with her?
Lindy unfolded and examined what proved to be a playbill upon which the words The Unfinished Gentleman were written in bold letters, followed by various details of the production in smaller print.
“Well?” Mrs Hartley breathed, her plenteous bosom expanding with pride. “Won’t you accompany us? We’ve heard it’s great fun!”
“Please say you will,” Dora said, squinting hard at Lindy. “I would be able to enjoy much more than just the music if you were there telling me what was happening on stage, in whispers, of course.”
“I should certainly like to. May I give you my answer after discussing it with my aunt?”
Belinda handed the playbill back to Mrs Hartley, who was pouting now. “Yes, but be sure to tell her that we Hartleys may not be in town for much longer, as Leo says we are for home soon.”
Home? That’s right — they don’t always live in London. Belinda struggled to recall where the family stayed the rest of the year.
“Mamma, why did you not tell me until now?” Miss Hartley was crestfallen.
“He only spoke of it last night, and you girls have been talking so much all day that I couldn’t get a word in!”
Stifling an indignant giggle, Belinda thanked the Hartleys again for including her in their morning adventure. She stepped out of the carriage, feeling a little overwhelmed at all she had to think through.