Desolation of Dragons

It was entirely a done thing, given her condition, for the modiste to come to her residence to make alterations and perchance take measurements for new gowns for the forthcoming Season – though by the time 'twas the full Season, Zipsie – Zipporah, Baroness Rondegate – fancied, she would be no longer going out was she not already lying-in. But it was a considerable mark of esteem that Mr Maurice of Mamzelle Bridgette came himself to their fine Belgravia mansion to be about the matter!

Complimented Zipsie on how much she was in looks – quite blooming – yes, one saw that there would need to be certain lettings out but there had been forethought took in the first making up and 'twould be no great trouble.

'Tis indeed, said Zipsie, come about very expeditious upon the heels of the nuptials!

Quite the family tradition! remarked Mr Maurice. He turned to Berridge to explain the clever device by which garments might be expanded over the coming months, the effect would be entirely subtle –

Berridge observed closely and remarked how very cunning that was – could not at all tell –

Quite so. And the like with any new gowns, so that they may be readily taken in in due course.

Of course one knew that Mr Maurice was quite the artist in matters of dress, but this was also most exceeding practical, thought Sir Oliver Brumpage’s grand-daughter.

Mr Maurice, with Berridge’s assistance, began to tidy up his things. It is being given out, he said, that your Fairleigh-Merrett cousins are coming to Town?

Zipsie, apprehending that any business requiring her to stand was now accomplished, sat down, and sighed. Indeed so – Edith and Amy – my mother has promised to give 'em at least a Season in Town – present 'em at Court &C – all the proper things. 'Tis give out that they are the entire belles of Herefordshire and the adjacent counties but I doubt not they will be somewhat behind the style.

Berridge was heard to murmur sad provincial dowds under her breath.

Lady Abertyldd has already begged me to give 'em a fitting or two, said Mr Maurice. 'Tis beforehand enough that should not be any trouble.

Zipsie grinned. She might have known Mama would already be about planning the campaign. Had some notion was already arranging about singing lessons.

It was, she thought, a considerable relief that her present condition meant that she would not be required to bustle as much as maybe to advance her cousins’ interest! A music-party or so, that she and Cecil would be holding anyway.

After Mr Maurice had departed, Berridge remarked upon what a civil gentlemanly fellow he was – 'tis a strange trade for a man but sure he has considerable talent.

As she went on with general matters of tidying up the dressing-room, she looked thoughtful, and ventured that she dared say the Misses Fairleigh-Merrett might not yet have their own personal maid? Or mayhap Her Ladyship already had that in hand –

Zipsie looked at her. Fie, Berridge, do you have a candidate to advance?

Berridge blushed a little. Have a cousin that is looking for a place – entirely understands all the arts of dress &C –

Well, I will mention it next time I speak to Mama.

But knowing Lady Abertyldd, this was all already under hand!

The devoted ladies – Miss McKeown and Miss Lewis – had been returned from their sanitive sojourn in Weymouth for a week or so and had already paid a couple of visits to Zipsie to see how her voice did and that her playing was not in the least affected.

Today Zipsie was in expectation that Thea would be coming for her lesson, since she apprehended that Dumpling Dora had no fears that the Rondegates were going to covertly introduce a Puseyite or a Jesuit into the household and that 'twould entirely be a matter of polishing Lady Theodora’s singing.

And here Thea was! Came and was most unwonted demonstrative in her greeting, falling upon Zipsie’s neck and showing somewhat tearful at the reunion.

O Zipsie, it has been entire frightful, even is Simon no longer creeping spying about the household – I would be, sinful though 'tis, wishing him rough seas all the way to Peru would that not also afflict that agreeable Lady Fendersham and Mr Enderby. Artie has been a tower of strength but he can do nothing to dissuade Mama from her fears.

Zipsie patted Thea on the shoulder and sat her down on the sopha.

And so much company – and agreeing to sing – pretty songs to entertain our guests –

Horrible! Zipsie agreed.

While she still had considerable doubts about whether her brother Ollie was really suited to be Thea’s husband, she sometimes wondered whether any marriage at all would at least provide an escape from Lady Pockinford’s maternal fears and frets. Ollie was alas not, perchance, going about the right way to win the Pockinfords’ approval – though it might win him Thea’s – by making himself useful to Hughie Lucas at St Wilfrid’s. She supposed that the church organ was a great inducement, but Ollie was spending a deal of time in those somewhat sordid parts in the East End and observing Hughie’s ritualistic practices.

The devoted ladies were ushered in, expressed themselves delighted to see Thea – for however tiresome she had found her sojourn at Pockinford Hall, those long weeks in the country air had her looking very much in health! – and all proceeded to very agreeable lessons, afore sitting down to a substantial tea.

Zipsie said she did not know what matter of bribery or exchange of favours or secret receipts there had been, but Cook now had the knowledge of how to make Miriam Roberts’ unparalleled lemon cake!

Excellent well! said Lydia Lewis, helping herself to a large slice. Sure Miriam is entirely her mother’s daughter.

Weymouth had been delightful – entire charming – but very pleasing to get back to Town. And they dared say Lady Rondegate had already heard, the very kindest thing in Lady Abertyldd, already commissions dear Mr Duncan for your cousins’ singing lessons.

For one knew that Mr Gordon Duncan was still very much dependent upon his earnings, having a large family that were in very similar situation, so unlike the situation of Miss McKeown, left a snug legacy by the banker that had her in keeping for many years. So that she need only take a few pupils for the interest she found in the business, and she and her dear friend could live a comfortable if modest life.

Why, one supposes they have had some sort of instruction – my aunt Cissie was well-trained – Sir Charles doats on music – 'tis not all cows –

Although, said Thea, Artie says they have an excellent fine herd!

Really, a little friendly company – serious interest in her singing – trying over some new pieces – Zipsie saw that these improved Thea’s spirits considerably. She heard that Trembourne House was being opened up, though then took the thought that doubtless Dumpling Dora would have issued edicts against Thea seeing Nora – Lady Eleanor Upweston – that shared her religious leanings.

Sure, there was enough bustling these few days that she hardly missed her husband, that had been called to his mother’s side in Tunbridge Wells – one of her flutters was entirely due, alas, I must go show sympathy, and suppose 'tis now time I disclose our happy news, he sighed. Will doubtless advize wrapping you in quilts and making you lye still upon a sopha for the next months. They both groaned.

Here was dear Lydy Marshall and her harp, come to rehearse a piece or two that they were like to be desired to play at Mrs Knowles’ next music-party – and mayhap have in hand was they requested to offer their talents for a drawing-room meeting for some good cause.

It was ever very agreeable to work with a professional like Lydy. Any praise meant something, was not mere politeness!

As they sat over tea and lemon-cake after rehearsal, Lydy cleared her throat. Dared say Lady Rondegate had heard of her sister Clo –

Oh yes, my husband entirely doats upon her songs!

– has lately heard round and about a little tune Fox in the henhouse –

O, that will be Ollie!

– mentioned you writ it. Thinks it would work up – with some change in the words – into a very effective piece for her performance. Wonders might she come speak to you about it – does not wish to presume –

Zipsie gasped, gathered her wits, and cried, O, I should be quite honoured to speak to such an artiste! Have long wished to hear her perform, but in my present situation –

It was agreed to convoke concerning a mutually convenable time.

So much less agreeable, here came Mama – well, Mama was agreeable enough, but she brought with her Edith and Amy Fairleigh-Merrett, that Zipsie had had the intelligence from Lotty and Gianna had a notion of her as one that had lingered several years upon the Marriage Market and had settled for a mere baron. And that they supposed 'twas only a question of which of 'em would be Sallington’s choice and which Talshaw’s.

Well-enough looking – had not yet been to Mamzelle Bridgette, one observed – and, hah! a little taken aback at how very elegant fine an establishment this was – their eyes at once went to that fine pianoforte – how exceeding well-dressed Zipsie herself was –

O, and they were more than a little put about that they were taking lessons with dear Mr Gordon Duncan! Had hoped that they might study with Mr Titus Marshall –

Zipsie saw her mother covertly roll her eyes. They all had the greatest admiration for Marshall’s talents, but he was a fine upstanding handsome black fellow that Zipsie imagined Mama feared would arouse quite inappropriate emotions in her nieces. Unlike stocky balding Mr Duncan.

As they were murmuring over this, quite the happiest thing! came in Cecil, that she had not expected yet, and made most exceeding affectionate towards her before desiring to have introductions made.

Edith and Amy, she observed, were impressed both by this display of matrimonial devotion and Cecil’s looks.

After they had departed – what a pair of minxes! he remarked – she disclosed to him the approach from Clo Marshall and he begged that he might be present at their meeting – mayhap she might demonstrate a song or two?

O, I greatly hope so!

They smiled at one another in conjugal amity.