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So delightful to be going out of Town to dear Worblewood! thought Myo – Hermione, now Countess of Trembourne. Oh, there had been a deal of fuss and bother as to whether 'twas prudent for her to undertake the journey in her condition, but as ever, Dr Ferraby had been entire soothing – the good roads there were these days – modern fine-sprung carriages – 'tis not the old tale of being jolted and tossed from side to side – almost as smooth as taking the railway – providing due care is taken –

So due care was taken and they proceeded at a very cautious pace and there was no matter of being tossed about. Indeed, so calm was the entire proceeding that dear Nora looked a deal less pale and sickly than she usually did when traveling.

Sure they would be quite the party at Worblewood! Jimsie and herself – darling Mama – Nora her sister-in-law, Lady Eleanor Upweston, in mourning for her late father – her brother Grinnie, Lord Peregrine, that she supposed they should get into the practise of calling Talshaw? now he was heir – once their school-terms were over, her younger brother Lord Lucius – Lucie – and Jimsie’s brother Lewis – and they were in anticipation of a visit from that agreeable Yorkshireman and archaeologist Mr Chilfer, with the prospect of digging in the field where it was believed there might be a Roman villa lying beneath.

While Surgeon-Major Hicks would be calling from time to time, to see how she did with the exercizes he had prescribed for her lame leg, and she fancied Lucie and Lewis would quite badger him for tales of the campaigns in the Punjaub – Hicks would oft declare his admiration for the Sikhs, first-rate fighting men, and 'tis a very admirable religion they follow –

Mr Averdale, that would be coming for a probationary period as Jimsie’s secretary, a thing sorely needed. Having left Oxford loaded with academic honours, to hear Grinnie tell it, had gone be admired in the bosom of his family for a little while before he came to Worblewood.

But Myo had quite the greatest confidence in the Tilburys, that were butler and housekeeper, to have everything in the way of bedchambers and sitting-rooms &C already well under hand, while Mrs Apcott, she fancied, would quite delight in feeding a pack of hungry young men!

It was a considerable relief, she must inwardly confess to herself, that being in mourning for her late elder brother she might eschew a deal of going about in local society. Jimsie, in spite of being in mourning himself for the late Earl, would be obliged to go about somewhat, in particular with the election impending. But she might lead a pleasant quiet life in a place that was very dear to her heart – walk a little in the grounds – consider upon the gardens –

Doubtless her father, Lord Saythingport, would be entertaining the local Tory interest at Roughton Arching, that marched with Worblewood, but indeed, her condition – Jimsie’s mourning – would preclude having to have much to do with 'em – Jimsie was very much a recruit to the Mulcaster set, that were radical even among the Whigs!

So here they were, already entirely comfortably settled – Mama had a sitting-room of her own but chose mostly to sit in Myo’s lovely Dutch parlour with its view to the gardens, and while they had picked out a fine light upper room for Nora to be at her lace-making, she found that Myo’s parlour was entirely eligible to the purpose! –

Jimsie went have serious convocation with the steward, and the keeper, &C.

And, such a pleasure! Here was one of the Roughton Arching carriages drew up, gave them a little pause – but down stepped Grinnie, in mourning of course, and Tilbury bustling about instructing the men where to take the trunks –

Grinnie kissed his mother and Myo, bowed very elegant over Nora’s hand, shook Jimsie’s hand, and they drew him into the house.

Lord, this is a deal better! he said, looking around. Had to go do the proper thing and be received as heir – introduced about Father’s set, what a tedious crowd they are – Sir Robert Peel is the very devil to 'em, worse than Russell – at least they did not have their daughters with 'em, 'twas a bachelor party, but there was a deal of discourse of the young ladies –

They came to the Dutch parlour, where by some positive alchemy coffee had already appeared.

That is being somewhat vulgar beforehand, Mama remarked.

Grinnie snorted as he sat down and accepted a cup. O, Father has been exhorting me on the importance of matrimony and the wise choice of a spouse – and how to weigh the several factors of breeding, or interest, or a fine portion – 'tis enough to make a fellow declare himself an admirer of Newman, but to fancy he did not go far enough and become a monk.

Really, Grinnie! said Mama, smiling. Or mayhap that Mr Grigson could put you in way of some very wealthy Celestial lady with exceeding tiny feet?

Grinnie blushed a little as they all laughed. Or perchance, he went on, that one had been converted to the views of Miss Ferraby – but anyway, I have conceded that I will think upon the matter.

They all agreed that there was no harm in thinking on the question – and, Nora ventured, reading over the form of matrimony in the Prayerbook as to what marriage should be, thought those words very beautiful. She then mumbled into a confused blush.

Myo was rather glad that Lucie had not yet joined the party, for was still given to schoolboy humour and would, she feared, have been like to suggest a deal of unlikely ladies as potential brides.

A few days later Mr Averdale arrived, followed shortly by Lucie and Lewis, and then Mr Chilfer.

Such an agreeable man! thought Myo. Nothing of the coarse or encroaching about his manners – one apprehended that he was entire welcomed by those that had antient ruins on their estates to assist at the diggings, in Yorkshire and elsewhere, had acquired a deal of polish or mayhap 'twas native good breeding.

Became quite the greatest favourite of Lucie and Lewis, that even abandoned the trout-stream in order to participate in the excavation – that they were exhorted to undertake very gentle and careful – while he and Grinnie had the most scholarly discourse concerning the Roman occupation and its withdrawal from the shores of Britannia. While Grinnie confided his regret at having to renounce his Oxford fellowship, Chilfer declared that one might do a deal of fine work outside college walls, mentioning certain names.

While Jimsie and Averdale were most exceeding conscientious about getting affairs in order, they too would stroll out to the field to see how matters went – for there had been finds, mostly pieces of pottery, but also a coin or two, that was deemed very encouraging.

One afternoon they had all come indoors to the parlour for tea, as rain showers threatened. Tilbury came in with his card-tray, saying, with a very blank expression, that two ladies had come to call, was Lady Trembourne at home?

They hardly needed to look at the cards to guess that here was Dowager Lady Balstrup – one dared suppose the other lady was La Signora Umberti – returned to Attings from her travels about the country and going to and fro among her neighbours to see what was the news with them.

So they came in, and introductions were made.

Mr Chilfer enquired was La Signora any connexion of the late scholar and patriot, Il Professore Umberti? Had quite religiously read his writings – even managed to make his way through the ones writ in his native tongue with the aid of a dictionary –

La Signora with a slight tearful choke admitted that she was the widow of the late Professore and recounted the tale of their exile following the events of '30.

That had been very fine in the late Lord Raxdell! exclaimed Chilfer – La Signora added testimony to the generosity of the Dowager Marchioness of Bexbury –

That would be the widow of the antiquarian? – La Signora nodded, and mentioned that she had been most conscientious about placing his collections in the British Museum – had read his writings. Greatly inspired by them and those of Il Professore with the greatest longing to go visit those parts – but alas, the cares of business – mayhap, someday, when he could confide the papermill to his son’s hands –

La Signora declared that did he purpose such an excursion, she was still able to provide letters of introduction – had recently done the like for her former pupil Emmy Reveley, now Mrs di Serrante –

As the company desired to know had she lately had any news from the di Serrantes at Naples, came in Averdale, that looked somewhat taken aback. Introductions were made and Lady B, as was her wont, immediately started interrogating him about his family. La, it turned out that the Averdales, country squires in a very modest way in Staffordshire, could by some means be shown to have some remote connexion to the Balstrups. Mama smirked and leaned over to murmur on Myo’s ear that sure the College of Heralds ought to consult with Lady B whenever they were about making up pedigrees!

When he was finally released to be made known to La Signora, he apologized for not being able to address her in Italian – I am able to read it, but alas, have not had any instruction in speaking that tongue.

Lady Balstrup intervened to say that she had learnt Italian, along with French and German, as a girl, and now she and Signora recreated themselves with reading to one another in those tongues, and sure they would be delighted should any of the Worblewood party care to join 'em.

Mr Averdale looked very longing.

Myo sat up a little and said, sure they were very took up with this excavation – when the weather was a little finer the ladies should come see how it went – and of course her husband Lord Trembourne and Mr Averdale were very busy with the cares of the estate –

Lady B looked knowing, for the late Earl’s lack of attention to business while spending a great deal on quacks and spaws was common gossip.

– but sure it could only be beneficial to have a little rational recreation as a break from those labours.

Grinnie reached over and squeezed her hand. 'Tis an excellent argument. I will go put it to your husband.

How very thoughtful of Grinnie. Really, he became so quietly confident – so responsible – in all things so unlike their deceased brother.

It was very gratifying, Julius Roberts considered, to be warmly welcomed entirely in the capacity of an esteemed fellow scientist at the Oxford Botanic Garden! For although he had made some several visits to Oxford over the years – been desired to look over various College gardens – perchance examine some manuscript account compiled by a Fellow in past time – he had ever had a somewhat uneasy feeling that he owed that hospitality to the connexions made by way of the club for fellows of the disposition in Town. And mayhap because he was known a close friend of Beauf – Lord Sallington!

But it was very pleasant to talk botany and plants and hothouses and this fine matter of bringing a historic garden into more modern ways and not to feel that his interlocutors’ thoughts were also upon his lovely dusky arse. Sure Chumball, and others of his set, never went be encroaching, but one could not ignore that there was a certain yearning in the air!

It was also agreeable to be away from the purlieux of Nitherholme and Fendersham Hall. It had been tiresome enough when Drew Fendersham and his cronies had been quite running wild about the countryside with their hound-trails and other pursuits – there had even been a midnight steeplechase or two, one was exceedingly relieved that there had been no broken necks. But now Lord Fendersham himself had returned – Elthorne, the hermit of the moors, that had at one time had a classical education, had chuckled and remarked, did not one mind upon Odysseus expelling the suitors from Ithaca?

While there was also an anticipation that Beauf would shortly be coming to Nitherholme: 'twould doubtless be a family party, with his father the Duke and very like his stepmother and assorted brothers, to support the Whig interest about the place.

Indeed, the place became a little desolate, not only lacking Beauf’s company while he was in Town about being a dutiful son and elder brother, but now that Polly Fendersham had finally left for Peru. He had been a little tempted himself to that jaunt – fancied that the Spanish Americas were a deal less perilous for one with some degree of African ancestry than the United States! – had read fascinating stories in Lord Offgrange’s account of his travels there – but he had work upon hand with his botanical study of the moors –

Besides, 'twould mean a deal of a long while parted from Beauf.

Julius smiled to himself. He would be going to Town, and while he would be staying with his parents, there would be opportunities to meet, even with all this bustling upheaval over the impending election. Especially as he apprehended that Lady Isabella was still recruiting in the country and thus not requiring to be squired around the events of the Season by an elder brother.

Hulloa! Roberts! I did not know you were in Oxford.

Julius blinked and emerged from his brown study, to observe Cuthbert Davison.

Davison! How d’you do? Have just been having a fine convocation at the Botanic Garden.

Ah, one might anticipate they would be glad to draw upon your understandings of plants! – do you stay long in Oxford?

No – go up to Town tomorrow, to assure m’mother the famed Seraphine that I am still in life and health, and not being starved by Mrs Dunstall. But what are you about these days?

Davison glanced from side to side. Why, I have a deal to tell you. How should it be, did I get my college buttery to put me up a pique-nique, and we might take a little excursion on the river? Now term is done 'twill be exceedingly peaceful.

By this, Julius understood that Davison had somewhat to communicate under discretion. And a jaunt on the river sounded a very agreeable way of passing the rest of the day. He nodded. That sounds delightful, he said.

So here they were, and indeed 'twas exceedingly peaceful. Davison turned out quite the water-man – oh, sure, I never turned out for the Eights but I have ever found rowing a pleasant form of exercize –

They came to an agreeable spot where they might moor the boat and be entirely private.

Julius was in no particular worry that Davison was still like to be yearning towards him: there had been a little awkwardness last year, when he had come visit in order to advize on the possibilities of creating a Persian garden at Nitherholme. Julius had occasionally enjoyed discreet brief passages with other men besides Beauf – surely justified by their frequent separations and, moreover, Beauf’s continuing liaison with Flora? – but it had been apparent that Davison was in hopes of rather more.

Indeed, it soon came about to be quite clear that an entirely new prospect had opened though one that did, one must admit, had its own difficulties –

Had been convoking with Lady Rondegate over setting certain ghazals that Mrs Lucas had turned into English verse, and the nature of Persian music, and how one might evoke somewhat of that – for one fancied English ears were not yet ready for the full effect – what a talented and intelligent woman was Lady Rondegate – most amiable – exceedingly hospitable – he had become quite an intimate of the household –

And he found himself developing affections towards Rondegate himself – that were, he fancied, reciprocated –

Julius nodded. Had been reported that Rondegate had been seen very little at the club of late and one had wondered whether, having married an agreeable wife, he was one that found he was less indifferent to feminine charms than he had supposed? They were, it was given out, a very fond couple, or at least, presented thus in Society.

But who knew better than he the way of these things? Though the matter was rather different when the lady in the triangle was that fiery creature Flora Ferraby, that disdained marriage and lived an independent life with the companionship of his own sister Hannah.

Well, that is a tangle! he said. 'Tis something to think upon – should wish to open the matter to Beau – to Sallington – 'tis a different situation with Merrett I fancy, Asterley is not part of his domestic circle –

I should not in the least wish to distress Her Ladyship, said Davison in anxious tones.

Why, the situation was indeed delicate – was not sure that he himself was the best fellow to advize – but should do what he might for others of the brotherhood. Would never forget the kindness a troubled young Julius had received in Venice from Marcello Traversini, a fine example to follow.

So once he was in Town, and had dispatched certain family dutifulness, including listening to Seraphine advancing the interest of these learned young ladies that there are these days, entire fitted as wives for men of science –

Took himself to the club where he was at last able to foregather with Beauf and have a most agreeable reunion. Then went dine together in one of the private rooms so that they might exchange gossip without interruption.

Beauf spent a little while complaining upon the turmoil that this election brought to the family – and here is Bella, of a sudden decides to take an interest in politics and make herself useful, well, I must concede 'tis a boon to have a pair of hands to odd tasks whilst I assist Papa, but she asks questions –

Julius grinned, and then gave a little of the news from Nitherholme. Beauf groaned. Shall have to go there, and make agreeable to Fendersham – no Polly, that must still be at sea, not even yet to Panama –

They agreed that they greatly missed her company.

And while I have all this upon hand, here is Rondegate, not only would desire me to come visit Wepperell Larches – that is in a part of the country that I fancy is still give over not only to the Tory interest, but to that part of it that considers Sir Robert an entire Judas – but in a great romantic complication –

Julius revealed that he knew somewhat of that!

Quite devoted to Zipsie – does not in the least sound to be in the Zellens’ situation – dislikes the thought of deceit, but how can one speak of these matters to a nicely-brought up young woman? Takes nothing away from her –

Lord, he went on, 'twas an entire different matter being brought up among the Raxdell House Phalanstery! Gave one a broader notion of the arrangements that were possible was there affection and kindness – along with an understanding of the necessity of discretion in the eyes of Society –

They fell silent. Julius thought of his mother’s considerable affection – not mere loyalty! – towards the late Lord Raxdell – had a fair notion that she had known how matters stood there 'twixt him and MacDonald: but doubted she would welcome any revelation that her own son was of like disposition.

At length Julius ventured that there was no possibility that Lady Rondegate had Sapphic inclinations?

Only, I suspect, towards whichever Muse 'tis that governs music! But she may have some apprehension that they exist – there is another impending trouble over Thea Saxorby being persuaded to sing the settings of certain lyrics by Sappho by that lady whom m’father refers to as that jealous hag Billston, for my aunt Jane, and the matter becoming bruited about –

How very fortunate, Julius remarked, that Lady Theodora’s brother Simon is somewhere on the high seas bound for Peru. But – Wepperell Larches, you say. Rondegate has said somewhat to me about the gardens – sadly neglected – would greatly appreciate my opinion –

Beauf chuckled. From what my aunt Martha tells me of their visit, you would find yourself quite besieged by the local gentry about their gardens and I daresay about what they believe to be some rare orchid that grows in their park –

Julius groaned. 'Tis ever some rare orchid that they wish to boast of. But 'tis an eligible plan – would Lady Rondegate be traveling with him?

I apprehend that she is in such condition that bouncing about in a carriage over the roads in those parts is not advized.

Ah. So, a bachelor party, then.

They looked at one another. At length Beauf said, I daresay one might be obliged to call upon the talents of Lady Bexbury in the matter, but – not just yet.