The Comfortable Courtesan by L. A. Hall

Author:L. A. Hall
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction: Historical
ISBN: 978-1-912481-00-2
Publisher: Sleepy Wombatt Press
Published: 2017-12-08T00:00:00+00:00

My confederacy with Lady W- proceeds well

A few days later I receive a note from Lady W- desiring a rendezvous at Mamzelle Bridgette’s to discuss the matter of Miss T‑, for she has not yet give a definite answer to Biffle’s proposal, altho’ he has already made a formal call upon the aunt that is her nearest relative, as well as introduc’d her to Lady J‑, that is said most approving of her as entire suitable.

I therefore go meet her there, and to have a fitting of a new gown. She is already in the discreet chamber when I arrive, looking very well and not visibly showing, tho’ tells me that she is having Mamzelle Bridgette subtly let out several of her gowns. But, she says, I no longer feel so sick, tho’ I was much indebt’d to Mrs F- for her advice about this and always carry some ginger in my reticule.

I tell her that Sir B- W- is not only not playing at all high, Mrs O’C- tells me his play is much less reckless than it us’d to be (indeed she has remarkt to me that a table with Sir B- W- and Mr N- is very dull play these days).

He is certainly becoming much steadyer and most responsible, she agrees. But to Miss T‑. Firstly, she cannot quite believe that His Grace, that is the catch of the year, is serious in his suit to her. Secondly, she has heard that he is a sad libertine, to which I have reply’d that he was a little wild in his extreme youth, but one that has remained devot’d to the same mistress since before he went to Constantinople, though I daresay there may have been a Turkish houri or two, is hardly a libertine. He is one of the chief favourites of the celebrat’d Madame C‑, that is known to be very nicely discriminating, and this speaks well for him. She would certainly not stand in the way of his making an acceptable marriage suitable to his station.

But, says I, does she like him?

O, says Lady W‑, she likes him most extremely, but had suppos’d herself quite out of the running. She positively babbles of his charm and kindness.

He is certainly very taken indeed by her, I say, will talk of little else, and if not of her of where they should principally live and similar practickal matters.

However, says Lady W‑, there was one point’d you out to her at Sir Z- R‑’s, and she is almost in despair when she contrasts herself to the exquisite Madame C- that dresses so well and has such presence. I hope, says I, you emphasiz’d to her the difference ’twixt the recreation of lighter hours and a woman a man desires to wife. Also I am convinc’d that he is not actuat’d by solely prudential considerations but finds Miss T- very appealing. I do not think he will be merely dutyfull as a husband. One indeed only has to see ’em together, she replies, to understand that.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.