But Arabella could never be happy until she’d had the last word.
“Quite,” she said finally. “I was on the point of making that very observation!”
And oddly enough, she still was not happy.
Chapter 4
T he sisters slept but fitfully that night, despite the deep comfort of their bed at the Cocks. At their final parting the next morning, Arabella had a sudden presentiment, but she kept quiet about it, and upbraided herself all the way home for being so daft. Of course Bunny would be all right! She would be fine!
And in a few days, Arabella’s stern self-discipline was rewarded with a letter.
Dear Bell,
Cara and I are safely arrived. Mr. Gentry kept me entertained with wonderful stories for the whole of the journey, so that I scarcely noticed the time passing. Did you know that the Gentrys claim direct descent from Lady Godiva’s husband, Leofric? Mr. Gentry says that all the while Godiva was riding through the streets wearing nothing but her own skin and hair, her infamous husband was pleasuring one of the servants, upon whom he begat Mr. Gentry’s many-times great-grandfather. In fact, that was the reason Leofric made his wife take her naked ride in the first place: He wanted her out of the way, as she appears to have been of the same disposition as Mrs. Pepys, and used to watch her husband “like a hawk that has nothing else to do but watch, and is concentrating.” (That is a quote from Mr. Gentry, not from Pepys.)
Speaking of hawks, Sir Birdwood-Fizzer keeps a number of trained ones, and has promised to get up a hunting party for his guests next week. I am glad, for though I do not approve of blood sports, and plan to remain in the house, it will be a relief to be quit of Sir Birdwood’s guests, who are very queer indeed!
My work here proceeds apace. I have not yet made up my mind whether to stay indoors and devote myself to the model today, or to take Cara for a walk in the park. Actually, if I take Cara, I shall wind up alone, for she runs right away as soon as I let her off the lead, returning hours later, all muddy, with her pads torn and bleeding. I think I shall go out, though. It is so quiet here in the highlands, and so very beautiful. I have been told that I must not wander the woods alone, but no one will tell me why I mustn’t.
How does your mystery progress? Have you found out the blackmailer’s identity? You know, you might ask the Cyprian Society for assistance with your sleuthing. I am certain that your sister courtesans would be delighted to help you, and they all seem so clever! I shall be extremely sorry to miss the first officers’ meeting at the new club, but perhaps I shall dream about it.
Ever your
Bunny
As a matter of fact, the first CS meeting could not be held at the club, owing to the construction chaos which reigned there. Moreover, the noise served as a reminder that the fellows responsible for making it had not yet been paid, so Arabella decided to hold the initial conclave at Lustings.
Here, the Cyprians might loll about on her comfy chairs as much as they liked, laughing aloud, saying rude things, stretching out their legs, and even shouting or talking with their mouths full if they liked, for courtesans are inclined to be more informal in one another’s company than proper ladies are. Of course, they might have done all these things at the club, too, but there is something about grand architecture, with its lofty ceilings, which acts as a natural damper on relaxed social behavior. Besides, here at Lustings there were only three of them.
The secretary, Feben Desta, was an enchanting creature of Abyssinian parentage and exquisite deportment. She was famous for her sumptuous parties and was always exquisitely turned out. The netela Feben wore today—a kind of Abyssinian shawl—was of finest voile, edged with a ribbon of shining silver and cobalt-blue embroidery. Though she often dressed in African garb, and loved regency turbans, nothing Feben wore ever looked
“Quite,” she said finally. “I was on the point of making that very observation!”
And oddly enough, she still was not happy.
Chapter 4
T he sisters slept but fitfully that night, despite the deep comfort of their bed at the Cocks. At their final parting the next morning, Arabella had a sudden presentiment, but she kept quiet about it, and upbraided herself all the way home for being so daft. Of course Bunny would be all right! She would be fine!
And in a few days, Arabella’s stern self-discipline was rewarded with a letter.
Dear Bell,
Cara and I are safely arrived. Mr. Gentry kept me entertained with wonderful stories for the whole of the journey, so that I scarcely noticed the time passing. Did you know that the Gentrys claim direct descent from Lady Godiva’s husband, Leofric? Mr. Gentry says that all the while Godiva was riding through the streets wearing nothing but her own skin and hair, her infamous husband was pleasuring one of the servants, upon whom he begat Mr. Gentry’s many-times great-grandfather. In fact, that was the reason Leofric made his wife take her naked ride in the first place: He wanted her out of the way, as she appears to have been of the same disposition as Mrs. Pepys, and used to watch her husband “like a hawk that has nothing else to do but watch, and is concentrating.” (That is a quote from Mr. Gentry, not from Pepys.)
Speaking of hawks, Sir Birdwood-Fizzer keeps a number of trained ones, and has promised to get up a hunting party for his guests next week. I am glad, for though I do not approve of blood sports, and plan to remain in the house, it will be a relief to be quit of Sir Birdwood’s guests, who are very queer indeed!
My work here proceeds apace. I have not yet made up my mind whether to stay indoors and devote myself to the model today, or to take Cara for a walk in the park. Actually, if I take Cara, I shall wind up alone, for she runs right away as soon as I let her off the lead, returning hours later, all muddy, with her pads torn and bleeding. I think I shall go out, though. It is so quiet here in the highlands, and so very beautiful. I have been told that I must not wander the woods alone, but no one will tell me why I mustn’t.
How does your mystery progress? Have you found out the blackmailer’s identity? You know, you might ask the Cyprian Society for assistance with your sleuthing. I am certain that your sister courtesans would be delighted to help you, and they all seem so clever! I shall be extremely sorry to miss the first officers’ meeting at the new club, but perhaps I shall dream about it.
Ever your
Bunny
As a matter of fact, the first CS meeting could not be held at the club, owing to the construction chaos which reigned there. Moreover, the noise served as a reminder that the fellows responsible for making it had not yet been paid, so Arabella decided to hold the initial conclave at Lustings.
Here, the Cyprians might loll about on her comfy chairs as much as they liked, laughing aloud, saying rude things, stretching out their legs, and even shouting or talking with their mouths full if they liked, for courtesans are inclined to be more informal in one another’s company than proper ladies are. Of course, they might have done all these things at the club, too, but there is something about grand architecture, with its lofty ceilings, which acts as a natural damper on relaxed social behavior. Besides, here at Lustings there were only three of them.
The secretary, Feben Desta, was an enchanting creature of Abyssinian parentage and exquisite deportment. She was famous for her sumptuous parties and was always exquisitely turned out. The netela Feben wore today—a kind of Abyssinian shawl—was of finest voile, edged with a ribbon of shining silver and cobalt-blue embroidery. Though she often dressed in African garb, and loved regency turbans, nothing Feben wore ever looked
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