It is a mystery

It was really rather hard to mourn Talshaw, his sister Cretia – Lady Lucretia Grigson – thought. He had not been an amiable elder brother – somewhat of a bully and ever standing on his position as heir – and they had seen little enough of him during their childhood as he was about the education proper to his station. So he was no great loss – whereas she felt she would have been saddened had it been Grinnie or Lucie. But furthermore, being in mourning was quite the greatest bore – so many things she might not do – obliged to wear black, that did not suit her in the least –

Though she must admit, she was not missing a deal of glittering social occasions at present, since so much of Society had gone out of Town to be about election matters, so she did not have to read accounts of balls and soirées &C with pangs of envy.

But also a deal of philanthropic activity was not occurring, with such leading figures as Dumpling Dora – Lady Pockinford – gone into the country to their husbands’ estates – so there were no drawing-room meetings or fancy bazaars that only the most exceeding strict could deem unsuitable for a lady in mourning to attend. One lady remaining in Town was Rachel Demington – her husband was travelling about the country in order to address meetings upon agricultural matters connected with the election – and she was arranging working-parties to prepare for the Seamstresses’ Summer Workshops. So Cretia might go to those, and feel she was doing useful work whilst also exchanging gossip with such other ladies as remained.

One could not, of course, go ride in the Row at the fashionable hour! But Vicky Jupp had come to Cretia saying, had gone consult Lady Jane Knighton on the matter – a lady of the most exacting! – that had said she could not see any objection to riding at a quieter time o’day in one of the less-frequented parts of the Park – had done the like on Queen Maud, that Lady Bexbury had very kindly kept in her stables, during her mourning year for the late Admiral – take a groom or a chaperone –

Oh, Vicky was entirely invaluable! Here she was, went read the classics with Lady Jane, and had thought to enquire about that. Really, she did not know what she would do without Vicky. For being dragged about the Season by her sister Rina – Lady Iffling – had been a very poor guide to the ways of Society, in particular the society she now found herself among. Not Rina’s set of – one could not even call 'em friends, they were ever backbiting and scandalmongering about one another – playing at cards and getting up flirtations –

Rina had been wont to dismiss this set as bluestocking dowds but they were rather more stylish than Rina herself. The Duchess of Mulcaster might understand a deal of very strange tongues and be able to converse with savants but was ever in the crack of fashion. Mrs Geoffrey Merrett went to the college for women in Bloomsbury and was considered an entire leader of style – that, said Vicky, is my sister 'Sina, Miss Thomasine at Mamzelle Bridgette, makes Janey – they were at school together – as it were her flagship.

So interesting! Vicky knew who everybody was, and their relations with one another. She also knew what everybody was talking about, and conveyed this to Cretia so that she did not appear a ninny when these matters came up over the teacups. Advised her on what books to read – marked pieces for her in the newspapers and journals –

And such a horsewoman! Fancied it might have been Lady Bexbury’s notion that 'twould be entire in order, did Cretia take early morning rides in the Park, for Vicky to ride with her. So she took Berenice, and Vicky took Artegall, and one saw that Vicky was the most competent of equestriennes. Vicky, when Cretia commented on this, giggled a little and remarked that when she was younger had had somewhat of an ambition to be a rider at Astley’s – we were all three of us about the stables from when we could crawl –

Imagine! The elegant Miss Thomasine!

So they returned from their ride – indeed, it was much more pleasant at this time o’day rather than the fashionable hour at this season when was so horrid hot and close – and saw their mounts conveyed into the hands of the grooms, and went in to change. Vicky grinned, and said, had no doubt but that Miriam would have a fine substantial snack for 'em in the library, to sustain 'em in discoursing over the day’s business –

Cretia grinned back saying that indeed seemed quite a while since they had breakfasted!

When she was dressed in mourning-dress suited to the hour, she went into the library, and there was Vicky, the secretary rather than the horsewoman, looking at the diary and sorting through the letters on the tray, that must have been delivered while they were out.

Dutifully she opened the missive from Mr Grigson, that was at present staying with his uncle Mr Grilsinger and his mother in Lincolnshire at Carlefour Castle, that they were leasing from Lord Trembourne. Were now quite entirely in local Society, and one apprehended that there was a deal of a desire for balls and dinners at the Castle during the election! Her husband expressed his hopes that she was well, and not finding time hang too heavy – pleased to hear that her acquaintance with their neighbour Lady Rondegate continued to flourish – various news and gossip – &C&C.

Excellent well. She nibbled on a piece of bread pudding, having developed a taste for this somewhat plebian delicacy. One from Mama at Worblewood – entirely good news, Myo in quite the best of health and spirits – they were all becoming archaeologists – Grinnie fancies he may have to come to Town about business, hopes he may beg your hospitality –

A scrawl from Rina, that must be rather discontent to have Iffling back at Anclewer.

She put the letters down. Vicky looked up from the letters that were to do with various matters to do with philanthropic enterprizes –

Had a commission from Lady Bexbury –

Lady Bexbury?

– wondered had you ever attended those card-parties Lady Venchall and Mrs Bramby hold?

Cretia groaned. O, I was positively dragged to 'em by Rina – did not play myself, barely had enough pin-money to cover little needful matters – but Rina did, said it was something to relieve the tedium of the days –

So you might have the entrée?

I suppose I might, but they ever struck me as very dull – I suppose mayhap did one play rather than spectate might be different – She wrinkled her nose. O, I daresay these days I can afford it –

Vicky lifted her eyebrows and remarked that indeed, one was a little astonished that there had not been somewhat in the way of exceeding civil invitations! – young woman married to an exceeding wealthy husband – that spends a deal of time about matters of business –

Cretia snorted. Wondered why Lady Bexbury took an interest – mayhap some young friend or relative that had been lured into playing higher than she could cover?

Later that day Cretia dressing in suitable mourning walking dress – lord, she was already entire sick of black! – in order to go parade in the square gardens, very exclusive. As she had hoped, she found there Zipsie Rondegate, that had previously assured her that Dr Ferraby thought that a little pedestrian exercize, providing that there was no noxious fog and the weather fine, was quite the most salutary thing in her condition.

Here was another friendship! Most agreeable to be neighbours, and discover what an amiable creature Zipsie was, when not struck by the nervous shyness that had afflicted her while on the Marriage Market. Married to a very well-looking young husband that appeared to doat upon her – dressed in a style that entirely suited her by Mr Maurice himself – everywhere acclaimed for her music – and now to be already in this happy condition!

They kissed one another on the cheek and enquired after one another’s lawful wedded.

O, Rondegate has gone down to Wepperell Larches – makes a bachelor party of it with Sallington and Julius Roberts and Mr Davison – some notion about gardens though we suppose that the local gentry will say they have ever been thus and so, and go grumble upon all this mania for improvements.

Cretia giggled and said, la, at Carlefour Castle, they just added on some new device as each Lord Ketterwell was struck by something he saw on his Grand Tour, so there is still a quaint knot garden, but also an Italianate garden &C&C, exactly like the house.

Zipsie said gardens were all very fine and well, but must take a deal of keeping up, even did one have gardeners – much preferred having this square to walk in rather than having to contemplate over rosebushes and shrubbery &C, and fret over lawns.

And oh, to grow more serious, have lately had a letter from Granda in Heggleton, goes grumble somewhat about Ollie – for he had quite the greatest notion to a match 'twixt Ollie and Thea, would have done something handsome for 'em – but here is Ollie goes get up a flirtation with an actress – even if 'tis a young lady we knew in childhood.

Cretia exclaimed at that.

O, we did not know 'em well, even though Mr Dalrymple –

Mr Dalrymple, the old quiz?

– the very one – is one of Papa’s oldest friends. But he is not married to Miss Richardson –

– the acclaimed thespian?

– Quite – even though they live exceeding domestic with his mother and her famous pugs and their children. But they were invited to parties at Raxdell House, and we encountered 'em there – sure, Zipsie said with a wistful look, Orlando Richardson had very engaging manners – and here is his sister Rosalind Granda fears has designs on Ollie. Here we thought Ollie was pulling round after that business with the fast set he was in –

But la, I am sudden become entire ravenous! Might we go in and desire tea? I have an immense craving for your Miriam’s lemon cake.

Cretia linked her arm into Zipsie’s and said of course.