moved casually through his guests.
Conversation as conducted between the Honorable Dolph and the dishonored Mme. Joliffe, however, must have at first disappointed any eavesdropper alert to the possibilities of adding yet another rumor to the on-dits perpetually circulating about the lady. The prospective union between Dolph’s sister and Jessabelle’s ex-husband was not the topic under discussion, but a recent contest between two men of science as witnessed by Adolphus. Graphically, with gestures, he described this bout, an account liberally spiced with such sporting terms as “muzzlers” and “doublers,” “wisty cantors,” “cross-and-jostle work”; and embellished with fond descriptions of various strategies employed by the bruisers thus engaged.
Mme. Joliffe listened, and wondered if any of the science displayed by those milling coves might be adapted to her own purpose. Eyes torn from their sockets, flattened noses, battered teeth—how very satisfying was the notion of a crashing blow delivered in the jugular with the full force of the arm shot horizontally from the shoulder. Fondly she envisioned Lord Pennymount felled by such a blow, and without the reviving effects of brandy or the consolation of a heavy prize purse. Then she recalled that Vidal was not uninterested in the noble art of self-defense, had at one time been a frequent visitor to Gentleman Jackson’s exhibition rooms. Doubtless Vidal was familiar with all the blows described by Adolphus. Doubtless he would also forego no opportunity to mete out punishment in turn.
Reluctantly Mme. Joliffe abandoned yet another means by which Lord Pennymount might be delivered his comeuppance. It seemed her only course was to try and break up Vidal’s prospective alliance with Lady Camilla. Jess eyed the Honorable Adolphus, and wondered how best to discover his sister’s sentiments.
The Honorable Dolph was similarly pondering, even as he explained the code of rules that governed the science of pugilism. Personally he remained very curious about why Milly was determined to marry the earl. Milly might protest that Pennymount was notunfeeling, and offer as evidence his alleged desire to wring his first countess’s neck, but Adolphus remained unconvinced. Were it true that Lord Pennymount was in the habit of laying violent hands on his countesses, Adolphus considered that shoddy practice an even better reason for breaking off a betrothal than mere indifference.
Dolph did not understand his sister’s reasoning. The only aspect of this situation that he did grasp fully—all too fully!—was that if he did not assist Milly to make the acquaintance of Mme. Joliffe, she would not assist him in his desperate effort to get some money from their father. If Milly did not speak to the old gentleman in her brother’s behalf, the consequences would be dire. He would be forced to flee to Calais, leaving half the tradesmen in the West End in lamentation—that, or blow out his brains.
As the Honorable Adolphus was contemplating putting an end to his existence, and Mme. Joliffe was contemplating providing the same service for Lord Pennymount, and both were despairing of working the conversation around to Lady Camilla’s fiancé, they were joined by Capitaine Chançard. In one careless glance, he grasped their dilemma. “So you have met,” he murmured helpfully. “How nice. It is always useful to make the acquaintance of one’s family—and such you almost are, n’est-ce pas?”
The Honorable Dolph, seeing in his host the unmistakable signs of a creditor whose account is grievously past due, gazed at his gleaming boot, procured from the incomparable Hoby. Alas, with the incomparable Hoby, Adolphus was also out of favor. One would have thought a fellow who was a Methodist preacher in his private life should be a little more tolerant about post-obit bills.
Belatedly, the impact of Michon’s words struck. “Eh?” asked Dolph.
“I think,” offered Mme. Joliffe,
Conversation as conducted between the Honorable Dolph and the dishonored Mme. Joliffe, however, must have at first disappointed any eavesdropper alert to the possibilities of adding yet another rumor to the on-dits perpetually circulating about the lady. The prospective union between Dolph’s sister and Jessabelle’s ex-husband was not the topic under discussion, but a recent contest between two men of science as witnessed by Adolphus. Graphically, with gestures, he described this bout, an account liberally spiced with such sporting terms as “muzzlers” and “doublers,” “wisty cantors,” “cross-and-jostle work”; and embellished with fond descriptions of various strategies employed by the bruisers thus engaged.
Mme. Joliffe listened, and wondered if any of the science displayed by those milling coves might be adapted to her own purpose. Eyes torn from their sockets, flattened noses, battered teeth—how very satisfying was the notion of a crashing blow delivered in the jugular with the full force of the arm shot horizontally from the shoulder. Fondly she envisioned Lord Pennymount felled by such a blow, and without the reviving effects of brandy or the consolation of a heavy prize purse. Then she recalled that Vidal was not uninterested in the noble art of self-defense, had at one time been a frequent visitor to Gentleman Jackson’s exhibition rooms. Doubtless Vidal was familiar with all the blows described by Adolphus. Doubtless he would also forego no opportunity to mete out punishment in turn.
Reluctantly Mme. Joliffe abandoned yet another means by which Lord Pennymount might be delivered his comeuppance. It seemed her only course was to try and break up Vidal’s prospective alliance with Lady Camilla. Jess eyed the Honorable Adolphus, and wondered how best to discover his sister’s sentiments.
The Honorable Dolph was similarly pondering, even as he explained the code of rules that governed the science of pugilism. Personally he remained very curious about why Milly was determined to marry the earl. Milly might protest that Pennymount was notunfeeling, and offer as evidence his alleged desire to wring his first countess’s neck, but Adolphus remained unconvinced. Were it true that Lord Pennymount was in the habit of laying violent hands on his countesses, Adolphus considered that shoddy practice an even better reason for breaking off a betrothal than mere indifference.
Dolph did not understand his sister’s reasoning. The only aspect of this situation that he did grasp fully—all too fully!—was that if he did not assist Milly to make the acquaintance of Mme. Joliffe, she would not assist him in his desperate effort to get some money from their father. If Milly did not speak to the old gentleman in her brother’s behalf, the consequences would be dire. He would be forced to flee to Calais, leaving half the tradesmen in the West End in lamentation—that, or blow out his brains.
As the Honorable Adolphus was contemplating putting an end to his existence, and Mme. Joliffe was contemplating providing the same service for Lord Pennymount, and both were despairing of working the conversation around to Lady Camilla’s fiancé, they were joined by Capitaine Chançard. In one careless glance, he grasped their dilemma. “So you have met,” he murmured helpfully. “How nice. It is always useful to make the acquaintance of one’s family—and such you almost are, n’est-ce pas?”
The Honorable Dolph, seeing in his host the unmistakable signs of a creditor whose account is grievously past due, gazed at his gleaming boot, procured from the incomparable Hoby. Alas, with the incomparable Hoby, Adolphus was also out of favor. One would have thought a fellow who was a Methodist preacher in his private life should be a little more tolerant about post-obit bills.
Belatedly, the impact of Michon’s words struck. “Eh?” asked Dolph.
“I think,” offered Mme. Joliffe,
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