Slightly Off Center

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.