The Sterley’s of Oakland Park, SAREJESS [best e reader for epub .txt] 📗

us believed that the war would continue for such a long time, we further more when it became apparent did not shrink from our duty. I only implied that those regiments that have returned from the continent are not in readiness to proceed to the continent. The Army sir is not like the Navy where you can press men at a moments notice“ said Mr Parker

“I beg your pardon brother-in-Law Parker for I did not get your point however I see the truth of your remark plainly now, said Sir Thomas ”Pray Sir do not hold it against me, for an old fighting man it is passing difficult to imagine a regiment not in readiness, but mayhap you are right“ said Sir Thomas.

“I am not a man to hold grudges Sir pray put your min at rest Sir Thomas for some one had to play the devil’s reprehensive” said William Parker.

‘Quite so, quite so,“ said Sir Thomas ”More brandy William“ he asked of Mr Parker


Chapter Fourteen


“It has seems that that most fortunate of gentlemen Captain James Aubrey has been mentioned in the gazette” said Sir Thomas as he laid aside the broadsheet which his attention had been fixed upon. “I was wondering when you would invite the captain to Oakland’s” remarked Lady Ann her attention upon the piece of needlework before her. “It is the best news for young Aubrey for he is given command of Redoubtable a first rate ship of the line I am most impressed with his cool head in the resent action” said Sir Thomas.

“Then sir you must make haste for we have daughters in the house who might find the dashing young captain to there liking indeed a proposal of marriage might even come of an invitation to stay” said Lady Ann

“Pray dear wife which of our daughters do you have in mind for the brave Captain Aubrey?” enquired Sir Thomas. “Why husband have you not noticed that your favorite daughter Sophia is of a marriageable age?” asked Lady Ann. “Sophia is but a child admittedly forward for her age but still just a child,” said Sir Thomas defensively. Laughing Lady Ann said “Sir you are very much mistaken for she is out in society and has grown a great deal you see her as a child because you have always counted her as your favorite,” “It is true that it seems like just the other day when I first took her upon my knee and played with her,” said Sir Thomas. “It is time sir that she was married,” said Lady Ann.
“Of course you are right Ann I will write to the good captain and hear weather he is able to come to Oakland’s,” said Sir Thomas.

“Missive

From
Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
1 April 1815

To Captain James Aubrey RN
HMS Redoubtable
Portsmouth
England

Dear Captain Aubrey,
My most heartfelt congratulations upon your resent appointment to Redoubtable, I have followed with the greatest attention your activities since hearing from my son Tom at the Cape of an incident south of Gibraltar.

I would be exceedingly pleased if you find occasion to come to Oakland Park for a visit. I am aware Sir that you might not at this time be able to do this as a result of the war, However when the occasion arises please be aware that the inhabitants of Oakland would not be displeased at your coming.

My wife imparted to me that when you come all efforts will be made to have a number of balls, assemblies and the like so that you might get to know the families of quality that live around our town of Notheringay which has a number of ancient family seats.

Pray sir I would ask that you inform me by return of post when it will be convenient for you. That all may be put in readiness for your visit

Your obedient servant
Thomas Sterley


From: Captain James Aubrey RN
HMS Redoubtable
Portsmouth
England

To: Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey

Sir in reply to yours of the first instant
I would find it a most happy occasion to call upon you at Oakland Park however I must plead duty before pleasure. If it is not too much trouble I would find it very gratifying to visit Oakland upon the completion of my current duty. Which I foresee will take a number of weeks before I will be able to consider joining to Oakland. I have not before been to your part of England but I hope to rectify this grievous oversight with in a short period

I remain
Your humble servant
Capt James Aubrey.


“There we have it my dear it is as I suspected Captain Aubrey is delayed by his loyalty to the Crown,” remarked Sir Thomas as he handed the letter he had just been reading to his wife.

“I suspect that err long we shall see the good captain here at Oakland’s” he continued “he has a fine hand as ever I saw,” remarked Lady Ann as she studied the letter. “It is a fair hand I grant you,” said Sir Thomas “However he is unable at this time thus we will have to forego the pleasure of the captains company until such times that the matter of war is concluded,” remarked Sir Thomas.

“Husband I have never stood against you in any matter of importance since you have retired from government. I can but mark one observation plan to you which has irked me greatly,” said Lady Ann “Pray dear wife speak your mind let the matter which irks you come forth for how else are we to set to rights that which is wrong,” said Sir Thomas.

“Your reasons for leaving the service of your country are no doubt sound but they have brought upon us a whole host of other in convinces which would be but a matter of academics if they were not of such importance that they affect our standing in society,” said Lady Ann.

“I take it that you are referring to the fact that because I hold no seat in government I do not have every lackey or servant of the crown come hither and do my biding when I so desire?” asked Sir Thomas.

“You are correct in your assumption Sir for had you still retained your seat the good captain would immediately have found the occasion to come when you wrote to him,” she replied

“Madam you are mistaken for you will some day realize that men of the service have there duty to do first social occasions if they are not in the first instance a matter of diplomatic engagement will always suffer to come second to duty,” said Sir Thomas


“I am of the opinion sir that if you had remand in parliament you would have still had a greater influence and ability to advance the cause of your family to an even greater advantage then is our current state,” said Lady Ann


It was a fine summer evening when Captain Aubrey arrived at Oakland’s his coming was not altogether unexpected, for Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had been in a high state of agitation for more then a week since receiving a letter from the gentleman in question.

The week prior to his arrival had been quite a busy one with a great many things occupying the minds of the residence of Oakland. Lady Ann had been in a state of excitement in getting a new wardrobe for Sophia that she might be shown to her best advantage. Old Tilley from Notheringay was to be got in to stay for the duration of the good captains visit too dress Sophia’s hair.

“Sir Thomas on the other hand found the time to do a bit of writing on the account of the birdlife of which he was so fond. In the hopes that he might find a fellow enthusiast in the person of the young Captain.

“We hope that your journey here was a comfortable one,” said Sir Thomas as Captain Aubrey climbed from the coach. “It was passing tolerable replied the young navel officer with a smile. William will show you to your chamber pray avail yourself of every comfort that is at hand,” said Sir Thomas. “I thank you for that Sir Thomas for it has been extraordinary long day” remarked the captain a she hoisted his sea chest upon his shoulder much to the amazement of Sir Thomas who was about to instruct a servant to take the chest. It was an uncommon thing for a gentleman to carry his own baggage when invited to a house of a nobleman thus it seemed to Sir Thomas that he had been offended but had he known the nature of the young sea officer he would have been surprised to find although he was of a ancient and noble line he was a man with out any pretensions. This gave him an uncommon advantage over men of quality for he deemed himself to be a leader of man he must as a matter of course get his proverbial hands dirty.

At dinner he was made to sit next to Sophia who was dressed in a new pink dress with her hair done to perfection by the faithful Tilley. The conversation dwelt on the maters of common interest Sir Thomas spoke at great length about his service to the crown whilst in the navy to which the young Captain listened with great intent. Indeed so much so that Lady Ann was forced to protest Sir Thomas usage of the good captain’s time.

“Really husband you have hardy given the captain time to make the acquaintance of Sophia who is looking quite ravishing don’t you think captain Aubrey” she said “I