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

him.

Returning Mary handed her mother the fan “So me girl are you to become a tenant for life?” Asked Sir Thomas. Oh no not yet papa for I have not settled upon the right man yet,“ she remarked. ” That is most gratifying there has been to much of a haste with your sisters to rush into the matrimonial bed of late I would appreciate it my dear if you take your time and choose the best of the Ton before settling upon the one that takes your fancy,“ said Sir Thomas.

“Tom you will turn our girl into an old bluestocking if ever you don’t take care,” said Lady Ann


“Ann you do have the way of saying the strangest thing upon my word,” said Sir Thomas. Mary no longer able to keep a straight face burst into laughter as she had been listening to her parents banter like a young love struck couple. I n fact it was this very way that made the younger generation of Sterley’s love there parents so dearly for they had not the pretensions of other families, which they knew.

“Annie come here” said Lady Ann pray go to the young men and tell them we are waiting for it is time for us to go,“ she continued the maid curtsied and left the three Sterley’s. Who now seemed a little eat odds for the servants were beginning to cover the furnishings with dust cloths. It is a strange to imagine what it is like to stand in a house that is dressed for desertion.

“Mamma Annie says you sent for us” said William “Indeed I did the chaise and four is standing at the door pray find your seats,” said Lady Ann to her two older sons while the ever faithful Annie brought up the rear with young James.

“Well my dear we are for the country” said Sir Thomas. “Aye indeed we are,” replied Lady Ann as they took one last look around the house, which they had come to love so dearly. For it was a happy house where they had seen many a happy evening the balls the calls now the house stood silent. “Well my dear time to leave,” said Sir Thomas. Taking his wife’s hand they left the house Sir Thomas stopped briefly to give final instructions to the senior house servants before stepping down to the carriage which stood ready to depart.

“”Sophia dear dry your tears,“ said Lady Ann ”Oh mamma I miss James so much already and it has only been two days,“ said Sophia. ”My dear the frequent departures of ones husband is some thing that you will have to get used to. I am afraid for it is one of those things with which we woman must learn to live,“ said Lady Ann.

“Mamma how can you be so hard?” Sophia asked “My dear you forget that I have had many years to get used to it I to missed your papa when we were first married but what can one do but try and make the best of it,” said Lady Ann. “I will try and be as brave as you always are,” said Sophia.


Chapter Ninteen


There arrived towards the middle of December when the country roads and fields were covered with a light dusty dressing of snow at Oakland park a parcel and letter addressed to Lady Ann. This was as a result of a secret visit she had undertaken during the early months of the season to a certain Mr. Paterson publisher of Amen corner London although she had left strict instruction that the ever attentive Mr. Paterson was only to contact her directly only in case of extreme necessity she was not displeased to hear from the worth craftsman for it had been six months since the first visit and she had quite given up of ever hearing from Mr. Paterson..

Missive

Madam,
I have great pleasure in sending you ten copies of the first imprint of the work which you saw me upon during your visit to London.

If it pleases your ladyship next time you are in town to call directly and at your earliest convince at my place of business

Your obedient servant

James Paterson
Publisher

Upon opening the package Lady Ann was pleased to see that the volumes mentioned in the missive were indeed of a fine quality opening the cover of the first book she was delighted to read the words on the front face the title of which was

THE PEER

BY A LADY OF QUALITY
Dedicated to one who has been the most loyal and diligent of friends and constant companions for upward of five and twenty years.

To the noblest gentleman Sir Thomas Sterley, I humbly dedicate this small work of fiction in the hope that this small work might bring to the noble gentleman many hours of pleasure and joy from a most ardent admirer.

Lady Ann begun to turn the pages of the small volume every page bringing an expression of delight to her countenance as she viewed the printed words. Just then the object of the dedication happened to step through the door.

“I perceive my dear that you have some thing of significance to tell me for your expression betrays amusement and joy,” said Sir Thomas. “Indeed good husband I have some thing to show you I know that you have been busy these many years writing a volume on the birds, it brings you great joy and I have found in the odd occasion time to write a small volume of romance which I have dedicated to you,” she said as she put into his hands the small book.

Opening the volume Sir Thomas was surprised to see the dedication, as he read a smile began to crease his lips. “‘pon rep my dear you are the most surprising of creatures,” said he taking her in his arms he kissed her most heartily upon the lips.

“Pray this works of fiction what is its nature?” he asked as he stepped away from his wife. “It is but a short fiction of romance concerning a peer of some 50 years who after many years finds love and affection of a young noble woman, a brave man a soldier in the late wars who has done his duty to the country and is now retired into the country,” she replied “It sounds some what familiar” remarked Sir Thomas as he leafed through the pages. “I will own that it has a certain sense of fact from true life,” she replied.


“I see a case of size has arrived from Tom which must need your attention,” said Lady Ann. “I have not heard of it pray where is it?” Sir Thomas enquired. “When it arrived I had it moved into the library for I thought it must be some thing of significance,” she replied.

“”I shall have to go and see, pray excuse me my dear,“ he said.

“Upon entering the library Sir Thomas was met by the sight of a six foot tall box which in size looked very much like a large oversized coffin taking a poker he genteelly began to pry open the box.

He was much taken by the content of the box for it contained a stuffed ostrich with full plumage. The sight of which made sir Thomas’s heartbeat with sheer delight with in the box he found a letter which he opened with great expectations.

Missive
From: Thomas Sterley Esquire 18 June 1815
Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope

To: Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey
England

Dearest Papa,
I have recently returned from a trip into the interior of this vast country having seen many new and wonderful things. One scarce knows where to begin to give account for here there are great herds of animals which roam across planes for half a day with never an end in sight. I have sent you this ostrich which I bagged while out hunting. There is an excellent dresser of game here who did me the service of setting the animal for preservation. I do so hope that this object will bring you many hours of joy and pleasure.

I have also the honor to inform you sir that you will shortly be a grandpapa again as Arabella is with child. Which I expect will arrive in due season. We have with the help of dear Mrs. Aitcheson of whom Arabella has previously written found a midwife who will be available for the confinement.

Pray give our sincere affections to all at Oakland Park

Your obedient son

Tom

After placing the bird with a little difficulty in the best position to display its qualities Sir Thomas bestirred himself to write to his eldest son

Missive

From: Sir Thomas Sterley
Oakland Park
Surrey