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

come about that his grace the earl had known some of the history of his service to the crown. This had helped him in his efforts to secure a commission for young Tom. It seemed however, to Sir Thomas there must be some thing amiss with her ladyship of Waterford for he could not imagine any one not traveling for such an extended period as the earl had mentioned.

Lady Ann would be pleased with what he had managed he planed to write to her as soon as he arrived at the hotel where he was staying. London had under gone much change since his last visit he was beginning to think that he would lose his way some day while out walking. Like the country squire he was he set out with his walking stick in hand to walk the mile to the hotel taking in as he went all the new houses that were been built, they said that it was due to the wishes of the prince regent that this was been done.

“Isn’t our Tom a fine strong man?” asked Lady Ann “I dare say he is said Lady Sarah as she eyed the young man in question who had shortly before taken up a position besides her daughter. ”I do so hope Sir Thomas well be home some time soon‘ said Lady Ann as she picked at the piece of embroidery upon which she had already expended quite a number of hours.

“Ill warrant that he is quite caught up in some busyness in town and has little thought for us,” she continued. “Come Ann I am sure that you know your good husband far better then that,” said Lady Sarah as she closed the book which she was reading

“Lydia dear will you ring the bell for some tea please” said Lady Ann as she took up the fan and begun to wave it about “these autumn days are so hot one wonders if we will have much of a winter at all” she said.

“Mary bring your work here let me have a look at how you are doing” said Lady Ann. “Oh Mamma it is alright I have been very careful to keep with in the lines‘ replied. Mary as she rose from the chair upon which she was sitting bringing with her the material upon which she had spent most of the morning.

“I think we should have a ball soon yes we shall what a wonderful ball it will be, Lydia dear play some music” said Lady Ann “Yes Mamma replied the young lady in question as she crossed to the Harpsichord and begun to play.

“John, JOHN” shouted Lady Ann to attract her son’s attention which was been occupied by copy of the latest agricultural gazette.

“Sorry Mamma this is so fascinating what is it you want dearest Mamma said the young man as he came to stand besides his mother.

“Your fiddle boy fetch your fiddle accompany your sister” she said “Hurry boy” she said

“Oh tom do stop you have quite captured the attention of Arabella give Mary a chance to take a turn about the room with her dear cousin ” said Lady Ann Obediently Mary crossed the room and took up the arm of her cousin and began walking about the room admiring the paintings of Mr Russell.

“I am so glad you came to stay with us dear cousin life is so provincial here that any distraction is a new adventure” said Mary “I love been here it is so restful. at home of course papa is always busy and of course the troubles at the mines have been causing poor dear sweet papa so many late nights” said Arabella “I hope that Papa will be able to join us soon” she continued

“Mamma here is the post coach come to the door with a letter from Papa,” cried Sophia who had just come in with the letter. “Come child let me see what your Papa has written” said Lady Ann taking the letter and breaking the seal.
“Dear Wife,
I am glad to report that business is well in hand, I should be able to return home the week after next as I have been waiting upon the Earl of Waterford who has some influence in the service.

Pray do not be alarmed I do not intend to leave you to fight I do however have some news to impart to you in regard to our son Thomas who has been much on my mind of late.
I had occasion to attend a grand ball the other night at the town house in Lester squire at the home of his grace the Earl of Waterford. There I met many men of influence and hope to give you a happy report shortly.

There present was the Prince Regent who was kind enough to speak with me for a moment what a splendid prince he is stout and strong truly a good dresser and a wonderful patron of the arts. But for our old difference I would have found him the best of princes.
I also learned from his gracious lady that there daughter Virginia is to have her coming out next season at the same time as our Sophia pray kiss the children for me
Your husband
Thomas Sterley


“What a delightful bit of news” said lady Ann shall we have some more tea my dear Sarah she said as she refilled Lady Sarah’s cup. “Indeed it seems that we will be alone for a few more weeks left to our own devices,” said Lady Sarah

“I think that we will have that ball Tuesday week I shall begin at once there is so much to be done, Lydia and Mary you will have to help. Tom go to the village and see if you can find Mr Smith and ask him if he will arrange the village players for Tuesday week if he is agreeable should he think otherwise pray inform him that it is my wish and I will not be gain said in this matter. Hurry now Tom take one of the horses and be quick,” said Lady Ann

“My dear Ann you should take a moment to breath” said Lady Sarah “Arabella and I are here we to shall help and the ball will be a wonderful thing. pray consider your health and take a moment for yourself” the good lay continued for she had hosted many ball sand knew that these things should not be rushed at but taken at a leisurely trot

Mean while let us rejoin Sir Thomas in London

“May I say this is a splendid bottle of port your lordship,” said Sir Thomas “Ah Sir Thomas your flattery of my cellar brings me much pleasure” said the Earl of Waterford who was busy poring himself another glass of the aforementioned port.

Pray do tell me my lord what news of the matter on which I first approached you?“ enquired Sir Thomas ”Indeed matters progress well I have spoken to the master of the household cavalry and I do indeed have some news which will give you pleasure“ said the Earl

“A captaincy can be gained for the sum of seven thousand pounds paid in advance of course,” he continued. “Sir Thomas considered this particular but of information with great unease for seven thousand pounds was not a matter to be trifled with and he would need to speak to his steward to see if such funds were indeed available. For he knew that the annual return on rents for the lands adjoining Oakland Park brought a return of 5 thousand pounds. In fact, Sir Thomas never knew how much money he had in his accounts and the great chest in his bedchamber at Oakland. However, he felt certain that if he worked sparingly he would find that he did indeed have enough money to by the captaincy and have enough to see Oakland Park’s upkeep threw to the next term of rents.

“Rumor has it that the prince regent is planning on a new round of building” said Sir Thomas “Ah yes I believe he has some plans for a few rows of mews houses for worth families” replied the Earl.

“Tell me Sir Thomas have you ever visited Ireland?” Asked the Earl “my lord unfortunately I have never visited the Irish counties however I was once in Dublin when our ship stopped for repairs” he replied.

“A strange and moody race full of rebellion the Irish I will be leaving next week for the Irish counties on matters of Crown and country business.” Replied the Earl moodily, for the earl liked London in all the world best the fact that he had to on occasion visit his lands in Ireland distressed him he would have gladly given it up had it not brought to him a vast amount of money

“I am lead to understand my lord that Ireland is one of the greenest countries in the world. Of the people I not much, although the few that served under me at ST Vincent were the best fighting men in the world bar the Scots who beat everybody else without trouble.

The hunting is good I have occasion to hunt on my estates quite often and have always found the grouse to be some of the best, Poachers however are a problem I had occasion to hang a few last time I was there. Always the same defense have to feed the family no money and so forth. I say hang them and be dammed rouges and scoundrels“ the earl continued

“You have my sympathy we have some poachers but never any thing that warrant’s hanging. At Oakland Park, we have some deer that is always a pleasure I have yet to find a poacher who is bold enough to take a deer from Oakland Park. The keepers are very strict and seldom do I have occasion to punish any one. Usually if they are caught,