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

it is small game and I usually let them of with a warning. They can keep the game Oakland Park is well stocked and one would not like to set a precinct for taking bigger game” said Sir Thomas


Chapter Four


“What a wit the anonymous young lady is who wrote this book is its title is Emma,” said Lydia laying aside the book which she had been reading “Indeed” said Lady Ann with a fained interest. “Pray tell dear what has the young lady to say in her latest literary offering,” asked Lady Sarah “The young lady has captured exactly life in the counties,” replied Lydia.


“I have often found some amusement in the writings of Mrs. Burney you will of course remember her earlier works” said Lady Ann. “Of course the young lady who ever she is writes in a style some what akin to that of Mrs. Burney replied Lady Ann.

“I have often wondered at women who have taken up the pen so to say it is not quite the thing for a young lady to do,” said Mary who was conscious of the social standing of the genteel nobility.

“Oh Mary you do say the strangest things I wonder if the young lady is at all a young lady she is no doubt she must be quite forty if a day” replied her mother.

“When I am older I will write said Sophia who was not quite fifteen. ”I think I will write of far away places, of strange people, of the Lords and ladies of foreign parts, just the think to keep ones interest,“ she concluded

“You most certainly shall not my dear you will be a good wife, mother and keep your home in order when you are married to a fine gentleman of the county replied Lady Sarah.

“Dear Aunt Sarah we are living at a time when things are so much changed one wonders what people ever did before” Said Sophia

“Stuff of nonsense said Lady Sarah it is a woman’s place to keep a good home it is quite one thing to be a spinster with no prospects living on your wits and the patronage of others and quite another thing to be a respectable member of the aristocracy” said Lady Sarah.

“Take dear Arabella she knows her place I have instructed her in all the things she needs to know about the household. She knows how to order the meals from the cook and what to do in the event of any occasion. She my dear will make a grand lady I an quite sure that it wont be long before the young bucks will be beating a path to the proverbial door for her hand in marriage” Lady Sarah concluded.

“Really Ann I am surprised at you r daughters I would have expected them to be most content to be economic with there flights of fancy,” said Lady Sarah.

“Sarah you need not worry on account of my girls they are like flowers in a garden they are a little wild I must confess but with a bit of trimming the should do splendidly” replied Lady Ann

Just then, John entered the drawing room “Mamma, Mamma a letter from papa” he said as he crossed the room and handed the letter to Lady Ann.

“More new from London I do so hope he is coming soon,” she said as she broke the seal of the letter. For a few moments she remand silent as she read the letter. Then swaying she hand the letter to Lydia who had come to stand besides her mother.

‘Dear Ann,
I had the good fortune to dine in the company of the prince regent last evening at Windsor. It is indeed a splendid house if somewhat in the fashion of the last season.
His highness Prince George, I must tell you has grown quite plump of late. I also had occasion to speak with my lord the Earl of Wellington who tells me that the war effort is going quite splendidly he is a wonderful man who knows every tactic that old Bonny has will come to naught

I have some thing to impart you of great significance my lord the earl of Waterford has invited me to his county seat for some game hunting for a few weeks I will be leaving on Monday next.
My Lord the Earls sons will be at home and so will his daughter Lady Virginia who will be coming out next season. She is somewhat of the same age as our Mary

To this end, I want you to send Thomas, John and Mary to town on the next available coach, as I want then to come with me I have spoken to his Lordship and he is quite agreeable to this end.
Your Loving husband
Thomas

“I wonder at Sir Thomas what does he think of us that he stays so long away and the matter of the business which he went to London must be concluded quite some time ago,” said Lady Ann

‘Lydia ring the bell for some tea dear,“ said Lady Sarah as she took the hand of Lady Ann” dearest cousin I spoke harshly earlier. Pray for give me your daughters are quite splendid creatures it is the hotness of the weather that made me reply so sharply... Pray be content that Sir Thomas is doing every thing in his power to forward the interests of the family. These things take time the right connections have to be made and nurtured.

‘It is indeed a wonderful occasion that Lady Virginia and Mary will meet and get to know each other only good can come of such a connection his Lordship is of course one of the most significant magnets in Ireland today“ said Lady Ann drying her tears at the occasion of missing her husband.


“Here is the tea,” said Sophia as the butler placed the tray on the table closing with the table Sophia began to stir the tea began pouring tea. For her Mamma as she knew best in the entire house that her Mamma preferred strong dark tea with a tough of milk and a little sugar

“Mamma there is a hack approaching the house said John who was standing at the window ”Who can it be I am quite distraught and have no desire for new company right now“ said Lady Ann.

“I believe it to be Mr and Mrs. Holder” said John “Now that is welcome I have not spoken to Mrs. Holder in quite while and she has the most delightful recipe for sweetmeats” said Lady Ann. brightening at the news of the arrival of her old friend from the village.

“Tom you will please take an interest in what Mr Holder tells you and be as civil as you can you know how disagreeable that man can be” said Lady Ann “Yes Mamma I think I might show him the gun room he has always shown an interest in the gun’s said Tom.

The couple of middle years entered the withdrawing room after been announced curtsies, bows were exchanged, and the company fell to talking of the resent events in the village and more broadly in the county.

Mr Holder who’s family was of ancient and noble linage had very much come down in the world because of unfortunate events in the previous reign. Thus for Mr Holder it was quite easy to hold a grudge having to look on as others more industrious in there efforts made a name and a place in the world.

“Mr Holder would you accompany me to the gun room I have some thing to show you” said Tom. “Indeed young Tom that would be my pleasure said the man placing his empty cup on the tray following the younger man out of the room.

“Pray tell me Elizabeth what new recipe have you to share with us Lydia pray write down what Mrs. Holder says” said Lady Ann “I have a recipe for Pork lion chops done in the Catalina style” replied Elizabeth Holder.

“Indeed pray tell how did you by this recipe?” asked Lady Sarah I have a cousin who served under my Lord the Earl of Wellington. Who whilst in Spain took an interest in what was going in to the cooking pot“ Replied Elizabeth Holder with a laugh.” Never much of a fighting man our cousin Cedric but quite a cook he of course service the earl as his personal cook said Elizabeth Holder

“Well what a splendid gun this is said William Holder as he handled the weapon which had last seen service in the reign of Charles I of blessed memory a flintlock pistol with fine engraving. ”My father has always held that this particular weapon was used by one of our more illustrious ancestors Sir James Sterley who was on the side of the King,“ said Thomas.

“here is fathers sword the one he used while in service eat ST Vincent he has quite retired the old thing it takes a place of honor here in the gun room. May I offer you a glass of port?” asked Thomas as he picked up the decanter

“That would be most welcome said William Holder who was eyeing the ancient weapon with envious eyes wondering how long the money from the sale of the weapon would keep him in the necessities of life.


Castel WATERFORD the home of the William 6th Earl Waterford was an old building which had been done up in the previous reign. Thus it possessed all of the modern convinces. Very much against the wishes of the previous earl, the new water closet had been installed in a number of rooms. The original