Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
I know I’m very late posting this time but
life has been so hectic both personal and work . I’m blessed with a patient
readership so hopefully you will understand.
I hope the very short story below will do until the next post.
I had begun the next chapter of AVVE and
was making decent progress but the idea of a prequel to An Hour in The Life
kept popping into my head. And as you probably know by now I have the attention
span of a fruit fly. So I suspended the AVVE chapter and began the prequel which
I thought would be about 3k words (approx double the original) at the moment
it’s north of 7.5k but on the plus side it’s very close to completion. I had
hoped last week end but realistically it will be next week end at the earliest
as I have yet to begin the illustration.
However I resurrected a discarded
illustration from A Suitable Position (at least I think I didn’t use it- if I
did please let me know) and wrote a few hundred words to accompany it. The
women are far too young but I didn’t have time to change them hopefully it won’t
detract from the story.
Thank you once again for your patience.
Take care
Carrie
Afternoon Tea with the Ladies
By
CarrieP
William
enjoys the benefits of living with his wealthy aunt as her companion but this
comes at a price. He is never left out of her sight, is forbidden any contact
with other males and must accompany her to every social function, like today
when she is having afternoon tea at a friend’s house. As always her friends
make a big fuss over the only male in the room.
“I
must say Agatha,” Miss Hardcastle said settling into her seat “William’s
complexion has improved greatly since he first arrived with you.”
“And
growing out his hair has made him appear so angelic.” Miss Fitzsimmons added.
“His
deportment is most becoming in a young man.” Mrs Bardell contributed “My
daughters could learn a thing or two from him.”
“William!”
Aunt Agatha snapped.
Her
rebuke had its effect.
“Thank
you ladies.” he said in a meek voice, knowing if he irritated his aunt he would
suffer the consequences later. It was a misdemeanour so it would probably mean
being put to bed before six. Hopefully she would be lenient this time but another
lapse would definitely mean some form of punishment.
“It
is most kind of you to notice.” he added for good measure.
“And
his posture is excellent, unlike my own niece.” Mrs Nightingale said.
William
prayed that his aunt would not reveal the reason for his upright bearing.
“Good
corsetry is the key to good posture.” Mrs Hardcastle said as all the ladies
agreed.
“But
I’m sure with such good posture you don’t need such formidable foundation wear
William like us ladies.” Mrs Bardell said and smiled knowingly at the other
women.
William’s
face immediately turned crimson and he was sure they could see the straps of
his corselette under his silk shirt.
“Ladies.
Miss Fitzsimmons said which thankfully diverted their attention “I have called
you here to discuss my servant problem. As you know I have been having
difficulty with one of my new maids she is a good girl but is the only female
in a family of six brothers so unfortunately has acquired some dreadful
masculine habits not to mention a manly gait. I have tried everything I can think of but her
unfortunate her masculine quirks are difficult to rectify. She needs to be
taught how to behave more like a female, like a proper housemaid and not some
farm labourer. My grand aunt suggested a most unusual solution.”
“Which
is?” Mrs Hardcastle said.
“She
proposes that the girl be dressed in the uniform of the Victorian era.” Miss
Fitzsimmons replied “Of course she would also have to wear the corsetry of the
time which would have the added advantage of restricting her movements. It
would instil in her a more disciplined attitude and ensure she comported
herself in a manner more becoming to that of a female servant.”
This
was greeted with an excited chorus of approval by the ladies. William, aware
that he was under observation also joined in with as much enthusiasm as he
could muster.
“I
was hoping that my niece Gertrude would be here today to model the uniform but
alas she is indisposed.” Miss Fitzsimmons sighed “So I can only show you the
uniform rather than have it paraded for you.”
There
was a collective groan of disappointment
“Gertrude?”
Aunt Agatha asked her hostess“The girl I met last month?”
“The
very one.”Miss Fitzsimmons nodded.
“I
know this may sound a trifle unorthodox. “ Aunt Agatha said “But William is of
a similar stature as Gertrude, perhaphs…”
“Are
you suggesting…” Mrs Badell asked “He is dressed in the uniform?”
All
the ladies became very excited at this novel idea.
“A
male housemaid!” Mrs Hardcastle giggled.
William
paled significantly wondering if he had
heard correctly.
“Are
you sure he won’t mind?” Miss Fitzsimmons asked after the chatter died down.
“After
all it would mean him dressing as a girl.” Mrs Badell said. “And in a
housemaid’s uniform at that.”
“Yes,
I’m sure the poor boy would feel most uncomfortable, if not mortified.” Mrs
Hardcastle added with a degree of sympathy. “Particularly with the restrictive
Victorian corsetry.”
Four
pairs of female eyes rested on William.
“Aaah…”he
let out a low whimper at the prospect of such an appalling vista.
“William
will do as he is told. He is such a well trained and obedient boy.” Aunt Agatha
informed her friends. “Isn’t that so William?”
“Aaah…”he mewled once more.
As
the group stood and Miss Fitzsimmons said to Aunt Agatha .
“I
hope he won’t mind wearing the four petticoats that are part of the uniform.”
“Perhaps
we can braid his hair also?” Mrs Badell added excitedly.
Mrs
Hardcastle and Miss Fitzsimmons slipped an arm each inside the arms stupefied
young man and led him from the room.
“As
I said. “ Aunt Agatha said “William will do as he is told.”
