The support
for the last chapter was very encouraging and personally it’s great to know
readers like the type of material I produce it certainly does motivate me to
continue.
The loss of the last chapter was disappointing and I felt I let
readers down by not posting it in time but nothing could be done.
So what I’ve
done is a stand- alone piece, a scene from Aubrey confinement in Lady Charlotte’s
home. It’s obviously connected to but at the same time unrelated to the story-
hope that makes sense. I was going to put the text in caption form in the
illustration but OGF has pointed out it make things awkward for readers for whom
English is not their first language – so I wrote an accompanying text for the
illustration.
It is longer
than the rewrite I have started for Chapter 9 but only took me a few hours to
complete. I wonder would this be a better format? It would be quicker but much
shorter. However it may disturb the flow of the story. If anyone wants to give
their 5 cents worth please do.
Anyway it's only 900 words but I
hope you enjoy it, thanks again for your support.
Carrie.
PS Geraldine, looks like the threat worked.
Lady Charlotte’s friend Gwendolyn Beresford has called on
her and unexpectedly and uninvited enters Aubrey’s bedroom just as he has
risen.
The door opened abruptly and Mrs Gwendolyn Beresford
announced her arrival with a flurry of swishing skirts and petticoats , she
wore a high necked navy and white
pleated silk creation her ample bosom projecting like the figurehead of a
ship’s bow, her waist corseted to a very fashionable degree, her hips forming
an exquisite counter balance to her breasts. She was already speaking before
she noticed the other occupants of the room. Lady Charlotte de Winter brusquely
interrupted her.
“Gwendolyn! I really do wish you had given me a little
notice of your intention to visit.” Lady Charlotte said sharply “It is not the
most convenient time.”
“Oh don’t be so fussy Charlotte.” she replied ignoring her
friend’s protestations, as her eyes adjusted to the light and she noticed the
two other figures standing beside the bed.
“Mmm, and what have we here?” she purred as she advanced
towards them.
The sheer fright of
seeing a stranger suddenly appear sent Aubrey into shock and he had to grip
Sara, who was acting as his lady’s maid, by the arm to avoid falling.
Oh no...no... not
her...not here his inner voice
screamed in panic.
“This is not your daughter Felicity.” she said in a
surprised voice as she raised her pince- nez from the silver chain around her
neck and examined Aubrey.
“No.”Lady Charlotte replied tersely “the child of a dear
friend.”
“I find it hard to distinguish whether it is a boy or girl.”
Mrs Beresford snorted as she continued her inspection before asking in a mildly
sardonic voice “Well child, are you a boy or girl?”
Aubrey felt the blood drain from his face and his legs
weaken
“Aaaah... ” he
whimpered through a mouth as dry as the
Sahara, he gripped Sarah tighter.
“Gwendolyn!” Lady
Charlotte snapped “stop teasing the girl.”
“So it is a girl, at least we have
established that.” she answered “such short hair and boyish features. “A pretty child in an unconventional sense I
suppose however such a dainty nightgown does
make her look somewhat passable as a female.
She looked at Sarah.
“I sincerely hope you can make her a little more feminine
before she steps out of this room, the poor girl could easily be taken for a
boy.” She said as she stroked Aubrey’s cheek with her long slender fingers “and
tell me dear child what is your name you seem vaguely familiar?”
“And what do I owe the honour of such an early visit Gwendolyn?”
Lady Charlotte interrupted her immediately and taking her by the arm quickly
but calmly guided her friend’s side across the room and away from Aubrey’s
immediate presence. Two beads of perspiration formed on Aubrey forehead and
began to trickle down his face, Sarah removed them with a lace handkerchief as
the two ladies turned their backs.
“I called on our
mutual friend Maude St Clair however her housemaid told me she has been abroad
for several weeks.” Mrs Beresford said as she turned to look at Aubrey and
Sarah once more “I thought that dreadful boy of hers would be there but the
maid tells me he has not stayed there since her departure. For his mother’s sake I feel I should find him
before he causes her even more embarrassment. He is such a frightful miscreant
I greatly pity the lady he has inflicted himself upon, she will have her hands
full. Such a patronising misogynist he has all the faults of the arrogant male,
truly a ghastly boy. By now I’m sure he will be strutting around like Napoleon
ordering his hostess around like a shopgirl.”
“Oh come now Gwendolyn he can’t be all that bad?” Lady
Charlotte said as she fixed her eyes on Aubrey.
“Oh but he is, Charlotte” Mrs Beresford exclaimed “Maude was
far too lenient with him she should have kept him at home instead of sending
him away to boarding school where he absorbed the worst traits of the male sex.
He was such a sweet boy before that, of course his Nanny and nursemaid ensured
he was kept under strict control and he wore such beautiful dresses until the
age of four. Keeping the boy close to his mother’s skirts would have saved
Maude an awful lot of trouble she really should have engaged a Governess
instead of sending him to school. A life under a strict Governess would have made
a man of him. I think he was freed from his dresses and petticoats far too
soon.”
“Indeed.” Lady Charlotte agreed with her and linking her
friend’s arm continued “We were just going to begin dressing the girl, I’m sure
she would welcome your advice on what gown she should wear today.”
“I’d be delighted.” Mrs Beresford replied enthusiastically
Lady Charlotte, a smile forming at the corner of her mouth
looked at Aubrey before adding “Oh and whether it is too soon for her to wear a
corset?”
“Never too soon to wear a corset.” Mrs Beresford declared
loudly “In fact after this visit I have an appointment with my corsetiere would
you like to accompany me... and the girl of course, we can have her measured
properly.”
“What a splendid idea Gwendolyn.”
Only Sarah head the slight whimper from Aubrey’s mouth as
his grip tightened on her arm.
