AVVE - New Illustration and an accompanying stand -alone short piece

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.