A Family Affair - New Story with 2 Illustrations

For readers hoping that this post would bring the next chapter of AVVE – mea maxima culpa. I got distracted (very easily done when you have the attention span of a fruit fly).

I have written approx 50% of AVVE Chapter 18 but as I was going through some old files for a picture to accompany the post I came across an old captioned illustration I did several years ago but never posted anywhere. It was the bridal gown that attracted me so I immediately got an itch I had to scratch and I wrote a new story. Maybe I just needed to re-charge my batteries, I don’t know. 

Hopefully I will finish it in the next few weeks but there is a World Cup going on and Wimbledon and the Tour de France fast approaching but I’m sure I’ll fit it in somewhere.

Many thanks as usual to those who were kind enough to comment on the last chapter and also those readers who ticked the ‘more’ box, I know you’re probably sick of me saying this - thank you, I greatly appreciate it and it has made me push myself to continue with the story.

Regarding this new story there are continuity issues with the illustrations which I’m sure you all will notice but hopefully they will not spoil it for you.

Hopefully you will enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Take care

Carrie

Ps As usual  I was in a hurry checking it for typos, grammar etc., so apologies in advance if I not get them all.

A Family Affair

Bby

CarrieP

 It was always difficult to find a place to be alone even for an hour. It’s not as if the house was small, quite the contrary it was extremely large, two drawing rooms, a library, spacious dining room,  twelve or thirteen bedrooms, it just went on and on not to mention the servants quarters.

The servants!  William sighed wearily to himself.

The servants always found him no matter where he hid, going from room to room like tracker dogs sniffing him out, looking in every wardrobe, nook and cranny. Now he was caught again, and cursed himself for not choosing a less obvious place to hide than under the bed. His heart raced as he looked at the highly polished court shoes and black stockings of one of the housemaids as she stood barely inches away from his nose. Of course she knew exactly where he was the whole time, she was playing with him as a cat would play with a mouse before she finally gets bored and decides to pounce. He began blushing as he watched her tapping her shoe impatiently.

“I wonder where Master William could be?” she pondered out loud. “He should know the longer he refuses to join the mistress for afternoon tea the worse it will be for him.”

 She sighed wearily and he knew she was getting slightly irritated now that she had her prey within her grasp and the chase was over.

“Perhaps I’d better get Mrs Broadstrap to help me.”

The mention of the housekeeper’s name had the desired effect, a dull thud rang out in the quiet room as his head hit the bed’s base and he let out a squeal. The last thing he wanted was that dreadful woman humiliating him in front of the servants, as usual he was completely oblivious to the fact that he was perfectly capable of doing that all by himself. His pathetic attempt at concealing himself from this girl was only the latest in a long line of similar undertakings. He scuttled out from under the bed and offered one of many lame excuses he had to hand for these embarrassing surrenders.

“Oh, hello Martha.”he blurted trying to sound as casual as possible “I was just looking for something I had dropped.”

“In Miss Veronica’s bedroom?” the maid answered with an unmistakably disbelieving tone to her voice.

His looked at the maid in her afternoon uniform of black knee length dress, white pinafore apron and a small frilled cap. Her position as a domestic servant should have conferred him with a sense of superiority reflecting the normal rules of established social and gender hierarchy.

Nonetheless William always was slightly socially awkward and never sure of exactly how to react to certain encounters particularly with members of the opposite sex , he had never quite mastered these formalities. Servants also seemed to unnerve him and he felt they were like cunning animals – they could smell his unease or more accurately his fear. Before he had time to formulate an answer the girl added with a hint of menace,

“Just as well Miss Broadstrap is not here.” Martha said shaprly.

“I… emm… ah… “ he stammered, not knowing what to say.

He, and she, knew perfectly well what would have happened. In a polite but stern manner Miss Broadstrap would have berated him for his absence and failure to tell her what his plans were. Any attempt at protesting would have been met with a withering look and a further lecture on the mis-placed and idiotic notion of superiority of the male sex and as usual his upbraiding would end with an apology from him. There were times when he felt he too was a servant, subject to the rules of the housekeeper rather than the role of man of the house. This was inevitably done in front of the servants which was extremely humiliating.

Of course Veronica’s mother did not help the situation. After their engagement he tried to persuade his new fiancée to move out but she prevailed on him to change his mind and soon he was securely ensconced in her mother’s palatial home. Although after the first few weeks he felt the word imprisoned was a far better description. However he had to concede it was extremely comfortable and her mother although a little overbearing was most welcoming, he wanted for nothing and was waited on day and night by the all-female domestic staff.  However after a few weeks things began to change, small things and nothing so drastic that would have come between Veronica and himself, it wasn’t something he could easily put his finger on. He hadn’t seen a male since he arrived, her mother had been a widow for years, the gardeners and chauffeur were female, there was no butler only the haughty, un-nerving Miss Broadstrap, and no male servants. It was as if he was becoming submerged in a sea of femininity, he had a strange and slightly irrational feeling that his masculinity was being slowly drained from his body. Around this time Veronica’s mother had insisted on choosing his clothes which he thought were a little too… well… gender neutral would be a kind way of describing them. With the intimidating Miss Broadstrap hovering in the background she said they were most fashionable and as usual gently but firmly coaxed him into agreeing with her.  Not wishing to create bad feeling and trying to make a good impression he acquiesced. He was never the most dedicated follower of fashion and so put up little resistance, his nightwear was even less masculine, satin pyjamas in feminine shades various shades of pink, lavender and lilac. The bottoms were like ladies plazzao pants and the tops were hardly what anyone would call manly with large mother of pearl buttons and wide flounced bell sleeves at the elbow. She even purchased a Victorian nightshirt which in truth looked more like a woman’s nightgown with its ruffled lace hem.  After been presented with these as a special gift he slowly but surely felt any male confidence he had ebbing away. Of course the maids giggling when Veronica’s mother held them up to his body to check his size did not help matters and ridiculous as it sounds he began to feel slightly intimidated by this all female household from his future mother in law to the kitchen maid.

The situation had got worse since Veronica had left on a business trip some weeks previously leaving him alone in her mother’s and oppressive companionship, he should have been  concerned  when his future mother in law said “Now I will have you all to myself and we can get much better acquainted.” He seemed to be constantly in her company and if he managed to evade her in this cavernous house a maid was quickly dispatched to find him and escort him back to his rightful place by her side. So now  once more he was discovered by a domestic servant in the most embarrassing circumstances, cowering under his fiancée’s bed. The threat of an encounter with the housekeeper quelled whatever anger he may have felt and he meekly accepted his fate.

“I was just on my way downstairs.” he lied unconvincingly.

“Yes I’m sure you were. “ the maid answered contemptuously making no attempt to hide her  scorn as she added in a superior tone “Now please follow me the mistress is waiting.”

It was yet another indignity in a long list of humiliations he had suffered.

If Veronica was here she would not stand anyone particularly a mere maid treating me in such a disrespectful way. he thought bitterly as he struggled to keep up with the maid’s mannish stride.

She stopped outside the door and made an unnecessary adjustment to his fitted baby blue jacket.

“Much better.” she said as she arranged the collar of his shirt to her satisfaction, several admonishments by Veronica’s mother for not paying enough attention to his grooming ensured no protest from him. “What a lovely blouse that is, the mistress has such excellent taste. Not many men can wear pink satin and still look masculine.”

Although she said this with a straight face he could easily detect the undoubted sarcasm in her tone. He blushed furiously, she said nothing further but did not take her eyes off him as she knocked on the door and as he heard his future mother in law’s plummy voice Martha opened the door and ushered him inside where Veronica’s mother sat on one of the late Victorian armchairs wearing a pant suit that made her look even more intimidating than usual.

“Ah there you are William.” she said, her voice betraying her irritation that he had failed to appear for afternoon tea at the appointed time, an event that had become almost compulsory. “I expressly told you that I had visitors this afternoon and as my future son-in-law I expect you to show a little more consideration.”

It was not that he had forgotten this tedious daily arrangement, the past weeks had seen a constant flow of visitors calling and each day followed the same pattern. He would be introduced to the guests as Veronica’s fiancée and her mother’s future son-in-law, he would be admired and complemented on his delicate appearance and wonderful taste in fashion- much to his future mother-in-law’s delight. He had experienced over a dozen of these afternoon ordeals and at each and every one he was the only male in attendance. At each of these dreadful occasions he would be seated between two middle aged matrons who would question him on various aspects of the wedding. In Veronica’s absence her mother had ensured he was involved in the arrangements although this involvement was in name only in actuality his participation merely meant he was required to enthusiastically agree with everything she did or said. She had said on more than one occasion that she had preferred him to be more involved than Veronica remarking that her daughter had little or no flair for such an important event.  It was not going to be a huge affair just an intimate gathering of fifty or close very close family and friends  all of which would be on her side as he had been raised by foster parents who were now deceased and few close friends.

Veronica’s lack of the usual feminine enthusiasm for the wedding depressed her mother and she cajoled William into being her co- wedding planner although lackey would be a better description however he agreed to ensure harmony.  Her view was she was mother of the bride after all and what would her family and friends think if the entire affair was marred by a lack of attention to detail, flowers, music, catering, invitations, and of course the most important detail of all – the bridal gown.

“William!” her voice cut through his thoughts “Are you listening to me?”

“I’m sorry Penelope.” he answered “I completely lost track of the time.”

“William, dear William.” she sighed as if speaking to a five year old child “I thought we agreed that as I am soon to become your mother-in-law you should address me in a more appropriate and less formal  manner.”

He noticed her foot tapping impatiently and reluctant as he was to comply with her instruction he knew to refuse would only result in a long drawn conversation in which she would confound him with a mixture of warped logic and misplaced guilt. As they were alone he surrendered without his usual pathetically timid and ultimately useless protest.

“Yes Mummy, I’m sorry Mummy.” he meekly answered.

“What a delightful boy.” A voice came from beyond his peripheral vision.

“Yes Penelope.” Another voice quickly followed “Such a refreshing change to hear a young man address his new mother –in-law well, future mother-in-law I suppose, with such affection and deference.

Startled at the unexpected voices William turned to see two middle aged women smiling at him, after he got over the shock he cringed inside knowing that these ladies had heard  him address his future mother-in-law in such a childish, even girlish manner.  As he stood rooted to the spot they walked past him and took up a position next to Veronica’s mother.

Another one of these dreadful afternoon teas he sighed to himself.

“We have heard so much about you dear boy.” One of the women gushed.

“William let me introduce my younger sisters, Mrs Lavinia Fitzroy  and  Mrs Daphne Beaufort.” Veronica’s mother said.

“If the darling young man is addressing you as Mummy he really must address us as Aunt Lavinia and Aunt Daphne.”Lavinia said. “Isn’t that so dear William.”

“Well…I…emm…ah…”he stammered, the idea of addressing these two women who were maybe twelve or fifteen years older them him as Aunt would make him feel even more emasculated.

“We will be very disappointed if you don’t” Daphe said as both women moved to him and linked his arms in theirs.

“I… ah… but…””he continued to stumble.

“William!” his future mother-in-law snapped. “Please do as you are told.”

Her sharp rebuke caused a wave of panic in the young man.

“Yes Mummy.”

“Now give Aunt Lavinia and Aunt Daphne a kiss, the way I taught you.” Mummy said.

In a most girlish fashion he gave both a kiss on either cheek.

“Now you must sit and tell us all about the arrangements for the wedding.”Daphne said as she sat on the couch and patted the space next to her, Lavinia quickly joined them sandwiching him between the two women.

“There’s not much to tell Mrs Fitzroy, I…” he began but instantly interrupted by Mrs Beaumont.

“Now William what did we agree you should call us.” she said forcefully.

He looked at her and for a moment thought about objecting to being treated like a child but the stern look on all three women’s faces immediately dissuaded him of that notion and he timidly capitulated.

“I’m sorry…”he swallowed what remaining pride he had “Aunt Lavinia.”

“Much better dear boy.”  Aunt Lavinia answered patronisingly before adding in a pleasant but extremely firm tone “Now please do not have me correct you again.”

A quick glance at her face confirmed that just like Veronica’s mother, Mrs Fitzroy or Aunt Lavinia as he was now to address her, did not like to be challenged on any matter.

“Oh don’t be too harsh on the boy Lavinia.” Mrs Beaumont interceded on his behalf “It must be a little daunting acquiring two aunts so suddenly, isn’t that so William.”

William was still recovering from his sharp reprimand and did not wish to seek a confrontation he could not win.

“Oh yes… Aunt Daphne.” he blurted, managing to disguise his abhorrence at having to use this form of address but thought it best to conform at least for the moment.  

“There you see Lavinia.” Mrs Beaumont chided her sister as she patted his cheek” William only needed a little time to get used to his new aunts, isn’t that right William.”

He could feel himself being dragged into their orbit and felt a hierarchy had been established but reasoned that if he objected all three women would misrepresent his position to Veronica which would no doubt cause problems between them. He quickly considered it was not worth the trouble and would ask Veronica to resolve the matter when she returned after all how could a fully grown man be expected to refer to her mother as ‘Mummy’ and her sisters as ‘Aunt’.  It was so demeaning, he was sure the servants must be laughing behind his back.

“William!” Mummy’s voice broke through his thoughts “Are you listening?”

“Oh don’t scold the dear boy Penelope.” Aunt Daphne came to his defence. “He is probably thinking about the wedding.”

“Yes, I was …” he lied grateful for the excuse before quickly remembering to add the required designation “Aunt Daphne.”

“Well we all know how very busy Veronica is,” Mrs Fitzroy began, her sisters nodding their agreement “and she kindly asked us if we could help her mother organise as much of it as possible. Of course it will not be a large wedding, those affairs are so vulgar, don’t you think?”

She paused briefly and looked at William for confirmation, not that he had dreamed of contradicting her he was far too overawed for such a brave or foolish deed although he reluctantly conceded scared would be a much better word.

“Oh yes Aunt Lavinia.” he exclaimed more through alarm than enthusiasm.

“So glad you agree William.” Veronica’s mother added “After all a girl’s wedding day is one of the most important days in her life. I’m sure you agree?”

All three women gazed at him intently, Veronica’s mother’s arched eyebrows signalled the required response.

“Yes Mummy.” he replied with as much eagerness as he could gather.

“Splendid!” she said and beamed at him with genuine affection “I knew I could depend on my new son, for that is what I consider you.”

William was just so relieved that he was on her good side that he quickly replied enthusiastically and this time without hesitation.

“Thank you Mummy.”

The smile of satisfaction on all three women’s face vindicated his fawning deference.

Anything for a quiet life he justified his shameful obsequiousness.

“Now William why don’t you ring for tea.” Aunt Lavinia said “and we can discuss your big day.”

William looked at the servant’s bell and hesitated, he hated dealing with the servants, he felt being the sole male in the house they were always resentful of him as he had disrupted the balance of an all-female household. They barely concealed their contempt for him and he dreaded when he was left alone with any of them.

“Oh Lavinia, he feels a little shy with the servants, Isn’t that so William?” Mummy explained.

“I …ah…”he mumbled.

“William you really do need to assert yourself.” Aunt Daphne said patting his knee “You must to impose your authority on servants, show them you are their superior.  In a few months time you will be the master of this house you should start acting like one.”

“Yes William, you need to be more forceful.”Aunt Lavinia concurred “More firm, you are the man of the house after all.”

The three women gazed at him and he reluctantly picked up the servants bell and rang it and Martha appeared moments later.

“You rang Madam.” she said bobbing a curtsy to her mistress.

“Actually it was Master William, Martha.” Veronica’s mother said gesturing to the pale young man.

Martha looked at him blankly but he could see the scorn in her eyes.

“Well… go on William.” Aunt Lavinia urged.

“I…emm…I…”he whispered, his anxiety getting the better of him as she continued to hold his gaze.

“Oh speak up William.” Aunt Daphne snapped “the girl can barely hear you.”

“You require something Master William?” Martha said gently but William clearly heard the coded sarcasm.

He hesitated for a moment.

“Tea, perhaps? Master William.” she asked as if speaking as if to a child.

“Ah… yes… tea. Thank you Martha.” he finally managed to say.

“I’ll bring it at once Miss.” she said.

He heard a barely suppressed titter from his two new aunts.

“Oh I’m sorry Master William.” Martha apologised as his face suddenly turned red. “With so many ladies here today I completely forgot myself. Please forgive me.”

“Quite understandable my girl.” Aunt Lavinia snorted as she looked at William who by now was visibly cringing with embarrassment.

Martha curtsied to him, the contempt in her eyes was now replaced but one of laughter and she left with a swish of skirts. Miss Broadstrap appeared as she opened the door to leave but waited silently until there was a break in the conversation.

“Miss William!” Aunt Lavinia chortled; William’s blush deepened as her sisters joined in. “I’m not surprised she took addressed you as ‘Miss’ you were like a schoolgirl in front of her headmistress. William the girl is a servant you really need to be more confident. Be more of a man.”

“Oh don’t be too upset William.” Aunt Daphne consoled him “It was an easy mistake for the girl to make.”

This was of little comfort to the young man, any confidence he had seemed to be quickly evaporating from his body.

“I am sorry to interrupt Madam.” Miss Broadstrap addressed Veronica’s mother “The lady you were expecting has arrived and has asked to see you.”

“Run along Penelope.”Aunt Lavinia said” I’m sure William will make a perfect hostess. We have so much to discuss.”

“Don’t be cruel Lavinia.” she retorted as she walked to the door with Miss Broadstrap in tow. “The poor boy is far too delicate for your ghastly machinations. Daphne, please try to keep her in check, I will not be long.”

William sank into the couch as both women turned their eyes on him. He had spent the day avoiding his future mother-in-law and now he dreaded seeing her leave. Of course in his petrified state the irony was lost on him.

“Now that we have you alone dear boy,” Lavinia began as she patted him on the knee and he felt a drop of sweat form at the nape of his neck “We want to know all about you.”

Less than half an hour later Veronica’s mother returned, a pained expression on her face, Miss Broadstrap followed close behind.

“I think your mother requires some refreshment William.” Aunt Lavinia said noticing her sister’s face.

No one seemed inclined to correct Aunt Lavinia discarding the term ‘in-law’.  Thirty minutes in the company of his new aunts had further reduced his capacity to protect his diminishing masculine reserves and he felt overpowered by their forceful personalities.

“Yes Aunt Lavinia.” William replied in the quiet, almost meek voice that Aunt Lavinia suggested he adopt as a mark of respect to his mother and other female family members .His hand had the slightest tremble as he poured the tea and adding the slice of lemon he knew she took with it.

“Thank you darling.” Mummy said, surprised by the lack of awkwardness which he usually displayed at afternoon tea “you are becoming quite the hostess.”

“William.” Aunt Lavinia prompted him.

“Thank you Mummy.” he responded.

“How sweet!” Mummy gushed.

William could see a smile form at the corner of Miss Broadstrap’s mouth and cringed inside.

Why is she smirking I’m only trying to be polite? he said bitterly to himself.

“William has spent far too much time in coarse male company.” Aunt Daphne explained “We have been training the dear boy to be more gracious and genteel now that he will be spending his days in more refined and courteous female circles, isn’t that right William?”

“Yes Aunt Daphne.”

“From the moment Veronica introduced him to me  I knew he had wonderful potential.” Mummy said “He will make an ideal husband and son.”

“And nephew.” Aunt Daphne added as all three women smiled.

Miss Broadstrap’s smirk widened.

“Now girls.”Mummy said taking a sip of her tea and smoothing out an imaginary crease on her pant suit“Unfortunately I have some bad news.  Miss Jupon  of The House of Brides  has delivered several  of the gowns I have picked out for Veronica but unfortunately the young lady she had chosen to display them for us has fallen ill and cannot attend. So as we do not have anyone to model them I’m afraid  we will have to cancel this  afternoon’s preview. I think we all know Veronica would prefer to wear something plain…

“Or even a pants suit.” Aunt Lavinia snorted sarcastically.

“Quite.” Mummy agreed “But if we present her with a gown we all are thrilled about she is such a good daughter she will agree to wear it.”

“And time is of the essence.” Aunt Daphne said injecting a note of urgency. “The wedding is only a few short months away and settling on the right dress could take weeks.”

“Such a pity.” Aunt Lavinia sighed.

Miss Broadstrap cleared her throat.

“If I may offer a suggestion Madam.”she said.

“Please do Miss Broadstrap, we would welcome any option at this juncture.” Mummy answered.

“Master William is exactly the same height as Miss Veronica.” she said looking towards the young man sitting between his two new aunts “and Miss Veronica has such a boyish figure their frames are quite similar apart from the hips and with certain bridal gown designs such differences are easily disguised .”

“Are you suggesting Master William could model the gowns for us Miss Broadstrap?” Mummy asked as all four women turned their full attention on the young man.

“What a splendid idea!”  Aunt Lavinia exclaimed with delight.

“Yes Miss Broadstrap, a wonderful suggestion.” Aunt Daphne agreed “Not ideal, there are some slight differences however Veronica’s breasts are quite small but we could always pad out his bosom, of course he would have to wear a bra.”

William sat motionless with a blank expression on his face unsure that he had heard this exchange correctly.

Did she just propose I should model a bridal gown? he said to himself No, that’s ridiculous I obviously misheard.

“And he is a little plumper than Veronica around the midriff.” Mummy observed, turning her focus to his torso.

Her sisters felt his stomach and nodded their agreement.

 “My fault I’m afraid.” his mother-in-law continued “ I’ve been feeding him too well but I suspect one of my high-waisted girdles or perhaps an unforgiving corselette would quickly take care of that problem. It may be a little too tight for him but he is such a resilient boy I’m sure he won’t mind. ”

He was concentrating so much on trying to process this strange conversation that he never heard Aunt Daphne voice.

“Oh do come along William.” she said in an exasperated voice as she stood over him and addressed her sisters “Sometimes I worry about young men, they have such short attention spans.”

Aunt Lavinia slipped her arm under his and on the other side Aunt Daphne did the same.

His mother-in-law led the way as they ascended the wide staircase, the conversation centred on where Veronica had chosen for their honeymoon and how long the journey would be.

“The weather will be wonderful there this time of year.” Aunt Daphne said

“And it is such a romantic city.” Aunt Lavinia replied.

Perhaps Aunt Daphne is right I am having trouble focusing, he said to himself and not only that I’m hearing imaginary conversations as well.

Entering his mother-in-law’s large and opulent bedroom he noticed several large garment bags laid across the chairs and the large couch.

“Now I think these will be suitable.” Mummy said as she laid out a number of items on the bed’s burgundy red satin quilt.

“I think the satin panelled corselette would suit him better.” Aunt Daphne opined.

“I’m so not sure.” his  future mother-in-law replied holding up a formidable garment with dangling garters “I found this new high-line girdle very controlling.  A little bit uncomfortable at first but I’m sure he will get used to it.”

“Oh excellent you also have a matching long line brassiere.” Aunt Lavina said picking up the bra and examining it. “This should fit him nicely and we can pad it out with some underwear to give him a similar bust line as Veronica.”

The fog finally lifted from William’s brain and the horror of what was being proposed hit him.

“I… you… I mean…”he babbled, sentences were forming in his brain but unable to reach his mouth in any coherent fashion.

“Now William.” Mummy said in an authoritative voice that he had come to know so well “we have agreed that time is of the essence and we need to choose a gown for the wedding before Veronica returns. Now please stop prevaricating the sooner you get undressed the sooner we will be able to choose the right gown.”

The fog in his brain was now replaced with shock as Aunt Lavinia held the bra up to his chest.

“Yes I think it will fit nicely.” she said smiling at him as Aunt Daphne began to unbutton his shirt.

“I think we should start with the Duchesse satin ballgown.” Aunt Lavinia said “ Ivory is such a wonderful colour and suits his complexion perfectly.”

William whimpered as he felt the straps of the bra bite into his shoulders as Aunt Lavinia pulled the two clasps tightly across his back.”

“Oh do stop whining William, girls have to do this everyday.” she said brusquely as she began fixing the hooks into the eyelets.

“Once we have his girdle on he will begin to look like a real girl.” Aunt Daphne trilled as she led him to the bed to remove his pants.

“I’ll fetch the bouffant petticoat” Aunt Lavinia said.

“Oh I’m so excited.” Mummy blurted “Aren’t you William?”

His mouth opened but nothing came out.

“Yes I knew you would be.” Mummy said.