Dirty Petticoats - chapter 3

happy Valentine's!

Next to falling in love,
reading a romance is the best thing for this date!

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It's Valentine's and DIRTY PETTICOATS is available everywhere.
The ebook version has tidbits of other novels, the paperback is just fine! 
I enjoyed composing this story very much. It took me a good deal of research - even hotels Austen mentioned! - and a lot more of crazy imagining why Lizzy and Jane's marriage didn't mess with Meryton... It would, right?
Hope you enjoy this good humored tale of gossip and misunderstandings. Here you'll find more details and links. 
So, as promissed, here is the 3rd chapter.

DIRTY PETTICOATS

PG 13 - Regency - P&P continuation

~ chapter 3 ~
previously

Lady Catherine de Bourgh was a woman of determination. A widow for many years, accomplished mother who alone raised a daughter, competent ruler of her kingdom composed of a grand estate and several investments. Had she not been such an extraordinary woman, her life would be reduced to a pawn of her weak brother’s earldom or a puppet for her silly nephews’ exploits in businesses.
Of course she needed a man to – at least officially - be responsible for her dealings, that was why she put up with Darcy and Fitzwilliam’s reluctance in visiting to aid her with estate affairs and crops’ planning. Those were tedious matters, steward’s responsibilities, mundane worries; let them care for those. Men were made for that purpose, anyway. 
While they were distracted, she had time for important dealings, such as the future. The next generation was in severe risk and she was the only one capable of solving the problem. 
Anne, her daughter, neared the completion of her third decade of existence and was still single. And sickly. And childless. If only had been married, she could be a widow by her 30th birthday…
Fitzwilliam, her second oldest nephew, was also single, cavorting his way as much as the army uniform allowed him. Certainly he could be persuaded to accept the right lady, were she found and presented to him.
Darcy, her youngest nephew, married an obstinate headstrong girl who suspiciously didn’t give him an heir after the first anniversary. One might imagine that, from the obvious nature of their attachment, a brood of children would have already been in this world. But, to Lady Catherine’s surprise, not one had been born. Could Darcy be finally seeing reason?
And finally, her young parson was also childless after two years of matrimony. Mrs. Collins was by far more congenial than her husband, Lady Catherine with her tired eyesight saw her own predicament on Charlotte’s for she herself had been so much smarter than her late husband. But if the woman had accepted the man in the sacred bond of marriage, she had to do her duty and bear his heirs. All parishioners expected to see newborns and toddlers roaming the newlyweds’ parsonage, after all!
Oh, so many problems to solve!…
At least, being such a formidable mind for people’s affairs, Lady Catherine had an intricate plan already in motion. As a busy spider, she weaved her silky trends making sure every piece of this jigsaw fell into place perfectly. The winter was just about to start; next spring shall bring many blossoms…
She rang the bell that rested on her desk summoning the butler and stood to look proudly at the many letters spread over the leather top.
‘Yes, milady.’
‘Smith, take care of this morning’s mail in person.’ She pointed a crooked finger at each small pile of letters. ‘These ones shall go by Express, these by coach, these to the Post directly so you may deliver at the village office, and these are for the cook.’
‘Our cook, milady? The woman in charge of the meals?’
‘Of course! Whoever else could I mean?’ Lady Catherine shrieked. ‘Go, these are important matters!’
‘Yes, yes…’ the butler took the piles one by one stuffing them in different pockets, bowed and left.
‘Do not mix them up!’ She yelled after him.
---
Annabel Levork, née Williams, was lazily listening to china clinking and waited until the perfume of fresh tea reached her nose to stir. It was early morning, perhaps not even seven yet. Her lover, the dashing colonel Fitzwilliam had barracks’ habits which were unfortunate when he took his warm body from her side as soon as the first sun rays appeared and fortunate for her situation of unofficial guest at the Albany where he lived.
As a widow she was at some liberty to appreciate the attentions of a handsome bachelor of good breeding, a second son of an earl was an excellent choice. But she lived with her deceased husband’s uncle while her meager inheritance was engaged in business beyond her reach. Although juvenile, she used the excuse of visiting an old friend or cousin to occasionally spend nights in his company.
The Albany was a fashionable address for the society’s finest bachelors, she very well knew that. Even if not respectable, and highly forbidden, gentlemen of fortune and breeding took selected company to their particular apartments using darkened corridors and side doors. The adventure of visiting the famous building incognito was what led Annabel to a night visit one fine day. At Vauxhall gardens’ midsummer celebration, she fell prey of a charming man of fame who induced her to trust him but once inside his set at the Albany, when she realized that not even a servant was there to witness whatever befell her, she panicked. He was insistent, she was frightened, he meant to hug her, she ran away.
The problem was that she knew nothing of the place, the tacit laws of the bachelors' expensive building and as she ran the long covered corridor of rope-walk in plain sight. As much as she asked for help, no one talked to her; she seemed to be invisible! Annabel had met few men that night, but none of them answered when she whispered the urgent plead for sheltering her from the gentleman who had brought her there. Only one offered his hand and only then Annabel realized it rained. 
Drenched, Fitzwilliam returned home for a change before attending social gatherings; frightened, Annabel accepted his offer of hiding in his attic flat. There she stood, at the living room as he undressed and redressed in the bedroom, only a door and a few candles between them. That night, as the weather didn’t light up, they spent several hours conversing and sipping a bottle of Madeira wine he had available. 
That had been months before, since then their relationship grew in fondness and trust to the point of lovers. She was very aware of the precariousness of their liaison, not only because he could be sent to war again at any moment but also because being a second son he needed a profitable marriage and she had but a humble fortune.
Let time deal with their problems, she thought when in his company. Excellent company as he was, she’d better enjoy as they could. 
As soon as she heard the under butler leave, she left the bed, dressed in one of his robes and met the dashing colonel reading his mail near the sofas.
‘Good morning, pretty one, there’s tea.’
‘Morning.’ She smiled coquettish. ‘Good news?’
‘A trip, my cousin needs protection from his lovely wife’s family and I’m his knight.’
‘Isn’t he lucky? Dividing my savior with me.’
He grinned leaning in to kiss her lips. ‘Always at your disposal.’
‘Where will he ship you to?’
‘Meryton in Hertfordshire.’
‘Oh, the marriage resort!’ Annabel smiled. 
‘What?’
‘Such a lovely village, I’ve spent but a day; someone told me it’d be a good place to find a good husband if I were to spend a season there. Many respectable gentlemen have chosen wives in Meryton, it’s said to be a romantic place. But I really wanted to visit the excavations, the unearthed Roman villa and the springs coming from the ancient bath salon. It is a lovely city, two good hotels, even a pump room.’
‘Yes, much improvement in a couple of years. First time I visited the place was to witness my cousin’s wedding. One of his friends from Cambridge shared the coach with me and as he invests in construction and development, he thought he saw a possibility in signs of Roman history in the road entering the village. All it took him was a little digging.’
‘Maybe more than that!’
‘Much development, the estates’ value has increased considerably.’
‘The social events are quite famous in the summer season, this time near winter, surely it must be a lot calmer…’
‘It is a family matter that needs to be addressed.’
‘Ah. Better if there is calm weather.’
‘Yes, quite.’ He perused the other letters, read the Times first lines. ‘What hour is it? Do you need to go?’
‘If you need to give attention to these other letters...’
‘News from my mother and aunt can wait if you are here with me.’
‘Well, I must leave soon to avoid being seen going along the rope-walk...’
‘Let me help you compose yourself, pretty one.’ Fitzwilliam pointed his bedroom. 
She nodded and walked in front of him.
---
Bingleton Court had been established only one-year prior, the owners still learned to deal with every day struggles common to landowners. Charles Bingley, heir of a considerable fortune made in trade, fulfilled a dream of his father’s and sisters in the large estate. 
Two years before, the search of the property had rendered the great profit of finding the most perfect life companion Bingley could have when he leased Netherfield in Hertfordshire. Jane Bingley, née Bennet, was natural of Meryton, the small village close to the estate he considered buying and they fell in love almost immediately.  After a period of maturation when they were kept apart because he was ill advisement, he made the offer, she accepted and their marriage brought influential guests and outstanding results for the city.
After the first year of marriage residing at Netherfield, Bingley finally resolved on acquiring a Northern estate, opting to settle close to his good friend Fitzwilliam Darcy and his wife Elizabeth, Jane’s favorite sister- a couple forged alongside his eventful courtship to Jane. Bingleton Court, as the place was renamed under pressure of Bingley’s sisters, was located near the grand Pemberley. 
Up North, finally at home, Bingley and Jane could start their family. It was exactly the confinement of the first child that would keep them from traveling to aid Mrs. Bennet, Jane’s mother, in the time of distress.
The mistress of the house confused doors in her home, it was a great manor that she was still unused to possess. So, it took Jane three tries and two shouts to find her husband. 
He opened his den’s door to find her searching along the corridor, offered his arm and escorted her to the stuffed chair near the fire.
‘Shouldn’t you be in bed? Kitty was supposed to watch over you.’ He complained. 
‘She is napping upstairs; I came here to tell you of Lizzy’s letter.’ Jane sighed, moved a little to the side and took a folded paper from her pocket beside her engorged belly. ‘My sister is much agitated, Charles. Tell Darcy to bring her here, I want to see her and cannot ride the 30 miles to Pemberley. ‘
‘Absolutely not!’ He clapped his hands together.  ‘You need rest, Jane dear, you are a very fragile lady.’
‘I am not, don’t be silly. The problem are the roads you still haven’t ordered reforming.  We need to have it done by the time this baby reaches its first birthday, see that it’s arranged.’
‘Yes, dear.’
‘Lizzy is not liking this situation Charlotte is creating at Longbourn, she thinks it’s too odd, suspects something much worse behind our long time friend’s actions.’
‘Darcy also believes there are obscure motives in this.’
‘My sister says she has an inoffensive cold that is giving her the sneezes, for that they will delay their arrival in Netherfield for a few weeks, but the servants are already on their way to ready the place.’
‘They could stay at Longbourn, only Mary lives with your parents nowadays...’
‘No, they can’t. ‘Jane shook her head, eyes on Elizabeth’s words. ‘Darcy can’t deal with mamma’s antics. You have difficulty after a week.’
‘True.’
‘They took up Netherfield lease after we dropped it, the architect friend is staying there when the family isn’t residing.’
‘Furnington, good fellow.’ A chuckle. ‘We had good fun in Cambridge.’
 ‘You always say that, Charles.’ Jane frowned. ‘Let out this amused little laugh, compliment the man. Lizzy says Darcy also have this reaction to the remembrance of university years along this fellow. What is it?’
Nothing, nothing dear Jane. Furnington is merely engaging.’ Bingley shook his head. ‘Let me have Lizzy’s letter, Darcy writes too long missives filled with four syllable words. It’s very tiring to read his news.’
‘What does he say?’
‘Our mamma is upset, Lizzy is suspicious, Georgiana is too excited about the journey.’ He shook his hand. ‘What could be said in ten lines he made into two full pages.’ He read in silence for a moment. ‘See? This is a good letter. Short, concise, straightforward.’ 
‘So they are going to Meryton.’ Jane sighed and caressed her big tummy.  ‘But we are to stay here in the North.’
‘Waiting my heir.’
‘Fine.’
‘Perfect!’
‘I’ll be chained to my desk, then.’ Jane promised herself. ‘Will write to Lizzy every day.’ She held her bump wishing her child was already a strong babe and could be carried across the country. 
---
‘Aha!’ Mrs. Bennet yelled from the bedrooms’ hall at Longbourn. ‘There is no evil that shall last forever!’
There was no answer whatsoever. 
‘I am to be avenged, no one will steal the roof from over my head under my husband’s nose. This traitor Collins can very well pack her trunks and return to Lucas Lodge.’
That instigated an answer from a clear and calm disembodied voice. ‘I cannot return to my parents’ home because I did not come from there, Mrs. Bennet.  I came from Hunsford parsonage straight to Longbourn.’
‘Good you realized I was talking to you, Mrs. Collins.’ The older woman dragged the ‘s’ as a snake’s hissing. ‘This is not your house yet; you are not to stay here unless invited.’
‘You would not quick me out, would you Mrs. Bennet? I grew up with your children, you know me as much as my own mamma.’
‘None of my girls could abuse an elderly as you do coming here unannounced, not even your obsequious husband when single preying on my daughters had the nerve to do so.’
Charlotte pressed her eyes. ‘I am not unknown to the family; my stay here does not compromise the daily functions of the house.’
‘Ha! Would not if you didn’t intrude in everything!’
‘I am merely getting to know the house and the estate, it is a wise preoccupation for me to have since my husband is to inherit the property.’ 
‘You have come as our angel of death! You want to take control of the house and servants and tenants and expel us from our own home!’ Her voice reached higher pitches. ‘Oh, my nerves! No one has pity of my poor nerves!’
‘I cannot do such a thing, Mrs. Bennet. Mr. Bennet is the rightful owner of Longbourn.’
‘Then you leave, leave now before the ire of the Bennets befall you!’ The older woman gesticulated widely as if calling powers from heavens.
‘I will not.’
‘You wait Lizzy arrive here, wait to face Mrs. Darcy!’ A derisive laugh. ‘She is worth 10 thousand a year, her husband advises your husband’s employer, you shall have a lot to lose!’
‘Lizzy is my dearest friend.’ Charlotte shook her head and started to descend the stairs.
‘If you do not leave now, I will never speak to you again.’
‘You said that yesterday, Mrs. Bennet...’
‘Face Mrs. Darcy if you think capable of pairing that force of nature!’
Charlotte didn’t turn back, but she considered it would not be easy.

---

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Dirty Petticoats - chapter 2

hello!

My new Austenite romance is ready!

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It will be live this Valentines and I'm very excited to be back in P&P universe.
To me, it's like visiting old times friends!
So, as promissed, here is the 2nd chapter.

Here you'll find more details and links. 

DIRTY PETTICOATS

PG 13 - Regency - P&P continuation

~ chapter 2 ~
previously

‘Elizabeth?’ Darcy asked looking around the room a bit disoriented after a nap in the middle of the day. ‘My darling?’
‘Here!’
‘Here, where?’
‘My desk!’ She answered from the parlor adjoined to the bedroom.
‘What are you doing there so far from me?’
‘Commonplacing.’ 
He smiled. ‘Bring it to me, darling.’
She moved with a spring in her step, the secret notebook they shared was the epitome of sassiness. From mundane everyday information as special dinner menus to favorite quotes from poems and romances, everything was noted and read by the couple. Sometimes it was unclear if what happened was important enough to be written down or if a situation was created ultimately for that reason.
‘How are we?’ He asked when her delectable figure clad in camisole and wool peignoir entered the room.
‘This is our last safe day.’
‘We better make good use, then.’ A sideways cad like smile stretched his lips. ‘We shall dine in our rooms tonight.’ 
That expression on his handsome face, explicit intimacy post love making, was exclusively hers, Elizabeth was sure. She was no naive girl, her mamma and aunt Gardiner had talked to her about bachelors’ dealings, she imagined her husband had had liaisons before he met her; but there was no doubt his cad smile was solely for her because of what it made her feel: week in the legs, warm in the chest, melted where it mattered. ‘Georgiana will expect our presence.’
‘She is a big girl, Pemberley has an extensive library, we can spend time on our own.’
She giggled climbing in bed. That answer of his, what it meant, the desire and promise of libidinous hours with him, was the kind of memory she recorded on her personal journal; a similar volume bounded in leather with her initials engraved in gold. The little commonplace book they kept together was for their marital delight.
‘Mmm…’ Darcy made a sound from his throat studying the pages. His wife had created a neat feminine method of noting her monthly courses as one titles a book, beneath she wrote all kinds of reminders of theirs daily delights including the calculations of the safe period of a week when they could indulge in marriage duties without the use of lambskin or interrupting bliss. That she did front to back. Back to front, he took pleasure in noting positions, circumstances, anything that could improve or diversify their lovemaking. ‘I see we had already attested the good in what we did this afternoon.’
‘I’m sure we did, love!’ Elizabeth was still giggling. ‘We are most proficient! Even your aunt would compliment us on the amount of practice we dedicate to it.’
He grinned with the satisfaction of a man who had made the right choice for a life companion. Witty, sweet, handsome, intelligent, a curious and ardent lover. ‘I’ll add to it, anyway. We both enjoyed it too much today.’
She blushed and bit her lip. So many months in marriage and he still had that power over her. ‘Let me get you a pen. And the writing-box.’
He knew what the color on her cheeks was for because he also felt very warmed when remembering their bed. That day was one of those moments when riding was very uncomfortable. 
Ebk - Fov - emb - den - hfdrs - fst
He was still covered only by bed clothes, hoped to extend the intimacy session at least until dinner time. The best part of being a married gentleman, in Darcy’s opinion, was to acknowledge the admiration in his wife’s fine eyes when she saw him in disarrange or he surprised her with unusual intelligences such as the Arabic language read right to left. Such unequal situations brought out a shine to her gaze, the ardency of a woman in love with him – body and mind – what made him constantly endeavor to please her in any manner possible, even the most insignificant use of the commonplace book they kept together.
His cute bride returned carrying the writing-box her aunt had given her as a wedding gift and the crystal ink bottle that usually rested on her desk.  She deposited the tiny thing on the side table and arranged the box on his lap before getting throw pillows from the stuffed chair to help him seat more comfortably. In return, he grabbed her face with both his hands and kissed her.
‘Will that make the book too?’
‘Only if I exchange this box with you.’
Elizabeth giggled. ‘In your lap?’
‘Best place for Mrs. Darcy.’
‘I agree.’
With another quick kiss, she went around, took off the peignoir and climbed into bed beside him. As soon as she touched his arm, he twitched in a goosebump. ‘It is a bit cold, isn’t it? I thought it was just me or a draft coming from a window from the parlor. I’d better call someone to stroke the fire.’ Elizabeth was glad she had the possibility of having servants for each and all activities of the household, no matter how mundane. As the wife of a man of such consequence as Darcy, she lived in a different world from the one she had come from as a Bennet daughter. ‘Should I ask for our mail as well?’ 
‘It is not the weather affecting me, darling.’
‘To me, it seemed like a cold goosebump.’
‘You are warm enough.’
‘You are under the covers.’
‘I could have your company here…’ 
The writing-box so carefully arranged in his lap was discarded, the naughty book forgotten and dinner postponed that night.
---
Later that evening at the saloon, having an aperitif before the meal, Georgiana stopped in the middle of a song and turned from the piano-forte.
‘Third sneeze, sister. You do have a cold.’
‘Tis only an inconvenience in my nose, I told you.’ Elizabeth shook her hand keeping eyes on the letter she read.
Beside her on the couch, Darcy lovingly touched her knee and pointed the tumbler with amber liquid on the table near her. ‘Sip the brandy, it’ll help you.’ He whispered and observed as her face colored when the strong drink warmed her. He knew her cold was due to their nakedness for the most part of the afternoon.
‘So far we have invitations for the theater, the opera and two balls. When we arrive in London, I believe we won’t have much time to ourselves, Georgiana.’
‘That shall suit me just fine.’
Elizabeth looked at Darcy and back at the letters. ‘I do love the theater, the dark space when only the actors can be seen…’
‘During the intervals I shall have chance to parade my accomplishments. My first season, I may as well find agreeable suitors.’
‘There is no hurry to find a husband, Georgiana. Lizzy only accepted me when she turned one and twenty. She was mature and prepared for the role of wife. Fitzwilliam also agrees that you have much to learn from her before you can accept a man and help him care for his properties.’
‘If I do choose a man of properties, that is.’
‘I beg your pardon?’ Darcy frowned.
Elizabeth hurried to rescue. ‘Your brother means to say that as an Earl’s granddaughter, you’ll have plenty of possible suitors. Maybe even some of his friends from Cambridge-’
‘Or a friend of cousin!’ Georgiana interrupted. ‘Certainly cousin Fitzwilliam will be in town for the winter, won’t deprive me of good company.’
‘Uniform men?’ Darcy groaned.
‘Yes!’ Georgiana smiled. ‘Charming, handsome, of good position, of course. Coronel, general.’
‘Lizzy.’ He simply said with the certainty that his wife of almost two years would understand him perfectly.  
‘Wouldn’t an Earl or a Baron waiting to be an Earl suit you better? A Knight, perhaps.’ Elizabeth bit her lip seeing both Darcy siblings frown at her. ‘A landed gentleman of strong personality and serious mien worked fine for me!’ Still they kept silent. ‘Hey, what do I know! A letter from mamma!...’  She broke the seal and unfolded the paper to find confused lines of hurried penmanship. ‘How unusual… Listen to this, my love, mamma complains Charlotte is in Longbourn.’
‘Mrs. Collins?’
‘My aunt parson’s wife?’ Georgiana left the instrument and stood to approach the couple. 
‘She says Charlotte moved to live there!’ Elizabeth’s eyes moved quickly as she read the letter.
‘I bet my aunt is quite put out to lose the agreeable company. I much enjoyed her conversation when we last visited Rosings Park during the summer.’
‘She is set to live in my old room, refuses to stay with her family at Lucas Lodge.’ Elizabeth had a deep frown. ‘Mamma says Charlotte ingratiates herself on the running of the estate! Oh, gracious… She arrived a fortnight ago and insists on invading pappa’s library to search the books… Whatever for?’
‘Is it not obvious, darling?’ Darcy raised his brows. ‘Her husband is to inherit Longbourn.’
Elizabeth gasped. ‘And my friend was sent to inspect the financial health of my father’s dealings?’
‘Possibly.’
‘No, no, no…’
‘I shall write to Bingley; he may know more.’ Darcy offered. ‘Maybe Mrs. Bennet said something to Jane.’
‘We should go to Longbourn.’ Georgiana held her waist. ‘That is what all daughters should do in this hour of need, join the parents.’
‘Jane is with child; Kitty is to help her in the end of confinement.’ Elizabeth’s eyes still ran from side to side of the letter. ‘Outrageous of Charlotte! It is as if she is not herself! My friend would never act in such manner!’
‘Your parents had five daughters…’ Georgiana insisted.
‘Mary still lives at home, with the militia moving so much no one knows Lydia’s whereabouts.’ Elizabeth lowered the letter and faced Darcy. ‘What can be done? Shall I write to Charlotte? Bring her to her senses?’
‘I believe Georgiana is right, my darling. We can spend a fortnight or two at Hertfordshire before we stay in London.’ He took her hand to deposit a kiss and took the offensive letter. ‘Tomorrow I’ll make all arrangements for our travel and stay at Netherfield, as it is still in our lease. All will be well.’
‘Such a curious thing, isn’t it?’

---

continues

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An enigma!...

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see ya!

Dirty Petticoats - chapter 1

hello!

I have great news! A new Austenite romance!

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a web of gossip, half-truths and lovely PDA from Darcy & Lizzy.
This plot came from Caroline Bingley, the one who talks on money, you know?

“…and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain; and the gown which had been let down to hide it not doing its office.” chap 8

So, this always made me think how hard could it be to keep petticoats cleaned, 

and how to clean it and worse: 

did rich Lizzy Darcy keep her undergarments cleaned?

the blurb:
A lovely opportunity to eavesdrop on Pride and Prejudice after its ending, and collect clues to a Regency era puzzle.

NEWLYWED LIFE

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth are happily married enjoying the second year of their union. Freshly presented at St. James, the new Mrs. Darcy made splendid figure whenever she went, especially for her husband’s eyes. He pampered his wife with attention fed by ardent love and luxuries provided from his great consequence. Their only nuisance is his sister’s avid interest in social activities.

BOMBASTIC LETTERS

Disrupting the blissful life at Pemberley, a letter from Longborn, the estate of Elizabeth’s parents, arrives unexpectedly. It conveys astonishing information of a guest who shows great intent of having moved back to Hertfordshire. Charlotte Collins refuses to disclose her motivations for abusing Mrs. Bennet’s hospitality.

RENEWED VILLAGE

Meryton, the place where two eligible bachelors found the companions of their lives, is no longer a small sleepy village in the heart of Hertfordshire. The news of the Darcys and Bingleys wedding cruised the country inciting curiosity and many investments. The romantic spa is a fashionable place full of opportunities for liaisons of all kinds.

WEB OF INTRIGUE

Unbeknownst to everyone there is someone weaving gossip and using secrets as weapons to puppeteer the lives of the youngsters. Maids, family members, journals, newspaper ads – anything can be used to achieve a lifelong purpose when one is accomplished in the arts and allurements of meddling.
Starting from the famous Caroline Bingley’s derisive quote “…and her petticoat; I hope you saw if how rich Lizzy Darcy still soiled her undergarment. How would she do it? For what reason? For whom?

A romantic comedy-mystery tale catching the beloved Jane Austen’s characters in their most deserved happily ever after.

curious? Here you'll find more details and links.
here's the first chapter

DIRTY PETTICOATS

PG 13 - Regency - P&P continuation

~ chapter 1 ~

‘It is written somewhere that elder sisters have to comply with the wishes of the little ones. I am sure of it.’
‘I was never made aware of such law, sister.’
‘There is, I assure you. One of these days I shall endeavor to find time to research the library. Perhaps an early edition of the Scriptures...’
‘Before the latest revision, you say?’
‘…Or a family scrapbook of some sort.’
‘Ah, it runs in the family!’
‘Yes! It simply shall be done.’
Elizabeth sighed, refilled her cup with the expensive tasty tea. ‘But I am Bennet at essence, you see? Raised in a nest of sisters. If I didn’t fight for my piece of worm, I’d starve! Mamma bird couldn’t possibly feed all five daughters with attentions all the time as Fitzwilliam showered you.’
Georgiana Darcy discarded the fashion magazine she perused with little interest and tossed it aside with the previous week newspaper forgotten under other equally outdated magazines and shook her hands in front of her face. ‘It is not an exchange of civilities between siblings, Lizzy; I’m talking to my sister.’ She widened her big puppy eyes. ‘The sister I so longed for, with whom I could talk about most anything… Any delicate subject as nephews and nieces! ‘Tis a matter I could never discuss with Fitzwilliam.’
‘My marital bliss should not be something you could discuss with me either, sister.’ Elizabeth Darcy mumbled.
‘What do you mean? I only asked when will you give me nephews. Or nieces. Two at a time would be lovely.’
‘And pray, where do babies come from?’ Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. 
Georgiana frowned.
‘You don’t know?…’ Elizabeth blushed.
Georgiana blushed darker. ‘From Fitzwilliam.’ She said defensively.  ‘And…’ Pointed a gyrating finger at Elizabeth. ‘You. In bed.’
Elizabeth let out a relieved breath. For a moment she thought she’d be responsible for sullying the girl’s understanding. 
‘But that has nothing to do with bliss. It is duty and mother’s love. Aren’t you anxious to have little ones? Already two years since your matrimony! When I wed, I shall have as many infants as possible in the first year.’
A big smile lighted her face for bliss was what filled Elizabeth’s days and nights since she was taken as Mrs. Darcy. ‘Almost two years.’ Georgiana was still naive in the arts and allurements of love; the girl would learn about it when she did wed a worthy gentleman. ‘I want to enjoy my husband for a little while more before the need to divide my attention with the nursery. Our second season is about to start, the first since I was presented at court. Finally, we can enjoy the Ton, Fitzwilliam does not need to fear the matchmakers, I do not need any more instructions in society. We will be free this season.’
‘Hmpf!’ Georgiana crossed her arms and pouted. ‘That was what he said.’
‘So you did talk to him about this subject?’
‘I mentioned the house was too quiet, we need children.’
‘Maybe we can invite my aunt Gardiner after the season. She can bring her troop!’
‘She has several children…’
‘As we shall have.’ A happy smile. ‘I can imagine a little Fitzwilliam carrying a blanket with a frown.’ Elizabeth pouted lovingly. ‘Maybe with my eyes.’
‘You do dream of children?…’
‘Of course!’
‘But then, Heaven is mad at you, because you don’t want them. Your refusal is punishment.’ Georgiana blinked.
‘Nothing of the sort!’ Elizabeth laughed.  
‘Good gracious, we need to visit the monastery of Glastonbury.’
‘Heaven blessed me with a wonderful husband and a mind obstinate enough to love him without sharing!’ She put down her cup. 
‘Then, as the result of every matrimony is heirs, what can be happening?...’ A loud gasp.
‘Listen, married ladies have a way to control nature…’ She bit her lip. ‘Don’t know if you can hear about this.’
‘Do tell. I am in tatters here thinking you might be ill.’
‘I am perfectly fine, rest assured.’ She patted the younger girl’s hand. ‘Tis only a trick. Let us say it like this: a trick. The married lady’s trick is to count nights starting from the strawberry peppered petticoats’ day.’
‘We’re not in berry season, sister.’
‘Mamma taught us to say it this way, when we first transitioned from girlhood. Jane and I had it almost together, it came as such a terror to us to see our petticoats smeared in red and that funny pressure-’ She touched her tummy, Georgiana nodded. ‘Maybe that was why she spoke of the delicious fruit.’
‘My companion explained the monthly courses telling me to watch out for dirty petticoats.’
‘Dirty petticoats happened when I had leisure time to visit neighbors or walk to Meryton and got six inches of mud on my skirts!’ A giggle. ‘Nowadays I drive a phaeton or am driven around during my rounds to the tenants.  Hardly have time to wander the park…’
‘Do you regret being Mrs. Darcy?’
‘No!’
‘The way you said it…’
‘You misunderstood me.’ Elizabeth rolled her shoulders.  ‘I just miss the small adventures I had back home, tis all.’
‘Your home is not even the same anymore…’ Georgiana felt a small sting, she wanted her new sister to like Pemberley best than she liked her parents’ estate.
‘Yes!’ A giggle. ‘Meryton is such a fashionable little village, unbelievable!’ Elizabeth blinked mischievous eyes to the distance contemplating the silliness of the idea of her birth place being so changed.
‘You spend nights counting nothing, that is the reason of your boredom.’
‘I am not bored.’
‘I heard you.’
‘You most certainly did not hear me say that.’
A pout. ‘You could play the pianoforte with me every night. You’d be more proficient.’
Elizabeth tilted her head to regard her new sister-in-law curiously. ‘You speak about Fitzwilliam’s heirs in what purpose, Georgiana?’
‘Why, what reason could I have?’ The girl snorted.
‘Does it come from your heart?’
‘The yearning for little nephews and nieces? Of course!’
‘Are you certain no one is prompting you to bring this subject to my attention?’
‘What is it you suspect, Lizzy?’ Georgiana sighed impatiently.  ‘We are sisters, partners! When I choose a man to marry, I expect you to be the one to talk to me about such matters. Mamma’s advices were never an option for me, with no other relative I have such closeness only with you.’
‘You have aunt Catherine…’ Elizabeth raised one eyebrow. 
Georgiana giggled. ‘Imagine her advices on children! On accepting courtships, they are so confusing…’
‘Has her periodic letter arrived? Maybe she sent one especially to you and I am entertaining the notion that being a good girl, you cannot resist abiding to her orders…’
‘I hate when you do that.’ Georgiana again pointed a gyrating finger to her own face mimicking Elizabeth’s expression. ‘And speaks slowly. Do I seem gullible to you?’
‘You are, sister.’
‘Absolutely!’
Elizabeth pursed her lips and nodded.
‘You are mistaken, Lizzy. I speak my own mind. No one shall never deceive me again. Life has taught me very hard lessons and I pride myself in having found strength of will.’ A nose slightly elevated in defiance. ‘Georgiana Darcy is a lady of her own.’
‘Well, she’d better remember how Fitzwilliam Darcy resents Lady Catherine for trying to interfere in his life on the occasion of our engagement.’ Elizabeth cautioned and saw Georgiana’s assured expression melt a little. ‘Several months of cut relations with the old aunt until Charlotte and I finally managed to convince them both to make amends. Still there is bad blood between them, no further interference will be forgiven on his part.’
‘Aunt deserves brother’s ire.’
‘Oh?’
‘She had no right in accosting you before brother had a chance to offer his hand. Aunt Catherine likes gossip too much.’
‘And you?’
A gasp. ‘Do you compare me with her? How insulting!’
Elizabeth laughed. ‘Such an accomplished actress!’
Georgiana stuck her tongue out. 
There was silence for a moment. 
‘I received no letter from aunt. I demand a nephew because your sister is about to give an heir to Charles Bingley and your other sister has given two to George Wickham-’
‘Do not speak that name in this house!’ Elizabeth pointed an incisive finger at the girl. ‘Especially you, Miss Darcy. I warn you that I shall not be able to contain my husband’s ire if he hears you find ways to speak of the man who almost compromised you.’
A deep blush took over the girl’s face. ‘I’m merely comparing you to your sisters…’
‘How very kind! Such politeness... You very well know that my other three sisters are always welcomed here. Jane, Mary and Kitty can visit as they please, but Lydia is married to that vile man who once was Fitzwilliam’s best friend and this place’s son. His betrayal in trying to seduce is unforgivable. Be warned, sister. Provoke your brother and prepare to live locked in the tower!’
‘Pemberley has no tower… And I will need to accept courtships from eligible gentlemen, you know. Soon. Your mamma offered to help me choose.’ 
Elizabeth felt a shiver run down her spine. ‘I bet your brother will have a very tall tower built only to toss you in. Every now and then I can put a new book or music sheet in the bucket you hoist up with your meal.’ She jested.
Several blinks were necessary to cool Georgiana’s head. ‘Very funny.’ Her brother’s wife rolled her shoulders, incarceration was a real possibility. ‘Maybe aunt is apoplectic, her letters are delayed, aren’t they? She always writes once every two months…’ She said in a little voice.
‘Anne would have told us.’
‘Oh, Anne died and forgot to lie.’ Georgiana sighed, looked around her, fidgeted with her dress’ ribbon. ‘What do you need to count, anyway?’
‘Marital bliss.’
‘What?’
‘Never mind, Georgiana. ‘
‘Tell me.’ She ordered. ‘Or I shall ask Fitzwilliam.’
Elizabeth knew her husband would never talk about their dirty book with his sister, but it might make him upset to discover the subject was discussed with the pure girl who’d already been in the hands of a cad once. So she did tell.
‘You take notes of the days you suffer from monthly charges in a book? And those help you avoid being with child!… How modernity has evolved!…’
‘Aunt Gardiner says it has been done like this for ages, not at all modern. And it can fail us. But we have been doing it so far.’
‘Can I see it?’
‘No.’
‘Please?’
‘Absolutely not!’ Elizabeth blushed and blushed for her commonplace book also contained naughty notes recording special dates and aphrodisiacs they enjoyed best. Her husband took special pleasure in keeping it updated.
‘I thought having a sister would be different.’
‘I am very pleased with the gift of your sisterhood.’
‘Huh.’ The girl raised her nose. ‘You want me to feel guilty.’
A chuckle.  ‘It’s not fun if you realize it!’
Georgiana tried to contain her smile. ‘It will not work.’
‘What?’
She didn’t answer directly, but her head was quickly filling with potty ideas. ‘I shall enjoy season with you in London. It is my first after St James court as well.’
‘Yes, yes…’ Elizabeth smiled weakly. Would she be prepared to help her husband help his sister choose a husband? Another chill ran down her spine. ‘What time is it?’
‘The clock is right behind you.’
‘Oh, please, do be as impertinent as a little sister can be!’ She let out a delicate groan and raised her derriere to turn completely on the seat so as to face the clock. ‘Still early for Fitzwilliam to return…’ Elizabeth whispered to herself. 
‘Why did you do that?’ Georgiana giggled. ‘Are you a porcelain doll now?’
‘Got a stiff neck, must have slept in an awkward position.’
‘Mrs. Reynolds has camphor alcohol.’  
Elizabeth twisted her nose and was about to answer looking to the side as much as she could without moving her neck when the door opened. 
‘Hello!’
‘Fitzwilliam!’
‘My love.’ He kissed Elizabeth’s forehead, held her hand and leaned to kiss Georgiana as well.
‘Do you want tea, brother?’
‘No, thanks.’ Darcy shook his head. ‘Were you expecting me?’ He asked Elizabeth. ‘Facing the door…’
‘No.’
‘No?’
‘Yes…’
‘So soon?’
‘Well, you left early…’
‘I have got this discomfort, it pains me.’ He flexed his left arm. ‘Must have slept in an awkward position.’
Elizabeth smiled. ‘Poor you…’
‘Lizzy suffers as well.’ Georgiana was frowning.  ‘I told her Mrs. Reynolds could help.’
‘Yes, of course. Camphor.’ Darcy nodded pulling Elizabeth to her feet by the hand he never let go. ‘It brings great relief.’
‘If you say so, I am obliged to believe, husband.’
‘So you are.’
Before Georgiana could realize she had been abandoned, the couple was mounting the first steps to the upper floor.
‘Mrs. Darcy?’ The butler called.
‘Yes, Mr. Bert?’ Elizabeth stopped and turned all around moving her feet little by little. 
‘Your mail has just arrived, madam.’ He bowed. ‘Yours as well, sir.’
‘Take it to my study, please. I shall tend to it later.’ 
‘Very well, madam.’
As they restarted climbing hand in hand, she grinned. ‘Did I do it right?’
‘Perfectly! No mistress of Pemberley would waste her safe days with mail.’
‘Husband comes first!’
He kissed her hand as they reached their bedroom door.

---
continues here

wiki

I'll post the 3 first chapters, come read more and pick it up on Valentines!

See ya!

All the women in Gentleman Jack

hello! It's been a while since I watched Gentleman Jack but I'm still in love with the series... How couldn't I be? 

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At first I was mainly curious about it because it is set in 1832, the time frame for my historical Jane Austen fan fiction novel ECLIPSE OF THE HEART, book 2 of the LOVE IN 3 ACTS trio. 
As a Brazilian shying from writing historical fiction set here (especially in Rio de Janeiro) due to the abhorring practice of slavery that only started to ebb away from 1888 on, I'm always thristy for research material - any kind I can get my hands on. A  BBC/HBO production couldn't be too far from the reality, not that I keep checking to make sure the poetical licenses are not too big... Nope, not me. Huh, huh.
And what was my surprise and deep curiosity? I had never heard of  Anne Lister before.

shame on me!

I'm always sniffing around for any sort of files, manuals, historical documents, great personalities and still, nothing of the remarkable life of this woman had ever came to my knowledge. Not a clue! I was deeply disappointed in myself. 
So there was that characteristic of her homossexuality and the fact that Anne Lister wasn't the only one at the time. Duh! 

This I was aware of, humans are humans since forever, it's in our nature to experiment and cross boundaries in order to find a place to fit. Or a life style. Or a self-assurance. 
My historical romance novels tend to talk about that, the search; in the LOVE IN 3 ACTS trio there is a homossexual character, a nobleman, who lives a socially accepted life in the outside; his whole in Darcy & Lizzy's affair grows and shifts according to the problems they find. But he is a guy, and rich. How much different/difficult it was for a woman?
Women's little lives were so much more constrained than ours, what could they do about 'unusal preferences' in the 19th century?
Oh, btw, I have to warn you. I'm the spoiler queen and this post is filled with info and bits and POV. 

historical place at the Lister family property, Shibden Hall - Halifax 

For all those reasons,
this show was pure delight for me! 

These are the opening credits, notice the fantastic wardrobe for Anne! Petticoats, long skirt, pocket watch, cravat, coat and top hat! 

Ha! 

So ambiguous, so hybrid!

She is (was) a lesbian. Yes.
There are sexual insinuations of a liaison between women. Yes.
Anne seduces women. Yes.
But also there is something else no one considers:

THE POV OF OTHER WOMEN
and that is wonderful!

-Aunt Anne, old and sickly, who lives vicariously through her niece's (Anne Lister) aventurous life;
-Marian, Anne Lister's sister, spinster and hopeful, who makes a huge effort to marry in order to save her own life; 
-Eugénie, the wanton and stupid maid, who falls in love for any man and ends up rejected;
-Condingley, the wise and nice maid, who was thrown into the cook post because an illness prevents her from keep travelling with Anne;
-Mrs. Priestley, the prejudiced and gossiping neighboor, who plots against Anne for misunderstanding and judgement of other people's love choices;
-Ann Walker, poor rich girl, who is exploited & abused for her beauty and money by relatives, men, servants;
-Elizabeth, Ann Walker's unhappily married sister, who was duped by her husband interested in her money, not her company;
-Mrs. Aimsworth, deceased, unhappy and unable to fight her vile horrible husband;
-Mary, the frightened and abused tenants' wife, who lived under her violent husband's reign of terror;
-Susannah, the curious and smart steward's daughter, who marries a man without knowing he killed his own father;
-Mariana, rich and smart friend of Anne Lister, who decided to marry a man for fear of social sanctions to her sexuality;
-Anne Lister, our hero, a woman ahead of her time, adventurous, smart, clever, learned, who cheats on the society's restrict rules imposed to women. Of course, it wasn't cheap. 

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These pictures came from BBC one on Twitter, all beautiful photos of the female characters compared to delicious treats... I thought it so... interesting. Of all the thousands of allegories they could have chosen, it was food to be eaten, indulgencies, small sins even. 

During the first three episodes I was very excited about wardrobe, settings, great acting, Anne Lister's manly funny gestures. She is very amusing and... Gentlemanly. The way she speaks, move around, behave when in women's company - very interesting detail is that she is allowed along women anytime because she is one of them, although she behaves like a man. The liberties only man of the family could have with the women but actually being a friend paying a visit. Ha! Many times she is in her shirt and waistcoat, no coat at all, while talking and telling jokes about her travels around the world.

hollywood reporter

And when she eventually wears girly dresses, it is hilarious!  

Ver essa foto no Instagram

"All night I kept thinking if you'd have seen me, you'd laugh. I had to wear white satin, head to toe in white satin. I had two birds of paradise in my hair. One of them fell out in the carriage, but I managed to stick it back it. I don't think anyone noticed but I made a bit of an impact one way or another." 🎩 #annelister #surannejones #gentlemanjack #pride

Uma publicação compartilhada por Gentleman Jack The Lass (@gentlemanjackthelass) em 12 de Jun, 2019 às 1:03 PDT

I kept wondering and comparing, thinking that if it was the reverse, if such thing could happen... if, if, if... Then I searched her diaries and found out that the writer of the show Sally Wainright (who did such a greeeeeat job) actually used SEVERAL QUOTES verbatin! And then I stopped. It was better to research after I finished bingewatching the show to avoid finding errors or too big licenses. It was the best thing I could do!

hiccup broom

That way I could enjoy all the small little sweet details as the perpetually sagging shoulders on the depressive Ann Walker's dresses opposed to the smart outfits for Anne Lister; the colorful prints in Marian dresses, the rich dresses for Mariana and the watery tones for Elizabeth, the sad sister.

So I arrived in episode 4. 

This scene was when the show really got me.
It came from another important one when Anne Lister demands an answer from Ann Walker: she must decide if she prefers to stay by her side (Lister) or marry her late friend's widower (I talked about Aimsworth above). Pressured, the depressive Ann sends a fruit basket (such an expensive gift) to Anne with a letter asking her to pick the answer 'yes' or 'no' from a pouch hidden between the treats since she is unable to solve her own life. Anne goes mad in rage and desperation, visits Ann and shouts if other people's lives are only a child's game to her. And then, me who was enraptured by the events so far, went mouth agape with this >>>
Watch. 

Did you notice the bidings of female reality? 

The many layers of social restraints?

The rich heir was abused constantly by her sickly friend's husband while the woman was in the joining room. Did she know and allowed because she was older than the husband (the 15 years difference between husband and wife is mentioned earlier in the show; also that the friend used to say that when she died, it would be up to Ann to care for the husband... Poor man... Boohoo!) Was she being fooled? Was this something created for the show? I didn't have the guts to research...

This complicity with us is very cool, each episode has such one moment. Usually this 'breaking of the 4th wall' is something funny or teasing, but this one broke my heart. 

From this point on I started to pay more attention to the other women in the show and found distance from the 'lesbian' - which was supposed to be the main attraction. The Anne Lister shown is much more than her sexuality, what at the time was considered 'something that people did' and not 'what people were'. She was the queen of her domain, cared for her property, made investments, bought, sold, decided everything... As much as we do today and as many of us still cannot do. It was pretty amazing!

In real life, Anne and Ann got anonymous hate mail too, only crueler than in the show, dirty jokes like posting adds searching for husbands in their names. In the show Anne is attacked violently and painfully humiliated. Also her sister in a very moving scene. Ann suffers from depression so severe that she ends up falling under social pressures. Elizabeth regrets having put herself in the awful position of her own husband's hostage when she accepted the unfortunate marriage. 

Life is hard in any era, I suppose.

annelister co

I believe that Anne Lister didn't actually have the intention of leaving us moral lessons, she kept journals for her own cathartic needs. It is said that she took the habit when she was isolated in an attic in tender age while at a boarding school. At the time she started a code (above) that she used up to her suden death, maybe from a mosquito bite along a tour through Russia - she was 49 years old.  

annelister co

As Jane Austen, she too wrote long letters and sometimes used the paper as much as she could scribbing in different direction. 

catablogue

But even unwittinly, her diaries left us incredible clues of female evolution through time. You don't have to be lesbian to enjoy the show or admire her amazing deeds. In fact, you may even fast foward the risqué scenes if you'd rather - or skip them altogether. Not many anyway. 

BTW: Gentleman Jack was a manner one of her lovers addressed her in mail, to disguise the homossexual liaison...

All in all, watch it. 

It's worth it.

look out point tv

I'm anxious for season 2!

see ya

I researched  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and stopped because I have a lot to do, But could easily spend the whole day at it. 

All videos came from BBC one on Twitter. Many thanks.