Two weddings and several revelations (21)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Quaint anomaly

All were sat about the fire in the fine parlour at Yeoman’s – Ellen had finally come to accept that she should be entirely one of the family and not go sit at a chilly distance with little Theo upon her lap, only jumping up was there some matter ado with Miss Miranda -

Miranda drowsed, thumb in mouth, in Hannah’s lap.

Hannah looked at the little group: dear Verrie, listening to darling Kate reading; darling Kate taking care to read close to the ear trumpet (good kind girl); Johnny and Jamie also listening attentive (so fortunate that the day had been bright and clear though cold and they had been able to go work off their high spirits in racing about the gardens); dearest Beatrice’s eyelids beginning to droop, sure 'twas nigh time to go be sleepy wombatts -

And then the banging of the front door and the pattering of feet across the hall and a sudden draught as the parlour-door opened and Flora came in.

The quiet scene quite immediate became somewhat like unto a riot: Ellen endeavouring to stand and curtsey, causing Theo to wake and wail; the children running at once to Flora to ask had she brought them anything from Town; Verrie telling her to come to the fire and ringing for hot tea.

Hannah smiled and looked down at Miranda, sleeping peacefully – philosophically? – on.

Presents were distributed and all began to tell Flora their news.

Hannah looked at Beatrice about to become a little fractious with over-excitement, handed Miranda to Verrie, and said, come along, my sleepy wombatt, bedtime. Beatrice showed a little reluctance but was eventually conveyed to the nursery, washed and put into her nightgown, and sleepy wombatts snuggled together until the smaller one fell asleep. Hannah planted a kiss on her temple, just above that winged eyebrow, and felt suddenly tearful. When they had made this lovely child, it had been in every expectation that her father would see how she grew.

She paused on the landing to compose herself before returning to the parlour, where she was relieved to discover that Ellen had already taken Miranda and Theo to their cradles, and that the others were on their way to bed. Hannah cautioned Kate not to wake Beatrice.

Was it not delightful, said Verrie to Flora, that the Lowndes were able to come visit and spend a few days here? – they are such busy people. Indeed I think it did Ellen good to talk to Mrs Lowndes, that is such a noted educator –

And, said Flora, not in the least severe and intimidating! Can she put Ellen on the same lines that we were taught – though sure, she must have had some apprehension of 'em from Mrs Randall, for she and Mrs Lowndes were in correspondence? – 'tis quite entirely what we should want for the children. I am very sorry to have missed 'em, but, the claims of ancient nursery friendship –

Verrie was eager to hear somewhat of the forthcoming marriages – one hopes Lady Diana Ambert will keep up her studies in botany –

Oh, I fancy she will, said Flora. Lord Rollo has such a fine example before him of learned ladies in the family; and sure I did not know him particularly well before, but he turns out a great admirer of Quintus and desires take up sanitary reform matters. Has some thought to go into Parliament.

Very gratifying, said Verrie. But sure, she yawned, 'tis my own bedtime.

At last the two of them were alone. Flora came over to Hannah, put her arms around her and kissed the top of her head. My gracious silence, she said.

Has been in my mind, said Hannah, that Coriolanus was less praising his wife there than aiming an indirect hit at his mother. She took Flora’s hands and squeezed them. Has it been immense tedious, my darling?

Flora threw herself down into an easy chair and groaned. Indeed so, she said. A deal less of seeing the people I should have liked to see and having converse with 'em than I should have desired, far too much in the way of social triviality, and I was shocking out of humour, a bad naughty Flora. O, I find that Janey Knighton is a fine agreeable intelligent young woman at the betwixt and between time of life, groaning upon the matter of her come-out and introduction to Society – dearest, did not Mr MacDonald mention some talk of a college for women? –

O, indeed, but I confide 'tis not intended for young women in her station but to improve the qualifications of those that must go out governessing.

Flora sighed. Even so, she might perchance attend classes – O, and I saw a little, less than I should have wanted, of Meg and Bess – Bess was in Town about theatre business.

And, I presume, no suitors?

Flora groaned exceedingly. Bobbie Wallace thinks I should make a most excellent political wife - Hannah giggled – is’t not tiresome? There he is, a handsome enough fellow, excellent dancer, and alas the most conventional notions. Have sometimes wondered – but 'twould not be answerable. She sighed. Would have very vulgar notions upon mistresses &C I doubt not – Sure I think I had rather be considered as that temptress to sins that Jimmie was I confide obliged to go confess once he had taken his congé –

Also, said Hannah, I do not have the entire highest opinion of Bobbie Wallace’s discretion.

Indeed so, my darling.

I thought, said Hannah – but saw naught came of it – that you had somewhat of an inclination to that fine fellow Bernardo di Serrante. That one hears is now gone to join the Cause in Italy –

Flora sighed, shaking her head. Oh, 'Nardo di Serrante! The most romantic-looking creature one might imagine, a fine pretty tempting fellow, was’t not so? might have been the hero from one of Tiger’s Gothic tales – Hannah, laughing, nodded – entirely formed for love, one would suppose; but, my dear, these Yankees, I would not have believed it had I not had it from his own lips. When I went about to talk about the injustices of the relations of the sexes – for I apprehend that his excellent mama, besides being most fierce against slavery, also considers upon the position of women – I discovered him an entire Galahad, nay, even a Hippolytus, that declares that men should be as chaste as monks - or mayhap chaster, does one take Gothic literature as any guide – and come virgin to the marriage-bed. Rather than arriving at some contemplation that perchance chastity is somewhat overrated as a virtue and that 'tis the vile way society will behave towards what it deems unchastity in women that is the real evil.

Why, said Hannah, while 'tis entire meritorious that he comes at the notion that there should not be a different law for men and for women, indeed, I think you are right that he has it by the wrong end. She grinned. I wonder how he will do in Naples.

One may hope, said Flora, that Marcello will write most fully to dear Tiger with any gossip.

They looked at one another and giggled.

Indeed he was pretty, said Flora, but that consideration that he would not be lingering about making sheep’s eyes was also in my mind. She gave a little groan. Sure I am a wicked fickle Flora – there is my Tiger with her several favourites that she has had these many years – though I apprehend there is some trouble over Sir Vernon growing exigeant –

They were both silent for a little while, gazing into the fire.

Perchance, said Hannah at length, we have already a sufficient complement of orphans?

Flora looked thoughtful. May be so, she said. Indeed I do not feel any yearning at present towards maternity; but – she was silent for several minutes – o, Hannah, do you not feel carnal desires, quite apart from any matter of making copies?

Hannah looked down at her hands and then into the fire. Why, she said, I do not in the least dislike the business that goes to making copies, 'tis very pleasurable, and indeed I have had most agreeable times with Josh without we were about that. But I am not troubled by yearnings is he not here.

Flora sighed. You are fortunate, she said. For I – o, Hannah, I know we will argue that 'tis entirely a natural feeling and there is naught wrong in it, save for the misguided way in which society thinks of such matters, but I am sometimes in fears that I will do something reckless and come to disgrace. She wrapped her arms about herself, rocking to and fro.

My darling, said Hannah, dearest Flora – and fell silent.

After a long pause she began again, You are not ignorant, she said, of what are called Sapphic matters –

Indeed not, said Flora, but – She paused for several moments. Oh, Hannah, might it be - ?

Hannah gave a little shrug. I am a quaint anomalous thing, she said quietly, and that matter does not rouse in me that horror that I daresay the conventional right-thinking person might feel. Also, she added with a small smile, I am like to suppose that there are those imagine themselves knowing and worldly already consider that the Ladies of Yeomans are much like unto those of Attervale.

O! cried Flora, raising her hands to blushing cheeks. Sure I am a foolish blind creature – I never supposed – and yet – there was a most tedious reception at Nuttenford House, and I went sit private a moment in the conservatory, and came across Miss Fenster on a similar errand, and we fell into converse, what a fine intelligent woman she is, and in a while came in Lady Emily Merrett and quite looked daggers at me – oh, I hope I have not caused trouble 'twixt 'em.

And sure, she went on, I have loved none so much as you all these years, and yet I never thought –

Perchance, said Hannah, 'tis that you think of me in the light of a sister?

I confide not. She stood up. Oh, Hannah, my darling, should you be vastly offended did I come kiss you?

Dearest Flora, I should be entire delighted if you would.

Oh, said Flora, some considerable while later, 'tis most extreme agreeable indeed and I wonder I never had the notion afore now. Indeed, I was missing you most greatly while I was away, and feeling some foolish jealousy - Hannah raised an eyebrow – seeing you so absorbed in deep converse with Mr MacDonald –

Dearest Flora, said Hannah, surely you entirely apprehend the terms we are upon –

O, did I not say 'twas foolish: but, mayhap I had some apprehension that I had not fully come to realize, concerning my own feelings… But, dear other self, she went on, what did you mean by a quaint anomalous thing?

O, 'tis mayhap foolishness in me, but sometimes I will go to some gathering of one or other of the literary and intellectual circles to which I have the entrée, by way of the Lowndes and Mr MacDonald and other friends, and indeed most will take me as they find me, but there are those consider me a prodigy of nature more on the lines of a dancing dog, or mayhap a talking parrot, than a learned woman, and will quiz me, and try to catch me out, supposing there must be some trick in the matter. But indeed, my darling, do not take on about the matter: I am freed from a deal of expectations, and may live this very pleasant life we share, and 'tis a very occasional irksome encounter thrown into the balance.

Flora growled into Hannah’s neck. O, she said, I mind how Papa used to say, I was greatly wishful to punch him upon the nose, and indeed I should very much desire to do the like, but I doubt not 'twould cause a great scandal and be most deleterious to our work.

Entirely so, my dearest, said Hannah, kissing Flora’s ear. Do I have my darling and our dear children in this place, the fine friendship of Mr MacDonald and the Lowndes and others in our circles, work to my hand, I would be a sad discontented creature did I complain. But, my love, you have had a long day, and the children will be up betimes as ever, and we should to bed.

Flora stood up, and cast down her eyes, and said, shyly, Might I come sleep in your bed?

Hannah looked up at her, smiling back. I should be desolate did you not.

Comments

[rymenhild]

!!!

I am so happy. All the news here was terrific (meeting the children and Ellen! 'Nardo di Serrante as Galahad!)... but Flora/Hannah is the best news. Party in this thread, shippers.

[azurelunatic]

Maximum felicity!

[redbird]

This is most pleasing.

[aedifica]

Oh, yay! I like them both so much, and I'm happy they are adding to their relationship this way. (And maybe it will reassure Flora that Hannah isn't likely to leave her? Probably not, because brains can be jerks that way, but I will hope.)

[kore]

FLORA/HANNAH, the best OTP.

[nenya_kanadka]

YES AT LAST :D

[alatefeline]

SQUEEEEEEEE!!!

[derien]

Most genteel proposition EVAH.

[ashbet]

*glows with happiness*

<3!

[white_hart]

YES!!!! I had really been hoping that it would come to this.

[castiron]

Awwwww!!!

(Trying to remember -- who is Beatrice's father?)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Gervase.

[castiron]

Ah, now I remember. Thanks!

[genarti]

:D :D :D :D :D

[violsva]

\o/!

[nenya_kanadka]

Perchance, said Hannah, ‘tis that you think of me in the light of a sister?

I confide not. She stood up. Oh, Hannah, my darling, should you be vastly offended did I come kiss you?

Dearest Flora, I should be entire delighted if you would.

eeeeeeeEEEEEEEE!

Yes! Finally! AWWWW. <3333