Seraphine's wedding day

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

Seraphine comes back from the nearby parish and reports that the parson there would be happy to wed them any day when there is no hunting, if they attend at the proper hour with the licence and two witnesses.

My dear Seraphine, say I, much as I should desire to witness your matrimonial rites, I am no longer going out, being so very great with child (for I have been reliev'd of the duty of going to church and listening to Mr G- rant about what pleases him not for several weeks now for this reason). I am sure Hector and Phoebe would be happy to attend your nuptials, or Roberts may have friends that he should like to have present.

Oh madame, responds Seraphine, I shall be desolated not to have you there, but indeed it would be imprudent. Indeed I wonder should you be sending for Mrs Black.

No, I reply, much as I should like to be done with this business, for it is quite exceeding tedious, I cannot anticipate its ending for some weeks yet. I place my hand upon my belly and feel a little kicking. Though sure the child is lively.

Roberts returns from Town with the licence and says that he attended several fine services in Wesley's Chapel. Also, he says, he went to the theatre although he knows it is widely considered a sinfull thing, and saw a most excellent play. Mr MacD- was quite extraordinary helpfull to him over many matters, including buying the necessary ring.

Comes the day that they have decided for the wedding and I stand upon the step waving them off until Euphemia (who stays behind to prepare the wedding breakfast) urges me to step in out of the cold (for there is a brisk breeze), and madame, I will bring you a nice cup of hot chocolate.

I go sit by the parlour fire and feel a little tearfull at this change in the household. Seraphine and Julius will go to live in the gardener's cottage with Roberts. It is right that she should have her own establishment but we have been together these many years.

Indeed, when I set up independent after my apprenticeship with Madame Z- Seraphine came with me out of her household where she had been under-cook, so this will be a considerable change.

I think of the education I had from Madame Z-. I never became precisely fond of her, for she was very exacting, but I am ever gratefull for the sound training in the conduct of my profession that she gave me.

Among the matters upon which she insisted was ensuring that the financial matter be discussed before any carnality takes place (a rule I broke when I first took up with dear Biffle) and that there is no haggling over price. Also, above and beyond, any gentleman that expects or enjoys one's favours should be generous in the matter of presents.

However, in spite of this prudence she was not entirely business-like, keeping her gold hidden in various secret compartments in the house, for she had no notion of banks or investment.

She instructed us in the positions of love, and the postures one should choose to show off one's particular charms, or conceal any defects. She warned us against getting a reputation for special pleasures, for then few that require natural gratifications will seek one's services.

She advised us to lay in a store of lewd pictures and naughty devices, for the encouragement of gentlemen of sluggish desires.

She taught us how to apply a baudruche so that it seems some pretty refinement to the act.

We were also oblig'd to learn not just how to play cards, but to deal in a fashion that shows pretty, to hold our cards to display an elegant hand and wrist, &C.

Miss G- and I also spent many hours practising the deployment of the fan.

We were also oblig'd to spent much time looking after her nasty little lapdogs, brushing them, washing them, taking them for walks, cleaning up their mess, which gave us both a distaste to the entire canine race; as well as caring for her clothes and jewels, &C, for, she said, you will need to know how these things are done so that you can tell that your lady's maid is dealing properly with such matters.

For a considerable while we were not permitted even to think of taking patrons, though we attended Madame Z-'s card-parties and soirees and were instructed to make ourselves usefull in serving drinks, fetching fresh packs, sorting counters, &C.

The lack of romps might have been more tiresome to me had Miss G- and I, practising our postures together, not fallen into the discovery of girlish amusement with one another: indeed I wonder whether Madame Z-, on advising us to the mutual practice of these arts, had intended this in order to distract us from gentlemen until we were fully fit to make our debut as courtesans.

I hear the carriage driving up and go out to welcome in the wedding party. Euphemia has laid out a most excellent wedding breakfast in the dining room, and we all go in to celebrate the day. Seraphine and Roberts look most extreme happy with one another. There is much merriment and also a certain tearfullness especially when Seraphine and Julius depart with Roberts to their new home.

Hector says that Roberts had better treat her well, or he will know about it, a sentiment I daresay he has already communicated to the newly-married couple.

She will always have a place here, I say, whatever happens, come what may.

There is a moment's silence as I think all in the room consider the perils of childbirth, which is something from which I have tried to keep my mind these many months, although I drew up a will once I had decided upon my course of action.

Comments

[ironed_orchid]

Ooh, I love this glimpse into Madame C's past.

[nenya_kanadka]

I love the backstory! And in conjunction with the latest news of Seraphine's wedding (three cheers for Seraphine and Roberts!) it reminds me of how very fond I have become of all these people. <3

[ankaret]

O dear, I hope Mr H- has no mind to ask Madame C- to pose in the attitude of Diana, with hounds.

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

At present she would be in the role of Callisto, surely?

[clanwilliam]

Considering Mr P-'s current interests, maybe Nessa would be even more appropriate.

[kathmandu]

Ah, the perils of childbirth. I had tried not to think about them, but I too would feel better if Madame C. had Mrs. Black in attendance. An experienced and trusted midwife makes such a difference, and the travel time from London is so far, I worry that by the time Madame C. was sure she needed to summon Mrs. Black, it would be too late.

On the other hand, there are probably lots of women in London who would suffer if Mrs. Black were taken away for the next month or two.

[rhivolution]

Very glad to hear of Seraphine's day being so lovely. And so interesting to hear of Mme C-'s youth and training! She should write memoirs of her early days, perhaps.