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Calling on Caroline Wednesday Late Morning


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  • #43 The Townhouse of Lady Kendishall

Located on the south corner of Picadilly, this large house seems almost out of place with the smaller town homes further up the block. Likely it is because it predates the development of Pall Mall and St. James Square.

 Though the house shows signs of age from its Tudor origins, the walled grounds of two acres are well maintained, with a nice garden in back. There is an entry gate to the front, and a gate in the rear to the stables. A military man might appreciate the security of the perimeter.

 The house has 3 levels plus an attic. The ground level hosts a small ballroom, parlor, dining room and study. The second floor hosts a masters BR, Missus BR, and a guest room. The third floor has three guest rooms, with the servants sleeping in the attic.

 

It was a bit early for the aristocracy, but not significantly so.  A coach arrived in the front of Lady Kendishall's home.  A matron in a gown of ivory color descended from the step lowered by the lone coachman.  A parisol shielded delicate features from the sun as she moved to the front door and rang the bell.

"Lady Habersham to see Lady Kendishall," the matron replied to the doorman.  It took all of her resolve to not sweep by the man and look for the drawing room.

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Caroline's Irishman would not have allowed this woman to barge in like that so it was fortunate she had not tried it. He was not the best of servants or doormen, not all that good at driving a coach but if there was one thing he was dedicated to it was being a bodyguard for his 'French lady'. Not that this woman looked to be a dangerous sort at all.  He nodded and opened the door wide enough for her to enter.

"Come in, milady," he tried to sound all proper but probably didn't.

"I shall go see if she's up. She can be a late sleeper, Lady Kendishall," he explained. He almost slipped and said  'Caroline' for in the privacy of the residence they did address each other by Christian names. Scandalous of course but who knew.

***

Caroline must have heard the bell herself and had headed down from her second floor bedroom to see just who it was who had arrived. A glance out her upper storey window had revealed a coach she did not recognize. So no, it was not George. He had not been around in a while and she worried. At least she had taken the time to put her feet into slippers and wrap a robe about herself but of course her hair was down not up, there had been no time for her maid to help her with that.

"I am up as you now see for yourself, you may go," she waved her Irishman off then smiled and gave a bow to this older woman. She had heard her announce herself so at least she had a name she could use.

"Ah, Lady Habersham is it, good morning to you. Welcome to my humble abode. I am afraid I have just awakened so excuse my lack of proper decorum. Please, come in anyway."  There was just a hint of French accent if one was familiar with such things.

She really wanted to ask why the woman was here but that was far too forward. No doubt she would find out soon enough.

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In Edith's mind, a good mistress of a household would rise earlier than her husband so as to upervise the servants, who were likely to squander the early mornings unsupervised.  Otherwise, by the time the lady of the house was dressed and presentable, the servants would have but few hours of their workday left.

"Lady Kendishall, I apologize for my unannounced visit."  It was hard for any matron to apologize to anyone, let alone a young French girl.  "I was mistaken in thinking you might be dressed and ready to accept visitors by now."  Perhaps, if she was honest with herself, maybe she hoped to catch the girl before she was all ready.  "I come at the request of our common friend, Lord Chilchester.  He bade me to call upon you so that we might become better acquainted.  As my late husband, Mister Habersham would say, if it is important enough, it should be done promptly."

Entering Caroline's house, Edith appeared to be not looking around, but her critical eye had scanned every inch of the house within view, its furnishings, and cleanliness.  An experienced matron could assess the quality of any scene in but a glance.  Now she awaited Caroline's pleasantries and hospitality as she followed her hostess.  It would be a good opportunity to judge the upbringing of the girl.

"I do hope George, as we likely each call him, mentioned me."  She stopped there.  Even the answer to her query would reveal much.

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"Oh please, no apologies necessary. I have always tended to be a late sleeper as was my mother so perhaps it is in the blood," Caroline gave a little shrug as she escorted the older woman to her sitting room. Interesting, so George sent her here?

The interior was well kept, clean, and the furniture of appropriate station. There were some paintings on the walls, mostly landscapes and one glorious battle scene in a nod to her soldier father. She could only hope her home was passing the unstated but obvious inspection.

"Ah a splendid idea. George is so caring like that," Caroline nodded.

Upon arriving in the sitting room, she gestured for the other woman to have a seat, "Make yourself comfortable, Lady Halbersham. May I offer you some refreshments? I have wine though I would understand if you feel it is still rather early in the day for such. Perhaps some tea instead?"

"And of course he has mentioned you. You are very dear to him, I assure you. In fact he talked about his desire to invite you over for some of the holidays when they occur. I immediately agreed, you would  certainly be most welcome, "  Caroline smiled, remaining standing until the other woman sat.

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"I understand completely," Habersham replied.  She did, in her own way.  As for a neat and tidy house, Edith was quick to note the pillow on the sofa was not properly plumped.  The curtain rod looked like it had not seen a dust rag in months. One of the paintings was in direct sunlight and she knew it would fade.  Who could say how many dust balls might be in the corner of the room?  The man that answered the door hardly seemed the type to master sanitation.  In fact his vest had not been fully buttoned, no doubt due to his large girth, likely a result of his continuance raids on the French girl's larder.  Caroline was probably none the wiser.  A lady needed to be in command of the smallest details.

"I will have some tea thank you."  She would observe Caroline's interchange with her servants.  "Yes, George mentioned the holidays.  He is the most thoughtful man in London, but I am sure you know this."

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ooc: Actually I described the Irishman once, he had long been a simple soldier on the continent, a foot soldier who spent his career marching to and fro the roads of Europe on sundry campaigns and he definitely does not have 'a large girth'  😊. He was hired as a bodyguard not actually a servant for his willingness to get involved in a scrap should it warrant it.

  IC:    The lady was willing to have some tea. Caroline nodded and picked up a small bell on the nearby table, ringing it.

"Very well then, I'll have the maid make some. But yes, I would certainly agree with you, George is indeed a thoughtful individual. One of his fine qualities to be sure."

As soon as the maid appeared, a smallish middle aged woman Caroline immediately gave her her marching orders, to provide tea for her company. The maid nodded compliance and headed straight away for the kitchen.

Though Caroline had a pretty good idea as to why the woman had come to visit, she would not be so blunt as to inquire what brought her here. But she felt the need to say something to move the conversation along.

"Do you have a full time residence in London then, Lady Habersham?"  Surely that was a safe topic.

 

Edited by Caroline Despanay
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OOC ~ Muscles can add girth. ;) Maybe he is too tall for his waistcoat.

Edith noted that the female servant and wondered as to the quality of tea that would be prepared.  Would it be watered down?  Sugar offered?

"Why yes, I have a house on St. George's Square.  We have been there decades," Habersham replied.  The girl looked so young that Edith was certain she had several pairs of shoes older than Caroline.  "And you Lady Kendishall?  Where did you call home before coming to London?  Your husband was an Englishman?  Where was his estate?"
Caroline had chosen the tact of the opening pleasantries.  It was to be about real estate as a way of becoming better acquainted.  Edith thought a bit of history would be more telling.

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"Ah St. George's Square, I shall have to pass by there some time and see. I am sure if it is most elegant. I inherited this place from my late husband, Henry Baron Kendishall. I also lived for a time in his country estate, Glandon. Soon after his unfortunate death in a barn fire, I decided to come to London and sample court life. I have met so many wonderful people at court including George. I do not normally care to boast but I hope you will indulge me this one time. I have had the good fortune to have actually had His Royal Majesty attend one of my private parties and we got along splendidly."

Perhaps that might impress her, well unless she was not all that pleased with the King, though doubtful she would ever admit such. Trying to think of something else which might put her in a more favorable light she suddenly thought of her cello playing!

"Oh, by the way, Lady Halbersham, would you happen to be someone who has an appreciation of the fine arts especially music?"

 

Edited by Caroline Despanay
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"Ah, then I shall address you as Baroness," Lady Habersham noted aloud when she heard Caroline's husband's rank.  "A barn fire, how sad.  Fighting to save his prize stallion no doubt."

"His Majesty attended your party?"  Despite her rigid look, she tilted her head in acknowledgement.  "That is quite the honor.  What sort of party was it?" she inquired.  The King seemed bored with the sort of parties most ladies hosted, other than the libertine kind.

"I am a devotee of any natural beauty Baroness," Edith remarked.  "Gardens, art, music.  Their sole purpose is to bring brightness into a world that has far too much darkness.  Do you have a musical gift?" she queried.

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Caroline had all she could do to keep a straight face when the woman surmised her husband had died trying to save a valued horse.

"Hardly. I will be frank and say it was not a happy marriage," and then she decided to leave it at that.

As for the inquiry about the kind of party His Royal Majesty had attended, she decided to answer without divulging much in the way of detail, safer that way.

"What sort? The sort His Majesty enjoys. He is a lively man who enjoys a good time as do I. In fact he insisted that my next party he be invited again, which I will be most delighted to obey," she smiled.

Mentioning the fine arts, Lady Habersham gave her a golden opportunity with her next question.

"Ah yes, I do. As a young girl, my mother introduced me to the cello and ever since I have continued to play it. Needless to say, all that time and effort have paid off. I have played for the Queen, played at a debut opera with the symphony at the personal invitation of the composer, and accompanied the well known singer, Sophia de Cerda, Lady Toledo, and wife of the Spanish ambassador on a few of her public performances. For all I know you may have been present at any of those occasions?"

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The truth was that few aristocratic marriages were happy; so,  Edith nodded at the disclosure of Caroline's marriage.  "I see."

As for the disclosure about Caroline's party, there was little substance to the answer.  The fact that the King enjoyed it so much that he wanted to attend her next party was a warning shot of sorts to the matron.  The girl hardly had the finances to impress the King, so it meant that unorthodox entertaining may have occurred.  He is a lively man who enjoys a good time as do I.  Everyone knew what the merry king liked.  In Lady Habersham's life she had come to read undertones into a lady's disclosure that she wanted to have fun or enjoy a good time as an indicator of libertine outlook.  After all, they tried to explain their lifestyle as just an outlook of wanting to have fun.  These people, in Edith's mind, were just adults that refused to grow up into adults.

Caroline proceeded to reveal her many accomplishments at court with her cello.  "It is quite the honor to play for the Queen," she acknowledged.  She began to have a glimmer of hope that the King enjoyed the French girl's music more than her legs.  "I do not recall attending but I should like to hear you play at your next party."

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The woman did not ask for further details about her once marriage and it's (very) final end, so Caroline was not about to go into more about it. She then decided to perhaps impress her with her affinity and, yes a little more bragging, talent with the cello.  Lady Habersham acknowledged that a performance for the queen was indeed quite something but then added a desire to hear her actually play - and at Caroline's next party!  Oh dear. Caroline was quite certain George would not even be comfortable at one of those libertine affairs let alone this older traditional woman.

"Well, while I would be honored to play for you at first opportunity, I must admit I do not really play my cello at my parties," she smiled.

"Perhaps, George might host a dinner very soon at his residence and I could then make it a point to bring my instrument along and play some for you?" she quickly tried to get past the subject of the sort of parties the King preferred, well her too.

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Caroline was adept at seeing the peril of Edith's attendance at her next party.  Whether Lady Habersham had meant it as a test was hard to say as she seemed to accept the answer.  It was curious that the girl had no qualms playing her cello before the entire court and the Queen, yet. at the same time seemed loathe to play at her parties.

"I see," she murmured in pleasant response.  "Did the Queen attend your party as well?" she asked innocently, or so it seemed. 

"A splendid idea to play at George's next event.  I shall look for ward to it immensely."  She then cleared her throat a bit as she waited on the tea.  "Have you played privately for George?" she asked sweetly. 

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"Her Majesty....no, but then that was only one party. I have been at court events where she was in attendance but we have never actually spoken," Caroline tried hard to recall and was fairly certain her memory was accurate on that point, less drinking at court events than parties of course.

Now as to her playing privately for George, that was - in Caroline's opinion - a rather prying question. Some might call it rude even. But Caroline was often bold in the things she said too so she decided to allow it then for the older woman. Time for some frankness though...

"No I have not. You see we have - in all honesty - not spent a lot of time in privacy. As you well know, George and I agreed upon this marriage quite recently. I am sure there will be those who will be critical and say we entered into it too fast. But really....such a thing as this should be left to the couple in such matters. We are both adults, we both know what we want, and we both are quite confident we can make this work. "

"Lady Habersham, I will be forthright with you. I have little doubt that you have heard that I am one of those....libertines and I will not insult your intelligence to deny such a thing. But that said, my first marriage was arranged by the parents, in my case, my father and it was a complete disaster. This time both George and I are in charge of our own fates, going into this with eyes open. And I can promise you that I am absolutely determined to be a good and loyal wife to George," she now solemnly declared.

 

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Older women learned how to gain an advantage in a conversation.  Against men, it was breathtaking, with the exception of certain husbands.  Even formidable husbands could be outmaneuvered if one was willing to play the long game.  It was the same game that was so potent against young ladies.  The young could be intimidated surely but their greatest weakness was often their impatience.  The young thought that an in-depth conversation should be completed in minutes rather than hours.  Wise matrons were like field generals in that they spent time gathering intelligence, choosing a favorable battlefield with the high ground and observing an adversary's positions carefully.  A good commander probed for weaknesses before committing the main strike.

Caroline had a strong opening but must have sensed that she was about to be outflanked.  Edith Habersham did not equate polite conversation to battle.  She would have been surprised with such an analogy.  Yet, she knew that a polite conversation was a place where she could feel most comfortable.  Years of experience was an advantage.

Having never met the Queen was evidence that Caroline entertained the King with parties that likely included more than music.  Those suppositions were confirmed a minute later by the French girl's admission.  Edith could have confessed her ignorance of the whispers about Caroline but it would make the girl feel worse, and weaken the mystique that older women seemed nearly omniscient.  She did not wish to make the girl feel bad, after all, as there was a fair chance that her dear George would marry her regardless of warnings and counsel to the contrary.

"I see."  Such a response seemed useful to most any disclosure.  It was best not to pass judgement on libertines at this point.

It was the subsequent point that deserved a more thoughtful response.  "One has to wonder how a short and poor marriage is recipe for a good marriage.  I suppose one can say that one could have a happy marriage if the opposite ingredients were present; but, would it I wonder?" 

The tea arrived and the cups poured.  "After such a sad marriage, is there not exhilaration in freedom?  Why the urge to reenter so swiftly into a state of affairs that will bind you for the rest of your life?"

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"Well, I had not been against marriage per se but it had been my father who so very hastily arranged it. Like the dutiful daughter I consented. But from the very start it was a total debacle. He had no interest in me at all, it was plain that he had only consented to it due to pressure from his father. He completely ignored me, I was alone at his country home and I was miserable," the words tumbled out and with a mix of emotion and venom. It was plain that Caroline utterly despised her now gone and buried former husband.

She stopped suddenly, unwilling to reveal further details to this woman who she had just met and reasoned bore her little good will. But George was fond of her and Caroline honestly wanted to make George happy and be the good wife, that meant getting along with the other people in his life. Conveniently the tea arrived so conversation paused for a moment until it was served and the maid departed.

"You are correct, Lady Habersham, I did truly feel free once he was buried and it was all over. I vowed my father would never make decisions like that for me again. And yes, I will readily admit that I traveled to London and court to enjoy my freedom. And I have met many wonderful people and made good friends. And yes, I have enjoyed life here," she then sipped her tea, wishing it was port or Francis' blood orange liquor instead.

"But life is strange and oft unplanned, I would wager it has probably been the same for you at times, not? " it was obviously a rhetorical question because the girl did not even wait for an answer but continued.

"George came to me then, purely on a visit to ask my advice on something. We had a sometimes blunt and, I believe, always truthful conversation and then...........well, he asked me to marry him. It was not my initiative on it, lest you think I was being aggressive or manipulative......no he asked me. And there it was - right in front of me and this time it was me and only me who would decide the answer. And I decided I wanted to try again. There is no comparing George with my first husband, George is a fine man and I truly believe he will treat me well, like a husband should treat his wife. In return, I will be a loyal wife and hopefully provide him with children to continue his bloodline - is that not a major reason for marriages? "

She paused then, having said her piece. Whether the other woman accepted or even believed it, she could not control.

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"I think I understand," Edith replied with her motherly voice.  A young girl desperate for her freedom finds it; but, once found, she was willing to barter it away again in a single conversation.  There were silly girls who believed in true love that acted rashly and unwisely.  In Habersham's opinion, the strongest love was the kind built over time, though the passionate love felt stronger and more intense.  George and Caroline seemed to share neither kind of love yet.

"It does seem dear that what you sought to flee you now embrace.  I would certainly agree that George is one of the finest gentlemen in London and, no doubt, a saint compared to your late husband.  Yet, do you not find it curious that but one conversation convinced to to restrict that freedom?  When a gentleman asks you to marry them, it is entirely appropriate to ask for more time to get to know one another first.  After all, you would be with him for the rest of your life and each of you would need to forsake all others, for eternity."

She sipped her tea to punctuate the point.   "It is a decision that requires reflection, assurance, and an understanding of the risks involved.  It is not unlike a business decision at times, unless there is a strong and passionate love that defies the passage of time."  Left unsaid was that George was both a passionate creature and a somber one.  What about the Boyle girl that ended so tragically?  He seemed to have impulses that drove him to quick decisions.  Did he tire of the marriage chase and, upon impulse, decide to settle for the first lady of his acquaintance that seemed agreeable?  To Edith, this is what she suspected.  Likewise, Caroline might be acting on impulse that the freedom she was enjoying was a hollow one and she was desperate to find a man that could fill the void she felt. 

It was quite possible that the couple would grow in time to love one another, Habersham imagined.  Yet, it seemed like this marriage was a compromise by both.  That seemed sad to her somehow, even though she was old enough to know that compromise was necessary in life.  Perhaps it was the pedestal she placed George upon and the hope that he need not compromise.  She continued to sip her tea and survey Caroline's face and features, as if she might she the future buried within.    

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The other woman said she thought she understood at least but her following words did not necessarily indicate it. It was an attempt to convince Caroline that this was quite possibly a mistake, a misguided hope for happiness. Of course, Caroline heard her out, she was going out of her way to be tolerant even friendly because George would want it so. Besides she had no desire to find herself on the outs with George's family and friends. Though it well might turn out that way at least with some of them. So be it, Caroline was not afraid of enemies.

"I hear you and on the surface it does sound logical," Caroline started, "but things like love, marriage, many kinds of relationships are often not based on logic. Though, I would also argue I already did give you some very sound common sense reasons why we have decided to get married."

She finished her tea then, "I was asked, I accepted, I will not go back on my word to George, in fact I am truly looking forward to this marriage now that I have had some time to think on it. I hope you will - even if you do not agree with it - accept our decision and not try to undermine it. I want us to be friends. You ask around and you will hear that I am a loyal and devoted friend. I freely admit I have my faults but loyalty is one of my strengths."

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  • 2 weeks later...

The girl sought to defend her decision, wrapped in common sense and loyalty.  It was an effective ploy because it required unraveling a knot that was strong and tight.  It would require significant time and energy to unravel; but, any such effort was likely to be futile.  Caroline spoke in conclusory words that signaled an end to debate.  The message was clear.

"Loyalty is an admirable trait and it gladdens my heart to hear you have it aplenty.  George shall need loyal friends and family in the days and years ahead."  It was a rare compliment. 

"You are a French Catholic?  These days that is an unpopular combination in London.  How are people treating you?"  The last tactic was to note the harm she would bring to George's potential rise politically.  She said nothing of it yet.

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"My parents were Catholics. Though my father was never a church going sort," Caroline readily admitted, "As for myself, I attended Easter services - a few of them at George's side. And when we are married, I shall gladly accompany him to church."

"Because I am of French descent, though I have never lived in France I would point out, there are some in this country who might be hostile to my very presence. Tis not fair but such is the way of things. When I first arrived in London, there had been some violence done to Catholics so I hired a bodyguard as a prudent measure to hopefully deter anyone attacking me. But honestly I have not experienced any real hostility in court."

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"Are you saying that you will convert to the Church of England then?" Lady Habersham inquired, surprised as to this development.  "And your children?  They will be raised Protestant?"  The comment about bodyguards warranted a response  but she withheld it pending the question she had posed.

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Caroline was not going to answer that first question, she was however willing to reply to the followups, "Our children will be raised  according to George's wishes, he is the head of the household after all, a wife's duty is to be obedient to her husband's desires."

Frankly she found the woman's interrogation - for that was what this visit was - quite impertinent but she would endure it for George's sake.

Edited by Caroline Despanay
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  • 2 weeks later...

The answer was demur and obedient, as it should have been.  Edith nodded to acknowledge Caroline's statement.  In the back of her mind she wondered if Caroline's previous indications of independence were consistent with such a view.   Perhaps George had a calming effect on the girl, she imagined.  The fact that she did not offer to convert was also noted.  Silence was an answer.

"Well then, that will help you and George stave off accusations of Popery.  That and the guard," she added.  That was the greatest risk of the union, Habersham had told herself.  Of course, there was the fact that no lady would likely measure up to Edith's standard of worthiness to be the Countess of Chichester.  Was the girl ready?  Was any girl ready?  It was hard to judge wit in a short interview.

Adhering to Mister Habersham's view that short visits lead to long friendships, Edith supposed she had put the girl through enough scrutiny for one visit.  It was hard to know if Caroline would be strict with the servants, or indifferent.  Finishing the last of her tea, Edith exclaimed "that was a lovely kettle of tea and I thank you for the indulgence of my visit.  George had seemed eager that we should meet and I could think of no court event any time soon that would afford us a moment of privacy.  I do apologize again as to my unexpected arrival.  I do look forward to our next meeting."  She did not yet rise, as courtesy dictated that she listen to any entreaties to stay before rising from the chair. 

 

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"The guard is for any actual attempts on my life," Caroline pointed out but not in a contentious tone merely matter of factly.

She then complimented the tea and appeared to be ready to end the visit. Caroline was relieved to hear it, so far she felt she had done an admirable job of keeping her self control (she liked to think George would be pleased with her performance). And - just maybe - the woman was a bit more positively disposed toward her? Time would tell.

"Indulgence? Nonsense, I was glad you came, I had been looking forward to meeting you as George is so fond of you and has praised you to the high heavens. I can understand now why he is the way he is about you. All I can say in my defense is I hope I do not fall too far short of your own expectations of me?" Caroline set her teacup down then too.

"I will promise you this, I will try to arrange something with George quite soon so that the both of you can hear me play the cello. It is the best part of me, by far," she smiled.

Much as she wanted the old crone to leave, she remained in her seat determined the woman would need be the one to rise to leave first - she did not want to make it seem like she was rushing the lady out the door. Again - self control, self control.

 

 

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"Thank you dear.  That was kind of you."  There was no comment about any preliminary conclusions she might had reached.

"I should like to hear you play the cello.  It is such a soothing instrument,"  She offered a smile as a peace offering and moved to take her feet.  As she waited to be escorted out, she inquired "by the by, what is your favorite flower?"

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"Indeed it is very calming for me, my island of refuge when it storms you might say," Caroline nodded agreeably as she too then rose from her seat when her guest did. Now it was simply a matter of walking her to the door and she will have survived this visit decently enough, she believed anyhow. Hard to read the woman by her demeanor. George would no doubt tell her after he conversed once again with the woman.

Flower? Now that was a question which came out of nowhere? Caroline had to stop and think. It did bring back some memories of arrival in London and the friendship she had struck up with a crippled nobleman whose great love was flowers. He had been such a kind fellow, She had no idea where he was now or if he was even alive, nothing was heard about him now for quite some time just that he was no longer at court. She missed him.

"Oh, well.....I would have to say roses. Yes....roses," she answered then had a question of her own, "Might I ask why?"

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Edith seemed surprised at the question as they moved towards the door. "My dear, every lady needs to have a favorite flower so that her gentleman will know what to bring her.  A happy home is one that has fresh cut flowers of the mistresses choice.  The scent is like perfume.  Each flower has a different meaning and a different scent," she prattled on.  "A red rose has a much different meaning than a white rose.  A war was fought over those as you will recall," she smiled.  "But there are more exotic colors of roses.  Mister Habersham knew a rector that exceled at creating different colors of roses in his garden by mixing seeds.  The gardens were a true marvel to behold.  The rector called flowers a gift of God, and it is hard to find fault with that view."

With a friendly nod, she was off to her coach.  George did not know his own betrothed's favorite flower, which seemed somehow further proof of the careless speed at which he had moved.  Still, the meeting had been successful.  Caroline meant George no harm, in her assessment. but the right lady for him would be the one that understood the art of flowers.  A painter would notice everything about the texture and color.

 

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The woman now went on about the so called absolute necessity of needing a 'favorite flower'. Frankly it was all poppy cock to Caroline but she did not let on in any way of her dismissal of such nonsense. That was until the woman mentioned the War of Roses. Now war Caroline knew perhaps too much about for a young woman but she had been raised by a soldier who spent most of his time talking about war when he wasn't fighting in one. Caroline could not resist.

"It seems to me that the war had nothing to do with flowers and much more to do with which political and dynastic faction would come out on top," Caroline sagely begged to differ but she said it with a smile.

And that was that, the visit was over. Caroline accompanied her right up to the coach and waited until she was being driven off, giving one last wave before turning about and heading back into her residence. It was hard for her to assess how it had gone. She certainly would be eager to hear from George later on the subject. The young lady could only hope she had made at least mostly a good impression on the woman. She had tried.

 

ooc: Thanks for a fun thread!😀

Edited by Caroline Despanay
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