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Post by Emmeline Barham on Jan 6, 2021 6:56:59 GMT
The social season was upon them! And with it….Utter and complete dread. Emmemline Barham sat in the drawing room of her family home, perched in the bay window with a unread book in her lap, while she chewed anxiously on her bottom lip. This was the season. It had to be, or else she’d be dubbed a spinster forever and would become a burden to her parents. She was Twenty-seven, soon to be twenty eight when fall arrived. She was at the end of her marriage life. Oooooh to be a man. If she were a man she wouldn’t have to worry about the social pressure. Emmeline watched the yard as two squirrels scampered on by and up one of the tree’s. Watching as they buzzed up and around the branches chittering at each other. Maybe life would be better as a squirrel? It couldn’t be so bad could it? Em, you’re worrying again… She warned herself. She glanced behind her shoulder, the room and the house relatively empty as she had the afternoon to herself while her mother and youngest sister were out at the modiste. Father was doing business, and Vesper was doing whatever Vespers did best. Emmeline had invited her friend Charlotte Wright over for tea that afternoon and she glanced at the clock to check the time. When she looked back out the window there was a rush of movement up the path, and it took her a second to realize it was Charlotte. She was walking quickly, almost as if she had hell bounds snapping at her heels and what looked like a piece of paper clenched in her hand. Emmeline could only guess what the paper was, and she tossed the book off her lap, and ran across the drawing room to the other side in quick strides. Picking up her skirts as she did so, while she hurried down the hallway and to the front door. Yanking it open before Charlotte had time to knock. “What did he say?!” She asked hurriedly. Curiosity was clear in her blue eyes, and for the moment, Emmeline didn’t worry about her own problems. |
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Post by Charlotte Wright on Jan 7, 2021 23:03:00 GMT
Oh my, how had it come to this? Her mind was a whirlwind of questions, unsure about whether or not this last year had been a complete mistake or not.
Since the letters began with the mysterious Mr. Crane, Charlotte's attention had rarely been on anything else. She barely wrote for herself, always penning her feelings, her worries and doubts, all her hopes and dreams to her nameless friend as frequently as time would allow. She barely set eyes on any suitors because she couldn't help but wonder if he was out there somewhere waiting. That was a silly thought, wasn't it? It was a wrong kind of thought.
So, with his latest letter, Charlotte was in a sudden panic and didn't know how to handle it. Emmeline was expecting her for tea this afternoon, and she was already about to be late. She had hurried as quickly as she could, unable to even wait for the coach to bring her all the way to the front door. Lottie leapt right out and was practically running towards the Barhams' house, thanking Geoffrey, her driver, as she did so.
She was just inches away from rapping upon the door when Em was already flinging it open. Of course she knew, and she would probably see the panic in her friend's wide, brown eyes. Panting slightly from her rush up the path, she stepped inside the house, glancing down to the letter clutched within her fingers. A soft whimper fled her lips as she realized she had crumpled the paper in her haste, but at least the flower was still intact.
"Oh, Em, he-" Her heart was in her throat and she didn't know how to explain it all. Charlotte didn't always literally share her letters (despite always telling her dearest friend what they said), but she made an exception this time. It was all just too much! It was frightening, it was wonderful, and she didn't know what to do or how to feel about it. So, she gently thrust the folded letter towards Emmeline before she began to pace back and forth, twirling the paper flower between her fingers nervously. Biting her lip, she kept looking over at her, wondering if she had finished reading it. |
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Post by Emmeline Barham on Jan 8, 2021 0:25:56 GMT
There was certainly panic in Charlotte's eyes, and Emmeline was sure to make haste in ushering her in and closing the door behind her friend. Her eyes were as large as a deer's as Charlotte couldn't even get a sentence out, and she could barely contain the little patience she had. Her friend held out the letter then, surprised and yet also feeling honored that she would trust her enough to read something so private. Emmeline lightly bit her plump bottom lip, before gently taking the folded letter from her.
She stared at it for a moment, running her fingers over the parchment. She glanced back up at Charlotte. Whatever was written on this paper had certainly worked her up. "Come on," She said gently, reaching forward for her friends hand so she could take her to the drawing room. She didn't want a servant to catch them loitering in the hallway. Emmeline gently tugged her along, before they came to the room she'd previous been in. Taking her to the table, she sat down opposite her friend before she took a deep breath and then unfolded the letter.
Emmelines blue gaze ate the words hungrily as she read the page, surprise but also complete and utter happiness quickly spread through her. her jaw went slack and she brought fingertips up to her lips, as she finished reading. "Charlotte. " Emmeline whispered. Her eyes going to her friends. "Oh Lottie, he wants to meet you!" She exclaimed. For a moment it was almost as if Marigold had possessed her as she barely managed to stifle a squeal. She set the letter down and then reached for Charlottes hands to clasp into her own. "Have you written him back yet?" She asked, excitement showed as a bright smile appeared on her face and she was positively beaming at her.
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Post by Charlotte Wright on Jan 8, 2021 16:09:51 GMT
Why wasn't she excited? Shouldn't she be excited about this? Wasn't this what she had been hoping for, or at the very least, secretly, deep down been hoping for? In truth, Charlotte really didn't know, and it was perhaps why she appeared so distraught.
Pulling into the drawing room, she was unable to sit just yet and resumed her pacing in there until Emmeline managed to finish reading the letter from Mr. Crane. It was when her friend had finished did Charlotte quickly rush to take a seat across from her in that gentle whirlwind of a panic. "Indeed," she answered her quickly, suddenly at a loss for any more words. Emmeline's hand upon her own at least kept her grounded and as calm as she possibly could be in this situation.
"No, of course not!" she exclaimed quietly when Em asked if she had written back. "I...I don't even know what to say. Isn't this mad? Isn't this...wrong?" Now, she was just blabbering on and feared there would be no end in sight. "I shouldn't have been doing this in the first place, but...meeting him, Em? How on earth am I to do that?" Charlotte was chewing the inside of her bottom lip in thought. She wasn't above doing rebellious things, yet this would certainly be the craziest thing she'd ever fathom doing.
Drawing in a breath, she rose from her seat again, unable to sit still. She studied the paper flower she still clutched gently between her fingers and let that breath out in a sigh. "Regardless, what if I am not what he expects? Perhaps he will be expecting a beautiful woman-" A glance over to Emmeline, her immediate thought was: much like you, my lovely friend. How no man had noticed the blonde, blue-eyed beauty was beyond Charlotte's comprehension. Even Em's mind was beautiful. Her posture slackened a little, and she brushed a finger along one of the paper petals of the flower. "Not a short, waif of a girl." |
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Post by Emmeline Barham on Jan 9, 2021 7:24:09 GMT
Emmeline could no longer contain her bright grin. She was overjoyed for her friend! This was wonderful news! She wouldn't take to much credit, as Charlotte had ultimately decided to do it, but Emmeline had dared her to leave the letter in the first place. The first one, the one that had started it all. Look at you now Lottie...She thought as she took her friend in. Practically smitten with a stranger she only knew on paper. "How can it be wrong if he wants to meet you?" She asked. "There's no harm in writing." She pointed out. Granted, it always depended on what was written, as some words could be harmful. But from Mr. Crane's letter it was obvious he really liked Charlotte.
"Well you start by putting on your shoes..." She started with a laugh, but quickly let it die off. "Oh, Lottie he likes you." She told her, before she watched her friend rise up from her chair. "Meet him in a public place so you aren't alone." She suggested. Safety first and all that, incase this Mr. Crane proved to be dangerous. Her mouth parted as a small gasp escaped her at hearing what Charlotte had to say about herself. "Charlotte Wright, you bite your tongue!" Emmeline said sternly. Her friend was beautiful even if she didn't believe it. "Lottie," She said more gently with a tilt of her head and a softened gaze. She stood and came to the other woman, placing her hands gently on her shoulders.
"You're not stunning dearest, anyone would be lucky to have you." She pointed towards where the letter sat. "What harm would it do to meet? If you don't, you will constantly be wondering who he is." She reasoned searching her friends eyes. She pursed her lips for a moment in thought. "This could be a great opportunity for you! And even if he's not what you expect, at least you can say you tried, and if you're not what he expects, then he's a fool and doesn't deserve you." Emmeline said with a huff. She wanted her friend to be happy, and she had high hopes for this Mr. Crane. It was single handedly the cutest thing she'd seen Charlotte partake in, and she'd seen what this man with his little paper tricks had done to her friend.
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Post by Charlotte Wright on Feb 3, 2021 16:15:26 GMT
Oh dear, she was beginning to spiral. Charlotte didn't really know what she wanted anymore or what to even think. And, of course she was scared and beyond nervous to think that she might meet this man. Finally know the face behind the penname.
And right now, her best friend was grinning at her like a fool, making it seem like this was the most natural thing in the world. Was it? Or was there something wrong with Charlotte and she was missing the entire point? No, she never missed a point. Ever.
As she was scolded, she bit her bottom lip to stop herself from further arguing. Where Lottie didn't think she was the most beautiful woman in the world, she knew she wasn't...terrible. She just felt her straight dark hair and dull brown eyes were just, well...plain. Mediocre. She had a tiny waist and didn't even have an ample bust to proudly show off! Oh my gosh, what is happening?
Her pacing stopped immediately again when Emmeline placed her hands upon her shoulders. Charlotte tried not to look panicked, but she was, and so very confused. 'What harm would it do to meet? If you don't, you will constantly be wondering who he is.' Lottie could have grumbled in that moment at just how right her friend was. It would eat away at her, and she'd ultimately ruin whatever relationship this was with Mr. Crane. Could it be more than the friendship she had cherished this entire year? Was it already...?
Breath was caught within her throat before a smile finally curled her lips. "You are unbelievably special, Emmeline, you know that?" She meant it every time and prayed the woman found her match. She deserved happiness, and so much more. After a moment, Charlotte squeezed one of Em's hands as the panic was slowly beginning to melt away. Some of it would remain, but there was somehow a new determination on her face as she was unable to contain the girlish smile.
"Oh!" she blurted out, suddenly remembering something. "There's to be a masquerade ball, isn't there? Perhaps there?" Sure, it meant she could hide behind a mask...but it would make her feel a little more comfortable. "You will be going, won't you?" And if she hadn't planned on it, Emmeline better prepare herself for Lottie to beg. |
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Post by Emmeline Barham on May 1, 2021 23:36:32 GMT
A small smile appeared on Emmeline's face that soon turned rather shy. She dipped her head and gave it a small shake. “No, I’m-...” She paused trying to think of a word. She wasn’t that special. She couldn’t be. If she was, would she have already had a husband? Had a child or two of her own by now? No, there was nothing special about Em. She was...Well Em. “I’m just myself. There’s nothing special about it.” She tried to reason. She smiled at Lottie as she squeezed her hands.
Her blue eyes went wide in surprise with Lottie’s sudden burst, and then she was beaming. Gasping in glee, and nodding her head quickly. “That’s perfect! You can still keep your identity a secret, but still meet with him!” She exclaimed excitedly. The enthusiasm quickly died down as her friend asked if she would be there. Emmeline's concerns of this being her last social season came back in full force, but she didn’t want to worry Charlotte, when she was so clearly happy about her Mr. Crane. “Of course.” She said with a warm smile. “I want to see this Mr. Crane myself you know.” She said standing up a bit straighter and looking down her nose at Charlotte. “I have to make sure his intentions are in the right place.” She explained simply, before a smiled again.
She would be there for Charlotte, helping her in anyway she could while also attempting to find her own match.
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Post by Charlotte Wright on May 15, 2021 3:42:06 GMT
'I'm just myself. There's nothing special about it.'
That halted everything else going on in her brain. Charlotte was always and forever would be Emmeline's number one fan and supporter. She believed her friend deserved the very best because she was kind and genuine. "Says you," she gently scolded. "And someone else is going to realize this. One day, you will enter his life and it'll make him stop and go-" Now, she was becoming dramatic, gripping tightly to one of Em's hands as her free one went to her own heart in gesture. She even deepened her voice, trying to sound as manly as she possibly could be. "'There she is, the light of my life, and nothing else matters!'" Although she smiled and giggled, Charlotte certainly meant it. "You will see, Em. You're going to flip someone's life upside-down, I just know it."
When the conversation was on the masquerade, the idea of it making her mind run a mile a minute, it was hard not to grin widely. Crane wouldn't have to really see her, not yet. That is, if he even showed up!
Another laugh as Emmeline stood up tall, acting all sisterly. "Of course, of course," she said in amusement. "But, this could very well just be a...friendly encounter." Lottie wasn't sure how to put it. Despite the words Crane had written, what if this was simply to meet a friend, and that was all? Did she want it to be more than that? Her heart was beginning to pound wildly. "Oh, I did not think it was possible to be so frightened and excited at the same time!" |
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