A Victorian Lady's Memoirs Part Four

From my diaries I have recollections of Nelly constantly wiping hands in her apron, it seemed to me at the time she was always being interrupted from some task or another, but she was very patient and never complained, always willing and able, and very efficient at her jobs, whether it be supervising or preparing food.

Nelly took me through to the large entrance hall. I noticed all the portraits of family members hanging, leading up the wide staircase, there seemed to be many more since I was last here.

As Nelly opened the front door, I asked her where Edmund the butler was, being quite fond of him, because as a nine year old we'd spent many a happy hour playing chess, along with me playing the piano while Edmund sang along in his beautiful tenor singing voice.

“They all be out this afternoon Miss Emily, even our Dorothy the housemaid be busy getting one of the cottages ready for new tenants. But Mary the charlady will show you to your rooms, let you get freshened up before your aunt and uncle return.” Declared Nelly.

Mary appeared from the drawing room with an expression of nervous, as if she was on trial. Trying to put her at ease I uttered, “please call me Emily,” just wanting to break the icy atmosphere.

Mary just remained quiet grinning, and curtsied. I remember thinking at the time that she was fairly new to the job and wasn't sure how to address us, so I approached and went to shake her hand, but Mary had no idea what was going on and looked at Nelly for support.

Nelly was quick to direct her. “Ah'! Mary, please show Miss Emily and her governess to their rooms, along with masters Albert and William.”

John and Fredrick went on ahead climbing the stairs with our trunks, they seemed as enamoured as myself by the many portraits.

After the twins had discovered their rooms and Miss Violet had settled into her quarters. Mary took me up another staircase and led me along a landing to the front of the house, still not uttering a word. There she opened a door to a room I'd never seen before, it seemed quite comfortable. I very much looked forward to a good night sleep. Collapsing on the bed, for my eyes were so weary. I was in need of a nap, just for a while.

John and Fredrick placed my trunks at the end of my bed, bowed, then left the room, leaving me to ponder. Resting my head on the soft pillow, I mulled over in my head about why Julia would be so rebellious, as she never used to be. I certainly would have qualms about treating mama and papa with such disapproval.

Drifting off I recall falling into a deep sleep dreaming of lying on soft sand. I could feel a breeze across my face, it felt cooling, until it began to get stronger and I heard a voice calling my name.

“Em! Wake up...come on sleepy head.” I opened my eyes to see Julia standing over me, blowing air on my face and smiling with that cheeky grin she always used to give me when we were younger.

“Ooh! I was having such a pleasant dream.” I recalled feeling annoyed. Yawning, I uttered, “It's good to see you Julia.” I sat up and gave her a hug, remembering how she always called me Em. “How are you? I hear from Nelly, you've become quite obstreperous since last I saw you.”

“Oh, don't listen to Nelly, she's always hearing the tail end of conversations, it's not really her business to go tittle tattling about me anyway.”

I decided to leave well alone and find out for myself what all the fuss was about. Changing the subject, I announced, “I have a little gift for you in my bag.”

“Oh! What have you got me Em?” Her eyes lit up with excitement, reminding me of a doll I had as a child.

“Nothing much...just a little something I thought you could use.” Stretching across the quilted eiderdown, I reached for my purse and produced the quilted pen.

With hands pressed together she expressed delight, “you must be psychic.”

“You like it then?” I smiled, pleased with her reaction.

“It's just what I wanted. I'm writing a lot of poetry you see.” She took my hands and held them in hers, as we sat gazing into each others eyes beaming with joy. “Thank you so much Em's.”

“So how are things with you then?” I asked.

Julia's expression changed, she shrugged her shoulders. “I must admit to having misgivings about my future with mama and papa.”

“What do you mean?” I inquired with a perturbed declaration of worry, as I didn't really want to get mixed up in a quarrel between Julia, Aunt Bess and Uncle Hugo.

“Father wants me to train as a teacher...but Em's can you really see me teaching young children? It's either that or he will find a young suitor from a wealthy family for me to marry.” Julia sighed and her demure changed as she stood up, turning away and walking towards the window.

“Why is teaching so bad?” I questioned, having a great love for the young. “Just think you could become a governess and travel, even visiting foreign lands.”

“But that's just it Em's. I don't want to leave Craymore, I'm happy here, it's a great place to bring up a family.”

“So!” I replied, “you're not averse to getting married?”

Julia gazed over at me. “Well no, but I feel like I should be allowed to pick my own husband, after all, times are changing and I want to find real love, not someone who's forced upon me by my parents.”

“Well,” I replied sighing. “You are in a quandary.” Before I could utter another word, Julia light on her feet, came sprinting back to the bed.

“Oh Em!” She announced smiling again and plonking herself beside me. “I want to work with father and become the first lady landowner in these parts.” She flung her arms out to her side declaring: “can you imagine it written in the local papers.”Julia stood up taking my hand and waltzed me around the floor, proclaiming. “The lady, Julia Thorn, founder of Craymore Thorn cottages, following in her father's footsteps, a self made wealthy woman.”

I thought it sounded wonderful. “Won't Uncle Hugo agree to taking you on?”

“He doesn't think it's a woman's career, or that I'm clever enough, he says a woman's place is to marry and bring up children, taking care of nothing but the home, making sure the family line continues. But Em if I could only persuade him, I'd work hard at my studies to become proficient, he would be so impressed, but you know how stubborn papa can be.”

I certainly did know and felt slightly sorry for Julia, knowing how old fashioned Uncle Hugo's concepts were. He grew up in another era, where women were the weaker sex. “I don't see why you couldn't help run the family business and raise a family.” I always observed how smart she was in achieving her goals.

Image is in the public domain.

To be continued...A Victorian Lady's Memoirs Part Five | ABCtales