Evening Rose & Morning Glory

[slippedhalo]

OOC: Closed for Young Lisa & Myself (and occasional cameos from invited guests)
No, there will be no sex until the characters are at least 18. We're not sickos.


IC:

''Helen, please wake up. If I can't get you up and ready for school before the bell tolls my mother's going to beat my bottom 'til it falls off!"

Iris knew that Helen Magnus was not a morning person. She would stay up all hours of the night when reasonable people were sleeping peacefully in their beds, reading, memorizing things, using some of her father's cast off lab equipment to perform experiments far too complex for most children her age, especially a girl child...and then when it was time to get up to attend the church day school with the other household children she had to be practically dragged out of bed...usually by Iris Sumner, the oldest daughter of Ellie and Warren Sumner, who both worked in the household of the Magnus family. Their three children, Billy, Iris, and baby Laura all lived in the household as well and along with the widowed head of staff, Nathaniel Humphreys two boys (Adrian and Simon) Helen attended the local school, fished, played in the garden with the staff children, ate most meals with them, bathed with them, shared sickbeds and childhood illnesses with them... and spent most of her time forgetting she was a child of high society.

Iris never forgot. She was constantly in awe of Helen and her refusal to accept the roles society meant to put upon her. For as long as Iris could remember Helen had been exceptional. It was why she liked her so much...It was also why they got into so much trouble so often. "Pleeeeeeease, Helen!" she pleaded, untangling bedsheets from long, scrawny legs and yanking them away so that perhaps the nip of morning air would make the young mistress of the house stir.

Helen groaned, went to pull her covers back up and found they were now folded neatly in Iris's pale hands. "Oy!" she complained.

"Come now, Helen. We still need to get you dressed. At this rate there won't be time for breakfast. And, no breakfast for you means none for me also."

This shocked Helen into sitting up and slowly forcing her way into the waking world. The concern for her friend showing on her face as she rose. "I'm sorry, Iris. Are you hungry?" she asked.

Iris looked down at her boots and one toe of the left teased the spot where her mother had lovingly dyed and polished a scuff caused by Helen when they'd been hers. Her whole life had been about Helen's cast offs, Helen's needs coming first. But, having had it always thus so, Iris hardly minded most of the time. Meals were different, though. She liked to get to the table at the same time as Miss Magnus. It usually meant there was much more to choose from in the spread and Helen was always generous and shared well. If she went on her own, or if Helen was too late to eat...there was usually not much left for Iris who spent all of her time with the young Miss of the house. "I am...a little bit. Will you please get ready so the boys don't eat everything?"

Helen nodded and apologized, rising to wash her face. Iris handed her a flannel for drying. She helped her into the clothes Mrs. Magnus had chosen and Ellie had put aside for Helen the night before as per usual. Getting the knots out of the pretty blonde curls was another matter entirely. Speed could not be had when one was trying to tame Magnus curls. They were beautiful when styled but were a terrible, painful mess most mornings. Giving up halfway through, Iris and Helen decided to have Ellie help with the hair and to hurry down to breakfast.'

 

[YoungLisa]

After breakfast Helen went with Iris and the other children to the school. On the way back she joined with several of the other children in playing cricket taking a mischievous pleasure in beating the boys. Back home she looked at the second page of the London Times and read how the latest epidemic of Typhus was sweeping through the world. By coincidence her history lessons had told her how it was an infrequent visitor to Europe but across the Atlantic the United States of America was being torn apart by Civil War and the retched plague was rampant there.

Now, according to the Times it appeared it was back in England and she feared her mother, who had developed a rash and was becoming light sensitive, might have developed it. Patricia Magnus was a ‘Prison Visitor’ who tried to spread something of the Christian values she had learned to others but now her charitable work looked as though it was going to exact an awful price. Helen turned to the supplement and read some of the symptoms: - Chills, bad cough, joint pains, sensitivity to light, and a severe headache were all symptoms her mother was showing. But she breathed a sigh of relief when she noticed that two others were delirium and high fever. She was probably over reacting after all.

That night Helen went into her mother’s bedroom to say goodnight sure in her mind that Patricia probably had nothing more than a very heavy cold. Making her way to her own bed the twelve year old felt her body changing. For the past year her breasts had begun to develop and her nipples were getting hard and painful. Now her abdomen was beginning to feel sensitive and she wondered how long it would be before she experienced her first ‘period’. She remembered visiting her cousin Suzy who was five years older than her and seeing the buckets full of strips of material soaking in water with a pink tinge that was diluted blood. She asked her about it and was told in no uncertain terms that she would “know soon enough” and the subject was quickly changed. But answers like that never satisfied Helen Magnus. On her return home and as evening approached she entered her father’s study and took down a book on female anatomy and carried it to her room. Reading by candle light until the early hours she knew exactly what to expect.

At about 4 am Helen awoke to the sound of people rushing up and down the stairs towards her mother’s room. She heard her father Gregory frantically telling the general handyman to go into the next village and alert the doctor that Patricia had taken a turn for the worse. Dispensing with etiquette Helen pushed her father out of the way and rushed to her mother who was feverish and delirious. “Why can’t you help her Father?” She screamed at Gregory “You’re a Doctor!”

“I’m not allowed” Gregory said “it’s against the rules.”

“Then break the bloody silly rules!” Helen screamed as she ran to her father.

“You’ll mind your language young lady” Gregory said “you are talking to your father.” Helen screamed and ran into Iris’ arms who was awake and standing in the corridor.

 

[slippedhalo]

Iris had heard the commotion. She overheard whispers about the typhoid fever being in the household, Patricia Magnus...her mother had said cruelly as they sewed, "...That woman has a heart as big as this world but it was bloody foolish of her to go to those prisons. Charity be damned, she's earned herself her death and will leave that girl motherless for her love of her fellow man. Even the good Lord himself would understand a person's occasional discretion for the sake of protecting themselves and their family. It's pure stupidity and I hope I'm wrong...But, that cough ain't a chest cold..."

"Oh, mummy, that's terrible talk. Please hush!" said Iris as her eyes welled.

"Mind your manners, girl!" Vera, the cook, hissed from across the kitchen. The ancient woman was as mean as her stews were thick. She fixed her cold, grey eyes on Iris and warned in her deep as a man's voice, "You shouldn't talk back to yer mum so. If you weren't nearly as big as a woman I'd box your ears, child."

Ellie turned wearily to her colleague and smiled wanly, "It's alright, Vera. I've got this handled." she said, then when she turned back to Iris it was with a glare which warned her daughter not to be contrary or rude or do anything to embarrass her in front of her peers again.

Iris swallowed hard and looked down at her sewing, trying not to let her tears moisten the fabric she was darning.

It was the Master's voice, loud and panicked sounding which caused most of the staff to jump up from their beds and run to the second floor corridor. He was calling for a doctor.

Iris had gotten there first because she'd not stayed in her bed that night. She'd awoken around 3 and was certain she'd heard Helen's voice singing softly to herself in the library. But, once she'd gone to the huge Magnus library to look for her friend she found only evidence of a lantern having been recently put out and a book on female anatomy open on the table nearest the large set of windows. In the moonlight Iris learned about womanhood, studying pictures of wombs and using her poor reading skills to decipher medical jargon describing the shedding of womb lining on a monthly basis which explained so much about her mother's private ablutions she had always found puzzling...

The sound of shouting drew her from her discoveries and she ran into the corridor around the corner from the library where the family and guest rooms were located. There she saw Helen standing at attention, a book on modern illnesses in her hands suddenly dropped to the floor careless to the clattering or expense of the text as she shouted at her father and ran into the Master Suite beyond him. Iris felt helpless to soften her best friends' pain and she herself felt the sting of tears begin once more as she peered into the room beyond and saw the statuesque and lovely queen of the Magnus family lying looking weak and pale, a sheen of sweat covering her skin, pasting her honey blonde hair to her forehead, her blue eyes looke dull and doll-like, the spark of life already fading. She looked deathly ill and for a moment Iris hated her mother for her casual comments about the woman having ''earned'' this.

Helen flew into her arms, nearly knocking the breath out of her and Iris held her protectively even despite the other girl being a full head taller than her. Iris took a protective and nurturing stance, leading her friend to the nearest window-seat and stroking her soft hair as she whispered quiet assurances to her, "Helen, please don't worry. It will be alright, the doctors on his way and Master Magnus will take good care of her until he arrives. Don't worry, Helen. Your mother wouldn't want you to be so scared." she said softly, hoping against hope she was helping and not making things worse. She was only ten. It was still hard to know what to say to people at this age, especially in such awful circumstances.

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen appreciated her friend’s concern and support as she hugged her taking strength from her positive words. “I … I don’t know what I’ll do without her, please don’t lie to me. We … we both know she is going to die.”

Before Iris could answer there was noise down below as the butler answered the door admitting the doctor. “I would have thought your Master would have seen to this rather than get me out of bed.” He moaned as he ran up the stairs.

This rattled Helen’s cage and she broke the hug before turning on the doctor “My father has more bedside manner than you’ll ever have” she was cold and precocious in her words “but he is abiding the silly rules drawn up by silly men like you.” She saw him turn as she continued “But don’t let me stop you carrying out the duties we are paying you well for.”

The doctor went into the room and closed the door. Helen went downstairs with Iris and quickly got washed and changed. Going back to Iris she said gently “Thank you for being there” she kissed her cheek and felt her tears welling up. “I hope we remain friends for ever.”

In the morning it was decided none of the children would go to school. Instead Helen and Iris took the younger ones to the gardens where they played cricket and tennis. As the daylight began to wane the butler came and found Helen. “Your father wants you to join him in the bedroom.”

“Is it bad?” She asked as she tried to hold his gaze. “Is my Mum dying?” The butler wouldn’t answer but it was obvious that he was fighting back the tears. Arriving in the room Helen sat with her father but exchanged no words. Her mother was delirious and sought to get out of bed. Gregory Magnus kept changing the flannel he bathed her head with in an attempt to keep his wife’s temperature down.

Dawn was breaking and the sun’s rays were beginning to be seen through the bedroom window. Patricia Magnus reached upwards and called for her daughter. As Helen grasped her clammy hand in her’s Patricia took a deep breath and expired. Helen wailed so loudly the whole household knew the end had come. As Gregory Magnus pulled his daughter away she turned to him through the tears and cried “Why? Why? What have we done?” With those words she ran out of the room barging the butler, Iris and other servants out of the way and locked herself in her room where she stayed sobbing until midday. It was then she heard her father speaking to the doctor who had come to confirm death. Opening the door to her room she stood there and said slowly “If any good has come out of this it’s made me determined to become a doctor myself. And I’ll be better than you!”

The doctor laughed “The best you can do is to marry a doctor and bare him children. One of your sons might go into medicine. It’s not a woman’s job.”

“If you think I’m just going to lie back and allow a man to fill me with his seed you’re mistaken!”

Ellie was shocked and ran to grab her daughter who was laughing while Gregory retorted “How dare you speak like that? You don’t know your place girl. APOLOGISE AT ONCE!” Helen looked at her father and then felt her abdomen contract into a cramp. Before she doubled over and without a word she turned back to her bedroom, shut and locked the door before jumping onto the bed sobbing.

 

[slippedhalo]

The day of distraction was good for Helen, Iris thought. She and the boys enjoyed sport with the tall older young miss of the household. They even took little Simon and baby Laura out for a stroll on the grounds. Ellie had been so distracted she barely minded when Iris and Helen bundled up the baby and set her in her buggy to take outside. The baby rarely got out and the children missed her. Simon was still rather new to walking but enthusiastic to toddle everywhere he could and run off to find trouble every chance he could, his chubby little hand slipping from one of the older girl's easily and often. Chasing him was as much of a sport as their cricket and tennis games they eventually got up to once they'd had enough of chasing tiny ones around and playing house with them. Especially since Adrian (also ten) and Billy (nearing nine) were quickly bored with feigning patience with babies. They begged the girls to ''put the babies back inside so we can play for real'' Iris only agreed to when Helen had said so. She was going to do everything Helen wanted today. It was her day.

No one talked about their mothers or the very real possibility that Patricia Magnus was dying while they bickered over whether the tennis ball had been on or over the line...No one wanted to think of such awful things. Even when the weather had gotten a bit cooler and Iris would have normally complained about wanting to go indoors and play marbles or hide-and-seek in the warmth of the house, she didn't dare. Helen wanted to stay out and away from the house so that's what the four of them did. A loyal and brave crew of children, they even weathered a rain shower, hiding in the stables and chatting up the horses while the cloud passed overhead, leaving the property damp but good creative stomping ground after only about ten minutes of pause. They stayed out until even Helen seemed to be losing her energy to distract herself with busy activity and the Butler came running after them, calling for ''Miss Helen'', looking out of breath, saddened, and very upset. Adrian and Simon ran to their father and hugged him hard, knowing by the look on his face they were being called inside for nothing at all good. Iris simply stuck close by Helen. Her friend would be needing her soon, she felt it well.

Iris spent the evening just outside of the room where the Mistress slept fitfully and where the Magnus family remained shut up and alone together. The sounds of Helen's sobs and relentless questioning of her father always heard by Iris even through the heavy wood of the closed door. She knew Helen's voice better than anyone's and could hear the anguish in her tones even with the words themselves muffled. This was unfair. Iris felt anger at a God who'd let her best friend's mum suffer and die for no reason. Iris waited in the hallway for ages, her own mother coming several times to check on her but Iris wouldn't budge, "No, mum, please let me stay. What if Miss Helen needs me? I want to stay here."

"Child, they need their privacy..."

"And they have it. The door's shut. I will not open it or bother them in any way until asked for. But, I have to make sure Helen will be alright, mum. I just have to."

"You're stubborn as a mule, you are....I'll bring you something to eat while you wait." Her mother relented, and Iris smiled at her gratefully.

Iris had fallen asleep in the window-seat she'd occupied to attempt comforting Helen just the previous morning while waiting to be needed. She awoke when the bone chilling sound of Helen Magnus screaming sounded from the room, a terrible, agonizing moan of sadness..."Oh God, it's done." Iris whispered to herself as she stood and faced the door which separated her from her charge. Her heart ached, all she wanted to do was make it all better for Helen and she felt helpless. She'd promised she wouldn't even knock on the door and would wait but waiting to be invited inside was torture for Iris. She ran her thin, pale hands over the apron of her skirts and moved a stray auburn curl back into her plain hair clip while her olive coloured eyes remained focused on the doorknob, waiting for a chance to be helpful to her best friend.

Soon, other servants had arrived, all tentatively standing outside the door, all soon run right over, including Iris, knocked to the floor by an angry, tearful, sad, Helen Magnus as she ran off down the stairs...Iris hurried to right herself and follow her but she hadn't been quick enough to catch up with those long legs and Helen had locked herself in her bedroom before Iris could reach the door. Now, she waited outside yet another door. Her vigil remained the same. She wouldn't go anywhere when she knew Helen needed her. A few hours more had passed. Iris unfortunately had to go use the pot and on the way back was convinced to take a half of a sandwich from her mother before returning to her spot of waiting like a sentry outside of Helen's room. Finally, it was Master Magnus with Doctor Lemon who got the girl to open her door. Iris quickly followed them inside the doorway.

His words to Helen were shocking but laughable. Anyone who knew the great Helen Magnus knew she'd never fit into society's mold. Iris couldn't hold back the laughter in at his mention of her bearing some man's child and hoping perhaps one day her son would be a doctor, not her.

What a pompous ass! thought Iris. She was glad when Helen told him off, even as shocking as her reply was it was indeed right, or, it felt right to Iris...but her mother appeared out of nowhere, grabbed her skinny bicep hard, yanking her toward her soft, plump form, and slapped her cheek hard for laughing...making Iris instantly silent but more out of shock and moroseness than contrition.

When Helen forced everyone out and slammed her door Iris made sure she was on the correct side of it this time. She could hardly celebrate victory, though, when she saw the look on poor Helen's face. Iris watched her friend fling herself upon her bed, absorbed in a fit of sobs. Iris reached out to touch her shoulder tentatively, "Helen...do you need anything?" she asked, feeling silly asking such lame questions now that she was finally alone with the girl.

"Please, Iris, I want to be left alone. I'll let you back in, and only you...later." Helen promised, hiding her head in her pillow.

Iris felt deflated, she reached out a hand and stroked Helen's hair before turning to leave her as requested, "I'm so sorry, Helen. I wish...well, I'm sorry for your loss. I'm here when you need me, day or night." she promised before shutting the door softly behind her as she retreated. All that waiting only to feel as useless as a chocolate teapot.

Iris returned to the staff quarters and found her own bed. She hoped her parents wouldn't mind if she sobbed a bit into her own pillow. Sleep came eventually and dreams of Helen running in the autumn wind, her blonde curls catching the sunlight and glowing as she laughed...filled Iris's dreams and her heart ached.

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen eventually fell asleep but when she did in her dreams she was running in a field on a hot summer day wearing a play dress and chasing after a ball. She heard her mother’s voice and turned to embrace her jumping up into her lap. As she did she felt her mother’s warm kisses on her cheek as she gave her a bunch of butter cups. Suddenly her mother was snatched from her and she woke with a start and faced reality. The sudden realisation of what had happened brought back the dark memories of the previous night.

Sitting up in bed she reached out and lit a candle before lighting the oil lamp to check the clock in her room which showed it was 3:30 in the morning. Struggling to make sense of her dream she convinced herself that the real world was a dream that she could control. If she tried hard enough she could awake from this nightmare and be in that field with her mother. She concentrated and willed it but only succeeded in exhausting herself. Whether sleep embraced her again or if she saw a vision she did not know but her mother was with her sitting on her bed talking to her, urging her to let her go and to embrace her new life. “Your life will be eventful and fulfilling, it will be long and challenging but one day, some day you will come to me and we will have each other’s company again.”

“No Mum, no Mum … MUMMY … MUMMY!” Helen was screaming as she heard a knock on the door and Iris’ calling to her. Opening the door she fell into her friend’s arms. “Mum was here … Iris I saw her. Look …” She turned to the empty room stunned by the absence of her mother. Turning to her friend she pleaded “Help me wake up, this is just a terrible dream. You will help me won’t you?” She pleaded with Iris “If you love me you’ll help me wake up. I WANT MY MUM!”

Before Iris could even answer Gregory appeared at the door and in his authoritative way took control of the situation. “Thank you Iris” he said as he ushered her away “Helen will be with you later but I need to speak to her alone. Maybe you could draw her a bath” Iris looked at Helen who nodded through the tears giving her consent for her friend to go. Once they were alone Gregory closed the door and bad his daughter sit on the bed while he sat beside her. “You are going to have to grow up fast young lady” Gregory Magnus was being as strict as he could under the circumstances “and you cannot rely on that young servant girl to help you. In four years you will be a debutant and I want you to make your mother proud. By the time you are eighteen I want to see you married and within a year have a child of your own. Your mother and I often spoke of it. It was her deepest wish.”

“I’m sorry Dad” Helen said “that’s not me! Especially after what’s happened. I want to go into medicine, if I can save one young girl from the heartache I’ve had. If I can save a life. That’s what I want.” She looked at her father and embraced him “But first we need to grieve, we have a funeral to arrange.”

“No Helen” retorted Gregory. “I have a funeral to arrange. You need to pull yourself together and when you have you will write an apology to Doctor Lemon for your disgusting language. Now go and find Iris who is drawing you a bath. We need you washed, dressed and in your mourning dress before you have breakfast.” Gregory stood and said as he opened the door “And apologise to the wretched servants for the cess pit you call a mouth.”

Shocked Helen threw herself on the bed and whispered “Bloody Hell” before she started crying again. Her tears were short lived as she felt another twinge in her abdomen that took her breath away. Standing she opened the door and made her way to the servant quarters.

 

[slippedhalo]

Iris had been awake and helping in the kitchen when the bell rang calling a servant to Helen's room. "Me! Send me!" she said eagerly to the Head of House Staff. He nodded curtly and replied, "Well, Miss Sumner, of course it's you. Miss Helen would like a bath. You'll prepare one for her. Get to it, child."

"Yes, Sir." Iris said, handing the spoon she'd been stirring the pot with to her brother who made a face that showed the last thing he thought he should be doing was cooking and she headed to get a large pot of boiled water, setting another pot boiling as she lugged this one with the help of one of the younger housemaids, Anne-Marie, fifteen and lovely, up to the room allocated for bathing.

Marie-Anne was a shy character, mute from an early life with an abusive set of parents who'd tortured her to near death as a toddler. Her life had been saved by Gregory Magnus when the doctor was called to the orphanage to help the new girl who's parents had been arrested and their little girl removed from their care for beating her within an inch of her life and cutting out her tongue for crying....When she was older and had finished her basic schooling she had left the orphanage and come to the estate of the wonderful doctor she had remembered saving her life years ago. She was looking to work for him. Her dutifulness to him was her way of thanking him for his care. She'd been working in the household for over a year now and fit in quite well, even despite her silent nature. Iris liked when she was assigned work with her. When Anne-Marie was around things got done, quickly, efficiently, and with pride in excellent attention to detail. Iris also happened to know Mary-Anne had a lovely whistle and made whistling songs into a household artform.

Iris and Mary-Anne knocked on the door of Helen's room when the tub was ready for her, towels and flannels in hand. Iris explained to Mary-Anne that, being the bigger of the two, if the tub needed more hot water the fifteen year old would be sent to fetch it. Mary-Anne nodded in agreement to this arrangement. They waited for the girl on the other side of the door to answer.

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen had never felt like this before. Not only was she completely grief stricken, her abdomen felt like it was going to explode and the sides by her hips, where her father’s books showed her ovaries were located, felt inflamed and swollen. Was this the day she completed her childhood and made the first steps to adolescence? Was she on the verge of her first period? If ever she needed her Mum it was now but she was lying in the drawing room in her coffin.

Hearing the knock on the door Helen opened it to see Mary-Anne and Iris with towels in their hands. “Your bath is ready Mistress” Iris said quietly. Smiling at both the girls Helen followed to the bath tub where Mary-Anne helped her to undress. Sitting Helen into the bath the fifteen year old mute assisted Iris in washing their young mistress.

Feeling her pain deepening Helen looked down and was sure she saw a trace of blood seep from her vagina into the water. Mary-Anne immediately noticed it and tried to divert Iris’ eyes. Smiling and nodding at Helen she raised her index finger to her lips simulating a ‘hush’ plea. This in itself drew the attention of Iris who understood what was happening to her friend and charge.

Helen didn’t know where to put her face. Her upbringing taught her the menstrual cycle was something secret, personal to a girl not even shared with her closest friends. It was the exclusive duty of a girl’s mother and for Helen this was no longer possible. Looking at Iris she asked “Please … can you … can you ask your mother to come?” Moving herself in the bath Helen hoped her friend had not seen too much.

Iris went off and fetched her mother and on her return Helen dismissed the young servants. “Miss Ellie … Helen began as she sat in the bath “I think I’ve … I’ve started …” It took a moment for what she was being told to sink in. “I need … I need your help please.”

Ellie helped Helen out of the bath and began drying her “It’s alright Mistress” she said as she laid a towel on Helen’s back. “Wait there while I bring the necessary.” Leaving swiftly Ellie went to her room and took out two clean sanitary bands from her draw. Returning to Helen she showed her how to place them in the right position and explained how to cope with what would now be a monthly saga.

Helen was grateful for the advice and was pleased Ellie remained to help her dress. Making her way for breakfast Helen found it difficult to make eye contact with Iris. Breakfast was eaten in silence.

 

[slippedhalo]

Iris had wanted to ask Helen what was happening to her. Was it the very same thing they'd just read about in the medical texts so recently? Was it some terrible side effect of grief no one had warned her about? Or an unpleasant beginning to her own battle with Typhus? Iris was curious and concerned. Helen would not make any eye contact with her and every time Iris tried to think of something to say or ask she couldn't come up with any words that wouldn't sound presumptuous, rude, or nosy. The silent breakfast was difficult for Iris. She could see Helen was hurting emotionally and Iris wanted so much to be of comfort but could tell there was nothing she could do or say to make it any easier.

That day and many more afterward Helen avoided everyone except to occasionally indulge Ellie with a hushed conversation (likely over the new wonders of blossoming womanhood Iris had yet to be able to be party to because she was still too young) or to discuss something of current events or household affairs very politely with her father. Helen had pulled out of the church school the other household children attended and had begun taking on her own studies with private tutors and extra instruction from her father in sciences and mathematics. For hours every day the library was off limits because Helen Magnus was at study. Iris felt shut out. It was as if her best friend had evolved into a completely different person almost overnight.

Iris tried to console herself with being extra attentive to her baby sister and helping her mother with household work, her melancholy continued as a side effect of Helen's changes and sudden coolness. Iris's eleventh birthday had come without much ado. She had preferred it this way. It was mid day and she was clearing up dishes from lunch when she turned, quite surprised to see Helen Magnus standing at the kitchen door with a shy smile on her face.

"Miss Helen, you startled me. What are you doing down here? You haven't eaten with us in months!" Iris said, realizing the accusation in her tone had seeped out even when she hadn't meant it to. "My apologies, I mean...it's just...you...have been a little distant...I wasn't expecting to see you today. Um...let me start over...Hello, is there anything I can do for you, Miss?"

 

[YoungLisa]

The following days had been difficult for Helen as she adjusted to the changes taking place in her body. Although her mother’s strain of typhus was water born the house was briefly subjected to quarantine but that was lifted in time for the funeral.

Gregory Magnus did not forget his demand that his daughter write a letter of apology to Doctor Lemon and she knew better than to defy him. Helen needed her father’s support if she was to go into medicine and although he normally supported everything she did she was not going to risk upsetting him. So reluctantly she sat down to write:-

Dear Doctor Lemon

As you are aware my father has demanded I apologise to you for anything I might have said that offended your male chauvinism and sense of masculine superiority. Sometimes we women forget the masculine need to be in control at all times and I hope you will soon recover from any pain I might have caused.

I would however like to thank you for caring for my mother during her last illness and I hope that our little misunderstanding will not threaten our professional relationship when I qualify as a doctor myself.

Yours Truly

Helen Magnus

The day of the funeral dawned and heavy drizzle fell from the sky most of the day. Helen was dressed in her black mourning dress and netted hat as she stood by supporting her father throughout the service. Her Mother’s favourite hymn was Crimmond and Helen sang it solo after the eulogy. At the grave side the family stood by the priest with the servants standing a row back as her mother was laid to rest.

Throughout the following weeks Helen drew closer to her father whose attitude towards his daughter changed following the reading of the will. In it Patricia Magnus had left a note urging her husband to support their daughter in her ambitions and to assist her in her education. Gregory spared no expense in hiring the best tutors for Helen who lived and breathed her studies.

On 17th April Helen turned the pages of her diary and noticed that in two days her friend Iris would be celebrating her eleventh birthday. Taking some money from her allowance she went to the shops and bought her friend a ‘mother of pearl necklace’. She also visited her own hairdressers and paid in advance for Iris to have a cut and set before going to Dawsons the clothes shop where she handed over £2 with the instruction that they were to dress the young girl with clothes up to that cost.

On her return Helen spoke to Ellie and Anne- Marie and arranged for a hot bath to be drawn in the servant’s common room on 19th April. After lunch on 19th April Helen made her way to the kitchen where she waited for Iris.

It was mid-day and Iris was clearing up dishes from lunch when she turned,surprised to see Helen Magnus standing at the kitchen door with a shy smile on her face.

"Miss Helen, you startled me. What are you doing down here? You haven't eaten with us in months!" Iris said, realizing the accusation in her tone had seeped out even when she hadn't meant it to. "My apologies, I mean...it's just...you...have been a little distant...I wasn't expecting to see you today. Um...let me start over...Hello, is there anything I can do for you, Miss?"

“Yes there is!” Helen said with a strong authorative tone. “You can stop what you are doing immediately and come with me.” Leading the young girl into the common room she took her to the bath. “It’s my turn to bathe you” she said “so get ready.” She could see Iris was hesitant so she decided to pull rank “That’s not a request Iris. It’s an instruction!” And Iris knew there was no room to dispute. After helping Anne-Marie bathe the young servant Helen took her first to the hairdressers and then to Dawsons.

By the time they returned the rest of the servants had turned the common room into a dance room where they served tea followed by a birthday cake after which Helen gave her friend the necklace. Invited to the dance was a young thirteen year old boy everyone called ‘Sparky’ who took a definite shine to the young girl who was enjoying her best birthday ever.

 

[slippedhalo]

After her wonderful eleventh birthday Iris and Helen had resumed their previous friendship, the space of the lost months after her mother's passing attributed by both of them as simple growing pains.

Iris had become good friends with Sparky (his real name was Hendrik Hornsworth but he hated the name) but his truest attraction grew more toward Helen than for young Iris. She didn't mind, all of the boys wanted Helen and usually paid Iris little mind but she was so used to it. Such a good natured girl as Iris took such things in stride. Her friendship with the ever blossoming Magnus girl was far more important to her than the affections of any passing pimply faced youth...until Michael.

Michael had entered their lives when Iris was fifteen, quite pretty in a plain, ginger, sort of way but always outshined by the statuesque perfection of Helen Magnus in comparison. She'd been helping prepare a great party for Helen in celebration of the completion of her first level exams. She'd passed with top honours in all of her classes and would not be ready for university level study. Her hope was to parlay her studies into a spot studying at the University of Oxford. So far, they had denied her entry upon the first request but things were early yet. Gregory Magnus had managed to get her tutoring, supplies, books, and syllabi for all of the classes necessary to get her on track for Pre-Med within less than two years. If she studied hard and was still willing to go so far by then she could easily be up to enter graduate Medical studies at Oxford before her twentieth year...They were only just beginning the requests and until that time when it would be absolutely crucial she finish there she could still continue her studies under Magnus's tutorials. The first major step had been accomplished and she was on her way to big things. Seventeen, stunning, clever, and wealthy. Who didn't want Helen Magnus in those days?

Iris first met Michael the week of the party they were planning in Helen's honor. He'd just moved to London from his family's estate in southern France, his mother being from there, it was where he'd been raised. Iris could hardly speak in reply when he'd first addressed her, his eyes were gorgeous and his smile was like pure sunlight! He flirted with her almost innocently and she could hardly believe her luck.

Michael had come to spend time in the Magnus household for a few weeks until his family had finished moving into their new home nearby. His father was a well respected professor of Anatomy and was hired to liaison between Oxford and the Magnus household to give instruction to Helen so she would not lag behind her male peers who had been granted entry. So, the two families were growing quite close and spending quite a bit of time together. This gave Iris and Michael plenty of time to get acquainted as well. And, for once, this boy seemed more interested in Iris than her older, more sophisticated friend.

It was a shame Helen seemed to like Michael. This left Iris unsure what to do. She wanted him for herself. They'd even stolen a kiss on the afternoon of the party and yet Helen spent the majority of her party talking to him, flirting with him, and Iris felt the sinking feeling she would lose him to her friend.

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen didn’t really have time for boys and where society girls her age were making their debuts on the party scene she spent her weekends studying. The only exception was when there were family parties or gatherings but even then Helen didn’t have time to try to attract men.

All that appeared to be changing when the seventeen year old was the guest of honour at a party to celebrate her success in her studies. Her father had invited his colleague David Le Noir to live in the family home and assist in encouraging Helen in her anatomical studies. With him came his son Michael who immediately caught the eye of young Iris.

On the night of the party Iris and Helen faced the first major challenge to their long friendship when for the first time Helen noticed Michael. She knew Iris liked him but couldn’t help herself flirting with him and dancing with him. It was only when they engaged in a close intimate waltz that Helen realised, for the first time in her life, the effect she could have on men. Shocked she made an excuse and took herself to her bedroom.

Over the next few weeks Helen avoided both Iris and Michael but after Dr Le Noir had completed teaching her anatomy there was no need for him and his son to remain living in the Magnus home. Instead he decided to take a post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital meaning Michael remained in England with his father.

Helen needed six months in which to complete her revision before taking her entrance exams. Even if she passed she would not be guaranteed a place at University so she had to ensure her marks were so high the education board would have no choice but to admit her. She needed to be away from all distraction so she was pleased when her Nan invited her to spend six months with her in Killarney in Ireland. No one goes to Ireland for the weather so Helen knew she would have the time to stay at in her Nan’s home and study.

Just before leaving she invited Iris to accompany her to the Savoy Hotel for lunch. There she told Iris she had no designs on Michael. “If you want him, go for him” she said before adding “just don’t go … go too far” she blushed as did Iris “you know what I mean.” Both girls giggled as they continued to enjoy their meal.

Two days later Helen took the train to Holyhead before boarding the ferry to Ireland.

 

[slippedhalo]

Michael had used his time off from his own studies to follow Helen to her nan's. He had designs on the lovely, young lass and had intentions to ask her to marry him. He had announced to his family of his acceptance into the Royal Navy and he'd be taking his first sail for six months this coming spring. He hoped to be engaged to a lovely woman who'd be his sweetheart to dream of all the time he would be away. As much as he cared for Iris he could see his future more clearly linked to the Magnus line if she'd have him.

Surprising her in the stables of her nan's Michael laughed when he saw how shocked Helen was to see him there. "Hello, I thought my father or yours would have written ahead by now. I've come...to speak with you about something rather important, Helen." He had his grandmere's old diamond ring waiting in a velvet pouch in his vest pocket...Taking her hand, he brushed his lips against the knuckle before softly adding, "Helen Magnus, I can't stop thinking of you. When I set off sail with the navy next month I hope to do so with a sweetheart waiting for me back home..." Even as he knealt at her feet he could see the blush creeping up into her cheeks. He hoped she'd say yes...

 

[YoungLisa]

“Michael … how did you find me … What are you doing here?” Magnus was just removing the tack from Oscar the horse she kept at her Nan’s stables after taking him for a ride along the shores of Killarney’s blue lake.

"Hello, I thought my father or yours would have written ahead by now. I've come...to speak with you about something rather important, Helen." He had his grandmere's old diamond ring waiting in a velvet pouch in his vest pocket...Taking her hand, he brushed his lips against the knuckle before softly adding, "Helen Magnus, I can't stop thinking of you. When I set off sail with the navy next month I hope to do so with a sweetheart waiting for me back home..." Even as he knealt at her feet he could see the blush creeping up into her cheeks. He hoped she'd say yes...

Helen felt her heart race as she held Michael’s gaze “Michael … this … this isn’t right. You know it’s not protocol for a young man to be alone with a young lady. Especially here in this part of Ireland. Nan has gone to market and my cousins are working the land. If my cousin Pat finds you here he’ll box your ears. And you’ll ruin my reputation.”

Helen’s mind raced back to the dance and what she felt brushing against her leg and she felt the blood rush to her cheeks. Time seemed to stand still as thoughts, desires and objections raced through her mind. “You say you’ve discussed with my father? He … he knows I can’t think of marriage … I need to concentrate on my studies.”

Regaining her composure Helen cleared her throat “Mr Le Noir” she said being formal “I’m flattered but I … I can’t commit myself. I fear you’ve had a wasted journey. There are lodgings available in the town, I can recommend Buckley’s Bar the food is good and the rooms are comfortable. Then you can make your plans to return tomorrow.”

With those words Helen Magnus hoisted her skirts and made her way through the mud to her grandmother’s house.

 

[slippedhalo]

Michael hadn't been expecting this reaction. He was rather glad he hadn't actually spoken with her father, only his, about his seeking to ask her to marry him...But, now he wasn't sure how to face his own father upon returning without an engagement secured when he'd made his father believe that upon return from his first six months with the navy his family could begin planning for a wedding. His mother would come from France, anxious to plan a wedding...

Michael spent a few days in Killarney, enjoying the easy and emotional way of the Irish people but his heart felt empty. His mind wandered back to the original object of his affections in the Magnus household, young Iris. Ah, if she wasn't so very young (or poor) he'd have snatched her up into his arms in an instant. She was not right for him in those ways but she was still so sweet, so lovely, so very beautiful and kind...Iris would be a wonderful wife and likely a doting mother when her time would come. How could he have been so blind! Michael felt foolish for being torn between two women so equally but he was. His head told him Helen Magnus would be perfect for him, his heart wanted someone as simple and sweet as Iris. What would he do?

Not relishing the idea of being spurned yet a second time by the only other woman he could see himself loving forever, upon his return to London Michael never bothered to ask Iris the same question he'd asked Helen. He did, however, make it very clear to her that she meant a great deal to him. In the time his heart healed from Helen's refusal of his hand he couldn't resist stealing several long kisses from Iris when he could get her alone. The more time he spent with Iris the more being with her felt much more natural and easy than any courtship to Magnus could ever be. Before he'd set off for his stint at sea he'd secured a promise from Iris that she'd write him back whenever he wrote to her.

He would lie awake nights in his pallet on the ship and dream such vivid fantasies, some about Helen, some about Iris. His heart was split in two. Michael had to tell Helen this. He wrote her a letter to tell her his affections were still very strong.
''My dear, Helen, what can I do? I can't stop feeling the things I feel for you. I wish you could understand there could be room in your life both for marriage and family AND for your medical career. I promise I will never get in the way of your aspirations and would only ever support your endeavors. Please reconsider. I know you must feel something for me. I shall never forget the way you felt in my arms as we danced, or the twinkle in your eyes when you laughed with me at a joke...I want to make you smile that way always,

Forever Yours,
Michael''

She responded but much more coolly, still, there was a response.

Michael wrote back with as much fervor as before, refusing to take one ''no.'' for an answer. He could feel her resolve startling to crumble when in one letter from Helen he actually got her to admit she too had sometimes had intense dreams about him. She said it had meant nothing and was just an exercise of her unconscious mind she couldn't make conscious decisions based on...But, to Michael it meant everything. it meant Helen Magnus had been thinking about him romantically and had found him attractive enough to have dreamt sexually explicit dreams about him!

Well, he wanted love but physical attraction was a damned good place to start if he was to try to build this woman to a point of giving in to his requests for her hand...

He also kept up his correspondence with Iris. They became much more serious and romantic as each letter went on, even reciting poetry to one another. Iris was so honest and innocent. It made him feel protective and affectionate toward her. He really did love her...How was he going to go on being in love with two women? he wondered. He felt like a two faced ass. But, his feelings were so muddled. He loved them both, each in very different ways. How could he choose? And, how could he give up even a ghost of a chance with either of them?

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen didn’t tell her Nan or the rest of her family about her encounter with Michael at the stables but when Michael returned to London she began to wonder if she had done the right thing. Iris wrote to her with tales of how Michael tried to woo her and how attractive she found him. Helen wrote back with advice on what to do and a caution against being alone with him. “Every girl needs a chaperone; never allow yourself or your reputation to be compromised.”

However once the letters to her started arriving she was more confused than anything. Her mind sprang back to that dance and how she felt Michael’s lust and desire pressed against her. No young lady should have the imaginings that at night rushed through her mind or how back in the stables part of her actually wanted Michael to seize her and bundle her into the hay stack.

Her early replies were discouraging to him but as time passed and each letter became more intimate Helen did admit to some feelings. Michael’s next letter placed her in a very difficult situation as he hinted at breaking his relationship with Iris to concentrate on Helen. Taking a life determining decision Helen wrote “I am sorry if I have done anything to give you any encouragement that there may be a future for us. As you know I am hoping to enter Oxford in the autumn and will be in effect married to my studies. I will be home for Christmas and will do everything in my power to persuade Iris to consider marrying you. But note this warning. Break her heart and I will break you. It’s as simple as that.” Helen was sure that as Michael was a relatively new recruit he would not be allowed to spend his first Christmas in the services ashore.

Two days before Christmas Eve Helen arrived home to be greeted by Iris “Helen, you won’t believe this. Michael has got leave from the Navy. He’s joining us for Christmas.” Helen’s heart sank but she struggled to smile and appear happy for her friend. She was even more perturbed when Iris’ mother asked her to chaperone the couple when he arrived the following day. The final challenge was when her father told her he had pulled in some favours to get Michael his leave to give him and Iris a short time together. He went on to say Michael’s room would be opposite hers so she could listen for any clandestine visits.

 

[slippedhalo]

Michael wasn't sure how he would handle spending so much time with both Iris and Helen together. He tried to make Iris his main focus but Helen was charming even when she tried not to be. The more contrite and huffy she got over his innocent flirtatiousness the more he loved to tease her. He had to be careful, though. He was treading a very thin line. He didn't want to hurt Iris's feelings by paying too much attention to her friend.

Iris was so in love she couldn't see anything but good in Michael or his behavior. Even his attentions occasionally shifting to their chaperone, Helen, made her feel he was only trying to make sure the other woman felt included in their conversations or activities and it was very kind of him to not totally ignore the chaperone for the woman he courted. Michael was a kind, socially attentive soul and she loved everything about him.

The day's passed far too quickly, at first. The couple's excitement to spend time together eclipsed thought of anything else. Helen had to clear her throat and give them warning glances from time to time when they'd hold hands too long, or linger on a particular thread of conversation involving things far too familiar or intimate for polite conversing, many a time and Iris found herself sometimes doubting Michael could ever fall for her when she was so easily excitable. But, he was getting just as excited, she thought. She dreamed of the childhood home he described in the French countryside. It sounded an ideal place to grow up and she promised him that if they were to marry she'd consider raising their children there.

Another disapproving glance from Helen who was trying to remain engrossed in a book...Iris apologized softly, "I'm sorry. I think we may be jumping too far ahead of ourselves, Michael."

He chuckled softly and shrugged, "I find your candor refreshing, my dear. I think Miss Magnus sometimes takes her duty a bit too seriously." he said loud enough for Helen to overhear. When she glared at him over her book he shot her a wink. Gods, she was sexy when she was angry! he thought.

Helen managed to distract herself long enough for the couple to be allowed more space between herself and them when walking from the dining room to the sleeping quarters, enough that Michael permitted himself the naughty pleasure of kissing Iris on the cheek when he'd gotten her to her door. "Sleep well, my dear. Tomorrow I hope we can dream together some more." he said.

Iris felt her legs turn to boneless jelly as she leaned heavily on the door for support. Dear Lord, this man was so handsome and charming and he was actually courting her! The contact of his lips to her cheek had been fleeting but it was enough to have her tingling all over and leave her quite restless under her bedcovers, exploring wicked imaginings about what Michael must look like without his clothes on, tentatively touching herself as she imagined him kissing her even longer, and in more places than just her cheek....She was exhausted when sleep finally took her.

Michael, had thanked Helen for her dutiful chaperoning and retired to his own room for the night...But, he couldn't stop imagining Miss Magnus in her bedclothes. He wondered what sort of nightgown she wore. Did she keep her hair loose or tied up when she slept? What was her favourite position to sleep in? Did she read before bedtime? Did she pray? What were her nightly routines? He imagined sharing a bedroom with her as his wife. What would she do every night routinely to get herself prepared for sleep? He'd love to sit and watch her going about her business, patiently waiting for her long, shapely warmth to settle beside him in his bed. Oh, the things he would do to her to make her forget all about books and medicine for just a few sinful moments of every night if he could just get close to her...

It was as if it had all happened in his sleep. He barely had any memory of having risen from his own bed, quietly exited his room, padded silently across the hall to the door to Helen's private space. But, there he was, standing in her doorway. She stood in the candlelight in a nightgown much like one he'd imagined on her earlier, her hair wild and loose ringlets about her face as she stared with bewilderment into his eyes.

"I don't know why I'm here, Helen." he admitted in a soft voice. "I just...I wanted to make sure that before you go to sleep tonight you know...I love you." he said, reaching out to take her free hand, he kissed it, knuckle side, then turned it over, kissing her palm, and moving to breathe her wrist's pulse-point before kissing her tenderly there too. He had committed the feel of this soft portion of her skin and the scent of her to memory just then. He'd sleep tonight with that in his mind. "I will always love you...even if you send me off to be with another. Never forget you could have had my love." he said, before letting her go, feeling his impropriety deeply, he blushed and took a step back. "G-g-g-goodnight." he stammered before nearly sprinting back across the hall to his own room again.

 

[YoungLisa]

Christmas morning came and after attending Church the family gathered round the tree made popular by Queen Victoria’s late husband Prince Albert. Gregory Magnus made sure he bought his daughter the books she would need for her studies and a stethoscope. Helen remembered the old days when Iris used to wear her cast offs so she was delighted to see her friend’s eyes light up when she gave her a brand new pair of boots, the first new pair the girl had ever owned. As was usual in upper middle class families there was a reversal of roles for Christmas Day Dinner when the Magnus family cooked and waited on the servants. After the meal Iris gave Helen her present, a copy of Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol personally signed by the author. In the evening the family played party games before singing carols round the tree.

In the days that followed Helen took her books with her and read them whenever she was acting as chaperone to Iris and Michael a role she took very seriously. On the 30th December she retired to her bed as normal and after reading one of her books she fell asleep to be woken by Michael being in her room.

"I don't know why I'm here, Helen." he admitted in a soft voice. "I just...I wanted to make sure that before you go to sleep tonight you know...I love you." he said, reaching out to take her free hand, he kissed it, knuckle side, then turned it over, kissing her palm, and moving to breathe her wrist's pulse-point before kissing her tenderly there too. He had committed the feel of this soft portion of her skin and the scent of her to memory just then. He'd sleep tonight with that in his mind. "I will always love you...even if you send me off to be with another. Never forget you could have had my love." he said, before letting her go, feeling his impropriety deeply, he blushed and took a step back. "G-g-g-goodnight." he stammered before nearly sprinting back across the hall to his own room again.

Stunned the only words Helen could utter were “Dear God” as she found herself alone and in bed with her friend’s suitor standing by her side kissing her hands. All sorts of emotions raced through her mind and a rush of hormones started to do amazing things to her body.

The following morning, New Year’s Eve 1867, after breakfast Helen called Michael into the entrance hall of the house. “Don’t you EVER pull a stunt like that again” she said in a loud whisper “my bedroom is off limits to you or anyone else. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?” Michael nodded and was going to reply when Gregory Magnus came into the hall and began talking to Helen about the arrangements for the night.

At 11:30pm the family and servants went to Church for the Watch Night Service where they waited for the bells to welcome in 1868. On the way back to the house with the snow crunching beneath their feet Helen turned to Iris “Well young lady this year I will be eighteen and you will be sixteen I wonder what this year will bring?”

The family and household stayed up until 2:30am when the servants went to bed. Gregory gave instruction that although New Year’s Day was a normal working day for most households the Magnus family and servants would have a relaxing easy day before returning to normal activity from Thursday 2nd January.

Helen sat in the drawing room sipping a glass of red wine when Michael came in and poured himself a glass. “I never got to wish you happy New Year” he said as he approached Helen. Their glasses clinked in a toast and to her surprise Helen found herself holding Michael’s gaze. Locked in a mutual silence their faces drew close together before their lips brushed against each other. Before either of them knew what was happening they were locked in a long, hot, lustful, passionate kiss which was only broken by the sound of red wine from Helen’s glass splashing on the carpet as her left hand turned outwards.

Pulling her face back Helen exclaimed “Bloody Hell!” She then turned, hoisted her skirts and ran from the room up the stairs to her room where she entered, bolted the door and leapt on her bed crying. This was the first ‘proper’ kiss she had ever experienced and she found her pulse thudding in her forehead as emotions, feelings and desires she never dreamed possible surged through her body. How long she lay there in the dark she did not know but eventually lulled by the gentle patter of snowflakes beating against the windows she drifted off to sleep where in her dreams she was running from something she could not see as she sought the sanctuary of her Mother’s arms.

In the morning she determined to leave first thing and return to Ireland but the heavy snow fall had brought the rail network to a standstill so she had to resign herself to staying at home for at least another couple of nights. Unlike her she took breakfast in her room and then washed and dressed. In the afternoon she went back to her room and began packing determined to leave as soon as the snow thawed. The journey to Holyhead would take at least eight hours. On arrival she would spend the night with her Welsh ‘Nanny’ now retired. The following day she would have a four hour ferry crossing to Dublin before getting another train to Killarney. All these plans were subject to the weather. There was a knock on her door “Miss Helen … Miss Helen it’s Iris. I wonder … I wonder would you sit with Michael and me in the lounge please. The roads are too icy for us to go for walk.”

Pulling herself together Helen shouted “Yes love. I’ll be down in five minutes.” After she heard Iris leave she looked at herself in the mirror and just said “Bugger!”

Arriving in the lounge Helen found the eleven year old scullery maid, an orphan girl named Jane whom her father had taken pity on kneeling with a bowl, soap and scrubbing brush trying to get a wine stain out of the carpet. “I don’t know who spilt that” said Gregory “but if I find out who did I’ll box their ears.” Helen blushed slightly, caught Michael’s gaze and cleared her throat. Totally disorientated she realised she had left her book in her room and ran back up to get it. “I don’t know what’s got into that girl” Gregory said “if I didn’t know better I’d think she’s in love.”

 

[slippedhalo]

Michael was preparing to ask for Iris's hand in matrimony. He was sure she'd be the perfect wife even as the prospect of someone as clever and fiery as Helen excited him... He'd realized as she ran off leaving him in a daze after their kiss, that perhaps she was never really going to give in to his love for her as completely as he would like. He loved Iris too, he told himself. He could be happy with only Iris to accompany him into old age...he hoped...He truly wanted Iris to be enough for him. He knew she deserved better than he. She deserved a suitor who was completely head over heels for her and not half in love with her and half dreaming of chasing after another he fancied who was absolutely not of the desire to be caught. What am I doing? He asked himself and decided he'd put his full effort into courtship of Iris. Iris was perfect for him. Iris was the one he wanted, yes, Iris would do quite nicely as a wife.

As they sat together with Gregory Magnus who appeared anxious to move on with his own affairs but would not leave the young couple alone without chaperoning, Michael made polite conversation with the elder man about world politics and local business. The conversation was dull and dry and had an air about it that would lead one to think perhaps neither man's mind was truly on what was being said as much as other things. But, they continued to talk politely until Helen had returned. Michael smiled politely but refused to truly look at her, no, never again. He had to set his focus only on Iris from now on lest he remain confused and unfairly divided.

Gregory Magnus bade them a good evening and was off to his basement, the level of the house where none were allowed to go, not even the servants. No one knew what Magnus had hidden in the sub-terrain of the house but no one dared ask either. Except for Helen, but she had not even been allowed down there and had been hushed by her father even when she would ask about it privately. He would not share his secret with anyone. It was unnerving...Michael liked the man so he tried not to think about it too much and began to talk with Iris about his views on family life, asking her her own opinions as well. It seemed it was an area they had the most in common over, they both wanted to have a large family and enjoyed imagining family life in their futures.

The days until he was set to leave for the sea again grew shorter and shorter, passing quickly. It was on his last night with the Magnus family that Michael decided to do it...He asked Helen in a hushed whisper as the dinner table was cleared and Iris had excused herself for a moment, "Helen...I require your advisement. I would like to ask Iris to marry me. Her parents and mine seem to already be quite prepared for a proposal to be made soon... How should I begin?"

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen felt the wind sucked out of her sails by Michael’s request. True she was pleased for her friend and relieved that she would not have to worry about fighting Michael’s intentions off. But part of her, probably just a tiny part, wished the roles were reversed and Michael was going to ask her to marry him.

Gathering her thoughts and placing a book mark at the page she was reading she closed the book. Her heart gathered pace at the thought of marriage but as a little girl her visions had always been of the dress, the service, the reception, and the guests. Her mind had never ventured beyond the bedroom door. Now she wouldn’t have to face that fear, at least not for the foreseeable future. That adventure was going to belong to Iris.

“You’re asking the wrong person Michael. I’m probably the least romantic person in the country but I would have thought an invitation to a restaurant, a romantic meal and nice ring should do the trick. I know the manager at the Savoy if you want I’ll ask him to reserve you a special table and he’ll even throw in musicians.”

Smiling at Michael Helen rang the bell to summon the butler. When he arrived she asked “Do you know where the Master is?” Being told he was in the basement she thanked the butler, excused herself from Michael and went down the stairs to stand outside the locked room. Knocking on the door she shouted “Father, I know you’re in there. Isn’t it time you showed me what happens here?” She waited for his reply.

 

[slippedhalo]

Iris wondered what Michael seemed so nervous about on the last evening before he was to set sail again. He spoke several times in hushed whispers to both Helen and Gregory Magnus and she began to wonder what it was all about. She would have felt jealous at his private conversation with Helen except that all through it both of them seemed focused on Iris so much she blushed and looked away. Something was up.

As they approached a less trafficked area of the house, getting closer to the servant areas Michael felt he needed to just get it over with already. "Dearest Iris, I had considered many grand ways to do this but none of them truly suit me. I think it's perhaps best if I do it my own way, even if that's a bit too plain for most. I apologize ahead of time if you've had really big dreams of how...oh...alright, now I'm talking too much. Uh..." he knealt before her in front of the door to the kitchen and pulled the velvet pouch with his grandmere's antique diamond ring in it, all polished up and ready for this moment. He pulled it out and presented it to Iris and asked, "Please Iris Sumner, will you be my wife and make me the luckiest man in the world?"

Iris was confused when Michael started babbling but her confusion melded to a slow dawning of what might be happening when he got down on one knee before her and her excitement escaped in a small squeal of joy. She nodded enthusiastically and said, "Yes! Yes, yes, Michael, yes!", enjoying his silly lovestruck grin as he fumbled to get the ring onto her finger. It was gorgeous! And it was a perfect fit.

Michael was really happy to have made up his mind and he was sure he'd chosen the right woman to marry. He stood and hugged her closely kissing her softly on the cheek and whispering, "I promise to be a good husband to you, Iris. I will always take care of you, my love."

She melted in the embrace and sighed feeling the words deeply. She believed them. Michael and her would be happy and would grow old together. Not quite sixteen yet and Iris was engaged to be married. "Oh, goodness, I have to tell my parents!" she bubbled and he held her hand as she pushed open the kitchen door and found her family to announce their engagement. The house was abuzz with celebration and it wasn't long before Gregory and Helen were also in on the good news.

Of course, it made sending Michael off even harder for Iris but she promised to write faithfully and work closely with his mother on the wedding plans when she would come from France to prepare for the happy day, likely to come in the springtime.

 

[YoungLisa]

Helen waited for her father to answer and after about a minute she heard bolts being sprung the other side of the door and a lock being opened. The door was held slightly open as Gregory spoke to his daughter. “Helen I can’t show you yet or tell you the nature of my research. You will know soon enough and in time you will take over the reins from me. But not yet.” Seeing the disappointment on his daughter’s face he smiled “You’re doing better than anyone on your course and progressing beyond my imagination. Trust me Helen, go back to Ireland and then in the autumn begin at Oxford. Succeed there and I’ll show you everything.”

Helen hesitated before replying “Yes Father.” Later in the day Helen learned Michael was not going to take Iris for a meal to propose so she hung around just out of sight while he went down on one knee.

+*+*+*+​

Returning to Ireland she worked even harder on her studies and kept corresponding with Iris looking forward to going home for Easter and catching up with the gossip. Indulging herself with the time she spent with her Nan and family she found her Irish nature coming more and more to the fore. St Patrick’s Day came and went and then she began to look forward to Easter when she would return home and spend time with her father and the bride to be.

 

[slippedhalo]

She was becoming an adult very quickly. Iris had felt it deeply when Michael was away at sea and she had his very prissy and proper mum come over from France to help her and her parents plan the wedding.

Rachel Le Noir being fully British unlike her husband, Iris thought she'd find things in common with the woman and that bonding would be easy. But, they had differing opinions on almost every aspect of the wedding planning. Iris often deferred to the other woman simply out of respect for her rank and age but it was getting tiring and Iris was greatly disappointed to find that planning nuptuals was not at all as fun as she had imagined it to be.

She was relieved when Michael announced in a letter he'd be returning for a full fortnight before their set date to betrothal and taking her on the mystery honeymoon only the best man (her brother) knew about the destination of. Helen had been invited to come as her company as well but Helen had to sit exams the week following the set wedding date and instead Iris would be bringing along her cousin, Midge from Kent as her honeymooning companion (as was customary, bringing along one or two friends on a couple's honeymoon)...Michael was set to leave again two days after dropping his bride back off in London to say farewell to her family and friends.

Announcements and invitations had already gone out. May 3rd was to be the all important day. Then, after he would set sail again on the 1st of June and, like it or not, Iris would be leaving the only home she'd ever known and the job she'd come to know as a lifestyle to become a proper married wife to a Naval Officer, moving to live with her parents-in-law in southern France until the house they'd bought the couple as a wedding present would be finished being renovated. The estimate for moving into their own home would be sometime in the late autumn. Iris had already begun rudimentary lessons in French since it seemed for at least the next few years she'd be living her life there. It was very exciting and a little bit frightening, this new adventure. Nothing her life up until now could have ever truly prepared her for all of this.

Life for Iris was taking on a momentum of her own and she had to let go and hope that the path she was following was best. Having the moral support of the Magnus family made her feel more comfortable with her decision to follow through with the Le Noir family plan. She did feel deeply, however, that the Sumner family's opinions were far too frequently eclipsed and under-appreciated. For the most part her mother and father seemed to agree with whatever Mrs. Le Noir had to say but Iris had a sense that it was a tad bit out of feeling outclassed and slightly out of their element in some of the circumstances where rank and experience outweighed personal taste.

All in all, the months while Michael was away flew by and yet the nights she was up thinking about it all and fretting sometimes made it feel long. Her sixteenth birthday came and went with narry her feeling at all celebratory. And, May sneaked up on her...

 

[YoungLisa]

Sunday 5th April 1868, Palm Sunday Helen attended Church with her Nan before catching the train to Dublin where she spent the night at her Uncle Mick’s home. The next morning she took the ferry to Holyhead where she made her way to her paternal grandmother. After spending two nights with her she boarded the train to Paddington where was met by Reg the assistant footman who hired a handsome cab and escorted her home.

Helen didn’t go to bed that night instead the girls spent their time in Iris’ room chatting about Ireland, Wales. Her studies but most important the plans for the wedding. The following day, Maundy Thursday they went to Church spent Good Friday and Easter Day together.

The following week was the build-up to Iris’ birthday and Helen bought her friend a bridal nightdress. I’m just trying to imagine the look on Michael’s face when he sees you in this.” She had a wicked glint in her eye as she added “But you won’t be wearing it for long.” She laughed as she watched her friend blush. April turned into May and the wedding was almost upon them. The day before the nuptials Iris gathered with her friends and mother in the servant dining room where they shared some food and a bottle of sherry supplied by Helen. Afterwards Helen left the servant’s quarters and made her way to the main hall where she ran into Michael. “I thought you were staying in a hotel” she whispered “what are you doing here?”

Michael explained “I left my wallet here …” he saw Helen grin and shake her head “… what’s funny?” Helen tried not to laugh but that drew Michael closer “please don’t make a noise” he begged as he tried to symbolically to gag her with his hand. Helen’s long dress rustled as she tried to look back at him and hold his gaze. As their eyes locked on each Michael found his face and lips near to Helen, so close he pulled her into a kiss. Helen resisted at first but as Michael’s lips crushed her’s and soon she surrendered herself to him leaning forwards. Her heart raced as she felt his right hand close briefly round her left breast releasing feelings she never had before in her life.

The whole encounter was over in fifteen seconds but it felt like fifteen minutes. Pulling back Helen found herself flustered “No … no … what are you doing?” Turning she hoisted the skirts of her dress and ran up the stairs before dashing to her room and locking herself in. “Bloody Hell!” She said as she threw herself on the bed and cried herself to sleep.

The morning of the wedding dawned and Helen awoke, washed and dressed in her dressing ground made her way to the kitchen area where she sat next to Iris. Her heart raced as she saw Iris sitting at the head of the table oblivious of the events of the previous night.

 

[slippedhalo]

Iris felt surprisingly calm on her actual wedding day. She'd done all she could to prepare up to this moment and now she had to just get through this one crazy day. Her mother was absolutely frantic but happily so and Iris enjoyed seeing her mum in such bubbly spirits. Iris floated throughout her day, letting her mother, mother in law, and Helen handle everything. She was just waiting until the moment she could see Michael and say her vows to be his until death. Every time she looked into his eyes she could imagine their children and their future together, so happy. He was so very right for her...

"Iris, Iris...IRIS!" Laura stood beside her, trying to be very careful with her lovely little gown on, her strawberry blonde curls adorned with daisies and pink roses. Iris focused on her little sister and smiled. She looked angelic! When Iris told her so Laura made a contrite face and complained, "The lace itches. How am I going to make it through the rest of the day without scratching? Mum'll kill me if I complain to her about it. "

Iris and Helen laughed at the little girl squirming in her high lace collar and Helen began working out ways to help make Laura more comfortable without calling any attention to the small rash on her neck and chest caused by the fabric which apparently didn't agree with the young girl's delicate skin.

But, they were soon called to line up in formation. The wedding march was beginning. Laura grimaced as both Iris and Helen placed her in the front of the line just before the church vestry doors and she was gently nudged forward to do her duty as flower girl.

Iris barely remembered when or how she'd gotten to the front of the church but as she stood there she felt dizzy. She looked at everyone assembled there for her wedding...HER wedding!...and had to force herself to breathe and not faint straight away.

The thing which made her forget her discomfort or anxiety was when she looked up into Michael's smiling face. He looked so handsome and so sincerely excited to have her there to take vows with him. She felt it deep down, he loved her as much as she loved him. She felt instantly safe and happy when he was by her side. The ceremony went off without a hitch from there.

Michael watched in awe of the beauty coming toward him down the aisle...Firstly, he saw Helen and a pang of guilt rose up in him making him pray a silent prayer that God would forgive his moment of weakness the night before...He smiled at her and he saw her return smile was cold, her eyes shot daggers at him...He supposed he deserved it too. But, then he saw his Iris...Iris was the most lovely, most breathtakingly gorgeous creature he'd ever lain eyes on. In her white dress, her hair done up, everything about her was just radiant. He was suddenly feeling very lucky. He couldn't wait until she was really his wife and he could explore every gorgeous thing he ever noticed about her...