sharingfantasies
Ratiocinator
- Joined
- Jun 3, 2001
- Posts
- 19,655
This is for Chauderlos and myself for now. We may decide to open it later, so enjoy the read and we'll let you know if/when we open it. 
Lady Helen Bonham
5'6" brunette, green eyes 22 years old
125 lbs, 36d 26 (24 if the corset is tight enough) 35
daughter of the Duke of Layton
______________________________________________________________
Helen struggled to control her shock, as she faced the scruffy looking man in her parlor.
His voice was hard as he repeated his message. "I am here to escort you from the estate of the Duke of Layton. His estate is now owned by the Earl of Hamptington. The Earl demands that you vacate the premises within the hour taking only your personal clothing." The message was repeated in the tones that must be the Earl's Helen thought.
"Do you know where my father is? Do you know why the Earl believes he has possession of my home?" Helen was proud that her voice didn't crack.
With a slightly softer voice, she was told, "The Duke lost the estate to the Earl in a card game last night, well early this morning. The Duke then went to the Club's parlor and killed himself. He left a note that said he couldn't face you having lost the estate. I am sorry, miss."
Her father was dead? Her house was gone? Her life was shattered. Helen stood slowly, swayed a moment, then took a deep breath. She headed for the stairs.
Ringing for her maid, she stood in the middle of her room trying to figure out where to start.
The Runner was standing at the doorway, apparently waiting to carry her luggage down or to keep her from making off with the estate treasures. Helen put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at that thought. She was afraid if she started she wouldn't be able to stop. She wondered if the Earl had any idea of what he had won? The paintings were fake, the real ones sold off by her father to pay his gambling debts. The staff was cut to the minimum, the butler, housekeeper, cook, two maids and a young boy that did the menial tasks. The house was in hock to the local merchants and was showing signs of weathering on the front brick facade.
To keep the household going, Helen had been using her own money, left to her by her mother, who had been afraid that the Duke would eventually gamble himself into the ground. Helen's mother had not realized that her daughter would still be single at the old age of 22. Had Helen had the time to attend every rout and every ball she may have been married by now, but running the household on minimal funds took a lot of time. And dresses were costly. Helen went to the "must attend" affairs which were spread out throughout the Season, but she didn't attend multiple events a night like most of her peers.
Still in shock, not prepared to think about her father or what she as going to do, Helen began to instruct her maid Ellie as to what to pack and what not to pack. Ellie was curious as to why they were suddenly packing her gowns and why some strange man was watching carefully.
With deliberation so that there would be no misunderstandings, Helen proceeded to explain that the Duke had gambled the house away, and then committed suicide. That the new owner would be taking possession of the house that evening and that Helen had to move to new lodgings. Everything in the house and all the people that worked for the estate were now in the possession of the Earl.
Ellie cried out that she wanted to accompany Helen, but the Runner said that was impossible. Helen didn't know what to say to Ellie, she had no idea if the Earl would keep on the staff, turn them out or what. As Ellie packed, tears flowing down her cheeks, Helen went down the back stairs to the housekeeper's room to inform Mrs. White of the changes.
"Mrs. White, if you or any of the staff are turned out without references, come to me at Northstar House, and I will write them for you. I will be staying at the Inn until I know exactly what I am facing. Please thank the staff for all they have done for my father and I." Helen swallowed hard, determined not to cry. Impulsively she gave the housekeeper a hug, then hurried back up the stairs to see to the rest of the packing.
The Runner and Mr. Jones the butler, carried out the four trunks and placed them on the back of the dray wagon the Runner had driven in preparation of the eviction.
As they drove to Northstar House, Helen began to plan what she must do. "First I must call Mr. Lodge and find out how much money is left in the account from my mother. Then I need to let the Club know what to do about Father. Then I must figure out what to do after that."
As soon as she settled into the rooms at the Inn, she sent a message to Mr. Lodge. He attended her in the small sitting room adjacent to her bedroom. "Your mother left a fairly decent amount of money, provided you were just using it for pin money, but if you are now required to live off that fund, you won't make it longer than six months."
Helen nodded. She had pretty much figured that out herself. She asked Mr. Lodge to take care of her father's funeral expenses and pay for it out of her account. Luckily, her father could be buried in the family cemetary. The Earl had apparently agreed to that small bit of generosity.
When Mr. Lodge left, Helen sat with a cup of tea and began to think. Several hours later she had hatched a plan. While it might not be the wisest plan it was the only one she could concoct. She needed to marry and soon. She needed to find someone that was wealthy enough to support her, wouldn't gamble her home away, and needed a title. As the last of her line, the Duke's title could pass onto her husband or son. She began to make a list of all the men in the Ton that would fit the requisites. She came up with three names. One was sixty years old, and was the nineth son of the Baron Hugly, as a part of one of the richest families on the Island, he could afford to keep her, but as the nineth son he carried no title. He was well known for wanting one. The second man was the son of an Viscount, but should his father pass away, he would inherit his father's title so would have no need of a poor wife. The third she had scratched out, rewritten, scratched out and rewritten. He was the third son of the Earl of Fourtnoy. His father and two older brothers were still alive and the brothers had several sons between them.
Mr. Thomas Brightson would be a Mister for life unless he married someone with a title to pass on. Mr. Brightson was wealthy in his own right. Beside his connections to a very wealthy family. He was the owner of several ships that sailed to distant ports trading a variety of goods. He had bought his first ship when he was 20 with some money left to him by a distant dead uncle. By the time he was 25 he had expanded into a fleet of five ships. Now at 33, he was handsome, wealthy and the top of the matrons' list of eligible bachelors. Helen had met him a few times at various functions. Last year he had let it be known that he was seeking a wife with a title. Mr. Brightson had a goal and all that kept him from his goal was the possession of a title. It was Mr. Brighton's opinion that the wealthy titled peers of the country should take some responsibility for the poorer people living in the same country. Although his ideas were not that popular among Society's elite, it was also well known that, should he obtain a title, the House of Lords would welcome him. Mr. Brightson wanted to make changes in England, and the only way to do that was as a member of the House.
Helen mused, "He would be perfect for my needs if only..." The "if only"v was something she wasn't very clear about. The matrons, while saying he was the top eligible bachelor, didn't trip over each other thrusting their darling debutants at him. This was a very rare and odd occurence. Whispered rumors said that "he was "different", difficult to please, difficult to live with, that he had a secret life, that he was dangerous to women, that he made evil demands."
Having danced with him, Helen didn't understand what the rumor mongers were thinking. He had always been nothing but charming, a little intense but more distant than anything else, as he partnered her in dances that allowed him to sweep her across the floor his dark eyes always seeking the "perfect woman". Helen wasn't sure if he even knew she was alive. She needed to find a way to attract his attention and make sure she kept it. She needed to know what those evil demands were, then try to provide them.
So she had another part to her plan. Monsieur Philipp Saint-Jean. A French nobleman who had emigrated from France during the "Terror" and was now a teacher of sorts. Saint-Jean had established a school for ladies.. er.. women that wanted to attract the English noblemen, especially the wealthy ones. While Helen had marriage in mind, these women were seeking a slightly different position. Saint-Jean taught these women how to speak, how to walk, how to dance, how to appeal to the young wealthy men of London. His students came from the roughest parts of England hoping to become one of his graduates and join the ranks of the top Mistresses of London.
While this was not Helen's goal, she decided to take the last of her account, 500 pounds and hire Monsieur Saint-Jean to teach her how to attract the attention of Mr. Brightson, make him want her enough to marry her, and secure her future living.
Helen smiled brittlely, "And if that doesn't work, then I will have been trained for a job that I will need to keep my existence going."
She wrote a letter to the "Trainer" the next morning. Then waited for a reply.
Lady Helen Bonham
5'6" brunette, green eyes 22 years old
125 lbs, 36d 26 (24 if the corset is tight enough) 35
daughter of the Duke of Layton
______________________________________________________________
Helen struggled to control her shock, as she faced the scruffy looking man in her parlor.
His voice was hard as he repeated his message. "I am here to escort you from the estate of the Duke of Layton. His estate is now owned by the Earl of Hamptington. The Earl demands that you vacate the premises within the hour taking only your personal clothing." The message was repeated in the tones that must be the Earl's Helen thought.
"Do you know where my father is? Do you know why the Earl believes he has possession of my home?" Helen was proud that her voice didn't crack.
With a slightly softer voice, she was told, "The Duke lost the estate to the Earl in a card game last night, well early this morning. The Duke then went to the Club's parlor and killed himself. He left a note that said he couldn't face you having lost the estate. I am sorry, miss."
Her father was dead? Her house was gone? Her life was shattered. Helen stood slowly, swayed a moment, then took a deep breath. She headed for the stairs.
Ringing for her maid, she stood in the middle of her room trying to figure out where to start.
The Runner was standing at the doorway, apparently waiting to carry her luggage down or to keep her from making off with the estate treasures. Helen put her hand over her mouth to keep from laughing at that thought. She was afraid if she started she wouldn't be able to stop. She wondered if the Earl had any idea of what he had won? The paintings were fake, the real ones sold off by her father to pay his gambling debts. The staff was cut to the minimum, the butler, housekeeper, cook, two maids and a young boy that did the menial tasks. The house was in hock to the local merchants and was showing signs of weathering on the front brick facade.
To keep the household going, Helen had been using her own money, left to her by her mother, who had been afraid that the Duke would eventually gamble himself into the ground. Helen's mother had not realized that her daughter would still be single at the old age of 22. Had Helen had the time to attend every rout and every ball she may have been married by now, but running the household on minimal funds took a lot of time. And dresses were costly. Helen went to the "must attend" affairs which were spread out throughout the Season, but she didn't attend multiple events a night like most of her peers.
Still in shock, not prepared to think about her father or what she as going to do, Helen began to instruct her maid Ellie as to what to pack and what not to pack. Ellie was curious as to why they were suddenly packing her gowns and why some strange man was watching carefully.
With deliberation so that there would be no misunderstandings, Helen proceeded to explain that the Duke had gambled the house away, and then committed suicide. That the new owner would be taking possession of the house that evening and that Helen had to move to new lodgings. Everything in the house and all the people that worked for the estate were now in the possession of the Earl.
Ellie cried out that she wanted to accompany Helen, but the Runner said that was impossible. Helen didn't know what to say to Ellie, she had no idea if the Earl would keep on the staff, turn them out or what. As Ellie packed, tears flowing down her cheeks, Helen went down the back stairs to the housekeeper's room to inform Mrs. White of the changes.
"Mrs. White, if you or any of the staff are turned out without references, come to me at Northstar House, and I will write them for you. I will be staying at the Inn until I know exactly what I am facing. Please thank the staff for all they have done for my father and I." Helen swallowed hard, determined not to cry. Impulsively she gave the housekeeper a hug, then hurried back up the stairs to see to the rest of the packing.
The Runner and Mr. Jones the butler, carried out the four trunks and placed them on the back of the dray wagon the Runner had driven in preparation of the eviction.
As they drove to Northstar House, Helen began to plan what she must do. "First I must call Mr. Lodge and find out how much money is left in the account from my mother. Then I need to let the Club know what to do about Father. Then I must figure out what to do after that."
As soon as she settled into the rooms at the Inn, she sent a message to Mr. Lodge. He attended her in the small sitting room adjacent to her bedroom. "Your mother left a fairly decent amount of money, provided you were just using it for pin money, but if you are now required to live off that fund, you won't make it longer than six months."
Helen nodded. She had pretty much figured that out herself. She asked Mr. Lodge to take care of her father's funeral expenses and pay for it out of her account. Luckily, her father could be buried in the family cemetary. The Earl had apparently agreed to that small bit of generosity.
When Mr. Lodge left, Helen sat with a cup of tea and began to think. Several hours later she had hatched a plan. While it might not be the wisest plan it was the only one she could concoct. She needed to marry and soon. She needed to find someone that was wealthy enough to support her, wouldn't gamble her home away, and needed a title. As the last of her line, the Duke's title could pass onto her husband or son. She began to make a list of all the men in the Ton that would fit the requisites. She came up with three names. One was sixty years old, and was the nineth son of the Baron Hugly, as a part of one of the richest families on the Island, he could afford to keep her, but as the nineth son he carried no title. He was well known for wanting one. The second man was the son of an Viscount, but should his father pass away, he would inherit his father's title so would have no need of a poor wife. The third she had scratched out, rewritten, scratched out and rewritten. He was the third son of the Earl of Fourtnoy. His father and two older brothers were still alive and the brothers had several sons between them.
Mr. Thomas Brightson would be a Mister for life unless he married someone with a title to pass on. Mr. Brightson was wealthy in his own right. Beside his connections to a very wealthy family. He was the owner of several ships that sailed to distant ports trading a variety of goods. He had bought his first ship when he was 20 with some money left to him by a distant dead uncle. By the time he was 25 he had expanded into a fleet of five ships. Now at 33, he was handsome, wealthy and the top of the matrons' list of eligible bachelors. Helen had met him a few times at various functions. Last year he had let it be known that he was seeking a wife with a title. Mr. Brightson had a goal and all that kept him from his goal was the possession of a title. It was Mr. Brighton's opinion that the wealthy titled peers of the country should take some responsibility for the poorer people living in the same country. Although his ideas were not that popular among Society's elite, it was also well known that, should he obtain a title, the House of Lords would welcome him. Mr. Brightson wanted to make changes in England, and the only way to do that was as a member of the House.
Helen mused, "He would be perfect for my needs if only..." The "if only"v was something she wasn't very clear about. The matrons, while saying he was the top eligible bachelor, didn't trip over each other thrusting their darling debutants at him. This was a very rare and odd occurence. Whispered rumors said that "he was "different", difficult to please, difficult to live with, that he had a secret life, that he was dangerous to women, that he made evil demands."
Having danced with him, Helen didn't understand what the rumor mongers were thinking. He had always been nothing but charming, a little intense but more distant than anything else, as he partnered her in dances that allowed him to sweep her across the floor his dark eyes always seeking the "perfect woman". Helen wasn't sure if he even knew she was alive. She needed to find a way to attract his attention and make sure she kept it. She needed to know what those evil demands were, then try to provide them.
So she had another part to her plan. Monsieur Philipp Saint-Jean. A French nobleman who had emigrated from France during the "Terror" and was now a teacher of sorts. Saint-Jean had established a school for ladies.. er.. women that wanted to attract the English noblemen, especially the wealthy ones. While Helen had marriage in mind, these women were seeking a slightly different position. Saint-Jean taught these women how to speak, how to walk, how to dance, how to appeal to the young wealthy men of London. His students came from the roughest parts of England hoping to become one of his graduates and join the ranks of the top Mistresses of London.
While this was not Helen's goal, she decided to take the last of her account, 500 pounds and hire Monsieur Saint-Jean to teach her how to attract the attention of Mr. Brightson, make him want her enough to marry her, and secure her future living.
Helen smiled brittlely, "And if that doesn't work, then I will have been trained for a job that I will need to keep my existence going."
She wrote a letter to the "Trainer" the next morning. Then waited for a reply.