Writing Exercise 7: The League of Enlightened Wives and Daughters

[StillStunned]

Inspired by this profound discussion with @onehitwanda.

This time I thought we could try something a little different. A chain story, or shared universe, or whatever you want to call it. Write a snippet to keep the tale moving forward. Feel free to start a new scene with new characters, as long as it suits the story.

Usual guidelines: limit your post to about 250 (ish) words, and stick to Lit's rules for stories and content. It would be shame if this thread was shut down for something stupid.

Let's see how silly we can make it!

-------------- The League of Enlightened Wives and Daughters --------------
by
Arthur Hangout

​

 

[StillStunned]

In the summer of 1781, the League of Enlightened Wives and Daughters held its annual meeting in the village of Hard Rubbing on the Mound. Miss Jill Teas was told the news by Catherine Lickham, when the met on the Common. Her friend’s next statement confused her, however.

“My what?”

“Uranus! I want to learn more about Mr Herschel’s discovery. His sister Elizabeth has promised to attend the meeting.” Miss Lickham closed her eyes as if dreaming. “She has a telescope of her own, you know. I hear it is quite as big as her brother’s.”

“Oh Kitty, did you see Mr Herschel’s telescope? When you were up in London?”

Miss Lickham opened her eyes again and nodded. “He gave a demonstration with it. He was so deft!” She seized her friend’s hand and draw her onto a bench by the churchyard. “And so polite. He let all the gentlemen handle it, and some of the ladies too.”

Miss Teas tried to picture the scene. As much as she loved Hard Rubbing, sometimes she yearned for something more. Just last week a regiment had marched through the village, the soldiers erect in their scarlet jackets, and she had wondered whether anything could be so splendid and exciting.

Footsteps broke in before they could continue their conversation. Mr Lear, the vicar, bowed as he looked down at them.

“My dear girls, you are looking flushed. Are you not too hot?”

“Good morning, Reverend,” Miss Lickham replied politely. “We are quite well, thank you. We are just discussing some news that excites us.”

“Ah, the meeting of the League, no doubt!” Mr Lear smiled. “I hope those educated ladies are not too enlightened for Hard Rubbing.”

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

Peering around the curtains of her bedroom in Mound House, Lady D’Icke was observing the two young ladies conversing with the vicar with a sour look on her face.

“You rang, m’lady?” the butler said, stepping into the room, his expression blank.

“Ah, there you are Willey. I’ve been watching all the excitement that’s been caused by this awful visit of the League and I’m not happy, and I can’t be the only one. Will you send someone to Spotte’s and ask him to come and see me?”

Willey stayed erect and unmoving as he responded. “P. Spotte or G. Spotte, m’lady?”

“Graham Spotte, of course. Lord D’Icke hasn’t allowed me to see Paul Spotte since he organised that Pro-State rally last year.”

“Very good, m’lady.”

Willey slipped out of Lady D’Icke’s chamber silently, leaving her to her thoughts. A smile came to her face, though, when there was a knock at the door and Willey’s presence was replaced by her lady’s maid, Plastique Dongue. Lady D’Icke had always said the French made better maids.

“Do you know either of these two young ladies, Miss Dongue?”

Plastique looked out of the window. “Mademoiselle Lickham and Mademoiselle Teas, m’lady? Why yes; they were so good as to pay me for my Poussey at their last dinner party.”

“Oh, yes, your delightful French delicacy. So deliciously warm and moist.”

“Thank you, m’lady; of course, you may eat it whenever you desire.”

“Mark my words, Plastique: nothing good will come of this League.”

 

[StillStunned]

Mr Lear had barely continued along his way when Miss Teas spied her governess striding towards where she sat with Miss Lickham. The stiff bodice of her gown was matched by the stiffness of her stride, and the severe frown on her face.

“There you are, Jill. I have been looking all over for you.” Miss Spank’s tone held the promise of punishment behind closed doors. “Your mother wishes to speak to you.”

“Good morning, Miss Spank,” Miss Lickham interjected sweetly. “Jill and I have been talking to the Vicar.”

The governess paused, and looked suspiciously at the other girl. “Is that so? Would Mr Lear tell me the same if I asked him?”

“Of course!” Miss Teas leaped to her feet and took the older woman by the arm. “See, there he goes. You could catch him now if you hurry.”

“Well...” Miss Spank seemed to hesitate, then make up her mind. “I must talk to him anyway about this business with the League. Very well, but,” and she waved a stern finger at Miss Teas, “you must go to your mother immediately.” And she set off, the faint blush on her cheeks at odds with her determined step.

Miss Lickham rose and took her friend by the hand. “Come, Jill. I had better see you safely home. But first, tell me, what was all that about?”

“Have you not noticed?” Miss Teas brought her mouth close to the other girl’s ear and whispered confidentially, “Miss Spank is quite smitten with Mr Lear.”

 

[StillStunned]

Miss Spank caught up with Mr Lear before he turned the corner. The vicar has paused to smile at a pair of milkmaids as they sported their loads, swinging with every step, down the slope to Udderly Farm.

His gaze was still on them when Miss Spank spoke. “They should be more careful.” Her voice was perhaps not as stern as it should have been. “Those buckets are likely to spill over before they reach the bottom of the hill.”

Mr Lear turned to greet her, although it was clear his mind was still on the pretty maids. “Miss Spank! What a delight to encounter you. Would you care to join me in the tavern? I have a sudden thirst for milk.”

Miss Spank agreed, and moments later they were ensconced at a table below the sign of the Swallow. Seeing the vicar drinking deeply from his milk, Miss Spank reflected with a certain glumness that she might find him more susceptible to her charms if she could offer what those milkmaids could.

However, she was a lady of wit and learning, and she had hopes of impressing him with her firmness of mind. Dabbing a kerchief to her lips to clean away the traces of her own milk, she asked, “Tell me, Reverend, what do you make of the planned visit of this League? Do you look forward to meeting so many enlightened ladies?”

“Why yes!” The vicar’s enthusiasm was plain in his voice. “A well-rounded female is a boon for the whole world to enjoy. I believe that the League includes many ladies with unusual thoughts and persuasions, and I look forward to following the back and forth between them.”