Fic: Fit For Society (12/?, Multi Pairing, G)
Title: Fit for Society
Author: Kori/justagirl8225
Disclaimer: Not mine
Spoilers: Nope, this is A/U
Rating: G to PG
Characters: Lita, Trish, Velvet, Mickie (main); others appearing and/or mentioned. Check the tags.
Summary: Follow the trials, triumphs and tribulations of four young women as they enter proper Victorian Society.
Notes: First things first, check here as that's the ongoing story guide for this particular fic. That explains bits and pieces and will include all further story notes for this fic. Especially important are the name changes as I won't really be using any familiar names here.
Previously: Memories
20th of February, 1858- Evening
Under the direction of Lord Pelham, Lord William Baring escorted Lady Elizabeth Pelham to the supper table whilst Lord Christopher Pelham had the honor of escorting Lady Nicole and Lord Christopher Baring escorated Lady Abigail, Lord Stephan escorting Lady Jane and Lord Alexander escorting Catherine. A light rain had put a damper on any activities for the out of doors though that hadn’t stopped a messenger from the estate of the Bertie family, Aldermaston Court, with an invitation for Lady Elizabeth and Catherine to stay a fortnight. Lady Digby anticipated that there would be a similar invitation for Lady Jane; Lady Pelham and Lady Digby already planning for the Digby and Pelham children to adjourn from Kingston Lacy. The highlight of the stay at Aldermaston Court would be a welcoming ball for Angelique Williams, Patricia and Caroline’s cousin. A similar ball would be hosted at Kingston Lacy for Abigail, Nicole and Randal whilst Lady Pelham had intentions of hosting a ‘small’ party at Hammerwood Park the next week.
The end result was Elizabeth nearly getting a headache with all of the talk of welcoming balls, garden parties, afternoon tea and the like; though she was also fully aware that it was only the proverbial tip of the iceberg with returning to the country before the start of the official Season in London.
For now, however, Elizabeth only desired to survive supper under her mother’s sharp eye in the formal dining room of Hammerwood Park. Elizabeth found her seat between that of Lord Randal and her own brother, Lord Stephan whilst seated across from Lord William. As was custom, Lord Pelham took the head of the table whilst Lady Pelham relinquished her seat to Lord Digby.
“Our Christopher and Stephan have just returned from the States recently,” Lord Pelham opened the conversation as the servants began serving the meal; “is that not correct?”
“That is correct, father,” Christopher, as the older of the two, was inclined to reply, “I and Stephan toured Maine, Connecticut, New York, Ohio and Michigan briefly before an extended stay within the Province of Canada.”
Abigail smiled charmingly, waiting until she was given a permissive nod from her aunt before she spoke, “I hope that you found your stay in New York a pleasant one.”
Lord Digby spoke next, an indulgent smile on his face, “the Michaels family is in ownership of a large parcel of land in the upstate area of New York and a successful mercantile in the town of Bethlehem.”
“Our eldest brother Shawn is apprenticing to father or he would have joined us,” Randal revealed next, manners impeccable as he spoke, “though Shawn would be the first to tell anyone that he would much rather have the farmland than the mercantile.”
“I could hardly blame him if what my brothers say is true,” Elizabeth commented gently, and only after she had attained permission from her father, “I do prefer the grounds of Hammerwood Park to Clarendon House, though lovely as it is.”
Lord Pelham smiled warmly to his eldest daughter, “weather permitting, dear Eliza, perhaps a tour of the grounds is in order for tomorrow so that our honored guests may properly appreciate Hammerwood?”
Elizabeth nodded lightly before meeting the gaze of Lady Pelham, “mother has had the foresight to order a picnic for the occasion.”
Lady Pelham fairly glowed at the praise, “perhaps the weather today was of good fortune, Eliza, as you dears will have only the finest for your picnic whence you return from your tour of the grounds.”
Nicole, who was seated next to Alexander, waited until she had Elizabeth’s attention, “I do truly hope, Lady Elizabeth, that the time will come for you to visit New York.”
“Perhaps one day, Lady Nicole,” Elizabeth replied politely, doing her best to keep the hope from her voice as she spoke.
Conversation then shifted to the busyness of the schedule of the country season, though it paled in comparison to the London season; with the numerous families in residence at their country estates there would hardly be a lack of parties, afternoon teas and the like to entertain the young folk. Following supper, Elizabeth and Jane were entreated to entertain, with Elizabeth at the piano and Jane accompanying in song though they were soon joined by Abigail and Nicole. The Michaels twins then assumed the roles of Jane and Elizabeth, the two seeking and granted permission to take a stroll about the terrace where they were accompanied by Stephan Pelham, William Baring, and Alexander Digby.
“Oh Izzie, it must be a myth,” Elizabeth all but breathed as soon as they were out of hearing range of Lady Pelham and Lady Digby; “the country is far from relaxing at this time of the year or so it would seem this year.”
“Cheer up Ellen, ‘tis not so bad right now,” Jane attempted to comfort her dearest friend, the two concealing their conversation behind the safety of fans. “After all, ‘tis only my family and the Michaels siblings for the fortnight and though they may appear to be a bit daft, Abigail and Nicole are certainly not that overbearing.”
Elizabeth nearly groaned, “Only for most of the fortnight, Izzie… remember? Mother spoke of a ‘small’ party. I should be fortunate if she does not take it upon herself to invite all sorts of foreign dignitaries.”
Jane concealed a smile behind her fan, “but there is already a foreign dignitary, of sorts, in our midst.”
“Jane Isabella,” Elizabeth replied, the two girls safely at one corner of the terrace whilst the boys were at the other. “Were you or were you not the one encouraging me to look favorably upon your brother?”
“Well yes,” Jane admitted without hesitation, “but I have also overheard mother and father speak of sending Alexander to the military academy in hopes that it will straighten him out.” She neglected to inform Elizabeth of the pre-arranged marriage between Alexander and his distant cousin Abigail, though that was also because Alexander wasn’t aware of that news, either.
Elizabeth was genuinely surprised at that information, and said as much, “but that still does not mean that I would invite the affections of your cousin, immediately. He seems far too proper.” She wouldn't dare speak the obvious outloud; especially with William Baring nearby.
Jane lightly arched an eyebrow, “do not be so quick to judge the book by its cover Ellen, for he may just surprise you.”
Elizabeth made no reply, not that she would have been able to anyway as the young gentlemen approached the young ladies, Stephan suggesting that they should retire for the evening with such a busy day ahead of them.
Author: Kori/justagirl8225
Disclaimer: Not mine
Spoilers: Nope, this is A/U
Rating: G to PG
Characters: Lita, Trish, Velvet, Mickie (main); others appearing and/or mentioned. Check the tags.
Summary: Follow the trials, triumphs and tribulations of four young women as they enter proper Victorian Society.
Notes: First things first, check here as that's the ongoing story guide for this particular fic. That explains bits and pieces and will include all further story notes for this fic. Especially important are the name changes as I won't really be using any familiar names here.
Previously: Memories
20th of February, 1858- Evening
Under the direction of Lord Pelham, Lord William Baring escorted Lady Elizabeth Pelham to the supper table whilst Lord Christopher Pelham had the honor of escorting Lady Nicole and Lord Christopher Baring escorated Lady Abigail, Lord Stephan escorting Lady Jane and Lord Alexander escorting Catherine. A light rain had put a damper on any activities for the out of doors though that hadn’t stopped a messenger from the estate of the Bertie family, Aldermaston Court, with an invitation for Lady Elizabeth and Catherine to stay a fortnight. Lady Digby anticipated that there would be a similar invitation for Lady Jane; Lady Pelham and Lady Digby already planning for the Digby and Pelham children to adjourn from Kingston Lacy. The highlight of the stay at Aldermaston Court would be a welcoming ball for Angelique Williams, Patricia and Caroline’s cousin. A similar ball would be hosted at Kingston Lacy for Abigail, Nicole and Randal whilst Lady Pelham had intentions of hosting a ‘small’ party at Hammerwood Park the next week.
The end result was Elizabeth nearly getting a headache with all of the talk of welcoming balls, garden parties, afternoon tea and the like; though she was also fully aware that it was only the proverbial tip of the iceberg with returning to the country before the start of the official Season in London.
For now, however, Elizabeth only desired to survive supper under her mother’s sharp eye in the formal dining room of Hammerwood Park. Elizabeth found her seat between that of Lord Randal and her own brother, Lord Stephan whilst seated across from Lord William. As was custom, Lord Pelham took the head of the table whilst Lady Pelham relinquished her seat to Lord Digby.
“Our Christopher and Stephan have just returned from the States recently,” Lord Pelham opened the conversation as the servants began serving the meal; “is that not correct?”
“That is correct, father,” Christopher, as the older of the two, was inclined to reply, “I and Stephan toured Maine, Connecticut, New York, Ohio and Michigan briefly before an extended stay within the Province of Canada.”
Abigail smiled charmingly, waiting until she was given a permissive nod from her aunt before she spoke, “I hope that you found your stay in New York a pleasant one.”
Lord Digby spoke next, an indulgent smile on his face, “the Michaels family is in ownership of a large parcel of land in the upstate area of New York and a successful mercantile in the town of Bethlehem.”
“Our eldest brother Shawn is apprenticing to father or he would have joined us,” Randal revealed next, manners impeccable as he spoke, “though Shawn would be the first to tell anyone that he would much rather have the farmland than the mercantile.”
“I could hardly blame him if what my brothers say is true,” Elizabeth commented gently, and only after she had attained permission from her father, “I do prefer the grounds of Hammerwood Park to Clarendon House, though lovely as it is.”
Lord Pelham smiled warmly to his eldest daughter, “weather permitting, dear Eliza, perhaps a tour of the grounds is in order for tomorrow so that our honored guests may properly appreciate Hammerwood?”
Elizabeth nodded lightly before meeting the gaze of Lady Pelham, “mother has had the foresight to order a picnic for the occasion.”
Lady Pelham fairly glowed at the praise, “perhaps the weather today was of good fortune, Eliza, as you dears will have only the finest for your picnic whence you return from your tour of the grounds.”
Nicole, who was seated next to Alexander, waited until she had Elizabeth’s attention, “I do truly hope, Lady Elizabeth, that the time will come for you to visit New York.”
“Perhaps one day, Lady Nicole,” Elizabeth replied politely, doing her best to keep the hope from her voice as she spoke.
Conversation then shifted to the busyness of the schedule of the country season, though it paled in comparison to the London season; with the numerous families in residence at their country estates there would hardly be a lack of parties, afternoon teas and the like to entertain the young folk. Following supper, Elizabeth and Jane were entreated to entertain, with Elizabeth at the piano and Jane accompanying in song though they were soon joined by Abigail and Nicole. The Michaels twins then assumed the roles of Jane and Elizabeth, the two seeking and granted permission to take a stroll about the terrace where they were accompanied by Stephan Pelham, William Baring, and Alexander Digby.
“Oh Izzie, it must be a myth,” Elizabeth all but breathed as soon as they were out of hearing range of Lady Pelham and Lady Digby; “the country is far from relaxing at this time of the year or so it would seem this year.”
“Cheer up Ellen, ‘tis not so bad right now,” Jane attempted to comfort her dearest friend, the two concealing their conversation behind the safety of fans. “After all, ‘tis only my family and the Michaels siblings for the fortnight and though they may appear to be a bit daft, Abigail and Nicole are certainly not that overbearing.”
Elizabeth nearly groaned, “Only for most of the fortnight, Izzie… remember? Mother spoke of a ‘small’ party. I should be fortunate if she does not take it upon herself to invite all sorts of foreign dignitaries.”
Jane concealed a smile behind her fan, “but there is already a foreign dignitary, of sorts, in our midst.”
“Jane Isabella,” Elizabeth replied, the two girls safely at one corner of the terrace whilst the boys were at the other. “Were you or were you not the one encouraging me to look favorably upon your brother?”
“Well yes,” Jane admitted without hesitation, “but I have also overheard mother and father speak of sending Alexander to the military academy in hopes that it will straighten him out.” She neglected to inform Elizabeth of the pre-arranged marriage between Alexander and his distant cousin Abigail, though that was also because Alexander wasn’t aware of that news, either.
Elizabeth was genuinely surprised at that information, and said as much, “but that still does not mean that I would invite the affections of your cousin, immediately. He seems far too proper.” She wouldn't dare speak the obvious outloud; especially with William Baring nearby.
Jane lightly arched an eyebrow, “do not be so quick to judge the book by its cover Ellen, for he may just surprise you.”
Elizabeth made no reply, not that she would have been able to anyway as the young gentlemen approached the young ladies, Stephan suggesting that they should retire for the evening with such a busy day ahead of them.