The Key: Part Two

From the Correspondence of Ophelia Thistlewaite, September 1897

5 September

My dearest Mina,

I know you are pining for your Jonathan while he is off on his Carpathian errand, but I simply must tell you that I have got my Jedediah to leave his dreary old office for a country house party that is to last nearly two weeks! We are to be chaperoned, of course, what with Emmeline and Nora present in the company of their elder sisters and a paid companion, respectively. I have managed to wrangle this affair without direct chaperonage for myself — to my surprise! — as when I explained to aunt Lucille that I had been invited by Ms Parsin, the dowager merely smiled (and in a most queer manner, I thought, but perhaps I was imagining things) and said she expected Ms Parsin would have everything “well in hand.”

And she has! Oh, the grounds here are simply delightful to walk. There is an herb garden that fronts a winding walkway through the grass, all very well tended. The house is one of those sprawling affairs, but not so piecemeal as some that we’ve visited. Everything seems to lead, one room to the next, as though it all made sense somehow even though it’s been added on to throughout the centuries in the usual fashion. There are exterior buildings as well — stables, a carriage house, a large square configuration that Ms Parsin calls “the exercise room” (perhaps it is a gymnasium?), which I am told my Jed is currently “practicing” in — oh!, and a bowling green, which is not a building but is noteable nonetheless. I know not what is in store for us this week, but already I feel quite at home here after just a few hours of afternoon. And free! I am out from under the watchful eye of aunt Lucille, remember!

One thing of note: Ms Parsin has quite a way with her staff. The gentleman who answered the door deferred to her instructions about my luggage immediately, and in the most natural manner! There was no staunchiness or stiff responses from him like aunt Lucille and I get from our stuffy old Hawkins. Instead, he gave a bow that would put the most suave Count to shame and moved to put muscle to my luggage with a delightful sort of humble pride when told to do so by her ladyship. When I had the opportunity to ask Ms Parsin about her staff and to compliment their manner — for it was not only the butler but also the groundsmen and others, particularly the men — she just smiled and explained, when I inquired about the butler, “We’ve been together a very long time.” Come to think of it, her smile was a bit peculiar. And she also said, “Oh, you mean Matthew?” which startled me a bit. It is not customary for us to address our servants by their first names, but perhaps things are different in the country. I will have to watch her manner with her staff; if ‘Matthew’s’ response is any indication of its effectiveness, perhaps I shall emulate it with my own staff once Jed and I are married.

Married! Can you believe I will so soon be married? My heart fair beats clean through my breast with the thought of it!

But I must go down to dinner now. It is to be a strictly-female affair, I am given to understand. Apparently “the boys,” as Ms Parsin calls them, have been “practicing” today in “the exercise room” and for this evening we will dine at separate times and at separate tables. There are three “boys” and three of us soon-to-be-wed ladies, apparently. So tonight I shall discuss my darling Jed with Emmeline and Nora who have darlings of their own (all of whom have been “exercising” today), and on the morrow we shall embark on our pre-wedded holiday.

I will write more soon. Meanwhile, don’t be too dreary about missing your Jonathan, darling. No doubt he will fly to you the soonest possible in the fastest coach; Carpathia is the last hill he must climb before he is free to be a solicitor in his own right, and soon you shall be that very capable solicitor’s wife.

Warmest,

Ophelia

This is Part Two of a short series inspired by the Erotic Fiction Deluxe prompt, The Key. (Part One, here.)

More to follow.