An Afternoon Tea

Hi there everyone! It’s been a little while, and I’m dreadfully sorry for that. I’ve been struggling a lot with motivation and burnout (mostly from coaching swim), and I’ve been a bit absent from the website because of it. I am writing when I can. I’ve reached the last few chapters of a new book, but since it’s been so hit or miss, I’m sure it’s going to need a LOT of editing and work.

Since you haven’t heard from me in a while, I wanted to put something up. I wrote this a LONG time ago for the Playground at A Happy Assembly. The prompt was our dear characters as children, and one of my JAFF besties threw out the idea to me of Lady Catherine as a little girl, and this was born. Let me know what you think!

An Afternoon Tea

Lady Catherine Fitzwilliam examined  those seated around her for tea with a careful eye. To her left, her younger sister Anne sat forward in her plush chair with an eager smile and her favourite doll clutched in her arms. She was a fair child with lovely blonde ringlets and enchanting blue eyes.

The remainder of her guests were two of her own dolls, the rocking horse at the other end of the table, and lastly, a rabbit her mother had crafted from a bit of muslin, left over from one of her day gowns. The bunny, whose name was Mr. Collins, had grown rather shabby over the last few years, but that was only because she dragged him everywhere she travelled. Currently, he was bent at the waist, which made his forehead rest against the table.

“Are we ready for tea, Catherine?”

Her gaze turned back to Anne, and she straightened as tall as a girl of eight years was capable. “Has everyone a cup?”

Anne glanced around the table and nodded. “Yes, sister.”

She reached for the pot of tea the maid had delivered a short time ago, and the nursemaid hastened to support her hand while she poured. The servant was always overstepping! After all, she could manage the small pot quite well indeed. She craved to slap the offending hand, but her mother would scold her later. What a trial to be treated as someone who was incapable!

As soon as she poured everyone a cup, Anne passed the tea to their guests then herself.

“Anne, be certain all have a slice of cake—Mr. Collins should have two since he is so fond of sweets. I am particularly attentive to such matters just as you should be when you are older and host your own tea.”

Her sister nodded with wide eyes. Dear Anne was two years her junior and followed her around everywhere, which was, at times, a nuisance. Sometimes a girl just wanted to be on her own to read or be left to one’s thoughts—at least that was what Mama said. However, her younger sister’s devotion was quite endearing too. Catherine did take great pleasure in those who paid her the proper deference her position as the eldest deserved. Of course, Mr. Collins always flattered her and paid her such compliments, but he hardly counted.

Once the refreshments had been doled out as was proper, she took a dainty sip of her tea. “Mr. Collins, I have decided it is time for you to take a wife.” Anne giggled, but Catherine paid her no heed. “I expect you to choose properly, choose a gentlewoman for my sake; and for your own, let her be an active, useful sort of person, not brought up high. This is my advice. Find such a woman as soon as you can, bring her to Matlock, and I will visit her.”

With a sigh, she leaned over and attempted to prop Mr. Collins up so he was not leaning against the table, but it was of no use. He plopped right back down near his plate of cake as though he was bowing in subservience. Why did he try her patience so?

Anne tilted her head, her sweet eyes wide. “How does one know if a lady is useful? What sort of lady is a good wife to a clergyman?”

Catherine scoffed. “I would not want my parson to choose someone who puts on airs as Mrs. Elton does. How could a parson’s wife think herself above us? Us, the daughters of an earl! It is intolerable!” She sniffed.

Anne sipped her tea with her eyebrows dipped down slightly in the middle. When she had swallowed, she tilted her head. “Yet she is an adult. Father and Mother insist we should have respect for Mrs. Graham as well, and she is the housekeeper. Should a clergyman’s wife not deserve more consideration than a servant?”

Her teeth dug into her cheek. Why did she include Anne in today’s tea? Her younger sister had soured the repast with her inane questions and observations. Catherine reached over and thrust Mr. Collins into his chair in one last attempt to make him to sit straight. When she released the worn rabbit, he appeared as though he would finally sit, but once she sat back in her seat, he began to inch forward until he fell face first off his perch. Of all the impertinence!

She grabbed Mr. Collins, set him back in his chair, and sat back, to stare down at her sister.  “Have you practised the pianoforte since you last worked with Miss Hartley?”

Anne’s cheeks pinked whilst she placed her cup in its saucer. “I can now perform the piece if asked.” Her tiny pale palms pressed together. “I hope she will give me a new song at my next lesson.”

“I am pleased.” Catherine gave a nod as she had often seen her mother do when the ladies of the Ton paid their calls. “I expect you to apply yourself diligently. You cannot expect to excel if you do not practise a great deal. No excellence in music is to be gained without constant practise. Should I have the opportunity to learn, I would be a true proficient.”

Anne’s brow furrowed. “If you wished to learn, then why did you fly into such a temper when my father suggested you learn the pianoforte?”

Catherine’s cheeks burned as she placed another cake on Mr. Collins plate. “I do not want to.”

Anne started at her snappish tone. “I like the pianoforte. You would too if you tried.”

She turned her attention to her cake. The pianoforte was a useless endeavour!

“How are my two favourite ladies diverting themselves this afternoon?” Catherine’s gaze shifted to where her father stood in the doorway. He was a handsome gentleman with a warm smile. He was everything a father should be.

“Tea, father,” cried Anne before Catherine could respond.

He gave a wide grin as he approached and knelt between Anne and her. “And may I request an introduction to your guests?

“Emma did not want to sit in her chair. She preferred my lap.” Anne gestured towards her doll and then the rocking horse. “You know Horsey of course.”

He nodded. “I am quite familiar with Horsey.”

“Mr. Collins has joined us as well,” interrupted Catherine. Her sister always tried to take all of their father’s attention.

Her father laughed when he looked in the rabbit’s direction. “Mr. Collins appears to have overindulged.”

Catherine glanced to her beloved toy and frowned. “He is very well. I assure you.”

“I am certain he is.” He placed a kiss upon her forehead. “I heard mention of the pianoforte. I hope you have changed your mind about learning, Catherine. I would dearly love for both of my little ladies to entertain me in the evenings after dinner.”

“I have not.” She turned and faced Mr. Collins as her father gave a weary sigh.

“Are you prepared for your lesson, sweetling?” He could only be speaking to Anne. She had another lesson this afternoon. Anne was probably nodding and doing her utmost to impress her father. Catherine drew her lips into a thin line but did not speak.

“I have practised. Would you care to hear?”

He stood and clasped his hands together. “I would! Why do we not go down to the music room, and you can perform for me there? We can fetch your mother from her sitting room on our way.”

At the sound of Anne’s little feet upon the floor, Catherine turned. “But what about tea?”

“I am certain it is cold by now,” said Anne. “Would you care to join us?”

Her gaze swept the table. “I should wish to finish.”

Her father’s shoulders dropped a bit. “Very well. I do hope you will have Miss Carter escort you down when you have completed your repast.”

She gave a slight nod but did not follow when her father took her sister’s hand and strode through the door.

She turned her attention back to the table and slammed her fist upon the surface. “Drink your tea, Mr. Collins! I will not tolerate your poor manners any longer!”

Mr. Collins lurched to one side and fell from the seat.

Catherine rose and stomped her foot so hard it smarted. “I am most seriously displeased!”

Comments below please 🙂