A Choice
October 25th, 1781
A choice
October 25th
1781. The year was 1781. I’m a young woman at the age of 17 where parents arranged the marriages of their daughters. Where sons married who they liked as long as the woman they choose had an equal or lower status so that the male would prove to be the dominate one in the courtship and marriage. It is often rumored that women who choose not to wed at the early ages of 17 through 21 would end up with their parents for the rest of their lives or on the street unless of course, their royalty. It is also spoken of around small children that they could get their younger or older brother to send the girls off at the ages chosen for marriage if the girls didn’t want to get married. When I heard that I begged Mother and Father to give me a younger sibling. Perhaps if it were not a boy I could have a sister to run away with. But at that time it wasn’t because I knew what the duties of a wife were to be but because boys seemed so gross. Of course at the age I was very insecure but even now my Mother says that I am but only because I don’t want be a wife. A wife is someone who shall cook and clean and care for children. She mustn’t work unless the death or the leaving of a husband. I shall never do that for it will be the death of me! To follow tradition where as such every woman does the same things from marriage till death!
“Angela!” I ignored my mother’s calling knowing she would only try to convince me of another suitor. Although I have only been 17 for 3 months my Mother thought perhaps it would be better to wed very early and not waste time competing with other girls my age who would try to marry later on but only by a few months or a year at the most after turning 17. I turned down every suitor possible and I found that they were for very good reasons.
“Angela!” Again I ignored my Mothers calling and only looked out of the window longing and dreaming the day I would leave this and town. I grew up in a small town in England that wasn’t in the city but not in the country either. For it was a small town that was quite delightful but I’ve spent my entire life here and I longed to get away. The furthest I’ve been away is to visit an elegant Bridal Gown Shop in Birmingham. “That way you can get married quicker sooner” My Mother always said. I thought some would find this quite strange and odd that my Mother would do this before my turning the age of 17 for it was 3 months before my birthday but everyone praised her for it and from then to now the only gossip of my Mother would be in good talking. However my Mother did not do it for gossip but only for my own good. My Mother and I struggled a bit since my Father died soon after I was born. We were getting along fine now but she always wanted me to have the best and richest suitor so I never had to worry about a thing. I promised her that if I ever came into to money with my own job or anything I would give her some but she said that it was okay and that is how I know my Mother only cared for me and not herself by trying to marry me off to someone so she could become wealthy as well.
“Angela!”
“Coming Mother!” On the way to sitting room a smile grew on my face as I started to think about my fiancé Tomington Or Tom as I adore to call him. Tom and I have been friends since we were very young despite my insecurities about boys. 5 weeks ago he started courting me and 2 weeks ago he proposed. I said yes with all my delight for I loved him and I then knew he loved me. I dreamed about us living in a small cottage like the one I lived in now only the one I longed for would be a bit larger. However I never told my Mother since I knew she wouldn’t approve seeing at the time Tom started courting me Tom wasn’t a bit wealthier than me. However My Mother did care for Tom with all her heart but she had to do what she thought was best for me. Though recently Tom’s Father had come into a large state of money seeing how his business became a success in the city. When Tom and I told his parents of the betrothal they were overjoyed and Toms Father promised him the money for us to start a life in the country and Tom could be his partner in the business so we could afford to keep a nice home. Thankfully I knew my mother would approve of the engagement and soon to be marriage.
“Yes Mother?” I asked sounding somewhat depressed thinking there would be another suitor. But was surprised to find my Mother and I were the only 2 in the room.
“Get ready my child, for we are to going to Birmingham” She said with a victorious smile for which I did not know for what she was victorious of. Perhaps it was because we were going to the city and she loved it. She’d always want to live there but it was too much money. I however hated the city Birmingham. It was too crowded and I heard it rained the most there.
“Why Mother?”
“It is time to buy your wedding shoes”
“But I thought we would buy them here at the local shoe store down town”
“I checked there and they haven’t a thing decent”
“Mother?’
“Yes?”
“Might you go with ought me? I detest the crowds”
“My child you must get used to it. Many of the high standard suitors live in some form or sort of city.”
“Yes Mother” I haven’t told my Mother about Tom and I because he is out of town until the 27th of this month handling business with his Father and we would both detest it if we announced to either of our parents with ought each other being there. I put on my shoes and small coat and went outside to the carriage.
Once in town I heard great gossiping of how Prince Harry was in town. I wondered why he was not at home in London. Perhaps he was visiting friends of some sort. After trying on what must have been dozens of shoes my Mother let me outside for a breath of air. As I was walking I bumped up into someone. Someone who everyone said should not be run into because of that person’s high honor. It was Prince Harry, with his curly hair and green eyes. I looked down not wanting to look him in the eye for I became nervous.
“Oh my grace I apologize I should have looked where I was going. Please I ask your forgiveness”
“It is alright fair maiden.” I then looked into the deep green eyes of the prince and found him staring into the golden brown eyes of myself.
“Fair Maiden why are you alone certainly a woman of such beauty should not be alone” I blushed after hearing his deep voice grace out a compliment toward me.
“Actually Sire, I am with my Mother”
“Aaaahhh I see not a husband or courter?”
“Well between you and I sire I’m eng-” I quickly shut up realizing I might have started holding him with rambling of how Tom is and such
“Yes?”
“Well it is perhaps a long story”
“Are you sure I can keep a secret”
“I’m sure your grace,-”
I was starting to get a tad bit upset over him still questing me for he hardly known me though I had tried not to let it show.
“-But thank you for your time and again my apologies”
“Very well good day to you fair maiden”
“ And to You Sire” I then proceeded along my path when I spotted a cart full of flowers I sped walked my way over eager to smell the fresh scent of the golden daffodils which were my favorite. I picked one up and smelt a scent of honey and lemons.
“Mmmmm” I Mmmm’ed with my eyes closed in great pleasure to the smell and beauty of the flower. I then remembered I had a small amount of money in my pocket. I smiled in joy hoping to buy some of these flowers.
“Excuse me sir?” I asked the elderly man in a hat with a small beard that seemed to be working the cart.
“Yes Miss?”
“How much for the daffodils?”
“For a dozen I’d say about 18 franks”
“I pulled the money out of my stitched pocket and counted. I only had 9 franks but 6 is plenty
“Very well may I have 6 then please?” I asked smiling thinking of bringing home the honey and lemon scented flowers.
“The smallest amount you can get is a dozen ma’am’s I’m sorry”
I frowned in disappointment but I knew I’d make it through after all they were just flowers when I really thought about it. I then put a small smile on my face and put the money back in my pocket.
“Very well thank you sir”
“You’re welcome ma’am have a blessed day”
“As to you”
I turned and left back to the shoe shop but I felt a presence behind me. I turned around to find Prince Harry looking at me but then he looked away. I turned around for I’m sure it is simply nothing. I saw my Mother coming out of the store and she said it was time to go home. As we got on a little boy approached us.
“Excuse me ladies?” He asked in a high pitched voice.
“Yes?’ My Mother and I both asked.
“Where are you going?”
“May we ask why you need to know”
“It’s nothing really. I just need a ride.”
“We’re going to Bibury”
“Oh that’s okay then that’s not the place I need to go but thank you anyways”
“You’re welcome.” The boy nodded a small nod and walked away. As we started to ride away I looked behind me to see where the young boy as headed. I saw him walk up to who looked like Prince Harry I wondered what they were talking about. As we were riding on the country side on the way home, I told my Mother about what happened with Prince Harry and how the boy was talking to him.
“I’m sure it’s nothing dear.” My Mother told me after I had finished speaking.
“But don’t you find that a bit odd and all. I mean him asking us where we’re going and then immediately walking to someone.”
“He might of just been asking for a ride again”
“Yes but Mother, he walked directly toward the Prince. I mean he didn’t even have to look around. And Harry looked like he was waiting on him”
“It doesn’t take much too spot royalty dear maybe he
thought the Prince would kind enough to give a ride.”
“Perhaps your right.” I’m sure it’s nothing.
October 25th
1781. The year was 1781. I’m a young woman at the age of 17 where parents arranged the marriages of their daughters. Where sons married who they liked as long as the woman they choose had an equal or lower status so that the male would prove to be the dominate one in the courtship and marriage. It is often rumored that women who choose not to wed at the early ages of 17 through 21 would end up with their parents for the rest of their lives or on the street unless of course, their royalty. It is also spoken of around small children that they could get their younger or older brother to send the girls off at the ages chosen for marriage if the girls didn’t want to get married. When I heard that I begged Mother and Father to give me a younger sibling. Perhaps if it were not a boy I could have a sister to run away with. But at that time it wasn’t because I knew what the duties of a wife were to be but because boys seemed so gross. Of course at the age I was very insecure but even now my Mother says that I am but only because I don’t want be a wife. A wife is someone who shall cook and clean and care for children. She mustn’t work unless the death or the leaving of a husband. I shall never do that for it will be the death of me! To follow tradition where as such every woman does the same things from marriage till death!
“Angela!” I ignored my mother’s calling knowing she would only try to convince me of another suitor. Although I have only been 17 for 3 months my Mother thought perhaps it would be better to wed very early and not waste time competing with other girls my age who would try to marry later on but only by a few months or a year at the most after turning 17. I turned down every suitor possible and I found that they were for very good reasons.
“Angela!” Again I ignored my Mothers calling and only looked out of the window longing and dreaming the day I would leave this and town. I grew up in a small town in England that wasn’t in the city but not in the country either. For it was a small town that was quite delightful but I’ve spent my entire life here and I longed to get away. The furthest I’ve been away is to visit an elegant Bridal Gown Shop in Birmingham. “That way you can get married quicker sooner” My Mother always said. I thought some would find this quite strange and odd that my Mother would do this before my turning the age of 17 for it was 3 months before my birthday but everyone praised her for it and from then to now the only gossip of my Mother would be in good talking. However my Mother did not do it for gossip but only for my own good. My Mother and I struggled a bit since my Father died soon after I was born. We were getting along fine now but she always wanted me to have the best and richest suitor so I never had to worry about a thing. I promised her that if I ever came into to money with my own job or anything I would give her some but she said that it was okay and that is how I know my Mother only cared for me and not herself by trying to marry me off to someone so she could become wealthy as well.
“Angela!”
“Coming Mother!” On the way to sitting room a smile grew on my face as I started to think about my fiancé Tomington Or Tom as I adore to call him. Tom and I have been friends since we were very young despite my insecurities about boys. 5 weeks ago he started courting me and 2 weeks ago he proposed. I said yes with all my delight for I loved him and I then knew he loved me. I dreamed about us living in a small cottage like the one I lived in now only the one I longed for would be a bit larger. However I never told my Mother since I knew she wouldn’t approve seeing at the time Tom started courting me Tom wasn’t a bit wealthier than me. However My Mother did care for Tom with all her heart but she had to do what she thought was best for me. Though recently Tom’s Father had come into a large state of money seeing how his business became a success in the city. When Tom and I told his parents of the betrothal they were overjoyed and Toms Father promised him the money for us to start a life in the country and Tom could be his partner in the business so we could afford to keep a nice home. Thankfully I knew my mother would approve of the engagement and soon to be marriage.
“Yes Mother?” I asked sounding somewhat depressed thinking there would be another suitor. But was surprised to find my Mother and I were the only 2 in the room.
“Get ready my child, for we are to going to Birmingham” She said with a victorious smile for which I did not know for what she was victorious of. Perhaps it was because we were going to the city and she loved it. She’d always want to live there but it was too much money. I however hated the city Birmingham. It was too crowded and I heard it rained the most there.
“Why Mother?”
“It is time to buy your wedding shoes”
“But I thought we would buy them here at the local shoe store down town”
“I checked there and they haven’t a thing decent”
“Mother?’
“Yes?”
“Might you go with ought me? I detest the crowds”
“My child you must get used to it. Many of the high standard suitors live in some form or sort of city.”
“Yes Mother” I haven’t told my Mother about Tom and I because he is out of town until the 27th of this month handling business with his Father and we would both detest it if we announced to either of our parents with ought each other being there. I put on my shoes and small coat and went outside to the carriage.
Once in town I heard great gossiping of how Prince Harry was in town. I wondered why he was not at home in London. Perhaps he was visiting friends of some sort. After trying on what must have been dozens of shoes my Mother let me outside for a breath of air. As I was walking I bumped up into someone. Someone who everyone said should not be run into because of that person’s high honor. It was Prince Harry, with his curly hair and green eyes. I looked down not wanting to look him in the eye for I became nervous.
“Oh my grace I apologize I should have looked where I was going. Please I ask your forgiveness”
“It is alright fair maiden.” I then looked into the deep green eyes of the prince and found him staring into the golden brown eyes of myself.
“Fair Maiden why are you alone certainly a woman of such beauty should not be alone” I blushed after hearing his deep voice grace out a compliment toward me.
“Actually Sire, I am with my Mother”
“Aaaahhh I see not a husband or courter?”
“Well between you and I sire I’m eng-” I quickly shut up realizing I might have started holding him with rambling of how Tom is and such
“Yes?”
“Well it is perhaps a long story”
“Are you sure I can keep a secret”
“I’m sure your grace,-”
I was starting to get a tad bit upset over him still questing me for he hardly known me though I had tried not to let it show.
“-But thank you for your time and again my apologies”
“Very well good day to you fair maiden”
“ And to You Sire” I then proceeded along my path when I spotted a cart full of flowers I sped walked my way over eager to smell the fresh scent of the golden daffodils which were my favorite. I picked one up and smelt a scent of honey and lemons.
“Mmmmm” I Mmmm’ed with my eyes closed in great pleasure to the smell and beauty of the flower. I then remembered I had a small amount of money in my pocket. I smiled in joy hoping to buy some of these flowers.
“Excuse me sir?” I asked the elderly man in a hat with a small beard that seemed to be working the cart.
“Yes Miss?”
“How much for the daffodils?”
“For a dozen I’d say about 18 franks”
“I pulled the money out of my stitched pocket and counted. I only had 9 franks but 6 is plenty
“Very well may I have 6 then please?” I asked smiling thinking of bringing home the honey and lemon scented flowers.
“The smallest amount you can get is a dozen ma’am’s I’m sorry”
I frowned in disappointment but I knew I’d make it through after all they were just flowers when I really thought about it. I then put a small smile on my face and put the money back in my pocket.
“Very well thank you sir”
“You’re welcome ma’am have a blessed day”
“As to you”
I turned and left back to the shoe shop but I felt a presence behind me. I turned around to find Prince Harry looking at me but then he looked away. I turned around for I’m sure it is simply nothing. I saw my Mother coming out of the store and she said it was time to go home. As we got on a little boy approached us.
“Excuse me ladies?” He asked in a high pitched voice.
“Yes?’ My Mother and I both asked.
“Where are you going?”
“May we ask why you need to know”
“It’s nothing really. I just need a ride.”
“We’re going to Bibury”
“Oh that’s okay then that’s not the place I need to go but thank you anyways”
“You’re welcome.” The boy nodded a small nod and walked away. As we started to ride away I looked behind me to see where the young boy as headed. I saw him walk up to who looked like Prince Harry I wondered what they were talking about. As we were riding on the country side on the way home, I told my Mother about what happened with Prince Harry and how the boy was talking to him.
“I’m sure it’s nothing dear.” My Mother told me after I had finished speaking.
“But don’t you find that a bit odd and all. I mean him asking us where we’re going and then immediately walking to someone.”
“He might of just been asking for a ride again”
“Yes but Mother, he walked directly toward the Prince. I mean he didn’t even have to look around. And Harry looked like he was waiting on him”
“It doesn’t take much too spot royalty dear maybe he
thought the Prince would kind enough to give a ride.”
“Perhaps your right.” I’m sure it’s nothing.
Please continue. Thanks. Love this story.
12/28/13