A Valentine's Affair by Eliza Dawkins

Author:Eliza Dawkins [Dawkins, Eliza]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-02-11T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six ~ Sent to London

The Chipping Weekly Observer, February 5, 1819

Aunt Ellie’s Advice for Ladies

Dear Aunt Ellie,

My husband is a latecomer to the breakfast table and complains of a cold breakfast. What can I do?

--Cold Heart

Dear Cold Heart Soon-to-Be Warm Again,

A really, delightful tea cozy can be knitted simply and quickly. With Valentine's Day fast approaching, a set carried out in pretty, pink wool is a rather heartfelt gift for the master of your home. Make one larger for the teapot and a smaller one for a basket with pockets for his eggs. This way, your husband can read his letters at breakfast, and have his tea and boiled eggs hot. A heartfelt pink breakfast for one! I do suggest a pair of No. 4 and No. 6 bone knitting needles. Purl and knit to your sweetheart's heart with this fashionable tea cozy.

Yours loyally, not to say elli-estically,

--Aunt Ellie

To my loyal readers, all requests for advice on matters of concern are welcome. Please submit inquiries on single parchment. Address these to Aunt Ellie’s Ladies’ Advice Column, care of The Chipping Weekly Observer, Chipping. Letters must reach our offices not later than the second Friday of each month to be included in the next month’s weekly editions. Please indicate if you desire a private answer. Once answered, letters are not retained.

~~~

When Lady Helena was unable to attain a retraction printed in Aunt Ellie’s column, she was quickly sent away from Delaport Manor to London. She never felt so lonely, even if the family’s London house was lovely. Benston House was by no means a sufficient substitute for her family’s manor in the countryside. However, with a small staff and her lady’s maid at her beck and call, Lady Helena did her best to adjust to her situation. Lady Helena looked up over the fireplace to the mantle where she placed her mother’s picture.

Oh, Mamaw! I would not be in this situation if you or Papaw were here. I would be home, free to ride Jubilee all hours of the day and spend my nights reading in Papaw’s library. Oh, how I miss the sound of Elizabeth’s voice and even Charles’ laughter. I never thought I would see the day when I yearn to see my insufferable brother, but, alas, here I sit missing him!

With Valentine’s Day only a few days away, Lady Helena tried to boost her spirits by reading a collection of short stories dedicated to the holiday of love, romance, and pure devotion one to the other. The family library at Benston House compared in no manner to her father’s at Delaport Manor. However, the large room quickly became Lady Helena’s sanctuary from the torment of the world outside.

Unexpectedly, Lady Helena’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of one of her servants clearing his throat. Lady Helena motioned for him to step forward.

‘Excuse me, my lady, but you have a visitor. Shall I say you are not in?’ The tall and imposing footman Philip, asked stiffly and politely, as he announced the just-arrived visitor.

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