Double Masquerade by Lucy Muir

Author:Lucy Muir
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing, LLC

The members of the local Blue Stocking Society began arriving at Rosemont shortly before seven o’clock on the day of their meeting. Given that the purpose of their gatherings was educational and intellectual, it had long been the custom of the members of the Society that they did not dress formally for their meetings, and for the same reason they served only beverages and cakes or biscuits rather than making a dinner or supper the focus of their meetings. The women were quite serious about remaining true to the aims of their society, and all made an effort to arrive on time and pay close attention to the speakers.

Mrs. Stillington-Fyfe arrived at Rosemont first, bringing her eldest daughter, and she was soon followed by Mrs. Turner and her mother, Lady Ashe. Lord Woodforde, Miss Amy Applequist, and Mrs. Bateman arrived next. Miss Ellsworth alone of her family had any interest in the meetings, and she arrived shortly after Mrs. Stone, the vicar’s wife, who was accompanied by her husband. Lady Manning, plainly gowned and wearing her mob-cap, introduced Mr. Cowper to each of the members as they arrived, after which they sat talking in small groups while they waited for the meeting to begin.

Directly after the hour struck, Catherine looked around the large drawing room, and seeing that everyone was present, called for attention. The members moved their chairs to make a large circle and quieted. Catherine introduced their guest and Mr. Cowper stood and bowed to the room in general.

“Your lordships, ladies, and gentlemen. As I have informed Miss Trevor, I have been invited to speak at meetings of the Blue Stocking Society before, but never to address one about my hares, and I am both delighted and honoured to do so.

“One might be pardoned for thinking that hares are among the most insignificant, timid, and valueless creatures, or worse, pests. Yet, after spending time with hares and observing their true nature, one might find, as I did, that they are intelligent, capable of expressing gratitude, and are the most joyous of God’s creatures.

“It was after a time of deep melancholy in my life that a small leveret, who had been a plaything to the daughters of a neighbor, chanced to come into my life. Knowing I needed an interest to absorb my thoughts, I took on his care, and soon had that of two others of his brethren. I named them Puss, Bess, and Tiney.

“Let me assure you, dear listeners, that despite their names all three were in fact males, for if they had not been, I soon should have been overrun with specimens of their kind, given their fabled fecundity,” Mr. Cowper said with smile, and several of his listeners tittered in appreciation. He then went on to describe his own experiences with his hares Tiney, Bess, and Puss during the years he had shared his life with them while his audience listened attentively, bringing his talk to a close some twenty minutes later.

“A gathering of such

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