I woke that morning to the
sound of my maid, Anna. The year, 1845. I wanted to start my day of wonder,
after all this was the most amazing era to be alive. I walked to my closet. I
insisted on dressing myself except for my corset. For that I needed Anna. I
called for Anna, she quickly arrived and her blonde hair and round face were
very kind. She helped get my waist to eighteen inches. I quickly got into my
lemon yellow get up and walked out the door. I stopped at a vendor who was
selling the most wonderful smelling bread. I pulled out my purse and bought a
loaf. I ate part of it and put the rest in my bag. I walked a bit more and
arrived at a friend’s house, Elizabeth Barrett. I knocked on the door, and
Wilson, the maid, opened it. She let me into the house and left. I proceeded to
walk up the stairs to Ba’s room. I knocked and entered. She was sitting on her
couch reading.
She
looked up from her book and said, “Come in Florence.” I closed the door behind
me. I walked to the chair in front of her couch. I immediately
sat down. By this point I should
tell you about myself. I am twenty, red haired, named Florence Conway, and I
live in London, England. I didn’t wait for Ba to stand before I sat because she
is an invalid. Her brother Edward died about four and three fourths of a year
ago.
“So,
Ba, What are you reading?”
“Some
poetry by Robert Browning, did you know that he has been visiting me?”
“Really!
He’s the most handsome poet in all of England.”
“Yes,
what smells so wonderful?”
“Some
bread I bought, would you like some?” Ba nodded and I opened my bag. I pulled
out the bread and broke off a chunk. I gave the piece to Ba and she began to
nibble on it. Ba looked out the window and finished her bread.
“I’m
sorry to be so rude but could you go Robert’s coming.” I nodded picked up my
bag and leaned forward to hug her.
“Is
your father here tomorrow?”
“No.”
“I’ll
see you tomorrow then. Bye.”
I
walked down half the stairs when
Mr. Browning passed me I nodded to him and vise versa. He proceeded upward and
I went back onto Wimpole Street. The world seemed so alive. So full of wonder
and love. I was happy for Ba
because she was happy. I waked around for a few hours and looked at the vendors
and kiosks. Then I got to my real duty, I had to get my outfit for tonight’s
party. It had been planned for three whole months. Everyone was going to be
there with the obvious exception of the Barretts. They never went anywhere, at
least for social gatherings.
Later
that day, well the evening, I as getting ready for the party with its strenuous
formalities. I had a dark red dress made partly of velvet. And I had Anna curl
my long hair into ringlets. Once I was satisfied I left with my father to the
party. There I had to go through the niceties, a fancy term for speaking to
every last person there. Halfway through that I didn’t meet anyone I didn’t
already know and was reaching for the nearest servant carrying wine or spirits.
The party was being thrown by a wealthy family by the name of Augustine. My
father and Mr. Augustine are very good friends, so are my mother and Mrs.
Augustine. But their daughter Ruth is a real bore. Luckily they are wonderful
hosts and I do not need to meet them again. After three glasses of wine I
thought I met every one but I hadn’t, as it turned out Robert Browning was
here. I saw him through the corner of my eye and headed toward him.
As
I reached him he seemed very bored. I spoke first,” Mr. Browning, I do not mean
to intrude upon your being but my name is Florence Conway. We met before, just
passing at Elizabeth’s house. I uhhh, wondered if you would care to talk as you
seem, well, bored.”
“These
things have always bored me, they’re so fake and as a poet I refuse to
acknowledge anything but the truth.” He replied.
I
laughed a slightly drunk laugh but also a slightly witty one.
“What?!
Why do you laugh?”
“Because
it’s so true.”
“Hmmm…”
“Have
you met the rest of Ba’s Family? Mr. Browning?”
“No,
I once passed Mr. Barrett…but he didn’t seem like the person of her family I’d
want to meet.”
“Smart
move.” I replied.
“Have
you met many of her family?”
“A
few I’ve met Occy, Henrietta,
Samuel, Arabella, Charles, George, Henry, Alfred, and Sette. Of course I’ve
also met Surtees, Henrietta’s suitor. So basically the whole family. Including
her father, Edward Barrett. We’re on friendly terms he doesn’t mind me seeing
her and he likes my family. I never new her Brother Edward though, because he
died about four and three fourths of a year ago. Or her mother who has been
dead for many a year may she rest in peace.”
“Hmm,
interesting. But I thought that they weren’t allowed to see the opposite sex?”
“Yes
that is true but Henrietta sees Surtees secretly and obviously you see Ba.
Probably because even though he might not like you you’re both poets. So he
probably thinks you both discuss stanzas and hyperboles.”
You
know quite a lot about poetry for someone who doesn’t write it.”
“Well,
I’m Ba’s friend so…”
Robert
gave me a quizzical look when he heard his name called from flock of young
girls desperate to talk to him. ”Well my dear Miss Conway I believe we must
part to do our own social niceties. I believe we shall meet again. Farewell.”
H
headed toward the girls with a look of dread on his face that they were too
girlish to recognize. The evening dragged on and I met another man by the name
of Walter Ashwell. My father met him after I did and an immediate liking to
him. I asked my father to leave so we could talk. As it turned out we had quite
a bit in common but we didn’t have much time to talk he had to leave. But we
made a date for the day after tomorrow. Shortly after that I left with father.
It was just him and me. My mother died having me and she was the only woman my
father could ever love. He’s my best friend. When home I got out of my corset
and into my cotton nightgown. I had Anna brush my hair one hundred times. As I fell
asleep my head danced with thoughts of Ba, her family, Surtees, Mr. Browning,
and Walter.
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