Second Change Idol - Week 2
A note: Second Change Idol is an opportunity for me to explore a character I created about a year ago. Because of the nature of the prompts her story may jump around a little. Each week's entry is not meant to be a linear continuation but rather glimpses into the life of the character.
“Lady Gwendolyn, you are meant to be attending a tea this afternoon, not competing in a silly boys’ competition!”
It seemed her nurse has some questionable notions as to how Gwen should spend her time. Perhaps she failed to remember what happened at the last tea she was forced to attend. Gwen sat with the other girls her age, eyes glazed over and food untouched, until she saw the brother of one of the girls ride by on a horse and unthinkingly got up and ran after him. It was quite the scene, especially since there was a small pond between the girls and the horse-rider, and it hadn’t seemed to prevent Gwen from following him.
Gwen decided weeks ago when she was first invited to this tea that there was no way she would attend. But convincing her nurse of that fact was another matter entirely.
Gwen put down the britches she was attempting to put on under her dress and turned to face her care-taker.
“Nurse, I’m sure you would like nothing better than a free afternoon while I attend the tea. Rest assured that, while I will not be attending the tea, you may still have your free time. I can amuse myself”
“Oh no you don’t, m’lady. Your mother gave me strict instructions that you are to go to that tea. There will not be a repeat of what happened last time. Lord Almighty, it must have taken me ages to get those grass and mud stains out of your petticoats.” The nurse replied.
Well, that didn’t work, thought Gwen. Changing tack, she said, “Well if I must go at least let me walk there by myself. It’s mortifying to be escorted everywhere by a nurse, like I’m helpless. Albert and Simon can go anywhere they want with no supervision. It’s simply unfair”
The nurse sighed. Why must everything always come back to the difference between Gwen’s treatment and that of her brothers?
“I won’t allow you to walk the entire way yourself, it’s over a mile. But you can walk the last bit on your own. I’ll walk with you as far as the footbridge by the birch glade. Does that sound reasonable?”
“Very,” Gwen replied. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to finish dressing. I’ll meet you in the foyer in twenty minutes.”
“Very well, m’lady” said the nurse, and left Gwen alone to get ready.
This should work out after all, Gwen thought, as she pulled the britches up and tied up the laces. She would have to get the rest on once the nurse left her at the footbridge. Gwen packed a shirt, vest, and shoes she’d stolen from Simon, along with a hat and socks she took from Albert, into a very feminine-looking bag. It would look a little odd bringing a bag with her to a tea, but then again, she wouldn’t make it to the tea for it to look odd anyway.