RetroXotique

Back  at  Astolat,  Elaine's mother waited anxiously for the return of her daughter.   She had been forced to leave  her in London  at Lady Elling's earnest request  the latter being eager to detain the girl and instruct her in the niceties of feminine deportment

Mrs. warren was eager to hear Elaine’s own story of her triumphs, for she had guessed from her letters that at last her daughter had found her own niche in society and was no longer unhappy. Happiness bubbled from the pages of the letters to Mrs Warren, and there was also hints of a certain Mr. Ainsworth being very attentive.

   The latter worried Mrs. Warren. Surely Herbert Ainsworth was understood to be, if not the fiancee at least the acknowledged escort of Phyliss Throckmorton? Would it be good policy for Elaine to cut out Lady Ellings niece his regard after all her kindness ? She sincerely hoped that Elaine would not be so undiplomatic.

   So She awaited eagerly for her daughter, and when the local taxi chugged down the lane, she ran to the gate. She was prepared to find a reformed, happy, tightly corsetted Elaine, but what she was not prepared for was a gentleman, no other than Herbert Ainsworth, tenderly steadying her daughter on her tottering heels as he assisted her to alight.

   “Mother !” screamed Elaine, all vivacity now throwing her arms around the older woman. Gently they exchanged kisses and then, all at blush, Elaine re-introduced Herbert Ainsworth to her mother, adding quietly, “This is my fiancée”.

   In a transport of delight Mrs Warren clasped Herbert’s hand and then dragged them both in to tea. Over fragrant teacups the whole story was told in excited bursts from Elaine & her lover.

  “I fell in love with her as soon as saw her trying to ascend the steps at Lady Ellings in deliciously absurd high heeled shoes”, said Herbert, “but when the coat flew open and displayed her charming figure I knew I was done! You see Mrs. Warren, I happen to be one of the men who take a keen delight in seeing a woman with a neat waist, and the waspier the better !”

  “Well I never!” was Mrs Warren’s rather unoriginal contribution too the happy lovers confession, but when Herbert’s arm stole around Elaine’s trim waist, and her daughter bent like a flower to the caress, she gently stole away on the excuse that more hot water was required for the tea.

  When the door clicked shut behind her, Elaine was drawn into her lovers arms, where she nestled happily, with his lips against her hair he murmured, “Happy darling ?”

          Ecstatically !” she replied. 

               The End