Nanny Diaries 3 - Pride and Prejudice

Dinner with News

"Nineteen is not really good enough, Nanny...but I do realise that she is not lacing every day so I suppose we will have to accept her limitations." Mum sighed, as she carefully checked her tape measure, the skirts of her gown crushing against my petticoats. Miss Ford was behind me pulling on the laces of my corset, as mum fussed about getting me ready for dinner.

"I understand it is not the done thing for a nursling to corset?"

"No...although that custom is really about younger girls...who might still be growing...but it is frowned upon, I believe." Mum said as I panted a little, holding my pacifier between my teeth as I struggled to breathe.

"She does have some night stays in her wardrobe, Mrs Hughes." Nanny said, which was very thorough of her to notice, and rather annoying for me. "I am no expert in these things, but I am led to believe that wearing those would help? And no one else would know?"

"Oh, I had forgotten all about those...they did help, and it would be a good discipline for her too...she does make such a fuss about being laced down." Mum continued, speaking about me as if I was not standing right there. I had my pacifier, of course. Nanny had bathed me with my sisters, after a good mess, and then left them to play for a little while before bed, as it was still the summer holidays, whilst she dressed Nicola and me. Helen was finishing Nicola off in her room, whilst mum was interfering with me. "Could you start that from tonight, Nanny?"

"Of course, Mrs Scott." Miss Ford agreed, giving one last haul on my laces before tying them off. "She has a lovely figure..."

"She has lost a bit of weight since she has been eating properly..."

"Such a pretty girl...you must be very proud of her, Mrs Scott?"

"I am...overall...but she has been very stubborn at times, and can be a little headstrong...but I think another few months with you and Deepdene will cure that," Mum replied, giving me one of her looks. But I did not react, merely hanging my head and waiting patiently for Nanny to hold out my gown for me to step into. "She got a bit ahead of herself...Daphne was a little immature, I am afraid, but she has had a second chance as a nursling."

"She has certainly been a good little girl for me, Ma'am...and she is very sweet with her little sisters...they are all so close." Nanny continued, as she started to button me up. I was used to my mother's opinions of me, obviously. She still annoyed me, but I had learned not to argue with her about it, anymore. I was not going to change her mind, after all, and I knew that unless I showed her that I had improved, I would stay in the nursery with my sisters. So, I had been good with Nanny, and with everyone else. Instead of fighting my regression, I was just enjoying it for what it was, which was a chance to spend some quality time with my darlings. Everything else would come in time, when I was deemed to be ready for it.

"Yes, they are a lovely litter...we are blessed to have them all," Mum responded, which was typical of her new persona, speaking as if she was at the head of the family. Nicola and I were not exactly pleased that my parents were joining us for dinner. We had both rather been looking forward to having Mama and Papa to ourselves, but mum and dad seemed to be part of the family as far as Papa was concerned, even if I sensed that Mama was less keen. But it was not up to me, obviously, or Mama, so I found myself downstairs in the main drawing room with Mama, Nicola and Mummy, practicing my social skills.

"School starts in a week...the summer has flown by." Mummy said, as I sat next to Nicola on the smaller sofa, both of us demurely arranged according to propriety. "Sheila says that dear Kieran is very pleased with the preparations so far...and there are no spare spaces."

"Isn't Auntie Sheila involved with the preparations, Mummy?" I asked, taking what I hoped would be thought of as a positive interest.

"No...not so far...but I am sure her skills will be put to good use."