The CBB :: View topic - Both Alike in Dignity

#1: Both Alike in Dignity Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 3:41 pm

Okay, I will say here and now that I am a crap drabble person, as I always either a) lose interest or b) (more often) get inundated with other stuff to do. However, I've had a PB chewing my big toe off over this one, so I've been weak and succumbed.
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Both Alike in Dignity

Elisaveta Margherita Arnsonira, Crown Princess of Belsornia, ran her hand along the smooth mahogany of the balustrade, and looked longingly down the grand sweep of the staircase. A mischievous glint lightened her eyes and her father, catching sight of it, placed his hand warningly in the small of her back. Elisaveta smiled warmly at him.

“Poor dear!” she thought to herself. “It’s not easy being a king when your daughter retains fantasies of sliding down bannisters!” Sadly for Elisaveta, her days of sliding down bannisters – in public or private – were long gone. “Not commensurate with the dignity of the Royal Family:” that was how the Chief Minister of the Belsornian Grand Council had phrased it, when he caught her over a year ago. Since then, Elisaveta had sternly refrained from embarking on such ventures, careful not to embarrass her father. Elisaveta had matured considerably, and no longer resented the restraints of royalty, though she sometimes privately yearned for a more anonymous existence. However, she loved her country and her people, and was glad for the opportunity to serve them. And now here she was serving them, though in a slightly different fashion. The queen of a neighbouring country, Mirania, was celebrating her betrothal, and the Arnsoniras of Belsornia had naturally been invited to the proceedings.

“His Royal Highness King Carol of Belsornia and Her Royal Highness Princess Elisaveta of Belsornia!” The stentorian tones of a footman startled Elisaveta from her reverie, but she made no indication of it, and descended the sweeping staircase as gracefully as any princess, her hand resting lightly on her father’s arm. They were greeted at the bottom by Queen Roxalanne of Mirania, who was, unsurprisingly, distantly related.

“King Carol!” exclaimed the Queen. “I was so delighted that you and Elisaveta could attend. Now, Elisaveta, you must wait here, for there is someone I wish you to meet.” With a flick of her finger, she summoned over one of the footmen circulating the large ballroom, and requested him to find the Contessa di Mirolani. Elisaveta looked at Roxalanne with interest. She knew the Queen only slightly; though Belsornia and Mirania were neighbours, they had relatively few dealings with each other.

“That’s your niece, isn’t it?” Roxalanne nodded.

“Tamara is hardly a child, though. She’s a year or two older than you I think. You have someone in common though.” Elisaveta looked at her host in confusion, but before she could enquire further, the Contessa di Mirolani appeared at her aunt’s shoulder. Elisaveta inspected her curiously. She was built on a small scale, with deep, dark eyes that reminded Elisaveta somewhat of her old friend, Joey Bettany, and rich golden hair that waved perfectly over her small head. As Roxalanne made the introductions, Tamara’s eyes lit up, and she barely waited until the Queen had finished speaking before grasping her new acquaintance by the wrist.

“Come on!” she said excitingly, pulling Elisaveta along with her through the crowd. “We’ve been dying for you to arrive.”

“Who’s we?” asked Elisaveta, rather confused by all this. A moment later, she needed no questions, as a familiar figure came into view.

“Elisaveta! There you are finally!”

“Margia! Margia Stevens! What on earth are you doing here?”

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Comments always welcome!!

Last edited by Liss on Tue Jan 27, 2004 8:38 am; edited 1 time in total

#2: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:10 pm

I want to know how and why Margia is there. More please!

#3: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:22 pm

Ooh yes! Plenty more please Liss. Don't you dare give up on it!! Parrot

#4: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:22 pm

Nice start Liss - when do we get some more? If your Plot Bunnies are only nibbling, I'll send you a few of mine - they rip your whole leg off before you even realise they're under the desk again!

#5: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:26 pm

You'll make Liss run a mile if you offer any of your menagerie, Rachel! Rolling Eyes

#6: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:30 pm

But I didn't even hint at sending in Brian!

However, if Liss doesn't come back and write more on this, I'll set Freddie on to her!

Rachel the Quidditch

#7: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 4:50 pm

ROFL at Rachel's smilie. I bet you were pleased to see thatone! How apt.
Liss, I suppose knowing the uh...oh drat, the title has gone. Anyway. I can (maybe) guess how Margia had ended up there!
Laughing

#8: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:13 pm

Rachel - thanks, but I'll make do with mine.
Lisa - would The School by the River be what you were thinking of?
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Margia Stevens it was indeed, and Elisaveta grinned ecstatically as she embraced the other girl. Her time at the Chalet School in Austria had been possibly the happiest in her life, and Elisaveta would have been happy to see anyone from those days, but for it to be one of her closest friends was wonderful.

“How simply topping to see you!” Elisaveta exclaimed stepping back. “But what are you doing here?” Margia grinned at her, not one whit abashed by her ceremonious surroundings.

“Rather nifty, all this, isn’t it,” she commented. “Keep your hair on, Elisaveta, my love, I’ll tell you why I’m here!” as Elisaveta looked likely to strangle her old school friend. “You must have heard of the College des Musiciens here in Valnich? Well, Father’s hanging around this area at the moment – looking for another book, I rather think – and we all thought it would be rather a good idea if I attended – the College, I mean. Amy’s still in school, of course. Thrilling, isn’t it!”

“I’ll say!” agreed Elisaveta, with scant regard for the language expected in an heir to the Belsornian throne. “Why didn’t you write to me, you idiot, and tell me you were in this part of Europe? I’ve been imagining you tucked away in London, or somewhere like that.”

“But she was, at least until last month, weren’t you, Margia?” put in Tamara. “Mr Stevens has only recently arrived in Mirania,” she added in explanation. “He is thinking of writing a book about some of the Balkan states, and has been discussing it with Roxanne and her ministers.” With Margia’s presence suitably explained, the two girls launched into a “do you remember?” conversation, until they suddenly stopped and cast simultaneously guilty glances at Tamara, still standing there.

“Do forgive us, Contessa,” begged Elisaveta prettily. “Margia and I haven’t seen each other for several years – it was too tempting!”

“Yes, sorry, Tamara,” said Margia, blushing slightly. “Horribly rude if us.” Tamara just laughed at them.

“Oh, I do not mind! I have old school friends myself, and I know what it is like! But you must excuse me now, I am afraid. My brother is beckoning me over.” She curtseyed slightly to Elisaveta, and grinned at Margia before making her way over to a tall, dark-haired young man near the entrance to the ballroom.

“She seems rather nice,” said Elisaveta, watching her go.

“Very,” agreed Margia. “She was a pupil at the College, though now she just comes for lessons three times a week. She plays the violin. Awfully funny seeing her curtsey to you, though, Veta!” Elisaveta blushed.

“It’s awful rot, I know,” she said despairingly. “I try to get people to stop it at home, but you just can’t on occasions like this.” Margia grinned reassuringly.

“’Salright, Veta, I was only teasing. You should talk to Tamara’s brother though: he hates all that sort of thing too. Their father was the heir to the throne, you know, until he died. The old king didn’t approve of his wife, or something silly like that, and so Rafe – Tamara’s brother – couldn’t inherit. That’s why Roxanne’s queen.” Elisaveta nodded understandingly.

“Yes, their father drowned, I know. The Rhaniche flooded about fifteen years ago. He was caught in it. Jolly bad luck for them, to lose their father like that.”

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#9: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:44 pm

Yay! A new drabble! This is great - Elizaveta's one of my favourite characters! More please!!

#10: Author: Laura, Location: London (ish)

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 5:50 pm

Oh, this is so exciting! Elisaveta was always one of my favourite characters, and i was highly miffed that she only featured properly in about 3 books!

More please! Very Happy

#11: Author: Shander, Location: Canada

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:09 pm

This is wonderful. I love Elisaveta, and the Characters from The School by the River. How fun to see them together. More please.

#12: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 6:15 pm

How wonderful, I loved the School by the River when I got the bettany press reprint.

#13: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:06 pm

Liss, this is great, I'm really enjoying it, you've captured Veta perfectly.

But what is all this School by the river business? what have I missed out on? Confused

#14: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:14 pm

*echoes Nicci*
I've no idea what the School by the River is but I'm enjoying this all the same Very Happy

#15: Author: Guest,

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:18 pm

Nicci wrote:

But what is all this School by the river business? what have I missed out on? Confused

"The School by the River" is a non-CS title by EBD. Bettany Press republished it a couple of years ago. There are probably links to them up in the News area of this new board.

#16: Author: Guest,

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:25 pm

Anonymous wrote:

Nicci wrote:

But what is all this School by the river business? what have I missed out on? Confused

"The School by the River" is a non-CS title by EBD. Bettany Press republished it a couple of years ago. There are probably links to them up in the News area of this new board.

Sorry, I just checked and there doesn't appear to be a link anywhere up there.

Here you go - found the link: http://users.netmatters.co.uk/ju90/bettanyp.htm click on "School by the River" for full details Very Happy

#17: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:45 pm

Thank you oh mysterious one Very Happy

#18: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 7:46 pm

Yay Liss!!! This is really good, please keep going with it!!!

#19: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:41 pm

Thanks Liss. I haven't seen much in that period on the drabbles board and it is nice to see that link with the School by the River!

*Memo to Australian members* How about a nice bilbie for Liss?

#20: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 9:53 pm

PatMac wrote:

*Memo to Australian members* How about a nice bilbie for Liss?

What is a bilbie?
*Curious* Question

#21: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:08 pm

Carolyn P wrote:

PatMac wrote:

*Memo to Australian members* How about a nice bilbie for Liss?

What is a bilbie?
*Curious* Question

They are an Australian, bunny-like, animal. There was a link somewhere on the old board. Maybe some nice kind person will repost it.

#22: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2004 10:53 pm

Ooh, a new story, and presumably it will be Veta's romance! Goody!

#23: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:00 am

*finds Liss' disclaimer puzzling, as she has so many good stories on the main board*
(Doubts this one will be an exception.)

I think the bilby link is in Cathy's "Out of a Wardrobe" drabble. She's the one with the plot bilby anyhow. The real ones are extremely cute marsupials.

#24: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:47 am

Liss - this is looking really good - you're not allowed to give up on it!

More please! Smile

#25: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:35 am

Liss, plizz plizz plizz carry on soon, I is liking this very much Pirate

#26: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:48 pm

Please carry on with this one Liss, I've no idea about School on the River either, but that does doesn't really matter as this story is good enough to stand alone anyway.

#27: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 12:52 pm

Liss will there be any more today or are we keeping you too busy? Question

#28: Author: keren as guest,

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:10 pm

it is making problems with the login

School on the river can also be found on the transcript site.

It is a story about another belsornian state, where a realtive of one of the characters is elisavetas future husband.

Great idea for the story Liss

#29: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 1:48 pm

The following day, Elisaveta awoke later than her customary hour to find that Alette had laid out her walking clothes. She gazed at them for a moment, then called out for her maid. After a moment, the Belsornian woman who had looked after Elisaveta since she was a child came through the doorway.

“Yes, Your Highness?” Elisaveta rolled her eyes, her usual response to this mode of address from those who knew her best. However, she knew better than to expect Alette to call her anything else, and said nothing about it.

“Why have you got these out, Alette? I thought I was attending a reception with my father?” Alette bustled around, then whipped the covers off Elisaveta, who gave a shriek of indignation and pulled her knees under her nightdress. “Alette!”

“Time to get up! You’ve been invited to an excursion outside Valnich, and His Highness considered that you would rather go.” Elisaveta slid out of bed, digging her toes into the thick rug on the floor.

“Invited? By whom?”

“The letter came from the Palazza del Fiume, Your Highness. The Countess di Mirolani, I understand.” Elisaveta’s expression cleared.

“Oh, Tamara! I’ll bet Margia’s coming as well!” More cheerfully she headed for the bathtub, ignoring Alette’s scandalised expression.

“Princesses do not bet, Your Highnesses.” Elisaveta concentrated on scrubbing herself in the fresh water that poured down from the northern mountains, and ignored Alette.

“I wonder who else will be there. Margia’s at the College, she said. They might bring some of the other people studying there, I suppose. I’m sure Roxanne will be too busy for things like that.” By this time, she had finished bathing, and was pulling on the dainty, lace-edged underwear that Alette had also laid out. With the ease of long practice she pulled on her stockings [okay, I know this is dead easy, but I couldn’t think of any other appropriate underwear!], sparing a thought for a dreadfully spoiled Italian duchessa she had met the previous summer, who had been entirely incapable of dressing herself. Within ten minutes she was fully dressed, and without further ado fled down the hallway to the dining room she and her father had been appointed.

King Carol looked up as his only child plumped herself down opposite him, and reached for the rack of toast. With her hair still down and only dabbed at with a brush, Elisaveta still looked much like the schoolgirl she had once been. Observing her bright, cheerful face, Carol thanked God for the advice that Dr Tracy had given him long ago to send Elisaveta to school.

“For,” he murmured to himself, “it has made all the difference, I am sure.” Elisaveta looked up rather absently at his words.

“Sorry, Daddy, did you say something?” He smiled and shook his head at her.

“Nothing, darling. Did Alette tell you about your invitation?” Elisaveta nodded, her mouth too full of toast and jam to speak. He passed over a piece of cream-coloured paper. “It came this morning from the Contessa di Mirolani. I heard one of your old schoolfriends is in Valnich.” Elisaveta swallowed, and nodded again.

“Yes, Margia Stevens. You remember, Daddy, her father is the writer.” Carol had already made the connection.

“Charles Stevens. Yes, I remember. His Glorious Prague was a wonderful piece of writing. I heard he was thinking of writing a book about Mirania.” Elisaveta shrugged.

“I think so; that’s what Tamara – the Contessa – said. Anyway, Margia’s attending the College des Musiciens.” She opened the invitation as she spoke. “‘A picnic on the banks of the Rhaniche just outside Valnich:’ it sounds lovely!” and she bounced on her seat a little. “I wonder if she’s invited others from the College?”

#30: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 3:22 pm

Liss wrote:

With the ease of long practice she pulled on her stockings [okay, I know this is dead easy, but I couldn’t think of any other appropriate underwear!]

Liss, we're in pre-war period here aren't we? We're talking stockings with SEAMS that had to be STRAIGHT! I tried some like that ONCE and gave them up as a bad job!

#31: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 4:16 pm

what's the problem with putting seamed stockings on, Rachel? That's easy enough to do! Just unroll them slowly, looking down the back of your leg as you do so! It's keeping them straight all day that's the problem!!

#32: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:18 pm

Thanks for the extra installments Liss.

Okay - why would you want a seam down your stockings? Or didn't they just not know how make them any other way?

#33: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:36 pm

Thanks for that bit Liss. Alette's general horror at Elisavita's general independance never lessens Smile

#34: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:39 pm

This looks very promising liss i can't wait for soem more Very Happy

#35: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:48 pm

You could get seamfree stockings, but the seams were supposed to look elegant and slimming!! cyborg

#36: Author: Lisa, Location: South Coast of England

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:49 pm

Oh Thank you Liss, I'm thoroughly enjoying this! It's great to have a link between the books, and I've always loved Elisaveta, too! Keep it up when you have time! Do you plan on it being a full length drabble? (Whatever length that might mean!)

#37: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 9:39 pm

Thanks Liss, I'm really enjoying reading about these characters, especially Elisaveta.

I had seemed stockings once, but found them so much hassle to keep straight as Pat said. Putting them on was fine, but they only lasted 5 mins before I had to straighten them.

#38: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:10 pm

isn't there some story that during the war, women used to stain their legs with a tea or coffee solution, and then use eyeliner to draw a 'seam' up the back of them so that it looked like they were wearing stockings? (I hope they had good razors and were good with them) Maybe that's what you need, Rachel..

#39: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 10:14 pm

I can see it now - Rachel and her "Impressionist" seams!

#40: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:01 pm

I'm liking this Liss, it'll be good to find out about Elisaveta's romance.

#41: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:59 am

Lisa_T wrote:

Lisa, I've heard that story, too.

And Liss, this is lovely! I can't wait to see how Elisaveta reacts to meeting her future husband!

Last edited by KB on Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:03 am; edited 1 time in total

#42: Author: Rachel, Location: Plotting in my lair

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:01 am

I've also heard the theory, but have always been slightly dubious about the practicalities!

Anyway, we appear to be digressing from the real purpose of hitting "reply" which is to chant at Liss!

MORE STORY PLEASE LISS!!!!!

#43: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:46 am

It stems from the idea that women couldn't have bare legs, and even if they couldn't get stockings, they had to do something! Stockings and cigarettes were the major currencies in Germany after the war.

#44: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:26 am

Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!
*bounces excitedly outside Liss's window!! *
Lots more soon please honey!!!

#45: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:55 am

*hopes Liss isn't trying to sleep*

#46: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:57 am

Perhaps Liss will think it is all part of her dreams.

*worries that Vikki knows where we leave.

*Remembers the Atlantic ocean

*Hopes Vikki isn't an olympic swimmer.

#47: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:07 am

*lol* I hope so too, for your sake!

#48: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 12:44 pm

May in Mirania was perhaps the most beautiful months, and it certainly seemed to be the case as Elisaveta and the others lay on the banks of the Rhaniche.

“This is simply too luscious for words,” sighed Margia complacently as she ran her hands through the lush green grass.

“Mmm,” agreed Elisaveta, then giggled. Tamara, who was leaning against the trunk of a tree idly flicking through a book, looked at her curiously.

“What’s so funny?” she asked.

“Oh, I was just thinking about a Guide camp we went on,” replied Elisaveta, with another giggle. “Do you remember, Margia?” Margia rolled over onto her stomach with scant regard for the good cotton frock she was wearing, and propped her chin on her hands.

“I’ll say! Eventful doesn’t begin to describe it!” Tamara and the others began plying the old Chalet girls with questions, and Elisaveta and Margia spent a pleasant half hour regaling their companions with the various happenings.

“Oh, and then there was the time when we thought we’d discovered a dead body…”

“And when Joey fell into that hole and called Bill a half-witted idiot…”

“I wouldn’t have thought you would be allowed to go to a normal school,” commented Jennifer, one of Tamara’s friends. She was small with short blonde hair and an air of almost other-worldliness. She too was a pianist, and described by Margia as being ‘absolutely it.’ “When the King made Tamara and her brother royal, she had to leave the College, and just come sometimes for lessons, like Roxanne.”

“Oh, the doctors recommended it,” replied Elisaveta, “otherwise I daresay I couldn’t have. Anyway, when I was a kid, Belsornia still had the Salic law – that a woman couldn’t inherit the crown, you know. Grandfather changed that later and then I did have to leave the Chalet School. Back to governesses and all that sort of thing.”

“But one day you will be queen,” said Tamara. Elisaveta nodded, and sat up.

“Yes. Yes, I will.”

“Awfully odd,” said Margia with a yawn. “Well, be queen all you like, my dear, I shall still remember you as Veta, who managed to reduce Madame to speechlessness by the appalling state of your dresses!”

#49: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:17 pm

That was a wonderful snippet, may we have some more soon please Question

Although we will let you have a little break to hunt up even more smilies. Pirate

#50: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:30 pm

isn't that a bit greedy, Carolyn? we have so many lovely new smileys already. Very Happy

#51: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 1:34 pm

Sorry!

I got a little carried away.

#52: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 2:48 pm

Thank you Liss!! More soon please!!! Kiss

#53: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:10 pm

More please, liss.
BTW, I hope we aren't going to get star-crossed lovers and lots of deaths.

Rachel, seamed stockings are easy, it's the bl***y suspenders that are the real pain.

#54: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 3:12 pm

Remember using sixpences when they broke Question

#55: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:27 pm

Not quite sure what you would do with the 6pences.....Is it a kind of female knowledge eqivalent of using nail varnish when your tights ladder?

#56: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:41 pm

I love how offhand Margia is when talking about Veta becoming a queen. That Guide camp is one of my favourite stories anyway! Kiss

Alright Pat now I'm confused... sixpences as suspenders Question

#57: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:58 pm

Alex wrote:

Not quite sure what you would do with the 6pences.....Is it a kind of female knowledge eqivalent of using nail varnish when your tights ladder?

The button affair that held the stocking onto the suspender belt often broke off, so we would use a sixpence instead. It was about the right size to go through the loop on the bit that hangs down on a suspender. It's a bit difficult to describe to someone who's never worn them!!!

#58: Author: Pixie,

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 5:56 pm

And if the hanging bit broke, we used the sixpence or a button just twisted into the top of the stocking and folded inside.

Would cut off the circulation, but it kept the stocking up!

#59: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 6:13 pm

*applauds*

Thank you Liss may we have some more please!

#60: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 7:03 pm

Love the story, Liss. I always thought Elisaveta got shoved off by EBD rather quickly and although she reappeared during WWII, it was still only as a minor character. Yes, more please.

On the stockings front. Nylon stockings (which were very thick by modern standards 30 denier being considered fine) only really made headway in the UK after the war. The American soldiers and airmen who were stationed over here could get them sent over and used them to curry favour with the local girls. Wink

Even after the war they were hard to come by and most women and girls wore lisle stockings (pronounced lyle) which were completely opaque. We weren't allowed to wear nylons till we were in the 6th form. We wore lisle ones which went baggy at the knees. Sad

It was a badge of sophistication to have nylons and some women who couldn't get them or afford them did paint a line up the back of their legs. I dont know about the dying with tea though. I do remember that when mini skirts came in and self tanning creams started to appear, the result was awful with streaking and a sort of unnatural yellow colour and an awful smell!

Oh, Pat & co you made me laugh. I hadn't thought of suspenders for years. Do you remember how the stockings gradually slipped down your legs and the suspenders got tighter and tighter!

#61: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 8:31 pm

I never had the problem of slipping down as I had too much of a problem getting them long enough Exclamation

#62: Author: Grembles, Location: Norwich

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:43 pm

After reading about the drama of stockings I shall never again winge about the awfulness of tights! soapbox

Being short and rotund does not make it easy to fin tights to fit, they are generally baggy around the knee, but that sounds 1000000000x better than trying to keep your suspenders together and your seams straight.

Sarah - forever destined to look like she has been pulled through a hedge backwards Mr. Green

#63: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:55 pm

Liss please post more of this story - don't give up on it! Really liking the view of Veta - and that Margia treats her normally!

*Hoping that Liss is typing

at the mo!*

#64: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2004 11:28 pm

Lesley wrote:

Liss please post more of this story - don't give up on it! Really liking the view of Veta - and that Margia treats her normally!

*Hoping that Liss is typing

at the mo!*

Yes. I love the way that Margia talked to Veta too, please may we have more soon?

#65: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:02 am

Grembles wrote:

After reading about the drama of stockings I shall never again winge about the awfulness of tights! soapbox

My tights always bag round the ankles!!!!

#66: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:10 am

That was a lovely part - I'm glad people still ahve such a good memory of Veta, and she remember school so fondly!

#67: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:20 am

Glad you're all enjoying it. I don't think it's going to be too long, so hopefully I should be able to finish it.
--------------

“Should you like it? Being queen, I mean,” asked Jennifer, rather tentatively. This new acquaintance seemed to be extremely good-natured, but she was a princess, and always had been, and Jennifer didn’t want to overstep her mark. There was no danger of that with Elisaveta, however, who considered the question carefully.

“Well, it won’t be a bed of roses,” she admitted after a moment. “It’s awfully hard work, you know, and very demanding. But you see, I love my country.” She said the words simply, and it was clear that she meant them. “And being able to serve one’s country is the highest honour one can hope for.” Elisaveta’s tone changed as she changed the subject, for she found such things to be hard to express to strangers. “As for you, Miss Stevens, it’s a good thing you shall never be queen, for anyone lazier I’ve never met!”

Margia sat bolt upright at this calumny, an indignant shriek issuing forth from her. “Elisaveta! You beast! Take that back!”

“Shan’t!” retorted Elisaveta, leaping nimbly to her feet. “If it’s not music, you’re not interested, my dear! You know, I think Joey was right,” she added thoughtfully. “She always said you were the worst wretch of a Middle she ever knew.” Margia scrambled to her feet to give chase and soon the whole crowd were engaged in a game of tag that would have made anyone who had met them in more formal circumstances stare in a marked manner!

Elisaveta was fleeing from a rather serious pianist called Olwen, when she suddenly realised that she was quite alone and, as far as she could tell, in the middle of nowhere. She spun around twice, and swore in a most reprehensible manner. Not a recognisable landmark could be seen, and neither could she hear anything from the others.

“Margia! Tamara! Hallo!” Her calls were met with silence, and Elisaveta was just walking back in the direction she thought she had come from, when suddenly a small band of men appeared in the clearing in front of her. Elisaveta was certainly no coward, but she had to admit that they made an intimidating bunch. Unshaven to a man, dressed in dirty clothing with coloured kerchiefs tied around their necks, the men looked like nothing so much as villains out of a story book, who kidnapped the princess. Unfortunately for Elisaveta, she was the princess.

#68: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:58 am

The apparent leader spoke. “You are lost, little one?” Elisaveta spoke only a few words of Miranian, but it was closely enough related to Belsornian for her to understand. She debated for a moment whether to admit to being lost or not, then decided she was being unncessarily cautious. She nodded.

“Yes. I was with friends, but I cannot find them.” A couple of the men grinned, and Elisaveta found herself thinking that caution was often a wise move. She nodded to them pleasantly. “I must look for them. Good day!” She made to step around, but the leader neatly cut her off, and took her arm, resisting her attempts to shake him off.

“But we are always happy to… escort a visitor in our country. To show her the beauties of the land. You would not wish us to be rude, surely?” How to reply to that? Elisaveta’s mind raced. She was all too aware that she was in a tricky situation; her instinct warned her that these men – so dishevelled next to the usually neat-and-tidiness of the Miranian people – were up to no good. But how on earth was she supposed to be rid of them? She tried to pull away again.

“Thank you, you are most kind. But my friends will be anxious. I cannot leave them waiting. Please excuse me.” The man’s grip intensified, and Elisaveta realised he hadn’t the least intention of letting her go. A tendril of panic wound through her, hastily quashed. “Unhand me, sir!” she commanded in her iciest tones. Though they could quell the most pompous of chancellors, the icy tones failed to have the required effect on the man holding her. Instead, he swung her around so that her back was to him and he was holding both her upper arms, digging deeply enough to leave bruises. He spoke rapidly to the others, and Elisaveta could barely keep track of what he was saying. What she could understand, however, was enough to alarm her further.

“I am not going anywhere with you!” she contradicted him sharply. “Let me go this instant!” In her fury Elisaveta had dropped into her native tongue, and at the sound of the Belsornian, the man holding her swore savagely, and swung her round again, studying her intently.

“I know who you are,” he told her, a malicious smile growing on his lips.

#69: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 11:54 am

Sharp intake of breath.

Drops to the trampoline in fear.

Rolls off and cowers at the side.

#70: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:25 pm

where are all the rest Question

When will they come to rescue her Question

#71: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:47 pm

Liiiiiiiiiiss! Come baaaaaaack!!!!!! Don't leave it there! Oh, golly, more nightmares tonight!

#72: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:49 pm

Sleep well KB!

If you can after this.

#73: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 12:56 pm

Gee, thanks, Carolyn! Evil or Very Mad

#74: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 1:10 pm

But I was giving you good wishes for a good nights sleep. What did I do wrong. I didn't leave Elizaveta in that predicament.

#75: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 1:45 pm

Only because it's not you writing it, Carolyn! You'd be quite happy to do it yourself Exclamation

#76: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:20 pm

Looking at his expression, Elisaveta realised with a sinking heart that he had indeed recognised her. Where before the men had perhaps intended to harry a passing tourist, the discovery of her identity raised the stakes considerably, and Elisaveta had guessed at their plan even before their leader announced it.

“We will take her,” he said briefly. “The King will pay any sum to have her returned safely.”

“Just you try it!” recommended Elisaveta rudely. “You won’t get a centime! I don’t imagine you’ll get much in the way of mercy, either.” This was added with considerable relish; Elisaveta had no idea of wilting away like a milk-and-water miss at the first hint of trouble. She had not been brought up to behave like that, either at home or during her time at the Chalet School. The villain’s smile didn’t fade at this threat.

“You are in my land now,” he said ominously. “The King cannot command-“

“Oh, blatherskites!” interrupted Elisaveta, exasperated, borrowing a favoured expression from Joey Bettany. “You’re talking absolute rot! Do you really think the Queen won’t do everything in her power to make sure you’re found and punished? I’m a guest at her wedding,” she reminded them bluntly. “In acting towards me in this way you insult the Queen. She cannot allow such insults to pass.” Elisaveta finished up her diatribe ceremoniously, very much in the manner, had her listeners but known it, of the Grand Duchess Sophia of Klein-Metzburg.

The faint pomposity of the Grand Duchess seemed to have some effect, for the smug smile on the leader’s face faded somewhat and he loosened his hold on Elisaveta, frowning at her. The others looked at each other nervously.

“She has a point,” suggested one, pulling at his neckerchief as if it were suddenly too tight.

“Remember what happened to those people from the south,” offered another, with a knowing nod. “Roxalanne wasn’t exactly merciful.”

“They killed three children,” snapped back the villain, still maintaining his hold on Elisaveta, who was listening to the argument with every evidence of pleasure.

“She’s a princess,” said the first objector, shrugging. In his mind, a princess was worth several times more than a few children, and the Queen was bound to think so too. Some of the men started backing away, clearly unprepared to have anything to do with so foolhardy a plot as the kidnapping of a princess. Elisaveta did her best to tip the scale further.

“I was kidnapped once before,” she said conversationally. “They found me, of course. Only took a couple of hours. He’s dead now.” She gave an artistic shudder that wasn’t entirely feigned. “Fairly gruesome.” The remainder of the men joined their fleeing friends, leaving Elisaveta alone with her captor, a situation that somehow seemed to be rather worse than before. He had lost the look of uncertainty, and was now glaring at her with something akin to true hatred. Elisaveta swallowed, and wished that she had never baited Margia.

#77: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:12 pm

I read the first bit and thought Oh no you can't leave us here and then I read the second bit and it just got worse Crying or Very sad

Elisaveta is wonderful when she's on her dignity but I hope one of the others turns up soon.
*holds her breath on anticipation*

Last edited by Sarah_K on Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:15 pm; edited 1 time in total

#78: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:14 pm

You're as bad as everyone else at creating cliff hangers!! HelpMe

#79: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:15 pm

Is this better or worse ?
I'm still scared. Crying or Very sad

#80: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:21 pm

Is this where it will turn out that Veta learned kung-fu as part of princess training with governesses?

Somehow I doubt it Rolling Eyes

#81: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:26 pm

Ooh, on a roll now...
--------------

Meanwhile, Elisaveta’s absence had only just been noticed. Tamara and Margia, along with Jennifer, Olwen and Emily, all of whom had at one time studied at the College des Musiciens, were frantically calling for the missing princess, but to no avail. Margia glanced at Tamara, her concern for her friend plain to see.

“She must have been gone half an hour at least, Tam,” she said, unconsciously nibbling at her lower lip.

“She’s probably just got lost,” offered Emily reassuringly, but Jennifer shook her head.

“Not round here. It’s not, well, big enough. She might have hurt herself.” The suggestion that Elisaveta wasn’t responding because she couldn’t silenced the girls for a moment, but Margia was just on the verge of suggesting they go in pairs to look for her when the sound of hoofbeats could be heard approaching. The girls looked cautiously at first, then in relief as Tamara let out an uncharacteristic yell.

“Rafe! Rafe, over here!” The rider was indeed Rafael Helston, Duc di Mirolani, and as he swung off the black thoroughbred whose form he had been assessing, he noticed that his younger sister was looking unusually ruffled.

“What’s the matter?” he asked, glancing at her companions as he spoke, and recognising them as College students.

“It’s Elisaveta,” Tamara explained, clutching his arm. “She’s disappeared.”

“We were playing,” added another girl whom Rafe recognised as Charles Stevens’ daughter, and he remember that – Mary? Marjorie? No, Margia – had been at school with Belsornia’s Crown Princess. “She ran off, and now we can’t find her, and she’s not answering when we yell.”

Rafe looked concerned. If the truth be told, princesses, as a general collection of people, didn’t interest him much. He had met several, both in his youth and now that he was a man and the Sovereign’s Representative in Mirania, and they invariably struck him as spoiled, thoughtless children, who had no real understanding of what their position entailed. He had not spoken to the Belsornian version of this species, but he had seen her laughing with friends at Roxanne’s ball the previous evening, and had, rather cynically, marked her down as a fluffy-headed idiot. Trust a princess to get lost in one of the smallest ‘woods’ in the Balkans! Nevertheless, Elisaveta Arnsonira was a guest of the Queen of Mirania, and if something had happened to her, it would reflect on the whole country. He pulled himself back into the saddle.

“A couple of you get one of the drivers to take you back to Valnich,” he ordered. “Tell my men what’s happened, and ask them to come out here. Better get a doctor, just in case,” he added as an afterthought. “The rest of you stay here. I’ll go and look for Her Highness.” He cantered off, and Tamara anxiously started organising the others in accordance with her brother’s instructions. Margia stood watching him ride off, a funny expression on her face. A word from Tamara recalled her to her surroundings, but, notwithstanding her concern for Elisaveta, Margia found herself wishing she could be present when Duc and Princess met. Unless she very much missed her guess, Rafael Helston had a few too many preconceived ideas about Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Belsornia!

-------------------

At that moment, Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess of Belsornia was struggling in perhaps the most undignified position she had ever been in in her life. The villain had managed to sling her over his shoulder, and she was being carried rapidly through the sparse woods, her body jarring with every step he took. She took some small satisfaction in the sound of his increasingly difficult breathing, but it was hardly enough to compensate for the trouble she was in. Neither wheedling nor ranting had done any good whatsoever, and when she had tried to scream, he had merely whipped off the dirty neckerchief and gagged her. Now Elisaveta’s main weapons were her attempts to make herself as heavy as possible.

They had travelled about eight hundred metres when the sound of hoofbeats could be heard. Elisaveta fought nausea as she was swung round in a wide arc as the villain turned to see who was approaching. Whoever it was, it clearly didn’t bode well for Elisaveta’s kidnapper, and she found herself dumped unceremoniously on the ground, her head reeling to the sound of her ex-captor’s flight through the undergrowth.

Struggling, Elisaveta got to her knees, and finally stood, swaying slightly. She had hit the ground hard with her left shoulder and hip and they were protesting furiously, the ache making her feel quite ill. She closed her eyes, and pressed one hand to her forehead in an attempt to stave off any further ill-effects. It wasn’t for a moment or two before she responded to the presence of another person.

Rafe looked down at the girl in front of him. She was white as a sheet, her dark golden hair dishevelled, and a large triangular rent in her light tweed skirt. She looked alarmingly fragile, and he cleared his throat in annoyance.

“Are you all right?” he asked brusquely. Elisaveta nodded, then wished she hadn’t.

“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice fainter than she would have liked. She repeated herself. “Fine.” This time her voice was stronger, and Rafe heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment it had looked as if she might pass out, and he hated it when that happened.

“Good!” he said jovially. “Well, we had better be getting back then. Your friends were worried about you.” In a day or so, when she had had time to recover, Elisaveta would wonder about the censorious note that had entered his voice. But for now, she was too concerned about being reunited with her friends and going home.

“Well, it’s something to write to Jo about,” remarked Margia, as the party was on its way back to Valnich. “She’ll be green with envy, and probably want to put it in her next book!” Elisaveta laughed, knowing this to be all too true. Tamara, who had been visibly upset by the whole affair, didn’t join in, but waited until silence reigned before speaking.

“I apologise that such a thing should have happened in our country, Your Highness,” she said rather stiffly. Margia looked at her fellow musician curiously, but Elisaveta understood Tamara’s reaction, and smiled kindly at her.

“Don’t concern yourself about,” she said. “Such things can happen anywhere. And it’s all over now.” Unbeknown to Elisaveta, however, it was far from over.
-------------------

Sorry for making Veta a bit of a wilting violet in this post - it won't last long!

#82: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:37 pm

Only until the next posting I trust? Which won't be long, will it? Very Happy

#83: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:43 pm

Whew! I'm glad she's safe. Strange how we've got 2 drabbles on the go showing the 'girls' upsetting the men's preconceived ideas.

More please.

#84: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:40 pm

I'm glad I didn't read this before she was rescued - I don't think I could have coped with another cliffhanger! Rafe is amusing me quite a lot Laughing

#85: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:20 pm

Definitely want to see Rafe's ideas about the princess shot down in flames! Laughing

More please Liss!

#86: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 6:53 pm

Not over because a blossoming romance or not over because the baddie is going to come back?

#87: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:23 pm

Liss wrote:

Rafe heaved a sigh of relief. For a moment it had looked as if she might pass out, and he hated it when that happened.

This HAS to be one of the lines of week!

#88: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:27 pm

*applauds*

Thank you liss, may we have some more please!

#89: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 7:34 pm

May I make a massive apology for somehow managing to post the same message 3 times?! Embarassed

I got an error message at various points of the proceedings so I assumed it hadn't sent! (Don't you just hate it when that happens with text messages and it wastes all your credit??)

#90: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 8:21 pm

Thanks Liss. I agree with Margia, I want to see what happens when Elisaveta (in a slightly better state) gets to talk to Rafe! Twisted Evil

He sounds like he needs someone to teach him not to judge people on first sight.
Also I'm very worried about exactly who the kidnapper is and if he's going to be back anytime soon Confused

#91: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Fri Jan 23, 2004 9:54 pm

Liss, this is really good! Please keep going!

#92: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:07 am

Thank goodness Liss didn't leave us hanging overnight!!!!

*hoping for more soon!!!*

#93: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:48 am

Vikki wrote:

Thank goodness Liss didn't leave us hanging overnight!!!!

You mean you don't like hanging overnight.
I thought it made you tender Twisted Evil

#94: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 1:15 am

*pokes Carolyn* poke

#95: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 2:51 am

I wouldn't exactly call Veta a wilting violet here!

(Does wonder how much she told whom, though)

#96: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:05 am

I loved what Veta said to the kidnappers that made them all run away! And thanks, Liss! I spent an hour thinking up various possibilities of what might had happened to Veta when I should have been asleep!

#97: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:43 am

Hoping Liss is planning to post lots more of this - soon! Smile

#98: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:58 am

Surely she has to!

#99: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:26 pm

Lisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss, where are you we need more - please that is Smile

#100: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 12:34 pm

*joins in Chloe's chant*

#101: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 4:06 pm

oohh there isn't any more Sad

Where are you Liss?

#102: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:02 pm

*chants INCREDIBLY loudly, to the surprise of the rest of the computer room*

#103: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 7:07 pm

*joins in the chant*

Please may we have some more Liss!

#104: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:08 pm

Liss might be tired from sorting out the evil "General Error Message" alien. Perhaps she needs some extra time for this bit.

#105: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 8:24 pm

Xanthe wrote:

*chants INCREDIBLY loudly, to the surprise of the rest of the computer room*

Giggling madly at the expressions on the faces of the other, totally innocent. inhabitants of the computer room reading

Last edited by Lesley on Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

#106: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 9:03 pm

*also feeling rather sorry for other people in the computer room*

#107: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:13 pm

*wonders why Liss hasn't posted any more!* Wink

#108: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:19 pm

*suggests that perhaps Liss might be busy with RL stuff*

#109: Author: Sarah_G-G, Location: Nr. Guildford

Posted: Sat Jan 24, 2004 10:31 pm

Looking forward to more- although not too far forward I hope!

#110: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 12:01 am

KB wrote:

*suggests that perhaps Liss might be busy with RL stuff*

Or with the site she has been doing a lot of work on it today!

#111: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:21 am

I was going to say "what, no more story yet?" then remembered how much work Liss must have been doing to get the board looking so good with the new colours popper

so I'll settle for saying, more please, Liss, when you have time *chants veeeery quietly in the background*

#112: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:42 am

Yep, she's done enough good deeds today to merit a little rest.

(Looks forward to more anyway, whenever that happens to be.)

#113: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 10:02 am

*Trying to think of the right words*

The fact that I'm not nagging, doesn't mean I'm not enjoying this! I most certainly am. I know you were terribly busy yesterday sorting out the board - which is now superb.

When you have time, I'd love to read more.

#114: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:26 am

*hopes Liss remembers this generosity and rewards it with lots of lovely story*

#115: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 1:40 pm

The following afternoon saw a meeting of Elisaveta and her father with the Queen, her Chief of Police, Raphael and Tamara. As expected, Roxanne had been horrified to learn of her young guest’s ordeal, and was determined to ensure that justice was meted out to the villains involved. The Chief, Sir Peter, was entirely in accordance with this.

“Certainly, ma’am, but we shall have a devil of a- excuse my language, ladies- dashed hard job catching the beggar!”

“Not at all,” replied Raphael. “I recognised him immediately. He goes by the name Carlo; he’s a trouble-maker. I’ve come across him before. Probably why he was so quick to flee,” he added grimly. Elisaveta raised her eyebrows in curiosity at this, but only said,

“Well, he was certainly more hardened than the others. He knew exactly what he was doing.” The others looked at her in surprise.

“Others?” queried her father.

“What others?” demanded Rafe, annoyed that he hadn’t known everything. “You didn’t say anything about any others!”

“You didn’t ask!” returned Elisaveta with some asperity. “There were about half a dozen of them initially. They didn’t recognise me, not at first. When they did, the man – Carlo – decided it would be a good idea to kidnap me. The others went along, but I soon managed to talk them out of it and they ran off.”

“You – you talked them out of it?” asked Rafe, disbelievingly. How on earth had this pampered princess managed to talk hardened criminals out of abducting her? The ‘pampered princess’ smiled sunnily at him.

“That’s right. It wasn’t too hard – they were dreadful cowards. I mentioned Cosimo’s fate, and that pretty much did for them. It didn’t have any effect on Carlo, though, it just seemed to make him angrier.”

“Who the devil is Cosimo?” shouted Rafe, exasperated, ignoring the shocked looks his aunt and sister cast him, and entirely failing to apologise for swearing.

“My cousin,” said King Carol, in leaden tones. “He kidnapped Elisaveta when she was a child. He was going to… My God. Elisaveta – Raphael – what does this Carlo look like?” Elisaveta looked at her father in concern. His face was almost grey, and for once he looked old.

“Father?” she said tentatively.

“Elisaveta, please. What did he look like?”

“He’s pretty tall,” said Rafe, seeing that Elisaveta was too worried about her father to reply. “A shade under six feet, I’d say. He has dark hair and a dark complexion, but green eyes. “

“He’s got a tattoo – a crown – on his right arm,” added Elisaveta, suddenly. “I remember I saw it when he had me over his shoulder. Father?” This last was with alarm, for the King gave a groan, and sank down into a chair. “Father, what’s wrong?”

#116: Author: Rosie, Location: Huntingdonshire

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 1:49 pm

Neep! This doesn't sound good at all!!

#117: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:03 pm

I can't believe I missed most of this, that'll teah me to click on the last page, find it's full of demands for more, and assume that nothings been posted since the last time I looked.
Thanks Liss, looking forward to the next part.

#118: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:28 pm

Liss what is it?????????????????????

Please tell us!

#119: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:35 pm

Looks to me like dear Cosimo didn't die after all!

#120: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:27 pm

Nope, Cosimo's definitely dead. That's the problem...

#121: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:30 pm

WHAT'S the problem?????????? Aaaagghhhh!! Tell, Liss, please tell!

*begs on bended knee*

#122: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:46 pm

does he have a son, then? Out for revenge?

#123: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:51 pm

Liss, please, have mercy - I NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED to know more!

#124: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:54 pm

#125: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:00 pm

*wails*

Liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiisssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

meanie!

#126: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:00 pm

aaarrrggghhh! LISS!!!!!! I thought you'd posted more!!! hammer

#127: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:02 pm

She wanted to make us think she'd posted some more! hammer

#128: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:39 pm

Liss wrote:

that's just meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan

*sits down to sulk as Liss is beign Mean with a capital M*

#129: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 6:35 pm

Cosimo's Son? Another Cousin?

Liss, enquiring minds want, no NEED to know!

#130: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:01 pm

LISS!!!!

Come back here and tell us what is going on right now.

(glad to see Veta confusing Rafe though Very Happy

)

#131: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 7:17 pm

*Notes that Liss has mastered the trick of tantilising her audience rather well*

Fun isn't it, Liss? Twisted Evil

#132: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 8:52 pm

Yep! What can I say - I'm evil. tongue

#133: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 8:58 pm

I saw that Liss had posted in the thread so I thought "Aha, more story". But, NO it was just Liss toying with us. NOT VERY NICE. fume

#134: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 9:19 pm

Argh, Liss, that was ...teasing!

You have this down to a T don't you. Well done.

Hope you come back and solve the mystery soon.

#135: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:13 pm

Liss wrote:

Yep! What can I say - I'm evil. tongue

Liss come back here at once we demand mooe story!

#136: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2004 11:53 pm

Enjoy laughing at all the pleading, Liss! I think most of us love seeing that! Very Happy

#137: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:10 am

Of course she's enjoying it! It pampers her ego! *wonders if Liss can fit her head through doorways now*

#138: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:18 am

*considers shaking Liss!!*
*wonders if Cosimo had a twin?*

#139: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:27 am

*wonders what else it could be*
*willing to join in the shaking*

#140: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:53 am

Don't be mean! You lot do this all the time!

#141: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 8:00 am

*splutters indignantly* WE'RE BEING MEAN?!

#142: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 9:09 am

Only just caught up on this and find Liss fiendishly toying with, not only the whole school, but her staff as well!

Twin and son have been guessed so I'll go for younger brother?

Come on Liss pllleeeaaassse!

#143: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:13 am

Liss, stop milking the reaction and post some more story. You're worse than anybody else at the moment!

#144: Author: keren,

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:24 am

no,
whether twin or younger brother the king would have known about it, they would have had the same supposed claim to the throne,
however, son or illegitimate son (none of you mentioned that), is a logical idea.
but anyway all are waiting for more of this brilliant story,
I thought you said you had written it all, here you are just keeping us on tenterhooks for fun Rolling Eyes

#145: Author: Katarzyna, Location: Preston, Lancashire

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:36 pm

Just a thought to add to the guesses but what was Cosimo's henchman called and what happened to him?

#146: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 2:40 pm

She still hasn't posted any more!!!

#147: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 3:57 pm

Sorry for taking so long to post - been busy!! Also, it seems I have been dreadfully predictable - alas!
----------

“Oh, Elisaveta,” sighed King Carol, passing a hand over his face. “I’m so sorry, my child, I should have told you. I was afraid you might worry, though, so I put it off. I suspect this ‘Carlo’ is in fact Carol Ticini. I banished him from Belsornia over five years ago when he proved to be… dangerous. No, wait,” as Elisaveta began to interrupt. “There’s more. Carol is Cosimo’s son.” Elisaveta looked at him uncomprehedingly for a moment.

“But, Father, Cosimo was never married- oh! I see.” She flushed slightly. “But why was he so dangerous?”

“Power and greed, I would suspect,” remarked Rafe, drily. He now remembered the stories about Cosimo’s abduction of the ‘Little Lady’ of Belsornia, and had at the time been treated to a lecture on how not to behave based upon these exploits. When it happened, Tamara had barely been fifteen, and he had felt a protective urge both towards his own sister and the unknown princess. Given the late Cosimo’s obvious unscrupulousness, he was hardly surprised to hear that his son seemed intent on following his father’s footsteps. “No doubt he believes he deserves some recognition from Belsornia; from yourself, Sire,” he added, looking at the King, and the older man did not disagree.

“I fear you are correct. He was about twenty when Cosimo died. I was surprised to discover that they were close – or as close as Cosimo was to anyone. I believe he felt a genuine fondness for the boy’s mother, a seamstress just outside Firarto. He had filled the boy’s head with ideas – ridiculous, really, for though Cosimo was heir after myself, the lad could never have been king.”

“But he believed he had the right,” finished Roxanna softly. She shook her head. “Oh, the evils that power – or the prospect of it – can bring!”

“Maybe it’s not the power,” suggested Elisaveta quietly, not looking up. “Maybe he just wants to be recognised as – as one of the family. That he belongs.” Carol shook his head decisively.

“Possibly he does. But he wants power as well. His favourite pastime while still in Belsornia was plotting ferment. I could have hanged him for treason, but took pity on him, understanding where he came from. And he may be illegitimate, but he comes from the same blood as him. So I merely exiled him.” He dropped his head. “It is sad when one regrets one’s mercy.”

“You believe him still to be a danger,” observed Rafe, feeling sorry for the man’s obvious anguish.

“He has seen Elisaveta, held her in his power. I have no doubt that he sees her both as a bar to his inheriting the throne and as the cause of his father’s downfall. No, I do not believe we can have shaken him off so easily. He will be back.” He rose decisively. “We must return to Belsornia.” There were cries of objection to this, but Elisaveta’s were the strongest.

“Father! As if you could suggest such a thing! I have no intention of running away from this man. We have been invited to Roxanna’s wedding and we will jolly well attend it. That is, of course, if the invitation still holds?” she said, suddenly tentative as she turned to the Queen, but Roxanna merely smiled at her.

“Of course it does, my dear,” she said reassuringly. “And do not worry, Carol, I shall ensure that Sir Peter here and his men are on the look-out for this man. No further harm will come to Elisaveta on Miranian soil.”

#148: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:08 pm

Okay Liss, I guess we'll have to forgive your evilness. That was a very lovely part. Thank you.

#149: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:17 pm

Thank you for explaining, Liss! I wonder what will happen to HIM?

#150: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:15 pm

Thanks Liss. Methinks we have more tribulations for Elisaveta before love can be declared Shocked

#151: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:22 pm

Thank you Liss may we have more though please!

#152: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 6:33 pm

Thank you Liss. I wonder if Veta is right about him just wanting to be recognised as part of the family. If that's true he's going about it in the wrong way!
Rafe was protective of Veta when he heard about the first kidnap though... Very Happy

#153: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 7:01 pm

Ta muchly Liss. Not that predictible, but so what anyway. I'm enjoying this and looking forward to seeing how things go for 'Veta and Rafe.

#154: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 8:33 pm

I'm really enjoying this Liss, so please post some more.

#155: Author: Alex, Location: Home again

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:18 pm

Love your sig, Liss.
Love the story.
(Still hoping for kung-fu princess)

#156: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:23 pm

*does the happy-drabble-dance*

Thank you Liss Smile

#157: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:24 pm

Excellent, thanks, Liss! Really enjoying this story, so.....

MORE PLEASE!!!

*starts a new chant, looks around for others to put in the harmony and instrumental accompaniment*

#158: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 3:03 am

*provides instrumentation piano

#159: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:19 am

Thank you Liss!!
*huggles*
*alternates chanting with bouncing*

#160: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:22 am

Thank you Liss - not too predicatable! Love some more now!

#161: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 7:35 am

Oh, good, thank you, Liss! And I'm glad Veta isn't willing to be scared off by her cousin!

#162: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:42 am

With this assurance, the meeting came to a close, and Roxanna ushered the King to his quarters herself. Sir Peter went away to ‘rally his troops’, as he put it, and Tamara announced that she was already late for her violin lesson. This left Rafe alone in the Council Chamber with Elisaveta. He looked at her with something akin to concern, as she sat with her head lowered.

“Are you all right?” he asked gruffly, unsure why he felt to uncomfortable talking to this girl when he had no problems at shouting at her. The head nodded. Rafe was unconvinced. “Look here, Elisaveta, you don’t have to be scared. We’ll…” He didn’t manage to finish, as Elisaveta looked up with scorn.

“I’m not scared!” she said derisively, although, she admitted to herself, she was a little. Not that she was going to let His Grand Dukeness know that!

“Oh. Good,” replied Rafe, rather blankly. He was finding himself completely at a loss with this particular princess. His ideas about women had been chiefly that they came in two categories: princess-types, who only cared about diamonds and dresses from Paris and who was marrying whom, and girls like his sister and aunt – serious women who cared about their country. Elisaveta didn’t seem to belong in either category. By no stretch of the imagination could she be considered either serious or grave, but neither could he equate her with the silly women he had met before. He tried to figure it out further.

“Only most girls would have been pretty hysterical about it all,” he said. “Although I daresay Roxanna and Tamara would have managed well enough.” Elisaveta stared at him. Raphael Helston had to be at least twenty-five. According to Margia he had been to Eton and Oxford, and had gone about in society as much as the next man, if not more so. How on earth did he manage to be so lacking in social graces? She contented herself by merely saying,

“Well, I’m not most girls. Anyway, I wasn’t brought up to get hysterical at the least little thing, and I have no intention of starting now!” She rose at this, intending to join her father, but Rafe put out his hand to stop her. He caught a bruise, and she winced.

“I’m sorry,” Rafe said penitently. “Let me see.” He pulled up the sleeve of her silk blouse, and inspected the mark on the otherwise pale skin of her arm. “It looks sore,” he commented, rubbing his thumb over the bruise.

“Mmm,” agreed Elisaveta, wondering why it was she had a funny feeling inside her. They stood that way for a moment or two, until they simultaneously seemed to come to their senses. They stepped away from each other. Elisaveta stood on one leg, a childhood habit she’d never broken. Rafe clasped his hands between his back. He coughed.

“I meant to ask you what was worrying you, then,” he said, not quite looking at her. “Just now; you looked sad.” Elisaveta sat back down with a bump.

“I just realised why he looked at me like that, when I told them about Cosimo. He hated me, and I wondered why. Now I know.” Rafe crouched down before her, and took one of her hands in his.

“You’re not to blame for Cosimo’s death,” he said softly, seeing where she was going. “He brought it entirely on himself.”

“I was glad, though!” burst out Elisaveta, looking up at the man in front of her. “When Daddy told me, I was glad – and I should have been sad, just a bit. But it was like a game, almost!”

“You were just a child, and the man had kidnapped you. Why should you have been sad?”

“I just should. It’s part of ordinary common decency.”

“Schoolkids aren’t decent,” said Rafe drily, with memories of his prep school. “That is, boys aren’t, and I bet girls aren’t much better.” It was a sign of Elisaveta’s perturbation that she took no issue with this statement and Rafe, who had confidently expected her to rise to the bait, grew more concerned. “Look here…” Again he was interrupted.

“I never asked.”

“Asked what?”

“I never… When Daddy told us he’d falled down a crevasse, I never asked – I never wanted to know. Oh, I can’t, even now. I can’t even think it!” She was near tears now, and Rafe put his arm round her shoulders.

“Whatever it is, you are thinking it, Elisaveta. Why don’t you just come out with it?”

“Did he kill him? Or have him killed?” She looked up at him beseechingly, tears shining in her eyes. “I could never ask, Rafe, but I’ve always wondered. Could he- Would you have, if it had been your daughter?”

#163: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:30 am

Yes, he could. That was the first thought that popped into Rafe’s head. Thinking about it, he could quite easily – and probably have quite happily – have killed Cosimo. Given the urges he had been feeling towards Carol, it didn’t even surprise him. But with Elisaveta looking at him like that, how could he tell her the truth? If he did, she might well spend the rest of her life wondering whether her father had had her uncle murdered.

“Er…” he started to deny it, but then, meeting her gaze, felt that she deserved the truth.

“Yes,” he said baldly. "I could.” Elisaveta kept her eyes resolutely on him as she stood up.

“I thought so,” she said, as she left the room.

#164: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:33 am

This is a stunning story, and highly enjoyable. Looking forward to reading more of it.

Quidditch

#165: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 11:38 am

ooooh, thank you Liss. That was really good, it made me go all chokey.

#166: Author: Xanthe, Location: London/Cambridge

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 12:30 pm

Hurrah! Hurrah! Thank you Liss Very Happy

#167: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 1:41 pm

Thanks Liss, I'm glad Rafe respects Veta enough to tell her the truth. Not a nice thing to hear though is it. I'm scared for Veta even though this should have a happy ending. Confused

#168: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:22 pm

Oooh!! Thank you Liss!!!
May we have lots more please?!

#169: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 3:46 pm

Thanks Liss, I never expected Veta's mind to start running along those lines, but I'm glad that Rafe respected her enough to be honest with her.

#170: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:29 pm

The next three days passed without any incident, and the members and guests of the Miranian Royal Family began to relax. Roxanna’s wedding drew ever nearer, and dignitaries began pouring in from across Europe and beyond. Elisaveta’s days were spent in sessions with an elderly seamstress, being fitted into the pale blue silk dress, embroidered in tiny seed pearls, that she would be wearing for the occasion, or else with Margia and Tamara and assorted other members of the College. She did not see Rafe Helston at all, and was both thankful and disappointed of it. She had seen the look on his face as she left the room; a look of hurt rejection. Elisaveta regretted hurting him, but couldn’t think of anything to say. A part of her seemed to rejoice in this man who would kill for those he loved, but how could she rationally support that? Justice and rationality should surely be more important than passionate, emotional responses to a situation. So why had she taken an almost savage delight in the news of Cosimo’s death when she had been a child? Was it just that she hadn’t known any better?

These thoughts, and others like them, rolled around Elisaveta’s mind, so that she was more confused by them than scared of the possibility of another kidnap attempt. Her friends noticed her absentmindedness, but put it down to nervousness. All except for Margia, that was, who had known Elisaveta as a child, and knew perfectly well that the princess was unlikely to let a little thing like a potential abduction spoil her fun. Her opportunity to speak came the day before the wedding. A ceremonious meal had been planned for the evening, but in the afternoon, while the sun shone with golden stillness over the lush green valleys of Mirania, Elisaveta and Margia went for a walk in the Palazza gardens.

“What’s the matter, Veta?” asked Margia after they had been walking in silence for a few minutes. Elisaveta grinned at her.

“Beating about the bush was never for you, was it?” Margia shrugged good-naturedly.

“Wouldn’t have done me much good – not with Evvy and Corney, and that crowd. Besides, Father’s always said he likes a woman who can get to the point. Anyway, you’re sidetracking; don’t think I don’t notice. Something’s bothering you, and I’ll bet it’s nothing to do with that Carol chap.” Elisaveta heaved a sigh that would have blown a ship of course had they been closer to the sea, and stopped walking.

“Margia, can ask you a question?”

“You can ask,” replied Margia guardedly. “I might not answer!” But Elisaveta didn’t smile back at her.

“Seriously, Margia.”

“Of course, you goop!”

“Would you kill someone?” Margia stared at Elisaveta in amazement.

“Would I what?”

“Kill someone. Oh, I don’t mean ‘would’, I suppose. But could you?” Margia frowned, and looked away, and for a moment Elisaveta was afraid that she had offended her. Then she turned back again.

“I suppose so, under the right circumstances. I wouldn’t do it lightly; no one could, not really. It’s quite wrong, but to protect someone I loved, like Amy, yes, I think I could.” Elisaveta didn’t say anything, and Margia looked at her, growing concern evident in her expression.

“I say, Veta, old thing…” She stopped, clearly unsure what to say next. “You- well, you haven’t – you know – done anything you’d like to – to confess to?”

#171: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:57 pm

Whatever Elisaveta had been expecting, it obviously wasn’t that. She stared at Margia, bemused, then threw her head back and laughed as she hadn’t done in several days. Eventually she mopped her face with a handkerchief and turned mischievous eyes to Margia, who looked rather as if she would like to slap her.

“Oh, Margia!” she gurgled. “You should have seen the look on your face! Of course I haven’t killed anyone!” Margia took on an expression of righteous indignation.

“Well, perhaps when you’ve stopped cackling like one of the witches in Macbeth, you’ll be good enough to tell me what that was all about!” she said witheringly. “Oh, stop being an ass, do,” as Elisaveta went off in another round of giggles.

“I’m sorry,” she gasped after a minute. Margia narrowed her eyes.

“You don’t look sorry,” she said critically, “but I suppose I’ll let it go. Now, for Heaven’s sake tell me what all this is in aid of, Veta. You have to admit it was a rather startling question!” Elisaveta sobered, and took a few steps to a little stone bench nearby. She waited until Margia was sitting beside her, then explained her fears about her father and the question she had asked Rafe. When she had finished, Margia considered the matter.

“I don’t think that was awfully fair of you,” she said slowly. “Apart from anything else… well, men think about things like that differently, you know. They’re more protective – at least, I don’t suppose they are really, but more protective physically, if you see what I mean. I think you’ll find that most men would kill to protect their children – or the ones they love,” she added, giving Elisaveta a sideways look which that young lady entirely ignored, save for an almost imperceptible blush. “And he answered you honestly. That counts for a lot. Lots of men would probably have lied because they thought that was what you wanted to hear.”

“I know I shouldn’t have walked off like that,” replied Elisaveta in a low voice. “It was just- I suppose I hate to think that it would be possible, because that would mean…” she trailed off, not willing to finish, but Margia wouldn’t let her.

“That would mean you have to consider the possibility that your father had Cosimo killed,” she said brutally. “You might as well face up to it, Veta, because these fears aren’t going to go away, and you could end up spoiling – well, everything. Ask him.” This was said simply, and Elisaveta gaped at her.

“What?”

“Just ask him. He may not want to tell you, but under the circumstances, I think he probably will, from what I know of your father. That’s all you need to do – just ask.”

#172: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 4:57 pm

That wouldn't be a cliffhanger, would it Liss?
I'm really enjoying this, so please let's have lots, lots more.

#173: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 5:51 pm

*tumbles down Liss's cliff......*

#174: Author: Carolyn P, Location: Lancaster, England

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:10 pm

Falls down the same cliff and bounces on the trampoline with Vikki.

#175: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:10 pm

Thank you Liss but i nearly fell down your lovely little cliff here!

#176: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 6:21 pm

*Shouts to Carolyn and Vikki* megaphone

"watch out below!"

*They hastily jump aside* Wheeeeeee! Boing!

That's really good Liss with lots posted today. You're going a lot deeper than EBD did with her characters. I like that.

#177: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:52 pm

*grabs on to Chloë to stop falling over the cliff*
Thanks Liss Confused

Not sure what I want her father to say.

#178: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:56 pm

Margia has certainly grown into a very thoughtful young woman - it's nice to see!

Another thing that would be nice to see is MORE STORY (please).

#179: Author: Lesley, Location: Rochester, Kent

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 12:24 am

Thank you Liss!

*Abseils down cliff and lies on sofa watching the trampolinists.*

#180: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:19 am

Excellent job on the Veta/Margia conversation! Just the right mixture of heavy and light.

#181: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 3:07 am

Have just caught up with all of this. Glad I didn't fall down ll the cliffs.

Liss it is really good. Love seeing Elisaveta and Margia all grown up. Love the scene between Rafe and Veta. Poor King Carol. Did you mean to change the villain's name from Carlo to Carol or is it a Liss\EBDism?[/b]

#182: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:22 am

*just avoids the cliff edge*

*attaches bungee cords*

Wheeee!

*boing, boing, boing*

Great writing, Liss! I love the way Veta is developing, and I really love Margia!

#183: Author: Tassie_Ellen, Location: Tasmania, Australia

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 6:07 am

Thanks for lots of lovely story, Liss; can't wait to see whether Veta asks the King - and what he replies...

#184: Author: keren,

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:25 am

This is such a lovely story.
I am sitting at work and my desk is now opposite the door, and the story is making such a range of feelings cross my face, i want to smile wistfully, laugh etc and what will the people passing by say?

one thing, I am not sure about, how old is she supposed to be here?

Wouldnt she be supposed to have an arranged marriage?
Do you think her father would have wanted her to marry rafe all along?

#185: Author: keren,

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 8:27 am

also,
soory to ask this sort of question, but what language were the royals speaking together?
French maybe, or english?

#186: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 11:33 am

Susan - the change from Carlo to Carol was deliberate. Carol is his real name; Carlo is his evil-villain-pseudonym.

Keren - very good questions!! I've been meaning to write notes for them anyway, just in case people were wondering.

Language

Together, the royals et al are speaking English, as it is the most common language for them. Both royal families have married a lot into English families, and Elisaveta, Tamara, Raphael and Roxanna all had English mothers. However, I don't think that is their first language. In The School by the River, the characters notice that Tamara's English isn't quite 'right', which suggests it is her second language. In Highland Twins, Elisaveta comments that her English is still pretty good: not the words of someone whose first language it is. For the purposes of this story, Elisaveta and King Carol (and Carol Jnr!)'s first language is Belsornian; the others' is Miranian.

Arranged Marriage

I think Elisaveta would have had a great deal of leeway with this; although her father (and the Belsornian officials) would probably have been keen for her to marry (a la Elizabeth I), Carol was emphatic about having a love-match when it was his own marriage (cf Princess) and I don't think he would change this for Elisaveta.

Age

Ugh! This was a pain! Princess was published in 1927. Although River was published in 1930, it has been suggested that for the dates to work, it would have to have been written in about 1927, so that was the basis I worked on for ages. Elisaveta was 12, Tamara and Roxanna were 14 and Raphael would have been 15. I set this story ten years later, in 1937. Of course, in the Chalet world, that doesn't work, because in 1937 Joey was still only about 19/20, which would make Elisaveta about 17/18. Also, I don't think having her aged about 22 and unmarried in 1937 gives her enough time to be married and have three children by Highland Twins, though I could be wrong there. Anyway, the ages are according to what I worked out initially.

#187: Author: Liss, Location: Harrow, London

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 11:35 am

Asking was easier said than done. In celebration of the forthcoming wedding, several of the men present had gone hunting, and Roxanna had persuaded King Carol to accompany them, “to get your mind off things.” Carol had agreed, albeit somewhat reluctantly, and thus was nowhere to be found when Elisaveta returned from her walk with Margia. Frustrated by this stop to her plans, Elisaveta spent the rest of the afternoon moping around the Palazza. At the evening meal there was still no sign of the King, and Alette informed her that the men had decided to stay at the hunting lodge half-way between Valnich and Dordrecht, returning in time for the wedding the following day.

This, naturally, did not improve Elisaveta’s mood particularly, and she went to bed in a state of considerable grumpiness. This question had been weighing on her mind since she was about seventeen, when she had read about an execution ordered by her father for a man who had been responsible for the deaths of three families in a village in eastern Belsornia. Although it had gone through the strictly legal court system of Belsornia, the incident had sparked a fear in her that she had not been able to escape. Having decided on a course of action, she found it intolerable that she could not, right now, do as Margia had recommended.

Because of this, Elisaveta slept badly, and it was a heavy-eyed young lady who greeted Alette and the seamstress the following morning as they came to dress her for the big day. The seamstress laid out the silk dress and accoutrements as Alette prepared a bath for her charge, and Elisaveta let them arrange her as they will.

“Has my father returned yet?” she asked presently. Alette didn’t pause in scrubbing the Royal back, but answered that he had.

“But he’s not to be disturbed, your Highness,” she added. “You know what a bother it is for Captain Trevillion to get him into his Regimentals.” Knowing too well how much father hated getting ‘dressed up to the nines’, Elisaveta conceded the point and let Alette dry her vigorously. After she had pulled on silken underwear, she stepped into the pale blue creation designed for the occasion.

#188: Author: KB, Location: Melbourne, Australia

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:09 pm

*lol* I love the idea of a grumpy princess! I suppose Rafael is going to meet her like this...

#189: Author: Angel, Location: London, England

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 1:46 pm

*Wonderful*

I'm loving this story - so much of it so quickly.

#190: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 2:04 pm

I've just caught up with this. I'm loving the suspense!

#191: Author: Abi, Location: Alton, Hants

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:10 pm

Poor Elizaveta, having to wait like this. It would have been much easier to get it off her chest.

I love this, Liss. *chants*

#192: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 4:47 pm

I suppose Princesses were not supposed to 'bother their pretty little heads' about the nastier side of ruling like executions and, although she would be Queen one day, perhaps her consort was expected to deal with such things. It was a great source of annoyance to Prince Albert when Victoria made it QUITE plain that she was queen and he might advise but not decide. As he came from a European Royal family, I suppose it could be the same for Belsornia. I somehow think Veta would be quite like Victoria, in love with her husband but determined to do her duty as Queen. She shows signs of it with wanting to know the worst!

CS woman not spinelss jellyfish!

this is awfully good.

#193: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:20 pm

Yay!!! Thank you Liss!!!\ More please!!!!

#194: Author: Chloë, Location: London: when away from home planet!

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:26 pm

Thank you Liss more soon i hope!

#195: Author: Lulie, Location: Middlesbrough

Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2004 10:35 pm

*feels very worried that Chloe has posted the same message 10 times.

Surely this doesn't herald the return of the You-Know-What?

#196: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 12:34 am

Lulie wrote:

*feels very worried that Chloe has posted the same message 10 times.

Surely this doesn't herald the return of the You-Know-What?

the board is lying to us with the error message we had the other day - you know the 'debug' one. It is actually posting the message but it is natural enough to think it hasn't gone through. I don't it is the You-know-what or it wouldnt actually post.

We just need a mod to tidy it up.

#197: Author: Vikki, Location: Possibly in hell! It's certainly hot enough.......

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 2:04 am

Is all tidied up, although I only counted six posts, not ten!!

*pauses to chant at Liss!!!!*

#198: Author: Catherine_B, Location: Oxford, UK

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 8:59 am

*lol!*

Chloe, you have a great deal of determination - I give up after I get the debug message twice!

#199: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 9:39 am

If you get the debug message, backspace back to the thread and refresh. Your message will magically appear!

#200: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2004 10:53 am