Oakland Park chapter Eight Regency novel

  

Castel WATERFORD the home of the William 6^th Earl Waterford was an old building which had been done up in the previous reign. Thus it possessed all of the modern convinces. Very much against the wishes of the previous earl the new water closet had been installed in a number of rooms. The original castle had been built many centuries earlier and had come into the possession of the Earl’s family in the reign of queen Elizabeth of blessed memory having spent a vast fortune the 5^th earl had made the stately home as comfortable as possible for its inhabitants. So much so that the current Earl of not forced on occasion to leave it would have spent the entire year here hunting and fishing for the great park presented enough deer great birds and other varieties of game to keep the earl happy content for a very long time of the fishing His Lordship had led Sir Thomas to understand that no where else would one find Salmon and trout of such multitudes that would make a man gasp to see so many and of such great size.

 

It was to this retreat that Sir Thomas found himself in the company of his lordship now preceded. His children  Tom, John  Mary and Sophia had recently joined Sir Thomas in London taking passage on a yacht that the Earl had at his disposal for official duties they set sail from London for Ireland on a brisk Autumn day in 1813.

 

Oakland Park Chapter 7 a regency novel

“What a wit Miss Austen is” said Lydia laying aside the book which she had been reading “Indeed” said Lady Ann with a fained interest. “Pray tell dear what has Miss Austen to say in her latest literary offering” asked Lady Sarah “Miss Austen has captured exactly life in the counties” replied Lydia.

  

“I have often found some amusement in the writings of Mrs. Burney you will of course remember her earlier works” said Lady Ann. “Of course Miss Austen writes in a style some what akin to that of Mrs. Burney replied Lady Ann.

 

 “I have often wondered at women who have taken up the pen so to say it is not quite the thing for a young lady to do” said Lady Mary who was conscious of the social standing of the genteel nobility.

 

Oakland Park chapter 5 A regency novel

 

The sound of a busy London street drifted upward to the ears of the men sitting in the study Of the Earl of Waterford Lord Lieutenant of the tower of London and Gentleman of the privy seal. For a moment before he began to speak Sir Thomas listened to the sounds of horse and carriage passing by the house in Grosvenor Square

 

Sir Thomas had recently arrived in town and had as a matter of urgency requested an interview with the Earl on a matter of mutual business.

 

“I am lead to understand that there might be the possibility of certain commons in the Royal dragoons” said Sir Thomas.

 

“Indeed there are a certain number available to worthy members of a certain good families for a not inconsiderable consideration” replied the earl of Waterford.

 

“I would be most interested your grace to know what such a commission would cost say a lieutenantcy or a captaincy” said Sir Thomas

 

“I am not exactly sure Sir Thomas but I would be able to find out from the commander of the dragoons he owes me a certain service.” Said the earl “May I enquire for whom you require the post? He continued. “

 

“My boy Tom is of a moody nature who spends to much time writing poetry and prose I have half a mind to by him a commission and give him a chance to get out in the world don’t you know” said Sir Thomas as he raised a snifter of Brandy to his lip’s

 

“Ah I have just the right command for a young lad like that” said the earl. Give me a few days to arrange it, fear not Sir Thomas your troubles are at an end for a certain consideration. Of course I am sure I we will be able to make available to your young man a command which is ideally suited to his nature and complement” he continued.

 

“I see that Sir Grenville has been mentioned in the latest dispatches” said Sir Thomas by way of reference to the earl’s second son who had been leading quite a charmed life under Lord Wellesley. “Ah yes Grenville he is a wonderful boy going into the army was the best thing I could ever have arranged for him of course, he fought and screamed against it he wanted to go into the theater of all things what a member if the nobility in the theater have you ever heard of such an idea” said the earl “I blame his mother of course always encouraging him to act

 

“I fear that it was seeing his uncle of Shadberry in the company of the prince regent that put such a notion in his head as you know John Shadberry has always followed the fashion of Prinny and as a result this has rubbed of on Grenville but I knew the army would make a man of him” ended the earl.

 

“It says here that he performed with the utmost bravery when leading a contingent of the rifles whilst with drawing from an open position,” said Sir Thomas

  

“Indeed the lad seems to have found his place in the service” replied the Earl. Who held a glass before his rather large red nose savoring the flavor of the illicit cognac recently seized by a very alert captain on a revenue cutter in the channel on dark evening.

  

“Pray Sir Thomas I am confounded sir that you would want your lad in the Army for I believe that you are a navel man yourself?” said the Earl

 

“Indeed Your grace is correct I fought at Cape St Vincent the first battle of course, yes I meditated upon the Navy for my son. However since Nelson was killed there hasn’t been much of a chance of honors at sea. With most of the war effort going on land” replied Sir Thomas.

 

“Exactly sir you are correct in that assumption for the glory now days is not at sea but on the many fronts on the continent don’t you know said the earl as he swallowed the cognac

  

“My service to the crown during my tears at sea also taught me one thing that some men will never make good sailors poor Thomas cannot even get out on the lake with out becoming green about the gills. Thus I am forced to turn once more landward” said Sir Thomas with a sigh as the thought of his son becoming a great navel captain disappeared from his mind.

 

“Indeed sir Thomas you have my sympathy but we have time to consider this matter latter tonight I have a little celebration of my own. I would like you to attend as my guest for my daughter Virginia is to marry captain Sir Francis Wartonsmith and they are to announce there betrothal tonight. It would be my pleasure sir if you would attend” said the Earl

 

“Your Grace is to kind I await this occasion with much pleasure pray Your Grace at what time will the event begin?” enquired Sir Thomas “ “We shall dine at nine” replied the earl as he showed Sir Thomas to the door.

 

Outside the great house of the Earl Sir Thomas stopped to consider what he had achieved. For by mere accident it had come about that his grace the earl had known some of the history of his service to the crown. This had helped him in his efforts to secure a commission for young Tom.

Lady Ann would be pleased with what he had managed he planed to write to her as soon as he arrived at the hotel where he was staying. London had under gone much change since his last visit he was beginning to think that he would lose his way some day while out walking. Like the country squire he was he set out with his walking stick in hand to walk the mile to the hotel  taking in as he went all the new houses that were been built, they said that it was due to the wishes of the prince regent that this was been done.

Ode to a grand old lady in red

Ode to a grand old lady in red

When you were young they said you were well worth laying down for a few years.

Your body is full and round your nose is simply delightful

Red is your color in any season I have seen others in white but nothing excites me as much as seeing you in red.

  

Your long thin neck fascinates me your color is most divine

Many men have had you but to me you are still like a virgin innocent and ready for the taking. I have known your sisters and have been intermit with them in a cozy corner of a restaurant,

I have even taken a sister of yours up to my room to get better acquainted with her, but you far surpass them with your beauty and elegance

You are full bodied, round and there is a certain air upon your breath that reminds me of fruit

You are most positively the best bottle of wine I have ever drunk.

 

Oakland Park Part 4 regency novel

 

Lady Ann sat for a few moments gathering her thoughts rising from her seat she took the manuscript upon which she had been working and locked it away. Taking up writing paper she returned to her seat. Taking up her quill…

 

The content of the missive was one upon which she took a few more moments to contemplate before she began writing

 

Oakland Park a regency novel chapter Three

There comes a certain time in a young gentleman’s life when he begins to contemplate marriage. Thomas Sterley had woken early and had spent almost an hour in front of the mirror dressing; while he dressed he had been contemplating this very subject “For he reasoned that as a member of the aristocracy he should play his part in the furtherance of his family’s good name. Thus he had concluded that he should find himself a wife. However as he contemplated this he began to find that his options were some what limited, Not been a man with an abundance of bravery for he very much the romantic could write about men dieing on battle fields but he felt no compunction to do this himself., he had dismissed out of hand the idea that he might rise through the services in any military fashion, the church he found did not offer to him the sort of life which he expected as the elder son of a large and noble family. Thus Thomas began to meditate on the matter of finding a woman of noble birth who in due season would bring forth heirs and in the mean while be his companion and soul mate. For Thomas reasoned that any lady of a noble house should be of fair dispersion and have a fortune or at the very least be of independent means. Of course a dowry would be most welcome.

 

You inside of me forbidden pleasure

The smell of you
Oh what ecstasy Oh what pleasure? What drug has ever taken me to the place you have taken me my love
 When you inside of me

The color of your skin I love you inside of me

What forbidden pleasure, how they would condemn me if they knew that you are inside of me.

Oh what joy Oh should I shout out the name of God with pleasure the sheer joy of having you inside of me

 ‘Oh, Oh, Oh when you touch my lips oh what heights you lift me to Oh God what forbidden pleasure When you inside of me

What joy every morning when I wake you are there ready waiting expectant hoping and you never disappoint my sweet dark forbidden pleasure my morning coffee

Now who was having forbidden thoughts???

Diana Princess of Wales 1961-1997

Diana remembered 1961-1997
It has been ten years since the faithful car crash in the The Pont d’Alma tunnel Paris France. which put an end to Diana Francis Spencer Princess of Wales 1961-1997.  She was most probably the most photographed woman of all times.

The whirlwind fairytale romance that brought her from obscurity to world famous icon was because of her meeting with Charles Windsor eldest son and to the British royal throne. Before meeting Prince Charles she was a part-time aide at the Young England Kindergarten

Their engagement became official February 24, 1981 and they married at St Paul’s Cathedral on 29 July 1981, watched by a global audience of almost one billion people world wide.

From all accounts there marrage was not a happy one In the late 1980s, the marriage of Diana and Charles fell apart, an event at first suppressed, then sensationalised, by the world media. Both the Prince and Princess of Wales allegedly spoke to the press through friends, each blaming the other for the marriage’s demise. Charles resumed his old, pre-marital affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, while Diana had an affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt. She later confirmed the affair with Hewitt in a television interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC programme Panorama. Charles had confirmed his own affair over a year earlier in a televised interview with Jonathan Dimbleby. Although no charges were ever considered, adultery with the Queen consort or Princess of Wales has been high treason in England at least since the Treason Act 1351.
After the divorce, Diana retained her apartment in Kensington Palace, completely redecorated, and it remained her home until her death. She gave her loyal staff members a pay raise.

She publicly dated the respected heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and was finally thought to have found love with Dodi Al-Fayed, with whom she was publicly intimate.
charity projects
Diana was involve din various charities and was also a strong supporter of those in need of treatment for Aid’s she became the first high profile celebrity to be photographed touching some one suffering from this illness
In the week prior to the accident she had spent some time in the Greek isle
On Sunday morning 31st August 1997 she and her friend Dodi A-Fayed left the Hôtel Ritz Paris, in a high speed chase Henri Paul the acting security manager of the aforementioned hotel drove a hired Mercedes-Benz through Paris secretly eluding the paparazzi. Resulting in the car carrying Diana to be pursued by a group of paparazzi following the vehicle. Blood analysis showed that Henri Paul was illegally intoxicated with alcohol whilst driving. He drove at high speed in order to evade the pursuing paparazzi. Tests confirmed that original postmortem blood samples were from Henri Paul, and that he had consumed amounts of alcohol three times that of the French legal limit.
The accident which happened after 1AM killed Henri Paul and Dodi Al-Fayed immediately 
Diana  unbelted in the back seat- slid forward during the impact and, having been violently thrown around the interior, “submarined” under the seat in front of her, suffering massive damage to her heart and subsequent internal bleeding. She was eventually, after considerable delay, transported by ambulance to the Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, but on the way she went into cardiac arrest twice. Despite lengthy resuscitation attempts, including internal cardiac massage, she died at 4 a.m. local time. Her funeral on 6 September 1997 was broadcast and watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide
The Prince of Wales, her sons, her mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman were present. She wore a black long sleeved dress designed by Catherine Walker. She had chosen that particular dress a few weeks before. She was buried with a set of rosary beads in her hands, a gift she received from Mother Teresa, who died the week after Diana. Her grave is on an island in the grounds of Althorp Park, her family home
The image of the Royal family was not very well liked by the British public due to there treatment of Diana and the ongoing affair of Prince Charles. At the time of the accident the royal family was at Ballmoral castle Scotland, it took almost a whole week and a sever reprimand from Downing street before Queen Elizabeth appeared on Television and gave a brief speech about the death of Diana
 

Oakland Park a regency Novel part 1

 The Sterley’s of Oakland ParkChapter One

The Sterley’s of Oakland Park in the county of Surry had for a long time been genteel nobility the first Sir Thomas having been in the service of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Having served his country well he had been knighted and invested with the lands which made up Oakland Park. The current sir Thomas was a man of quite disposition who after a life time of service to the crown had returned to contemplate the beauty of country life. Sir Thomas has always been fond of birds and thus he spent his days in quite contemplation of the birds of Southern England of which he was making a study, in the hopes of some time soon having a publication done at his expense. It was not that sir Thomas sought fame for he was already quite well known and had riches enough for the needs of his family and for the next generation when they arrived.

Sir Thomas had served the previous government well and had only retired to the country once it became apparent that the King would not recover, thus Sir Thomas had taken the time to think it better to retire from politics as he had no wish to serve in a government over which the prince Regent held sway.

In his younger day he had been an officer in the Royal navy a part of the service for which he still held a great fondness in his heart. He read with keen interest the gazettes to see who had been mentioned and if perchance a son of a near by neighbor had recived a distinction of merit in the gazette Sir Thomas would take to writing a letter or two to the relatives and even some time to the gentleman in question wishing them a heart congratulations and an invitation to call upon him at Oakland park when they should again be in the county.

Of the people that Sir Thomas loved most dearly were of course his wife of many years Ann who had been born Lady Moorcroft  (Her Father Lord Moorcroft now an ancient relic who had served in the government of George II had of late passed away thus the family was still in a time of mourning.) Then there daughters Lydia, Mary Sophia Eliza, and of course Mary, the youngest of his daughters his sons who brought him great pride were in order of age Thomas, John, James and finally Stephen who was but a babe in arms. Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had for more then a generation planed the arrival of there children in accordance with the dedication of an admiral of the service as he planed his Battle plan in the same spirit as the great sea Lord of Blessed memory Lord Horatio Nelson.. Thus over a period of two and twenty years Lady Ann had brought forth in due season a little bundle of joy

To say that Sir Thomas was a doting father would have been an understatement for of an evening he could be found on his hands and knees playing with the younger children, he even on occasion took a lively interest in the doings of his older children Thomas his son was a young man of the world who was of a melancholic disposition and prone to moodiness in which state he would take up his pen ands retire to his room where he would compose sonnets and the like some of which he would on occasion read to the family for an evenings entertainment.

The somberness of the younger Thomas did in no way have an effect on the younger sons of the house who would spend there days in Boxing Boating on the river and riding some times even enjoying a hearty game of cricket.

The daughters of the house where an altogether lively group who loved attending assemblies and dancing was always a favorite pastime. Indeed Lay Ann had mad sure that all her daughter could play the harpsichord and of late the urgency of Lady Ann to procure a piano Forte for the house had been made known to Sir Thomas.

“My dear is the harpsichord broken?” he had enquired of her when she made the wish for a piano forte to him. “No Tom it is all the rage and is played in all the best houses in London we simple must have one” she replied growing impatient with his reluctance to produce the desired instrument.

“Indeed my love and how much do you suppose such an extravagance would cost?” he asked her with a pained expression “Oh I am not sure but what is the matter you have never been so obstinate before when it came to the purchase of an instrument” she replied

“Indeed we have recently had the man in to tune the harpsichord and what of the new fiddle I bought John but a twelve month ago?” he asked her

‘Sir you know that John plays well and he has never neglected the art of music think sir how the instrument would enhance your standing in the county should it be known that you have one of the newest instruments” Lady Ann said.

“That is a good point my dear he said with a smile let me consider it and when I have found the right conclusion I will let you know” Sir Thomas said.

“In the mean time pray tell me what are the young ladies up to this evening for I believe there is to be a assemble in the village and I have yet to shave and dress for I should very much like to wait upon some of our neighbors at the assembly” he concluded

“Why sir one would think that you of all people would dismiss out of hand any frivolity with assemblies for you have grown quite in your later years what now this sudden interest in assembles and balls Pray sir what bedbug have you in your hat” said Lady Ann

 Chapter two

The sound of music filled the air and the hall was lit with the light of a thousand candles for tonight was the first of the assembles to be held in Notheringay Sir Thomas found himself seated next to an old acquiesce  Mr Charles Parker who had served under Sir George Rodney in the early days of there service to King and country “Charles do you remember how crisp the night was?” asked Sir Thomas “Indeed I do sir replied Mr Parker taking a pull at his pipe “Indeed I do” he said releasing a vast cloud of smoke from his mouth much to the annoyance of Sir Thomas. It was not that Sir Thomas was against the habit of smoking he felt every one was free to live there lives as best suited them but what he did object to was the fact that the smoke had been expelled in his direction.

 “Ah yes I remember well how we fought that battle under the moon light a singular even if I might say so Sir Thomas” said Mr Parker “and our ship our faithful Montague is already and old war horse now I would not be surprised that when next we hear of her she will have been broken up or a sheer hulk” said Sir Thomas “I fancy the lower deck crews would not look back at her with such an air of nostalgia” said Mr Parker “Indeed I fancy  Don de Lángara will also look back at that battle with an air of discontent” replied Sir Thomas I have an occasion to be in London next week on a matter of some small busyness I trust that you and your good lady will find an occasion to call on Lady Ann for I fancy there might be some what of a disruption while I am away in town” said Sir Thomas “I am sure my Amy would be delighted to spend an afternoon in the company of your good lady” replied Mr Parker.  “Pray tell how are those bright young sons of yours?” asked Sir Thomas who had it mind to arrange a marriage between the elder son and his daughter Lydia. “George has recently returned from Oxford and is taking the business of my rents in hand quite nicely it relieves me to have some time upon my hands to be at leisure” replied Mr Parker. “Indeed a bright young man” said Sir Thomas as the object of there discourse weaved his way down the line of dancers his hand firmly on that of Lydia. “And what of Peter?” Asked Sir Thomas “Peter is bound for the service this coming fortnight Monday” replied Mr Parker; I have managed to buy him a commission in the 52 foot. “Indeed a strange choose replied Sir Thomas raising an eyebrow. It was I am afraid the best that can be got at present, he is no horseman unfortunately I would have liked to get him a commission in the guards but he refused to hear of it preferring to be among the men as he put it” continued Mr Parker. 

Just then Lady Ann returned to her seat she had been dancing with your Lord Kilgrew “Dear husband remind me later to impart to you a certain knowledge that has of resent been rewarded me” she said “Indeed it must be of some importance that you would not speak before our dear and old friend Mr. Parker” “No sir it is some what of a private nature and is fit only for the ear of a husband “she replied sharply, Just then Mrs. Parker joined there company having spent the last round on the arm of an officer of the rifles. “ Hot work but most invigorating said” she

The music begun again and the two couples sat watching the young people of there respective houses dance a new dance which had recently been introduced to the country some thing called a waltz. I perceive that this new fad of a dance doesn’t hold much in it “said Lady Ann with a frown on her broad face for she was watching with some manner of displeasure the figure of her daughter Lydia and young Peter Parker, who to her mind seemed a little to closely embraced in each others arms.

“Ann let them be we were once young don’t you recall? Said Sir Thomas

Later that night Sir Thomas before retiring for the night spent a few moment s writing in his great day journal, this had long been his practice for he was a fastidious man who would not allow a day to pass lest he make a few pre-functionary notes on the events of the day.

  Of late the mood of his eldest son had been some what of a concern to him as Tom was showing more and more signs of becoming more caught up in a world of his own with little sense of the realities of life, Sir Thomas considered buying him a commission in the Kings own regiment of guards for surely the life of a guards captain would be one which would fully occupy the full four and twenty hours of the day thus leaving little time for Tom to occupy himself with less fruitful pursuits. Further more Thomas with the right training could rise in the world and the thought of this delighted Sir Thomas.As sir Thomas said his prayers and snuffed out the candle the thought of his son in a uniform of the guards made his lot content and he was at peace with the world. In the distance an owl hooted but by the time the sound was recognized by the sleepy Sir Thomas he was beginning to slip into the arms of Morphus

Salvation Samuel begins to see the light

 

“What do I as a Jew think of death and salvation?” Said Samuel that is complex as a young man before I was cursed I believed in the Law that if I lived my life to the best of my ability obeying the laws of JHWH then I would go to the place reserved for the righteous. I was a good Jew I attended synagogue regularly and tried to live a good life however as the years passed I became cynical. I hardened my heart and this would eventually lead to my own downfall” he continued