Who: Zipporah Bakst, Una Nicnevin, Leah Allen, Maggie Swinton, Keira Adams, with a brief appearance by Mac and Bella What: A Ladies' Tea When: 20 February, 1889 Where: a Private Room at Claridge's Rating: PG
Zipporah clutched her invitation to tea in her gloved hand, the thick, luxurious creaminess of the paper sliding through her fingers as she stood, a little nervously, before the tea room.
You are cordially invited to a private Ladies’ Tea the invite said, and, seeing as it was signed by Una, she didn’t quite know what to expect, but knew it would be something both exciting and refined.
She could feel all elbows at times, especially in places that were very grand, where she was clearly out of her station, but Una had a way of making her feel at ease, and as if any possible missteps in etiquette were charming and bold rather than the sign of a person who did not belong in her company. Nevertheless, she was not entirely sure who the other ladies would be, and whether they would be likewise gracious, or dismiss her as soon as they saw her dress or she opened her mouth.
But she’d been invited by Una, and Una wanted her there, and that thought warmed her enough and gave her enough bravery to march up to the door, and present the man just on the other side of the door with the card, a determined tilt to her chin.
She was led through the tea room, past tables of chattering men and women, the room filled with the sounds of clinking silverware and the tables stacked high with delectables, and the waiter stopped before a side door and gave a short bow before sliding it open to reveal a private room with a single table in the middle, and various lounging chairs around the edges. It was beautiful, as was Una, who was seated at the head, resplendent, and Zipporah smiled, pleased to see her.
“Una,” she called out gladly, crossing the room to take her hand and kiss her cheek. “It is so very good for to see you. I came a little early,” she added, aware she was the first to arrive. “The trolley, it took less time than I thought it would. How are you? You look very well.”
"You're very kind to say so." Una rose to greet her friend. She was dressed in light blues that emphasised her colouring. "I'm well. How have things been with you?" She was well, as these things went, but much concerned about the assassination attempt to be made on Cassius, the unknown magus who might still be committing murders, and things at MPC, and many other small troubles. And she felt the waning of her powers and the rise of Mac's, though that was normal and even at her depth, she was still a vessel of power beyond what most mortals and immortals could contain. Still, it was tiring, though there was no trace of it in her demeanour and bearing. Glamour covered many sins.
“I have been well, mostly,” Zipporah replied, with a grin and a shrug. “My neighbourhood is once again quiet, and I had to put my foot down with a fellow witch who was causing a headache, but she acquiesced, even though she grumbled.” She laughed a little. “I bought a bicycle,” she added, “and it is quite freeing. Oh, my dear friend, Miss Arabella Ward, you asked me for to invite her, and I have. She will be meeting us here. I cannot wait for you to meet. I think you should like her very much.”
This news pleased Una, especially the bit about Miss Ward. "Oh, I am certain I will; I shall only hope Miss Ward enjoys my company. And I am pleased you have settled your problem with the other witch. It's always better when we needn't struggle.
"Would you do me the honour of pouring as the others arrive?"
Maggie’s voice drifted through the door, vexed. “Honestly George, it's a ladies tea with an invitation issued by Countess Ravenswood herself. I doubt we’ll have to worry about any assassins or malcontents in her presence.”
“Lord Black told me to keep you safe m'lady.” A man's voice replied mulishly. Her shadow stepped through the door briefly, eyes scanning the occupants before he bowed in Una’s direction and then stepped aside. Maggie made her way into the room, face bright red.
“I'll be right outside m’lady.” George bowed again and stepped out of the room.
Maggie shook her head, hoping they hadn't just mortally offended her hostess. “Lady Una, I can't tell you how pleased I was to receive your invitation. Please let me apologize for George, I'm afraid he took my husband's instructions most literally.”
"Men," Una said, with the tone one might use in addressing one's children instead of one's theoretically adult peers. She came to take Maggie's hand, and moved to kiss her cheeks in the French style. "Be welcome, and be safe. Enjoy freely, without obligation." Turning to Zipporah, she added, "And you as well, my dear."
Maggie returned the greeting and smiled at seeing Zipporah. She exchanged greetings with the young witch and sat just as the door opened to admit a stunning blonde.
Leah stepped through the door and surveyed the room, recognizing two of the occupants. Zipporah she’d met through her connection to Miss Lydia’s, but was already aware she was one of Lady Una’s favorites. Then there was Lady Una herself of course, but the other was unknown to her. Close to her age from what she could see but looks could deceive.
“Lady Una,” she greeted her ‘fairy godmother’ with a smile as she approached. “I was happy to get your invitation.” Of course you couldn’t say ‘thank you’ to the Fae.
"I am pleased to see you. Be welcome and enjoy freely, without obligation," Una said. Turning to Maggie, she said, "Lady Black, I would like to introduce Miss Leah Allen. Miss Allen, this is Lady Marguerite Black, of Black Park." It seemed that Zipporah and Maggie knew each other, and she knew that Zipporah's connections extended to the world where Leah dealt with her needs, so those introductions need not be made. "One, perhaps two more will be joining us," she told the ladies. "But do not wait! There is tea to be had, and pastries, and little sandwiches."
Zipporah, who’d turned a pleased sort of pink at being asked to pour the tea, was doubly pleased to know the other parties Una’d invited. She’d only met them each the once, but she did know the young Miss Allen’s father quite well, really, and the fact that she knew them even a little made her feel as if she truly belonged there, and curious as to what Una saw in each of them to bring them together as she had.
“Here,” she said, fulfilling her role by pouring out the tea into the delicate china cups and passing them out. “It is good for to see you again, Maggie, and Leah too. Miss Arabella Ward should be along shortly, and I should be glad for you to meet her. She is a scientist, and brilliant.”
She faltered a little, wondering if it’d been entirely appropriate to call Maggie by her first name, as she had been introduced under unusual circumstances, but Una didn’t seem to stand on too much formality from her experiences with her, regardless of her rather intimidating title.
Maggie saw the hesitation and reached out to touch the other woman’s hand. “Please, call me Maggie. I haven’t been ‘Lady Black’ more than a year, and as you can tell from my accent I’m not a native to the island any more than you are. We’re all among friends here, there’s no need to use my title. The same goes for you Miss Allen. If Lady Una-” Maggie wouldn’t dream of referring to such an ancient and powerful being any more casually than that without an explicit request from the being in question “brought us all together then everyone must be someone worth knowing.”
Leah was loathe to be called by her christian name by a perfect stranger, but Maggie outranked her and she already knew Zipporah. So she made the best of the situation and plastered a genuine looking smile on her face and nodded. “That would be wonderful, thank you Maggie. And it’s good to see you again Zipporah.”
Keira almost did not go, she almost did not have the time. The invite that had come, fancy in its delivery as well as in the paper and wording it came upon, had taken her by surprise. She had instantly started to make the time in her schedule to go, pleased pink she was to even receive the invite. She had stayed home from work so she could take care in her appearance, caring for her hair and wearing one of her better dresses. Before she had taken to the taxi to deliver her to the tea party, a note from her employee at the shop was delivered and her help was needed immediately. There, at her store, was an unruly customer who was not satisfied with the prices of her tea and treats. He argued and she remained firm, finally she gave him a discount if he would buy another small cake, which he did because he heard the word ‘discount’. By the time it was all done, she was late. Which is why she almost did not go, but maybe late was better than never.
She smiled as she stepped through the door, a small flush to her cheeks for being a bit late. “I apologize for being late,” she said as she approached Una. “I am so honored to have received an invite,” she smiled once more. She had noticed Zipporah and Leah, but she did not know the other, but she had smiles for everyone. “There was a small issue at my shop I had to attend to, which is what kept me from arriving on time.”
Zipporah waved. “Hello, Keira,” she called out cheerfully, grinning broadly. “I am certain your tea is superiour, but at least this time, someone else is pouring and you can enjoy the company.” She laughed, beyond happy that she knew so many of the attendees. “Mrs Adams owns a tea shop,” she said as an aside to Maggie and Leah. “She makes very good cakes.” The expression she turned to Una was one of pure pleasure. “You know so many good peoples,” she said, effusively. “I am glad I am one of them.”
"I am not surprised many of you know, or know of, each other. But I am delighted to bring you all together," Una said, all smiles and delight. "And yes, Mrs Adams make delightful cakes. She provided the pastries for the party on the barge that the Earl hosted to celebrate our engagement." A party that Maggie and Leah had both attended, so perhaps they had already sampled Keira's baking.
Keira grinned and waved back to Zipporah. “I believe that it might be quiet nice to be on the other end of the tea kettle,” she giggled. “I’m not sure when the last time I was a tea gathering and I wasn’t the one pouring the tea. Leah, it’s nice to see you again,” she then greeted her. She had only, really, once spoken with Leah in her tea shop, but she remembered the lovely woman well. “Your father is doing well?” She asked politely. “I’m afraid I’ve not made the acquaintance of our other friend, yet.” She smiled to Maggie, thinking she may look familiar, but she had definitely not met her.
Leah smiled back at Keira. She hadn’t had many opportunities to speak to the other woman since that one visit to the shop, but was glad that Lady Una had invited her. “He’s fine, thank you for asking. I’m sure he’d love to see you anytime. Let me present Lady Marguerite Black, of Black Park.”
“Oh you’re the baker!” Maggie exclaimed, reaching out to greet the new arrival. “I did enjoy those treats on the barge, they were delicious. Please, call me Maggie. I’m too American to deal with being ‘Ladied’ in private all the time. I’m very pleased to meet you.”
Zipporah passed Keira her cup, and stirred a generous spoonful of jam into her own. Of them all, she knew Maggie the least, but she appreciated the American’s frankness, and while it would have been unthinkable to her a few months previous to be at ease having tea with a Lady and a Baroness, this was Maggie and Una, and she felt rather as if she just might belong there in their company.
“So,” she said to Una, conspiratorially, “I am curious, why you have brought us together. Not that there has to be a reason, other than excellent company,” she added, with a grin.
"I wanted us all to meet, and get to know each other, and become friends. I know so many brilliant women that it seems wrong not to make you all acquainted with each other, to the extent that you're not already." Una smiled, because she really was pleased to have so many of her friends in one place and to find that many of them already knew each other.
"To the extent that I have an ulterior motive, it's for us to speak on matters relevant to us all as women," Una said. "I know that all of us have liberal views of one sort or another on certain matters. It's useful to those of us who move in court circles to know things that only those who work in other parts of society to know. Similarly, it's useful for women who have no voice in those circles to know what is done there as if affects their lives and livelihoods." Looking round the group, she added, "Nobody here will be shocked by discussion of pregnancy, or preventing it, or of women's suffrage, or other such talk. There are ways in which we can help each other. Women have such a hard place in this world of men, now even moreso than in the past. We should all be sisters."
Keira couldn’t help but grin at Maggie’s frankness. It was refreshing and on a level that she, herself, understood. “Lovely to meet you, Maggie,” she took her hand in greeting. “I have no label to speak of, so just Keira,” she said with a small laugh. Taking the tea from Zipporah, she smiled and thanked her before taking a sip. She was glad that it was Zipporah who asked the question of why they were all gathered, as she was curious as well.
She almost choked on her sip of tea at the word ‘sisters’, though was able to conceal it and swallow the tea. She was already in a sisterhood group of women, though she was sure that this was entirely different than what she knew. And in any case, she was sure she would be leaving that group anyway. “A group of strong women, independent with little to no relying on men,” she glanced around at the group of women. “Free from the ties of the world, to speak our minds...I like it,” she smiled and gave a nod of her head.
“That sounds like an excellent idea.” Maggie agreed. The ‘sisters’ sounded a bit over the top to her ears but who was she to criticise a being like Una for being overly enthusiastic about joining with those so much younger and less powerful than herself? It was flattering to be included in such a select group of companions. While she had her own mind she owed her entire station in this country to her marriage.
Leah had no doubts at all. In fact her enthusiasm was obvious in the smile that was now too broad to be a fake. “I love it! I’m so glad you came up with this idea Lady Una. We need more women taking charge of their lives.”
Zipporah couldn’t help but be pleased at such bold statements coming from Una in such an open forum, and the lack of pearl-clutching from the rest of the women in the room upon mention of suffrage and family planning. She took a sip of her own tea, wondering what was keeping Arabella -- it wasn’t like her to be late.
“I should very much like to talk of such things,” Zipporah replied, stoutly, “and I must admit, I have little understanding of the way of things at the court. I know of Parliament,” she added, “and the Prime Minister, and the Queen of course, but there are…” she wrinkled her nose, looking for the right words. “For peoples like us, some rules and ways of things are not so obvious, they are spoken about behind the closed doors, in secret, and I suspect,” she added, with a bit of a grin, “that women are not often in those rooms when the doors are shut.”
"Having been in a number of them by virtue of my age and station, I find that I am often the only woman therein," Una agreed. "I know that Lady Black--Maggie--also has some experience of that sort due to her husband's position. And many decisions are made in places where women are simply not permitted at all. Clubs for men, often reserved for gentlemen of rarefied station but where poor men can still be brought in and their counsel taken as needed or desired, and far sooner than that of Maggie or myself, or even Her Majesty the Queen." Una rolled her eyes a little at the men who would deny a Queen her place and rightful due. "And in truth, the rules grow more strict with every decade in this century, or so it seems to me. It's only just and fair that we form alliances of our own. Especially those of us with gifts and heritage; many of us are treated better than our mundane peers, but not always."
“I can attest to that,” Maggie agreed. “I heard quite a bit growing up in the railroad camps and later my father’s dinner table, very rarely were the opinions of women solicited or their concerns taken into consideration. Now that I'm Lady Black I'm quite fortunate in my mate valuing my opinion and asking my counsel. It could have been the opposite and there'd be little recourse even if it were a matter of my own property or about our children when they come.”
Leah nodded along at the words of the others. “I'm university educated but it was a struggle to find someone willing to employ me outside of what's considered ‘women's work’, that is educating children or nursing. Even still it's a scandal among some of my father's peers that he encouraged me to attend formal schooling at all. The way women are treated is one of the reasons I'm agitating for us to have the vote. If we want to change the way things are done the only way they’ll listen is if they daren’t ignore us any longer.”
“It’s difficult to be a woman like us,” Keira said. “I’ve always been...different. I tried to be a woman like what men seem to like; docile, un-opinionated, catering to their every need and want,” she sighed. “It didn’t go very well. I’m fortunate enough now to have found like-minded women, to go to university, to own my own business…” She took a sip of her tea. “Men I’ve come across seem to be intimidated by it,” she gave a small smirk. “If they can’t handle someone like us,” she looked at Leah. “Do you think they will ever change things to allow us to vote?”
"I suppose we could just terrify them into it," Una said.
“Hear hear,” Zipporah replied, thumping the table in a decidedly unlady-like manner. “While you are lucky for to have a partner that listens, and a good father,” she said, tipping her head to Maggie and Leah, “our freedoms should not be so dependent on the generosity and good will of men, I think.” Both ladies nodded their agreement at her words.
Zipporah was certain Arabella would be in staunch agreement were she here, and that thought reminded her that Arabella was still late, uncharacteristically so, a worrying thought indeed.
She thought she imagined seeing her out of the corner of her eye in the mirror, as if she’d just come in the room, her face pale, her mouth opened, but when she looked round at the door it was still shut, and when she looked back to the mirror, Arabella was nowhere to be seen.
She paused, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up at the odd experience, not quite knowing whether she’d completely invented it out of a desire to see her friend, but knowing better than to trust it was nothing.
As Zipporah sat silent, Una spoke up, "It sounds as if we are at least in agreement that suffrage is a necessity. And, I think, ultimately, seats in the House, though that will take longer than acquiring the vote will." Una had been looking in the same direction as Zipporah, but had not noticed anything, or if she had, had found it nothing to react to.
"And also women's health. In former times, most women had access to someone wise even if she was not gifted beyond the norm for mortals. I do not disagree with the idea of formal credentialing, but women must feel free to be tended by women, whether by midwives or by doctors in the medical tradition who happen to be women. Leah, I know you can speak to the matter of education of women, and how difficult it is, and what the obstacles are." She gestured to that lady to continue.
“I certainly can.” Leah agreed after having a sip of tea. “While we aren’t automatically excluded from institutions of higher learning it’s certainly discouraged. Women’s colleges were only established at Oxford in the last few years for example and we aren’t allowed to attend any of the others. Even at London University where I attended we were constantly under scrutiny as to why we were there. After all, we’re just going to get married and be mothers aren’t we?” She realized how that might sound and turned to Lady Black “Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that if it’s our choice. But we should have the choice to do whatever we want in life, and not be pigeonholed as either homemakers or nurses and governesses.”
“And once we graduate, even if we’re smarter and more qualified than men businesses still don’t want to hire us.”
“I can attest to that,” Keira said with a small nod. “My education has been backed by another woman and every step has been a difficult one. Add to it that I already own a business and am a widow, so there is no man to back my business…” she sighed. “It’s a pastry and tea shop and still they expect a man to be the owner and me working for him. If I had not had the money, I’m fairly sure the bank would not have given me a loan, or would have expected me to fail.” It angered her how women were viewed, but she was also used to it.
“I think...I think that men fear us and that is why they try to keep us down, try to fit us into the mold that they have made for us,” she looked at the others. “They fear us.”
No sooner had Keira finished speaking than George’s rumbling baritone was heard through the door. “‘Tis a private meeting fer teh ladies sir, you’ll not be goin’ in.”
“Stand aside boy or I’ll blast ye where ye stand.” A man’s voice responded slightly more distant and very annoyed. A voice familiar to a few of the room’s occupants. “I’ve urgent business tae discuss wi’ the Lady Una, an I dinnae have time tae argue wi’ a bloody wolf aboot it. Your mistress is in nae danger from me, my word on it.”
“Sir-” George barely got out before the door opened and Mac poked his head in. “Good day ladies, I need tae borrow yer patroness fer just a moment if ye don’t mind. Una, a word if ye please?”
Una rose from her seat. "I'll be a moment, ladies; please excuse me," she said calmly--certainly less passionately than she'd been arguing for women's rights moments before--and went to join Mac outside, hoping that none of the many plates she and Mac had in the air had fallen and completely shattered.
"I appreciate your guarding us," she added to George as she passed him by. "Mac is a friend who means no harm to your lady, though, and you may rest assured that she is in no danger."
Men. Really.
Mac nodded to the ladies and withdrew along with Una, ignoring George who was frozen where he stood and perhaps realizing just how close he came to being a smudge on the floor.
He stepped a few paces to the side and put his full attention on his fellow Sidhe. “Your changeling has gone and splinched herself to Faerie, in Winter’s lands.” Short and to the point. That he’d reverted to his preferred scots accent showed just how agitated he was on the matter. “I cannae set foot there without Queen Mab’s permission and I dinnae ken what plans she may have had fer the lass, so best not ask aye? Ye’ll have tae fetch her.”
Una said a couple of sharp words that would have blistered the ears of any Scot, had one eight or nine hundred years old been listening. "I'll need to make my excuses and find her then." Which was the way of things when you worked with the same person for centuries. "I must tell the ladies that I am needed. Miss Ward was meant to meet us here and her absence has already been noted."
At least Una would not have to explain to her that she was not entirely human. She was quite sure Miss Ward would never have believed it without the evidence. Evidence which was now clear, or so Una suspected.
She reached out to take Mac's hand briefly. "I am in your debt, again."
“Bah. Ye know I dinnae keep track o’ such things.” Mac took the hand in both of his. “Young Parkinson brought her tae me on another matter and I had nae choice but tae try an explain her nature. She’s quite suspicious o’ me, hopefully ye’ll have better luck.” He squeezed her hand for a heartbeat and then released it and stepped back.
“Do ye need anything from me?”
"Not now, I think, but we should speak sometime after I return. I must make my apologies; at least I can tell Miss Bakst that her friend is well. She was concerned. I am as well, but for different reasons. We still have no idea who bound her gifts and why. But that will wait until we have found her. At least we should have a good chance to examine her bindings." Una sighed and relinquished Mac's hands with reluctance. "I hope not to be gone long, but as always, time flows as it flows beyond the Veil. I wish I had a chance to ask some of the small folk if they wanted to travel with me. I could carry them in my wake. Needs must, though.
"I will send a bird when I return, and we shall speak on all of this then."
Una turned from Mac then, and went in to the ladies, smiling as kindly as she could manage at poor George, who apparently had realised how close he'd been to severe bodily harm, as she passed.
To the group at large, she said, "My dears, an emergency of the Courts has arisen and I must deal with it at once. I shall return as soon as I can, but I cannot say when that will be. Please enjoy the tea and the food, as my free gift, with no obligation."
Zipporah blinked, drawn from her reverie, and looked over at Una, a slightly worried expression on her face. “Yes, of course,” she said, “go and do what you must. I do hope everything is alright.”
Maggie and Leah both made the appropriate gestures of appreciation and concern, but otherwise stayed out of Una’s way. An emergency of the Courts definitely took priority over such a social event, no matter the topic of discussion at the time.
Keira nodded. “Of course.” Whatever it was it sounded important and she was not about to protest, not that she would have regardless. “Please, take care.”
"I will do so, my dears, and I hope to see you again soon." Una smiled at all of them, lingering an extra moment on Zipporah, who must be extremely worried. "All will be well. Enjoy yourselves, and farewell until then." And on that note she left, without further ado, to send a note to Cassius and be on her way to the Courts to find her missing caitiff.