Iain Kelly

MORNING TEA

Lady Devonshire was not to be dissuaded, ‘I hear he will be worth a fortune when he inherits.’

‘Mama, don’t be so vulgar,’ Bethany admonished.

Lady Worthington leaned forward and patted Bethany’s knee. ‘There are worse things than to marry for money, such as being a spinster with none.’

Bethany sat in brooding silence. She would be damned if she married the boorish Stapleton, fortune or not.

Across the lawn, she watched Thomas digging the flowerbed. Her mind wandered back to that warm evening two nights ago.

‘Are you feeling alright, dear. You look a little flustered,’ her mother remarked.

fatima-fakier-deria-3
Copyright Fatima Fakier Deria

Written as part of the Friday Fictioneers challenge hosted by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields (more details HERE). The idea is to write a short story of 100 words based on the photo prompt (above).

To read stories of 100 words based on this week’s prompt, visit HERE.

Iain Kelly

, , ,
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

142 responses to “MORNING TEA”

  1. James McEwan Avatar
    James McEwan

    Fantastic. A combination of Pride and Prejudice and Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Oh how the privileged lust in the rough.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Ha, thanks James 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  2. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Isn’t Bethany a naughty girl. Good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      I suspect she has a few other secrets from her mother too!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  3. Brenda's Thoughts Avatar
    Brenda’s Thoughts

    Very nice story, like the classics! I hope Bethany can find a way to be happy with Thomas, and not be forced to marry Stapleton. There is more to life than money. =) I want to know the rest of the story.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks Brenda, perhaps Thomas has a little money tucked away that would be plenty for them to live on! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Sascha Darlington Avatar
    Sascha Darlington

    You go, D.H……I mean Iain! 😉 A little Lady Chatterley’s Lover going on here. Very different from you, and I loved it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Sascha, nice to have a bit of romance and longing now and then 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  5. Vivian Zems Avatar
    Vivian Zems

    The heart wants what it wants. …Thomas, it is!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      The heart should rule the head sometimes at least 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Vivian Zems Avatar
        Vivian Zems

        😊

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Dahlia Avatar
    Dahlia

    Made me want to read a Victorian novel 😀 Nice one Iain!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dahlia

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. Fatima Fakier Avatar
    Fatima Fakier

    I hope she follows her heart in this one and disappoints everyone. The Victorian feel to the story goes so well with the pic. Wonderfully told.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Fatima 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  8. Sarah Ann Avatar
    Sarah Ann

    Bethany is going to have to develop more of a poker face. I’d love to see how she fares against her mother’s determination. Also, why is Lady Devonshire so anti poor spinsters? There’a a lot to be said for not having anyone else living in your space.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Lady Devonshire is probably thinking more about her own social standing than her daughter’s welfare! Thanks Sarah Ann.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Sarah Ann Avatar
        Sarah Ann

        Yep, that comes across too. She will be devastated when Bethany eventually runs off with the gardener – he won’t ever have a name, or one that Lady Devonshire utters.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. Dawn M. Miller Avatar
    Dawn M. Miller

    Lovely story. I felt the heat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you Dawn

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  10. magarisa Avatar
    magarisa

    What’s to stop Bethany from marrying for money and keeping Thomas on the side? 😉
    Great dialogue, especially the last line.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you, I think she may have thoughts in that direction too 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  11. Woman walking Max Avatar
    Woman walking Max

    Great story – you capture the tone and the mood of the young lady perfectly. Gardeners are so well situated for posh young ladies’ admiration, especially on hot days when they are required to take their shirts off !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Haha, that was the image in my head anyway! 🙂

      Like

      Reply
  12. cravetocarve Avatar
    cravetocarve

    You said so much without saying much.. good one.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thank you

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  13. edwardky2 Avatar
    edwardky2

    Reblogged this on Ed;s Site..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. Iain Kelly Avatar
      Iain Kelly

      Thanks for the reblog 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
Older Comments
1 2

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.