Blog: OG Stories – I Tried to Write a Regency Era Story.

It’s been a while since I did one of these posts. The last OG story series was either The Tale of Myfanwy back in December or The Spotlight (which was hilarious). Thus, with this month’s theme of exploring stories set around the Regency era, I figured that I should post a short story that I wrote last week for school set in that time. Did I take some things from Jane Austen? Yes. Is this story as great as anything she wrote? No. But I tried. Let me know what you guys think of it and leave some suggestions in the comments of what I could’ve done better or if you just want some more stories. Anyways, here’s my Regency era short story. Enjoy!

Regency Era Short Story:

Miss Ann Ettenwood was not a woman of great fortune, neither in money nor in situation. She was an only child, and her parents had recently passed of the same fever that she had managed to survive, leaving her a fortune of only five hundred pounds a year, not poor, but certainly not rich. Had not her uncle taken her in, she would have been much worse off, having to be humbled to the level of asking friends or neighbors to take her in, forcing them to put a roof over her head until she married.  

However, thanks to the kindness of her uncle she would no longer be completely without fortune. Her uncle had married a rich woman – a widowed lady Ann believed her to be – who had much improved his living and given him many connections, allowing him to rise in the gentry. His wife’s fortune and his connections would be of great benefit for Ann, increasing her chances of finding a suitable match who could provide well for her. The temptation for marriage from her newfound connections would also be enhanced by her beauty. Her clear complexion, large, dark eyes and hair, elegant figure, and excellent posture were all things valued in a man’s selection a wife. 

Miss Ettenwood sat comfortably next to the two servants that her uncle had sent with her and watched as her uncle’s house came into view. The grand estate, with its sprawling gardens and stately architecture, loomed large on the horizon. As the carriage drew closer, she felt anxious as she anticipated the meeting with the uncle she had never met. 

The house was even more magnificent than she had imagined. Tall, elegant windows lined the facade, and an impressive array of flowerbeds and manicured hedges greeted them as they approached the entrance. The servants quickly stepped out to assist her, and Ann descended from the carriage. From the house stepped out Lord Ettenwood, his paunch stretching his vest as he went down to meet her. “Miss Ettenwood, my dear,” her uncle said warmly, embracing her. “Welcome to your new home.” 

Ann thanked him warmly, commenting on the beauty of the hedges. The servants handled her luggage and as they entered the grand foyer, the sound of footsteps echoed in the vast space. A maid led them to a richly furnished drawing room, where her aunt awaited her arrival. Lady Ettenwood, was a picture of grace and elegance, her presence commanding the room. Lady Ettenwood extended her hand, and Ann curtsied politely.  

“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Miss Ettenwood,” she said in a melodious voice. “We have heard so much about you.” 

Ann smiled, feeling overwhelmed by the opulence of her surroundings. “Thank you for your kindness,” she replied. “I am truly grateful for your hospitality.” 

Her uncle gestured for her to sit before sitting himself in one of the plush, ornately decorated chairs. “You must be exhausted from your journey. Please, make yourself comfortable. We have arranged for a room to be prepared for you, and I hope you will find it to your liking.” 

As Ann settled into the armchair, she couldn’t help but marvel at the turn her life had taken. From the quiet, modest life she had known, she now found herself in the midst of grandeur and wealth. She looked at the mantle of the fireplace and could not guess how much it cost.  

Turning her attention to Lord Ettenwood, she said, “Thank you, Uncle. I am humbled by your generosity.” 

“Tell me, Miss Ettenwood, do you play at cards?” Lady Ettenwood asked. 

“Yes, madam,” Ann replied. 

“Shall we play a game of quadrille later?” 

“I should like to, though you will have to teach me. I have never played it.” 

“What card games have you played?” 

“Loo was common, as were commerce and whist.” 

“Then perhaps we should play whist instead,” Lady Ettenwood said, her nose upturned. “It will require less skill and the same set.” 

Lady Ettenwood’s meaning was not lost on Ann and anger rose within her, but she agreed to the game. “A game of quadrille would be delightful!” Lord Ettenwood declared, oblivious of the tension in the room. “We shall have a full set, too, with Mr. Ainsley. What a monstrous good time it shall be! My dear Miss Ettenwood, I believe you shall be quite pleased with him. He is only I few years your senior, I believe, and an excellent shot too. Everyone can attest to his good nature.” 

“I shall be pleased, then, to meet him,” Ann said.  

Lord Ettenwood patted the chair that she sat on. “Come, come. A servant shall see you to your room. You’ve had a long journey. Get some rest. Tea will be served in the parlor in an hour and Mr. Ainsley shall join us for dinner.” 

Ann stood and curtsied to Lady Ettenwood before walking out of the drawing room and back into the foyer, where a maid stood read to escort her to her room. Ann followed her up the stairs and down a hall into the room, which was richly furnished with a lavish tapestry adorning the walls, depicting scenes of romantic life, rich in detail and color. In the middle of the room was a large four-poster bed, its mahogany frame carved with floral motifs and draped in gauzy white curtains. A plush, cream-colored Persian rug with patterns done in gold and marron covered the floor, muffling her footsteps, and an ornate chest stood at the foot of the bed. Opposite the bed was a marble fireplace with a fire burning merrily in it (for outside, the air was chilly though the sun shone brightly) and a gilded mirror hung above the mantle of the fireplace. 

The large windows, framed by heavy, silk curtains in hues of gold and burgundy, allowed streams of light to pour in, casting a warm glow over the elegant furnishings. By the window, an intricately carved writing desk with a matching chair stood ready for her to pen letters or contemplate her thoughts, complete with delicate inkwells and a quill holder. 

A wardrobe, standing tall and imposing, promised ample space for her gowns and accessories and when she opened it, she found her things already hanging inside. “Is there anything else you need, Miss Ettenwood?” the maid asked. 

“That will be all, Jane,” Ann said. “Thank you.” 

“I will be up to help you into your gown, Miss.” 

Ann thanked the maid once more before she departed the room and she made herself comfortable on the soft, wool-stuffed mattress and feather pillows. She was weary from her journey and the warmth from the fire and the bed made sure that she was quickly overcome by sleep. It wasn’t much later, however, that her maid returned to help her into a new gown for tea, helping her out of her carriage dress.  

She came down the stairs and walked into the parlor where there was a small, round table set with tea and small sandwiches and pastries. Lady Ettenwood sat watching the maid as she poured the tea, looking quickly askance at Ann before looking away just as quickly and upturning her nose just a tad more. “Ah, Ann!” Lord Ettenwood said, happily, “Sit, sit. I have made sure to brew bohea tea. During his life, it was my brother’s favorite. It is yours too, I dare say?” 

“I enjoy it very much,” Ann said. 

“Excellent!” Lord Ettenwood exclaimed. Lady Ettenwood seemed to turn up her nose slightly more in response to overhearing his doting attention to Ann. “It seems as though the weather will turn sour,” she said, looking out of the window. “I’m afraid that our dear Mr. Ainsley may not be able to attend dinner tonight if the roads turn muddy.” 

Lord Ettenwood looked up. “Preposterous! There is not a single heavy cloud to be seen for miles. And besides, he has the best horses on this side of Wessex. A little mud will not stop him from coming here.” 

Ann sipped her tea quietly as Lord and Lady Ettenwood debated about the likelihood of the weather changing. Finally, Lady Ettenwood conceded and returned to peacefully sipping her tea, leaving the talk to her husband, speaking only to Ann when she needed to. It was to Ann’s great pleasure when tea was over and she was allowed to return to her room to rest more and write in her journal. When she was awoken once more to be changed into her evening dress, the sun had long since set and just as Lady Ettenwood had predicted, the weather had become sour.  

Ann came into the foyer as the door was being opened. Outside was a curricle with two large, black horses pulling it. A pointer ran in through the parted doors as a young man came in, his great coat heavy with water as he removed his top hat, revealing his fiery red hair. He gave them to the servant and his eye caught Ann as she stood at the foot of the stairs. He smiled slightly and it was then that Lord Ettenwood arrived in the foyer to welcome his guest. “Mr. Ainsley!” he exclaimed. “A monstrous pleasure it is to see you again! I declare, you haven’t changed a bit since I last saw you! I see that you have met my niece. Lord! where are my manners. I must formally introduce you. Ann, darling, allow me the pleasure to introduce to you the excellent Mr. Ainsley.” 

Ann came down from the stairs and curtsied before Mr. Ainsley. “How do you do, sir?” 

“I am well,” he said, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. “It is a pleasure to make you acquaintance, Miss Ettenwood.”   

Ann felt a blush rise to her cheeks as Mr. Ainsley’s warm gaze lingered on her. She glanced at her uncle, who was beaming with pride. “Mr. Ainsley, you must be chilled to the bone from your journey,” Lord Ettenwood said, clapping him on the back. “Come, let us retire to the drawing room where a fire is already prepared. Dinner shall be ready soon. I have prepared for us an excellent roast duck.” 

Mr. Ainsley nodded and allowed himself to be guided into the drawing room, Ann following closely behind. As they entered, the warmth from the fire enveloped them. “Please, do sit,” Lord Ettenwood gestured to the chairs arranged around the hearth. “Ann, would you be so kind as to pour our guest a cup of tea?” 

“Of course, Uncle,” Ann replied, moving gracefully to the tea table. She poured the steaming tea into the delicate porcelain cups, adding just the right amount of sugar and cream. As she handed the cup to Mr. Ainsley, he looked up at her with a grateful smile. “Thank you, Miss Ettenwood. You are most kind.” 

Ann returned his smile and took her seat as their guest sipped the tea. Lord Ettenwood settled into his chair and began to regale Mr. Ainsley with tales of their mutual acquaintances and recent hunts. Ann listened politely, occasionally catching Mr. Ainsley’s eye before looking away.  

As the conversation flowed, Lady Ettenwood arrived and greeted Mr. Ainsley warmly. “Dear Mr. Ainsley, I thank you for arriving,” she said. “I do hope the roads were not as bad as I had feared.” 

“They were not, but I am afraid I shall have to stay the night here and perhaps longer. These rains shall surely make the roads impassable before the night is done.”  

“You may stay for as long as you wish, Mr. Ainsley. We are more than willing to host our dear friend.” Lady Ettenwood took notice of Ann. “I believe you have met my husband’s niece.” 

“I have. She is a charming creature.” Ann blushed at his words and quickly sought to hide it.  

“Yes,” Lady Ettenwood said slowly. “A charming creature. She has just arrived today from her home in Weymouth.” 

“I adore Weymouth,” Mr. Ainsley smiled. “Tell me, Miss Ettenwood, do you draw?” 

“Yes, though I have not done so lately,” she said shyly. 

“Lord Ettenwood, shall I dare suggest that we take a trip to Weymouth or Swanage sometime this year? I particularly enjoy the picturesque scenery of those cliffs and wish to teach Ann how to incorporate them further into her drawings.” 

“An excellent idea, my boy!” Lord Ettenwood chuckled. “Though perhaps not to Weymouth seeing Miss Ettenwood’s…situation.” 

Mr. Ainsley fell silent. “I see.” He glanced at Ann shyly. 

“A trip to Weymouth is an excellent idea,” she said. “It would be refreshing and a chance to be reacquainted with old friends.”  

“And we may meet King George, I dare say,” Lord Ettenwood mused. “He does love Weymouth. The sea air is ever so refreshing.” 

“Yes, I believe it is,” Lady Ettenwood said, looking askance once more at Ann, something that Ann was quickly learning to ignore.  

The conversation continued until the butler came to announce that dinner was ready. Lord and Lady Ettenwood led the way, with Mr. Ainsley ahead of Miss Ettenwood. Lady Ettenwood signaled where they were to sit, with Ann across the table from Mr. Ainsley, much to Lord Ettenwood’s delight. The courses were set before them and they all eagerly partook of them, eating until they could not anymore and Ann felt herself relaxing into the evening’s charm. 

As the final course was cleared away, Lord Ettenwood proposed a toast. “To good company and the promise of new adventures! May our bonds grow stronger and our futures be bright.” 

They raised their glasses, and Ann caught Mr. Ainsley’s gaze once more, his eyes sparkling in the light of the tall candles burning on the table. She sipped the wine; it’s rich flavor tingling on her tongue. 

After dinner, they retired to the drawing room once again. “How about a game of cards,” Lady Ettenwood suggested. “I believe Ann wanted to play quadrille, earlier. Are you still up to that, or should you like something easier?” 

Ann swallowed. “Quadrille shall be just fine, though I will need someone to teach me.”  

“I would be honored to have the privilege of teaching you how to play. It is a complex game, but one that once learned is hard to forget,” Mr. Ainsley offered. Ann eagerly accepted it and they settled around the card table. The game was lively, and Ann’s competitive spirit soon emerged. 

“You learn quickly and play with remarkable skill, Miss Ettenwood,” Mr. Ainsley remarked, his eyes twinkling with admiration. 

“Thank you, Mr. Ainsley,” Ann replied, a playful smile tugging at her lips. “I must admit, I enjoy a good challenge.” At that, Mr. Ainsley returned her smile and they continued playing. Lady Ettenwood looked on at the couple, her upper lip curled delicately into a look of disdain that she soon removed in the name of cordiality.  

The evening continued in a pleasant haze of laughter and conversation. As the hour grew late, Lady Ettenwood suggested it was time to retire for the night. Ann bid everyone goodnight and made her way to her chamber, her mind buzzing with the events of the evening. 

As she prepared for bed, Ann couldn’t help but wonder what the future held. Mr. Ainsley’s presence had brought a newfound excitement to her life, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that their paths were destined to intertwine. With a contented sigh, Ann climbed into bed, her thoughts drifting to the adventures that lay ahead.  

Until next time,

M.J.