The Heiress | Litsy

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

We finally have a winner for the #HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #chaoteraday readalong that I hosted for #PemberLittens

Apologies for the delay, between work, bronchitis, the holidays, etc., tabulating the entries & inputting all the entries per person took a while, but drumroll, please…

🎉The winner of an Jane Austen/Austen-ish prize pack is @IndoorDame !!🎉

We had such good & fun participation that I drew 2 more names for a few Austen-ish goodies ⬇️

DebinHawaii …Runners up are @suvata & @kspenmoll !!! 🎉 So if all of you will email me at debinhawaii@gmail.com with your mailing addresses (& @IndoorDame tell me any JA or Austen-ish book from your list) & I will get your prizes sent out.

Thanks to everyone who joined in the read-along! I really had fun reading along with all of you! 🤗 2y

DebinHawaii @MaureenMc @MoonWitch94 @peanutnine @Deblovestoread @IndoorDame @AllDebooks @Librarybelle @janeycanuck @suvata @julieclair @eeclayton @SarahBookInterrupted @erzascarletbookgasm @mollyrotondo
@StayCurious @DanaManiac @ravenlee @kspenmoll @SamAnne @melissajayne @Crinoline_Laphroaig @GraciousWarriorPrincess @Sparklemn 2y

IndoorDame Yay!!! I‘m so excited!!! I loved this book and our read along. Thank you for being an awesome host and for this generous giveaway! 2y

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suvata Well deserved 2y

SamAnne @DebinHawaii you made it so fun! 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame You are welcome! 🤗 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata You too! 🎉 2y

DebinHawaii @SamAnne Aww! Thank you! 😘 2y

BarkingMadRead Congratulations 🎉🎊 2y

julieclair Congrats to @IndoorDame , @suvata and @kspenmoll ! And thank you to @DebinHawaii for being an awesome host! 2y

eeclayton Congrats Ladies, and thanks for hosting @DebinHawaii It was so much fun! ☺️ 2y

SarahBookInterrupted Congratulations!! 2y

Librarybelle Thank you for hosting! It was a great book! 2y

58 likes13 comments

MoonWitch94

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#PemberLittens

In honor of our dear Jane‘s birthday today, here is a good list of Jane Austen retellings to keep for future group reads! Our latest is on the list.

Check it out: https://www.bookbub.com/blog/jane-austen-book-retellings?position=5&source=multi...

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SamAnne

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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Catching up on reviews. I enjoyed The Heiress much more than anticipated. Austen adjacent regency novels really aren't my thing. But how could I turn down a chapter-a-day read along hosted by @DebinHawaii ? I knew if nothing else I would get a good laugh every day. I enjoyed the window into opioid addiction in the 1800s, loved the characters, and loved the steamy romance! Thank you #pemberlittens.

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janeycanuck

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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I wasn‘t too sure about this for the first few chapters but I really like where Greeley took the story. And she has such vivid writing, it was hard to stop at just one chapter each day for the #HeiressPride readalong!

Thanks for leading, @DebinHawaii !!

AvidReader25 Glad to hear this one got better. I read the first chapter and switched to another book. I‘ll give it another chance! 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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On one hand, I can‘t believe how long it took me to read this look at an oft forgotten Pride and Prejudice character as I‘ve had the #ARC for months before it was published, but I can‘t think of a better way to read it than with my #PemberLittens friends as a #ChapterADay as part of #HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 The discussions & daily format made it all the more special. Gorgeous writing, I rooted for Anne de Borough to get control of her destiny & find⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …her truth & some happiness. I had to buy a hard copy to add to my Jane Austen shelves for the beautiful writing & cover.

Thanks to everyone for playing along & making hosting a pleasure. Look for a prize winner sometime this weekend. 🤗 2y

suvata You are a great host and I really enjoyed the book. 2 for 2! Thanks for all your imaginative images and your compelling discussion questions. It‘s been a real pleasure.❣️ 2y

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SarahBookInterrupted Thank you for hosting! It was a great buddy read. 2y

IndoorDame Thank you for hosting! Sharing your collages, articles, and discussion questions made this read really special. 2y

Librarybelle Thank you for hosting! 2y

ravenlee I really enjoyed this read; thanks for being a great host! I wouldn‘t read it again, but it was a lot of fun reading together. 2y

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peanutnine

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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This was a wonderful extension of Pride & Prejudice, detailing the life of Lady Anne de Bourgh. It breathes life into an otherwise forgettable foil character and describes her rich backstory growing up a 'sick' child and following her future as she learns to advocate for herself against family and society that wish to hold her back.
Loved discussing this with our #pemberlittens group each day, it really added to the experience @DebinHawaii

ShelleyBooksie Snuggly kitties ♡♡ 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 36: The End! We did it readalong friends! I doubt I need to summarize Anne‘s end of life journey along the river at Rosings revisiting the people in her life so we could learn what happened to them. Was there anyone you were expecting to see, but didn‘t or any surprises?

Let‘s discuss: Your final impressions of this chapter & of the book…

A big thank you to everyone who joined in! I enjoyed ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …reading your thoughts & opinions. Thank you for making my first official #PemberLittens hosting a pleasure & for putting up with a few work-induced delays. 🤗

I will be finishing recording entries & drawing a winner & should have both by this weekend. I‘ll pop my review up later too. Can‘t wait to read your thoughts & reviews on what for me was a delightful book. 2y

IndoorDame I really liked this ending. In the first few sentences of the chapter I assumed she had gone back to the laudanum because Eliza died or left her or something. Ending it this way kept it the sweet story we were all hoping for while still hinting at some of the more serious themes built on earlier. 2y

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ravenlee I kept expecting Miss Hall to pop up again somewhere (perhaps Lady C had her in mind for the village school?), so I was disappointed that she didn‘t. But then she was there at the end, so that‘s something. The curtain call seemed an odd mix of people who were important in Anne‘s life and kind of random players. 2y

kspenmoll I too liked the ending, was happy that she stayed strong, that George was with her, & that she was visiting the people in her life that effected her. I so enjoyed reading this book with all of you- I love when you all speak of things I that did not occur to me! Gorgeous writing- especially her laudanum world. 2y

sprainedbrain Thank you for hosting! You‘re amazing. ❤️ 2y

Librarybelle I was teary eyed! Thanks so much for hosting this! 2y

peanutnine Loved the ending! I feel like her magical river tour of Rosings at the end was due to taking laudanum again and it felt very fitting. I agree with @ravenlee that I was expecting Miss Hall to pop back up, esp when they mentioned the school. But seeing everyone at the end was satisfying. Thanks for hosting and bringing such great discussion questions to the table! This was so great! ☺️ 2y

MaureenMc I thought the ending was very fitting, and an interesting way to tell the reader what happened to the characters. Thank you for hosting! Awesome job! 2y

SarahBookInterrupted I loved the ending. So very satisfying! 2y

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IndoorDame

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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My #doublespin this month was such an unexpected gem! Not only is it exceedingly rare to see regency lesbian relationships portrayed well, it‘s also rare to see any book focus just as much on the psychological aspects of addiction as on the physical, and this really got that right. The reading experience was definitely enhanced by sharing it with the #pemberlittens and @DebinHawaii

TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 2y

peanutnine Great review! I also enjoyed this read a lot ☺️ 2y

IndoorDame @peanutnine 💙 2y

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Librarybelle

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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Anne de Bourgh tells her story in this literary novel. I liked the cadence of the language, as Anne describes her feelings and her demons, mainly from decisions made by her mother Lady Catherine. This is a discovery of oneself story and a love story. It was delightful to see her character fleshed out and made to stand on her own, against the other P&P characters.

So glad I read this with #PemberLittens. Thanks for the posts @DebinHawaii !!

sprainedbrain

sprainedbrain I really liked this book! ❤️ 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 35: the penultimate chapter, just this one & the final end tomorrow! This month has flown by! So we start this chapter in the forest which Anne has found refuge from her responsibilities (& Lady C!) echoing others (Mrs. Collins, Cousin John) who have “escaped” there before her. On this autumn day after communing with the great oak, Anne heads back to the house & spies a visitor in ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …in a bright blue pelisse & bonnet. Is it? It is! Eliza has come to her! Reunited at long last. Poor Spinner is startled to find them together in Anne‘s bed in the morning but recovers enough to ask if Mrs. Andrews wants cocoa.🫣Anne finds out that Eliza‘s husband died 2 weeks ago at a card party & that Eliza is more sorry about never feeling anything for him other than thanks for his death. She‘s now a respectable & well off widow & can be ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii … introduced as Anne‘s friend. She settles into country life & even Lady C seems okay with it. She works on education reform in the local school & the pair travel to London & all over the Continent. Anne is afraid it is all so good that is must be a dream. ⬇️
2y

DebinHawaii …So, what did you think of this chapter? What stood out? Did it end the way you wanted it to (so far anyway…) Tomorrow‘s final chapter is marked “the end” so I am expecting an epilogue of sorts. I‘ll post the summary of it & my final review tomorrow. (edited) 2y

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IndoorDame I‘m not usually a happily ever after person, so I‘m reserving the right to change my mind after tomorrow‘s chapter, but this did make me really happy. 2y

suvata It does sound too good to be true, but I do like a happy ending, so I hope it stays that way. 2y

kspenmoll This made me happy too- we all need a safe, calming place to recharge. 2y

peanutnine I was pleased with how things turned out. It was a shame that they were separated for so long and Eliza had to suffer a loveless marriage but Anne needed time to come into her own fully 2y

ravenlee Probably best possible resolution for Eliza, though Anne would have preferred not to have the four years intervening. But Eliza earned her independence the hard way. 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 34: (Only 2 more to go!) Anne hears back from Eliza & then spends 4 years writing letters back & forth-not the life she had envisioned & in a small village as the patroness-it‘s not easy to find someone else. Anne engages a dancing master to get ready for the opening of the harvest ball (Lady C thinks she has “entirely list her senses” so obviously it‘s a good idea!🧐🤣 Anne should take ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …up interpretive dance & just use it every time Lady C opens her mouth! 😉Darcy bring George for his first visit at 3-years old & Anne begins to awkwardly bond with him. She tells him all of Risings will be his one day, he‘s just happy the 🐸is his. Back to the letters, Anne tries to ration her correspondence, but finds herself eagerly awaiting them & looks for
details about how Eliza feels about her husband but is relieved not to read them or ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …hear news she is with child. Anne writes Eliza about finding joy & satisfaction in her work & the tenants & school & Eliza responds with the satisfaction she got from the compliments of a “noble lady” on her parlor cushion embroidery. Anne isn‘t sure whether she is serious or kidding & feels like if she is serious, it is sadder.

What did you think of this chapter? What stood out? Do you think Eliza was serious or kidding & which is sadder? 2y

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IndoorDame I was pleasantly surprised that they decided 3 was old enough to bring George. That means she‘ll actually have a part in raising him and making sure he cares about being the heir to Rosings. 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Yes, I liked the part with George very much! I liked how Anne was with him & how she‘s getting him to realize what he is inheriting. Imagine the difference if it was her mother! 🧐 2y

peanutnine @IndoorDame I loved the bits with George! It was so cute to see Anne bond with him over her love of Rosings and show him all the magic while he is still young 2y

peanutnine As for Eliza's comment, I don't think she actually got satisfaction from the comment but was serious that it was a highlight of her life recently, which is very sad 2y

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eeclayton

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

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I'm glad I read this with the #Pemberlittens, a chapter a day. It's a really slow book, especially the first half, and the chapter-a-day pace allowed me to appreciate the prose without being annoyed with the lack of action. Later on, Anne's life gets more eventful, but even then it's more about quiet choices and revelations than big drama.

eeclayton I enjoyed the book, even though her quick and easy getting off laudanum after almost 30 years of addiction, with no relapses or setbacks whatsoever, was quite unbelievable. 2y

eeclayton Thanks for hosting @DebinHawaii As usual, I loved your collages and chapter summaries 😁 2y

DebinHawaii @eeclayton Thank you for reading along! Glad you enjoyed it even without the big moments. I‘ll come back & read the spoiler later! 😉 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PembeeLittens

Chapter 33: A lot happens in this chapter. Anne receives a letter from Mrs FW telling her of Eliza‘s marriage & current honeymoon in Scotland. It hurts Anne, but she has a “thank you, next” moment about their relationship & what Eliza brought her & tells Mrs. FW to give Eliza her best & that she would welcome a letter when she has time.😢Anne visits Lady C at the Dowager house & endures a few ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …comments about the state of her hair before letting Lady C. Know she is going to Pemberley (she‘s invited herself). Then, she broaches an idea that she & Mr. Colt had about a school for the tenant children. Anne handles Lady C pretty masterfully with how she asks for help in finding a teacher (within the village or out—am I hoping too much that there‘s a CERTAIN teacher that might be available? Probably…) So, after some more disapproval & more⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …comments on Anne‘s hair & life choices, her mother seems onboard. Anne travels to Pemberley & catches the Darcy‘s by surprise with the “important matter” she‘d like to discuss… turns out that rather than having Risings go to a distant cousin, she‘d like to name the Darcy‘s 2nd son, Baby George, as her heir! For a 2nd son, this is a huge boon (he will have an estate & not have to ‘“scrabble”) & better that although he will now be George Darcy ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …de Bourgh, he will remain with his family & visit annually once he is old enough. Lizzy is more accepting than Darcy is to this offer but they agree. Lizzy remarks to Anne that “people surprise me but rarely” & Anne has done it…👑

What did you think of this chapter? Anne has grown a lot a lot. Did she make good decisions & handle herself well? Who will the new teacher be? We are nearly the end, what do you think or hope might happen? 2y

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kspenmoll I really felt good about how Anne was making good decisions about her estate & managed her emotions/ even her disappointment regarding Eliza accepting marriage as inevitable… Eliza‘s situation (no independent money) drive home just how narrow women‘s choices were then. 2y

DebinHawaii @kspenmoll I agree completely! Eliza made the best decision she could for herself given those narrow choices & I think Anne understood that even as much as it hurt her. 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Hi Friends, I am sorry AGAIN, I am in what was a one-day offsite work meeting that turned into a 3-day meeting. I read our chapters but promptly crapped out when I got home.

Anyway, let‘s discuss both Chapter 31 & 32 & double points for adding to discussion on this post & I promise to catch back up over the weekend.

So, Anne is home to Rosings Park, Lady C is moved to the Dowager House… she gives ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …Anne the “why” behind her being drugged with her magic drops—a mother‘s role & care… (& interrupts her reading! Bad Lady C.) What did you think of her explanation? What stood out to you in these chapters? (edited) 2y

ravenlee I thought Lady C‘s explanation was okay as far as it went (my kiddo was a fussy newborn and spent most of her first eight months only sleeping when I held her, so I get it) but it doesn‘t explain why they never stopped with the drugs! 2y

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suvata I understand that during that time period, they didn‘t know anything about the effects of opioids. I also know how frustrating a screaming child can be. But, the nurse knew because of her brother. Maybe a little more investigation would have been preferred. But, again, at that time everyone trusted what their doctor said, without question. 2y

IndoorDame I wasn‘t particularly moved by the explanation. I had already assumed she wanted the best for her child at first. And you can totally feel like you‘re losing your mind when a child won‘t stop screaming, so it‘s natural to trust the doctor who offered a cure. It‘s later, when Anne was grown that I felt like keeping her weak clearly wasn‘t thinking about her future best interest, and I wanted her to offer an explanation for that. 2y

peanutnine I thought her explanation for when she was a baby made sense but I agree with others that things should have been reevaluated as Anne grew older. Although I can understand how her sickness at Brighton would have scared her mother so much that she would overlook the initial positive of forgoing the medicine 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChaoterADay #PemberLittens

Getting a quick post up now as tomorrow is an all-day work retreat 😵‍💫

Chapter 30: Miss Julia is wed & Anne & Eliza steal away to the Amherst garden where Eliza tells Anne her father‘s friend, Mr. Andrews has asked to speak with her after the wedding breakfast. She will give him the answer she “must.” Anne professes her love & asks Eliza to go to Kent with her as her “companion” & without her⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …own money Eliza feels must be practical-at least as a wife she will have standing. Anne counters that if she will choose a life of dependence, wouldn‘t she rather have affection. Eliza says affection would be lovely put impossible. Anne returns to the FWs where she spends 4 days in bed with Spinner worried & Mrs FW annoyed. On the 5th day she thinks of Miss Hall & although she thinks she would be happy that Anne is healthy & whole now, she has ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii … not done all Miss Hall wished of her. Anne feels she needs to make her own choices & see what‘s waiting at home, so she finally picks up a pen & begins to write to her steward.

Let‘s discuss: Thoughts on this chapter? What did you think of Eliza‘s choice? Do you think Anne is ready to go home & battle her mother 🧐& take over Rosings Park? 2y

IndoorDame I think Anne is ready to take on her mother. She‘s gotten so much stronger! She‘s learned how to ask for what she wants, and say no to what she doesn‘t. And she no longer has anything else exciting to look forward to besides managing Rosings Park. 2y

suvata I feel kind of bad for Anne but I‘m also happy for her because I‘m pretty sure she is ready to go to Rosings Park and take on her mother. She has gotten so much stronger both physically and mentally. 2y

35 likes5 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

OK, hot on the heels of my late posting of the last Chapter is an early one for Chapter 29. Anne & Eliza go to a circulating library & they walk & talk Julia‘s wedding & her promise to invite her sister to the country once we‘d. Eliza is a city girl but she‘d brave the fiercest cows in Kent for Anne. Anne want‘s to tell her about Watters proposal but can‘t find the words.In her room at the FWs, ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …Anne ponders the offer & thinks it‘s likely the best offer she can hope for & it would please her family. Still, …”To give my body to him, when I had only recently gotten it back for myself—“ dismays her as does the thought of sharing her true self with him & not Eliza & providing an heir, a risk for women of the day when she doesn‘t strongly want a child. The easiest thing would be accepting him & she “was accustomed to doing the easy thing.”⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …She finds Watters in the breakfast room & gives him her answer-a fairly awkward & uncomfortable “no.” She worries about his power to ruin her & Eliza but he ends up accepting it & she feels the possibilities that this “no” has opened up for her. Later on, locked in her room with Eliza they discuss their ages (29 & 21–Anne‘s robbing the cradle)😉& Eliza‘s experience with romance (a girl in school & no men to speak of) but her father‘s friend ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii …a widower with no children but who wants them is interested. Anne wonders how she could share his bed & she retorts her mother says “women have the burden of endurance” so she supposes she could endure him. It‘s her best offer for her third season.

What did you think of this chapter? What stood out ? Anne is able to say no, Eliza may not be able to. What do you think of their choices? Do you find it hard to say no or set boundaries yourself? (edited) 2y

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IndoorDame I definitely find it difficult to set boundaries and say no, but I‘ve noticed it gets easier and easier easier with each passing year so maybe their relative positions are natural and not only based on money and position in society. 2y

MoonWitch94 This graphic is fabulous! I struggle with NO, but my new job requires No to be a full sentence. 2y

peanutnine I'm so glad she said no! And I can understand why Eliza's circumstances make it harder for her to do the same. I wish Anne would tell her about her rejection of Watters though. I don't know if it will make a difference but I just want her to know. As for my own boundaries, saying no is something that I have always struggled with but I'm getting better with practice 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

So sorry for the posting delay-thought I‘d be able to do it in a work break today & that was just silly! Anyway, I‘ll try to get tomorrow‘s up tonight but let‘s stop & discuss Chapter 28! It starts off with Anne begging off a park walk with Mrs. FW & Mr. Watters & Watters makes a sly comment about Miss A not calling at this hour & feminine secrets! Clang-clang⛔️🔔!!! Anne approaches Cousin John ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …to ask about estate business & her responsibilities & what he thinks about Rosings Park. CJohn is supportive as usual & gives her some advice to start. Then in the carriage back from the A‘s house Mrs. FW comments how long she was upstairs & how put out Eliza‘s mother was. Yikes! Once home Me. Watters asks for a turn about the (very tiny) garden with Anne. Double Yikes! Anne is less than enthused & becomes even less so when he proposes marriage⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii She speaks plainly that he didn‘t speak any words of affection. Mr. Watters asks her if she expects that from her husband because 1) he doesn‘t feel it & 2) she seems to be getting that affection already! (Yikes! Yikes! Yikes!) He goes on to say he saw her & Miss A in the garden (did we not yell at them in our heads that they were being too obvious?!)😱 He says that as a husband he won‘t stop it & that he‘s sympathetic to her plight (hmm… what ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii that mean?) Once they have a kid they‘ll be no “wifely duties…” Anne‘s about to faint & he says he doesn‘t need an answer now but she should think how agreeable the arrangement could be. Sure, he gets to be landed gentry & she gets…him as a beard?! 😡

What did you think about this chapter? What should Anne do? How dangerous is the information for her? For Eliza? Should she take the offer? Luckily I get to go read the next chapter now…! 2y

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suvata If she married and had child with Watters, it would certainly solve her unusual lifestyle choices. But how would it affect her estate? Would the child she doesn‘t even want to have now be the heir? I don‘t think it‘s a good offer, personally. She needs to take control by herself, in my opinion. 2y

IndoorDame I‘m still hating Watters, but the nature of his proposal totally took me by surprise, and on the surface it seems like a good offer for her since I assume she has to marry someone and produce an heir to leave the estate to. 2y

eeclayton I'm not hating Watters at the moment. It's a decent offer, and he may have his own secrets that a marriage would cover up nicely. That said, I am wondering what he'll do if Anne turns him down. If he starts blackmailing her with the info he knows, then I'll definitely hate him! 2y

peanutnine I agree with @suvata that I would rather her take control of her estate herself. But like @eeclayton I'm worried that a refusal could have consequences from a spiteful Watters. I'm curious as to what exactly he would get out of the arrangement. He hints at a lot, but is he gay? Or just wanting a society bump and willing to find 'affection' elsewhere? 2y

41 likes8 comments

ravenlee

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

Eliza in this chapter (27) made me think of Ariel (she‘s even a redhead!) - but who cares? No big deal! I want more!
#PemberLittens @DebinHawaii #HeiressPride

DebinHawaii Good comparison! 😉 2y

DebinHawaii Sorry for the multiple same comments! I‘m getting a delay in posting & I didn‘t think k they went through. Then I tried to delete & … 🤬 2y

ravenlee @DebinHawaii I‘ve been having weird delays, too - one of my comments on your post a couple days ago didn‘t show up for over an hour! Come on, Litsy, don‘t let us down; we rely on you! 2y

33 likes3 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 27: Things continue to get steamy & although they can‘t see each other privately every day, notes are fast & furious between Anne & Eliza & they are getting some time behind chamber doors & stealing touches in public (is no one noticing this?!) There‘s lots of pillow talk comparing Eliza‘s body parts to bark & petals (Anne) & Eliza thinking Anne would make a perfect hermit in a moss gown ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …with snarled hair, reciting odd poetry lines. Very lush & earthy descriptions 🌿🌳🍃 it there is serious talk & letters too, getting Anne to read the newspaper & lots of sharing of opinions. Eliza bemoans the fate of women & Anne shared her feelings of anger toward Lady C. Anne admires Eliza‘s accomplishments: art, sewing, French, music, but Eliza isn‘t sure if she actually loves any of it, or was she trained or forced to like it. She wants ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii more. Anne wishes to move freely in the world like men can & mentions that her “friend” encouraged her to take control of her inheritance & Rosings Park & she thinks she might have the strength to do so, but where to start… Eliza somewhat shortly replies to start with her relatives for guidance. ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii What stood out for you in this chapter? Let‘s discuss: Anne is frustrated that Eliza doesn‘t appreciate her talents while Eliza seems frustrated that Anne isn‘t taking advantage of her potential power & autonomy to do as she wants while Eliza feels trapped. What do you think about their views of each other & their constraints? Do either have a chance if leading a life that will satisfy them? (edited) 2y

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suvata Love the tree bark picture. 🤣 I do think Anne needs to take control of her inheritance at this point. I‘m not really sure if she is capable but she needs to learn how to do it somehow. 2y

IndoorDame I definitely think Anne is physically capable. I don‘t know if she‘s mentally capable. I like that this book is dealing with the mental aspect of addiction a bit. But I agree that there‘s no way to know except to try. 2y

kspenmoll I don‘t know if Anne is strong enough emotionally, or trusts in her abilities enough yet to take over her home. Especially while Mama is there!!!! Eliza is frustrated with her role & “ talents”- she wants to be more, do more in this world that constrains women. 2y

peanutnine @kspenmoll I agree that trying to learn while negotiating around Lady C is going to be tricky! I think she is capable of it though. It's interesting that Anne and Eliza seem to want the other's life experience - Anne wishes she could have learned more growing up and Eliza wishes she could have the freedom of an estate to run 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 26: Do Not Disturb. That kiss from the last chapter escalated quickly as visiting the Misses A a few days later, Anne is congratulating Miss Julia on her engagement when Miss A (ok, we are probably at the Eliza stage by now as Anne is)😉pulls Anne upstairs to show her “my new gown.” Inside her chamber, let the kissing & more begin! A little later, both are a bit “disarranged” & it‘s time ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …for pillow talk & a little touching. They discuss Eliza‘s accomplishments & Anne wonders why she would want to be with someone who has accomplished so little. Eliza likes her “very well as you are” (very Bridget Jones‘s Diary of her) & explains that while she can pretend, she has never quite fit. Anne can relate. Anne brings up that “this is not…usual”
Eliza tells her that there are others, women & men & they are lucky as the consequences for ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …ladies are not as grave. Eliza tells Anne there are ladies who live together as husband & wife-she read a newspaper story about a wife & husband-wife who goes around in breeches, cravat & beaver hat. (See: https://www.geriwalton.com/husband-wives-and-gay-life-in-georgian/ ) Anne imagines it & they both get the giggles. Later, in bed alone, practices a little self-enjoyment & thinks how she may not have been “made to admire male figures.” ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …Fanning my face for a short but pivotal chapter. Let‘s discuss: what are your thoughts? Is Anne in a better place for a lesbian relationship than most women of the times, being a wealthy property owner? Do you think someone will discover them? Will Lady C find out & what will she do? What lies ahead for our Anne? So many questions & I‘m NOT reading ahead tempting as it is. 🫣 2y

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IndoorDame I‘m expecting them to get discovered. Besides being an excellent plot device, Anne is so naive and they‘re both being recklessly obvious. I actually don‘t think Anne is better situated for a lesbian relationship because she‘s wealthy. I think it‘s personality not circumstances that make someone willing to take risks to be true to themselves. 2y

ravenlee I‘m guilty of reading ahead, but I‘ve been wondering about wealthy ladies and their “companions,” and if that was ever a cover for relationships. Presumably, Anne is supposed to marry and produce an heir to Rosings Park…which complicates things quite a bit. I also have to wonder where the doting Mr. Watters has disappeared to? 2y

ravenlee Also, my first reaction here was - well, that escalated quickly! 2y

peanutnine I agree that they are probably going to be discovered unfortunately. Like @ravenlee I think having a wealthy estate could open up possibilities of having a lover live there under false pretenses but a cover marriage might be necessary to produce an heir 2y

SamAnne I think being independently wealthy or secure makes all the difference in being able to both avoid detection or have people quietly let you be. But wow, the story went from 0 to 60 real quick! Had to turn the wood stove down after finishing this chapter! 😂😂😂 2y

SamAnne And thanks for the recent link @DebinHawaii . I see myself going down an historical internet rabbit hole…. 2y

kspenmoll When I read this chapter I was thinking that Eliza could live on Anne‘s estate with a designated job/role or as Anne‘s companion. But Anne would have to get rid of her mother…!😱 Not sure how strong Anne is yet- her self worth is low- I still feel like her mother could eat her alive. I am enjoying Anne opening up to her sexuality. 2y

DebinHawaii @SamAnne It‘s amazing what typing “Regency Lesbian Husband-Wives” turns up! So interesting! 😆 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame @ravenlee @peanutnine @SamAnne @kspenmoll Really good points everyone! I feel like Anne‘s wealth it puts her in an easier place than others might be to live the lifestyle she wants but the “with great wealth comes great responsibility” is true & it won‘t be easy to get around her duties. And does Anne have the strength? Looking forward to finding out what happens, I think! 🫣 2y

SamAnne @DebinHawaii I think I start adding “Lesbian Husband-Wives into all my historical internet searches. 😂 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 25: Oh my! Short chapter, big step! 🤭 Anne is in the garden contemplating life & the inner thoughts of spiders & bugs when Miss A shows up to visit. Anne tells her about going to see Baby Darcy—Darcy is all gregarious showing off his son & Lizzy is “all surprise” at Anne‘s glow up (I might have felt even more satisfaction than Anne at that!) 🤣 Her aunt comments that Anne looks natural ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …holding a baby (as a childless “spinster” myself I used to hate those kind of comments!) & Anne is by turns sad & relieved that Lady C refused the invite & wasn‘t there to pounce on that statement.🧐😱 She tells Lady A & wonders aloud what spiders think (beetles too) & Anne feels awkward but Lady A appreciates her “strange” way of looking at things & says Anne is a poet! 😍 There is some handholding, thumb rubbing, a look & then a KISS! Wowza! ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii Let‘s discuss: what did you think of this chapter & that kiss? What stood out to you? What do you think will happen next?

BTW: I could only find one picture of regency women kissing -here‘s a link to info about it that I found interesting: https://alpennia.com/blog/kissing-park-bench-regency-england 2y

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suvata I can‘t say I was shocked by the kiss, because I totally expected it. As for what will happen next, I know because I read ahead. 🤓 But, far be it from me to spoil it for everybody else. I will say it‘s quite interesting. 2y

IndoorDame Thank you for sharing that link! Great article! I can‘t say I was shocked by the kiss either, cause the book was obviously headed there, but I kind of was at the same time. Like the drawing you found, Anne & Miss A were somewhere they could be seen & their flirting had always been deliberately subtle… whatever the social norms actually were in the regency era, I think we‘ve been conditioned to think same sex relationships were dangerous and rare 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata Yes, not shocked but a little surprised when/where it happened. I‘m doing my best to not read ahead & do it each day but if I wasn‘t hosting, I would have totally finished it too! 🤣🤣🤣 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Yes—I feel the same! When/where it happened surprised me more than the kids itself. 2y

peanutnine Very interesting article, thanks for sharing! I was pretty sure the kiss was gonna happen soon so I wasn't too surprised 2y

peanutnine On another note, I was tickled to read her description of a 'gregarious' Darcy showing off his son - super cute! And Lizzy's reaction to Anne was very satisfying as well 2y

ravenlee I really enjoyed the discussion of children - what, exactly, is one supposed to do with some random baby thrust into their arms? I read a romance novel in which the MC male shoves a baby at MC female on first meeting, and she refuses it, saying, “No thanks, I‘ve already eaten.” 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Happy Turkey Day or Thursday depending on where you are & what you celebrate! I am thankful for all of you & your contributions to our daily discussions. 🤗

Chapter 24 starts with a shopping trip from hell to find the perfect gift for Baby Darcy. Mrs FW seems a tad obsessed but at least the Miss As are along & Anne gets to hang back & awkwardly flirt with Miss A. It seems that Anne‘s body had ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …some “stirrings” for Miss A‘s touches unlike the ones she gets from Mr. Watters & with her lack of experience, she‘s not sure what to make of it. Finally, getting the refreshments promised, Anne & Miss A discuss children & MaryW‘s views & even delve a bit into Lady C. (Much deeper than Mrs FW & Miss Julia‘s topics over tea & cake). Miss A comes over the next day to improve Anne‘s dancing & they have fun (Watter‘s free!) before tea & the talk ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …turns serious with Anne sharing her childhood stupor & magic drops. Miss A tries to comfort by excusing Lady C‘s actions but Anne isn‘t having it & then tells Miss A about the “people” who visited her at night & Miss A reaches out to stroke her hair & BOOM!!! the door bangs open & a wet & agitated Mrs FW comes in & is surprised to find them sitting in the dark, candles unlit. (Way to bring down the mood!) ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …What did you think of today‘s chapter & Anne‘s feelings for Miss A. & her sharing her past with her? What do you think might have happened if Mrs. FW had not come in? 2y

peanutnine This was such a good chapter! I hated how everyone kept hinting that Anne and Miss A spend too much time together now. Could ladies have no good friends back then?! I'm glad Anne finally trusts someone enough to share her past 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADqy #PemberLittens

Sorry team! I read Chapter 23 last night & picked out some pics but then crashed & had a long workday today. So I‘ll try to keep this one brief too & be better tomorrow because I have 4 days off!

So, I loved this chapter! Our Anne has discovered books & reading in a big way! She finished Waverley & found The Mysteries of Udolpho on Cousin John‘s shelf & chooses to stay home & read rather than⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …attend a dinner with the FWs & Mr. Watters (a girl after my own heart!) The quotes in this chapter were 🤩 too. I love the one about Lady C “her imagination so slender as to be nonexistent. It was little wonder she scorned such books: she had no means to understand them.”🧐🤣 Then there is the book sent over from Miss A. the “rather radical” A Vindication of the Rights of Women by OG feminist Mary Wollstonecraft. Although intimidated by this ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …intellectual work” Anne finds herself entranced & unable to sleep—she wants to steal down to John‘s book room or head to Miss A‘s & see her & talk about it. A reader is born! She even has saved the last bit of Udolpho to savor at the end. At church the next day, Anne contemplates how busy her once dormant mind is & how capable of MORE she is despite what she has always been told. The world is her oyster! ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii What did you think about this chapter? What stood out? Have you read any of the books mentioned? Some day I will finish Udolpho on Serial Reader, I swear it! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Here‘s a link to info on Mary W. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/mary_wollstone... 2y

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SarahBookInterrupted @DebinHawaii thank you for the link about Mary Wollstonecraft. Very interesting and I loved that her daughter wrote Frankenstein. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted I also loved this chapter. A book lover is born. 2y

AllDebooks Loved joining Anne on discovery of books. The best biography I've ever read was

Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft and Her Daughter Mary Shelley

IndoorDame I keep saying I have to read Udolpho! It‘s mentioned in so many of the books I love! I did read and enjoy The Italian, so I don‘t know why I‘m so intimidated by this one? 2y

AllDebooks @IndoorDame me too. I keep forgetting about it 🤭 2y

ravenlee I‘ve intended to read Udolpho for years, and someday I probably will. I read Vindication a million years ago in college, but I need to reread it. I really loved this section (that bit about Lady C was perfect!), with Anne‘s intellectual awakening. 😍 2y

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kspenmoll

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

Anne discovers contentment in the joys of reading. #pemberlittens #chapteraday #readalong

Painting by American Portrait painter & Artist Louise Williams Jackson(1872-1939).

DebinHawaii

Suet624 That‘s lovely. 2y

DebinHawaii Beautiful! 😍 2y

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ravenlee

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

…each time I turned a page in a book and felt the words printed upon it leaving dimples upon my mind, some subtle as a sparrow‘s claw prints, others deep as a horse‘s tracks…

DebinHawaii Such a great quote! 😍 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 22: A little late today (work again) so I‘ll keep it brief (briefer?) 😆 Mrs. Darcy had another healthy son & an witnesses a private exchange between the FWs who seem to not be successful at having one of their own. Then it‘s time to get ready & Anne has a new purple dress (no flounces) & has a sweet moment with Spinner about how how‘s she‘s changed for the better before her maid makes a ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …comment about how Mr. Watters will like it. 🤢 The ball has begun & Anne is sad she doesn‘t see Miss A & even worse, Miss A isn‘t seeing Anne & how good she looks!😔 She makes it through a dance with Watters & then declares she won‘t dance again. Finally she sees Miss A dancing & the two manage some alone time talking before Watters takes Anne into supper. After supper they talk again & Miss A makes some pointed comments about men‘s “tender ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …feelings” & how women decorate themselves for them. There‘s a little handholding & soft thumb brushing & Miss A wishes they could dance together. Oh my! Fan me a bit here! 😅

What did you think about this chapter? The signals Miss A seems to be sending out? Parties: love them or loathe them? 2y

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IndoorDame I so wanted to see them dance together! All that stuff Miss A was saying just made me irritated that we still spend so much time and energy catering to men‘s tastes and “tender feelings”. Really NOT a party person. I expect I would have been quite the wallflower back then. 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame I agree! I wish they could have danced too. And also, so NOT a party person myself! 2y

DebinHawaii And I forgot to mention (but it‘s in the collage) about Mr. Watters getting all close & personal with the questions & comments on her estate. We‘ll just call him Gold Digger now! 😠 2y

suvata This chapter was roller-coaster ride for Anne. When I was younger, I loved a good party. Now, the only get-togethers I do are small family gatherings. 2y

rubyslippersreads Not a party person, unless by party you mean we all sit around, sipping tea and reading books. 😄 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 21: Let‘s Dance! Miss A comes over for the promised dancing lesson but first a fashion consult. She practices frankness & let‘s Anne know that while we‘ll made, her Lady C. selected gowns are not helping her. (Because really, can anyone besides Belle get away with piles of yellow flounces?!🤢) Anne takes the advice & offer of shopping with embarrassed appreciation (& probably internally ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …curses her mother. Anne is NOT a natural at dancing but the ladies have fun learning & get a little close & it‘s all “poise & ease” until Mr. Watters shows up & kills the mood. He offers to partner Anne while Miss A plays but Anne is DONE. That night he partners Anne as they practice with the FWs (the visuals…😳) & Anne finds no pose & ease & only embarrassment. Cousin John pulls Anne aside & asks if she was written to her mother. Anne has not ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii (yellow flouncy dress…) & doesn‘t know what to say to her. CJ asks her to mend the rift for the family as her uncle will invite Lady C to stay once preggers Lizzy gives birth. (Anne forgot the Darcy‘s were even in town.) Anne sits down that night & thinks about her responsibilities—especially having an heir. Anne only got the most mechanical explanation of procreation from Nurse (all “holes” & “special appendages…” Yikes!) 😱⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii … And there is the slippery Mr. W who she should find appealing but doesn‘t. It‘s all so confusing…what‘s our girl to do?

Another interesting chapter! Let‘s discuss! What stood out to you? And dancing, are you all poise & ease, or two left feet?👯 2y

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IndoorDame I‘m terrible at dancing! So glad it‘s no longer a requirement for life! Ugh yellow flounces. I‘m almost surprised they actually work on Belle. Definitely not made for anyone who isn‘t a Disney princess. 2y

peanutnine I hate how conflicted Anne is about her future, it makes me sad. She just needs to learn the business of running her estate and leave marriage alone imo 2y

suvata I agree with @peanutnine. Anne has to get busy learning how to run the estate. I also feel sorry for her because she feels it‘s her responsibility to produce an heir. How did that become the females responsibility? And as for dancing… I have two left feet and no rhythm but when I‘m drinking, I dance like Ginger Rogers (or so I think). 💃 2y

kspenmoll Anne must be so overwhelmed - dancing, the true facts of life, responsibility re heir…Watters is gross, slimy, all that fun of dancing w Miss A is huge letdown. “ holes & special appendages” 😂😱OMG no wonder poor Anne has no idea.. 2y

kspenmoll Dancing- I love it, dance free form- simple couples dancing. I have the honor of being the spec ed student in a dancing workshop I went to for prof development- my colleague who has danced since a preschooler had me stand behind her & modified my steps. I cannot coordinate arms & legs!! 2y

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IndoorDame

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#Bookmail day! I‘m not usually a huge fan of the Austen adaptations, so when I do join in I borrow them from the library, but I‘m absolutely adoring this one! So I ordered my very own new (used) copy for my myself and it‘s here! The public library will be thrilled as the copy I was borrowing is overdue 😂. #pemberlittens

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty cover 🧡 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 20: Well, if we didn‘t think we liked Miss Amherst, we certainly must now as they start their shopping trip at the best place ever…a bookstore! And not just any store but the Temple of the Muses (see link below) the largest & cheapest bookstore in the world (be still my ❤️). This is Anne‘s first bookstore given sermons & the borrowed book of poetry are all she got to read. Miss A gives a ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …book rec (bold move for a new friend!) It‘s Waverley or ‘Tis Sixty Years Since by, Walter Scott (see link ⬇️), a “sensation” liked by both the ladies & gentlemen of her acquaintance. She hands Anne all 3 volumes & they discuss an upcoming ball that the A ladies are actually invited to & Anne isn‘t sure whether they are going—this is the first daily outing she has chosen to go on herself. Miss A hopes she‘ll be there as she won‘t get asked ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii …to dance a shame since she‘s a great dancer. 💃🏻 (Anne likes Miss A‘s self praise much more than Lady C‘s!)🧐 Anne says she doesn‘t attend balls but if she changes her mind, she‘ll join Miss A as a wallflower as she does not know how to dance! Explaining she was “sickly” as a child & dancing too vigorous for her. (I would think her magic drops would have made her marvelous at interpretive dance!)😉 Miss A. offers to teach her & Anne doesn‘t ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …understand why Miss A wants to spend time with her (luckily she does get what Mr Watters is about!) but agrees. They go to buy the books, Miss A shares her weakness for buying bonnets & books & Anne realizes she still has no💰& the reason this bookstore is cheap is it is cash only. Miss A offers to buy them & won‘t let Anne refuse & so Anne says she will buy her a bonnet in return in a place she can open an account-a weakness for a weakness! 🤗⬇️ 2y

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DebinHawaii Let‘s discuss this adorable chapter! So many firsts for our Anne! What stood out to you? Are you a book recommender? Do you give or get book recs from friends? How about acquaintances or strangers?

Links to the bookstore & book: https://world4.eu/bookstore-regency/ & https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waverley_(novel) (edited) 2y

IndoorDame Swooning over this bookstore! Not planning on reading this novel myself, but I can see why it was popular at the time 😆. I‘m revising my opinion on Miss A being just a friend. Dancing is such a romantic activity, and she could easily just have told her she must employ a dancing master and learn asap, not offered to teach Anne herself. 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Yes! The bookstore sounds incredible. 😍 Waverley is on Serial Reader so maybe one day I‘ll get to it! 😉 I agree about the dancing—very romantic… looking forward to seeing where this goes! 2y

Deblovestoread Loved this chapter and Anne beginning to spread her wings. Looking forward to the developing relationship between these two. 2y

suvata I know we all swooned over the bookstore description. That‘s a given, right? But I have to say, I think our little Anne is “coming out“ (in more ways than one). 2y

kspenmoll Such a wonderful chapter! Like others said, so many firsts.Miss A is opening a new world for Anne- books, dancing- pleasure. Also waking up to feelings she does not quite understand in her relationship with Miss A is wonderful to watch unfold. I recommend books in person- Litsy recommendations are high on my list because I read genres I might not have tried. A neighbor & I exchange books & book ideas - especially those from our local library. (edited) 2y

peanutnine Loved this chapter and the bookstore sounds amazing of course! I am enjoying watching Miss A and Anne's friendship bloom and agree that Miss A's interest seems more intimate than just a new friend @suvata you put it perfectly! 😅 2y

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peanutnine

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

Spending the long weekend at a cabin with good friends I've known since high school. Reading, relaxing, and reminiscing 🥰

rockpools How lovely! 😊 2y

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ravenlee

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

My book has been confiscated. #DannyBoy says it‘s time to stop reading for #PemberLittens today.

Clare-Dragonfly 😻 2y

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kspenmoll

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

This post contains spoilers

show me

#bookreport
Finished the top 2 books.
In various stages of reading the 3 books in the bottom row. #pemberlittens #chapteraday #readalong #sundaybuddyread #nonfiction #janeandtheexcellentreadalong

DebinHawaii, TheBookHippie, Crinoline_Laphroaig

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 19: Anne is finally out & about in London escorted by Mr. Watters & one or both of the FWs as chaperones. We start at the Royal Menagerie when Anne is dismayed by the tiger who appears to her to have lost hope in his cage. Anne‘s social meter is draining a bit with all the jaunts & crowds (I feel you, Anne) but lives exploring the city—always searching crowds for a glimpse of Miss Hall. Her tour⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …guide bows over her hand when they get back home & once he & the FWs are off on other pursuits, she peels off her gloves & wipes the offending digit off (my inner 3rd grader couldn‘t help but think of cooties!)😆 Anne is exhausted by the expectations people seem to have of her—rich, landed, unwed (our girl is a catch!) & “in need of caging” like the tiger. The play‘s the thing next, we are off to the theatre & the Amherst Ladies will join in ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …Anne is still fascinated by Miss A & Mr. Watters is eying her newfound “bloom” of good health (so basically “you looked like crap before Miss DB but now you & your money are looking mighty fine!” (Ugh!)🤮The play is Macbeth (how jolly) & Miss A is surprised Anne doesn‘t know Shakespeare & Anne admits she has done little reading outside Fordyce. A (kinda flirty) discussion on dullness & frankness follows & they make plans to go shopping the next⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii day.👩🏻‍🤝‍👩🏼Girl time!

Let‘s discuss: what stood out in today‘s chapter for you and/or Shakespeare, love it or loathe it? Tragedy or comedy? Favorite plays? 2y

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suvata Mr. Watters is stalking Anne. He keeps showing up out of nowhere. As far as Shakespeare goes, I remember I had to read the Merchant of Venice in high school, and pretty much failed miserably. Although some 40 years later, I still remember parts of the soliloquies they had us memorize. Now, I‘ve read many more of his plays, but I have to count on the “No Fear Shakespeare” editions to get me through. I am rather partial to the tragedies. 🎭 2y

ravenlee Mr. Watters is a creep. He‘s only interested in Anne because she‘s easy prey and he was reminded of her “connections.” 🤨 I‘m working on Shakespeare bit by bit. This year I read A Midsummer Night‘s Dream and King Lear (and am now reading The Year of Lear, which is pretty interesting). I feel like I should have studied it more in school, but I read some in HS, none in undergrad (for a BA in English!), and one for my MA. 2y

kspenmoll Mr. W is a total slimy creep as @suvata @ravenlee said! His eyes are $ signs . As to Shakespeare I have read Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Hamlet, Julius Caesar, Much Ado about Nothing. Some of the plays I co- taught with English teachers. 2y

peanutnine I am disliking Mr Watters but I love the banter with Miss A! Seems super flirty to me! As for Shakespeare, I love his plays esp comedies. I was part of a Shakespeare theatre group in college so have many great memories of certain plays in particular 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

So sorry group! Worst host EVER!🤦🏻‍♀️It‘s 7 PM here. Spent the ENTIRE day at the mall with a barely charged phone that I needed because my car wouldn‘t start at Costco yesterday. Much time & $ for a new starter later, here we are. Let‘s talk Chapter 18 & once fed/recovered I‘ll try & get up the next chapter soon.

So Anne has avoided going out, but Mrs. FW‘s friends the Amherst ladies arrive ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …& Anne sees a side of her cousin‘s wife she hasn‘t yet… warm, happy friend. Soon the 3 are chattering away & Anne has no idea how to join in (maybe she should talk about 🧀?)😉Gingers, Miss Julia is tall & slim & Miss Amherst shorter & fuller with blunt irregular features & apparently a great hat! Miss A broaches conversation about her time in London & her illness is an the excuse for not having gone out, as well as her faux pas of not standing⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …to greet the visitors. Lady c. didn‘t see the need!🧐 Miss A tells Anne she hopes she will return the visit & Anne counters with telling her she has something in her teeth.🤦🏻‍♀️ Rather than take it as rude, Miss A laughs loudly in a way Lady C would not be amused with & thanks her. The visit is returned. Anne feels awkward she has no money readily available to go shopping at Miss A‘s invite & tells her as much with some verbal diarrhea that ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii …that makes Miss A laugh. Has Anne found a friend? Even Mrs. FW seems to be lightening up a bit, teasing Anne about her brother showing Anne about.

What did you think of this chapters & the Misses Amherst? Will Miss A. be a friend? Something more? And/or discuss your feelings/experiences making friends as an adult…do you feel awkward like Anne or does it come easy for you? (edited) 2y

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suvata First of all, I have to tell you that your collage was hilarious today. I seriously laughed right out loud — almost spit out my Pepsi (in a way Lady C would not approve). I feel that the older I get, the harder it is to make new friends. I think it‘s because I don‘t go to many events that would enable me to meet new people. I‘ve become quite the homebody in my old age. (edited) 2y

AllDebooks @DebinHawaii sorry you've had a tough day and no, not having worst host ever comment. You've been amazing, entertaining and thorough. I look forward to seeing your posts, so thank you. This chapter was cringeworthy, poor Anne!!! Total lack of life and social experiences make for an awkward footing on the social ladder. 2y

AllDebooks @suvata with you 💯 on the friends comment. I hibernate to avoid people, social anxiety worsened by pandemic lockdowns. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted @AllDebooks @DebinHawaii I completely agree. Not the worst host ever. Your posts are hilarious and I love all the questions to us. You are far from the worst host. Also, thank you for hosting. I‘m sure it isn‘t easy. I‘m sorry about your hard day. I‘m sure everyone in this group isn‘t expecting that our hosts don‘t have anything else in their lives going on. So, take care of you. I‘m sure we‘re all fine and accepting. (edited) 2y

IndoorDame @suvata @AllDebooks I‘m exactly the same! But I think Anne has made a friend. Proud of her! 2y

IndoorDame @DebinHawaii @AllDebooks @SarahBookInterrupted You‘re a wonderful host! I‘m really loving your collages and your questions, but everyone has outside lives. Of course they‘re going to interfere occasionally. 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata Yay! I sometimes think I find odd & random things humorous so I appreciate it! 😆 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata @AllDebooks @IndoorDame Same! My social meter runs so low these days that meeting people is not a priority. I‘d rather be home! 2y

DebinHawaii @AllDebooks @SarahBookInterrupted @IndoorDame Thank you all! I am having fun hosting but life & adulting sometimes get in the way & my time zone doesn‘t help. I appreciate your kind words! 🤗😘 2y

ravenlee I am in awe of your hosting abilities - I can‘t even read the chapter every day, so I admire all you do! I‘m impressed by the way Anne is so awkward and uncertain but she still gets through it, improving bit by bit. It would be so understandable if she just wanted to be a recluse for the rest of her life. 2y

ravenlee I can make small talk and do moderately social things pretty easily, but I find real friendships extremely difficult. I‘ve been losing touch with the friends I though would be in my life forever without understanding what happened, and unable to forge new relationships to replace them. It‘s very lonely. I‘m at the life stage when more of my contacts are “Lenora‘s mom” than not. 2y

peanutnine Making friends as an adult is so difficult! There are no structured events to bond you like in school 2y

julieclair The cynical side of me thinks that Miss A wants to take Anne shopping to keep her from going out with Mr. Watters. I think Miss A is interested in Mr W herself. And, I think that Mrs. FW is encouraging Anne to go out with Mr. W, because she‘d love for her brother to marry the owner of Rosings Park. 2y

julieclair @ravenlee I had the same thing happen… kind of lost touch with some good friends for no specific reason. But distance apart due to various moves (theirs or mine) and different life stages (married or not, kids or not) just seemed to lead towards a gradual drifting apart. As a result, I have only a few real, true forever friends, but a good number of people with whom I am friendly. 2y

43 likes18 comments

suvata

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

pick

“A gorgeously written historical novel based on Pride and Prejudice.” “An extraordinary tale of one woman‘s liberation, The Heiress reveals both the darkness and light in Austen‘s world, with wit, sensuality, and a deeply compassionate understanding of the human heart.”

This was supposed to be a chapter-a-day read, but once I really got into it, I had to finish it. I have no self-control. I will still take part in the daily #PemberLittens Q&A.

IndoorDame I‘m having trouble putting this one down at the end of each chapter too! 2y

suvata @IndoorDame I totally understand. I usually don‘t do the group reads because I always end up reading ahead. Like I said, I have no self-control. 2y

kspenmoll I know how you feel. I started to go ahead then put it away cause I want to finish!!‘ 2y

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IndoorDame @suvata I generally enjoy the group pace for the classics, but I don‘t often join in for the modern adaptations 2y

kspenmoll love your review. 2y

BarkingMadRead I almost never make it to the end with the group lol I always end up binge reading the end of the book! 2y

suvata @BarkingMadRead Then, I‘m in good company. 2y

47 likes7 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 17: We‘ll call this one “All the Cheese & All the Feels!” Spring is springing & so is Anne. Off her “magic drops” she is a hungry Anne & a cheese fiend! 🧀 🎉 She also is feeling things in her body that she hasn‘t or rarely has felt before. “Going” regularly without struggle & a “purgative” 😱 (Kind of a wonder with all that cheese, but literally “ you GO girl!!! 😆 Everything feels ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …exaggerated, especially her first “big” period accident she has in bed in her cousin‘s house.😱(Haven‘t most of us been there/done that in some way?!) I was proud of Anne for feeling the joy in her body working properly & not the embarrassment I once felt at a friend‘s house…😳 🫣 With that arrive some major cramps (can also relate) & kudos to Anne for not taking up Spinner‘s nervous mention of laudanum for her “turns.”🎉⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii Anne feels the entire world is suddenly available when she gathers enough courage to face it!

…Let‘s discuss: What did you think of this chapter? Can you relate to Anne‘s experiences? Greeley is very vivid & earthy with her descriptions—how do you think Jane Austen would feel about that (or am I the only one that wonders?) 🤔 Or we could just talk about 🧀 ! (I‘m a fan-triple creme Brie especially!) (edited) 2y

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IndoorDame I found myself wondering with this chapter if a lifetime on drops has permanently altered the way she looks at the world. Some of the descriptions of spring felt almost drugged out too, just with added intensity and concentration. (Also a Brie lover!) 2y

suvata Big Feta fan here but in all honesty, there aren‘t many cheese I don‘t like (Limburger is the only one I can think of right now). I feel for Anne because I‘ve had some menstrual mishaps in my life. They were quite embarrassing. Still, it‘s good to see that Anne‘s body is starting to work the way it should. 2y

DanaManiac @IndoorDame That‘s a really good point- it did come off a bit trippy! Also, I love almost all cheese- I tolerate blue cheese. 2y

kspenmoll I love most cheese except goat. It made me sad to think about all she has missed in her body, how disconnected she was from herself,all those drugged up years. Funny coincidence- had a student come to me yesterday for a pass to the nurse cause she bled through… universal female experience I suspect. So Deb, loved the period joke! 2y

Deblovestoread I have never met a cheese I didn‘t like. 😊 I think Greeley is doing a good job describing Anne‘s awakening. So glad to be 63 and not have to deal with all the period crap. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted I love cheese too. I like all, but lean towards hard cheeses more. Like Parmesan, Gouda, Gruyère, a very old cheddar. But Feta cheese, Brie, a blue crumble also delicious. Yum..cheese. I also couldn‘t eat dairy until my lactose intolerance disappeared after becoming pregnant with my first child so I think I‘m making up for lost time. I also loved how happy Anne was about her period. They aren‘t depicted as an exciting thing very often. (edited) 2y

julieclair Ditto to everything @Deblovestoread said. Except change the 63 to 65. 😉 2y

ravenlee I‘m a big cheese fan, though I have to fight my daughter for it (“cheese is my favorite food!”). I avoid blue cheeses because my mom is very allergic to penicillin and I occasionally react to the mold. Love bütterkäse. I feel strong sympathy for Anne in her period pain. I‘ve been on birth control most of my life to manage irregular heavy cycles. I worry about my kiddo with that legacy. 2y

48 likes11 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 16: Apologies for a quick & later post today. Work is insane but I should be more timely after today as I took some PTO.🎉 But I digress. Let‘s discuss Anne finally being ravenous & getting to eat “real” food-butter, gravy, desserts…it wasn‘t enough to drug her senseless, Lady C & Mrs. J also controlled her diet making it free from heavy sauces & anything too “stimulating” (so anything ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …enjoyable with flavor).🤬 Anne is feeling unsettled & annoyed that Mr. Watters didn‘t remember her from his visit to RP when John & his sis got engaged. He ignored her for Lady C then but now he is putting on a bit of a press for the Mistress of RP. (Don‘t trust him, Anne!) And let‘s talk sleep-Anne struggles without her magic drops & all the thoughts & memories in her head. There are none of her creepy “visitors”-it made me think of the demons⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …quote I have on a fridge magnet & the pic I found on Pinterest for the collage.🤷🏻‍♀️The next day Mrs. FW asks Anne if she wants to go pay calls & meet society, but Anne is not nearly ready for peopling. She‘d like to explore London but has some pretty unsettling visions about death lurking everywhere & her father‘s fall from his horse. She wonders whether it might be better to be held back or “crippled” by medicine rather than her own fear. ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii … Let‘s discuss: What did you think of this chapter? What stood out? Do you/have you let fear hold you back from doing something you wanted to do? 2y

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suvata I don‘t think I would have the same reaction to “pigeon pie”. But, hey, when you‘re craving greasy/buttery food, it‘s just the ticket! Her restlessness and vivid dreams are probably a leftover from addiction. 2y

SamAnne She needs a big plate of poutine and the needs to hit the town. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted I‘m so glad Anne has discovered butter. Yum. And sorry for her fears. But every heroine has them at the start of a big journey. She can do it! She took on Lady C after all. Now the world or at least London. (edited) 2y

julieclair I feel so sorry for Anne. She seems frustrated by her own fear. I hope she finds a way to overcome it. I wish Miss Hall would show up to help her! 2y

peanutnine I can understand her fear of the city that killed her father especially since she has been so sheltered all her life! I think she will overcome it over time but being without her drops is still so new @julieclair I so hope she finds Miss Hall!! 2y

42 likes9 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 15: Oh my! What a chapter! Of course, that awkward dinner deserves the most conversation but I have to say how much I adore Cousin John & his support & ownership of guilt & regret of “the family” not doing more to rescue Anne. But let‘s get to the good stuff. Of course Lady C. sweeps in during dinner, the first course half-eaten & Mrs. Jenkinson scuttling in behind her. The atmosphere is ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii … tense & (kind of delightfully) awkward. If only Lady C. had brought Mr. Collins of the movies to wax poetic over boiled potatoes, but unfortunately it‘s just soup & cold at that! (What do you expect Lady C. when you disturb dinner mid course?!)🧐 Lady C. immediately lets her displeasure be known-with Ann, Cousin John, his wife (who immediately cries “not it!”) & decrees that Anne will return home with her immediately & bans the FWs from the ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii …Easter visit (big loss there) 🙄 John is ready to speak for Anne but she girds her loins & refuses! 🎉👑🎉 In a power position no less!🌳 And she refuses Mrs.J to stay as well! I‘m so proud of our girl! And OK, kind of liking Mr. Watters for his cheeky ordering more🍷for Anne & everyone & toasting her “bit of a triumph!”🤣

What did you think of this chapter? Discuss what stood out and/or do you have any awkward dinners that rival this one? 2y

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IndoorDame This chapter was epic! So proud of Anne! And definitely loving cousin John and Mr. Watters. Luckily I can‘t think of any personal dinner party experience that rivals this. Totally enjoyed being a spectator here, but I‘m guessing it‘d loose its charm FAST if one was actually in the room. 2y

janeycanuck I think we are maybe starting to see that Apple Anne hasn‘t fallen nearly as far from the Lady Catherine tree as everyone assumes! Good for her! 2y

janeycanuck @IndoorDame Agreed! Happy for other people to experience this drama but I would not want to experience it myself!! 2y

SamAnne Like I always say, thank God for wine. 2y

wanderinglynn I love the Collins meme. I totally think that! 😆😆😆 2y

suvata Well, that was some kind of dinner party. Two favorite line in this chapter: (1) John chuckled "Anne, I was in a war even Lady Catherine holds no terrors for me, fierce though she is.” (2) "Your uncle," she said, "will hear of this, as I said. I will return to Rosings Park in the morning and await your return to sanity." (edited) 2y

julieclair #boiledpotatoes !!! You have outdone yourself summarizing this chapter... I am cracking up! 🤣👍 But seriously, I am SO proud of our Anne! 2y

kspenmoll @suvata Those were great quotes & moments! Great chapter, so much fun to read especially cause Anne is coming into her own with John‘s love & support. 2y

kspenmoll @DebinHawaii Lady C got her comeuppance finally! Let‘s see what happens when she reappears 2y

mollyrotondo Loved this chapter! I was so worried that Anne was going to cave but she stood her ground and did not let her mother bully her. So amazing! I think Lady C is really shining as the villain in this book 🙄 but loving John and Watters. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted I was so proud of Anne! My late grandfather was a Lady C type person. So basically any dinner involving him was awkward. Especially if someone contradicted him. 🫤 2y

45 likes14 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 14: Another powerful little chapter as we find out that Anne POURED OUT HER MAGIC DROPS into a flower bed right after Lady C‘s carriage left!😱 Up in her room at Cousin John‘s, she feels the withdrawal begin. John gets a doctor against Ann‘s wishes according to Spinner & thankfully he seems a good one & a few days later Anne is awake & thinking about “the full greatness and horror” of ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …what she did, her guilt at leaving Rosings Park & how long it would take before Lady C. gets there (lucky her, she learns she was out of it when she did & Spinner could only hear the tone of her wrath!) 🧐🫣 Anne is weak & dizzy, full of anxiety & wants her drops. She asks Spinner about Laudanum & is told none is in the house & reminds herself “I chose this.” She also discovers for the first time in a long time that she‘s hungry… ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii What did you think about this chapter? Do you think the fact that Anne chose this new path will help her get through it? 2y

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IndoorDame I think it will help her. This is essentially the first self determined choice she‘s ever made and that likely gives it extra weight in her mind. Plus it makes it likely that this is something she‘s been thinking about and wanting for a long time even if we‘ve only gotten hints to that effect before now. 2y

Deblovestoread Yes! She made a choice to have a different life and hopefully the people around her will support her…I‘m looking at you Lady C. 2y

ravenlee I wanted to stand up and cheer for her! It took her almost thirty years, but she finally did something on her own. I think Miss Hall would be happy and proud. 2y

suvata She is determined to get off the laudanum. That‘s for sure. But, I sure hope it works for her because we‘ve all heard stories of people going back to the drugs. She is extremely strong willed if she can do it, she has to stand up to her mother. I believe that she is mentally stronger than everyone thinks. She can do this! #TeamAnne 2y

janeycanuck Showing up at John‘s unannounced intending to detox was a dick move. I will give Anne the benefit of the doubt that Lady Catherine isn‘t often gone and she had to seize her opportunity. But she should have told him she wanted off the laudanum and that she would turn up one day for help. But I‘m excited to see where this goes. Greeley is such a vivid writer! 2y

peanutnine Yes, making the choice herself to stop her drops will hopefully help her in her path forward. As someone who has watched loved ones struggle with addiction, I'm very aware of the fact that nothing can change unless they make the decision themselves. But it's still going to be a struggle for her and I'm glad she has John to support her in her future! 2y

mollyrotondo Loved this chapter! She is detoxing, she didn‘t cave, the doctor is intelligent and did what was best for the patient, and her cousin listened to this smart doctor. And that last mine when Anne actually felt hungry for the first time is so long I actually choked up. So proud of her! 2y

julieclair I am so proud of her! And I think the fact that she chose this is the only reason she will get through it. As @peanutnine says, if the addict doesn‘t want to change, nothing will happen. I‘m really thankful John consulted a smart doctor, who honored Anne‘s desire to detox. 2y

julieclair I do think it was interesting that she feels guilty about leaving Rosings Park, but not about foisting herself upon John and his wife in this condition. John‘s wife wasn‘t happy before, but I can only imagine how annoyed she is now! 2y

36 likes12 comments

IndoorDame

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

…when you spill tea and feel horribly guilty because you‘re reading a library book, but then the book is so filled with foggy meandering thoughts that you get lost in the quiet patterns of the stain and it all seems rather apt…

#pemberlittens

mrsmarch It looks like a woman, facing right, putting something in a cupboard. 2y

IndoorDame @mrsmarch it really does! it‘s uncanny. I used to adore finding pictures in clouds and the like when I was younger. I wish my powers of association were still as free. 2y

tpixie ❤️❤️❤️ 2y

tpixie @mrsmarch oh wow yes! @IndoorDame 2y

49 likes4 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 13: Anne‘s in (very rainy) London with all it‘s sounds & smells!! I can‘t believe Lady C. brought her…oh, wait…she didn‘t! Anne hightailed it out of Rosings Park within a couple hours of Lady C‘s departure to visit her brother. You go girl! The only place she could think to go was to CousinJohn who said she was welcome any time she wished. Unfortunately his wife didn‘t get the memo & is ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …less than impressed to find her odd cousin-in-law & her maid on the doorstep. OK, even though I greatly dislike Mrs. FW, my introvert side also greatly dislikes unannounced visitors to my home, so I can see her point. But anyway, Anne outranks her socially & is her husband‘s cousin, so not much she can do but show her to a room to rest before dinner. Anne is nervous but excited about the possibilities that await. ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii Let‘s discus: what do you think of Anne‘s decision? There‘s no Mrs. Jenkinson, just Spinner, do you think the “magic drops” made the trip? If not, Anne & her hosts may be in for quite an experience as she detoxes.😱 And how do you feel about uninvited houseguests? 😉 2y

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IndoorDame I‘m super excited Anne decided to do something spontaneous and live a little! But I totally agree about uninvited houseguests. I would NOT react well if someone dropped in on me expecting to stay longer than a cup of tea. 2y

Deblovestoread Same @IndoorDame Hope this is the first step towards getting rid of the drops and grabbing the reins for her future. 2y

SamAnne Having had a drug-addled family member show up on my door unannounced, it's not fun! 😁 😳 But gosh, I hope she uses this opportunity to get off the dope! 2y

peanutnine The absence of Jenkinson makes me think maybe she didn't bring her drops, which would be good but also a little crazy to put the burden of her detox on her cousin. He is the most likely person to help her through it but it's a bit unfair to him and his wife. But we will see... 2y

janeycanuck I think she left the drops at home, too. Which makes the unannounced visit even worse. I‘m hoping she makes a call on Miss Hall and she invites Anne to stay with her while she detoxes. It was hard to stop with just this little chapter today - I am really interested in where this is going. 2y

AllDebooks Decisive but erratic move on Anne's part. Distuptive and burdensome for the FW's, but Anne gripped in carpes deum frenzied moment doesn't see that. Ha, I'm with @IndoorDame tea and 👋 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Exactly! Rooting for Anne but glad it‘s not my house! 😆 2y

DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread Me too! 2y

DebinHawaii @SamAnne Oh no! It sounds a little too relatable for you! 😱 2y

DebinHawaii @peanutnine Yes we will! 2y

DebinHawaii @janeycanuck It was SO HARD to stop with this one! 🫣 2y

DebinHawaii @AllDebooks Yep! 😆 2y

suvata I agree with all of you on this. I wouldn‘t take kindly to an uninvited house guest. I get it that she wants to detox and has nowhere else to go. But, yikes, what an imposition on the Fitzwilliam household. I don‘t think she brought her drops. 2y

julieclair I‘m wondering if Anne even has a clue what she‘s in for, trying to detox after a lifetime addiction? Even though Miss Hall told her what her brother went through, I doubt she truly realizes what is ahead of her. And if Mrs. Fitzwilliam is unhappy about having Anne there now, just wait until the next couple of days play out. Yikes! 2y

mollyrotondo I also have conflicting feelings about this. On the one hand I‘m so proud of Anne. But on the other it‘s like you just set your cousin up to take care of you while you detox without notice lol she should have at least told John what her goal was in coming 😂 but she‘s a woman so who knows if anyone would have believed her before seeing it for themselves. 2y

44 likes18 comments

DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 12: Oh my, what a chapter! “It was the letter that truly changed everything.” Anne wakes early & heads for her old school room after 9 YEARS & finds the hatbox mailbox & there‘s a letter inside! Miss Hall reminds her of her fortunate position; she has land & status & therefore can retain control of her life. Miss Hall shares her regret at not doing more to help push Anne with her health ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …& education & shares that her brother wrote her & he is well & free from “laudanum‘s curse” She urges Anne to take control & get off the drugs & she remains her “most affectionate friend, Alice Hall” OMG!😱There‘s a bit more to unpack as longtime neighbors come to tea & Lady C is in her usual fine form, she will travel tomorrow to visit the Earl & of course has ordered only clear weather for her winter journey. Anne isn‘t listening until Lady C⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …begins lecturing the couple on listening to the doctor about giving their fussy grandchild the drugs…”a little laudanum never hurt anyone…” They avoid looking at Anne (awkward, much?!) & Mr. Clifton wonders about the free-giving & abuse of such cures. He gets the paper & read of a mother who killed her child by giving him too much for a bellyache. Lady C. doesn‘t read the newspapers-no one needs downer news! She chalks it up to the ignorance of⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii of the “poor” & points out the “miracles” the doctor has worked with Anne. 🙄 Again. awkward as they all stare at her…🫣 She keeps thinking of the dead boy & regrets taking her drops that night & has a very creepy detailed hallucination of him in her bed! Yikes! What did you think of this chapter?

Discuss what stood out to you and/or the ? above : 9 years to find the letter… is Anne only ready for a change now? What if she had found it earlier? (edited) 2y

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Deblovestoread Hoping it proves to be the impetus for her taking over the reins of her own life. She has a grueling road ahead of her if she chooses to find out who she is without the laudanum, which I hope she does because I‘m not sure I can handle more of this Anne. 2y

SamAnne I‘m getting sucked into this novel. But I don‘t buy that it would take her 9 years to find the letter! Was half of England high on opioids during the is time period? 2y

eeclayton I agree with @SamAnne that 9 years sounds like too much time. I was also wondering how old Anne is at this point (30ish?) and whether Lady C. should have prepared her to take care of her property now that she's not getting married to her cousin. Or anyone else, it would seem. 2y

peanutnine @eeclayton I think it's more likely that Lady C is pompously under the impression that she'll just take care of Rosings forever 🙄 2y

peanutnine Nine years seems like a long time but I don't think the letter would have affected Anne as much if she had found it earlier. Only now that she's beginning to see other people's lives change and what she's missing out on 2y

kspenmoll @peanutnine I agree- Lady C assumed she would be in charge of Roslings forever & rather limed the fact that her daughter was too drugged to do anything. 2y

kspenmoll I think Anne needed to be “mature”enough to take the letter to heart. To her with her drug induced existence & no real awareness of time, the 9 years did not matter to her. 2y

janeycanuck I love how Lady Catherine is all “drug your kid, it‘ll be fine. Look at my daughter” as Anne sits and marvels over the fact that she has hands (or was the hand thing is the last chapter - I read them together today…) 2y

ravenlee I agree that Anne wasn‘t ready until everyone around her started changing. The only ones who aren‘t changing are Anne herself and her wretched mother - who seems to mean to die. But maybe, now, Anne can manage something for once. 2y

ravenlee @janeycanuck exactly! Lady C thinks she‘s “created” the perfect daughter, who was no trouble at all for most of her life and certainly doesn‘t have OPINIONS now. What could possibly be better? And everybody around them is just looking askance, trying not to say anything. 2y

suvata I think Miss Hall‘s letter got her thinking and the news of the boy dying after being treated with laudanum for a stomach ache pushed her over the edge. Thank goodness. It was that anonymous boy who appeared to her during her withdrawal hallucinations. 2y

julieclair I keep waiting for this story to take a happier turn. It‘s been pretty depressing so far. Maybe things will start getting better now that Anne has found Miss Hall‘s letter. 🤞 2y

DanaManiac Ooof that whole awkward scene highlighting how unaware Lady C is! Anne‘s hallucinations make the book feel like a fantasy/paranormal book at times. 2y

DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread Yes, I *need* her to get recovering too! 2y

DebinHawaii @SamAnne @eeclayton It seems like a long time & I would have thought she would have at least visited the room before, or that Lady C. would have had it thoroughly cleaned by now. 😆 2y

DebinHawaii @peanutnine Great point—she had to see what she‘s missing & get the push. 2y

DebinHawaii @janeycanuck Yeah, I think she showed the neighbors how well she could lift a teacup or something. Her hallucinations & drugged deep nature & body thoughts are hard to keep straight by chapter! 😳😆 2y

mollyrotondo The scene with the neighbors 😬 they were like oh sure your daughter is reeeaaal normal 😢 it was sad. But I am also confused by the time jumps lol 9 years is a long time. But sometimes it takes us a while to know when it‘s time to make a change. Just glad Anne is finally coming to terms with the fact she‘s addicted to laudanum and she needs to help herself. 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 11 starts out with “The next few years blur messily together in my mind.” In that spirit, I‘m blending messily a pic of my office lunch (& dinner tonight) of Tonkotsu Ramen Combo with the calm & boring toast Mrs. Jenkinson urges Anne to eat great quantities of at breakfast. It‘s no surprise Anne misses Miss Hall more than Sir Lewis & she finds Mrs. J very boring (the “five-and-forty forever” ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …comment made me giggle). Lady C loves her of course!🧐We meet Mr. Collins & find out Lady C‘s outrage when a letter arrives about Darcy being engaged to Lizzy!😱Anne takes the news of her “altered prospects with detached curiosity” then fear & giddiness teeter as the certainty of her life plan is removed & impending responsibility for the estate loom but so does the feeling of escape. So her “magic drops” are her solace… I found Anne‘s ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii perspective of Lizzy & Lizzy‘s reaction to her so interesting since from P&P we know Lizzy‘s thoughts that Darcy deserved a frail wife he didn‘t love, which seems so unkind to Anne. Life at RP stays the same as others change, Darcy & Lizzy welcome a son which gets Lady C. over her ire at last & Anne wonders what she is envying… Cousin John brings his intended & her brother, both of whom are not nice to Anne & ignore her. John is his usual nice⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii … self & offers her an invite to come stay in dirty, hot London or the country…Will Anne take him up on it?
Discuss your thoughts on this chapter and what stood out and/or the discussion question above! 2y

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IndoorDame I don‘t know if it‘s alternating my opinion of the P&P characters, but it‘s definitely making me curious enough about them to want to reread it after we finish this. 2y

mollyrotondo It is making me think of the P&P characters differently through the eyes of someone viewed as less outspoken and strong willed as Lizzy. For as much as I love Lizzy that doesn‘t mean Anne is less worthy or should be looked down upon. Anne needs help and needs to be taken away from her mother. John at least seems to want to assist. 2y

julieclair @IndoorDame I agree about wanting to read P&P again after this. I‘m going to vote for it for our #PemberLittens next round of “Austen Wrote”. I am actually liking Cousin John better than I do Darcy in this book. Mr. Collins is as annoying as I remember, though. 🙂 2y

SarahBookInterrupted Thank goodness for John. And Elizabeth‘s desire to slight Darcy wasn‘t kind to Anne and I didn‘t consider her feelings in P&P but now I do. Anne isn‘t Lady C and I think I allowed the comment then because of my dislike for Lady C‘s character. 2y

peanutnine I think this chapter just solidified John as the sweetest man. Even in P&P he was always a favorite character of mine. So much affection for his family 2y

janeycanuck @mollyrotondo Greeley is really taking this is a different direction than Austen, though. Lizzie‘s comments aren‘t great even if Anne is just sickly but if we had a clearly drugged Anne in P&P, they would have vaulted so far over the insensitive line, we wouldn‘t even see the line anymore. 2y

janeycanuck @DebinHawaii I think my main takeaway is that you had much better meals than me yesterday! 2y

ravenlee @peanutnine me too! I‘ve always liked John, though we see so little of him, and there was always that inkling of “why not him for Anne?” Which, of course, Lady Catherine would NEVER tolerate - a second son for her daughter?! 2y

suvata I am anxious to read P&P again after this. I can‘t actually say that I changed my opinion on some of these characters but some of them are more clearly defined. So far, the only character that has disappointed me has been Lizzy and her reaction to Anne. Mr. Collins is still a weasel. 🐀 2y

DanaManiac I like John even more now. I think that while this paints Lizzie in a bad light, it feels realistic. She was very smart, but also judgmental and frustrated throughout so much of P&P. She might have seen insulting Anne as a way to slight Darcy and Lady C. I never saw her as handling everything perfectly. She also insulted Charlotte Lucas quite a bit In P&P 😆 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

So sorry for the late post—the whole work kicking my butt is still happening.I‘ll try to get the next chapter up earlier, but WOW, Chapter 10 was interesting!

Anne‘s to weak & fragile for reading herself so Miss Hall reads from Fordyce‘s Sermons. Fordyce is an “interesting guy” see article link below. Zane‘s failure to control her reactions (maybe a snort-laugh?) gets her called out by Lady C. ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …for being “overwrought” & “hysterical” which of course gets her…MORE DROPS! Yikes! Anne & Miss Hall are in the garden, the later sewing while Anne contemplates a fly, nature, a house that reaches out to her & her worries that she can‘t run the estate she has come to love. Miss Hall tells Anne she is leaving to help her sister in London & gives some parting wisdom, that Anne is more than she is “stunned” by her drops & she has a responsibility ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii …responsibility to Rosings Park, whether she marries Darcy or not. Anne wants to stop her from walking away to give her notice,
so she brings up Darcy‘s “doll” comment & now it‘s kind of pissing her off. All young women including Georgiana are adorned to attract men & just their state of health sets them apart. Miss Hall tells her she is “no doll.” I found this & Anne‘s reply that it‘s why she wanted to marry Miss Hall instead & Miss Hall‘s ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii reaction so interesting. Your thoughts? Is this enough for Anne to make changes? Discuss this & anything else that stood out to you.
And check out this Fordyce article link:
https://www.interstellarteahouse.com/2016/04/27/the-kids-these-days-and-the-nove... 2y

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AllDebooks I found this chapter more intriguing as Anne starts to notice more, thanks to Miss Hall's honesty. Hope she's ready to smash those stupid drops ßoon and actually start living 2y

IndoorDame I‘m definitely intrigued that marriage to Miss Hall is brought up again. I can‘t decide if it‘s just the natural reaction to the only person in her life who actually sees her combined with the way her drops make her mind flit about, or if there‘s some deeper desire here bubbling up through the haze of the laudanum. 2y

julieclair This was quite an interesting chapter! I thought the “fly observation “ section was exceedingly well written. As I read it, it felt like I was actually under the influence of laudanum. (Ugh.) I do hope Anne takes Miss Hall‘s warning/advice to heart, but it‘s hard for me to see how she will be able to do so, constantly drugged as she is. 2y

suvata @IndoorDame It is interesting that it was brought up again. I think your theory is correct. 2y

suvata The “doll” comment really hit a nerve with Anne. But, will it be enough to make her realize what is really going on? 2y

IndoorDame @julieclair same! She writes those hazy rambles so well! 2y

mollyrotondo Anne is right. Every woman is made to act as a doll in order to please and attract men so Darcy should call his own sister that. Georgiana we know is an accomplished musician which is yet another women are made to attract men. I also found it interesting that when she laughs at the Sermons readings her mother gives her more drops because she‘s “hysterical” but it almost seemed like a punishment. More evidence her mother is purposely doing this. 2y

julieclair @mollyrotondo I agree. Her mother is keeping her drugged on purpose. I just can‘t figure out why. What does she have to gain? 2y

janeycanuck @julieclair @mollyrotondo I assume it‘s to keep her under her thumb. I think Lady Catherine knows that she‘s not the most palatable person and she fears losing Anne so she keeps her as docile as possible. I assume she expected Darcy to move to Rosings Park if he & Anne married? 2y

janeycanuck Anne is high as a kite, isn‘t she? Greeley is doing such a nice job writing it and making it more and more clear each time we get one of these little passages. 2y

julieclair @janeycanuck Interesting thought about Lady Catherine wanting to keep Anne around as company for herself. I hadn‘t thought of that angle. 2y

DanaManiac Ah, I feel you on the week getting away from you! I felt like Darcy‘s comment had more to do with her being physically present but never engaging with anyone. But now, she has a reason as to why she‘s so separated from her cousins and the rest of her family. I wonder if she‘s so alienated that the thought of marrying Ms Hall is all she can think of because she has no concept of close lifelong friendship?? Poor Anne. 2y

ravenlee @janeycanuck @julieclair @mollyrotondo Lady C really does whip out the drugs for every little thing, doesn‘t she? If she wants to keep Anne around, she also wants her to be controllable - her own little puppet. Lady C needs to be in charge of everyone and everything around her, and would probably like it best if she were able to dictate everything to everyone, everywhere. She‘s vile. 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Sorry everyone. I read Chapter 9 last night but fell asleep before I could post. Work be kicking my butt this week. 🤦🏻‍♀️

So Anne is now 20, Sir Lewis dies (we find out it was a fall from his horse in London) & Lady C. doesn‘t seem all that broken up about it.🧐 But Anne‘s pretty normal reaction gets her MORE MAGIC DROPS from the doctor.😡 Apparently she gets night “visitors” with the drops & ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …some are creepy! 😱 Anne feels sorry that no one will likely ask Miss Hall to marry, so she offhandedly says she would marry her which Miss Hall seems affronted at. Not sure what that was about but I was half-asleep reading so maybe I missed some nuance there… Thoughts? The Darcy & Fitzwilliam clans come for their scheduled visit & Lady C pushes the matchmaking for the betrothed couple & neither are very excited. Anne finds Darcy too hairy ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii …(if she has to marry anyone she‘d rather it was Cousin John) & he doesn‘t know how to “converse with a doll” (Anne is challenged with small talk & mostly plays sleep when people seem like they are going to talk to her/about her) but we know Darcy struggles to converse with most people so…. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyway, lots to unpack so let‘s just discuss whatever you found most interesting, shall we? (edited) 2y

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SamAnne @DebinHawaii oh, you‘ve outdone yourself in this photo collage! The action is starting to happen! Is this going to turn into a sapphic love story? What WAS going on there? Yeah, the Anne/Darcy match is D.O.A. 2y

AllDebooks The cat, lol. Can someone tell me why no-one has ever intervened in the drugging of Anne for 20 years!!!! This is not normal even for those crazy ass opium-sipping days 😱 2y

suvata …. and now she‘s having vivid hallucinations. Please, someone help this poor girl before it‘s too late. Maybe it already is too late. 😱 2y

kspenmoll @suvata Her hallucinations are so wild, strangling, terrifying yet comforting to her- like friends. (edited) 2y

kspenmoll OMG THAT CAT!!!!😂 And that CREEPY DOLL. How sad that Darcy sees her as a doll, frozen in place, full of straw. Deb you shine at making this tragedy ridiculous! I laughed so hard at this collage.😂 2y

julieclair I think Miss Hall was offended when Anne said she would marry her because it was like Anne was saying no one else ever would. Like, at age 26, it was obvious she was going to be a spinster forever. 2y

julieclair @SamAnne , I think this is definitely becoming a sapphic love story, at least on Anne‘s part. I don‘t think Miss Hall feels the same… at least not yet. 2y

mollyrotondo @julieclair I think that‘s where the offense came from too. Miss Hall felt like this young woman was making her feel bad about not having been proposed to at her age. But I wondered if this was foreshadowing a romantic love between the two. 2y

mollyrotondo When Darcy called Anne a doll it made me hate him. I was like why do I love him so much in P&P again? But he is pretty young still in the story so far so he‘s probably worse at social situations right now. It just really made me dislike him. Especially because the truth is that her mother has essentially been drugging her all her life so she‘s a victim. Really frustrating. 2y

SarahBookInterrupted @mollyrotondo I hated that part too, but then remembered in the beginning of P&P he said in earshot of Elizabeth that he wouldn‘t dance with her because she was rejected by other men. Elizabeth rejecting him made him reflect and change his ways. I thought he‘s awfulness‘s to Anne made sense. He was just lucky to find a strong women who didn‘t care about his money, position or looks to treat him well when he was acting badly. I love Elizabeth❤️ 2y

janeycanuck Man, the reaction to Sir Lewis‘ death… First, Lady Catherine doesn‘t even shed a tear and then neither of her siblings rearrange their travel plans to come earlier? I get that she doesn‘t have a baby the way Mr Darcy did but come on… I think it says a lot about how much her presence was valued when Mrs Darcy died. 2y

DanaManiac Wow, okay so, I felt like Anne‘s marriage comment to Ms. Hall just highlighted how ignorant and awkward Anne is. Like, of all the things she could‘ve said…lol. They‘re obviously NOT getting married, but she doesn‘t know of any consoling phrases to say because she doesn‘t really communicate with anyone. 2y

ravenlee @janeycanuck Lady C doesn‘t have emotions; those are for common people! I don‘t think her presence was actually valued, or at least not nearly as much as she imagined. She barged in on a grieving family and used the opportunity to change everything about their home life, forcing her presence on them for months. And she probably wouldn‘t have welcomed the same when the situation was reversed. 2y

ravenlee I wonder if Miss Hall‘s reaction (overreaction?) to Anne‘s comment was because of its suddenness, its inappropriateness, or because it hit close to home. 2y

StayCurious Anne is socially awkward because she has had no practice! And Darcy is socially awkward because…well, he‘s Darcy. If Anne starts having feelings for Miss hall, I wonder if it‘s mostly because she‘s the only one Anne spends time with. Like would she have feelings for John if she saw him every day? 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 8: 5 years have passed, Anne is 17 & it seems like Miss Hall has done what she could to broaden Anne‘s world under the confines of Lady C‘s rules. In the rose garden (which Sir Lewis has adorned with scantily-clad classic sculpture, Miss Hall is the first to address laudanum being addicting to Anne having seen it in her injured brother—although Anne‘s not ready to think of the process of⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …of stopping her magic drops yet. Anne shares more of her thoughts about nature having feelings & Miss Hall gives her a book of non-frivolous poetry to read (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Thomson_(poet,_born_1700) & https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/52409/the-seasons-spring ) despite how Lady C will feel about it—a risk to be sure! ⬇️ (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii & Anne tries it at night with her magic drops & the next morning without.

Discuss your thoughts on today‘s chapter and/or the question above—poetry, fan or foe? 2y

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IndoorDame I adore poetry! My first clear memory of it was a unit in my 4th grade class where we learned to read and write acrostic poems concrete poetry and haiku. I was especially taken (and still am) with the haiku form. I‘d enjoyed reading groups in school before, but that‘s the first writing assignment I remember being excited by 2y

suvata Miss Hall is recognizing her brothers opioid addiction and perhaps that will turn into something good. As far as poetry goes, it depends on the poet. That‘s like asking me if I enjoy novels. It depends on what kind of novel. Same thing with music. Some music I like and some music I don‘t. I think that is pretty much true for any artistic offering. 2y

julieclair @IndoorDame I love that you can pinpoint a specific moment that sparked your love of poetry! Your 4th grade teacher would be so pleased. 🙂 I also enjoy poetry, but don‘t read it often, for whatever reason. Actually, the #PoetryMatters posts here on Litsy have helped revive my interest. 2y

julieclair @suvata Yes! Miss Hall has planted a seed in Anne‘s mind… let‘s see if it grows. 2y

kspenmoll I so hope Miss Hall can have an effect on Anne in terms of her drops but Anne‘s mom is sooooo controlling. What is she afraid of? Anne‘s emotions or independence? I have enjoyed poetry since my mom read & shared poetry with us. I also remember reading Romeo & Juliet in 9th grade & enjoying the language and its rhythm. (edited) 2y

kspenmoll Again I am having so much fun & am anticipating each days‘s visuals!!! 2y

mollyrotondo So happy someone recognizes she is addicted to laudanum and her pain from not taking it is actually withdrawal symptoms. Just how long will it take for Anne to acknowledge it. As for poetry, I love Shakespeare but it‘s hard for me to get into most poetry. It is one of those things that I need recommended to me because I am not good at seeking it out on my own. 2y

janeycanuck @mollyrotondo I wonder how much damage has been done with 17 years of the stuff, too. Given how P&P plays out, I don‘t think we‘re going to see Anne see the light anytime soon 😢 2y

DanaManiac Yeah, even thought it probable wasn‘t a well known issue yet, I‘m glad that the notion of dependency has come up. I do love poetry when I come across it, but never think to pick it up on my own. 2y

StayCurious I‘ll leave poetry thanks. Sadly I don‘t have the patience to decipher what they are trying to say. As for Miss Hall, I really hope she can get through to Anne before Lady C intervenes. 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Chapter 7: Sir Lewis is acting a little odd-what do we make of that? He also called Miss Hall pretty which Anne knows is not true because Lady C. has declared it impossible!🙄 Apparently still, the only thing Anne is good at is figures in math & her handwriting is atrocious so Miss Hall has her writing letters to practice penmanship & with no one else for her to write to, she will be Anne‘s ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii … penpal & promises to write back to her if Anne thinks of things to say in her own words.

Here‘s a link to letter writing in the era: https://randombitsoffascination.com/2014/10/07/touch-quill-ink-regency-letter-wr...

Discuss the chapter and/or the discussion question above-growing up did you have or do you currently have a penpal? 2y

AllDebooks I find Anne's situation so oppressive and stifling, abusive at times. I'm absolutely hooked on this story. Who knows what she would be capable of if she wasn't dosed up? I think letter writing is a great way of coaxing her into practice. Kudos Miss Hall. As for her father's comments regarding Miss Hall, euuurrghh!! I only ever had a penpal as a child. Unfortunately it seems to have died out now with the use of email and social media. 2y

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SarahBookInterrupted It‘s so sad that she has no one to write too. Poor Anne. Thank goodness for Miss Hall. 2y

IndoorDame @DebinHawaii thanks for that link! I had no idea letters were cross written. What a nightmare to read! No wonder one needed perfect penmanship. 2y

Deblovestoread The idea of reading a cross hatched letter makes my head hurt. 😂 I did have a pen pal from Germany for a few years when I was in my teens and now have lots from around the world thanks to #LitsyLove. I hope dad doesn‘t have a thing for Miss Hall. Anne has enough to deal with already. (edited) 2y

ravenlee I always tried the international pen pals for a dime thing in school, but I never got a response. Wasted several dollars that way. My kiddo is pen pals with both her grandmothers and a cousin, to work on her penmanship (and help her cousin‘s reading and spelling, too). She loves sending stories to her grands. 2y

ravenlee I think Sir Lewis is starting to realize some of the damage he‘s allowed to be done to his daughter. 2y

MaureenMc I‘m always impressed by the amount of time women spent writing letters in this time period. They probably stayed in much better touch with distant friends & relatives than we typically do now. I had a pen pal from Wales for several years in my teens. I wonder what she‘s up to now. (edited) 2y

mollyrotondo Do we think Lewis is going to harass Miss Hall at some point in this book? I am not a fan of his. I never had a pen pal although it‘s something I always wished we did at school when we were kids. 2y

suvata I‘m pretty sure that Miss Hall is going to be a giant pain in the butt. When I was in grade school, they set us up with pen pals. I think it stopped after a few letters. We didn‘t know each other and didn‘t have much to say but‘ “How are you? I am fine.” I do admit it would be a pleasant form of communication in a time when it was pretty much the only option. 2y

kspenmoll I did not have a penpal any time. But I did like Miss Hall‘s idea of practicing penmanship by letter writing- it teaches Anne a skill that apparently women needed with all their letter writing. Reminds me of Abigail Addams‘ letters. 2y

kspenmoll @ravenlee I agree. Sadly he has let his wife be in charge & not noticed Anne much. 2y

janeycanuck @SarahBookInterrupted Yes, that was so sad… I was surprised she didn‘t want to write to her cousins but maybe young boys didn‘t write letters the way young girls did? I thought it was so sweet when Miss Hall told Anne to write to her. Made me think Miss Hall wasn‘t made of all stone after all! 2y

janeycanuck @mollyrotondo I‘m hoping they team up against Catherine! But given how P&P goes, I‘m not holding my breath. 2y

DanaManiac I am loving this inside peek into Anne‘s life. Her appearances in P&P make so much sense, given how she‘s been rendered permanently frail by all of this drugging. I did have a pen pal growing up, which was fun! As an adult, I had a deployed soldier that I was pen pals with and now Litsy Love! 2y

StayCurious I love the art of writing letters and have several penpals, but I will admit, with a rambunctious one year old at home, my replies are often late! I wonder if her dad is contemplating his own mortality. Like he senses he‘s getting old and wants to make certain he‘s leaving his legacy in good capable hands. That‘s why he suggested the governess. Thank goodness he did! 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

OK, still need to get back to previous discussion questions but let‘s unpack Chapter 6:

Returned from Brighton, Anne has that post-vacation depression that is so common, but in her becomes a craving for more & more “magic drops to calm her. Sir Lewis is worried & keeps 👀 her before finally deciding she needs education & a governess. Dr. Opioid says OK, if Anne‘s “considerable limitations” are ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …understood. Average Miss Hall arrives & seems to wonder what fresh hell her position is after seeing the state of her charge & getting the Lady C. treatment: grilling + direction + a “…hope you are not prone to having opinions…”🧐 Miss Hall is not impressed with Anne‘s sewing or reading & wants her to vigorously exercise her mind when Anne just wants drops & rest. ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii … but both Miss Hall & Anne are surprised to find SHE‘S GOOD AT MATH! 🎉🧮

So discuss your thoughts on Chapter 6, the book so far for Week 1 and/or the discussion question above—what are you good & bad at? (See a link to a list of ladies accomplishments in comment below) Also, what do you think Miss Hall? Will she be good for Anne? (edited) 2y

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DebinHawaii Here‘s a list of accomplishments for Regency ladies to get started: https://randombitsoffascination.com/2014/11/04/accomplished-lady/

For me, I was always good at reading & writing but always really bad at math. I have no rhythm so music & dance are out. I am only semi-crafty & never learned to sew (although had I learned I am sure I would have been most proficient at it!) 😉😂 2y

peanutnine I wasn't sure what to think of Miss Hall at first but maybe she will be an ally for Anne and push her out of her comfort zone 2y

peanutnine Ironically, English was always my least favorite class in school. I preferred math and science 2y

DebinHawaii @peanutnine I hope so! I didn‘t like her judgement of Anne but looking at it from her view, what a crazy situation to be dropped into so it will be interesting to see. 2y

DebinHawaii @peanutnine Hah! I I was bad at math & OK in science depending on the individual subject & how much it interested me. 2y

IndoorDame I wouldn‘t have made a very accomplished Regency lady. Of that list I only really rate in reading and writing. I‘m not terribly at languages and have some artistic talent, but not at painting and drawing which was all that was proper back then… always hated math! I‘m pretty proud of Anne for taking to it so easily (don‘t tell her mother!) (edited) 2y

AllDebooks The whole laudnum from a baby is abhorrent and makes me angry. I can't wait to see where this goes. Hoping Miss Hall is a positive influence on her 2y

julieclair I'm hoping Miss Hall becomes an advocate for Anne, and also a friend. Poor Anne... trying to live her life in a haze. I feel so awful for her. So sad. 2y

suvata Reading✔️ Writing✔️ Arithmetic✔️ Sciences and Social sciences✔️ Languages❌ Music✔️ Artistic endeavors❌ Needlework (plain and fancy)✔️ Boarding Schools (I wish). In other words, I would be a pretty mediocre Accomplished Lady. 2y

kspenmoll @julieclair Well said. Do sad she is living in a drug induced fog. I too hope her governess becomes a positive adult in her life. She has hot her writing letters to her now. 2y

kspenmoll I loved english reading & writing, history, religious studies- math & sciences were struggles for me. No artist, but can needlepoint- find it soothing. (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Me either! I would have bombed out at embroidery too. 😂 2y

DebinHawaii @AllDebooks @julieclair So very sad & anger inducing too! 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata Maybe we need a Not-So-Accomplished Lady club! 😂 2y

DebinHawaii @kspenmoll I struggled with math & science too & can only do cross-stitch decently! 😆 2y

suvata @DebinHawaii 😝 I‘m in. 2y

julieclair @DebinHawaii @suvata I‘m in the Not-So-Accomplished-Lady-Club too. No sciences, and absolutely no artistic talent at all! 2y

ravenlee It must be so strange to be hired as a governess and expect to teach…only to be told NOT to teach…and have to figure out how to do/not do what she‘s been hired to do/not do. And to be micromanaged by Lady Catherine - ugh. Her outright dismissal of all “accomplishments” is so insulting. 2y

ravenlee I was always good at school subjects, and I liked reading and math most. At least until about eighth grade, when math stopped making sense and I became a hardcore humanities scholar. My mom taught all of us (including my brother) basic sewing skills, to include sewing machine, hand sewing, and simple embroidery, and I learned to crochet and knit as well. I play percussion and piano and sing a bit, and know some languages, but am NOT artistic. 2y

mollyrotondo I really didn‘t like Miss Hall when she first came. I mean Lady C is horrible to work for but that‘s not a reason to be so tough on Anne. I hope she gets better and becomes a good support for Anne. But most of these adults are horrible so I don‘t have high hopes. 2y

mollyrotondo I am horrible at languages. I could read it but definitely could never speak it properly or remember anything to speak it conversationally. But I was good at math and music. Not sure I‘d be considered an accomplished lady though since I‘m not very refined 😂 2y

janeycanuck @peanutnine I‘m hoping she brings the hammer down on Catherine at some point! What a frustrating job to be in. 2y

janeycanuck @julieclair @DebinHawaii @suvata Sure but how many circles could we run around these Accomplished Ladies if the criteria were filing income taxes or making a mean lasagna or getting Excel to stop formatting everything as date? We‘d smoke those Accomplished Ladies. 2y

julieclair @janeycanuck Heck yeah! We‘re accomplished in our own right! Love your positivity! 👍😃 2y

DanaManiac That was a fun article to read! Apparently, I would have been considered an accomplished lady. Not so great with arithmetic and needlepoint, but checked off the rest! 2y

DanaManiac Also, Lady Catherine and Ms Hall are fighting for top spot on my naughty list. 2y

StayCurious I think Hall definitely has OPINIONS haha and will be hard pressed to keep them to herself. But I think in the end she will be good for Anne. The girl needs to do something for her mind! 2y

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DebinHawaii

The Heiress: The Revelations of Anne de Bourgh | Molly Greeley

#HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 #ChapterADay #PemberLittens

Note: My apologies for being a bit late with the post & getting back to discussion questions. Busy work week—I‘ll respond later today.

Chapter 5: Anne is 12 & finally gets to travel to Brighton for some forces sea bathing courtesy of her father wanting to help her improve her help against Lady C‘d wishes. 😡 Trauma from the bathing process aside 😱 Anne begins to feel better & play & eat ⬇️

sprainedbrain

DebinHawaii …heartily-2 things her mother finds distasteful in children.😳 Then the from the laudanum (aka opioids) sets in. https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Opium-in-Victorian-Britai... & the Brighton doctor pulls out another bottle of the stuff & it‘s back to drug-muted Anne for the rest of the trip.🥺 ⬇️ 2y

DebinHawaii Thoughts so far? Is it all too much? Lady C, Munchausen syndrome by proxy or just her arrogance & need to control & be right? Sir Lewis, just one half-hearted attempt to help her? Nurse, Sea Bathing Attendants, Doctors-what‘s your throat-punch lineup for the adults in young Anne‘s life? 🤬 2y

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IndoorDame I pretty much want to punch them all, but her mother is definitely topping the list. “Children should be seen and not heard” taken to a sick extreme. 2y

Deblovestoread In order Monster Mom, Nasty Nurse and indifferent Dad. Line ‘‘em up for a 3 fer. The author does describe withdrawal well. It makes me wonder when medicine started putting 2 and 2 together between laudanum and withdrawal symptoms/addiction 2y

SamAnne Thanks for the opium article. I‘m starting The Anarchy, a history of East India Company. Her mother is my top villain in this story! 2y

peanutnine Definitely most want to punch her mom. The fact that she was displeased that Anne was feeling a little better on the first day made me so mad @Deblovestoread I'm also curious to know when the connection was made for withdrawal. Right now the solution is to feed the addiction and it's so sad 2y

kspenmoll @Deblovestoread Your nicknames for the 3 Despicables made me laugh! 😂 Mom is the WORST! 2y

suvata I would love to believe that everyone is just trying their best to “cure” Anne the best they can with the period‘s medical knowledge. Having said that, let me at Mamma. I think there‘s some Munchausen syndrome by proxy going on there. (edited) 2y

suvata @Deblovestoread Line them up … I love it 😂 2y

SarahBookInterrupted For me it‘s her mom. Poor Anne! 2y

julieclair The mom. She makes me want to scream! I still don't understand what she gains by having a spaced-out daughter. Is it just that a child in that condition is easier to control? As for the dad, nurse and doctors, I agree with @suvata , they're doing their best with the knowledge they have. I actually feel a bit sorry for the nurse, having Lady C as her boss. She's probably scared to deviate from, or suggest anything contrary to, Lady C's wishes. 2y

julieclair The scene where Anne was actually enjoying playing after they stopped the laudanum (but before withdrawal set in) just broke my heart. Playing was something she had never done. So very sad. 2y

julieclair @DebinHawaii , you are doing an amazing job with your collages, pertinent articles, and thoughtful questions. 👍😃 Thank you! 2y

DebinHawaii @IndoorDame Yes, Lady C gets the first & hardest punch! 😡 2y

DebinHawaii @Deblovestoread @peanutnine I think I read somewhere that it wasn‘t until late in the 19th century that they began to tie it to addiction. (edited) 2y

DebinHawaii @SamAnne I‘ll be interested to hear how that book is! 2y

DebinHawaii @suvata Yes, exactly! I believe that too! 2y

DebinHawaii @julieclair Good point about Nurse! And thank you for the positive feedback, I appreciate it! 🤗 2y

ravenlee While I don‘t like Nurse and think she‘s definitely part of the problem, Lady Catherine is by far the most monstrous. I don‘t think it‘s Munchausen exactly, I think she‘s just such a controlling tightass that she won‘t allow anyone in her orbit to function independently. She‘d rather be right than let Anne be healthy. She hates children, and probably wouldn‘t have had any at all if it wasn‘t her “duty.” 2y

mollyrotondo So I definitely hate Lady C but I also don‘t like her father. Yeah he tried. Once! Once! And he has no real relationship with his daughter. It‘s so horrible that this little girl is going through drug withdrawal. This should not be happening. 2y

mollyrotondo Awful that these addictions were really a result of the British government dealing in the opium trade because of money. Sound familiar to something today, Purdue Pharma? History just keeps repeating itself. 2y

janeycanuck that‘s an interesting point from @suvata… I agree they didn‘t know better at the time but I feel like Catherine is going overboard in “fixing” Anne. At least her father is taking some level of interest in trying new treatments, which is something. But Catherine seems intent on “it‘s broke but let‘s not fix it” - somehow, a dull Anne is good enough for her. 2y

StayCurious This poor girl! I feel so much for her. It must have been scary seeing her in withdrawal and not understanding that‘s what was happening. I get why they put her back on the dreadful stuff. But man, it‘s terrible to see. 2y

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