a/n: Thank you to my lovely beta a_who_in_whoville! Also huggles to my secret Dalekian sistahs for email convos on Victorian stuff. Evil Lady Bransen makes an appearance here and oh is she nasty! Don't worry. Rose won't let her get away with it.
Disclaimer: I do not own or profit from Doctor Who or any of the lovely characters
Every servant at Grantham Manor knew the Doctor was an inventor. It seemed like everyday a new machine would pop up somewhere in the house. The Doctor often went seeking out one of the servants to assist him with the testing of his inventions. This was a subject of either amusement or terror depending on the particular servant.
One of his more memorable inventions was the automated washing mechanism. This large machine was erected in a storage building outside the main house. Many had speculated this was due to Mrs. Tyler and Mrs. Tardis refusing to allow it in the Manor. Usually, this gossip was followed with, "God bless them."
The machine was a set of two large cylindrical tubs. One was for washing and one was for rinsing. The machine attached to the tubs was made of metal, had wires sticking out everywhere and a convoluted set of tubes twisting and turning in all directions. The Doctor showed the staff, under the supervision of Mrs. Anna Smith, how the laundry was placed in one container that had a paddle in it. They were to add a liquid soap he developed which Mrs. Smith admitted did smell quite nice, close the lid and press a red button.
Mrs. Smith looked at the Doctor worriedly as Mrs. Tardis had warned her of the Doctor's enthusiasm for new inventions. "Forgive me sir, and I mean no offense and appreciate you going to all this trouble to make things easier, but laundry requires water and soaking and scrubbing," she said as diplomatically as she could.
The Doctor grinned at her. "Oh, don't you worry, Mrs. Smith! I've taken care of all that with this little device," he said, patting it. "Well, I say little but really it's a bit big, but don't worry. I'm working on that," he assured her, grinning wildly at the machine and rocking back on his heels.
Mrs. Smith and the servants took a step back.
"Now then!" the Doctor said, slapping his hands together and rubbing them in anticipation. "You have laundry, correct?"
"Yes, Sir," Mrs. Smith said nervously. She nodded toward one of the servant girls who placed some sheets in the machine and quickly stepped back. The Doctor held up a bottle of liquid soap and poured some in, secured the lid and punched the red button. The machine turned on and began vibrating and making clinking noises. Soon, water from a water reserve tank was filling the tub. The servants watched in amazement. The Doctor was gleeful in a way only he could be.
Soon, everything was vibrating, shaking, groaning and steam was shooting out. The thumping of the paddle was loud and sounded like a galloping horse. The servants all huddled together near the door. The Doctor went behind the device and tinkered. All of sudden, there was a loud bang. The lid shot open and wet soapy laundry erupted, flying into the air. The Doctor yelled "Run!"
The servants, who quickly fled the building, stood outside watching as soap suds oozed out the door. Mrs. Tardis and Mrs. Tyler ran from the house and stood next to them. Mrs. Tyler stood beside the servants, shaking her head with her hands on her hips while Mrs. Tardis walked slowly toward the open door despite the servants warnings. The Doctor almost slid out, covered head to toe in soap suds. Mrs. Tardis burst out in laughter. The servants smiled as they watched her gently wipe suds from the Doctor's face, all the while grinning. This is when the servants began giggling about the Doctor's catch phrase in the house. "I think it needs a little more work."
This, of course, was only one of many inventions. Mrs. Patmore was the only servant in the house to put her foot down and forbid any Doctor invention from entering her kitchen. She had the good fortune that Mrs. Tyler was quite fond of her and stood firm by her side in this regard. No other servant was quite this lucky.
The morning after the exploding laundry, the Doctor tasked Mr. Thorne with yet another shopping assignment. Mr. Thorne, now well acquainted with his employer's often eccentric requests, enjoyed the challenge of procuring the sometimes hard to find items. Dr. Tardis was also was quite generous and had encouraged him to implement his own experiments, even offering to fund the ideas.
"Well now Charles, any questions about this week's list?" the Doctor asked as he exited the carriage.
"No, Doctor. I'm sure it will be no problem." Mr. Thorne answered.
"Good, good and you, what projects do you have in the works presently?"
"Oh, it's nothing, sir," Charles Thorne said, a bit embarrassed.
"Nonsense! You have brilliant ideas and I want to help you see your ideas become reality. Can't make progress without trying!"
"Well, sir, after our last discussion about the steam engine and the physics involved in propelling vehicles forward, I've been working out a new propulsion mechanism. I've been admiring the work on dirigibles and was thinking how them relying on the propeller and the wind isn't the best means for moving them about."
The Doctor smiled broadly. Charles Thorne was a genius. He was far more advanced than most scientists of the time. It was greatly satisfying for the Doctor to mentor the boy and brought him great delight to watch the boy's eyes light up with inspiration and learning some new facet of engineering and how things worked.
"That's brilliant! I'd love to see your plans. Think you can draw something up for us to discuss tonight?"
"Yes, sir! I'd be honored, sir." Charles gushed.
"Good. Now then, you will be transporting Mrs. Tardis and Mrs. Tyler to a tea party at Lady Rotchford's estate today. I want you to make sure that you keep the coach ready to leave at a moment's notice."
"Sir?" Mr. Thorpe asked, puzzled as to why this would be necessary.
"Charles, you may not be aware of this, but Mrs. Tardis and I have not been well received by London society. I won't tolerate either Mrs. Tardis or Mrs. Tyler being mistreated at the hands of some pretentious, patronizing lady who tries to increase her social standing by insulting my family and them not being able to leave such a hostile environment. It's your job to make sure they have immediate transportation available."
"Yes Doctor, I understand. I promise, I'll look out for your family.
"Good Man!" the Doctor acknowledged as he left for a day of classes. As he walked to class, he couldn't help but worry about Rose and Jackie attending this social function. Knowing that Torchwood had an interest in this party, made the Doctor fret that he wasn't there to protect them. When he expressed his feelings on that subject to Rose and Jackie, he was quickly out voted by a very vocal Jackie Tyler who insisted if she could face down Daleks, she could certainly handle a bunch of snippy society types. He smiled as he thought of the fierce expression on her face and felt a little sorry for those poor women.
Rose and Jackie were filled with nervous excitement to attend Lady Rotchford's formal tea party. They had discovered that Lady Rotchford and her husband were benefactors of London College and Lord Rotchford had a keen interest in the sciences. He was specifically funding a new laboratory to be used for educating and inspiring the next generation of scientists. Lady Rotchford had learned that the Doctor was a favorite among students and was highly esteemed by many of his colleagues. There had been much gossip about how he and his family had suffered greatly in their travels and had come to London to settle down. Rose, unbeknownst to her, had acquired a reputation as an outspoken lady of notable fashion and with great compassion and generosity.
Lady Rotchford was curious to meet the much talked about wife of the eccentric Dr. Tardis and thus invited she and her mother to tea. There would be a variety of women from all stations of life at this particular tea party as Lady Rotchford was often bored with only vapid and repressed ladies of the upper class. She had high hopes that Mrs. Tardis would add some excitement to the party.
The ride to the Rotchford estate was slow but scenic. Rose and Jackie marveled at the green countryside, which in their time was developed into housing and shopping areas. When the carriage passed the enormous black wrought iron gate with the Rotchford crest on the front, it was a straight drive toward the enormous three story red brick mansion. The carriage pulled around the circular drive in front past other motorized and horse drawn carriages. The drive surrounded a pond and several sculptures and was elegantly manicured in a manner befitting the mansion.
Rose's gown had a jade colored silk skirt with layers of fringe and ruffles topped with a navy jacket dotted with floral embellishment, a scooped neckline, and a matching aqua colored bow at the waist. Of course, Jackie kept with her favorite color so wore a pink and cream lace gown. As they were helped out of the carriage by Mr. Thorpe, they stared up at the magnificent towering mansion and could hear peacocks crying out from nearby. Rose thanked Mr. Thorpe and looked at Jackie with raised eyebrow as they approached the enormous brick building with turrets and detailed plasterwork. They walked up to the elaborate double doors and were greeted by a stiff, formal, elderly butler who would give Carson a run for his money in his formal demeanor.
"Mrs. Tardis and Mrs. Tyler to see Lady Rotchford," Rose announced.
The butler bowed and bade them enter and follow. The entryway was quite large with an elegant crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling which was adorned with decorative plaster moldings. The floor was a glossy white marble giving the entryway a cavernous, cold feeling. Turned leg, ornately carved mahogany tables held impressive Asian vases filled with fresh cut flowers and were the only splashes of color in the room. They were led through several large rooms each big enough to hold its own swimming pool. They were furnished with classical artwork in gold, ornate frames, beautiful dark wood French classical furniture and typical Victorian floral print wall coverings, along with lush heavy velvet curtains. Finally, they arrived in a formal garden where several well dressed ladies chatted and admired some of the sculptures.
A tall, robust lady with graying brown hair dressed in an overly-designed burgundy brocade gown, with an overlay of fine French lace embellished with matching burgundy flowers, and a fringe around the edges of the bottom of the skirt, walked over to them. She had a heavy gold necklace studded with rubies and diamonds clasped around her neck, dipping into the curved line of the bodice of her gown. Her hair was swept up and pinned under a wide brim matching hat stacked in the ugliest flowers Rose had ever seen. Although elaborately dressed, she had a warm smile on her face and her brown eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Mrs. Tardis, Mrs. Tyler I am most pleased to finally make your acquaintance. I do hope the trip here was uneventful?"
"Oh, it was lovely really. It's such a pretty spring day and your home is beautiful," Rose said with a friendly smile.
"Yes, it was really nice of you to invite Rose and I out here. We've been so busy settling in and all that we haven't had much of a chance to do any exploring," Jackie said politely, but paying attention to everything around her so that she could report back to Torchwood. She was secretly excited at the thought of spying, especially on the snobby wealthy elite of London society.
"Well, I have heard such interesting things about you both of you. I must say, Mrs. Tardis, you are just as beautiful as I was told," Lady Rotchford gushed. "Come now, allow me to introduce you to the rest of my guests," Lady Rotchford said, taking Rose's arm in hers.
Rose blushed at Lady Rotchford's compliments and shot a glance at Jackie who shrugged at her as she followed the two of them around the garden as Lady Rotchford introduced them to her other guests. Rose and Jackie were amazed at the mix of ladies at this party which included the nobility, distant relatives of the deposed royal family, upper middle class wives of successful business men, along with some wives of the tenured professors at the college. It was surprising to watch the haughty upper class mixing with ladies who they must regard as beneath them.
Rose and Jackie gravitated toward the very warm and bubbly wife of a respected member of the judiciary. Her name was Jane Finch and she was dressed in a very fashionable white and cream lace gown decorated with mauve colored flowers.
"Oh Mrs. Tardis, Mrs. Tyler, it's so good to see you out and about. One can only spend so much time focused on the home. I am a firm believer in the importance of fresh air and the enrichment of the mind and soul through social activity," she gushed, her brown curls bouncing on the top of her head as evidence of her enthusiasm.
"Oh I agree," Jackie said, nodding her head. "I couldn't spend one more day in that stuffy house. Don't get me wrong, I love redecorating but, I miss bein' out in the city."
Mrs. Beecham, the wife of a chemistry professor at the college, agreed with her. "I love my husband, but it can be such a burden to be confined to listen solely to him drabble on about his work. Brilliant men such as my husband and your son-in-law are of course the shining intellect of our society, but we are the heart. And, the heart needs the sustenance derived from bonding with our fellow women at tea, to walk amongst the flowers and sunshine as well as gather the information of the current happenings. Why, did you hear…"
Rose slipped away as Jackie, Mrs. Beecham and Mrs. Finch chatted quietly about London fashion, the weather and, of course, the latest gossip. As she walked, she chatted with a few more of the ladies, who for the most part, were kind, although she couldn't help but notice a few cold glances or conversations that halted at her appearance. She observed that the icy glares seemed to be confined to the upper class and titled ladies. Rose refused to be intimidated and casually made her way through the garden, admiring the lovely sculptures set amongst the brightly colored flowers.
It wasn't long before she arrived in a section of the garden where a slender lady dressed in an emerald green gown sat alone on a bench. She was quite young, perhaps in her early twenties, and striking with her vivid ginger hair pinned up an gentle waves and wearing a straw bonnet embellished with pink rosebuds. Rose walked over to her.
"Hello, I don't think we've been introduced. I'm Rose Tardis," Rose said in a friendly manner.
The lady turned and examined Rose. Her hazel green eyes looking at Rose with suspicion. "Are you now," she stated in a firm, no nonsense voice.
Rose looked at her sitting back alone, away from everyone else and knew something was odd. "Yeah. And you are?" Rose asked, determined not to be cowed with this lady's cold demeanor.
The lady seemed taken aback by Rose's attitude. "I am The Duchess of Rutland. No doubt you have heard of me," she said in her slightly Scottish accent.
Rose shook her head slowly. "No, not really. I'm a bit new here. Should I?"
The Duchess raised her eyebrows at Rose. "You don't get out much do you?"
Rose grinned at her. "Well, we just arrived and have been a bit busy. So, Your Grace, may I sit so you can enlighten me?"
The Duchess turned and looked out among the flowers before turning back to Rose. "Mrs. Tardis, it would be in your best interest to return to the party. You might find yourself the subject of gossip if you remain here."
Rose stubbornly sat next to the Duchess and straightened her skirts. "I've never been one to be concerned about what's best for me, and I'm already the subject of gossip, so are you gonna tell me why your hidin' out here?"
The Duchess stared at her in a mixture of irritation and fascination. "You're not like the rest of them out there," she said, slipping into a more rural dialect.
"No, not really. Well, some of them are all right but others are, shall we say a bit pretentious," Rose explained and looked at the Duchess expectantly.
The Duchess did not crack a smile but looked at Rose with speculation. "And what does your husband do, Mrs. Tardis?" the Duchess asked, avoiding Rose's questions.
"You're not answerin' my question," Rose replied, still smiling, but looking closer at the Duchess.
"Very well, if you insist. My husband was Thomas Manners the Duke of Rutland. He was a cousin of the Queen and was involved in…" she paused, "the uprising."
"Your husband was killed in the Torchwood Revolution?" Rose asked, compassion lacing her voice.
"Is that what they're calling it now? Well, I suppose that's accurate. Yes, he was. He was most unfortunately infected."
"Oh," Rose said softly.
"I don't need your pity or sympathy!" the Duchess snapped.
"You didn't know did you?" Rose said as it occurred to her that someone married to one of the traitorous royals would not lead an easy life, wealth and title not withstanding.
"Of course I didn't!" she exclaimed irritated, her pale freckled cheeks flushed with outrage. "I was away in Scotland visiting my family. They lead a much simpler life than London society. When I returned, my husband was indisposed with matters of state. I knew nothing of his activities until Torchwood arrested me." She told the story, growing bitter at the end regarding her arrest. "They asked no questions. Just hauled me off like some criminal. It was like the old days when English nobility persecuted my family just for being a Stuart."
Rose reached over and put her hand on the Duchess' arm. "I'm sorry. That was wrong. Torchwood did a lot of things at that time based only on fear and suspicion."
The Duchess looked at Rose and her hand but didn't flinch. "Yes. They let me go after the passing of the full moon, but it was never the same. Just being married to a traitor was guilt enough. They ripped away my husband's estates leaving me with only a small house and the few servants who were loyal enough to stay with me. Even now, I endure the insult of Torchwood paying uninvited visits to my house to check on my welfare. At least, that's what they call it."
"Mr. McCloud came calling on my house recently. He's a powerful man and a bit intimidating. It was all I could do to keep the Doctor from brawling with him. I wasn't so sure he wasn't gonna just haul us all off."
The Duchess looked at her. "What did you say your husband does?"
"He's a professor of physics at London College."
The Duchess put her hand on top of Rose's and smiled slightly. "You're the people from Norway aren't you?" she asked, now more in control of herself and perhaps a bit intrigued in Rose's story.
"Well, we had a spot of trouble in Norway. How'd you know that?" Rose asked, worried about the extent of the gossip.
"Just because I'm an outcast doesn't mean I don't know what's goin' on," she snipped. "Besides, Lady Rotchford likes a bit of excitement. It's why she invites me and most likely why she invited you, Mrs. Tardis. Nothing like a good scandal to make for an exciting tea party. Most of the nobility around here is a bit boring. Honestly, even before my husband lost his way, I didn't get along well with that lot," the Duchess confided, again slipping into a more casual accent.
Rose instinctually liked this young Duchess and felt like she would make a good friend. "Just for the record, my Mum and I kind of figured out we were part of the entertainment here. It's all right. Got us out of the house and maybe we'll be just as entertained by some of those posh, uppity ladies," Rose confided.
The Duchess grinned. "Well Rose, I may call you Rose?"
Rose nodded. "Yeah, I'd like that."
"Good, and you shall call me by my family name, Amy. You ready to go cause a scandal?" Amy asked, her eyes sparkling.
Rose grinned at her. Amy stood up and with Rose's hand in hers walked purposefully back to the party.
When they arrived, The women were grouped around tables. Her mother was still chatting with Mrs. Finch and Mrs. Beecham. Much of the pleasant conversation stopped when Rose and Amy approached. Amy was an expert at wearing a haughty, disdainful expression and walked up to Jackie with her head held high.
"Mum, I'd like you to meet the Duchess of Rutland," Rose introduced.
Jackie stood up and curtseyed. "Pleased to meet you, Duchess," she said and looked at Rose questioningly. Rose just grinned in return. Rose and Amy sat at the table with Jackie, Lady Rotchford, Mrs. Beecham, Mrs. Finch and another woman by the name of Lady Jane Barrow.
Lady Rotchford, ever the gracious hostess, kept the conversation flowing on everything from the delightful weather to the poor health of her favorite poodle, Mimsy.
Just as tea was being poured, the butler appeared and announced that Lady Bransen had arrived. Rose groaned internally and swore she heard her mother mutter something about "the rude cow." Amy, who had heard Jackie, looked at Rose with an eyebrow raised.
Lady Rotchford stood up and greeted Lady Bransen. "Oh my dear, I thought you were unable to attend. I know that you have such a busy social calendar. You are just in time," she gushed. Lady Bransen inclined her head and maintained a cool demeanor. She strode over to the table where Rose was seated and stared coldly at her.
"Come now Lady Rotchford, surely you do not mean to seat me at the same table with such disgraceful company. Whatever possessed you to extend an invitation to such people of indeterminate virtue? Perhaps you are unaware of Mrs. Tardis most questionable social standing much less the disrespectful way her husband treated my husband and Lord Beltram?" she announced. Every bit of chatter stopped and everyone stared at Rose.
Before Rose could say or do anything, Jackie stood up, her eyes blazing with anger. "How dare you talk to my daughter that way!" she said in an angry voice.
"As a representative of moral and just London society, I insist that these disreputable ladies, and I use that term loosely, remove themselves at once," Lady Bransen said in her cultured voice, ignoring Jackie's outburst. Now, there was whispering and staring at Rose.
"The only disreputable lady, and I use that term loosely, in the room is you, Lady Bransen," Jackie insisted. "What kind of nobility walks around posh as you please making false accusations about people she doesn't even know! Well, I'll tell you who! Some bored noblewoman who's threatened by someone prettier and smarter than her. My Rose has ten times the grace and dignity than some evil gossip monger like you!" Jackie shouted, breathing heavy and looking like she was itching to slap someone.
"You disgusting, common old woman. You will not speak to me thusly. Especially, not when you walk around London with your guttersnipe of a daughter who has lied her way into society." Lady Bransen turned to the rest of the ladies who were staring in fascination at the scene playing out before them. "She doesn't wear a wedding ring and has no proof she's actually married. I suggest she is a harlot leaving in sin with a man of questionable means along with her pandering mother! Don't be fooled by her attire. You can dress up a whore to make her look presentable but in the end, she's still nothing but a whore."
Rose was stunned at the venomous words spilling forth from the Lady Bransen's mouth. She stood up angry and grabbed hold of her mother who was lunging for Lady Bransen. "No, Mum don't. She's not worth it. She thinks she's so much better than everyone here and has to put everyone down, but her words have little value. She just showed everyone what an ungracious, malicious woman she really is," Rose said, narrowing her eyes at Lady Bransen.
When Jackie stilled, Rose looked back at the rest of the ladies. "My reputation has been called into question," she said in her best Victorian speech. "My family and I lost so much in our travels. No, I'm not wearing a wedding ring as it was not as important as my life or the lives of my family and I willingly gave it up so my mother could keep her rings, her only remembrance of my father. I have learned in my travels that there is more to life than material things. I won't apologize for that. And, while we are on the topic, when did it become obligatory for a lady to present her marriage certificate as evidence of her married status? Should my or my husband's word not be sufficient?" Rose stated.
Lady Bransen stepped forward. "She's lying. She's trying to procure your sympathies because she is aware of the righteousness of my statement. I refuse to be tarnished by this woman's presence," Lady Bransen said to everyone. She turned a cold glare onto Rose. "You will leave or I will have you thrown out with the rubbish!"
Rose walked up to Lady Bransen and was inches from her face. "I won't be intimidated by a cold, vindictive harpy like you!" Rose said in a cold voice much to the gasp of the ladies around her.
Lady Bransen slapped her. Rose's eyes blazed and she slapped back harder. Lady Bransen was furious. "Call the authorities this instant! This strumpet assaulted me! You all saw it!"
"Yes, do call the authorities so everyone here can tell them how you walked in her beggin' for a fight and struck me first! Let's be sure to publicize how you and your husband have been spreading lies about me and my husband all around London and by all means, let's take this into the legal system. The only reason my husband has not of yet filed a libel suit against you and your husband is I asked him not to. I have made every attempt to conduct myself with the dignity you lack," Rose said, refusing to back down.
At this point, Amy stood up trying not to smile with enjoyment from watching Rose standing up to Lady Bransen, whom she despised. She walked over and stood in between them transforming herself into a most haughty Victorian Duchess. "Lady Bransen, I would suggest that you recuse yourself this instant. You have caused yourself enough embarrassment for the day, and disrespected Lady Rotchford's hospitality."
"I don't take orders from traitors of the realm!" Lady Bransen said coldly, her anger now directed at Amy.
Amy stiffened with anger. "And I, don't allow calculating social climbers like you who recklessly, and for their own advancement, impugn the reputation of my friends or make feeble attempts to influence others by the spread vicious lies. I for one will not hesitate to disclose to the authorities the details of the controversial and aggressive manner in which you approached Mrs. Tardis."
"Lady Rotchford, are you going to remain silent and allow these vulgar disreputable individuals to treat me in this disrespectful manner?" Lady Bransen demanded.
Lady Rotchford, who had been most enjoying this exchange, delicately took a sip of tea and gently set her tea cup down. "Lady Bransen, I can hardly be held accountable for the actions of my guests when you quite clearly not only rudely arrived late, but appear to have arrived in a most disagreeable mood. My dear, you look most out of sorts. Perhaps you have taken ill and should retire until you have recovered," Lady Rotchford politely suggested, giving Lady Bransen a socially acceptable way to gracefully leave.
Lady Bransen glared disdainfully at everyone, turned and stormed out followed by five other noble ladies in attendance who all glared at Rose as they swished their way past. Rose didn't move from where she stood stiffly watching the exit of the ladies. The garden was silent except for the call of the peacock and the tinkle of wind chimes in the gentle breeze.
Amy looked at Rose with concern and admiration. Rose turned slowly and looked at Lady Rotchford. "My Lady, I am filled with remorse at allowing that wretched woman to influence me to behave in a most unacceptable manner. I beg your forgiveness and that of your guests."
"Nonsense!" Amy said loudly. "You did nothing but defend yourself. That evil woman assaulted you and should face charges." Amy pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at Rose's face which was bleeding.
Rose looked at the blood in shock. "One of her rings must have cut me," she whispered as Jackie and Amy guided her to a chair sitting on either side of her in support. Rose was filled with horror at allowing things to get that far, it was all she could do to hold tears at bay. She had failed miserably at the one thing the Doctor had expressly made clear: "Keep a low profile." She would not allow herself to fall to pieces in front of these people. It would only make matters worse. She owed it to the Doctor to try and save some face at this disastrous party.
Lady Rotchford smiled kindly at her. "There, there, child. We have all had incidents with Lady Bransen, although, none quite so colorful. I must say, you did stand your ground quite magnificently. I dare say that this party shall be the subject for much discussion for months to come," she said with the slightest hint of amusement.
Rose groaned and dropped her head into her hands. Jackie looked over at some of the staff standing off to the side staring at Rose with wide eyes. "Well, don't just stand there! Go get my daughter something for her face and while you're at it, something for her nerves as well," Jackie ordered, before turning back to Rose. "It'll be all right, sweetheart," she said and put her arm around Rose and squeezed her.
The servants delivered some clean flannels and hot water along with a snifter of brandy. Mrs. Finch and Mrs. Beecham looked at Rose sympathetically. Mrs. Beecham cleared her throat and boldly confessed, "It's about time someone did something about that wretched woman." She reached for Rose's hand and patted it. "Don't worry, dear. We've all thought about calling Lady Bransen on her despicable behavior."
"Agreed, but Mrs. Tardis has a formidable opponent in Lady Bransen," Mrs. Finch stated. She turned to Rose. "It may be wise for you and your husband to file your marriage certificate with the local magistrate just for propriety. It would enjoin her from continuing her campaign to smear your family's name."
Rose nodded her head wondering how they would come up with a marriage certificate. "Yes well, we lost everything in Norway. I know my husband has requested copies of all our documentation. I'll have to explain what happened here today and…" Rose paused. "He will be unhappy to say the least," she finished.
"Oh, don't you worry about himself," Jackie admonished. "He says one thing out of line and you leave him to me."
Rose smiled at Jackie and pulled herself together.
Lady Rotchford shoved a plate with sandwiches and tea cakes over to Rose. "Now then Mrs. Tardis, what you need is sustenance and I won't listen to one protest from you. You must eat."
Rose nodded her head gratefully and took a bite of a cucumber sandwich.
Lady Rotchford smiled kindly. "Now then, do share with us the harrowing tale of your journey in Norway," she asked.
Rose breathed a sigh of relief and began telling them about Ola and the kind people in Norway. At the end of the party, Rose felt better about what had happened but knew if she didn't produce a marriage certificate, these ladies would certainly turn from her, and life would be made most uncomfortable for she, her mother and the Doctor.
She and Jackie walked out alongside Amy. Their carriages arrived instantly.
Amy turned to Rose. "Well, I must say this was the best tea party I've ever attended. I am sorry you had such a public confrontation with Lady Bransen but you may have won over more friends than adversaries."
"Thanks, Amy. Maybe we can get together and do something less shouty and more fun."
Amy smiled and took Rose's hand in hers. "I'd like that. I don't have many people to talk to other than my husband's cousin Dr. Williams. He's been the only person other than you to show me any kindness. He's a fine physician should you ever need medical assistance."
"Thanks, we'll keep that in mind. Let me know when you'd like to get together," Rose said as Amy climbed into her carriage and left. Mr. Thornton was next and promptly helped she and Jackie into the carriage. The trip home was quiet as Rose contemplated all that had happened.
That evening, Rose went down to the Doctor's secret laboratory and found him working on the baby Tardis. Rose smiled as she heard its song the moment she entered the lab.
The Doctor looked up and grinned brightly at her as he knelt on the floor, jacket tossed off and sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Rose noted with amusement that his boots were tossed aside and he was back in his trainers.
"Trainers the latest in Victorian men's fashion?" she teased.
The Doctor looked up at her and arched an eyebrow. "Well, that is a thought."
Rose knelt down next to him and saw that the baby Tardis had already grown quite a bit and he had modified the equipment surrounding it. "She's growing fast, yeah?"
"Oh she's doing very well. A bit better than expected," he explained and cooed to the little piece of coral. He turned to Rose. "And what about you?" he said and ran his finger down the cut on the side of her face.
Tears welled up in her eyes and she threw herself into his arms. "Doctor, I blew it! I…I lost it at the tea party," she told him tearfully.
"What do you mean lost it at a tea party? What, did Lady Rotchford serve some rubbish flavored tea?" he teased. "Oh it wasn't pear was it? 'Cos that would be grounds for most definitely blowing it and being rude and insulting. You did tell them how rubbish pear tea is didn't you?" he babbled on.
Rose looked at him and giggled through her tears. She pulled him into a long snog. When he pulled back, he looked into her eyes. "It wasn't the tea was it?" he said softly, concerned at how easily Rose had burst into tears. Rose was not the sort of girl to cry easily so anything that brought her to this agitated state was serious.
Rose's smile fell and she shook her head. "It was Lady Bransen. She showed up and started saying nasty things. She told everyone we were liars and our marriage was a fake. The bint called me a whore and said Mum and me should be thrown out. I stood up to her and she slapped me."
At this point the Doctor tensed up. "She what!" he practically growled, ready to got to battle for his Rose.
"Doctor, I slapped her back," Rose said hiccupping. "Everyone saw and she wanted to call the police. But, Amy, the Duchess of Rutland, stepped in and then Lady Rotchford suggested Lady Bransen leave but it was too late. Everyone heard. What are we gonna do?"
"Rose, it'll be all right. She attacked you," he said softly, wanting to calm her. "It's not your fault." The Doctor was surprised that Rose would allow things to escalate to violence. She was usually the level headed one. He would have expected Jackie to become involved in a physical altercation before Rose.
Rose took a deep breath. "I don't think you understand. Everyone heard. You could lose your job at the university. One of the ladies there, Mrs. Finch, her husband is a judge and she said we should file our wedding certificate to settle it. She didn't say it, but I think she meant if we don't, people will believe Lady Bransen."
He looked off across the room, deep in thought. He snorted. "Bloody Victorian morals. Like a piece of paper is more important than how we feel." He sighed. "All right, guess we need to come up with something."
Rose had an idea. "What about Mr. McCloud. He said Torchwood would help us."
The Doctor grimaced and pulled away. "No. I don't trust him."
"Well, neither do I but he owes us. Mum and I were there finding out stuff for Torchwood so the least he can do is help us," Rose reminded him. She scooted over and wrapped herself around him. "Please," she whispered into his ear.
He turned, looked at her, feeling worry and anxiety rolling off of her. Finally, he sighed and nodded. "All right."
Rose smiled brightly and kissed him again. The Doctor thought to himself that she was definitely a bit more emotional than normal. He worried that maybe their circumstances were starting to wear on her. It was an enormous task to fit into this society where she lacked so much freedom and for such a long length of time, much less to also be responsible for watching out for Jackie. Adding Torchwood into the mix, only added more pressure. An idea sparked and when they parted he looked at her with a mischievous grin. "Dame Tyler, may I have the honor of your company tomorrow for a day of fun and frivolity?"
"I would be honored, Sir Doctor!" Rose enthused and wrapped herself around him, blissful in his arms.