I am so sorry I haven't posted for the last couple of days. I just needed some 'me' time with dealing and coping with my brother's operation.
Before the use of commercial sanitary wear in 1888, a woman would use a bundle of Rags in a small cloth pouch when her monthly cycle came. They would heavily scent their bodies with perfumes of sprigs of flowers between her breasts to mask the smell if need be.
Poor ladies found themselves without the means to have the above, so muslin pouches filled with feathers, large leaves, fur or skin, paper were used instead of rags. Herbs were ingested to halt/bring/reduce flow to make it easier for the working woman.
Poorer women did not have the diet and lifestyle that we have today, so they could be very late in maturing to womanhood, often as late as the late teens to early twenties and when they did 'bleed', it was irregular and could be either heavy or light.
November 27th 1843
...
Master Edward Cullen
I went to bed last night with the biggest smile on my face I had ever known since the children were born.
My dreams were better too, and I knew that it was down to Isabella.
After a light dinner that she called a feast, Mother and Father came with us when we took a stroll in the park opposite the house, and although the area was small it gave us plenty of space for my parents not to bother us.
We spoke of my work and how the farm and Charles were. I missed him as much as I did my own children. Even talking about him and all that he had achieved since I last saw him, settled a deep ache in my chest.
Once we had walked for a while and the weather grew too cold, I escorted Isabella back to the house, and right up to her room. She confirmed that she did not want to go to sleep, but she was still too tired from the journey to stay awake any longer.
She bade me a sweet and shy goodnight, and I felt as though I glided to my own room.
As soon as I woke, I knew I needed to have someone cover my workload today at the office. Since Ben was off for the rest of the week I wrote to the next person in charge.
There would not be much for them to do, but I could not leave the place unmanned — not so close to Christmas.
I should not have been so keen to stay out of the office, but with Isabella actually here in my home, I could not pass up the opportunity.
I needed to spend as much time with her as possible and working would hinder that.
I rose from the bed with haste and dressed properly before heading downstairs to the dining room, hoping to see Isabella as soon as possible. Normally I would have only been half-dressed, with my mood all dark and dreary, but Isabella was like a ray of sunshine that brightened the worst of my days.
"Edward, do not look as though I just kicked your puppy, she will be down when she is down," Father laughed as my face fell on Isabella's empty chair.
"I did not mean to show so much emotion," I grouched as I sat down in the chair opposite him.
"We never do when we start to fall in love. We are fierce men who have our hunter-gatherer needs in us, and then along comes a pretty lady and everything is forgotten," he mused with a smirk as I nodded and then caught myself.
"I-"
"Do not try to deny it, Edward, you are acting worse than Jasper when he came of age. All he could do was smile for weeks when he was not watched over by the governess anymore." He full on laughed at this point and I swear I must have blushed.
"I just feel so alive when I am with her. The children light up my life like no other, but Isabella has a different effect on me, I can not understand it."
"You are not meant to understand it, son, that is how our partners make us," he chuckled lowly as he stood up.
Not a second later the doorknob turned and in walked Mother with a beautiful looking Isabella right behind her.
How Father knew that they were just about to come in, I did not know, but it did not matter as I looked at Isabella properly.
She looked exquisite in another décolleté lilac gown and I could not tear my eyes away from the lace collar that framed her neck.
"Son, try to pay attention," Father laughed a little, causing both myself and Isabella to blush.
"Good morning, Isabella. Did you sleep well?" I asked as I tried to hide my embarrassment.
"Good morning, Edward. I slept very well, thank you for asking," she replied as I held out a chair for her while Father did the same for Mother.
"So, I was thinking about some shopping today. Not too much, but enough to show Isabella the area, and of course what the markets around here sell. I think it would be good to start with this season because we could buy some plants and other items to plant and sow that would be ready in time for next year," Mother said softly while she took up Isabella's hand.
The sheer shock on Isabella's poor face had me laced with concern.
"Isabella, are you well?" I asked quickly in her ear and I eyed mother.
"I am well, thank you," she answered politely, but the look was still in her eyes. She was uncomfortable and I could not place why.
"While we are discussing shopping, Isabella, I would like to inform you that I have set up a bank account for the farm while you are here. Anything that you see that would be beneficial to purchase, please do so. I have a lot of work to conduct while I am in town, and I find that my shopping time may be limited. All you have to do is give the stores credits notes and they will deal with it from there, I'm sure Esme will help you wherever the need arises," Father said gently, but with enough firmness to tell her that she was to do as she was told.
As soon as Isabella took in his words she relaxed somewhat, and then I understood why she was out of sorts.
She had no money to spend herself.
Breakfast went by quietly and I saw that Isabella was struggling with the food, so I slowed my pace down to match hers. I was sure that she knew what I was doing. In between bites of her food, she would give me sideways looks and small smiles.
In the end, neither of us finished all of our food and before I could say or do anything, Mother whisked her out of the room so they could ready themselves for shopping.
…
Lady Cullen
Although my son seemed to be oblivious to Isabella's discomfort at the table, as a woman, I could not be so.
As soon as we had finished eating, I used the excuse of getting ready to the men and took Isabella by the hand as I lead her up the stairs to my own room.
"Isabella, I know that over the last few years you have been extremely busy and working all hours, but did you ever have such one-to-one conversations with your mother regarding ladies... personal issues?" I asked carefully as I sat us down on the edge of the bed.
"Not much, Esme, there was no time. Most of our talks surrounded the farm and Charles. Why do you ask?" she replied quietly, and I watched carefully as she rubbed her belly.
"Isabella, did you know that once a month young ladies and women bleed?"
"I know that animals have seasons and that dogs sometimes bleed and that is when they are ripe for breeding." She blushed furiously and it made me take up her hand once again.
"Isabella, it is a little different for us mere humans. Would you like me to explain?" I asked and with her small nod, I proceeded to tell her everything I knew.
I stumbled through my own words and meanings as I watched Isabella grow increasingly uncomfortable, but I knew that she needed to know how our bodies worked. She was a young lady now and for her to not know would be worse than a small talk explaining how things worked.
"Once a month?" she asked through a shuddering breath.
"Yes, normally, but it can vary from woman to woman and how they live their lives. From what I understand, your lifestyle and diet can either help or hinder it," I answered honestly.
We talked for a little while longer and I hoped that I had helped her with a few concerns that she had and answered what questions she thought of.
"I feel blessed to have you in my life, Esme. I honestly do. I know Mamma taught me all that she knew about the farm and other things, but she never once spoke of such private matters like this, or — men," she blushed as we stood up.
"With men, Isabella, it is a simple thing. You treat them with respect, but only if they do the same for you, and give them a little more length on the leash than you do a child. A man may rule the house, but it is a woman who controls what he rules," I laughed lightly as Isabella blushed again.
"Esme, may I be somewhat forward with you?" she asked as she wrung her hands together and looked out of the window.
"Of course, you may. You should know that by now." I smiled gently, prizing her fingers apart and taking hold of her hands, making her face me full on.
"I feel things, things that do not make sense to me, when I think of Edward," she mumbled as she looked to the floor.
"Oh, dear child, of course you do. I can see it as plain as day. What you are feeling, although sometimes confusing at best, is perfectly normal." I smiled. "Men have a way of turning our stomachs with nice feelings and our minds into blithering messes, but it is normal, Isabella and as soon as your mourning period is over, you will have a chance to explore how these new sensations make you feel," I said calmly as I lead her over to the door.
"Now, let us go and spend some of my husband's money and buy some things for this new adventure that you are headed on."
…
The rest of the morning consisted of Isabella refusing to buy anything that she deemed too expensive and Edward moping because he could not show Isabella any attention like he had been able to within our four walls.
Although Carlisle and I were respectful to our class and Isabella's mourning, we saw no harm in letting them show a little more affection towards each other than what was normally deemed 'proper'. Edward was a gentleman and I had trust in him that he would never go beyond anything hurtful or disrespectful and Isabella was too much a lady to let him go any further than what she was comfortable with. All in all, they were doing a fine job and a little leeway would do no harm.
Edward, though, he was like a child of Henry's age as he all but stomped behind us holding what purchases we did manage to obtain and grumbling every time a young man even so much as looked at Isabella.
I found it all very humoring and by lunchtime, I was fearing for Edward's hair.
"Edward, you look as though you have not slept a wink in your own bed. Go to the restroom and adjust your hair," I chastised him lightly as we walked into a small cafe on the corner of yet another good shopping area.
He stalked off after he placed our bags down and by the time he returned, we were ready to order our lunch.
"Esme, could you recommend anything that I may like? It all looks a little fancy for me to choose," Isabella mumbled, looking embarrassed as she placed her menu down in front of her.
"I think that simple sandwiches and tea would suffice and maybe if we have room afterward, a nice chocolate dessert. What do you think, Edward?" I asked, hoping to pull him from whatever thoughts he was lost in.
"Huh? Oh yes, Mother, that sounds lovely," he mumbled too.
"What a pair," I muttered with a grin as I caught the attention of the nearest waiter.
Lunch was over with quickly and I saw a new pleasure of Isabella's.
Chocolate.
She looked so sad that her little dessert was over with before she was ready, and I laughed the whole time as we left the cafe.
"There is always more, Isabella, fear not," I laughed as we walked into the next store.
Shopping became a little easier once Isabella was tired and I noticed that she fought less. I had a sneaky suspicion that she just wanted it all to be over and done with so that we could go home.
Edward made himself scarce for a while and it was not until we were back at the carriage that I understood why he had disappeared on us.
Once the staff had loaded the carriage of our purchases, Edward displayed a little box in his open hands to Isabella, encouraging her to open it.
As soon as she did, we both giggled a little as she saw six, perfectly presented London Chocolate Cakes. The very ones she had loved in the cafe.
"Thank you!" she exclaimed happily and shocked us both by reaching up on tiptoes to kiss Edward's cheek, making him blush furiously.
"Mourning, dear. Remember," I chuckled as she blushed at her forwardness and then scanned the street around us.
"Sorry," she whispered gently.
"There is nothing to be sorry for," Edward said once he recovered from his own little embarrassment and took her hand, helping her into the carriage.
I had to roll my eyes when I noticed him kiss the back of her hand again as she sat.
"The pair of you will be the death of me. I do not know how I am going to keep an eye on you until Candlemas," I said sternly but my smile broke through.
I was a very happy lady that afternoon.
Again, I'm sorry I didn't post. I've kicked myself up the arse lol. Up next, a beautiful gown, a little letter, and a shock dinner invitation...