‘MaybeI have my own ideas on what to watch …’
The aunts visibly perked up. She found Aggie examining her curiously and pulled a face. Jemima laughed, delighted, and even Aggie smiled.
‘My goodness, you reallyarefeeling better, aren’t you? Go on then – what do you want to watch? Has yourfriendStella given you any recommendations?’
Hetty bit her lip, blushing slightly. ‘Well, I’ve heard there’s something called Bridger … Bridgerford.’
‘Oooh,Bridgerton!’ corrected Jemima. ‘Bit … heterosexual, though, isn’t it? But an excellent choice nonetheless, my dear.’
Aggie sighed. ‘I don’t know, Jemima. WatchingBridgertonwith one’s niece? Isn’t it supposed to be more than slightly risqué?’
Jemima turned a cynical eye on her sister, nudging her pointedly with her macramé. Her current project was all in black, with the most fascinating bright red plastic ball attached. As usual, Hetty had decided not to ask questions about it.
‘Don’t pretend for one second you haven’t watched it, Agatha. Not for one split second. You forget we share a Netflix password.’
Highly amused, Hetty watched her sternest aunt turn beetroot red.
‘Very well,’ muttered Aggie. ‘Bridgertonit is. But don’t say I didn’t warn you, Hetty. Now, let’s order a pizza – I can’t be bothered to cook.’
Jemima giggled. ‘I think I fancy sausage on mine.’
The clock was chiming midnight and Jemima was stroking her hand reassuringly by the time Hetty had rallied enough to share her opinion.
‘Is that really what people think we used to get up to?’
‘Well, didn’t you?’ asked Aggie.
Hetty breathed out. ‘To be quite honest, I don’t wholly know. It certainly isn’t reflective of my life in the countryside.’
‘What about the costumes?’ asked Jemima. ‘People got quite cross about the costumes, you know.’
‘Well, they’re not right, no, but that seems of minor importance compared to the … the Bedroom Activities.’
She was blushing heavily, and so was Aggie, so Hetty decided to move on to other subjects.
‘I’m not sure the timelines quite match up with what I recall, but then it is quite obviously a work of fiction. And there was no mention of the advancements of the time. Why, I saw not one flushing privy! Surely people would be interested in that? I was so excited to see my first one!’
Aggie leaned back, taking a sip of wine.
‘You know, they never seem to think about things like that. I always wonder what everything smelled like, for example.’
‘Oh, awful, but then everyone was used to it, of course. Just as you are all accustomed to some of the inconveniences of this age.’
The aunts both blinked at her for a long second.
‘The inconveniences ofthis age?’ repeated Jemima disbelievingly.
‘Well, yes. I have noticed a few! I knew things would have advanced in some regards, but in others the world is quite behind where I had hoped it would be.’
‘Do elaborate, Hetty,’ said Aggie. ‘Where did you expect improvement?’
‘Well, while women of all classes do seem a lot more equal, we do also seem to still have much judgement on the way we look. Why, a gentleman – no, a scoundrel! – had the audacity to address me in the street just yesterday!’
Aggie delicately bit into a crisp, chewing thoughtfully. ‘Medicine is better, though, no?’
‘Oh, most definitely,’ said Hetty. ‘That really is excellent. But I must admit I am quite dismayed to see the advances made in the field of warfare.’
Jemima and Aggie were starting to look rather stricken. Hetty reached for another slice of pizza.
