Caesia390 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 22, 2024 5:21 am
But on second thought maybe they could all stay together in the house? Doesn't the main character in Wives and Daughters spend a significant amount of time living at Hamley House when the mother is ill, even with at least one of the sons there as well? So maybe in extenuating circumstances and as long as there's someone there to chaperone, it's not a big deal..? I mean, regency house parties were a whole thing - I don't know how different it would be with the tradesman class in a manufacturing city...
Trollope, in his novels, often has people staying in houses where they might meet their love interest (or potential love interest). As long as there are lots of servants and other members of the class of the family, it was not ipso facto improper. Examples off the top of my head are Eleanor goes to stay with her sister and brother in law (the Archdeacon) in Barchester Towers while Arabin is there ( I am pretty sure), and cousin Tom, who wants to marry Lucilla stays at the house in Miss Marjoriebanks (by Margaret Oliphant) (Lucilla's father is a doctor). These are slightly later / 1860s. Then there are all the scandalous goings on in the Tenant of Wildfell Hall (set a bit earlier) with mistresses staying as house guests, but its not improper as such just that they make it so by their carrying on. And, as you say, Molly stays at Hamley Hall - the reason it is considered as a question is because the Squire has a bee in his bonnet about his sons not marrying down, and also Dr Gibson is getting her away from Mr Coxe, so does not want her in another entanglement.
We know that there are six or seven empty bedrooms (!) in Marlborough House, because John mentions it to Mr Bell when he is staying in Crampton Crescent after Mr Hale's death, and is going to remove to the Clarendon Hotel to get out of the way when Aunt Shaw arrives.
I mean, there might be gossip, although, in the actual novel, we don't see so much gossip (the main thing I remember is Mrs Slickson asking Fanny why John is going to a tutor, at the end of the dinner party, and Fanny does not know whether to be ashamed or proud of him).
And I would love to try to write it, but unfortunately, I'm busy with my book writing. I agree with Tom that Merry would write this. She would do it perferct, but also Tom would make this great. I hope there will be someone who will take this and write. Fingers crossed!
And I would love to try to write it, but unfortunately, I'm busy with my book writing. I agree with Tom that Merry would write this. She would do it perferct, but also Tom would make this great. I hope there will be someone who will take this and write. Fingers crossed! 
