Lady Madeline
As she strolled the lush spring garden,
the blooms in respect reached out to touch her,
even a subtle glimpse of her visage
entreated life to shine, enamored those flowers,
yet she unbeknownst, was lost in her troubles,
the weight of life’s savage blows to a woman,
lost of inheritance, and father but days gone.
Marriage was no option for a true heart,
a loveless bargain to save her plight,
and so she chose flight,
to chance her life in God’s hands,
and the estate her estranged stepbrothers,
where no quarter would be given,
no compassionate dispensation.
All this tomorrow gone,
the only life she’s ever known,
and she a lady now to be a waif,
a bag of clothes and little else to find her fortune
in a man’s world, and her no name to carry,
just a daughter of a dead man,
a lady fallen to poverty.
The Lord arrived at ten,
and she one last ride to the station, at nine,
the staff all in tears, unbelieving,
a lady without title, without means,
stricken by a father’s love, but with inheritance denied,
and so she waited for that train,
tears so cold they sat upon her cheek.
Madeline, a voice did speak,
she turned and with furrowed brow, replied,
Yes, her puzzled mind confused,
Tis I Lord Fleming,
your step-brother, the only one alive.
Where are you going, he asked.
But I must leave, tis all yours and none mine.
I am not the same man you knew in childhood, my dear,
you are a lady, and shall live in your ancestral home for life,
never would I reject you Madeline,
for you were the apple of our father’s eye,
and in respect of that, you will live as you are accustomed,
not under my roof but ours,
dear sister, fear not.
I don’t know what to say brother,
this is not the way of law dear sir,
so damn the law he said, let’s go home.
And so a carriage awaited, and at home
every man and woman in service,
stood in two perfect lines to greet them,
Lord Fleming and Lady Madeline.
Tony DeLorger © 2016
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Such a wonderful surprise for Madeline. It did not often turn out that way in those times. Very nicely penned Tony.
Yes rare kindnesses transcended the barriers of society and law, but not very often. Glad you enjoyed it Phyllis.
Tony it just occurred to me – is this an excerpt from a book you wrote? If so, I would love to read it.
No Phyllis, just an on the spot fiction/poem. Pleased you enjoyed it.