My intention, initially, when you granted me permission to treat your apartment as my own, and to come and go as I pleased (we were, as you pointed out, practically married) was wholly honorable.
I only desired, in secrecy, to strip away the confines of corset and petticoats, and attire myself, for the afternoon, in one of your suits so that I could work on my equations while relishing the liberty of movement granted solely to members of the masculine sex.
(And oh what bliss to contemplate and formulate to my heart’s content without gasping for breath.)
But when you discovered me, clad solely in my unbridled intellect, experiencing absolute emancipation from the layers and laces meant to manipulate me into the perfect vision of propriety, it was the most exhilarating moment of my life!
That you broke off our engagement made me realize how little you appreciated my assets, after all.
~~~~~
Something short and lighthearted this week-using the third definition of the world manipulate.
http://www.trifectawritingchallenge.com/2014/02/trifecta-week-111.html
The Word Pirate 
I would like to think that no man would break off an engagement after seeing something like that! Must have been a very foolish man 😉
I agree Tammy! I bet he was rotten at math, too! 😉
Love! And love that we both used emancipation this week! Twins?
Thanks Kelly, dear! And I certainly think so!! 🙂
This is awesome, Valerie – fun, playful, clever. I love it!
Thank you, dearest girl! xoxoxo
Oh my goodness! This is so delightful, Valerie! And his loss entirely, foolish man. 😀
Thanks Suzanne! This was fun to write, and it means a lot to me that you liked it!
Completely enjoyed this Valerie! Foolish to think that clothes make a woman, or vise versa, but that same stereotype is still present today. This was a delightful read, and for her to feel liberated in the face of his rejection. Wonderful!
Thanks, my friend! You totally got where I was coming from! Recently my daughter encountered one such stereotype about “smart” women. Some things, unfortunately, still haven’t changed! xx
So sorry to hear that , I hope your daughter;s encounter only strength determination to become all she can be. But, knowing her Mom, I think she got it covered. 🙂
You are so awesome, my friend! xx
Clearly he has no appreciation of a woman’s wild abandon. Lucky for her she found out just in the nick of time. Else, a life of constipated, imposed rules to dominate her into propriety awaited her. She deserved better…. enjoyed this.
Thanks Rebecca! I think this gal has seen the light now;)
This is just such a wonderful read, Valerie. Loved the words as they created images and the mood. Great job, my friend! Good to be back here.:)
It’s so good to have you back, sweet friend!!!
This is such a different take. It made me think of the victorian clothing and how it would have affected the wearers. A wonderful read.
Thank you so much, AC! You hit the nail on the head-that was what I was aiming for:)
Welcome.
A great piece of writing Valerie. I must say I have some sympathy with the man – finding the woman of his dreams corsetless and working on equations, is a lot to take in!
Thanks Mike-for your comment, and for making me laugh too!! It certainly would be a lot to take in…;) I just hope it doesn’t turn out that he has a heart condition!
I love this! What a foolish man to leave after that!
Sami, No kidding! I think she’s better off with her equations:)
The woman deserves a better man:)
You are so right! And it’s nice to see you here!
I so get it when you see the emancipation that a attire can bring along esp for women 🙂
I agree! I’m so thankful for the choices I have today. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to get anything done wearing a tight corset!
Hahahahahahahahahaha
‘clothed solely in my unbridled intellect’ – man, that’s how I wanna live my life from now on! Bring on the heat.
Unappreciated assets!! Thanks for the belly laugh, Valerie! Love this.
Pure joy, Kymm sweetie! That’s what I felt when I saw your comment! Thank you so much for making my day!
I like the use of ‘putting the suit on’ to exemplify the freedom masculinity gives. And the light foreplay at the end, he apparently couldn’t handle it.
Thanks Renada! I think he turned out to be an empty suit of sorts. It’s always such a relief when a character is saved from a terrible fate-or mate as the case may be:)
What a fun write to read:~) I smiled all through it and just imagine your character. I loved this, “(And oh what bliss to contemplate and formulate to my heart’s content without gasping for breath.)”
I read enough of historical romances (should I publicly admit this?) and this is so TRUE. I’m glad I didn’t live back then. Whalebone corsets couldn’t not have been much fun to wear.
You do have a wonderful way with humor and words….you made this story a delicious confection for me to consume:~)
Hope is well with you.
Thank you, my dear:) It’s always so wonderful to see you here! And I couldn’t agree more about those corsets!! xx
This is wonderful! Quite the elegant story. I really enjoyed the imagery.
Lisa-a million thanks for that! 🙂
Sheer perfection. I’ve missed your writing.
I can’t think of a nicer compliment, my friend! Thank you so much, and I’m glad to see you back:)
Your fourth paragraph is to die for. Totally love this. Thanks for linking up and don’t forget to come back and vote!
Val,my friend,you never cease to amaze me with your writing!This was such fun to read-made me giggle:-)Glad he discovered her in her “emancipated state” and decided to call off the engagement-he was too insipid to enjoy her intellectual assets anyway-what a moron!
He doesn’t know what he is throwing away. Your phrasing in this piece was artful… “experiencing absolute emancipation from the layers and laces meant to manipulate me into the perfect vision of propriety” Beautiful.
This is so much fun! Definitely his loss. LM x
You saucy minx, you! 🙂 I LOVED this! Loved the voice, loved the sense of freedom and loved the subtle naughtiness. Your writing is always such a treat, my friend! XO
Fantastic.
This is an absolutely perfect little tale… love how you have managed to get that turn of the century language down to perfection… and the tale… hey talk about prejucice…
CONGRATULATIONS ON BEING VOTED FIRST:~) I just stopped Trifecta and saw you were voted in first place for this wonderful post. It is well deserved. You go, girl!!!!
Valerie, how you paint the women in your stories are second to none! This feisty, intelligent (asset-blessed) one seems better off without her sourpuss EX-fiance!
I have not been around to read much lately. I am glad I did not miss this one. Congrats!