Saturday, December 13, 2008

On the Sixth Day of Christmas Lady Worsley Gave to Me

Six bath soaps...

In 1782 all of England became aware of Seymour Worsley's fondness for baths. She just happened to taking one at the military camp of Coxheath when her husband boosted their friend up to the small window to spy on her getting dressed. Lady Worsley was well-aware of her audience and put on a bit of a show. The three left the scene of the crime giggling with glee. None would ever predict how this little act of naughtiness would haunt them for the rest of their lives. I bet if Lady Worsley were here today she would be all over Lush bubble baths and shower gels!

16 comments:

  1. And then her husband complained when she ended up in bed with the friend!

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  2. I just ordered Lady Worsley's whim a few days ago...hopefully it gets here in time for Christmas!

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  3. Yippee! Lady Worsley is a fave tart of mine--and that habit is so smart. I think I like this ornament best (though Perdita is mighty fine).

    I'm so-o-o looking forward to the book, but Amazon doesn't even have a list price yet-- and it comes out next week. Odd that it can't be pre-ordered. Let us know how you like it, Kira. Should be quite a tale.

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  4. Ooo I can tell you already, Kira is gonna LOVE IT!

    Amazon does that alot. I contacted a publisher about the latest Ribeiro book and he said he has no release date for it yet and had no idea where amazon got their information from. They're pulling our leg, just to be mean!

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  5. Ack! No-o-o-o, not the Ribeiro book too. :( I already pre-ordered it and was oh-so eagerly awaiting it's arrival. Guess I won't hold my breath. It was supposed to be my holiday book, too (indignant humpf here). Maybe I'll trot over to Amazon UK.

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  6. I could never be interested in an historical era if there weren't comical goings-on. This story always raises a laugh.

    There is classical precedent for this sort of thing, by the way, from Herodotus. Search Wiki for the name "Candaules". That one turns out even worse for the husband.

    Some VIPs are desperate to show off their trophy wives, I guess.

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  7. Poo to you, now you've got me wanting to make a riding habit. Just one more thing to add to the list...

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  8. Polonaise, I looked at the author's website a while ago and it said that Lady Worsley's Whim won't be published in the U.S. till July! I can't wait that long, so I ordered it through a u.k. bookstore site that does free worldwide shipping instead. I'm eagerly anticipating it's arrival!

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  9. Thank you, Kira! I am chomping at the bit and July is just too far away. I like the sound of free worldwide shipping--those costs can be a killer. I'm off to shop....

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  10. Just found this blog when my Google Reader recommended it; I am loving the Xmas Tart countdown.

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  11. When I first saw the ornaments, I thought " oh no, she didn't decorate that one", but then I saw the sequins. Its so subtle, I bet is beautiful in person.

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  12. Thanks Sibylline, I'm glad you stumbled upon the blog!

    Yes, some ornaments are more simple than others but all of them have at least one Swarovski crystal on them. So they catch the light in a very pretty way!

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  13. i just love...all...the...hats! so beautiful!

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  14. Yes, aren't all the hats gorgeous!? I have to say, though, that Lady W's chapeau is a little impractical for riding. (The shoes, too, I guess. But it all makes for such a striking image.)

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  15. In light of my close association with Lady W, I can say on her behalf that she would have been honoured to haved appeared on a Christmas decoration - thank you, Heather!

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