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Two Does in Evening Wear
Helena Sattari-Billingham was the only child of Esmé and Lord George Billingham, of Henley-on-Thames, England.
Helena (left) and her Mother, Esmé (right), are pictured here in 1909. They are hosts, greeting guests for the first grand party of Helena's 'coming out season.' It was her 18th birthday and her introduction to society. It is a very formal and respected Victorian tradition to announce that their daughter has become a fully grown doe and is now eligible for marriage.
Higgleston, the Billinghams' long-standing Butler, formally announces the newly arrived guests. Helena and Esmé then greet them. Lord George Billingham is in the smoking room, entertaining the male guests, who are dispersed before collectively rejoining for a lavish banquet.
The season was quite successful. Helena gained many potential suitors but was an independent young doe determined to make a difference in the world. And so it was that she announced to her shocked parents that for the immediate future at least, she would remain single and focused on a career. She further announced her intention to work as a journalist for a little-known but reputable London newspaper. "A Journalist?' shouted Lord George and Esme in chorus?" "You mean you aim to work?" furthered Lord George incredulously.
As I am sure you can imagine, this news did not sit well with either Esmé or Lord George Billingham. For a young single female socialite to remain unattached was a lot to contend with in itself, but to add to this the sheer indignity of having their daughter work as a tradesperson? Oh, it was much too much for them to bear.
However, Helena Sattari-Billingham was a force of considerable strength. She announced her intention to leave for London within the month. It was at this point that Lord George overstepped his better judgment and covertly traveled to see his daughter's prospective employer, the editor of 'The British Ladies Illustrated Luminary.'
It was a small, unorganized office in a modestly appropriate section of West London. The editor herself was Ms. Tabitha Rudkin. A large, matronly Badger, wearing an ill-fitting jacket and blouse, a waistcoat strained far beyond its natural state, and a tiny bowler hat. She reclined behind the desk on a creaky and tired chair. Lord Billingham seemed taken aback by the site of this female editor. However, he did his best to appear cordial. He pleaded his case, 'doe to badger' that this union of 'The British Ladies Illustrated Luminary.' and his daughter could not be allowed to happen.
Billingham furthered his appeal by abruptly producing a large checkbook from his upper jacket pocket and depositing it onto the editor's desk. It landed with a loud flap. He then cleared his throat and proclaimed that he would be willing to donate a considerable sum of money to the newspaper if they would simply rescind their offer of employment to his daughter.
Following this, there was a moment of supreme quiet as
Tabitha Rudkin and George Billingham both knew that the next person to speak would be the one to lose the confrontation. And so, a prolonged silence hung like a canopy over the office. Eventually, it was broken by a silent yet emphatic gesture from Rudkin. She picked up the check without being tempted to look at the amount, held it over her half-empty tea mug, and deposited it fully.
As you can imagine, Lord Billingham was outraged. He left the office with a firm 'Good day to you.'
And there endeth all we know of this story. Further extensive research by myself produced very little, other than the following: Helena Sattari-Billingam did, in fact, commence working for 'The British Ladies Illustrated Luminary.' She was, in fact, listed as 'assistant editor' in 1911. Their final publication was in May 1914.
There was a parish registry entry in the town of Cricklewood, London, in 1914 for the marriage of Helena Sattari-Billingam to Mr. James Perdoo-Finch. James was the son and sole air of the estate of Christian Tobias Finch, a hugely popular architect at the time.
We will leave this story now, but this union between Helens and James did somewhat repair the family rift. Records show they had a long life together: three small stags and a doe.
The prequel to this scene can be found here: 'Stag and Doe.'
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Illustrated in the style of a vintage Edwardian or Victorian photograph. This image is part of my 'Anicurio' collection. Each original illustration is carefully hand drawn in pencil. Once finished, I often hand age and treat them with various dye methods, to resemble an old dusty antique photograph. I want this series to suggest something that was rediscovered by you. An inherited artifact from a mysterious benefactor? Or perhaps revealed in a long abandoned attic, lying at the bottom of a chest. Buried beneath old dusty clothes and fading hand written notes.