Charlotte understood the charges of profligacy and shallowness pelted at the Upper Ten Thousand, at those whose entire lives revolved around endless arrays of entertainment. But she also knew that for those on the inside, it was the only way they had been taught to live. Few, in the end, ever truly defied the way they were taught to live.
To be thought of as the perfect woman for a man isn’t a compliment to a woman, it’s more about how a man sees himself—and what he needs.
“For a woman raised to be purely ornamental, marriage is her livelihood. If Lady Ingram hadn’t married for money she would have been a fool.” “So you truly don’t despise Lady Ingram?” “For making rational choices for herself? No, I do not despise her. I do not applaud her, but I do not find her decision to marry the richest man interested in her reprehensible.”
A Conspiracy in Belgravia by Sherry Thomas
Mrs. Watson had once relayed to Charlotte an opinion on an adolescent Lady Ingram, by a woman who had worked for the Grevilles. Her main impression of Lady Ingram at that age was one of frustration. A frustration that approached rage, at times. Lady Ingram hadn’t been angry because she’d wished to marry a different man, as Mrs. Watson had thought at the time, but because her life hadn’t been her own. Charlotte did not pity Lady Ingram—the woman played no small role in her own fate. But she sometimes thought of the former Miss Alexandra Greville, brought to London and told to smile, told to be happy that an eligible man loved her, told that upon marriage she would have everything a woman could desire. When it should have been obvious to all who knew her that such a life would unravel her. Yet they’d pushed it on her with all their might—and made it plain that for her to do anything else would be a gross betrayal to her family. Perhaps she had always been a monster, but even the lady monsters of the world couldn’t escape the expectations that came of being women.
Hollow of Fear by Sherry Thomas
I love Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas. It's genderbent version of the OG Sherlock Holmes. The characters are intriguing, the plot is engaging and the romance while minimal leaves one yearning for more. There is friendship, sisterhood, mentorship, queer as well as autisitc and anxiety ridden characters, different perspectives from people who have lived varied lives, the feminism isn't too on nose. It's really good.
Though the one character I can't get out of my head is Alexandra Greville or as she is more commonly know Lady Ingram. Though unlike with Mrs. Watson who is bisexual, it's never specified that Charlotte is demisexual or that Former Lady Ingram she is aro-ace but it's the conclusion I've come to.
I truly love Lord Ingram or Ash as his friends call him, he is a good father, friend, person; in fact a literal green forest. But my heart breaks for this woman and all others in the past and present who are tied to the marriage yoke because it's the norm and good for them.
This doesn't mean I support her actions of being a spy for Moriarty, plotting her husband's murder, and even unknowingly giving up her sister's life to save her own but I can't ignore the fact that she did this to escape a life that was thrust upon her.
She could've done better, her actions are inexcusable but it's just not fair that women are confined to a certain life no matter the era.
And a standing ovation to Sherry Thomas for creating such compelling characters.
