The Fitting (F/F, cold)

[Dusty15]

Inspired by a post on Tumblr about 1800s era romance. F/F. Enjoy

 

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There was no rescheduling it now; Miss Louisa Abbott would be coming via a coach at any minute with the selection of underpinnings to be fit and finished. The problem was that the lady she was set to fit was feeling remarkably under the weather.

Miss Catherine O'Malley sat at the small tea table in her room with the morning tea service in front of her and a lace-trimmed handkerchief in her lap. She'd woken with the prickle of dryness in her throat and the beginnings of congestion gathering in her nose. The cook had brewed her up a spicy ginger tea with a hefty dose of lemon and honey, but it did not seem to be making much difference.

From her window on the upper level of the multi-story brownstone, she looked down at the city street below. It was a quiet, grey-looking morning and despite the fact that it was April, she'd had the fire in her room lit for the day.

Yet unmarried, Catherine had taken up residence in a family property in the city while she completed some education at a nearby ladies' institute. Her small staff took care of her and the house was a popular gathering place for some of the other women of education who also lived nearby. The lengthy salons were spirited discussions between young minds and Catherine relished living on her own in the city.

There was one particular young lady who was not of the same class, but who had come to be a great friend to Catherine. Miss Abbott first came to outfit Miss O'Malley in the finest underpinnings in Boston when she'd first taken up residence in the city. Her mother had sent some money to outfit her with a few new corsets and chemises, and Catherine had contacted Miss Abbott at the recommendation of a friend from the ladies' institute.

From that day, they were quick to become kindred spirits. And then they found themselves becoming closer and more intimate. Miss Abbott had once said that there was nothing more sacred and intimate than the layers of silk and linen that hid beneath a lady's gown. They'd soon discovered the pleasure of exploring each layer of each other, bit by bit.

As was the usual routine when Miss. Abbott visited, Miss O'Malley had given her house staff the day to themselves with the instructions to return in time to prepare her dinner service. James, the footman and valet, had offered to ride over to Miss Abbott's shoppe and tell her of Catherine's ill-health, but Miss O'Malley had declined. She needed the new corset for a ball in Concord the next weekend and there would be no other time to fit it.

In spite of her blossoming head-cold, Catherine found it difficult not to feel a rush of excitement as she watched the street for Louisa's coach. She toyed with the trim of her dressing gown, running her fingers down and across the pale swell of her own chest, rubbing her palm there to warm the chilled skin. She wore just her chemise and robe with an added shawl for warmth. There had been no point to dressing for the day if she was just going to be made to undress again. The maid had set up her boudoir for the fitting with her mirror and a small pouffe to stand upon if necessary, along with a table for Louisa and a chair.

There was the clatter of hooves on the cobblestones slowing to a stop out front and Catherine stood, craning her neck to see down to the street. Louisa emerged from the carriage and the driver unloaded two small cases from the rear.

Catherine stood and rushed to the mirror at her vanity, looking at her pale reflection and the slight tinge of pink around her nostrils. She pinched her own cheeks for a bit of colour and then hurried downstairs to meet Louisa at the door.

She opened the front entrance and stood back, letting the young woman carrying the two cases inside.

“Good morning!” Louisa chirped, giving a broad smile as she set down the cases. She shut the large front door behind her and then turned to Catherine. “Oh, I've missed you!”

Catherine blushed and smiled.

“I've missed you terribly,” she said.

Louisa bit her lip and grinned coyly.

“We're alone?”

“We are,” Catherine confirmed. “The staff have gone down to the wharf for the afternoon.”

Louisa shed her travelling coat and tossed it on a chair.

“Good. Forget decorum then.”

She approached Catherine with the same broad grin on her face and moved to embrace her.

“Oh, sweet, I'm sorry,” Catherine said, stepping back. “I'm afraid I'm a bit under the weather.”

Louisa pursed her lips and then frowned.

“Oh no! Why didn't you send word? We could have done this another day.”

“I have that salon and ball at Malcolm's this weekend and I need the corset for my gown,” Catherine said. “I know, I wish I could have changed things but this was the only time that would work. I do apologize. I don't think I'm too poorly, but-- ehh-”

She stuttered and as if she'd cursed herself by saying she wasn't that ill, Catherine fumbled in her dressing gown pocket for her handkerchief and smothered a small, restrained sneeze.

Tsh-GXHT!

Louisa made a soft sound of sympathy.

“Oh, love,” she said, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of Catherine's hair back and stroking her cheek. “I'm sorry. We'll try to make it as easy as possible.”

“Thank you,” Catherine said, flushing pinker. “I feel like I must look a mess. I do like to be a bit more put-together for you.”

“No sense in being put-together if we're just going to undress you anyhow,” Louisa teased. “Should we go up? If you're not well, I don't want to keep you too long.”

“Yes, it's warmer up there and Mary's set up my dressing room for the fitting.”

They brought the cases upstairs and into Catherine's bedroom, shutting the door to keep the warmth of the fire trapped inside. Louisa unclasped the buckles on the cases and flipped them open, revealing layers of delicate lace and silk and linen.

“I've been hard at work,” she said, reaching in and retrieving a pale pink silk-covered corset with velvet piping and embroidered flowers.

“Oh!” Catherine gasped, reaching for the delicate garment. “Oh, you're outdone yourself! It's beautiful, Lou.”

“It'll suit you beautifully.”

“I don't want you to catch my chill, but I can't help myself, I'm so pleased,” Catherine said, leaning in and kissing Louisa's cheek. 

“I'm healthy,” Louisa said playfully. “I don't want you to stay away from me. Can I say a proper hello?”

She sided up close to Catherine and slipped her arms around her, embracing her. They tucked their heads next to each other, leaning in.

“I like your hair like this,” Louisa remarked, running her fingers through Catherine's loose cascade of blonde waves. “I don't think I've ever seen it down.”

“I told Mary not to bother with it today,” Catherine said shyly.

“It's lovely.”

“Thank you. You look lovely today too.”

Louisa pulled back so she could see Catherine's face.

“Well, I knew I was coming here,” she said with a grin. She gestured to the corset. “Should we try it on, then?”

“Yes, please,” Catherine said.

She stood in front of the large mirror and shed her robe and shawl, standing only in her chemise with the lace trim at the neck. Gently, Louise wrapped the corset around Catherine's waist and held it in place at the back where the strings would be tied.

“It looks perfect,” Catherine said, running her hands down the velvet trim.

“It's as if I'm somehow familiar with your shape,” Louise teased and Catherine laughed openly.

“Will you lace me?” she asked. “I want to see how it looks with the gown.”

“Of course.”

With practiced hands, Louisa threaded the strings and began to tighten the corset row by row. She tugged hard, forming the boning into the delicate hourglass shape. As she yanked on the next row, she heard Catherine gasp.

“Is it too tight?”

Heh-TSCHHT!

The gasp had not been a gasp at all, but a slight hitch of breath. The gentle, soft sneeze made Catherine stumble a little but she regained her balance.

“I'm so sorry,” she said, embarrassed. “Louisa, love, my handkerchief is in my dressing gown pocket. Can you reach it?”

“I've got one right here,” Louisa said, fishing in her skirts and holding out a small linen square. “You can return it later.”

Catherine dabbed her nose carefully and sniffled a little.

“Should I keep lacing?” 

“Yes, please,” Catherine said, admiring her shape in the mirror.

Louisa tugged the cords tighter until the corset was laced fully. 

“The gown's in the wardrobe there,” she said. “Would you help me put it on?””

“Of course,” Louisa agreed. “I'll fetch it.”

“It's the coral silk.”

Louisa opened the large wardrobe and took out the dress, pooling it on the floor and taking Catherine's hand to help her step in. She gathered up the top of the dress and pulled it up over Catherine's corset and helped her into the arms. 

“Oh, it's beautiful,” Louisa said breathlessly as she buttoned the delicate pearl fasteners along the back of the dress. 

Charlotte stepped towards the looking glass and inspected the fit.

“It very nearly matches the colour of my poor nose,” she remarked, still holding Louisa's handkerchief. She dabbed it gently against the pink nostrils.

“You look beautiful,” Louisa said softly, coming up behind Catherine and pulling her long hair back off her shoulders to reveal the delicate neckline of the dress. “I almost want to say please don't wear it to the ball. I don't want anyone else knowing how beautiful you are."

Catherine reached up and took Louisa's hand, kissing her knuckles.

“I will have thoughts for no one but you.”

“Good,” Louisa said with a smile, circling her arms around Catherine's waist.

“Louisa, I'm sorry I--” Catherine stammered, slowly pulling away. She pressed the handkerchief to her face as she shuddered with a small, restrained sneeze

Ngh-GXT!

“Bless you,” Louisa soothed, stoking Catherine's hair.

“I--”

Catherine could not speak further. Her breath hitched wildly, the swell of her chest rising and falling as she struggled.

Ehh...hehh---eh-TSGHT!

She stepped away from Louisa's touch, pinching the handkerchief to her nose.

TsXHT! Ehh-TSGHT!

She stifled the sneezes as much as she could, keeping the sound soft and quiet despite the strength of the itch in her nose.

TshCCHT!

She took a shuddering breath and swayed suddenly. Louisa rushed forward, putting a steadying hand on Catherine's back.

Ehh-GHXT! TshHXT!

Catherine swayed again, clutching a hand to her chest. 

“I'm ever so dizzy,” she managed to say between hitching breaths. “I-- the corset---I--ehhTSXHHT!”

“Sit, love,” Louisa urged, turning her towards a chair.

“No,” Catherine gasped. “I—it's too tight, I can't—ehh....heh-TSGHT!”

She reached for the buttons of her gown, fumbling blindly at the fasteners.

“Shh, I have them,” Louisa assured her, hurrying to unbutton the back. Catherine clutched at the heavy mahogany wardrobe for support, breath rushing in and out in shallow gasps. And then she began to cough, her chest straining against the corset with each dry bark. Louisa shoved the gown down and began to loosen the strings, tugging and threading as fast as she could until the corset was finally loose enough to pull down.

Eh-TSGHHHT!

Catherine sneezed loud and rough, no longer able to contain her sneezes as delicate stifles.

“Oh, love,” Louisa said, gently taking Catherine's arm. “Here.”

She guided the sniffling woman over to the massive four-poster bed and sat her down.

“Let me,” she said, taking the handkerchief from Catherine's grip and carefully wiping away a mess of tears and snot from Catherine's face. Catherine made a small, whimpering sob and Louisa could see her bottom lip beginning to tremble.

“Oh, sweet, I'm so sorry you're not feeling well,” she said, sitting beside Catherine and gathering her up in her arms. Catherine's head rested against her chest and Louisa stroked her hair soothingly.

“Let's get you settled into bed, dear heart,” she said. “No more fittings today.”

[SneezingGenius]

This is lovely! Please continue!

[lul AAA]

Wow, I enjoyed a lot the details of the story and the way it is written. It very easy to visualize, it's almost like a movie set in the Victorian Age.

The protagonists sound very cute and corsets are such an amazing piece of clothes! 🙊😋

[poiub]

Beautifully written

[Sneeze-aholic]

This is beautifully descriptive and really well written. Thank you for sharing it. 

[Anmeroth]

A fun and interesting story! I hope you continue to write more with these two! 

[NoV]

I have always found period-set sneezefics to be especially erotic, and yours is no exception  I particularly like the way the tightness of the clothing seems to exacerbate the size/urge to sneeze which you have captured in this story perfectly! 

[lsbn]

Wow, this is absolutely gorgeous! Thank you for writing!

[EdanZather]

Really really cute! 

[CharliesGirl]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! 

[White Rose]

I love this! Very well written!’

[Teacups]

A year late, but I read this only now and it is lovely. They're so cute and nice, I love the set up and theyre routine of sending the servants away for time together. And the sneezes of COURSE

[Dusty15]

On 4/19/2020 at 8:15 AM, Teacups said:

A year late, but I read this only now and it is lovely. They're so cute and nice, I love the set up and theyre routine of sending the servants away for time together. And the sneezes of COURSE

Still appreciated Thanks for your comment

[ShamanBodyan]

Ух ты! Это чудесно! Я удивлен, что нашел эту историю только сейчас.