Work Text:
“It’s not fair!” Aly said.
“Aly’s right, Maude,” Alanna said, “She shouldn’t have to learn embroidery if she doesn’t want to.”
Mother and daughter were united in outrage in such a rare show of solidarity that George almost felt bad about ruining this for them.
Maude noticed him lurking in the doorway and looked to him a little desperately for help. That wasn’t exactly the way George intended to turn this conversation either.
“Well now, Maude,” George said, “Are you meanin’ to say my boys aren’t being taught how to sew? We can’t have that.”
Alanna and Aly turned to stare at him, Aly with a look of betrayal on her face.
“ Why?” Alanna asked.
“Come now, Lass,” George said. He hadn’t actually thought about it until this moment, but turned out he actually did have strong opinions about his children knowing how to sew, “How many times have you had to mend your own clothes while out fighting? Sewin’s a useful skill, and our kids’ll grow up to be a sight better at it than you are if I have anythin’ to say about it.”
“But Da,” Aly began.
“No buts, Alianne Cooper,” George said, “If you work hard, though, I’ll teach you how to sew secret pockets. Now run along and find your brothers.”
Aly looked intrigued at the prospect of secret pockets.
“Well, if it’s useful sewing, I guess that’s okay,” she said, and rushed off to do as she was told. She was really a very obedient child if you knew how to reason with her properly.
“You’re dead set on this, are you?” Maude said looking tired, that particular tiredness that came with having to deal with this family, children and adults both.
“‘Fraid I am,” George said, “I know I’m a Baron now and all, but I intend to raise children capable of looking after themselves.”
Maude sighed. “Suppose I’d best go find some old clothes in need of mending, then,” she said.