14 August 1870, Sunday
Today is my 30th birthday. It is fitting that I spent it travelling back to London in the company of those I have grown regard as family. I hope to savour the five months leading up to Sir Cosmo and Miss Chigwidgeon’s wedding, as my own situation will likely change once Miss Chigwidgeon becomes Lady Cowperthwaite.
If Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer marry soon my official role as chaperone will no longer be required. Mrs Cuthbert, as a respectable widow will not need my services. Ruth and Namaste, God willing, will be married. That leaves Tattvik, Emily, and I. Tattvik is safely in school at Lady Ottoline’s, Emily has her work cut out for her as Edward’s bodyguard/chaperone, and I am in the strange position of being old enough to be able to dispense with a chaperone. What excuse can we contrive for my continued presence at No. 18 Charles Street. If Whilelmina could ever be convinced to come out of hiding an argument could be made that she would need more than just Miss Sinclair’s services as a tutor.
It is counter-productive of me to be reasoning ahead of events. Sir Cosmo has not indicated that my presence in his household creates any difficulty. On the other hand, I do not know how he considers me, nor how important it is to him that some façade exist to explain my continued presence in his household. It’s not as if I can tell all and sundry that I am a member of the League—I can see it now: “Dear Mother, I continue to reside at No. 18 Charles Street so that I may be called upon at a moments notice to defend England against threats both mundane and supernatural….”
No, I think it better to go on as we have been. After the wedding I can speak with both of them as to their wishes. I do have Great-Aunt Heathlyn’s cottage that I can remove myself to if necessary, so I will not be forced back into my brother’s household. However, Tattvik is enjoying her studies and I would not like to be so far removed from her supervision—and, I believe, that the solitude of the cottage would weigh on me after a few weeks.
Regardless, there is nothing I can do about the situation so I will strive to let it go. Perhaps one of Mr Salmalin’s mantras would help…
We should arrive at home in good time to address some correspondence and get a few good nights rest before travelling on to Edenfield Court on Wednesday. We will stay only one night at Sir Cosmo’s country house. It has been in mothballs for many years and is not yet ready for sustained occupation.
Thursday we travel on to Lord Greyminster’s estate, Goxhill Hall. I do not know how long we will stay in the country. We could all use a rest after our adventures on the Continent, however, both Mrs Cuthbert and I have things we must attend to in London. We should consult with Sir Cosmo so as to coordinate our schedules to allow for suitable chaperonage for Miss Chigwidgeon. I believe Miss Sinclair will be much too distracted with her own domestic arrangements to be of further assistance.
Mrs Cuthbert may wish to finish moving in to No. 12 Charles Street and resume her consultations with her clients– though many of them may have left London now that the Season has ended.
For myself, I have a rather long list of people to visit, reports to submit, and letters to write. Tattvik and I will spend part of this evening assembling our latest reimbursement request for clothing that was damaged beyond repair during the League’s adventures in Belgium, France, Florin, and Prussia.
The primary casualty was the dress that I was wearing the first time we encountered Herr Schmidt. Between the scorch marks and wax stains from the exploding candles, the tears and gashes caused when I fell from a carriage moving at speed to a cobblestone street, and the bloodstains there was very little that was salvageable. Tattvik reports that three of the corset stays were still useable. The rest of the ensemble is rags. I plan to attach a suitably mangled swatch to our report to help demonstrate the seriousness of our request. I will also ask for a stipend for Tattvik as well. She did much more sewing and repair work than would be required of a normal lady’s maid on such a trip. Indeed she helped all of the ladies during the time we were away.
Fortunately we did have some quiet days in both Berlin and Paris and I was able to spend some time with her touring the great cities and shopping for replacement fabric. We also picked up a few gifts for her family. I must make a note to pack them up so they can be shipped tomorrow after we leave.
Tattvik and I need to discuss her plans. I do not know if she wishes to travel on to Goxhill Hall or stay in London with Lady Ottoline for the balance of the summer term to continue her training. I will send a note to Lady Ottoline as soon as we arrive.
I must draft a report for Mrs Godwin as Mr Ramsey remained behind in Belgium to consult with the Watcher’s guild there. He will no doubt submit a report of his own that will be more informative but I feel a need to present my own account to Mrs Godwin and also Mr Weasely of the Lord High Warlock’s office. I should consult with Sir Cosmo and see if my own reports would be of any use to him. I will ask him review what I send to the Watchers and Lord High Warlock’s office as my primary allegiance is, of course, to Our Employer, and I would not wish to breach an secrets that Office wishes kept.
I must write to Mother and John and let them know that we are safely returned. I wonder if James ever got the letter I sent from Metz after the war had come and gone? Any mail sent to us may well be chasing us around the Continent as we rarely stayed in one place for long. It is possible some of the mail was sent direct to Charles Street, in which case we will have our work cut out for us.
In addition to arranging Tattvik’s further education, I hope to find out from Lady Ottoline if any progress has been made in devising a way to prevent the events of the Brixton Horror from reocurring.
Looking over the list of things I should do suggests that I get a start on some of the writing while we are still en route. Once we arrive home there will be the bustle of unloading trunks off of the train and onto carriages and then off again at Charles Street.
So, my birthday passes while I deal with the minutiae of life. I certainly can say that I am happier in this new, active role than I ever was as Mrs Captain Forrester. Sir Cosmo surrounds himself with people of astonishing quality and character, so that even when we are in mortal danger I would not choose to be anywhere else.
Even if it does mean writing out three copies of the same report.
15 August 1870, Monday
Yesterday was the first day I updated this record since before we left Berlin. After the events in Konigsberg I have tried to set pen to paper but my thoughts have been in a whirlwind and have resisted my efforts.
Usually it is easier for me to detail my concerns in writing than with another person. Hence the rather obsessive quality of this record. However, the magnitude of the event in question is such that it and the events surrounding it have refused documentation.
Before I can come to a resolution on this, I must speak privately with Sir Cosmo and Miss Sinclair. My fear, sorrow, and anxiety will not let me make peace with those events until I have done all I can to express my concerns in the matter.
Part of me wants to let it go and hope that we fare better the next time, but that is not the way forward. Responsibility must be taken and demonstrated. When I damaged the mind of Lady Miranda I took responsibility for my actions. I went before the tribunal, endured the questioning of both sides in the matter and ultimately was judged to have within the bounds of the law. This does not make me less responsible for her fate, it merely removes the possibility that I might be jailed, or worse for my actions.
What can be done with someone who will not submit to any authority– who believes that she is not only more intelligent than everyone around her but that she, and she alone should make all decisions about what course of action to take. It is most disturbing that the person in question is intelligent, but not unfortunately, wise beyond her years. In addition, at least until recently, she has not had authority figures in her life in whom she could lay her trust.
I am afraid that Sir Cosmo is the only one who can untangle this mess. However, I fear that he does not understands the seriousness of the matter, or the lengths to which it may undermine the League’s ability to act effectively in the future
There is little more that I can say until I speak with Sir Cosmo in person and in private. In this situation, I do not believe Sir Cosmo can make the case that I am overreacting. The events that occurred were dramatic and unmistakable...
I will have to let matters sit until they can be addressed.
Until such time, I will resume my normal diary with the observation that we have arrived safely at Sir Cosmo’s house and will take today and tomorrow to rest and repack. The household has been invited to Goxhill Hall to visit Lord Greyminster.
I did get quite a bit of writing done on the trip over from Belgium. I sent off letters to Mother, James, and John in this morning’s post.
Tattvik and I have made great headway with the invoice to Our Employer’s office– though I doubt he will be pleased when it arrives.
I have asked Mother to confirm the dates of Anne’s confinement and let her know that, Sir Cosmo willing, I will try to make it home for the Event (or as soon thereafter as is convenient– depending upon Anne’s wishes).
Yesterday, I was unable to attend church but did spend some time in prayer. Many of the things I have seen and done bear reflecting on.
I wonder what Wymms did with anarchists?
16 August 1870, Tuesday
My plans have changed. Ruth received word from her family that they would like to meet Mr Frazer. She showed me the letters and it was quite clear to me that she could marry tomorrow and arrive as Mrs Frazer and they would be perfectly contented.
Ruth would rather take a more conventional approach and, as Mr Frazer has been told by his superiors that he may take what time he needs to attend to his personal needs, wishes to travel to her family home in Bridgwater before going to Goxhill Hall. She has invited me along as chaperone. Sir Cosmo has said that Mrs Cuthbert and Miss Pinker will be able to watch over Miss Chigwidgeon and has given me permission to go with Ruth and her Mr Frazer.
I will miss the opportunity to see Edenfield Court but hopefully better days are in store for that house. Miss Sinclair has arranged to stay a week in Somersetshire. She and Mr Frazer have agreed to travel to Goxhill Hall by way of Stoke-on-Trent so that I may visit my cottage. I need to spend some time there maintaining its unique properties. The Frazers-to-be have been persuaded to spend a week with me. It is my hope that my little home might provide them with some quiet time together after all we have endured this summer.
I will pack some trunks to send ahead to Goxhill Hall with Sir Cosmo as he has indicated we may be in the country for the remainder of summer and into the fall (all supposing that no sudden need calls us all back to our duties to Our Employer). I must also send off my invoice and report today. Perhaps I will take a carriage and deliver it by hand– but that would require risking that Sir Phillip might be in the office. I will ask Sir Cosmo to include it with his report.
Tattvik has decided to stay in London and continue her training at Lady Ottoline’s school. Mr Graves has assured her that Goxhill Hall is well and competently staffed.
Hopefully her education will be something of a vacation for her as well. She worked as hard as any of us, keeping our clothes mended and free of bloodstains. Seeing to the well-being of five women and a girl and all that they hauled around with them was a chore beyond imagining. Not that any of the other ladies intentionally put such a load on Tattvik, she is just very helpful, and has a bit of her mother’s managing way about her.
Mr Salmalin will be travelling with the rest of the League out to Goxhill. Since Ruth and I will have an entire week at the cottage where we can study unobserved I will as him if there are particular mantras or techniques I should practise. I am certain that Mr Frazer, House and I can improvise an archery butt to allow Ruth more practise with her bow. I wonder if Mr Frazer shoots...
17 August 1870, Wednesday
We arrived safely and are installed in Ruth’s brother-in-law’s inn. Since Ruth and I are sharing a room, Mr Davies declined my attempt to pay him. Ruth’s parents seemed well disposed toward Mr Frazer before even meeting him, and being Mr Frazer, he could not help but charm them.
Mrs Sinclair took pains to ensure that I was introduced to Ruth’s immediate family. There was one awkward moment with one of the young cousins when she asked me if I was related since I wear black and they are still in mourning for their cousin Matthew. I had to explain that I was still in mourning for my own father. I was impressed by how quickly the young girl recovered her manners– expressing condolences for my loss and moving the topic onto a more neutral subject, or at least the subject of the moment, Ruth’s engagement.
18 August 1870, Thursday
Mr Frazer, Ruth and I had a very pleasant outing today courtesy of Mr Davies. He loaned us three of his horses so we were able to ride out and see some Ruth’s old haunts.
We had a bit of trouble getting started, as the first horse I was given was quite skittish around Turgenov. While I am not an inexperienced rider, I thought it best not to test either my skills or the groom’s assurances that the horse would calm down once we were out of the yard. Fortunately, there was another horse to hand that was much more tolerant of Turgenov’s company. The weather held fine while we were out only clouding over once we were safely home.
What a strange feeling to be out and about with no mission to accomplish other than to furnish Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer with a chance for a few quiet moments! When they spoke it was of the local flora and fauna but they seem to spend much of the time quietly absorbed in the other’s company. I rode a little way back when I could. My job is to be seen watching over them, not necessarily to hear every word spoken– especially now that their engagement has met with Ruth’s parents blessing.
19 August 1870, Friday
Mrs Sinclair left the house early this morning. Her carriage was loaded with supplies for the party tomorrow. I gather that Ruth’s Uncle has the largest house of the family so it will be the site of a family party in honour of the Engagement. Ruth mentioned last night that she thinks it will be a subdued affair as the family is still in mourning for Matthew Sinclair. It’s just as well that she was still upstairs dressing when her mother was loading the carriage.
Peter Sinclair and his vampire associates should count themselves fortunate that they did not cross paths with the League while we were on the Continent. Perhaps when Miss Magda returns from the States we will be able to point her their way, though I suspect that Ruth would rather take care of this particular problem herself seeing as how it is a family matter.
20 August 1870, Saturday
Today was the large family party in honour of Ruth and Mr Frazer’s engagement. I dredged up skills honed by ten years of military Occasions and did my best to keep Ruth and Mr Frazer from being overwhelmed. I caught Mrs Sinclair’s eye as she was working the room and realized that I had an ally. Between the two of us we were able to divert the streams of well wishers so that Ruth and her Intended could chat with one or two people at a time. Most of Ruth’s family seemed to catch on quickly so Mrs Sinclair became the gatekeeper, allowing each visitor a few minutes alone with Ruth and Mr Frazer.
I did notice a few envious glances aimed Miss Sinclair’s way but she seemed oblivious, as she often is when in company with Mr Frazer.
I tried to entertain those guests waiting for a turn to express their congratulations with stories of India. With the warm summer sunlight streaming though the windows it was not difficult to conjure my most felicitous memories of that country and my time there. It did make me rather homesick for the company of Miss Chigwidgeon, Mr Salmalin, and the rest of the League, however.
21 August 1870, Sunday
Church was a rather extended affair this morning. The service was unexceptionable. I did notice the priest giving quelling glances to some of the more excitable young ladies in the sanctuary. It was clear that Ruth and her Mr Frazer were the talk of the parish. Ruth bore it all with her characteristic reserve. After services there seemed no end to the congratulations. More than one matron let the excitement of the moment overwhelm her manners and asked after the wedding date and when none was forthcoming, expressed concern that Ruth not put it off too long.
Ruth spent the afternoon closeted with her father. Mr Frazer and Turgenov went for a walk. The weather was fine and I found myself easily persuaded to stroll with Lenore, Ruth’s eight-year-old cousin. She asked many questions about Mr Frazer– how he and Ruth met, what type of work he does, what languages he speaks. Many of her questions were ones that I am not permitted to answer honestly but she was quite persistent.
I fear Mr Frazer may have another admirer among the Sinclair girls. When I attempted to change the subject she would steer it back again to Mr Frazer. Fortunately I can, quite honestly, claim ignorance as to the specifics of Mr Frazer’s work. I even managed to refrain from mentioning that I first met him in his official capacity when he was investigating the death of Mr Milford.
I finally managed to divert Lenore by switching the conversation to French, thus limiting the number and complexity of questions she was able to ask. We met up with Mr Frazer and Turgenov as they were returning from their walk and we all returned to the house together.
22 August 1870, Monday
I was able to go riding this morning after breakfast. Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer were to be closeted with Mr Sinclair for some time and Mrs Sinclair said that I should have the morning free. The ride was lovely. The air had cooled overnight and while the sun had been up for a few hours, so it was not yet unpleasantly warm.
I don’t think I have ridden alone since before I left home for London in April. I did feel anxious at first but I recited the Seed of Peace as I rode and was gradually able to relax and enjoy the ride. No demons or sorcerers leapt out to spoil the view.
After lunch Mrs Sinclair proposed that we walk into town. Ruth and Mr Frazer volunteered to accompany her. I went along in my role as chaperone and soon we had a large party as nearly every female in the Sinclair household rushed to find her hat. With so many of Ruth’s family along I could easily have removed myself gracefully from the party, however, Ruth gave me a look that made it quite clear that she did not wish to be abandoned to her family’s attentions.
23 August 1870, Tuesday
Mrs Berringer invited herself to tea today. She is something in the way of being the local gossip. We met her in town yesterday and she and Mrs Sinclair ended up circling each other like cats with their backs up. Really, Mrs Berringer has a talent putting one off. Quite deliberately I am certain.
Fortunately she was spotted coming up the walk and I was able to get Ruth and Mr Frazer, with Leonore as gooseberry, out the back door in time to meet Mrs Berringer at the front. I told her in all honesty that Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer were out but was unable to prevent her from latching on to Mrs Sinclair and inviting herself in. She had some excuse about a change in a meeting time for one of the associations both she and Mrs Sinclair belong to.
We sat down to tea and the talk turned naturally to marriage. Mrs Berringer said something about how my own hopes for marriage must be revived now that Ruth had demonstrated that even the most difficult of women can find a husband.
She was looking right at me, though the dig was obviously aimed at Mrs Sinclair, who, well bred woman that she is, did not bat an eye. It was just as well Miss Chigwidgeon was not there as the Sinclair’s have a rather lovely tea trolley that I would hate to see destroyed.
I managed a neutral reply– nothing terribly witty as I can never think of such things in the moment. The Terrible Woman finally left satisfied that she had made her point. The whole incident was so absurd that Mrs Sinclair and I could not but laugh as we cleared the tea things and sent word to Ruth and Mr Frazer that it was safe to return to the house.
We had a pleasant evening despite Mrs Berringer’s visit and Ruth is working in her own note book as we prepare for bed.
Now with my gloves set aside I see for the first time that the impression left by the ring that bound me to Mr Forrester has vanished. My hands, though older and ink stained, are mine once more, no longer serving to remind me of the vows I was unable to keep.
24 August 1870, Wednesday
Mr Frazer, Miss Sinclair and I were up early this morning to catch the train to Stoke-on-Trent. I had written ahead and Mr Ashby had arranged to have a boy meet us with a carriage. The boy and carriage did quite a good job of getting the three of us and our luggage to the cottage. As has become my practice, I had the boy leave us at the gates. Fortunately Miss Sinclair and I had sent most of our luggage on to Goxhill as our needs will be modest out in the country with no one to impress but ourselves.
I have settled Mr Frazer and Turgenov into the guest room while Miss Sinclair and I will share my Great-Aunt’s room. House was here to greet me when I unlocked the door. I was unsure of his reaction to Miss Sinclair, given her peculiar relationship to things mystical. However, his only comment was that he found her to be quite well grounded.
I felt a little awkward speaking to House when Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer were in the room as I doubt they could see him. It must have looked as if I was consulting with thin air.
We had a light supper. Mr Frazer surprised me by offering to cook. I had no objection. Ruth and I worked on readying the rooms and bringing in wood for the fire while he surveyed the pantry and boiled the tea.
We are settling in for the night. I can hear the chirping of insects and the rustling of leaves in the tall grass. Miss Sinclair is updating her own record. I should finish this so she is not kept awake by my scratchings.
25 August 1870, Thursday
Mr Frazer was up well before either Ruth or I, and we did not sleep late. It was wonderful to turn in early last night and sleep undisturbed by dreams or prophecy or other alarms in the night. While Mr Frazer made himself busy in the kitchen, Ruth and I resolved to return to our exercises as about all we could manage in Bridgwater was horseback riding. Without Mr Salmalin or Miss Bertilde to supervise our practise we decided to refrain from sparing. It is surprising how quickly we lost the trick of moving in the new ways we have been taught.
After breakfast Ruth asked Mr Frazer to continue her German lessons. I for one would like to learn more Arabic. I learned a bit from Mr Hassan while he was with us and it seems a most interesting and complex language. It was good to have an excuse to practise the German– especially in light of our recent trip to Berlin.
26 August 1870, Friday
After our morning exercises and breakfast the boy and his carriage came to pick us up. I had determined to pick up some dry goods and other supplies for the cottage. To my surprise, Mr Frazer had prepared a list of potentially useful items. I added it to my own. Ruth and I did the shopping while Mr Frazer visited Stoke-on-Trent’s tiny telegraph office.
We returned home in good order and Ruth has decided to do some sketching in yard. Now that I have fresh milk I will make a fine feast for the Brown Men. I put out a little of what we had in the pantry for them the past two nights but I think a more substantial thank you is in order. I also need to see to the ritual that sustains House before we leave tomorrow.
27 August 1870, Saturday
The boy, whose name is Bill and who is Mr Ashby’s nephew, arrived promptly at eight this morning to take us to the train station. I locked up the house, leaving it in its caretaker’s hands once again. This visit was too short– I hope to come again soon if Our Duties do not detain us.
Now we are on the train to Goxhill Hall to be reunited with Mr Salmalin, Sir Cosmo, Miss Chigwidgeon, Edward, and the rest. I do not know if Mr and Mrs Cuthbert will be there or if they have returned to their new house in town.
Mr Frazer will have a few days at Goxhill before he must return to his duties in London. Ruth will not be the only one sad to see him go. I have found his company to be very pleasant. Though getting him to express an opinion is akin to pulling teeth.
~Later~
We arrived on schedule. Mr Salmalin, Sir Cosmo, and Edward met us at the station with one of Lord Greyminster’s carriages. Miss Chigwidgeon was waiting impatiently on the steps of Goxhill Hall for Sir Cosmo’s return.
Mr Salmalin had vanished with the carriage– he and Edward to arrange that our baggage would find its’ was to our new rooms. I lingered on the steps, sparing the two couples my presence for a few moments.
After the quiet of my cottage the grandeur of Goxhill Hall was overwhelming. It is an imposing building faced with red stone and feeling much more like a fortress than a house. After months in Sir Cosmo’s informal and eccentric household I was brought up short by this reminder of who his Family is. Perhaps it is for the best that Miss Chigwidgeon does not fully compass the exalted estate she is marrying in to, if she did she might run screaming from the altar.
No, that is unjust for I have never seen Namaste run from anything. It would be more accurate to say that it is perhaps for the best that Society does not know what it will have in its new Lady Cowperthwaite.
I must have stood outside lost in thought longer than I realized for I heard Mr Salmalin putting the empty carriage away as Ruth came out to fetch me from the gathering dark.
28 August 1870, Sunday
I’m just back from services. Lord Greyminster has a very pretty little church in his parish. The curate, a Reverned Pottle, is a bit wet but very earnest and seems happy to see such an increase in congregants.
We returned to the house to a lovely lunch prepared by Lord Greyminster’s staff. It was the first time we had an opportunity to visit with our fellows in the League since parting company in London these ten days past.
Miss Chigwidgeon entertained us with lively stories of her visits, under Lord Greyminster’s supervision, around Goxhill parish and to the neighbouring parishes of Hornsea and Sigglesthorne. Hornsea has a Reading and Conversation society and Sir Cosmo has purchased memberships for many people in the household. Edward was not impressed with their book selections being quick to point out Lord Greyminster’s extensive collection.
Edward managed to ferret out several books in Arabic from the Old Lord’s library. It turns out that Mr Frazer speaks some Arabic and is willing to be our tutor for the few days before he must return to London. Regardless, French, Hindi, and Latin remain at our disposal so we should not lack for topics of study.
Our Mr Graves returns to London today. I am sorry to have missed most of his visit to Goxhill but he says he must return to the townhouse and his duties there.
Lord Greyminster has given over one of his unused outbuildings for Edward to use as a laboratory. Miss Sinclair and I are to be given the grand tour this afternoon.
29 August 1870, Monday
After consulting with the other ladies of the house, we have resumed our usual morning routine. We met before breakfast with Mr Salmalin and Miss Bertilde. Ruth and I are already a bit rusty. Salmalin set us to work together on unarmed combat. I have the reach on her but she can be deceptively quick. All that chasing after Edward pays unexpected dividends.
Lord Greyminster joined us for breakfast. Somehow the topic got around to horses and I mentioned how much I had enjoyed riding at Bridgwater with Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer. Lord Greyminster gave me leave to ride his horses any time I wished. If the weather holds and I can find a partner perhaps that will be my entertainment this afternoon.
30 August 1870, Tuesday
The weather did not hold and yesterday we were treated to a very soggy afternoon. I spent some time with Miss Chigwidgeon in the afternoon while Sir Cosmo braved the rain to consult with Edward on some design issues out in Edward’s workshop.
I do not know if Miss Sinclair sleeps more or less well now that Edward’s banging is further removed from her sensitive ears. I sat in on the last Arabic lesson with Miss Sinclair and Mr Frazer. He leaves tomorrow on the morning train, returning to his work in London. I should check in with Miss Sinclair and see if she would like me to sit chaperone tomorrow or if Sir Cosmo and Miss Chigwidgeon would be better company.
I finally broached the subject of Miss Sinclair’s wedding with Miss Chigwidgeon. As I thought, Miss Sinclair’s attempt to raise the issue of presidence in marriage dates was too subtle for my friend. When I asked her if she had any objection to Miss Sinclair marrying before the date set for her wedding she said in her opinion they should get married whenever they wish. Sir Cosmo has to observe all our silly English traditions, she said, but Mr. Frazier is a free man and can marry whenever he wishes without all the pomp and circumstance. She added, more pongiantly, that she would like to attend at least one English wedding being a bride herself.
I urged her to make these feelings plain to Miss Sinclair as I too feel that there is no reason for the two of them to wait. Ruth is normally the most decisive of women so I am unsure as to where this sudden deference to other people’s wishes is coming from. Maybe it is that she is old to be married. I speak from experience when I say that it is a much easier thing to bind oneself to a man when one is 18 and ignorant. Ruth has seen much of the world– including what can go wrong in a marriage– it is only natural that she have some reservations on the subject.
31 August 1870, Wednesday
Mr Frazer made it to his train. In the end Sir Cosmo and Miss Chigwidgeon went along as chaperones leaving me free for the morning. Last night I made up a new curse mirror. I gave it to Mr Frazer this morning to take back with him to London. I doubt he will need it but I esteem him and Ruth loves him– even if they haven’t set a date for their wedding yet.
Yesterday, Lord Greyminster mentioned that a neighbour of his runs a stable and is always looking for riders to keep the horses in condition. He asked if I might be interested. It would mean early mornings in order to make it to the stable in time for the first ride of the day but the horses sound well trained and the opportunity to ride every day is not one to be missed. I took my first ride this morning while Ruth was bidding Frazer and Turgenov farewell.
I’m rather glad I had an excuse to miss their parting as I’m afraid I would have only contributed to any scene. I was quite overcome when Ruth told me the story of her never-empty hope chest. I also hope that Miss Chigwidgeon will take advantage of the time to express her feelings on Ruth and Frazer’s wedding date.
Proceed to Repercussions
Return to Miss Whitnell's Diary Index
Contents this page copyright 2001 by Kristin Fontaine. All Rights Reserved.