2 September 1871, Saturday
Mr Salmalin and I are settling in for the night in our room belowstairs. The train ride from Stoke-on-Trent was uneventful, save for some of the furtive glances Mr Salmalin and I occasioned. I wish it were only the striking looks of my husband that attracted such attention, but some of the side-long glances are openly disapproving, and I don't need Mrs Frazer's extraordinary hearing to pick up on some of the more cutting whispers. I suspect the people who say such things would prefer that I heard them, but want the social cover provided by such ‘whispers'.
I worked on my embroidery to pass the time. Mr Salmalin appeared to be reading his book for parts of the journey but he is so frequently on alert for trouble when we travel that it doesn't surprise me that the bookmark has not advanced much in the book.
Graves met us at the station and gracefully deflected Mr Salmalin's offer to drive with the dual excuse that he, Graves, needed the practise ‘as he doesn't get to drive as often now that the house is fully staffed' and that Lady Cowperthwaite had sent word down that Mr Salmalin was to be considered off-duty until his return to Edenfield. I suspect Ravvi was mildly put out by this (as he and Graves seem to have a good-natured ‘protector of the household' rivalry). He did have the good grace to hand me up into the carriage and sit with me on the ride home. I do not look forward to parting with him tomorrow.
3 September 1871, Sunday
Mr Salmalin came to church with me. I took my clockwork dog-cart and so did not require a driver and told him as much. He seemed perplexed until I said I did require a husband.
He offered to ride to church and back and keep an eye on the dog-cart. I considered asking him to come inside with me, but decided against it. It would be disrespectful for both my church and his deep faith to ask him such a thing. For so many, attending church is like wearing the correct hat, something that might have social consequences if not done, but little more than that. Both he and I take our respective faiths too seriously to pretend to be anything other than what we are. It was very kind of him to come with me and sit with the dog-cart. It is small, and as lightweight as Edward could make it, so it could easily be made off with. I may have to remedy that, or ask Edward to in the near future.
Mr Salmalin caught an afternoon train back to Edenfield.
4 September 1871, Monday
Dearest Husband,
I am sitting at the little dressing table in our room. It seems no larger, but very empty without you.
I have had a very busy and productive day. After breakfast, Mr Graves arranged for me to be delivered to the address of one Miss Jinghau Gong. She is to be my tutor in the Chinese language. She recently joined her father here in London. He runs a thriving business working with men who wish to trade with interests in China. He, himself, met with me upon my arrival at their house. Miss Gong has a small study where she does her work but I was not shown to it until Mr Gong had satisfied himself that I was as Mr Willoughby had represented me to be– fluent in both English and French and able to teach others what I know.
I am very glad that I have been paying some attention to Mrs Frazer's work. I do not have her years of experience, but I do have a natural facility with languages, which will hopefully make up the lack. Once past Mr Gong, I was shown to Miss Gong's study– but not before being asked to remove my shoes and leave them in the front hall. I was just grateful that I had worn my newest and best pair of stockings. It is apparently the custom of the house to wear indoor slippers. I was given a pair of my own and asked, in future to change my shoes immediately upon arrival. This will present something of a challenge, as it is not easy to get one's boots on and off unassisted. Miss Gong speaks about as much English as I do Chinese but she seems good natured and willing to learn so I hope for the best.
I returned home for a brief lunch and was soon back out again, this time headed for the Order of St. Jerome where I met with Mr Halim Davakadasham, my Sanskrit tutor. He is very well educated. After two hours with him I hardly knew which way was up, I was so tired. Switching between the two languages is going to be difficult, but I have learned from prior experience that it is better to work a little bit every day than have some long days and skip others. Also both Miss Gong and Mr Davakadasham have other work they must do each day.
I went for a brisk walk and had tea at a little shop near the Order's headquarters. I ran into Mr Ramsey there. He was on his way back to some meeting he was attending. His duties for the Order seem to be keeping him quite busy.
After my tea and walk I felt much refreshed. I had an appointment to meet with Mrs Godwin regarding the research I mentioned. She interviewed me most closely but I was eventually given permission to access the Order's private library. I am to begin tomorrow.
I was home in time for dinner with the greatly reduced staff and spent the balance of the evening reviewing Lady Cowperthwaite's correspondence. Much of it I can manage myself, but I will be bringing some with me over the weekend to work on.
I should give this to Graves to post on the morrow, so you may receive it before I return to Edenfield.
Your loving wife,
Victoria
6 September 1871, Wednesday
Dear Mr Salmalin,
Even though you are constantly in my thoughts, I had not intended to write you again so soon. However there has been a bit of an upheaval in regards to our Miss Bertilde and while I am nearly certain things are under control for the moment, I am quite vexed and in a state of perplexity as to what is the best way forward.
Miss Bertilde received a letter from the Lieutenant. I was told of it by both David and Mrs Frazer. Mrs Frazer was concerned that this might incline Miss Bertilde to more violence than usual and I was deputized to go and assess the situation. After quite some time spent pacing outside her door (to the point where Miss Wilhelmina came and offered me the passkey), Miss Bertilde finally gave up and let me in.
She is very confused, poor dear. While she did not show me the note in question, she did mention that reading it is even more confusing than speaking to the Lieutenant in person. She spent a good deal of time staring at the floor during our, rather one-sided, conversation.
I was not trying to force a confidence, just express our concerns for her well-being and point out that skewering the Lieutenant upon his return, while possibly quite a satisfying thought, should not be done. I am not certain much of what I said got through past her confusion and embarrassment. I did make some passing reference to the night you and I first met and was astonished to realize that she had not heard the story before. Of course she joined the League some time later, after you had already become a fixt footman in Sir Cosmo's household. I don't now remember if there was any point to my story (other than just trying to get her to relax and come down from the emotional precipice she's been scaling ever since news of the scandal broke).
She did seem calmer when I left– possibly the first time I have had such an effect on anyone of my acquaintance.
In other, less fraught, news– my language lessons continue. I cannot claim to have made much progress in the two days between this letter and the previous one, but I am developing a rapport with both of my Tutors and hope that will serve me well in the weeks to come.
Yesterday I had further interviews with Mrs Godwin and was granted permission to begin my researches. Mrs Godwin has set up a meeting for me with one of the members who has some expertise in the area I wish to research. I hope he is helpful.
After all this, I received a note from our Mistress's brother inviting me to tea at his flat. He is willing to entertain the notion of providing me with additional tutelage in Chinese but suggested we work out the details in person. I'm not quite certain how I am going to juggle all of these demands, but the are all things I have asked for so I am striving to feel humble and grateful, rather than overwhelmed.
I hope this letter finds you well and that all is quiet.
With all my love,
Victoria
9 September 1871, Saturday
Sir Cosmo, Mrs Frazer, Edward, Miss Bertilde and I arrived home late last night. Mr Salmalin met us at the train station with the carriage. I was very pleased to see him. Once he had seen Sir Cosmo, Edward and Emily to the main house and Mrs Frazer and the babies to her cottage I made a bit of witch-light to see us as far as our little cottage. He had to be up early for his usual duties, so I asked him to wake me as well.
We passed a quiet night. Morning came all too early. Breakfast and lessons followed and now I am at my little desk in Lady Cowperthwaite's office. She has let the mail pile up all week. I hope to get through it by this afternoon and see if I can't arrange for her to pay a few calls on her neighbours.
~Later~
The weather was fine this afternoon and Lady Cowperthwaite allowed
herself to be persuaded to go riding and pay some calls. Riding
allows us to keep the visits short. The Mistress mentioned that
she is concerned that her ‘condition' might be found out
during these social calls. I explained that not making the calls
would only invite speculation.
10 September 1871, Sunday
After church this morning, Mr Salmalin and I consulted about the schedule for the up coming week. Mrs Frazer has set the christening of Caroline and Robert for next Sunday at the church Mr Frazer attends in London. We have been invited and I have been ask to stand as Robert's godmother. The current plan is for me to return to London tomorrow with Sir Cosmo, Mrs Frazer, Edward, and Emily and for Lady Cowperthwaite and her entourage to come into London on Friday and stay for the weekend. I am pleased not to have to go two weeks without seeing my husband.
12 September 1871, Tuesday
Dearest husband,
We arrived safely in London early Monday. I barely had time to brush the travel dust from my clothes before leaving for my appointment with Miss Gong. So far we have figured out basic numbers and have started going around the house naming things for each other. She giggles at my attempts to repeat the words she is saying– I hope that in a few months she'll have progressed far enough to explain the joke to me. I have put the characters she wrote down for me up around our room hoping that my notes are correct as to the meaning of each word. Right now they all look like random lines on the page, but I remember how long Hindi seemed incomprehensible to me and am certain that one day the characters will suddenly start making sense. I just have to work at it.
My lesson with Mr Davakadasham went much more smoothly. He speaks both English and Hindi fluently so our progress in Sanskrit is much swifter. I showed him the book I had been puzzling over (no one else I had showed it to had been able to identify the script). It is written in Tibetan. Mr Davakadasham speaks and reads that language also. It is very tempting to ask him to teach me that language as well, but I do not see how I would fit it in between my other obligations.
I met with one of our mutual colleagues and he has examined the book and has agreed to help me find a proper home for such a volume. I've been working in the Library every afternoon after my language sessions. I am just now making some headway in fully grasping what it is I am studying, and finding it very unpleasant. The man I am researching was twisted in many ways. I am lucky that other scholars have come before me and translated some of his writings. However, what is contained in those writings is enough to give me nightmares. So far I have managed to keep it too myself but once Mrs Frazer is no longer absorbed by the upcoming christening of her children, it will be too much to expect her not to notice my sluggishness at defence practice.
It is dreadfully hot here in London– the city seems to be retaining the summer's heat much more than the country. I find I am not sleeping very well... between the nightmares and the heat it is difficult to sleep well and soundly.
Mr Graves has the ventilation system going full speed, but it can't cool the air, only stir it about. I am going to try to meditate before supper and see if that helps any. I suspect Lady Ottoline has experienced a sudden upsurge in girls wanting to learn to swim in the plunge-bath.
I hope this letter finds you well and content. I look forward to seeing you on Friday.
13 September 1871, Wednesday
~Morning~
There was a note in the Times that Mr Malloy was found not guilty
on the charge of high treason at his trial yesterday. Mr Malloy
is still in custody, however, as he has already pled guilty to
other crimes, and his sentence is pending whilst he is still giving
evidence against others involved in the Comte's conspiracy. The
owner of the boat we rescued Helen from, a Mr Philip Norrington,
was convicted of smuggling, conspiracy, and high treason earlier
this week. I have made a few notes of the particulars for my Mistress,
as she may be interested in how the cases are progressing.
14 September 1871, Thursday
Today, I took the afternoon off from the Library. I'm getting deeper into the Vespertine Papers and, if anything, it just gets worse and worse. Rimbaldi was a despicable man and I can see why he was burned for heresy after his patron, Pope Alexander VI, died.
Instead of dwelling on this man and his works (he seemed to have a particular fondness for finding ways to divorce the soul from the body, or to trap part of a soul into a mechanical device), I spent the afternoon with Mr Fong Chigwigeon working on my Chinese. This was very helpful, since Mr Chigwidgeon can explain details in English that Miss Gong cannot. We worked on my pronunciation and on character recognition.
He had to leave before tea, as he is helping Mr Tempelton with his new play. It is scheduled to open in early October and is all very ‘hush-hush'. Mr Chigwidgeon would only tell me that Mr Tempelton spends nearly every waking moment on the production.
Before he left, we set a time for Thursday next to meet for tea and Chinese.
15 September 1871, Friday
My husband arrived on the afternoon train along with the rest of the party from Edenfield. In preparation, I had spent part of the morning cleaning our room throughly and part finishing up sorting through Lady Cowperthwaite's London correspondence. Much of it I can handle on my own but there are one or two items she should respond to directly.
Mrs Frazer arrived in full preparation mode for the christening to be held on Sunday. Benton's parish still follows the custom of ‘churching' and Mrs Frazer has insisted on doing both rituals at the same service. It is not at all unheard of, but is still very much a Mrs Frazer thing to do.
I am very pleased that I have been asked to be one of little Robert's godparents. He will be my first godson and I hope I am up to the task.
16 September 1871, Saturday
Mr Salmalin and Miss Bertilde led our ususal defence practise this morning. I must be more diligent in my exercises during the week. I am quite stiff this afternoon and have a vivid purple bruise developing on my wrist where Mrs Cuthbert caught me with a broom handle during Miss Bertilde's ‘fight with anything you can find' lesson.
Otherwise it has been a quiet day at the Cowperthwaite house. Sir Cosmo and Lady Cowperthwaite spent much of it in each other's company.
17 September 1871, Sunday
Mrs Frazer got us all off to church at a suitable
time and seems content now that all of the forms have been observed.
I found the service very moving. Caroline and Robert were duly
christened. I found myself standing next to Inspector MacGreggor
as Robert's other godparent. It was a little off-putting to be
thrown together since our last encounter was so tempestuous. However
no further mention of the incident was made and he was quite a
gentleman during both the service and reception afterward. My
own husband was at his usual station, outside with the carriages.
I wish he could be with me during such events but we have discussed
our various faiths enough for me to know that it is the way it
will be.
18 September 1871, Monday
The whole household will be together in our two London residences for this week. Mrs Frazer has a few errands she would like to run in town and I think Lady Cowperthwaite misses Sir Cosmo (as I miss Mr Salmalin when they are at Edenfield). The summer heat is already fading from the stonework and early fall rains have washed some of the stink from the air, so London is much more pleasant than it was even two weeks ago. The house fans are still running for much of the day to clear the stale air out of the house.
I received a note from James this afternoon, asking if he could drop by for tea tomorrow afternoon. I have said yes and will cancel my library studies for tomorrow. However, I really should make up some of the time I lost last week, so I plan to stay as late as possible tonight.
19 September 1871, Tuesday
I returned home well after ten yesterday evening. I had missed supper, but Mrs Murphy had very kindly left a plate of leftovers for me in the pantry.
I have become somewhat lax in my defence lessons, simply because there are only so many hours in a day– I was reminded of that this morning when I barely had time to change into my visiting dress before bolting for my dogcart.
Lessons with Miss Gong and Mr Davakadasham went well. Miss Gong has been practising the English exercises I left for her over the weekend. I have not seen her father since that first meeting. I hope they are pleased with my progress, both in teaching Miss Gong and in learning from her.
James should be here any time now...
~Later~
Well, at least it's not the Continent! After brief pleasantries
over tea, James informed me that he has accepted the fellowship
at the University of Glasgow and will be leaving for Scotland
on Thursday. I will miss him a great deal. I got used to having
him around London since he graduated Oxford. After my shock at
his impending departure had been soothed with more tea and some
of Mrs Murphy's excellent biscuits, we discussed my impending
trip to Africa with the Cowperthwaite household. It was very nice
just to sit with him and find out what he (and his student, young
Mr Watson) have been up too this summer. James will have to deal
with more fellows just like his reluctant pupil at the University,
so it has been good training for him.
I do wonder if he made the decision to go to Glasgow for personal reasons or if Professional considerations entered into it at all. I did not ask– between Mr W's advice and our own caution we have steered clear of discussing Professional matters unless our paths cross in that mode.
20 September 1871, Wednesday
After a comparatively light day yesterday, today was quite gruelling. I got up very early to allow time for defence practise before staff breakfast. After changing for the day, I barely had time to kiss my husband before I was out the door to meet Miss Gong. We decided to go for a walk around her neighbourhood and build each other's vocabulary by pointing out various features on our walk. Once back indoors, she served me some of the green tea she favours– I find it a bit astringent for my taste– but she insists it is good for me. We wrote down words for each other and practised pronunciation.
Since her father wants her to learn English and French to help with his Import business, we are going to review some of the forms simple correspondence can take. I'm hoping I can teach her a few key words to watch for and perhaps then she can ask her father for some letters to practise on– but that is tomorrow's task.
I then went straight to the Chapterhouse for my lessons with Mr Davakadasham. The tutoring session went very well, since we share a fluency in both English and Hindi, it is much easier for him to clearly answer my questions when I start to flounder in my studies of Sanskrit and Tibetan, though he did chuckle a bit when, near the end of our lesson, I started writing Chinese characters without realizing it. He said it was a sign I was tired and should take a break. I went to the little tea shop near the Chapterhouse for a bite of lunch. Mr Moody found me there and asked after the book I had shown Mr Davakadasham. We went back to the Chapterhouse to talk more privately. The book, a version of "Dream Chants" is a Tibetan work containing some of the 555 chants for obtaining enlightenment and mastery of both reality and unreality. Mr Davakadasham warned me that usually books claiming this consist of demon lore and mythology, plus six of seven incantations suitable for summoning, controlling, commanding, or binding demons. It is considered a dangerous, restricted book by the Order. However, they have a copy in their archives. I had previously asked Mr Moody if his Office would be able to store it safely. Today he told me they would and that the Lord High Warlock's office does not have a copy in their collection. I told him I would bring it by tomorrow, but he offered to come to the house this evening and pick it up.
After all that, I still had research to do. I am slowing working my way through the Vespertine Papers. These are all works of Rimbaldi that were preserved by an order of monks who knew his work. Today's reading was particularly gruesome, as it involved injecting a substance directly into the brain– Rimbaldi claimed that this liquid, when injected would allow the user to access all of Rimbaldi's secrets. Personally, I suspect he wrote the last bit, just to see if anyone would be foolish enough to stick a needle into their brain pan. Even with today's knowledge of hygiene it would be beyond hazardous to attempt, in the 15th Century it would have been suicide.
Much of what I am reading has already been translated, or this would be much harder going. As it is, I am referring back to source material when the translation is confusing and Rimbaldi wrote much of his work in a mish-mash of Latin and Greek. After three weeks of reading, I am finally getting an idea of how he tended to encode his ideas but it still makes my head hurt. I stayed later at the library than I meant and will be eating leftovers again.
Apparently Mr Moody stopped by, but since I was not home, he could not collect the book. I will take it in tomorrow and apologize for forgetting our appointment.
Poor Mr Salmalin. The one week we are together this month and I am away most of the time studying. That's enough of this nonsense, I am putting out the candle and going to bed.
21 September 1871, Thursday
Lessons continue apace. James leaves for Whitnell house today to pack up and say goodbye to the family. His term starts at the beginning of October so he doesn't have much time to prepare.
I remembered to bring the book in to Mr Moody, so that is one less thing to worry about. No news from Miss Gong as to if her father will allow her access to some of his business correspondence to practice on. I cut my work at the library short so I could spend a full evening with my husband before we return to Edenfield.
22 September 1871, Friday
Lessons were somewhat overshadowed by the excitement of a weekend trip out to Edenfield. I am certain Lady Cowperthwaite will have a mound of unattended correspondence for me to deal with but it will be a pleasure after spending time slogging though Rimbaldi's papers.
Today was nice change– instead of deciphering diagrams that show ways to place the soul or a spirit into another container I read about his passion for orchids. He was an avid collector and breeder of those exotic flowers and the sections I was reading today humanized him in a way that I found almost disturbing. After my previous researches, I would rather envision a mad inventor. However, I must remember that he managed to become quite an influential man under Pope Alexander VI so he must have had some ability to charm and sway others to his side.
23 September 1871, Saturday
Home! We arrived very early this morning. Mr Salmalin, Thomas, and the other footmen managed to get everyone in from the train station and put to bed. I slept in this morning and if the weather holds fine, plan to go horseback riding.
24 September 1871, Sunday
Services at church were very relaxing. I just sat and enjoy the ritual of the service and I felt calmer and more at peace by the final blessing than I have in a while. I enjoyed being outside in the fresh country air and could smell the leafmould. Some trees are still green while some have already changed to a deep red or bright yellow.
I managed to sort out all of Lady Cowperthwaite's correspondence yesterday. It had piled up as I feared since I was not here last weekend to catch up. Mrs Frazer mentioned that she and Lady Cowperthwaite have spent some time visiting and receiving visits. Lady Cowperthwaite's Condition is progressing normally, though she is so tiny, that it will become obvious much more quickly than for most ladies.
Plans for the Africa trip continue to move forward. I have been given a budget and a list of supplies to order next week while in London. I have also the list my cousins Major Haywood and Mrs Russell gave me.
Plans for a fete at Edenfield have been postponed due to the Africa trip and Lady Cowperthwaite's growing Condition. I did encourage her to send a letter to Miss Pinker suggesting a village some time after the birth– around Easter next year.
The best part of this weekend has been time spent with my husband. Our tiny cottage is very snug when we are both at home. We are further from the house than last year since Mrs Frazer and her family are in the larger cottage but Mr Salmalin honestly does not seem to mind. He seems to be more at ease when we are alone. Perhaps it has become easier for him to be truly ‘off-duty' and trust that he will be called if needed. It is certainly very nice, if somewhat overwhelming, to have his full attention.
25 September 1871, Monday
We travelled back to London today, Sir Cosmo, Edward, Miss Bertilde, and I. Mr Frazer joined us as he had been out visiting his wife and the babies this weekend. I am spending the day calling on merchants and ordering supplies for the trip so all will be in readiness.
26 September 1871, Tuesday
Back to school. I am really enjoying having entire days where I can immerse myself in my studies. There have been no crises requiring the League's attention nor have we created any such crises in past few weeks. I am nearly finished with the Vespertine Papers, or at least as much of them as the Order has in its library. Next I hope to turn my attention to Mrs de Vere and the "Scroll, key, and crystal' combination that Mrs Cuthbert dreamed of. Mrs de Vere stealing the contents the Rimbaldi Swan's crystal causes me to wonder what she is up to– not to mention the fact that I am still more than a little irritated that she tried to kill my husband.
27 September 1871, Wednesday
I came home to find a notice in the paper that Mr Philip Norrington has been sentenced to hang, along with fourteen other co-conspirators involved in the plot to sink the royal yacht with the Queen aboard. The paper also mentioned that one of the crew of the yacht took his own life rather than face his court martial. It is all so sad. What is the attraction of anarchy to these men? Are they dying for a cause or were they just greedy with no thought of the consequences?
I do wonder....
28 September 1871, Thursday
Miss Gong and I had a very productive session this morning. Her father had given her several of his more innocuous business letters and we used them for practice today. It really seemed to help when I could point out some of the patterns in the letters– information she could look for– ways to identify what in the letter was important and what was not.
Mr Davakadasham was very encouraging of my progress.
I'm in the last of the Vespertine Papers– the are the hardest to go though as they are loose cyphered pages that may or may not be in the order the author intended them. I am having to retranslate larger sections of these fragments to confirm the initial translations. So far I have not made any discoveries that are different from what the Order concluded in their translations.
Today's newspaper announced that Mr Naill Malloy had been sentenced to hang for his crimes. The Globe reported that he went into hysterics at the verdict and claimed that he'd had a deal for his testimony that he would be transported rather than hung. I don't really know what to think about that. There was a quote from the QC stating that they had included transportation in their sentencing recommendation but that the judge had the final say in the matter. Malloy made his choices, he kidnapped Mr Gates, he tried to have Mrs Frazer and the babies killed, he was working directly with the Comte, he tried to attack Lady Cowperthwaite and I when we were (apparently) unarmed and harmless. He has had a long life and doesn't seem to have made very good use of it. Those choices probably should have led to the gallows years ago– so why do I feel responsible?
29 September 1871, Friday
After lessons today we will be taking the late train to Edenfield. Sir Cosmo is obviously as anxious to rejoin Lady Cowperthwaite as I am to be reunited with Mr Salmalin.
30 September 1871, Saturday
We got in late last night but instead of a quiet day in the country we are all heading to Liverpool to see the progress on the Yacht. We sail for Africa on the 14th if all goes as planned.
1 October 1871, Sunday
After I attended Church this morning, Mr Salmalin and I have some time to ourselves. Lady Cowperthwaite has been very good about allowing my husband time off when I am home. How lucky we are to shelter under her wing.
8 October 1871, Sunday
Dear James,
I don't know why you never mentioned that university was so much fun. Admittedly I am not at an actual university but I am studying as much, if not more. I continue my lessons in Chinese and Sanskrit and have begun to learn Tibetan as well. It is very exciting to have the opportunity to study with such interesting people. In the afternoons I am researching at the library– there is so much to learn and I can only fit so much of it in my head at any one time!
This past week has flown by. In addition to my usual studies I have been doing last minute shopping on behalf of Lady Cowperthwaite for our upcoming trip to Africa. We will be leaving in a week– it is very exciting!
I stayed in London this weekend to see Nigel Tempelton's new play, "A Royal Engagement". It was very funny. I was invited to attend the reception afterwards and I got to meet the show- stealing actor who is playing ‘Lt Whiffle'. The play bears quite a strong resemblance to some of the news that broke while the Queen was in Paris– I am sure there are people who would say we should not be laughing at this, but Mr Tempelton has really captured the absurdity of the situation.
After all the bleak news of anarchists and murders rampaging around London (and thankfully getting caught before they could do their worst) a little laughter is certainly needed.
I hope you are settling in well at the University. This will be my last letter from London– I leave tomorrow for Edenfield and thence on to Africa.
Your sister,
Victoria
9 October 1871, Monday
I have started dreaming of trains which is no surprise given how often I have gone back and forth on them this fall. It is certainly a vast improvement over the Rimbaldi nightmares I was having for a while. I kept dreaming that he had somehow trapped me and was going to split my soul in two. It was very disturbing. Now I am home with my husband and will have weeks and possibly months away from that research. Miss Gong, Mr Davakadasham, and Mr Chigwidgeon all independently gave me exercise books I could work on while away. It is going to be difficult to maintain the new languages with no one to practise with but I will do my best. Right now I am just happy to be in my little cottage with my Ravvi.
11 October 1871, Wednesday
I had a very strange conversation with Lieutenant Wooster today. He had come up from town, having been released from wherever he was being held. He has been placed on half-pay but not cashiered. He has been invited by Sir Spencer to join the voyage. Sir Spencer used the Lieutenant's services in shopping for a yacht of his own, so we will have two boats on our voyage.
Apparently Wooster came up to Edenfield with the express purpose of setting the record straight with Emily regarding the whole scandal with the Duke of Modena's daughter. He met up with her out by Edward's workshop and they had a conversation that only the terminally shy could have with the terminally bewildered (and bewildering). What did happen is he confessed his feelings for her by declaring that he had given up his fear of rabbits. Somewhere during this heartfelt declaration she slapped him hard enough to knock him over.
I don't know what happened, or in what order but I did spend some time trying to find out if he really meant what he had said– if he really had feelings for her. By the end of the conversation we were both completely confused. Wooster has that effect on people.
12 October 1871, Thursday
Ruth and I had time for a good long chat for the first time in weeks. I have hardly seen her since August it seems. It turns out that we had both heard that Inspector MacGreggor has been invited to the dance at the Balderstoke's this weekend (as is Helen) and that the Inspector has called upon Helen several times in the past week. Ruth has managed to maintain her relationship with Helen throughout the summer. Ruth mentioned that Lady Cowperthwaite had even invited Helen on the trip to Africa but that worthy declined in favour of an experiment that cannot be moved.
13 October 1871, Friday
Final preparations for departure from Lancastershire to Africa are underway. Several carts with our belongings have already gone down to the ship.
The Balderstokes are holding a country dance this evening and most of the household will be in attendance. I might even be able to dance with Ravvi. I was sorting through my few remaining dresses trying to pick something suitable when Emily stopped by.
She asked me to request that Wooster not to ask her to dance, as she is still confused. I agreed to convey the message and was very sorry to see the look on his face. He had so obviously been planning to attend. Though he is temporarily crushed, he seems to want to respect her wishes– a very good sign if something is to come of all these ‘feelings'.
Ravvi and I attended the dance as husband and wife and he looked very natty in his regular suit. I got my dances and encouraged him to ask both Ruth and Emily to dance, since neither of them had partners at the dance. Both Ruth and I spotted Miss Helen in the Inspector's arms. I tried very hard not to smirk. I did them the courtesy of avoiding their company and allowing them to focus on one another. I did note, for future reference, that the Inspector dances very well and Helen was quite light on her feet. Somehow, I don't think Simon will miss us while we are gone.
29 October 1871, Sunday
Dear Mother,
We have arrived in Port Charles on the Gold Coast. The voyage
was uneventful– or as uneventful as a sea voyage with a precocious
10-year-old can be. Both Sir Cosmo and Sir Spencer's boats performed
well. Mr Salmalin and I spent most of the crossing on Sir Spencer's
boat which meant that we both had very light duties for most of
the crossing. I did take one of the small boats across to visit
with the other ladies when the seas allowed it. Lady Cowperthwaite
is doing very well as are Mrs Frazer and the babies.
We will be here for a few more days while Sir Spencer organizes the trip into the interior. We are going to visit some of his mines. Mrs Frazer is already planning her sample collection so she will have something substantial to write about when we return home.
It is much warmer here than back home, fortunately we are prepared for the weather and the mosquitoes. Our gear is quite good quality and should serve us in good stead.
As of this writing we do not have a set date for our return. Though I know that Lady Cowperthwaite would like to be home for Christmas– it will all depend on the weather I suppose.
Your daughter,
Victoria
21 November 1871, Tuesday
I am stunned. I do not know what to write, or say, or do. I have ceased to be unwell and confirmed in my own way that I am expecting a child. I feel like crying but am also absurdly happy. I suddenly feel very far from home. I have been enjoying our trip into Africa and have even managed to work with one of our guides to learn some of his language. Lady Cowperthwaite and Sir Spencer have been hunting with the long rifles. I have done some target shooting at her insistence to keep my hand in. I've been helping Ruth catalogue her ever-growing frog species collection. We are preparing to return to the boats to set sail to the town of Cape Coast and now this brings me up short.
I am very happy this has come to me when I never thought it would but, if successful it will change Ravvi and my life in ways we can't even imagine. I should not delay telling him. He was the one who said a witch could do anything she set her mind to. Fortunately he's not one to say ‘I told you so'
He smiled! I am so happy. We are so happy!
24 November 1871, Friday
We have arrived at Cape Coast. I informed Mrs Frazer and Lady Cowperthwaite of my condition as we were boarding the boats yesterday. They both seem pleased. Lady Cowperthwaite quickly quashed any idea that I might leave her service. She and Mrs Frazer started talking about Arrangements once the children were born. So far my only outward symptom is fatigue. I think I will stay on the boat and rest while the others go into town.
1 December 1871, Friday
We are headed for home. Lady Cowperthwaite indicated a strong desire to get home in time not just to attend Christmas festivities but to prepare for them as well. I have greatly enjoyed this trip and what it has brought me but I am ready to head for home. Fortunately, I am no more than normally queasy– morning sickness while on a ship would be miserable, I think.
4 December 1871, Monday
I was over visiting Lady Cowperthwaite on her boat today and Emily asked if she could have a word in private with me. She had decided that she needed to talk to someone about the notes she had received from Lieutenant Wooster over the past few months. She told me the story behind each of them and finally showed them to me. One was suspiciously more coherent than the other, giving rise to the suspicion that Wooster had recruited help in his dilemma. I simply asked Emily what she wanted. Surprisingly she wants Wooster. We talked about the difficulties she might encounter and I encouraged her to talk to Lady Cowperthwaite since she would be crossing the line in the same direction as our mistress.
Emily does not have family to either impede or encourage her in this action so she will have to rely on her friends. I told her I would be willing to help once we got home, if she still felt the same way, and that she should give Wooster an answer, one way or another before too much longer as it was not kind to leave him hanging on her word.
After all that, I needed a nap, so Lady Cowperthwaite
had a bed made up for me and I slept all afternoon..
Proceed to Not as productive as hoped
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