12 September 1875, Sunday
Dear James,
I do not know if this letter will reach you, or if it will end its days
being shuffled from one mailbag to the next in a vain attempt to catch
you up. Last we had heard, you were in Koenigsberg, at the embassy
there, after escaping the terrible violence in the United
Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia along with your Professor.
As it happens, I am in Carpania with my employer and her household. Her
husband and his grandfather were invited to the Royal Wedding of Duke
Rupert of Florin and Princess Arabella of Carpania. In addition to the
attraction of the social Occasion of the wedding, Carpania has a very
interesting system of railroads that my employer's husband and his
protégé were eager to see in person.
Their tour of inspection was greatly anticipated and we met some old
friends before the day was out. It was an exciting day for all
concerned. We have since returned safely to Potsdorf (there have been
some rather ineffectual anarchists running about, so protection has
been provided to all heirs to the throne of Carpania). It is our hope
that the brigands will remain ineffectual, as, so far, the only people
hurt have been the anarchists themselves. At this rate they will
eliminate themselves and save His Majesty King Franz Kristof the
trouble of seeing to them himself.
Octavia is well and sends you her love (hers are the rather sticky
kisses overleaf). She asks that I tell you that she is very glad that
she is not the one in cast as Caroline is finding it rather tiresome to
ride about on the clockwork tiger. My friend's daughter was thrown from
a horse in a riding accident when the horse was spooked by a wolf. It
did not evade capture, thankfully, and now there is some discussion as
to what to do with it. It has acted in a similar manner in the past,
but wolves have something of a special status here and so are not
immediately put down when they interfere with humans as might happen in
other countries. I do not know if my friend will be called on to help
deal with the wolf or if it is considered solely an internal Carpanian
matter..
Today, Octavia and I plan on attending church services in the morning
and there are no social functions that require my presence this
afternoon. My employer has been getting along quite well on her own
these past few days, so thankfully my role is quite simple.
The wedding is to take place on 22 September, after which we will
return home for a much needed rest. I greatly enjoy travelling the
world over, but having this trip come so close upon the heels of our
tour to India is a bit wearing.
Your nephew will be arriving in November, barring any unforeseen
circumstances and I would appreciate it if you could request time from
your teaching assignments to attend the Christening.
Be well and safe,
Your loving Sister,
Victoria
Proceed to
Return to Mrs Salmalin's Diary Index
Contents this page copyright 2009 by Kristin Fontaine. All Rights Reserved.