tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64274538824253426312024-02-18T23:37:16.073-08:00Catherine WinchesterCat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-28416547182282112372014-03-25T19:49:00.001-07:002014-03-26T05:25:46.037-07:00Ensuring That Internet Reviews Are Fair<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2-EKtTpiXJI2djhufTU88jMpbxOL6FuzaAop88ayFldgV_29YTmx8SF6D1ptTKVac6hDG9o7L6aTqfqbQVOVYRBOfwMSM5_1268dq2r9OzNaOXsCRYCzKF_flLAP2bkUP3SZ1kk9nw/s1600/2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL2-EKtTpiXJI2djhufTU88jMpbxOL6FuzaAop88ayFldgV_29YTmx8SF6D1ptTKVac6hDG9o7L6aTqfqbQVOVYRBOfwMSM5_1268dq2r9OzNaOXsCRYCzKF_flLAP2bkUP3SZ1kk9nw/s1600/2b.jpg" height="225" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First
up, in the interests of full disclosure, let me say I was harassed on Amazon
and by email by a malicious reviewer/troll. I discovered a series of fake one
star reviews on other peoples books and when I pointed that out on an authors
forum, she turned her attention to me. It took A LOT of emails to amazon to get
her reviews removed, despite proof in the form of emails, her IP address and the
threats from her email, proof that she was selling good amazon reviews on
Fourrer not to mention, her own review account’s extremely suspect behaviour. It
wasn’t so much a case that her review dragged down my average rating, they didn’t
by any a noticeable amount, it was that someone had threatened and harassed me,
and Amazon just wanted to ignore it. It wasn’t right that she be allowed to get
away with it (which is why I brought her to the attention of other authors she
had targeted) and considering the abundance of evidence I provided, it <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">should not</i> have been as hard as it was
to get her malicious reviews taken off.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-amazon-is-enabling-cyber-stalking.html">Feel free to go read that saga if you’re up for it</a> but it isn’t necessary for this post.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It’s
because of this incident that I’ve given this subject (how to ensure that reviews
are fair, without a knee jerk reaction) a lot of thought. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You’ll see some of my
earlier ideas in the comments of that thread. None of those were perfect (and
this probably isn’t either) but I believe it’s the best option to ensure
fairness for all parties, ie, reviewers, as well as the people, products and
businesses being reviewed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsWeehNxNlO-agi62W37f-Sd6aN1EgkCqCWs9wpGJL4zryE1eyOp4y2vqLbn9IJLUboh3h2WNabh3sZuxbLHmQq36kHb2x4Z8aKLkibhsVOeUDKeX6LBjmSoSNREZXqaqbJZP_g4CkQ/s1600/2d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDsWeehNxNlO-agi62W37f-Sd6aN1EgkCqCWs9wpGJL4zryE1eyOp4y2vqLbn9IJLUboh3h2WNabh3sZuxbLHmQq36kHb2x4Z8aKLkibhsVOeUDKeX6LBjmSoSNREZXqaqbJZP_g4CkQ/s1600/2d.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Online
reviews are a hot topic at the moment. People like Anne Rice are <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2014/mar/04/anne-rice-protests-bullying-amazon-petition">pressing for reviewers not to be allowed to be anonymous</a> on sites like Amazon, while
reviewers on Trip Advisor are being sued personally, for leaving bad reviews
about establishments.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So
what’s the answer?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
are a few things first that we have to admit before we can have a reasonable discussion about this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1) <b>People
do leave <a href="http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-2196839/Heston-Blumenthal-latest-victim-fake-reviews-Trip-Advisor.html">fake malicious reviews</a></b>. Sometimes to get back at an ex (or his new partner in one case i read of), because of<b> </b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/may/10/charlaine-harris-sookie-stackhouse-true-blood">a<b> </b>grudge</a> or vendetta, or <a href="http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/210583/this-man-has-written-276-negative-amazon-reviews-mostly-in-verse/">just because they're trolls</a>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1b) As an
add-on to that, <b>people leave <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/08/28/fake-reviews-amazons-rotten-core/">fake good reviews</a> </b>too. More than one <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/books/2010/apr/23/historian-orlando-figes-amazon-reviews-rivals">author </a>has
been <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/rj-ellory-fake-amazon-reviews-caught_n_1854713.html">discovered </a>anonymously trashing his competitor’s work, while praising his
own to high heaven.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2) Some
businesses (and authors and designers etc) will <b>try to bully reviewers out of
leaving genuine bad reviews</b>. I even read about a company recently, that <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2514370/Couple-charged-3-500-bad-review-Kleargear-threaten-lawsuit.html">had such a stipulation in their terms and conditions of sale</a>, stating that buyers can't leave negative reviews! <a href="http://www.tnooz.com/article/hotel-sues-guest-for-posting-review-on-tripadvisor-about-bed-bugs/">Some Trip Advisor reviewers are now being sued</a>, as is <a href="http://finance.yahoo.com/news/christopher-deitz-sues-jane-perez-over-negative-yelp-review-222800638.html">one Yelp reviewer</a>. I can't speak
for the honesty of any of these reviews but surely if some were malicious, the
reviewer would have removed the review rather than being sued because win or
lose, they will be out of pocket for legal fees and time. Therefore in all
probably, the bad reviews in these cases are most likely true.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9DiVBxqDWa74wPb22qEzSsOXkLGNB5uJ9PnVhrJVFWNkNGDT3dk9ZrdLvnvwlTYLLR9ngkipeMHHiozcGTXdPJb-GBPS4jwKoIeBEZvqB-6RfbYrcdbWuuQkQbf6Hw9AaQ9RF43lVQ/s1600/2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9DiVBxqDWa74wPb22qEzSsOXkLGNB5uJ9PnVhrJVFWNkNGDT3dk9ZrdLvnvwlTYLLR9ngkipeMHHiozcGTXdPJb-GBPS4jwKoIeBEZvqB-6RfbYrcdbWuuQkQbf6Hw9AaQ9RF43lVQ/s1600/2c.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A (non-internet) troll</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3) The
final point we need to admit, is that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">websites
want your reviews</b>. Sites such as Amazon actively solicit reviews, emailing
you a while after a purchase to ask if you want to leave a review. Other sites such
as Trip Advisor, wouldn’t even exist if not for reviews. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As for
that last point, it’s fair to say that reviewers are adding value to those
business by leaving reviews, either by providing a reason for people to visit
the site, or by helping other site users determine which products are best for
them (returns and/or complaints=lost revenue). Therefore <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">those businesses should protect reviewers and pay for the defence if lawyers
get involved</b> (or take out insurance to pay for the defence) and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">they should be liable for any damages
awarded</b>. The business benefited from that review, therefore the business should
pay any damages due for false reviews. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Obviously
fake review shouldn’t be covered (just like false insurance claims should be
denied) and therein lies the rub, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">weeding
the true from the false would require work on the company’s part</b>. They
would have to buy or commission computer programs that would identify trollish behaviour
patterns; they would have to implement new procedures to make sure that users
are real people and not pseudonyms created to boost or discredit a business.
Finally, they would have to pay staff members to personally check at least some of
the flagged or suspect reviews and accounts. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8435sMBh9ugG60zqzynHNDau9OtGLOWAknvOzJZnuEqnZ-EwrWEeEzGGPZmBBGuDhi7axCXb9coSoVj4d7g17EnMMrDjtIYrlLyHRL7Tpt_46CIId0jrTA7DXVXLBJ7XcgO6adV_-A/s1600/2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8435sMBh9ugG60zqzynHNDau9OtGLOWAknvOzJZnuEqnZ-EwrWEeEzGGPZmBBGuDhi7axCXb9coSoVj4d7g17EnMMrDjtIYrlLyHRL7Tpt_46CIId0jrTA7DXVXLBJ7XcgO6adV_-A/s1600/2a.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But
that’s the trouble with companies, <b>they want your reviews but most don’t want
the time, trouble and cost of policing that user provided content</b>. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Instead
of asking for anonymity to be withdrawn, we need to ask companies (and legislators)
to take responsibility for the content left on their sites. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Until a
website will both <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">protect its reviewers</b>
and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">take responsibility</b> for allowing
fake reviews (or not removing them in a timely fashion) we need to ask ourselves,
“Why am I giving this business content that adds value to their business, FOR
FREE, if they aren’t even going to protect me?” Think about that next time you
leave a review. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNnd20Nob_3mpU2MmAqPMswgiCVcASwHZbREF9PrfyV6TGcbh7rVSvTC5SUglMT2ZudC7KQQnzpQF2vntWCR4F5DGSqPnJnq7n5TfddKDifvVia4TeZOdqKGfmVCpgQc87ZAhCw_png/s1600/2f.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkNnd20Nob_3mpU2MmAqPMswgiCVcASwHZbREF9PrfyV6TGcbh7rVSvTC5SUglMT2ZudC7KQQnzpQF2vntWCR4F5DGSqPnJnq7n5TfddKDifvVia4TeZOdqKGfmVCpgQc87ZAhCw_png/s1600/2f.jpeg" height="72" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now, if
we ever get to that state of affairs,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> the issue of anonymity should no longer be an issue</b>. Users <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can</i> post under a pen name, because the
business owners know their real name and address, and they have taken reasonable
steps (such as credit card data) to ascertain that they are real people. In
that instance, should a company, author or site user complain about a dodgy
review, the website can check into the validity of the user, and remove fake or
suspicious reviews accordingly (be they positive or negative reviews). If legal
proceedings are ever instigated because of a review, the site can supply that user’s
information (if and when they are legally required; I’m not suggesting they
give your personal data out to anyone who complains about a review). </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So put simply, these are my suggestions for improving the review system.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1) Make companies legally liable for
the reviews posted on their site</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2) Make them protect their reviewers
when legally challenged </span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3) Make the companies legally (ie
financially) liable for refusing to remove fake reviews</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Bad
reviews are helpful to customers, and only the fake ones need removing. Good reviews
are helpful to customers, and only the fake ones need removing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>ETA:</b> I'll give few author-specific examples of how this might work,<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$0:0"> which I hope will make the principle clearer. </span><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$text0:0:$4:0"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/business/a-casualty-on-the-battlefield-of-amazons-partisan-book-reviews.html">This author's Michael Jackson biography was "review swarmed"</a>. In other words, before the book was released, MJ fans were planing and coordinating to target the book with 1 star reviews. The book didn't sell well at all and I believe that both the author and the publisher in this instance, have a pretty good case for loss of earnings from false and fake
reviews, not to mention ample proof that those reviews are fake. </span><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$0:0"></span><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$1:0" /><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$3:0" /><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">In
the case of my troll reviewer, I didn't suffer any financial loss but I
already suffer with PTSD (after being stalked by an ex). Being
specifically targeted and threatened by that reviewer led to my symptoms
worsening (things like flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks) therefore
if Amazon were legally responsible for allowing these reviews to remain
on their site, I could have a case to sue them for mental anguish. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0"><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$4:0">Charlaine Harris received an uncoordinated barrage of one star reviews, <a href="http://litreactor.com/news/sookie-stackhouse-fans-send-death-threats-over-final-book">as well as death threats</a>, after fans didn't like some of her choices in the last Sookie Stackhouse book. The same happened to <a href="http://www.bustle.com/articles/8648-veronica-roth-addresses-allegiant-ending-backlash">Veronica Roth</a>. Both those books were bestsellers so a case for financial loss is probably out of the question, but a case for mental anguish and emotional distress wouldn't be. (Please note, I'm not saying readers cant leave 1 star reviews, but threats and insults directed to the author are totally out of line)</span><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$5:0" /><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$7:0" /><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$8:0">It's
very hard to sue individual reviewers though, especially if they post under a
pseudonym. By making Amazon legally responsible for the content of
reviews on their site, and liable to pay any damages awarded due to loss
of income or emotional distress thanks to said reviews, I'm pretty sure their lackadaisical
attitude to this issue wouldn't last past the first court case that went
against them.</span><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$9:0" /><br data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$11:0" /><span data-reactid=".1.1:3:1:$replies836079339740796_8714155:0.1:2:$comment836079339740796_8714595:0.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.0:$comment-body.0.$end:0:$12:0">Obviously
not every author who receives a fake review would have a case to sue
for damages (and of those who do, some wouldn't be able to afford it)
but with Amazon actively policing reviews and taking complaints about
reviews seriously, I would expect that cases of harassment by review,
review swarming and cyber-stalking will be drastically reduced, and dealt
with swiftly when they do arise.</span></span></span> </span></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-51247089178479833342013-12-03T19:16:00.000-08:002013-12-07T08:24:23.149-08:00Teaser Time! Season's Meetings<!--[if !mso]>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9VJaBYb79LxibAGHTKNouMZ7Amk0OmlquJ2FJnUDHkAPrlw2K47sE3aBdqDwlK69y_NndzaCkG1Kjz2vp6GOzZXf-C_WlOeXy_OJ6n2SQ7e6fjPe4Maq69nK68zxFEOAxrRdf0edhw/s1600/1+christmas+cover+amazon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9VJaBYb79LxibAGHTKNouMZ7Amk0OmlquJ2FJnUDHkAPrlw2K47sE3aBdqDwlK69y_NndzaCkG1Kjz2vp6GOzZXf-C_WlOeXy_OJ6n2SQ7e6fjPe4Maq69nK68zxFEOAxrRdf0edhw/s320/1+christmas+cover+amazon3.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigROEoZQTNf23kTow2jp2y35qdPc0a0KRJ4ZxDvyzGYb4D3Jw2Mixr7yavaL-8f5kkXlL1InPniUlB-bKb3iVkGwLuwO8iFAOBuxQHmThIqdtIciJP1Ld8uGibK4-TcNscXdRxlBdIGg/s1600/1+christmas+cover+amazon3.jpg"><span style="color: windowtext; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-no-proof: yes; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></div>
Time for another sample! Curl up on these cold winter nights with a delightful romance.<br />
<br />
The Blurb! <br />
<br />
Unable to face Christmas with her
family and the famous sister who stole her fiancé, Annie Powell books into a
remote cottage in the Scottish Highlands.<br />
<br />
Mac Hartman isn’t looking forward to the holidays either but when Annie turns
up on his doorstep, he is instantly attracted to her. <br />
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<br /></div>
In the beautiful, snow-covered
mountains, love blossoms and what could have been a miserable experience,
becomes a fairy-tale. But all fairy-tales must come to an end and real life
doesn’t have happy ever afters.
<br />
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Can their budding romance survive
Annie’s fears, and her seductive sister, who seems determined to steal Annie’s
happiness?
<br />
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<br /></div>
Season's Meetings is a fantastic
festive read, to warm you up on those cold winter evenings.<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/null" name="_Toc373684671"><b>Chapter
One</b></a></div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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As Annie exited the airport,
following signs for Edinburgh City By-Pass, each passing mile upset the
delicate equilibrium that she had fought so hard to regain over the past few
months. </div>
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Her parents had assured her that
she didn’t need to rent a car while here but she wanted- no, she needed the
freedom and independence that it gave her. This Christmas was going to be hard
enough to endure and she felt like she needed the means to escape sometimes. </div>
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It <i>was</i> nice to be back in
Edinburgh however, it was familiar and homey and packed with memories from her
childhood. </div>
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But the closer she got to the
Grange, the tighter her chest felt. </div>
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Everyone would be there and in the
case of her parents and her brother, that was fine, welcomed in fact. It was
her sister and <i>him</i>, that she didn’t want to see. </div>
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She had long ago accepted that her
sister, Amelia, was a fickle and selfish creature, but she had never expected
to find her with Simon, in Annie’s bed, no less.</div>
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Being cheated on was a betrayal
too far but to have the two people she was closest to <i>both</i> betray her…
she still didn’t know how to handle that. This would be the first time since
that fateful day that she would see them again, and the very thought drove an
icicle of pain into her heart, leaving her breathless. She pulled the car over
to the side of the road and sat quietly for a while, as she tried to compose
herself. </div>
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Whatever happened, she couldn’t
let them know how much they had hurt her, that would be like letting them win,
and she was damned if she’d let them know they had broken her spirit. She had
to do this. </div>
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Besides, her parents loved
Christmas, and it wasn’t their fault that her sister was a class A bitch. They
had assured her that Amelia and Simon would tone things down, be nice and be
‘understanding’ towards her. </div>
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Annie still didn’t know why her
feelings required understanding; it seemed pretty fucking obvious to her, that
a person who has been betrayed is liable to rip some heads off. What she didn’t
understand, never had in fact, was why Amelia was so easily forgiven for the
myriad of insensitive things she had done over the years. </div>
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Simon wasn’t the first boyfriend
she had stolen either, although she usually worked her magic on them early on
in a relationship, when their loss wasn’t devastating to Annie. She had come to
expect it, in fact, and when they were kicked to the kerb a week later, she
took a perverse kind of pleasure in it. </div>
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‘<i>That will teach them not to be
so fickle next time, and not throw something good away, for the faint chance of
something better. Well, </i>someone<i> better,</i>’ she would think. </div>
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Sometimes she even tried to put a
positive spin on it. ‘<i>Better to know now that he‘s a cheating scumbag,
rather than after ten years of marriage</i>.’</div>
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She couldn’t really blame men for
preferring Amelia to her; Amelia had been an actress since she was five, and
acting in big, blockbuster movies since she was 9. At 31 (Hollywood age, 24)
she was still drop dead gorgeous and had that Hollywood glamour and confidence
working for her, not to mention a stylist, a designer wardrobe, a massive bank
balance, botox and plastic surgery. </div>
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Amelia had dated her fair share of
A-listers too, like Ryan Gosling and Zac Effron who, Annie had to admit, was
way too young for Amelia and it was kind of icky. Not quite as icky as when she
dated Tom Cruise briefly, who was 20 years older, but icky nonetheless. </div>
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What man wouldn’t want to date
‘England’s Sweetheart, Amelia Powell’?</div>
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And she wasn’t even English.
Granted, they didn’t have much of a Scots accent but they were Scottish, born
and bred. When questioned, Amelia, in her usual patronising manner, just
explained that the concept of the United Kingdom having more than one country
was difficult for Americans to comprehend, so they just thought of it all as
England. </div>
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Sean Connery didn’t seem to have
any difficulty being called scots, she had thought, but she kept those thoughts
to herself; sometimes it was easier to just smile and nod.</div>
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When Annie’s episode had passed
and she was feeling calm again, she realised that she couldn’t do this.
Spending two weeks with her family, pretending not to remember that she was
supposed to get married in mid-January, was just too much to ask of anyone, she
decided. She pulled back into traffic and headed for Bruntsfield to find a
coffee shop, where she could sit for a while and decide what to do, while a slice
of horribly calorific cake soothed her battered ego. </div>
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She found a café, ordered at the
counter and as she claimed a table to wait for her order, she overheard the
people behind her, talking about spending Christmas in Aviemore. One lady and
her family were heading up there, to escape the yearly tug-of-war between her
family and her in-laws. </div>
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“So we’re opting out this year,”
the woman declared. “Besides, it’ll be nice for Bruce and I to spend a
Christmas by ourselves for once, before this one comes along. It might be our
only chance until she’s old enough for college.” </div>
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“It’s a girl then?” her friend
asked. </div>
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“Well no, it’s too early to tell
apparently, but I’m hoping. Bruce is going mental, I swear he’s more excited by
the baby than I am! Just the other day he…”</div>
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Annie had tuned them out, finding
their happiness painful to listen to, but Christmas in somewhere like Aviemore
sounded lovely. She had images of a remote cabin, a log fire and a snow covered
landscape. Lack of internet access might also help her write; she had a
deadline looming and hadn’t penned anything decent since ‘the discovery’ as she
termed it. Her deadline had already been pushed back twice, thanks to her
understanding editor, Kelly, arguing for her, but there would be no third
chance. If she didn’t produce a manuscript by February 5<sup>th</sup>, she
would lose her contract and face a financial penalty. </div>
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Her brother would understand; he
knew her better than anyone. Her parents would be hurt but this wasn’t about
Amelia and Simon, this was about work, and her February deadline. They would
understand that, right? </div>
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Of course, she had already tried
using that excuse for not coming and it hadn’t worked </div>
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‘<i>Amelia will pay your fine!</i>’</div>
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‘<i>Mum, it isn’t just a fine,
I’ll lose my contract. I love working with Holder & Sons and if I leave,
I’ll lose Kelly!</i>’</div>
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‘<i>Kelly who?</i>’</div>
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She only raved about Kelly every
third phone call, so perhaps it was telling that after two years working with
the same editor, her mother still didn’t know who she was. </div>
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‘<i>My editor,</i>’ she said with
a resigned sigh.</div>
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‘<i>Family trumps an editor,
darling. Editors are ten a penny but family is precious.</i>’</div>
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‘<i>Kelly is one in a million. She
gets me and what I’m trying to say, and believe me, I’ve tried a lot of editors
over the years.</i>’</div>
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Editor trouble was what made her
look around for a new publisher and join Holder & Sons in the first place,
and she was damn sure that she had told her mother all about her problems at
the time.</div>
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Regardless, work was her excuse
and her mother wouldn’t get a chance to object this time, Annie would be
sending a text, then turning her phone off.</div>
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She pulled her tablet computer out
of her bag and set about searching for an available holiday let. </div>
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***</div>
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Mac Hartman had endured a hard
year but he had finally succeeded, turning the family estate into a thriving
business, after estate taxes nearly bankrupted them. He had worked day and
night, finding a viable way to make the estate pay for itself, pouring his own
money into the facilities and finally, publicising it. </div>
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While still technically in debt to
him, last month the estate had turned its first profit and the forecast for
December was even better, with all the units rented for the last two weeks of
December. The final booking had only come in an hour ago in fact, and he was
immensely relieved. </div>
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January would be quiet again, with
only 30 percent of the units let, but the profits from November and December
should see it through, and thanks to two weddings in February, he expected to
break even again. Come the summer, when various activities would be available
on the estate, such as hiking, fishing and horse riding, he expected the
business to be self-supporting enough to begin paying him back. </div>
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His plan for the estate was to
turn the unoccupied properties into holiday lets, including turning the main
house into self-catering apartments of varying sizes, ranging from one bedroom
for couples, to six bedrooms, sleeping 14 with pull-out beds, for larger
holiday groups, such as stag, hen and wedding parties. The licence to perform
weddings had yet to come through and was still a thorn in his side. The two
February weddings were friends of the family, hence why they booked before the
licence came through, but he still didn’t want to let them down.</div>
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It wasn’t a hotel though. They had
facilities to cater for large events, but outside caterers would be called in
and temporary staff hired to wait tables. </div>
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Each apartment and cottage had its
own kitchen and guests were expected to cater for themselves. Housekeeping
could be arranged throughout a stay, but that was at an additional cost.</div>
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The main house had been built in a
square, with central gardens and courtyard in the centre, and a large archway
in the south wing, at the rear of the property, which was large enough for a
tall van to drive through if necessary, which helped with mowing the lawn. </div>
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Each ground floor apartment on the
outer side had its own small garden area and decking, but the central courtyard
was open to everyone. </div>
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He had saved the south wing of the
house for himself and his family, dividing it into four apartments so their
garden at the rear was private. Although he didn’t need the space right now, he
hoped that one day he would have a family, and his three spare bedrooms could
be put to good use. His mother’s apartment was just two bedrooms, for her
and any friends she might like to come and visit her. The apartments earmarked
for his brother and sister were three and four bedroom respectively but since
neither showed any interest in returning to the estate right now, they were
rented. Between his three spare bedrooms and his mother’s, he could house them
if they came to visit. </div>
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Although pleased with his progress
and the 100 percent occupancy, he wasn’t looking forward to Christmas, and
intended to remain holed up in his apartment on Christmas day, watching action
movies and denying that it was anything other than a normal day. </div>
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The family had abandoned him too,
all preferring to spend Christmas alone this year but he couldn’t blame them
for that, because it was exactly what he wanted to do as well. If they had
asked to come and stay, he would have said yes and endured it because they were
family but honestly, it would have been hell. </div>
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When the main door buzzer rang in
his apartment, he groaned. The final guest had checked in and been given their
keys an hour ago, so this was probably someone who wanted something from him.
It was amazing how many people in self-catering accommodation, expected a
stocked fridge or a mini-bar. They did provide some complimentary staples in a
basket, such as local eggs, cheese, bread and a bottle of red and white wine,
and he wondered if that gave them the impression that he cared about
hospitality. </div>
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It had been the head housekeeper’s
idea but he was considering finishing it since it seemed that old adage, give
an inch and they’ll take a mile, was true. Mostly they came knocking wanting
more wine, as if he was an off licence or something! When he refused, since he
didn’t have a licence to sell alcohol and he wasn’t about to keep giving it
away, they got huffy.</div>
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With a sigh, he got up and went to
see what they wanted. When he reached the intercom, he realised that the person
was outside, meaning that she had come from one of the cottages and was either too
drunk or too lazy to drive into the local town and purchase her own food and
drink. Rather than buzzing her inside, he left the apartment and went to meet
her, hoping that the cold would keep her from lingering for too long as she
tried to persuade him. </div>
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As he opened the door, he noticed
that she was wheeling a large suitcase and carrying a laptop case over her
shoulder, but he didn’t think much of it, other than that she was either very
lazy and couldn’t carry a bottle of wine back to her cottage, or she was in for
a shock when she realised that he would not be furnishing her with enough wine
to fill that suitcase. </div>
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“Can I help you?” he asked,
although his tone suggested nothing like a desire to help. </div>
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She looked a little taken aback at
his gruff voice but persevered. </div>
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“Um, I booked a cottage under the
name of Annie Powell?” </div>
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He frowned. “The Powells checked
in two hours ago.” </div>
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“There must be some mistake, I
made that booking, for one person and as you can see, I only just got here.” </div>
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He sighed and ran a hand through
his hair. “Look, Miss, I really am sorry but all our units are occupied.” </div>
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“But I booked and paid for it!” </div>
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When he looked sceptical, she let
go of her case and began rummaging in her large handbag. He noticed that she
was exceptionally pretty, in an understated way. Her hair looked very dark
brown or black and was cut to mid shoulder length, she wore a little makeup but
her dark lashes framed sapphire blue eyes, and the cold had brought an
appealing pink sheen to her cheeks. </div>
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He wondered what she looked like
underneath that bulky coat she wore, since he had a feeling from her jeans and
boots peeking out below the hem, that she might have a very attractive figure. </div>
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He felt the pull of attraction to
her, of an intensity that he hadn’t felt for a long time.</div>
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She pulled out a tablet computer,
opened the cover and handed it to him.</div>
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“Here, that’s the email
confirmation I was sent from Hartman Hall Holiday Homes.” </div>
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Although he really didn’t need
this right now, the email did look like one that his website would send and
anyway, he was starting to feel bad about leaving her out in the cold, since
the snow was coming down quite heavily now.</div>
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“Why don’t you come inside and
I’ll see if I can figure this out.” </div>
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“Thank you.” She gave him a grateful
smile and he opened the door wide for her to enter. He led her to a door off
the reception, which served as his office. “Take a seat,” he said as he turned
his computer on. </div>
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“Thank you.” </div>
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She took her scarf off and began
blowing into her hands to warm them. She didn’t remove the black woollen coat
however, and he regretted that. </div>
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“Can I get you a warm drink?” he
asked, hoping to coax her out of the coat.</div>
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“No, thank you; I don’t want to
put you to any trouble.” </div>
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“It’s no trouble.” </div>
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“Really, I’m fine, thank you.” </div>
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She was thanking him an awful lot,
considering that he hadn’t done anything for her yet. </div>
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While the computer booted up, he
got out the file of check-in slips for today and looked through them. While
some of the handwriting was bad, there was clearly no one called Powell that
had checked in today. There was however, a Farrell, which might explain his
initial confusion.</div>
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With the computer ready, he opened
the bookings file and looked through the listings with today’s check-in date.
Farrell was there, as was Powell. One by one, he matched the names from the
check-in book to the bookings and discovered that while he had given Mr and Mrs
Jacobs the Rose Cottage, they didn’t have a booking. </div>
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It was a rookie mistake; they came
saying they had a booking, he gave them the last one without checking his
records or asking to see their confirmation, thinking it had to be theirs. </div>
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“It seems I gave your cottage
away,” he admitted. “I’m so sorry. I’ll go and ask them to leave.” </div>
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He wasn’t looking forward to this,
especially since he remembered the family’s thrilled smiles as he showed them
around Rose cottage. They probably thought they’d had an upgrade but in
reality, they hadn’t booked anything at all, and now they and their two kids
had to find somewhere else to stay. This close to Christmas and near a popular
ski resort, that wouldn’t be easy.</div>
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Miss Powell was staring out of the
window and frowning. </div>
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“I really am sorry,” he tried to
reassure her. “They’ll be gone in no time, then you can settle in.” </div>
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“How many of them are there?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Four, why?” </div>
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She looked over at him and he
could see that her frown was caused by concern, rather than upset. </div>
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“Don’t move them. It’s late and
it’ll be harder for them to find somewhere, while I haven’t even unpacked yet.
If you agree to refund my card, I’ll go back to town; there has to be something
available, a hotel or a Bed and Breakfast.” </div>
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She got to her feet and took hold
of the handle of her suitcase. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Sorry to have bothered you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He couldn’t believe it, he had
fouled up and she was giving away her booking and apologising to him. </div>
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“Wait,” he called as was about to
disappear through the door, back into the hallway. She turned back. “There is
another option.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
She looked curious. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“It’s one of the family units but
the owner is away at the moment.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“I don’t think I could sleep in
someone else’s bed, not without their knowledge.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Well it isn’t her bed yet, not
really.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
She was frowning again and he
realised that he wasn’t explaining himself very well. Miss Powell seemed to have
the effect of turning him into a tongue tied teenager again. </div>
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“She hasn’t been back since the
renovations were finished,” he clarified. “And she isn’t due back until
January; she’s on a round the world cruise with her friend.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
She seemed to be wavering, biting
down on her lower lip as she weighed up her options. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“The weather is getting worse out
there, I can't in all good conscience let you drive in this.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Are you sure she won’t mind?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Positive.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“You know her that well?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“I do.” He picked up her case, as
if that settled the argument.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Then, thank you.” She followed
him as he led the way to the rear of the house. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“So, you’ve worked here for a
while then?” she asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He had avoided telling everyone
else who checked in that he was part owner of this estate, because he didn’t
want them to know he had so much invested in the venture, and partly because he
hadn’t come to terms with the reason he was part owner. With Miss Powell
however, it was something else that held him back. </div>
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A lot of women liked him, while
others liked his money, and sometimes it could be hard to tell which was which.
Something told him that Annie would like him for him, but he wanted to be sure.
</div>
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“Not that long, but I’ve known the
family forever.” Which technically speaking, was true.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Well I haven’t exactly seen much
of it, but from what I’ve seen, you have a lovely place here.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Thank you. A lot of time and
effort went into the renovations.”</div>
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“What’s the rest of the estate
like?” she asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“You’ll see for yourself tomorrow
but if I do say so myself, it’s spectacular.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Then I hope I get a chance to see
it before I go.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Why? You’re not agoraphobic, are
you?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“No,” she laughed. “But I’ll just
stay for tonight and try to find somewhere else tomorrow.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He thought they had been over
that. “No, please, this is my fault. We’ve only been open a few weeks and we’d
hate for bad reviews to start appearing online; I could lose my job! You
wouldn’t want that, would you?” </div>
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He could tell from her smile that
she knew he was joking, at least in part.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Well, such Scrooge-like behaviour
<i>is</i> in keeping with the season.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Ah yes, but Scrooge learned the
error of his ways.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
They had reached a door that said
S2, and he unlocked it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“That’s me,” he said, pointing to
the next door along the hall, S1. “Just knock if you need anything.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He led her inside and turned the
lights on as he went.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Bedroom, bedroom plus en suite,
bathroom, lounge, utility room, very large closet-slash-space I didn’t know
what else to do with and finally, the kitchen.”</div>
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To his delight, she was looking
around but not into the rooms he was pointing out, she was looking at the
ceiling roses, the crown moulding and the door handles, most of which were
original in this part of the house; the replicas were used in the public rooms.
</div>
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Most of the furnishings in this
apartment were new, since his mother had expressly said that she didn’t want
painful reminders, so the antiques were spread through his and the other family
apartments. The new furnishings were quality pieces however, chosen with care
to please his mother and now, he hoped, Annie. </div>
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He knew it was ridiculous to care
what she, a virtual stranger, thought but since his mother had been away, he
had yet to see her reaction. </div>
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“So?” he asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“It’s gorgeous,” she exclaimed
with a smile. “Does the fireplace in the lounge work?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Well yes and no; it’s gas, which
isn’t exactly authentic, but it looks realistic and it’s convenient.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Sounds perfect,” she said. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Well, I’d better find you some
bedding and towels and what not.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Great,” she smiled, still paying
more attention to her surroundings than to him, which now upset him a little.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He headed towards the short
corridor that led to the front door, but turned back as a thought occurred to
him, and was pleased to catch her checking out his behind. Perhaps he wasn’t
the only one feeling the attraction.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Shall I leave the door on the
latch so I don’t disturb you?” he asked, shaking her out of the stupor she
seemed to be in. Her gaze left his bottom and her cheeks reddened when she saw
his smug smile. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
“Oh, uh, yes, whatever you like.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
He hurried away, so that he could
return to her sooner rather than later. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 1cm;">
___________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9VJaBYb79LxibAGHTKNouMZ7Amk0OmlquJ2FJnUDHkAPrlw2K47sE3aBdqDwlK69y_NndzaCkG1Kjz2vp6GOzZXf-C_WlOeXy_OJ6n2SQ7e6fjPe4Maq69nK68zxFEOAxrRdf0edhw/s1600/1+christmas+cover+amazon3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9VJaBYb79LxibAGHTKNouMZ7Amk0OmlquJ2FJnUDHkAPrlw2K47sE3aBdqDwlK69y_NndzaCkG1Kjz2vp6GOzZXf-C_WlOeXy_OJ6n2SQ7e6fjPe4Maq69nK68zxFEOAxrRdf0edhw/s200/1+christmas+cover+amazon3.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
I hope you liked that
taster and that it put you in the festive mood.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you'd like to read
more, Season's Meetings is</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
available in kindle
format on</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H17HBKC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H17HBKC&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon
US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00H17HBKC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00H17HBKC&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-21">Amazon
UK</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00H17HBKC">Amazon CA</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
If you don't have a
kindle, did you know, Amazon do</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=dig_arl_box?ie=UTF8&docId=1000493771"><b>free
Kindle reading apps</b></a> for almost all devices, including</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
PCs, Mac, Android,
iPhone, BlackBerry, iPad and Windows 7 Phone?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Just search your
country's site for 'Kindle reading app'.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 1.0cm;">
<br /></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-84820649607630763042013-11-23T10:30:00.001-08:002013-11-23T12:33:30.131-08:00Some Important Female Scientists That You've Probably Never Heard Of<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/11/deconstructing-damaris.html">In my last post</a> I discussed how and why <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Damaris's</a> character was formed. In this one, I'll introduce you to a handful of the women scientists who helped me create the intellectual side of her. She is not based on any one person here and indeed, many have little in common with her, but are nevertheless worthy of being remembered for their contributions to science. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq2SpTgqyMWfuuaULadgo5Brh_D6CGYrjqqKFfskqCZbFwDZaf0XdhzzJI5o_7ExYgIun-QttZFsukBvP2gMc-XFTS4haDsaX8Cv8TfzzPC8x5H3NqSOzmIIFtqnpl3-XsNcPRbDLYw/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyq2SpTgqyMWfuuaULadgo5Brh_D6CGYrjqqKFfskqCZbFwDZaf0XdhzzJI5o_7ExYgIun-QttZFsukBvP2gMc-XFTS4haDsaX8Cv8TfzzPC8x5H3NqSOzmIIFtqnpl3-XsNcPRbDLYw/s200/1.jpg" width="160" /></a> </div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Herschel"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Caroline Herschel</b></a>
came to England from German in 1772, to run her brother’s house for him. When
her brother took an interest in Astronomy, Caroline followed and helped him
make observations and build telescopes, becoming a renowned astronomer in her
own right. She was the first woman to discover a comet and discovered 8 in
total, and she had her work published by the Royal Society. She was also the
first British women to be paid for her work, when her brother convinced his
patron to pay her an annual wage. </div>
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By the time of her death at age 97 in 1848 she had received
many honours, including a gold medal from the Royal Astronomical Society and
between them, she had her brother discovered 2,400 new stars. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvYTj80uiiP8EWmm8XlGlx43RdCr8yaLC5MuEtAkYBkzszbcnMxlpsz3b0UTKNRCznf3P4xuPcjyKsv55X3TxLQsCJEmTVxWdPUJEBjG_m5doWhE-hSobJZzBfFVREdYWeEFFSfNqdg/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvYTj80uiiP8EWmm8XlGlx43RdCr8yaLC5MuEtAkYBkzszbcnMxlpsz3b0UTKNRCznf3P4xuPcjyKsv55X3TxLQsCJEmTVxWdPUJEBjG_m5doWhE-hSobJZzBfFVREdYWeEFFSfNqdg/s200/2.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Bryan"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Margaret Bryan</b></a> was
a talented schoolmistress and in 1797 she published A Compendious System of
Astronomy, the lectures of which were praised by mathematician Charles Hutton. </div>
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In
1806 she also published Lectures on Natural Philosophy, thirteen lectures on
hydrostatics, optics, pneumatics, and acoustics. </div>
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The publication, Astronomical and Geographical Class Book
for Schools, published anonymously in 1806, has also been ascribed to her. </div>
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She had three schools, in Blackheath, near Hyde Park Corner,
and at Margate.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnACjER7PRWltnqi5yNgq2OdomRBFfhy86-TM5PHioqBDZK1WUmPzyggAA8AYIH8kQlRrqGP5bqylmTRnS0AWfN4uwEfgyRv-l4POTfTJJh1NGhB28VXzS-jfVr0XdCdgmSJtX-qLFg/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnACjER7PRWltnqi5yNgq2OdomRBFfhy86-TM5PHioqBDZK1WUmPzyggAA8AYIH8kQlRrqGP5bqylmTRnS0AWfN4uwEfgyRv-l4POTfTJJh1NGhB28VXzS-jfVr0XdCdgmSJtX-qLFg/s200/3.jpg" width="164" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Somerville"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mary Somerville</b></a> discovered a maths problem in a ladies magazine, and it sparked
a lifelong interest in algebra and mathematics. </div>
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In 1794, aged just 14,Her father and husband stopped her but when her husband died
in 1807, her inheritance gave her the freedom to resume her studies. She
returned to Scotland and in 1812, married William Somerville, who supported her
interest. </div>
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She performed experiments in magnetism and write a series of
papers on physics, mathematics, astronomy and chemistry, as well as translating
astronomer Pierre-Simon Laplace’s The Mechanism of the Heavens into English,
which was used as a text book for the next 100 years.</div>
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Along with Caroline Herschel, she was one of the first two
women to become honorary members of the Royal Astronomical Society. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE_r66vtk1tfrXv1iIMXBJ0Kb9sWutXrSjKzldOYrMSi0R21wjN4ZbxvO9tl0EiaRBaB8kkLcgwyKHUFEdPKHWWZ_sCND4yyOW7YsUz2X8YOWRECwgS5tsbs0hlcELxGXBPUKI0URaQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE_r66vtk1tfrXv1iIMXBJ0Kb9sWutXrSjKzldOYrMSi0R21wjN4ZbxvO9tl0EiaRBaB8kkLcgwyKHUFEdPKHWWZ_sCND4yyOW7YsUz2X8YOWRECwgS5tsbs0hlcELxGXBPUKI0URaQ/s200/4.jpg" width="155" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Marguerite_Bih%C3%A9ron"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Marie MargueriteBihéron</b></a> was an anatomist, known for her medical illustrations and wax
figure models. Frustrated by their rapid decay, she
turned her skills to wax modelling and was renown for her work, becoming a
skilled practitioner. </div>
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<br /></div>
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In 1759 she was invited her to present her work to the
Academie Royale des Sciences and again 1770, to demonstrate her innovative, detailed
and lifelike model of a pregnant woman, complete with moveable parts and foetuses.
In 1771 she presented to the Academie Royale for the third time, presenting her
models to the visiting crown prince of Sweden.</div>
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Because the Academie did not support women, she eventually moved to England. She achieved international acclaim, both for the anatomical
accuracy and lifelikeness of her models, as well as inventing a method of
making wax that did not melt and among others, she sold models to the King of
Denmark and Catherine II of Russia.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLbWNfb5ajxRk3aB1LJl6ZTwtULl70eVhuh2CKmzmJDHJ8tNTrYR2TZR-IJMzpMOKKefwlmQ1SBdlCyE0VAIQWaWJ1gHPQhoAwueJMGSmZ8DUnLX1I6XZyYVJhyphenhyphenYNpMiKZO3_-T122Q/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLbWNfb5ajxRk3aB1LJl6ZTwtULl70eVhuh2CKmzmJDHJ8tNTrYR2TZR-IJMzpMOKKefwlmQ1SBdlCyE0VAIQWaWJ1gHPQhoAwueJMGSmZ8DUnLX1I6XZyYVJhyphenhyphenYNpMiKZO3_-T122Q/s200/5.jpg" width="145" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Anning"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mary Anning</b></a>’s
love of science began as a child, when she and her brother discovered an animal
skeleton, and he charged 12 year old Mary with digging it up. She found a skull
and 60 vertebrae, which were sold to a private collector for £23. They thought
it was a crocodile but it was eventually named Ichthyosaurus, and thus began
Mary’s career as a palaeontologist. </div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
She had no proper education and taught herself palaeontology,
anatomy, geology and illustration and as well as the Ichthyosaurus, she found a
long-necked plesiosaurs, a pterodactyl and thousands of other fossils which
helped scientists to draw a picture of the world during the Jurassic period. </div>
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Scientists would travel to England from as far away as America,
to hunt for fossils with Mary.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bZoeLXM38-lp2bNQxtQJrEb7-5yfEqSYS-oBA4wBbLwj-7ubQybnpzsiWFEeWYb-aha8S9WxjF8zQ9sVGtB-TFpbVauKzJ1A1zdTg1Dxkyf_eYvzcxZQFBw2pwa18KxMBIvncFwUkQ/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1bZoeLXM38-lp2bNQxtQJrEb7-5yfEqSYS-oBA4wBbLwj-7ubQybnpzsiWFEeWYb-aha8S9WxjF8zQ9sVGtB-TFpbVauKzJ1A1zdTg1Dxkyf_eYvzcxZQFBw2pwa18KxMBIvncFwUkQ/s200/1.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Fulhame"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Elizabeth Fulhame</b></a>
was a Scottish chemist who is best known for her 1794 work, An Essay on
Combustion, detailing her experiments on oxidation-reduction reactions,
catalysis and theories on combustion. The book was translated into German in 1795.</div>
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<br /></div>
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In the 1790s, she also made some early observations on
the use of light sensitive chemicals on fabric, which predate Thomas Wedgwood's
more famous photogram trials of 1801, although she didn’t, attempt to make images
as Wedgwood did.<br />
<br />
In 1810, she was made an honorary member of the Philadelphia
Chemical Society.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
________________</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">Her Saving Grace </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">is available in kindle format on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-21">Amazon UK</a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00GN62GDO">Amazon CA</a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
or</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You can read an excerpt <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/10/her-saving-grace-chapters-1-3.html">here.</a> </span></div>
</div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-68648618777525550962013-11-11T17:14:00.000-08:002013-11-23T10:30:56.222-08:00Deconstructing Damaris <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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When writing <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Her Saving Grace</a>, I was prepared for a backlash
from the historical puritans (which so far, hasn’t come) but it might surprise
many people to know that the science loving, polymath, Damaris Wellesley, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_female_scientists_before_the_21st_century">is based on real people</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZGaC1nNHncuPEbUK1n3vsYh-R4akEiRFJv-jLZDp7VpPiucuFdhnd-Sq1KHhzB9vkjW2eWi4efAGoNafKTLASWrP5IaNS3wf79CehuGvbdMYLouCe0rAGKhDI6zV4VKZ1xzEmGSnoA/s1600/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZGaC1nNHncuPEbUK1n3vsYh-R4akEiRFJv-jLZDp7VpPiucuFdhnd-Sq1KHhzB9vkjW2eWi4efAGoNafKTLASWrP5IaNS3wf79CehuGvbdMYLouCe0rAGKhDI6zV4VKZ1xzEmGSnoA/s320/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now when we think women and science, especially the origins
of women in science, we perhaps think of Marie Curie, or she would at least be
high on our list, but while she was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, she
was far from the first female scientist. </div>
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Science didn’t begin as we know it today with structure and
form, overseen by teachers, conducting experiments that thousands have done
before and if one wishes to pursue a career in science, getting a job working
for a profit company, or working for a university and applying for research
grants. </div>
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Granted, many scientists did teach at universities, but just
as many if not more, did not. Science was, to my modern understanding, more
what might be considered a hobby. Wealthy men with money, no profession, time
and curiosity, set up rooms or laboratories and thought about stuff, then set
about devising ways to prove the conclusions that had come to. They dabbled in
science, almost. The gifted could also be supported by scientific institutions
or wealthy patrons, although they were most certainly middle class, or raised
and educated by a charitable institution. </div>
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<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
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There were science journals, where people could publish papers
to be read by like-minded people, but they were few and far between. Many scientists also preferred to
publish books of their works and theories although unlike today, it wasn’t a
for profit venture. In the Victorian age, publishing began to become a for
profit business but until then, people financed their own print runs (or found
a patron to back them) and were as likely to lose money as make it. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89milie_du_Ch%C3%A2telet">Émilie duChâtelet</a>, mathematician & physicist</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, under those circumstances, it was actually easier
for women to study science than in later periods, when entrance to universities
and science organisations was banned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rich women didn’t have to keep house and raise their own
children so providing they had an understanding husband, lover or father, they
could study science just as easily as a man, although I will admit that they were
less likely to be taken seriously by many men.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also unlike today, science was viewed more as a collective,
so rather than focusing ones efforts only on one field of research and perhaps
a few related areas, many studied various fields, such as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Somerville"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mary Somerville</span></a> who began studying algebra and mathematics but also
wrote papers on magnetism, physics, astronomy and chemistry, as well as
translating the work of others into English.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The character of Damaris is based largely on that
understanding, with her sharp mind and a broad range of knowledge, from
philosophy to anatomy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had to make her older in order to give her the age
necessary to have amassed all this knowledge, but she could not be infallible
however, so I also gave her one large deficiency, her personality. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today we might wonder if Damaris was on the autism spectrum,
perhaps with a mild form, such as Asperger’s syndrome, but I didn’t want that
to become the focus of the story. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her personality is largely based on my own personality, and she is
perhaps my most autobiographical character to date. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was a child, I was told by a parent that they suspected
I was autistic and had a personality disorder, I am happy to reveal that I am
not autistic nor do I have a personality disorder (believe me, those thoughts
haunted me for years). I was also constantly likened to a person who was constantly
reviled by my family. This was sometimes done in anger, “You’re so much like X!”
while at other times I think it was just a general musing, and “Doesn’t she
look like X when she does that?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
However, whether cruel or just thoughtless, the actions of a
parent can have a big impact on how we view ourselves, and present ourselves to
the world, which is where I believe Damaris’s behaviour stems from. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I don’t consider myself a polymath, I do consider
myself intelligent and dare I say it, of above average intelligence. My school
even tested me and I am almost a genius, just 2 points shy of the 140 necessary
to be called one. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s hard for me to say that though, as I expect people to
point and laugh. You see, as you probably know if you read this blog, I also
grew up dyslexic and undiagnosed and if that wasn’t enough, I’m also very shy
and a terrible introvert. Did rejection cause the shyness and introversion? It’s
impossible to say but regardless, they are permanent character traits now. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocBtLfbPYMt5I3hnNKXvxt93Pidm_nJwnxZMM9oXWIKxISqsdoNZLtcrN0NRvgjddnxIx4NQyWufH-43SW6C6C-5aB-X5DN8eKV9Ip0odLXE9oZtpsORF4xtRGGFcPqUObYFL7aXcvw/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhocBtLfbPYMt5I3hnNKXvxt93Pidm_nJwnxZMM9oXWIKxISqsdoNZLtcrN0NRvgjddnxIx4NQyWufH-43SW6C6C-5aB-X5DN8eKV9Ip0odLXE9oZtpsORF4xtRGGFcPqUObYFL7aXcvw/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Cavendish">Margaret Cavendish's</a> was criticised by her contemporaries </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As such, I tend to avoid people, even those I love when
upset or depressed. I question things others take for granted and unless I can
see a point in them, I shun societal norms, (I never fit in anyway, so why try?).
My shyness also manifested as passive aggressive, meaning that I often snapped
at people and was rude, although when angry was really the only time when I could
stand up for myself.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve come a long way since then however, I’m assertive
rather than passive aggressive now, I’m confident in my abilities even if I don’t
brag about them, and I am largely comfortable with my deficiencies. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Damaris is a female with above average intelligence, yet largely
derided and dismissed because of her sex, made to feel inferior and excluded by
those around her who either couldn’t, or didn’t want to understand that she was
capable of more than just being pretty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Poor Damaris is just beginning the journey that I have been
on for over 8 years now, and while she is brusque, thoughtless and rude at
times, I hope I have imbued her with enough humanity to still be a likeable
character.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-inspiration-for-damaris.html">In my next post</a>, I will be looking at some of the female
scientists who helped shape Damaris’ learnings, if not her personality.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
__________________ </div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;"> Her Saving Grace </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">is available in kindle format on </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-21">Amazon UK</a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00GN62GDO">Amazon CA</a></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
or</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You can read an excerpt <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/10/her-saving-grace-chapters-1-3.html">here.</a> </span></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-74699500355182160292013-10-27T05:44:00.000-07:002013-11-13T07:45:48.697-08:00Her Saving Grace, Chapters 1-3<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjmebDUaSEZbm_rYn76nRAdHpeyS6jFJt8Mp5OyxExinKx-SJRd_lok1oATbERUywtbfrxQHi-eWxBWOVeGvulsPQvmrAmWRImqDm4LwlcH8T162MLdswtiK_EBborGAKySHeV0n6MA/s1600/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJjmebDUaSEZbm_rYn76nRAdHpeyS6jFJt8Mp5OyxExinKx-SJRd_lok1oATbERUywtbfrxQHi-eWxBWOVeGvulsPQvmrAmWRImqDm4LwlcH8T162MLdswtiK_EBborGAKySHeV0n6MA/s400/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sample time! Here comes the book blurb. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Countess
Damaris Wellesley has suffered more loss in her 25 years than most people
suffer in a lifetime and to protect her shattered heart, has closed herself off
from Society and taken refuge in her books. When the remains of her long
missing father are discovered though, she is determined to see justice for him
and ventures out into the world once more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As
Justice of the Peace, Nathaniel Copley views it as his duty to discover what
befell her late father but she is too wary of his intentions to help. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Thinking
him arrogant and superior, she flatly refuses to cooperate with his
investigation. Finding her behaviour to be impertinent and abrasive, he tries
to dismiss her from his thoughts. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 48.75pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">It
doesn’t take Nathaniel long to realise that she is something special and worth
fighting for but even although she agrees to help him investigate, her heart
proves far harder to secure than her help. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">*Links to buy at the end of post. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Chapter One</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As Nathaniel
Copley surveyed the shallow grave before him, he had the distinct feeling that
solving this murder wasn’t going to be easy. Enough time had passed to reduce
the body to bone, which would make simply identifying it difficult and finding
witnesses to such an old crime, would be almost impossible. </div>
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“Dig the rest
of the remains up carefully and have them transported to Dr Worthington,” he
told Constable Smyth.</div>
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“Are you sure
that’s necessary?” Smyth asked. “It could just be that he had an accident and
wasn’t able to get help.”</div>
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Nathaniel did
his best not to sigh. Smyth was a good person but far from the brightest of
men, so Nathaniel wavered between firing the man and hiring someone who was at
least able to apply reason and logic to a situation, and not wanting to put him
out of work. As Justice of the Peace, it was within his remit to do so but
Smyth had been appointed by his predecessor and without this job, he and his
family would likely starve. He was getting on in years and unlikely to find
employment elsewhere.</div>
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“Then assuming
that it was an accident and not foul play, that rather begs the question, who
buried the body and why?” Nathaniel asked. </div>
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Smyth’s
cheeks coloured. “I’ll get the bones to Dr Worthington.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel had
brought two of his stable lads to help and the three of them began to dig
carefully around the remains. A sheet had been laid out beside the grave, upon
which the body, such as it was, could be placed.</div>
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“Good man.”
Nathaniel turned away and surveyed the scene. He knew that any evidence left at
the time of burial would be long gone but it couldn’t hurt to look and get a
feel for the scene. </div>
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They were in
a wooded area, on a slight incline and about one hundred yards away from the
road. Assuming that the buried man had been killed before being brought here,
the killer would have to be relatively fit to carry a dead weight such a
distance. The grave wasn’t very deep however, perhaps two to three feet, enough
to keep animals from scavenging the remains and accidental discovery, but
shallow enough to be uncovered by the uncommonly heavy spring rains. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
So was the
grave digger perhaps not as fit as first assumed? The body could have been
brought up the hill on horseback and given the depth of the grave, whoever had
buried him would need to be reasonably robust in order to dig in the heavy clay
soil at all, but not as strong as a labourer. The stable lads he had brought
with him for example, could easily dig six feet of soil in an hour or two.
Constable Smyth on the other hand, was already breathing heavily. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel made
his way up the hill but he was unable to see any reference points through the
trees. Still, if he wasn’t very much mistaken, this body was on Wallace
Sondham’s land.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Sondham was
new money, having made his fortune in trade and his estate was new, built perhaps
ten or fifteen years ago. The truth was that Nathaniel hadn’t had many dealings
with the man but just because the body had been discovered on his land, was no
reason by itself to suspect him of murder. He would have to be questioned of
course, but Nathaniel wanted to hear what the doctor had to say before he spoke
to anyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The journey
from Bellchester to Lanford took two days but it was worth it to Damaris
Wellesley. When the letter arrived by express, to say that a body had been
discovered, she had left immediately, compelled to discover if it was him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She had been
waiting for news for the past seven years and the idea that she might be close
to finding out what had happened to her father, was making her rather agitated.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She felt bad
for wishing that the remains discovered belonged to her father but he simply
wasn’t the type to run away, as many had suggested, so she had always known in
her heart that he was dead, even if she didn’t want to believe it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Finding his
body also meant that they had a chance to find his killer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As soon as
she arrived in Lanford, she headed for the constable’s office in the town hall;
her companion and driver leaving her there at her insistence, while they
journeyed on to her childhood home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She knocked
on Constable Smyth’s door but there was no reply, so she tried the door handle,
but it was locked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Excuse me,”
she stopped a passing clerk. “I’m looking for Constable Smyth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I think he’s
gone to see the doctor,” the clerk answered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Doctor?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“We had a
body show up a day or two ago, and Dr Worthington is trying to find out how he
died.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Do you know
when Smyth might be back?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Sorry,
Ma’am, but I don’t. You’re welcome to wait.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris
nodded. “Thank you, I think I will.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
So she headed
back to the foyer and took a seat on one of the bare, wooden benches, prepared
to wait for as long as was necessary.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Dr
Worthington was a rather fastidious man and while in general, Nathaniel found
that to be a good character trait, his assertion that the skeleton must be
slowly and gently removed from the soil that it had been shrouded in, had
annoyed Nathaniel somewhat, since it delayed any findings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Layer by
layer, Worthington was removing the dirt, almost as gently as if the bones were
some kind of treasure, that might break if handled too roughly. Finally
however, Nathaniel had got him to promise that the remaining soil would be
removed by today and that, after he had seen to his patients, he should be able
to examine the bones. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The newspaper
had already printed a story about the gruesome find, albeit with very few
details, and a handful of people had come forward, believing the body may be a
friend or relative of theirs. At Nathaniel’s behest, Smyth had collected
details from each of them; age, height, general description, any jewellery they
might have been wearing when they disappeared, as well as what they were last
seen wearing, if known. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
So far they
had sixteen missing people, eleven women and five men. Right now however, they
didn’t even know the sex of the victim. He had expected the list to be longer,
especially given that they didn’t know when the victim had died but in many
ways it was good, since it would make finding the identity of the victim,
easier.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
When he and
Smyth arrived at Worthington’s office however, his nurse, a Mrs Hyde, informed
them that the doctor hadn’t returned from seeing a patient, so Nathaniel sent
Smyth back to his office. Most of the time the constable’s presence was just an
impediment to logic anyway, so Nathaniel wasn’t sorry to be able to send him
away.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The nurse
(cum housekeeper, since Mrs Worthington had died) made him tea and plied him
with cake, so he was in a relatively good mood when Dr Worthington returned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
hung up his coat and without any pre-amble, showed Nathaniel through to the
front rooms of the house, where his surgery and workshop were. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As well as
being a healer, he considered himself something of a scientist and kept a room
where he could conduct experiments, although he was loathe to call it a
laboratory. That was also where he conducted autopsies (when necessary) and
wrote papers for various medical and scientific journals. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The skeleton
was laid out on a central table and beside that, another smaller table had been
placed, as well as a large dustbin, which was now full of dirt. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The body was
almost completely desiccated but looked not at all as Nathaniel had been taught
to think that bones should look; they weren’t chalk white, nor were they easy
to identify, many having small remnants of flesh still attached, and probably
some other organisms that Nathaniel couldn’t identify, such as moss or fungi. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It’s a good
job that I sifted through the excess dirt, as a few of the smaller bones had
detached from the rest of the skeleton. I also found these items,” Dr
Worthington explained, gesturing to the small table.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
stepped up to the table and looked at the items that had been neatly laid out.
There were some scraps of cloth, what looked like a pair of misshapen and badly
damaged shoes, a leather bound notebook, a gold ring, a very small key and a
few coins.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Most of the
clothes appear to have rotted away; I found only a few remnants, and not enough
to gauge the quality of the garments. The shoes fared better and appear to be
mostly intact, if rather damaged.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“They look
like quality leather,” Nathaniel observed, picking one up and examining the
style and stitching. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I agree.
This too.” The doctor pointed at a glove and Nathaniel picked it up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It looks
like a man’s.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“There’s
something embossed inside but I can’t make it out.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Neither
could I.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You didn’t
find a second one?” Nathaniel asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, I'm
sorry. It could still be at the site, or it could have fallen out during the
struggle, or while carrying him there.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Struggle?”
Nathaniel asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes. I
haven’t had a chance to clean the bones but it’s seems obvious how this man
died.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So it is a
man?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Indeed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Without
flesh on the bones, how can you tell?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Measurements.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Couldn’t it
be a tall woman?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No,” Dr
Worthington smiled. “Even a tall woman can’t hide the size of her pubic bone,
which is wider than a man’s to accommodate childbirth. This specimen is
definitely not built for that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel was
impressed. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
went to the head of the table and picked up the skull. “If you look here, you
can see that he took quite a blow to the head, and didn’t remain alive long
enough for the bone to heal, so there was definitely a struggle of some kind.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Couldn’t he
have fallen down the stairs, or tripped and hit his head on something?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Possible but
unlikely. There are no other breaks consistent with a fall, and the blow is to
the back of the head, on the crown.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“As if
something struck him from above?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Exactly.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Is that what
killed him?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It’s too
soon to say for certain; I need to clean the bones and examine the rest of the
skeleton, but it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if an injury like this killed
him. It takes quite some force to crack a skull.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel bent
over to better see the skull and had to admit that it must have taken quite a
blow to create the spider’s web-like cracks on the bone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Given the
grave, I was leaning towards this being pre-meditated but is there any chance
it could have been accidental?” Nathaniel asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“A clout like
that is hardly an accident.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, but
death might not have been the intention. It could have been a brawl that ended
badly?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I hardly
think that a man with those shoes, not to mention the gold ring, is the type to
be brawling.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“In my
experience, temper can get the better of everyone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Dr
Worthington shrugged but didn’t argue. “The fact is, even if I can tell you
definitively what killed him, we may never know how he died. I do admire you
for keeping an open mind however.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
smiled, pleased with the other man’s praise. He had a great deal of respect for
the doctor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“He was
obviously married.” Nathaniel picked up the gold ring from the small table and
got his handkerchief out to polish it up, then held it up to the light to
examine it. “There’s something engraved inside the band… 1794. The wedding
date, perhaps?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Quite
probably.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Is there
anything else you can tell me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Some. He is
definitely European and while I can’t be exact on height or age until I’ve
examined the bones more closely, I can give you brackets to work within for the
time being.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He handed
Nathaniel a sheet of paper and as he looked over it, he could see that if the
victim was among the five missing men on their list, this would definitely help
narrow down which of them this might be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you,
Doctor.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, think
nothing of it, Lord Copley.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Please,
there’s no need to stand on ceremony, not when you’ve known me since I was a
boy. Nathaniel or Nate is fine.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“As you
wish.” Dr Worthington smiled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Do you know
when you might have a chance to examine the body in more detail?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I shall
start cleaning and bleaching the bones now. If you come back tomorrow, I should
have a lot more to tell you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you,
Doctor.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Smyth rolled
his eyes as the the clerk in reception explained who the lady waiting was, but
Damaris strengthened her resolve as she got up and approached him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Lady
Wellesley, it’s very nice to meet you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She knew from
his exasperated expression that he was lying. “I presume you can guess why I’m
here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Of course
but please, I don’t have time for this today.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“But you have
discovered a body, have you not?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes, Ma’am,
we have, but your father isn’t missing, he’s in the Americas.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And my
detectives have already proven that he didn’t take that journey. Someone else
did, in his name.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You were
paying them, Ma’am, so they told you what you wanted to hear. We found the
receipt in his study and confirmed that the ticket was used.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Although she
knew that she shouldn’t expect anything more from Smyth, his outright dismissal
still upset her. They had a body now, something tangible that she could point
to and prove that her father hadn’t run away, but he wouldn’t even look into
the possibility. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She knew that
she was wasting her time here and with a sad farewell, she left. Just because
Smyth wasn’t going to help her, didn’t mean that she was giving up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Ma’am,
please, I'm begging you, don’t do this.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris
turned to her lady’s maid, cum companion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Lilly, I
have to do this, I must know if this is my father.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I know
you’ve been waiting forever, but this isn’t the way.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I’ve tried
the right way but the authorities aren’t interested. Besides, it’s not as if I
will be doing any harm.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Why not
employ some detectives again?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Because as
much as it pains me, Smyth might be right about them, or some of them; they
tell me what I want to hear, or will give me false hope so that I keep paying
them. No, Lilly, it is best if I do this myself.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Well, you
shouldn’t go out wearing those clothes either, Ma’am, what if someone sees
you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No one will
see me, it is far too late for that and even if they do, they won’t recognise
me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“But-”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“That is
enough!” she said sharply. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She didn’t
like to snap at Lilly after all; the woman was more than just her lady’s maid,
she was more like a mother to her. She had begun her career in the family as a
governess to Damaris’ older brothers but while they went away to school at 11,
Lilly taught Damaris until she was 15. When it became clear that there would be
no more children forthcoming, Damaris had begged her father to keep the woman
on, and she had been employed as Damaris’ companion. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Upon Damaris’
engagement, she had trained as a lady’s maid, since a wife does not need a
companion but now that Damaris was a widow, Lilly resumed both roles. Damaris
wasn’t much for socialising these days however, and her wardrobe needed less
care than many ladies, so Lilly still had time to act as companion on the few
occasions when it was needed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Lilly had
once had a family of her own, but her husband and three children had all
perished in the Great Lanford fire, some twenty odd years ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Despite the
age difference, and while Lilly was lower middle class and Damaris an aristocrat,
they were good friends. Damaris was technically Lilly’s employer however, and
so, the older woman had little choice but to defer to her on occasion, despite
her sometimes grievous misgivings.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Very well,
Ma’am, just be careful, please?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I will, I
promise.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris
turned to the mirror and examined her outfit. She wore black trousers, shirt
and scarf, and black work boots, of the type a servant girl would wear. She had
pinned her hair up under a flat cap and to give her feminine figure more bulk,
she added a black greatcoat to the ensemble. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She headed
out of the family home through the front entrance and true to her prediction,
the streets were empty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Chapter Two</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Dr
Worthington’s surgery had a small painted sign out the front, so she was
certain that she had the right place. She tried the door but it was locked and
while she had the tools to pick it, it was time consuming so she went around to
the back, where fortune favoured her with an ajar casement window. She unhooked
the stay, pulled it wide and climbed through. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The second
door that she tried proved to be the one she wanted and she was almost overcome
when she saw the bones on the table, the pale moonlight reflecting off the
remains.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She closed
her eyes, strengthened her resolve and entered the room, closing the door
behind her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As expected,
there were oil lamps in here so she took a taper, ignited it from the dying
fire and used it to light one of the lamps. Then she turned the handle which
pulled the wick up, creating a larger and brighter flame.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The bones
appeared to have been boiled in baking soda already, which had removed all the
flesh, but they had not yet been bleached. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She headed
for the desk and began to rifle through the papers she found there. One pile
seemed to be devoted to living patients, while the other, much smaller pile,
documented the doctor’s findings on the bones and what procedures he had
performed on them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
194 bones had
been discovered, meaning that twelve were missing and the good doctor had
listed them. Damaris felt that they were inconsequential bones, such as the
phalanx bones of the hands and feet, and two carpal bones from the left wrist,
which were small and unlikely to hold any clues or evidence related to the
death. The doctor posited that they had been washed away by the recent flooding
which had revealed the bones, and Damaris had to agree that it was a very real
possibility.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The skeleton
was male and the estimated height of the victim was 5’6” to 5’11”, aged
approximately 40-60. The notes said that those details would be refined once
the bones were cleaned. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The next
entry detailed the skull fracture; to the temporal bone, just above the
superior temporal line, had been broken with a long, straight instrument,
approximately two inches in diameter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
then went on to detail how he had removed the remaining flesh (with baking
soda) and his intention to bleach the bones further.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Despite her
unease, Damaris picked up a magnifying glass and approached the table, where
the remains lay. They were roughly laid in their correct anatomical positions
and bringing the lamp close, she could see more detail. She could clearly see
where the skull had been fractured and she was almost overcome with grief again.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Still, the
details that she had weren’t enough to prove that it was him, so she moved onto
the rest of the bones, painstakingly looking at each one. She noticed that the
hyoid bone had been snapped in two and wondered how that was related to the
head injury.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As far as she
could remember (and that was usually very well) the hyoid was a hard bone to
break, due to its position in the neck. Just about the only thing that could
break it was strangulation from the front, where the attacker’s thumbs would
press on the bone, snapping it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Was he
bludgeoned and strangled? Why use two different methods to subdue him?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She set those
thoughts aside for now, knowing that she had to make haste. She wasn’t exactly
sure what she was looking for but when she examined the right leg, she knew
that she had found her proof. She continued to examine the remaining bones,
making her way up the left side of the body, just in case she found something
else pertinent but before she had made it past the left knee, a scrape outside
the door alerted her to the fact that someone was coming. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The lamp must
have given her away, she realised, either to someone on the street, or the good
doctor, who might have seen the light emanating from under the door.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She blew out
the oil lamp and placed it on a table as she ran to the windows, but she hadn’t
placed it well enough and the lamp fell, the fount and glass chimney shattering
as they hit the tiled floor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She didn’t
dare turn to look and as she climbed up onto the bench table by the window and
undid the latch, the door burst open, clattering against the wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You there,
halt!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She didn’t,
instead she flung the window wide and scrambled through. For one heart stopping
moment, she thought that she had been grabbed, but she jumped anyway and the
tension gave way as her coat tore, having only been caught on the latch stay.
She landed awkwardly on her left side, her shoulder jarring painfully. Her hat
came loose but she crammed it back on even as she got up to run.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She ran to
the end of the street, then slowed to a walk so as not to appear suspicious.
She kept her head down as she walked and with each step, she expected to hear
the sound of a whistle but to her eternal gratitude, none came. She made it
back to the house, entering through the servants’ entrance at the rear. She
didn’t need to worry too much about waking the staff; the driver was sleeping
over the stable, the caretaker and his wife were elderly and sound sleepers,
and Lilly already knew that her mistress was up to no good.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The caretaker
and housekeeper were the only full time employees at this house, since no one
lived here anymore. Maintaining and cleaning the house were their only duties
usually, but the housekeeper could stretch to cooking simple meals for
visitors. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The townhouse
was a decent size for a professional family but not massive, as some were. As
such, and with dust sheets protecting the surfaces and furniture in most rooms,
it didn’t need an awful lot of day to day upkeep. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris made
her way to the main staircase, since it was carpeted and would be quieter, and
she wasn’t at all surprised to realise that Lilly was sitting by her fireplace,
dressed in her nightgown and clearly agitated. She jumped as her mistress
entered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, thank
the Lord, you’re all right.” She let out a long breath. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I’m fine,”
Damaris assured the other woman. She didn’t mention the pain in her shoulder
from falling from the window. “Now go to bed; it’s gone two in the morning and
we have had a long journey.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Lilly nodded
and got to her feet. “Did you find what you were looking for?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I think so,”
she said, her voice filling with emotion. “It’s him.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, my
dear.” She took her employer in her arms and held her as Damaris finally began
to cry. “There there,” she crooned. “It will be all right.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, it
won’t.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“But it’s
better to have an answer, isn’t it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I suppose it
is.” Damaris pulled away and wiped at her eyes. “I thought that knowing would
be a relief but…”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Hush, this
is only natural, child. These things take time, as well you know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris
nodded and did her best to reign in her emotions. “Thank you, now go to bed.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Lilly gave
her a gentle smile. “I will, if you will also.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I will,
Lilly, I’ll change now.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Very well.
Good night.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris went
into her dressing room, where Lilly had laid out her things, and changed into
her nightshirt. She sat at her dressing table to brush out her hair and Lilly
came in, as suspected, to check that she was preparing for bed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Good night
again, love. Come and wake me if you need to.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris smiled,
as memories of Lilly saying this very thing to her when she was a child
surfaced. “Thank you, Lilly.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She left but
Damaris continued brushing her hair, giving it 100 strokes, to be sure that the
other woman wouldn’t return. When she didn’t, Damaris made her way downstairs
and into her father’s study, where she began composing a letter, which she
would ask to be delivered to Dr Worthington first thing in the morning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Nathaniel,
come in, come in,” the Doctor said, and stepped back from the door to allow the
other man to enter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Have you
discovered anything else about the body?” Nathaniel asked eagerly.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, I intend
to take a closer look later today.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Then what is
so urgent that you asked me to attend first thing?” Now he was slightly
irritable.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I was
burglarised last night.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Are you all
right?” His annoyance fled.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes, yes I'm
fine, and I don’t believe that anything was taken.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Nothing?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not that I
can see.” The doctor led Nathaniel to his workshop.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nothing had
been moved since the night before, save for the remains of the broken oil lamp,
which had been cleared up.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“The papers
on my desk were disturbed and the lamp broken, but that is all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And you’re
sure nothing was taken?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I am.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Why would
someone break in and not take anything?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I disturbed
them, perhaps they didn’t have time. I came in just as the blighter was jumping
out of that window.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
It was
logical but Nathaniel didn’t quite believe it. He went over to the window and
peering out, found a scrap of cloth caught on the frame, clearly having been
torn off.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Did you get
a look at him?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not much,”
Worthington admitted. “He was dressed all in black but slight, short, like a
youth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I doubt a
youth would be our killer, so what did he want here? I suppose he could be
working for someone else, doing their dirty work and trying to discover how
much we know.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The front
door bell interrupted them and they both made their way there.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It’s a
little early for patients,” Worthington noted, checking his pocket watch. “Mrs
Hyde isn’t even here yet.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nevertheless,
he opened the door. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Good day.”
The elderly gentleman there said. The quality of his clothes indicated that he
was in service but he kept them in pristine condition. “Is one of you Doctor
Worthington?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I am.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I have a
message for you.” He handed the letter to the doctor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
reached into his pocket for a tip but the man held his hands up. “I'm not a
messenger, Sir, simply doing an errand on behalf of my employer. No payment is
necessary.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The accent
was refined, Nathaniel noticed. If he had to bet money, he would say that this
man was a butler, only he was too old and hunched in the back to be a butler
any longer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Good day, Sirs.”
He tipped his hat and turned to leave.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
closed the door and broke the seal on the letter, frowning as he began to read.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“What has you
so interested?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
glanced at the second page, then handed the letter over. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Dear Doctor
Worthington,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
I apologise
for writing to you in this fashion but the local constable refuses to believe
that this man could be my father. In fact, he doesn’t even believe that my
father is missing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
However, I
know that he would never willingly leave his family and I strongly believe that
it is his body that was discovered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
My father’s
name was Charles Howard, he was a respected lawyer who worked for the War
Office, and he disappeared in April 1814. He was 5’10” inches tall, of stout
but not overly large build, and had grey and white hair. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
I realise
that neither this description, nor the sketch of him that I have enclosed, will
help you discover if the remains that you have, belonged to my father, but it
might help you to know that my father had a few distinguishing marks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
A scar over
his left temple that went into the hairline. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He was burned
on the back of his right hand as a child and as well as scarring, the
surrounding tissue is puckered.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
There is a
brown mole on his neck, under his left ear, perhaps a quarter of an inch in
diameter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Finally, he
suffered a bad fall from horseback when I was a child. He fractured his right
leg and although the limb was saved and splinted, it never healed properly and
he suffered pain for the rest of his life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
I do hope
that this information helps you identify the remains you have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Fondest
regards,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris
Wellesley, </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Dowager
Countess of Bellchester</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
wondered who this Damaris character was. He remembered Charles Howard who,
although not titled, was from an aristocratic family. As the fifth son, there
wasn’t much wealth for him to inherit, especially as the eldest son would
inherit the title and lands. As such, he had trained as a lawyer and worked for
much of the year in London. He didn’t earn a fortune but he earned enough to
keep his family in good circumstances, and his aristocratic ancestry ensured
that he was still accepted in society. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
It was unfair
that the first son inherited everything, while younger sons were left to felt
mostly for themselves. As such, High Society was always ready and willing to
help such a man, especially one who did his best to help himself. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel had
met Mr Howard a few times, but he could not recall meeting his daughter. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Shall we
have a look?” he asked Worthington. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I thought
you’d never ask,” the Doctor smiled. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The skin
blemishes the letter writer had pointed out were useless, as so little skin had
been left but the right leg did indeed show signs of a healed break. The bone
was slightly thicker where it had mended and no longer straight, but very
slightly angled outwards below the break.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Looks to me
like he used his leg before it healed,” Worthington explained. “The pain would
have caused him to walk with an uneven gait, perhaps like this.” He
demonstrated, walking a few paces while holding his right leg to the side.
“Under the constant pressure of walking, even with a splint, the healing bone
was pushed outwards and finally healed that way. No wonder he suffered pain.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So you
believe this is Charles Howard then?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I would like
another piece of evidence before declaring that but yes, I think it’s highly
likely that this is he.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
picked up the wedding band. “Smyth is collecting all the marriage records from
1794 and if Mr Howard is among them, I think that we can safely say that we
have identified him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Worthington
nodded. “Now I need to bleach the bones in order to properly examine them under
a magnifying glass.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“How long
will that take?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, a few
hours, I’ll leave them to soak while I see my patients. If you come around this
afternoon, I should know more.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you,
Doctor.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
unlocked Smyth’s office at the town hall, and quickly found the missing person
reports. The women who had been reported missing had already been removed from
the pile and Charles Howard wasn’t among the remaining five men. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Instead
Nathaniel went to the filing cabinets, hoping to find a file on Charles Howard.
The records weren’t kept alphabetically however, but according to the date that
a crime was reported. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
pulled the letter from his pocket and as he thought, the writer had given the
date of her father’s disappearance; April 1814.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He quickly
discovered the drawer for 1814 and after a little hunting, found a file marked
‘C Howard’. He pulled it out and sat at Smyth’s desk to peruse its contents.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
There was
hardly anything in the file. The first page was the report, made by the wife
and daughter. It contained few details but it did say that the last time the
family had seen Mr Howard, was when he ventured to London on horseback for
business. When he did not return at the end of the week, they became worried. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The next page
revealed that Smyth had searched Howard’s study, and found a ticket receipt for
a journey booked on a cargo ship to the Americas; the receipt was included in
the file. The next item was a letter from the ship’s owner, dated thirteen
months after Mr Howard had gone missing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The owner
seemed to be replying to Smyth and informed him that after speaking with the
captain, he could confirm that a gentleman by the name of Charles Howard had
indeed sailed on their cargo ship. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Given that he
was fairly sure that the body they had found was Mr Howard, he would be willing
to bet that whoever sailed to the Americas gave a false name. Smyth should have
looked deeper; at least got a description of the person who sailed, if nothing
else. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
closed the file and paced the length of the office as he waited for Smyth to
return with the marriage records, pondering the case. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
If Charles
was last seen journeying to London, then how did he end up buried in Lanford?
Either he never made it to London, or was waylaid on his journey back.
Nathaniel would contact his employers in London to discover which was the case,
and it irked him that Smyth hadn’t already done so. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
London was
only twenty or so miles south, a two hour ride on one of his faster horses, so
he could probably be back by nightfall. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Then again,
Smyth could be hours checking the records and he needed to confirm that this
was Charles Howard before he went dashing off to London. Turning back to the
file, he noted Mr Howard’s address and made his way there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Mr Howard had
a large townhouse near the centre of Lanford but it was far from the largest.
Obviously he was well to do but not rich. He knocked on the front door and it
was opened by the elderly gentleman who had delivered the letter that morning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Can I help
you, Sir?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I’m Lord
Copley, and I’m looking for Mrs Howard or Lady Wellesley.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Mrs Howard
now resides with her eldest son in France, Sir, but Lady Wellesley is in
residence.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Might I see
her?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The butler
opened the door further and Nathaniel stepped inside. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Wait here,
Sir.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He shuffled
off up the stairs and Nathaniel took the chance to look around. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The house was
well cared for but it appeared that it was not very well lived in. No coats
hung on the rack, no calling cards lay on the tray, no flowers graced any
surface and the sounds of life that one would expect in a house of this size,
were absent. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The man
appeared at the top if the stairs but out of respect for his age, Nathaniel
held his hand up to stop him. “I’ll come to you,” he said, making his way up
the stairs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
The butler
nodded and once he had reached the landing, led Nathaniel into a parlour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Lord Copley,
the Marquess of Lanford, Ma’am,” he announced to the room’s occupant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
hadn’t realised that the butler knew who he was but being recognised wasn’t
unexpected. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
As he entered
the room, the most beautiful young lady he had ever seen got to her feet and
curtseyed to him. “Lord Copley, I'm very pleased to meet you.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She had hair
as black as coal and despite the severe bun that she had pulled it into,
strands had escaped around her face, softening her look and framing her face.
Her skin was almost porcelain white and she might have looked unhealthy, were
it not for the rosy hue of her cheeks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Her cerulean
blue eyes were also framed by thick black lashes, highlighting their
loveliness, and her full lips were a healthy shade of pink, slightly darker
than her cheeks. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And I you,
Lady Wellesley.” He bowed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Please, sit
down.” She gestured to an armchair opposite her own and he sat down, facing
her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Would you
like some tea, Ma’am,” the butler asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you,
but don’t put Mrs Higgins out on our account.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Very good.”
He bowed and left. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
thought that it was odd that she hadn’t asked him if he wanted refreshments.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“My
apologies, but there are only two members of staff in this house at present,
Sir, and I try not to put them out too much.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No one lives
here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Only the
housekeeper and caretaker.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“That seems
an unusual arrangement.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Well, it was
my parent’s house and without my father around, my mother didn’t wish to live
here any longer.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Why haven’t your
brothers sold it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Because they
haven’t inherited it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He realised
that with Charles Howard thought to be missing rather than dead, the estate
would be in limbo.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So your
brothers keep a caretaker on staff to care for the property?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, I do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He seemed
taken aback by that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“My eldest
brother married a French woman and lives there, my mother with them. My
youngest brother studied medicine at the Royal College of Physicians in
Edinburgh, and has remained there. Neither boy was very close to our father.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“But you
were?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She gave him
a tight smile. “Forgive me, Lord Copley, but you are hardly here for my family
history. How can I help you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I would like
to ask you a few questions, if I may.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Very well.”
She appeared curious and perhaps slightly amused.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You are
Damaris Wellesley and the daughter of Charles Howard, correct?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I am.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I was
wondering, what year were your parents married?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“1794.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He nodded
sadly. “Then I’m afraid that I have some very troubling news for you, Lady
Wellesley.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You’re here
because the body recently discovered is my father, isn’t it?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes, Ma’am,
I'm afraid that it is.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She sighed
but didn’t reply; her gaze turned towards a portrait above the fireplace, of a
couple and three children. The smallest child looked remarkably like Damaris
and he realised that it was a family portrait. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“This must be
very distressing for you,” he tried to sympathise.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Actually,
it’s almost a relief.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He frowned.
“Excuse me?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She turned to
look at him. “For years I have been trying to convince the local constable that
my father met with foul play, but he insisted that he had simply run away and
abandoned his family. Now at least, I might find some answers.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Might I ask
you some questions about your father?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Now she
frowned slightly. “Forgive me, Lord Copley, but what exactly is your interest
in my father’s murder?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I am the
Justice of the Peace in these parts.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I see, but
isn’t your job to bind criminals over for trial, not to investigate the
crimes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“That is true
but as you have no doubt concluded for yourself, Constable Smyth is not always
proficient at his job.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Then why
don’t you appoint someone else?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Because he
is getting on in years and while not an ideal candidate for a constable,
serious crimes are quite rare in these parts, and he is able to handle the day
to day matters.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“If that were
so, he would have investigated my father’s disappearance years ago. Now, thanks
to his dereliction of duty, it could prove a great deal harder to discover what
happened. People forget things so easily, and some witnesses may even have died
since then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You sound as
if you speak from experience.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Her features
took on a haunted air. “Perhaps I do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She didn’t
seem willing to go into further details so he didn’t press the matter. He got a
small notebook and pencil out.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I read the
letter that you sent to the doctor; thank you for taking the time and trouble.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It was no
trouble,” she assured him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I was hoping
that you could provide me with details of your father’s job in London; his
employers and the address of his offices, perhaps?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I know what
you’re thinking,” she answered. “He left home on Sunday the 10th of April, but
he never made it to London.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“How can you
know that?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I wrote to
his friends and colleagues at the War Office; they told me. He kept rooms in
London at his club but although they were expecting him, he never arrived that
evening. Somewhere between here and London, he was waylaid although now, it
would seem that he didn’t make it very far from home at all.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Might I have
the address of his workplace and the names of the friends you wrote to?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You don’t
trust my information?” she asked, her voice cool.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not at all,
I simply want to make sure that I have everything correct.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Then tell
me, Lord Copley, how did my father die?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“He was
struck on the head.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She regarded
him with a cool eye for a moment and he wondered exactly what he had said that
had upset her, then she abruptly got to her feet and went to a small, leather
bound trunk, which was sitting on an ornamental table. She unlocked it and
rifled the contents for a moment, until she returned with a list, which she
handed to him before she sat down. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He looked it
over and it quickly became apparent that it was a list of names. Most names had
a tick beside them but a few didn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Who are
these people?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“My father’s
friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Those with a tick are ones I have been
able to talk to or correspond with. Those without, I have been unable to
contact.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Might I see
the letters that they sent you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She regarded
him again for a moment and he wondered at her aloof attitude.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I think
not.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Might I ask
why?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Because I
don’t believe that you will pay attention to their content; you will think that
they lied to me to appease my anxieties, or because they don’t believe that a
woman can handle certain information. At the moment, I am far from certain that
you are any more efficient than Constable Smyth and until I can be sure of you,
I believe it might be better to leave you to draw your own conclusions.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Have I said
something to upset you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Whatever
gave you that impression,” she asked sweetly, with a smile that didn’t reach
her eyes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Please, Lady
Wellesley, I just want to find out who killed your father.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And I wish
you luck with that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Now he was
starting to become irritable. “Might I speak with your husband?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Her sweet
smile widened. “But of course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She made no
move to summon him and Nathaniel sat forward. “Is he home?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“He is always
home, my Lord.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Then where
might I find him?” he snapped, getting to his feet. He looked down at her,
hoping to intimidate her with his height. It didn’t appear to work.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Wellesley
Hall, just outside of Bellchester.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“He didn’t
come with you?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I told you,
he is always at home these days, and this is not our home. If you really need
to speak with him, you will find him in the family crypt, near the estate
church. I’m sure you won’t need to make an appointment, he doesn’t venture very
far from his grave.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, I- I’m
terribly sorry.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes, I dare
say the fact that you can't call on my husband to bring me to heel, does make
you sorry but in any event, he was never a very authoritarian sort of man, at
least not with his family.” She got to her feet and smoothed her skirts. “Good
day, Lord Copley, I trust that you can see yourself out.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She left the
room and Nathaniel watched until she was out of sight, wondering just what he
had done to offend her. No doubt she wasn’t happy that she (and her father’s
disappearance) had been ignored for six years, but that was hardly his fault.
Of course, she might not have liked his defence of Smyth either but what he
said was true, the man could handle the day to day duties of his job.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She had given
him a list of names as a starting point and, much as she had suggested, he was
certain that these people would be much more forthcoming with him than they had
been with Charles Howard’s daughter. Men were usually more open with their own
sex, much as women preferred the company of other females. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Still, he was
curious about what she had learned and he looked to the leather chest she had
gone into earlier. What he wanted to know was probably in that box. It was
probably locked but he felt that he could easily carry it with him, although he
doubted that he would be allowed to take it. He approached and tried the catch,
only to find it was locked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
A cough from
behind him made him turn and he blushed at having been caught. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“This way,
Sir,” the butler said, his voice so disapproving that he only just managed to
sound polite.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Of course.”
He followed the elderly man downstairs but it was only once he was out on the
street, that he realised how surreal that whole encounter had been. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
***</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Damaris was
seething. How dare that jumped up want-to-be detective come in here and act as
if he were entitled to her help! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
She might
have been inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt, had it not been for
the fact that her father had been strangled, not killed by the blow to the
head. But of course, the broken skull was obvious, whereas the tiny hyoid bone
was subtle and easy to miss. The problem was, she didn’t want a detective who
looked only for the easy answers, she wanted someone who would dig until they
had the truth. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Which meant
that she had little choice but to do the investigating herself. She had already
made a good start over the past few years but now that she knew her father was
dead, people might be more forthcoming with her. And if they weren’t, well, she
would do whatever it took to find her father’s killer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Chapter Three</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Horse Guards
was a large Palladian style building in Whitehall, and home to the War Office.
At the front desk, Nathaniel was directed to the Department of the Secretary,
and then to the Judge Advocate General’s office, who handled courts-martial. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Since he had
been a barrister, it seemed fitting that Charles Howard had worked here. The
Judge Advocate General, Sir John Beckett wasn’t available to see him, which
wasn’t surprising and by Nathaniel’s reckoning, he had been appointed three
years after Charles Howard had disappeared anyway, so was unlikely to be of any
help. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Instead, he
was directed to a meeting room and told to wait, which he did for perhaps ten
minutes, until a gentleman entered. He was middle aged, smartly dressed and had
a slightly harassed air about him. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Lord
Copley?” he asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Indeed.”
Nathaniel got to his feet and shook hands with the gentleman. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I'm Peter
Jennings. Sorry to keep you waiting.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not a
problem, Sir.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I understand
that you’re here to talk about Charles Howard?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I am and I'm
sorry to say, I have some regrettable news.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
They both
took a seat at the table. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“He’s dead,”
Jennings stated rather than asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes. How did
you know?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Charles was
a responsible man; even supposing that he did run away with a mistress, he
would not have simply walked away from his position here. When I read about the
remains being discovered near his home… well, I put two and two together,
although I am sorry to have been proved correct.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“How well did
you know Mr Howard?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“We were
friends; I kept rooms in the same club, but our families didn’t often socialise
together.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It’s nothing
sinister.” He smiled. “Charles’ family home was in Lanford, whilst mine is in
Northumberland.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And you
commute to London?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Does that
not get tiresome?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It does,” he
agreed. “Being so close, Charles returned home each weekend, but it would take
me all weekend to get home, then I’d just have to turn around and come straight
back.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Quite. Would
it not be easier to keep a home in London?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Probably,
but my wife dislikes Town and prefers to be close to her family. I return home
for a few weeks every few months, and the arrangement works well for us.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Given his eagerness
to begin the investigation, Nathaniel now found himself quite stumped as to how
to proceed.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So, are you
another one of Lady Wellesley’s detectives?” Jennings asked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not quite,
although I am looking into her father’s death. I'm the new Justice of the Peace
for Lanford.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Well, I
can't tell you anything that I haven’t already told her, and her detectives.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Since you
were friends with the deceased, I was wondering if you could tell me what kind
of man he was?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I suppose.
Well, he was born to an Earl but he didn’t inherit title or lands. He chose law
as his profession and studied hard. He met and married his wife for her
connections but it wasn’t a love match. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And what of
his personality?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Responsible,
bound by duty; he took his work very seriously, perhaps too seriously at
times-”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“You don’t
think his death could have had something to do with his work?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No.”
Jennings looked amused. “For obvious reasons, I can't go into details about our
work here but suffice to say, most of it is administrative.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How did he come to work for the War Office?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Through the
Duke of Wellington.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Are they
related?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Well they
weren’t but they are now, in a roundabout sort of way.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Of course,
Wellesley is the family name.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Quite right.
Damaris’ husband was William Wellesley, Earl of Bellchester and a cousin to the
Duke of Wellington. Charles arranged the match for her. Unfortunately they
hadn’t been married for a year when her father disappeared, then her husband
was killed a year later, at the Battle of Waterloo.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Did they
have any children?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“The war kept
him away a lot but they did manage to have one child, and another on the way.
The news of his death hit her hard however; she lost the baby, and the elder
child died not long after.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“How awful.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Yes, the
poor girl certainly has faced more than her share of tragedy.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And how did
the child…?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“The whooping
cough; terrible shame.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Is someone
taking care of her?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, her
husband saw to that. When his young son died, the title passed to Wellesley’s
brother, of course, but almost the entirety of her husband’s estate was
bequeathed to Damaris and her children but obviously now, she is his sole
heir.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So much
heartache for one so young.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“She’s a
strong girl but you’re right, it is a terrible shame.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“After such
tragedy, I’m surprised she didn’t go to live with a family member.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I wish I
could say that I was, but the relationships in that family were always odd.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“How so?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Charles and
his wife gave the impression of being in competition, and part of that was that
she favoured the boys, while he favoured Damaris. They pitted the children
against the other parent, and each other at times, hence she was only close to
her father. She has reconciled somewhat with the younger brother but he resides
in Edinburgh; not exactly within easy travelling distance.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“So that’s
why the sons don’t look after Howards’ house.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Exactly. Her
father’s family offered to take her in but she declined. She still writes to me
occasionally, mostly at Christmas time, and seems to enjoy living alone.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Whatever
does she do with herself?” Nathaniel didn’t think she was the type to spend her
days sewing samplers.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I believe
she has discovered a fascination with science and spends a lot of time reading
about it. I think she even does a few experiments.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
That seemed
like an odd hobby for a woman but he supposed that something like botany would
interest a lady and whilst unusual, it was harmless.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Forgive me,
Lord Copley, but you appear to have more interest in Lady Wellesley than her
father.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
blushed a little. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Oh, don’t be
embarrassed, if I were a few years younger, and single of course, I might very
well feel the same but you seem like a nice fellow, so I hope you won’t take
offence when I offer you some friendly advice. Don’t set your hat at Damaris;
you will be disappointed if you do.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel was
surprised by the sinking sensation he felt, almost as if he were falling, but
he swallowed his disconcertion down and said, “You sound very… certain about
that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“She is beautiful,
respectable, childless and rich; what man wouldn’t want her as his wife, even
if she is a widow and at a rather advanced age? Many have tried to get her
attention over the years but she shows no interest.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Is she still
grieving?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Some believe
so.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Did she
really love her husband, then? It sounds as if they didn’t see each other very
much.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“It was the
war that kept him away, not distaste. That’s also the reason William’s family
wanted him to marry, so that he would have an heir if the worst happened. As
for love?” Jennings shrugged. “She cared very deeply for William, I know that,
and she respected him but love? Perhaps the love one has for a good friend or
sibling, but not romantic love.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And what do
you believe, about her still grieving?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I haven’t
set eyes on Damaris since her wedding day so I cannot say for certain, although
I feel I know her through my friendship with her father. Personally, I think
that she has simply closed herself off from the world at large, to save herself
any future pain.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I can
certainly understand that,” he agreed, and found himself willing to forgive her
sharp words earlier. “Back to the real reason I'm here, is there anything you
can tell me about Charles that you haven’t told anyone else, perhaps to spare
Lady Wellesley’s blushes?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I didn’t
tell her about her father’s mistress in the beginning, for precisely the reason
you state, but her husband had hired detectives and one of them discovered
Marissa’s identity. When I realised the game was up, I wrote back telling her
all I could remember.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“That must
have been hard for her to hear.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Peter
Jennings smiled. “Hardly. She wrote back expressing her thanks, said that she
was pleased to know that her father had found a woman who loved him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
thought about that and realised that, given the adversarial relationship her
parents had, as well as being her father’s favourite, perhaps her opinion would
be different to that of most women. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“However you
conduct this investigation, Lord Copley, I would advise you not to
underestimate Damaris. She is not a typical, high-strung woman, prone to faint
at the mere discussion of blood. In many ways, she is as intelligent, brave and
stubborn as a man, and she won’t take kindly to being coddled.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you,
for the advice and your help.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not a problem,
dear boy. If there’s anything else I can help you with, please feel free to
contact me again.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“I appreciate
that. If I could just ask one last thing?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Of course.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Is there
anyone else you would recommend that I talk to?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Your best
chance is to visit our gentleman’s club, he had a lot of friends there. I’ll
tell you what, if you can wait five minutes, I’ll write you a letter. Members
can bring a friend and while that friend going without me would be unusual,
given the circumstances and your family, I doubt that they will object.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Thank you
and if I may, do you know how I can contact his mistress?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Me? No.
Damaris however, is her new patroness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
He was
stunned for a moment. “You mean to tell me that Lady Wellesley indulges in…
well, illicit acts with prostitutes?” He sounded outraged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“No, my dear
boy, of course not, and for the record, Marissa was never a prostitute.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Then what
exactly do you mean by ‘patroness’?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“That Damaris
pays for her lodgings and gives her pin money. Marissa no longer needs a
gentleman to take care of her, so she is free to find herself a husband, if she
so wishes.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And has
she?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“Not to my
knowledge but equally, I haven’t heard of her taking another lover.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“And would
you have been likely to hear?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
“London
Society is quite close knit, even more so amongst men, with our gentlemen’s
clubs and gambling dens. You must understand, Marissa was an exceptionally
handsome woman, and with a large heart. If someone had been lucky enough to
find themselves in her affections, I hardly think they would keep it to
themselves. As a rule, we gentlemen do like to brag about our conquests.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
Nathaniel
nodded his understanding. “Thank you, Mr Jennings, you’ve been a big help.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
_______________________</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZGaC1nNHncuPEbUK1n3vsYh-R4akEiRFJv-jLZDp7VpPiucuFdhnd-Sq1KHhzB9vkjW2eWi4efAGoNafKTLASWrP5IaNS3wf79CehuGvbdMYLouCe0rAGKhDI6zV4VKZ1xzEmGSnoA/s1600/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZGaC1nNHncuPEbUK1n3vsYh-R4akEiRFJv-jLZDp7VpPiucuFdhnd-Sq1KHhzB9vkjW2eWi4efAGoNafKTLASWrP5IaNS3wf79CehuGvbdMYLouCe0rAGKhDI6zV4VKZ1xzEmGSnoA/s200/1cover+amazon+small.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I do hope you enjoyed that taster. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">If you'd like to read more,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">Her Saving Grace </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">is available in kindle format on </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00GN62GDO/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00GN62GDO&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-21">Amazon UK</a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00GN62GDO">Amazon CA</a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you don't have a kindle, did you know, Amazon do </span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">free Kindle reading apps</b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;"> for almost all
devices, including </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">PCs, Mac, Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">iPad and Windows 7 Phone?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">Just search your country's site for 'Kindle reading </span>app'<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br /></div>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
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<![endif]-->Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-883936517940077122013-10-26T07:42:00.003-07:002013-11-23T12:34:47.777-08:00Vive la révolution! Or not<br />
<br />
There's a few things I'd like to say about Russell Brands Newsnight interview. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3YR4CseY9pk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
1) Jeremy Paxman was not beaten, knocked out or thrashed. The point of Jeremy Paxman is to play devils advocate and make his interviewees prove their policies or point of view. Jeremy Paxman is not Michael Parkinson, he's not there to have a nice chat with famous people. His job is to push them until he gets the answers he wants, even if he actually agrees with their point of view. That's what he did here and he succeeded in getting a very passionate and eloquent Brand talking about his views.<br />
<br />
It's win/win.<br />
<br />
2) Unfortunately, Russell brand doesn't take things from a historical perspective and<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"> is passionate, but not
particularly informed.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWwADsah5kaVGzouGb_vNJ_XWESYveRRTgKJ-emVcEP4DV36QM_MZ_3NwXORYjUkbq9rD3Avv1IPuMf-7ayb5RVM5tSdq6LIhTHGzDXmbWuUgEC42hqa8QGOs56PexSu9RCdZDzhIgA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWwADsah5kaVGzouGb_vNJ_XWESYveRRTgKJ-emVcEP4DV36QM_MZ_3NwXORYjUkbq9rD3Avv1IPuMf-7ayb5RVM5tSdq6LIhTHGzDXmbWuUgEC42hqa8QGOs56PexSu9RCdZDzhIgA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
T<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">aken over 200, 100, or even 30 years, things are improving
in leaps and bounds for many of the disenfranchised. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Nothing improves
overnight and no one is ever going to come along and solve all the
problems but</span></span><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">
taken over a longer period, real change <i>is </i>visible and in the last 30
years alone, from a personal perspective, a lot of that change has been
improvements in sexism and gay rights legislation. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">Those two areas are
really important to me and when I get pissed off that gay men still get
beaten up, or that women are still paid less and things aren't changing,
I just have to look back 10 years to see that change IS being made. I just have to look back in my lifetime to realise that until I was 11, as far as the law was concerned, married women couldn't be raped by their husbands. Change IS happening and we ARE making a difference, it
just doesn't happen, in any area, overnight. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">Look back just 200 years, and you find a time when the industrial revolution literally ground people up and spat them out
(eg. the average life expectancy for a coal miner was 15. No that's not a typo, they entered the coal mines as children of 4 or 5 and on average died at fifteen </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">years of age.) </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">We've come so very far. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">3) </span></span></span></span></span>Finally, Brand lacks insight into what a democracy actually is.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpTkyAmRjmcl5Ur_QXV5ieIULJok0Yn0qE2TKygNVlkz2EedZ6_-BEl04BWO-Zi8E8Jh9QCWJyV7rR8QWd81C69Py8cWLn8sRFOq1Nk0X3c72vGFCYKmEbBX3eJBH-jz-hRGLx_V-vQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgpTkyAmRjmcl5Ur_QXV5ieIULJok0Yn0qE2TKygNVlkz2EedZ6_-BEl04BWO-Zi8E8Jh9QCWJyV7rR8QWd81C69Py8cWLn8sRFOq1Nk0X3c72vGFCYKmEbBX3eJBH-jz-hRGLx_V-vQ/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"></span></span></span></span></span><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">No ruler, be it king, dictator, nor democratic government, knows what
the people want until they're told. Changes in society are <i>reflected </i>by
parliament, not created by parliament, and it isn't until the people make a noise, that public
opinion starts to change and eventually, it reaches a </span></span><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">tipping
point where elected officials take notice, resulting in
chances to the law. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">The government we have is a reflections of society
as a whole. It wasn't until people stopped thinking homosexuals deserved
jail that it was legalised. It wasn't until society as a whole began to
realise that homosexuality was something you were born with that people began to
think, maybe it's not okay to hate on these people for something they
can't change', and homophobia was made a hate crime. It wasn't until
people realised that ,thinking that having gays in the military wouldn't result in gay
orgies and the destruction of out military, was just silly, amd gays were finally allowed to be open in the armed forced.
It wasn't until people realised that it was wrong not to allow gay relationships legal recognition, that civil unions were created, and then that perhaps
civil unions were a second class option, and they should be able to marry
instead. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">The whole point of a democracy is that the government reflects the views
of the majority and if society sucks, it's up to us to change the
opinions of those around us and raise awareness, not leave it to
strangers in parliament to somehow magically know what change people want ahead of
time. It's the reason they set up </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"> http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/</span></span></span></span></span></a> </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">(where any petition with over 100,000 signatures</span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span>can be debated in
parliament) so that know what issues are most important to the people.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">The five year electoral process is to try and ensure that we don't have
unfair representation (which is why everyone really does need to vote) or
corruption in power because if your MP or party isn't representing your views, you can vote for someone else 5 years later.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTGqCKOshxNftIOQItFD39hA4Pzf6-8MM6vY2zjklpi4q8d_M-oLYqZjuvh4jQSKMAihxGkQRpUS4uS4rx6ST2HulNlBULK0BLXL2smTKW4bLjcr-BIcSh9wtWCP16GZslfyuqldtKg/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTGqCKOshxNftIOQItFD39hA4Pzf6-8MM6vY2zjklpi4q8d_M-oLYqZjuvh4jQSKMAihxGkQRpUS4uS4rx6ST2HulNlBULK0BLXL2smTKW4bLjcr-BIcSh9wtWCP16GZslfyuqldtKg/s320/4.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][2]"></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[0].[0]">Unfortunately, many people don't care about a lot of important issues, and some people
still believe stupid things. Parliament is just a reflection of that apathy and sometimes, stupidity,
not some sacred bastion of truth and justice. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">You can't
leave everything to some vague 'revolution', if you want things to change,
YOU must take steps to help change them. And yes, it takes time because
some people are entrenched in their small-minded and bigoted views but
in Ian McKellen's lifetime alone, gay sex was illegal until he was 28,
he had to hide his relationships and lie until he was nearly 30 years old! Now he can get a civil
partnership and soon, he'll be able to get married. I think going from hard time if discovered, to having hate crime protection and being able to marry, is quite some achievement!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">That's a whole lot of
change for one man's lifetime and while I wasn't alive for most of it,
I <i>am </i>proud of the changes that <i>I have</i> been a part of in the last 10
years, and I thnak those who stood up for change before I was around and aware.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">Constantly moaning about how bad things are doesn't make them any
better. Go out and be the change you want to see. It isn't anyone
else's responsibility, <b>it's up to you</b>.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PorgrcImgqd056y_PqLnwnD5BebrTVfpWgiELQQNxkWCH59dFEAmNCKPp1b8yZQvMDZDpLo-1s7JozvCdceUtBJgUkHiluJ8UCmzaVVShwmOnnxs3PAujR-LXBDtlVBc1Gs55RdJ8A/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9PorgrcImgqd056y_PqLnwnD5BebrTVfpWgiELQQNxkWCH59dFEAmNCKPp1b8yZQvMDZDpLo-1s7JozvCdceUtBJgUkHiluJ8UCmzaVVShwmOnnxs3PAujR-LXBDtlVBc1Gs55RdJ8A/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">Finally) The best thing about our democracy is that if you don't like it, you can change it. Go to </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><a href="http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/">http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk</a>, talk to those around you, challenging wrong thinking and change their minds, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">join Anonymous, </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>use social media to get your point of view out there (to far more people than you know in real life) and win hearts to your cause. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">It's never been easier to make your voice heard and as with any democracy, if enough people shout loud enough, change happens. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<b><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">Realising that is is up to us to change what we don't like, is the revolution that we need. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></b><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]">We have the power, we just need more people to realise that they can use it.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143428}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30143587}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3]"><span class="UFICommentBody" data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0]"><span data-reactid=".r[3sls6].[1][4][1]{comment10151935582916815_30136822}.[0].{right}.[0].{left}.[0].[0].[0][3].[0].[3].[0].[0]"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span>Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-82754095047712157372013-07-27T19:55:00.000-07:002013-07-27T20:00:51.217-07:00More Regency Fashion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cWSVU83m8zCl1kI5brAaKdh9laylwPp5i_i0MFvoKnejr2vBCfMeeE0O_cZZrxAlYb9ZdLPA57xFGr5Zfme8fkuLemNU4-6CM1lDKJL12i6AzGqytBX9d8Jh7GY3hrB9iOPI_6V9jw/s1600/lauriston_castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cWSVU83m8zCl1kI5brAaKdh9laylwPp5i_i0MFvoKnejr2vBCfMeeE0O_cZZrxAlYb9ZdLPA57xFGr5Zfme8fkuLemNU4-6CM1lDKJL12i6AzGqytBX9d8Jh7GY3hrB9iOPI_6V9jw/s400/lauriston_castle.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lauriston Castle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
After last weekend's Austen weekend, in one of those odd coincidences, today I had a lecture on Jane Austen Fashion, held at Lauriston Castle. It was my first visit to the castle, which hides itself away in the middle of a council estate, but I think I will be returning for a guided tour of the place.<br />
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The talk was given by <a href="http://www.tudortalkandcatwalk.com/">Julia Soares-McCormick</a> and while I cant claim to have learned anything new, it was lovely to see some new pieces, including underwear. I know for example, that the first knickers (or pants for the Americans) were two individual legs which individually fastened around the waist (The world#s first crotchless panties!). However, I had never before actually seen a pair, not even a picture. Seeing a half corset was great too, and very much like our modern strapless bras today, save that the fact that they lace at the front.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day, evening and court dresses</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_2083349851"></span><span id="goog_2083349852"></span>I'm unsure how well i would get on with such a garment, as I have a very ample chest. Regency breasts were supposed to be pushed up and separated (cleavage was a big no-no) but I have so much, I think just supporting them would be an effort without underwire, let alone separating them. <br />
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Finally there was a fantastic gown which was commissioned, and based on a gown worn by Josephine (Napoleon's wife). I don't think that my pictures do justice to it but it was a truly scrumptious gown with very intricate bead work on the robe.<br />
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I couldn't help but think how terribly hot it must have been to wear however, and especially to dance in. Chemise, corset (full or half), silk dress and satin lined velvet robe! The robe was also remarkably heavy.<br />
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Oh, one new fact I did learn (and had tried looking up in the past) was whether sequins were available in Regency times. They were, and had been around since the 16th century, although they were made from metal, not plastic, and fastened at the top rather than a hole in the centre. They were called sparkles, not sequins and now that I know their name, I can find numerous examples of sparkles in regency and earlier outfits online.<br />
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Anyhow, I hope you like the photographs below. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The half corset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkxOH4VO93_2F6qvZrHurAmL92lamwf8iANbkQi-jt5l8nIRdq5V5BM_gg1ZR96Xtn1Jnk25eeLoaTwjeQMrt930cBQgE5dL4ZQqj2dsjAKvTVKhiJLYy5SakDBqw8Mjw5PbaL6kaNA/s1600/phone+pics+045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkxOH4VO93_2F6qvZrHurAmL92lamwf8iANbkQi-jt5l8nIRdq5V5BM_gg1ZR96Xtn1Jnk25eeLoaTwjeQMrt930cBQgE5dL4ZQqj2dsjAKvTVKhiJLYy5SakDBqw8Mjw5PbaL6kaNA/s640/phone+pics+045.jpg" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chemise, pantaloons, half corset and cap</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day dress and Spencer jacket.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnet accompanying the day dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Evening dress</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSQqxk_6-U-lCngeZBy12xe2-7KHumc7EuVKYFe4CAqHwr4c2Cfbm7tmNmNgnr3U0twS-zXB1Xg2QD-MfhRqiv21EJ-JHxTzQXJoRnc_SDyqKwXa0oRdYSyarY1I4wUkdf0xr4_fjEQ/s1600/phone+pics+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSQqxk_6-U-lCngeZBy12xe2-7KHumc7EuVKYFe4CAqHwr4c2Cfbm7tmNmNgnr3U0twS-zXB1Xg2QD-MfhRqiv21EJ-JHxTzQXJoRnc_SDyqKwXa0oRdYSyarY1I4wUkdf0xr4_fjEQ/s640/phone+pics+040.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Court dress, based on a gown worn by Josephine, Empress of France</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reverse angle showing the small train. It was longer (like the original) until a model almost tripped and fell on it.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An attempt to capture the bead work on the velvet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_damS6nNUwzuJqHx5CitGF6EucbRXyPJW7_fP6q1XXd9zg5_2QCSSzf1BbAs5FbL6bEIhtscDyv3Irp1FfOTkzqKfnJD3S9mUQZLhm-0lo7ptlRDqgKZasi3_zuSOjCKT_Kl06-PMTA/s1600/phone+pics+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_damS6nNUwzuJqHx5CitGF6EucbRXyPJW7_fP6q1XXd9zg5_2QCSSzf1BbAs5FbL6bEIhtscDyv3Irp1FfOTkzqKfnJD3S9mUQZLhm-0lo7ptlRDqgKZasi3_zuSOjCKT_Kl06-PMTA/s1600/phone+pics+052.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By lucky happenstance, photographing another dress caught the bead work reflecting the light, as it was designed to do in candlelight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-40489008516328421792013-07-23T04:11:00.001-07:002013-07-27T20:01:05.685-07:00Regency House Party<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xCt9d8RsqiY3OBJthX5Hrdvm-QFgvmXj0ZfvSXpXooiOhuSZGJompopvjLgoIPrIXIkwa45jvMbyLNfvjRLSN9kfuaZlrTxvNP0WbQc-_GedHxUoSB6ScszRrN4W1C-O-uCgAJOvSg/s1600/20130720_102702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xCt9d8RsqiY3OBJthX5Hrdvm-QFgvmXj0ZfvSXpXooiOhuSZGJompopvjLgoIPrIXIkwa45jvMbyLNfvjRLSN9kfuaZlrTxvNP0WbQc-_GedHxUoSB6ScszRrN4W1C-O-uCgAJOvSg/s200/20130720_102702.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Alresford Place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Click to enlarge the photographs </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were about 14 of us staying for the weekend, and
others coming the following day for the talks and/or dancing lessons, and more
just for the ball.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I arrived on Friday afternoon at Old Alresford Place, a
former rectory with some stunning grounds. I was told that dressing in costume
was optional that day as it was so hot, but I felt that I should get the
awkwardness out of the way and just had enough time to dress for afternoon tea. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As suspected, my costume was rather out of place as everyone
else wore authentic dresses, of the design and material of that age. Some even
wore stays, corsets and petticoats from that period. I was far from the only
new person however, and two other couples had never been to such an event
before, one couple even came all the way from America!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJTgvwb1tQDU347cB0qgIy2_0L-7S-5BHa4g-Nybo93rMff0U_fveyoQNzehN-5HgprNo-LYLAhpUGMCpFpatljgINaKSV4EIRh4kDZQobv8lvAAo7vc5A0xQjL4wQZDNgXTSNIO93A/s1600/20130719_161702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJTgvwb1tQDU347cB0qgIy2_0L-7S-5BHa4g-Nybo93rMff0U_fveyoQNzehN-5HgprNo-LYLAhpUGMCpFpatljgINaKSV4EIRh4kDZQobv8lvAAo7vc5A0xQjL4wQZDNgXTSNIO93A/s320/20130719_161702.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day outfit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was Miss Winchester for the weekend, which was very odd
indeed, more so being called Miss than referring to everyone else by title but
even then, I haven’t routinely called people Mr, Mrs and Miss since I left
school. Even at university, the professors preferred to be called by their
Christian names.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still, everyone was friendly and the later arrivals that
evening mostly didn’t change, so I didn’t feel quite so out of place and after
dinner, there was a brief talk on Austen, followed by a showing of the 2005
movie. I didn’t watch it as I don’t believe it’s a very good version so
instead, Mrs and Miss Stephens taught me to play the regency card game, Pope Joan.
I believe I understood it by the time I retired for bed but I’m glad we were
playing for counters and not real money!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regency playing cards are also very unwieldy. They’re not
laminated, so don’t slid over one another easily, and while they do have the
four suits that we are familiar with, no card displays it’s number, you have to
count the number of hearts/clubs etc, to determine its value and when you have
a hand fanned out, that isn’t so very easy. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFYHRImrHqf25yd1JAPsCCFpK3VHg7Q-HOp9xARVXNRvt9WDCX7EsAcRO8woSz8-wg8XH97ddVwFYN05my71ksiAhpY2TezCV7DOrAUqS5NiBKvee0zm9IIOa9JsllUsepQU8pkSXvw/s1600/20130720_103200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNFYHRImrHqf25yd1JAPsCCFpK3VHg7Q-HOp9xARVXNRvt9WDCX7EsAcRO8woSz8-wg8XH97ddVwFYN05my71ksiAhpY2TezCV7DOrAUqS5NiBKvee0zm9IIOa9JsllUsepQU8pkSXvw/s200/20130720_103200.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Croquet in the grounds</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That night I sadly got very little sleep due to the heat and
foolishly, since I had got up early that morning (for me) I didn’t take a
lorazepam to help me sleep, so the following morning I was rather zombie like. After
breakfast there was time for a game of lawn croquet, at which I was terribly
bad. And that is not false modesty; had it not been for one kind gentleman hitting my ball through the first
hoop, I would never have progressed at all. None of us showed any great talent
for it however, so we had to leave the game unfinished.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The talk of regency fashion was very interesting, and the
chance to look at some genuine articles from that time was fascinating. I have
never seen such fine (as in tiny) stitchwork before! Their needles and thread
were both much finer than we are used to these days and obviously, they didn’t
use sewing machines (which were another 50 years away, if memory serves) so everything was hand sewn and embroidered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that I grabbed a quick nap before the afternoon
dancing lesson.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjItd9MMwC_jgey8y6y92AAh1ejnetI7XuejZl0gKTGdtUxqufdW2l_EdEkVbj4d8vnBe7dY1vPGTquUfSJxBHqERPu_WIN8CksUxb_H5buzoLksx6iJp0ia9aQ0tuFEJPITlElQxnw/s1600/20130720_215203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZjItd9MMwC_jgey8y6y92AAh1ejnetI7XuejZl0gKTGdtUxqufdW2l_EdEkVbj4d8vnBe7dY1vPGTquUfSJxBHqERPu_WIN8CksUxb_H5buzoLksx6iJp0ia9aQ0tuFEJPITlElQxnw/s200/20130720_215203.jpg" width="178" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Regency Ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I must confess, I had thought regency dancing to be much
like sequence or old time dancing, where everyone performes the same steps and
you can quickly pick it up by watching the couple in front of you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Regency dancing was far more like learning a ballroom or
Latin routine, although of course in that case, it was me and partner with
dance instructor, receiving one on one tuition while we learned the choreography. Although these routines were shorter and simpler than the ones I used to learn, trying to learn them in a class setting was far more difficult,
although a few more experienced dancers did their best to guide us newbies. I
think I grasped the basics and thankfully, the dances that night would be
“called”, which anyone who has been to a barn dance will know, means that
someone calls the steps as you dance. Of course the language of regency dances
(the names of the steps) was still new to me but I was optimistic that I would
still have fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlp96AcXi_e1VBdBEU6z1JuEZLSXW2M_0xGZmgZjnIeZp_BcphpEw7TSQAjuoYlqxKGZN_pMfVKAx8tO8LLpLCsNk0SEInAoLFcJb5rVeZY5x-FAEsJ1C4VOuBEAnZVqZoMfcw9ZkKqg/s1600/20130720_195723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlp96AcXi_e1VBdBEU6z1JuEZLSXW2M_0xGZmgZjnIeZp_BcphpEw7TSQAjuoYlqxKGZN_pMfVKAx8tO8LLpLCsNk0SEInAoLFcJb5rVeZY5x-FAEsJ1C4VOuBEAnZVqZoMfcw9ZkKqg/s200/20130720_195723.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dancers, inside the ballroom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After that I dressed for the ball and in photographs at
least, I think I looked pretty authentic, even if polyester jersey isn’t a
regency material!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I believe there were 60 people at the ball and as ever, there
were more women present than men, but not so few men as to be untoward. This I
have found to be the case at every dance that I have ever been to and judging
from some comments in Jane Austen’s books, was still the case even back then!
Thankfully (unlike Mr Darcy) most gentlemen were happy to partner different
women throughout the night, and many ladies were happy to dance as men so I
believe in total, I probably danced half the dances that night. I perhaps
wasn’t very good, especially at the more complicated ones or the few we hadn’t
practiced that afternoon, but I did have fun.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1AfCBd3dY8vUT8n8iCyB2asvIqXqrVsgh7tgGfFb8SsNTP01e9nVCrRi6y5w9txN7BHi_SO1aTJ5FP57-sc_27KaPQY2YLCgi5nAIyw4FG2XTQFqNK-Sqj4ROULwSDXFLHX1DSgpJA/s1600/20130720_194714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1AfCBd3dY8vUT8n8iCyB2asvIqXqrVsgh7tgGfFb8SsNTP01e9nVCrRi6y5w9txN7BHi_SO1aTJ5FP57-sc_27KaPQY2YLCgi5nAIyw4FG2XTQFqNK-Sqj4ROULwSDXFLHX1DSgpJA/s200/20130720_194714.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The outside dance area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And what a pleasure it was to dance in flat shoes! My
ballroom and Latin shoes had 3 inch heels!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The musicians were very good and I didn’t detect a note out
of place and while it might not be music I would usually choose to dance to, I
did get into the swing of things.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The dance floor really wasn’t large enough for everyone so
some dancers danced on the patio, just outside the ballroom, where a lovely
breeze made the experience even more pleasant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the nuances that I did pick up on, was how slow many
of the dances were, even the complicated ones. I think that being pretty much
the only occasion when you could ‘fraternise’ with the opposite sex, the
additional time was intentional, allowing the dancers time to ‘appreciate’ one
another. Unlike Elizabeth Bennet however, I don’t believe a dance lends itself
to conversation, at least not proper conversation, but perhaps some light
flirting between the right couple.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5WuWNbzFhtIkXa2qXhitTD74kjqdNJHcZuwzclEcBCxx5m6DvOyD0_7Vdv_PFrULCATqH-SgoLKr8XQf5bmMyBE3k-ObEUO8teci4g3uH4UG29t3Hv2gBbM1DXaSYRmxYOFijedQRQ/s1600/20130720_194634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5WuWNbzFhtIkXa2qXhitTD74kjqdNJHcZuwzclEcBCxx5m6DvOyD0_7Vdv_PFrULCATqH-SgoLKr8XQf5bmMyBE3k-ObEUO8teci4g3uH4UG29t3Hv2gBbM1DXaSYRmxYOFijedQRQ/s200/20130720_194634.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside dancers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a break between 9 and 10 for a buffet dinner, then
dancing resumed until 11.30. Many ball-goers congregated after that but I was
so tired, I didn’t last very long.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following day we headed to Chawton, where Jane Austen
lived for the last few years of her life. The village remains largely unchanged
and the <a href="http://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/">house Jane lived in has been restored</a> (as far as possible) to how it
was at the time she lived there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was fascinating to look through a regency house, although
it was far more basic that the ones I usually write about. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As some of you may know, Jane's sister, Cassandra, burned most of her letters after her death for unknown, although not malicious reasons. Elizabeth and Jane's relationship in P&P is thought to be based on the closeness she and Cassandra shared, and the likely reason for destroying the letters is thought to to protect Jane's privacy, or possibly save her reputation from public censure. As a result, much if her life has been left to speculation and conjecture. There were however, many interesting details still to be had, such as Jane's earnings during her lifetime, and the contents her will.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nwxn29X97bO1Yu69EFNL9cY3J68Rw6ruhHOFnj5aeZ4ikHX62SfLjEVNukZM72Phk-SEaJUw6lV2F7N_BYqjt1OMpJYBjVvVV5UvHtcTumtde4unO4SqfH_KrFdiBM4ZYW98n-KPYg/s1600/20130721_123050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Nwxn29X97bO1Yu69EFNL9cY3J68Rw6ruhHOFnj5aeZ4ikHX62SfLjEVNukZM72Phk-SEaJUw6lV2F7N_BYqjt1OMpJYBjVvVV5UvHtcTumtde4unO4SqfH_KrFdiBM4ZYW98n-KPYg/s320/20130721_123050.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Austen's house, now a museum</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since I had a plane to catch, I didn’t go on the afternoon
visit to Winchester (where Jane Austen died). As it turned out, my flight was
delayed by more than an hour so I could easily have gone but alas, I didn’t
discover that fact until I had been at the airport for an hour. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By the time I finally arrived home, at about 9.30 that night, I was
thoroughly knackered and just had time to eat and chat with my sister for a few
mins, before retiring to bed so that I could get up to take my mother to the
airport this morning. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I finally caught up on my sleep this morning when I got
home. Insomnia and a touch of PTSD mean that I tend to be something of a
vampire in my time keeping and indeed, I do some of my best writing overnight,
between 11pm and sometimes as late as 4 or even 5am. I usually try to rise by
10am, so that I am still tired the following night, and never get too out of
step with the rest of the world but after my nap today, I got up at 12.30, so
now my body clock is now even more out of whack than it usually is! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Overall, the sedate pace of the weekend was not to my taste. It was fine for one weekend, of course but the idea of spending all my days focused so much on so little, was a reminder that I am indeed a modern girl at heart. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The lack of modern distractions meant that people engaged in far more social intercourse. As a shy introvert (not to mention, sleep deprived) I found this rather difficult and taxing, however I certainly do now understand why regency women (and indeed men) were such gossips, for without the usual distractions (talk of television and news events etc) we spent much of the weekend watching and discussing other people. I hasten to add that none of this was malicious gossip in any way, but it was most unusual to find myself being asked about or hearing about people I hardly knew, or in many cases, hadn't even met. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I certainly have more insight into the time period, although I'm not sure that I would do another regency weekend, and I certainly don't believe that I would travel such a distance for it again, but it was interesting and a Ball, the most fun part of the weekend, I would definitely consider doing again, especially if there was one closer to home.</div>
<br />
Below are some misc pictures from the weekend that wouldn't fit above! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5l8YcDP6x-_T867gYfB6XD20srNsWGirwfIfvPoqHS4YF0ydAVa8KD37aLxUKtCVHyqjNAFxKZXf4_M0tmZN5BesRTURzCL5rTkBjB9jn5KdSTAHl9wGnbDBfkODN3KnQXnkLfrm6A/s1600/20130720_193956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5l8YcDP6x-_T867gYfB6XD20srNsWGirwfIfvPoqHS4YF0ydAVa8KD37aLxUKtCVHyqjNAFxKZXf4_M0tmZN5BesRTURzCL5rTkBjB9jn5KdSTAHl9wGnbDBfkODN3KnQXnkLfrm6A/s640/20130720_193956.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Arnott (center) who organised the weekend, welcoming everyone to the ball</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JN2SJi-M3Yn8_qwhlGani_cOyy5C_b8Jn8dJroPi7n-PT_TUR3ZCg5sCrLl9snjSGuEr_a6lR_b7X9PsLoYcxJy3USXw9hT6n-Ncgge-68v1yHh7FoXV2df5Jc9DV8zcRKLPL7qZgw/s1600/20130720_194028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JN2SJi-M3Yn8_qwhlGani_cOyy5C_b8Jn8dJroPi7n-PT_TUR3ZCg5sCrLl9snjSGuEr_a6lR_b7X9PsLoYcxJy3USXw9hT6n-Ncgge-68v1yHh7FoXV2df5Jc9DV8zcRKLPL7qZgw/s640/20130720_194028.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The musicians in the corner and the dance caller, to the left of them</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0tiU_RLjNSkeDoMcwlCTLgYyHD5nA8Q42_cRgPRedX4d_iSffg3vYvp6ESdACyNqjTMqwvdCwR8efF96aRwiPN_PN3nycFfIgjmDmIHbSIU8cMYH7_LxRCvbIPKRqyjIpHUTa0q3cg/s1600/20130720_215011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy0tiU_RLjNSkeDoMcwlCTLgYyHD5nA8Q42_cRgPRedX4d_iSffg3vYvp6ESdACyNqjTMqwvdCwR8efF96aRwiPN_PN3nycFfIgjmDmIHbSIU8cMYH7_LxRCvbIPKRqyjIpHUTa0q3cg/s640/20130720_215011.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the beautiful chandeliers in the ballroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb_4dnH-yOYsF0as9iFW-Xoas8YUeU0IH6X9fVFLASs_0-igybm3pP2g76sSZ-P8SP7Ha0MMnN13XFEouNINkgguJMv4JKe-HPFV-p9gYcYbwL1V4ShqoALPUsCowJcA6hS76mNPnSUw/s640/20130721_095739.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The skylight over Alresford Place's main staircase. Sadly, not as much details as I might have liked came out</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x_V8IRz3EdYozLZcbCVv2KbVxqXRcfFIzdLrsnsu4hrxAnBFfGPBzxL6rmQN8C42N2fuKvwv6-_7uLab3cf5aseYWHxpMgOXq79iPmOR1GfGDkLVkl4Dt9qKOeQRT1oXdr0DaS_sBg/s1600/20130721_110824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3x_V8IRz3EdYozLZcbCVv2KbVxqXRcfFIzdLrsnsu4hrxAnBFfGPBzxL6rmQN8C42N2fuKvwv6-_7uLab3cf5aseYWHxpMgOXq79iPmOR1GfGDkLVkl4Dt9qKOeQRT1oXdr0DaS_sBg/s640/20130721_110824.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Details of Jane's Estate</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg44FI5zXwH4-50k-T2itXDcbeOmCbvKRCywHoED-yMk7_ApUDqjNpNDEeLExJ2bszScmjYDiR0VOnGc38bw5Ozm5uL6gVDgvSQMV6fsjzAmEwIlQJRN5ARp6oqF3dBGvj2uEiUsMpRg/s1600/20130721_112830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg44FI5zXwH4-50k-T2itXDcbeOmCbvKRCywHoED-yMk7_ApUDqjNpNDEeLExJ2bszScmjYDiR0VOnGc38bw5Ozm5uL6gVDgvSQMV6fsjzAmEwIlQJRN5ARp6oqF3dBGvj2uEiUsMpRg/s640/20130721_112830.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane's will</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf455VA2hBD8rUPV8hhyphenhyphenCUMjGT1n8ywal_8C9LLjQAK_xJqKzzV6_Q9bSH6e9rW2FP44_FsuJiGaEdHOoJFtT2CtCg96N8m-pzGQlc-QNGWOoFPz-kyEZKk_7aepcIlrpzOg3koG1RqQ/s1600/20130721_113445.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf455VA2hBD8rUPV8hhyphenhyphenCUMjGT1n8ywal_8C9LLjQAK_xJqKzzV6_Q9bSH6e9rW2FP44_FsuJiGaEdHOoJFtT2CtCg96N8m-pzGQlc-QNGWOoFPz-kyEZKk_7aepcIlrpzOg3koG1RqQ/s640/20130721_113445.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quill and inkwell</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapkWinu8CXF81q_ixIj9M4GGjKLELuVSl0-LlqvlrGBXpnKWGobqlQmTOteZia5k87nxMD-ivgIZhk622q6G8we2BBrcM-Ko8H7G6kjCGPsWyGBGwV9fC5l1J0zCPlUThcRxP3Ck9xA/s1600/20130721_113449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapkWinu8CXF81q_ixIj9M4GGjKLELuVSl0-LlqvlrGBXpnKWGobqlQmTOteZia5k87nxMD-ivgIZhk622q6G8we2BBrcM-Ko8H7G6kjCGPsWyGBGwV9fC5l1J0zCPlUThcRxP3Ck9xA/s640/20130721_113449.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My attempt at writing with a blunt quill. Thank God for laptops, or I'm certain my writing career would not have been!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9o5IRxgbFMH7v_PAZ9Y4uouN_Yz8iXJssfELC-AX0jewU3XCXYYkacdaxRC_lkvet3hFHYagFDpj4aGeonrdcdkYJJ9znoS0CZFO9cGdAEbkw6CxKD6_D07a2L8h1K8NN0QNCTAufg/s1600/20130721_113550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin9o5IRxgbFMH7v_PAZ9Y4uouN_Yz8iXJssfELC-AX0jewU3XCXYYkacdaxRC_lkvet3hFHYagFDpj4aGeonrdcdkYJJ9znoS0CZFO9cGdAEbkw6CxKD6_D07a2L8h1K8NN0QNCTAufg/s640/20130721_113550.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It also proved to be a decidedly messy business!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PVlA214SjA5GZTzrSvVb2zawghLzVWXerrH9R6kUs_O5LdcjrdSOm8dWuggY9f6zksIOjPRsQFmUgb8EQmBdzAjQ2v36fPdSZd0q3iqEKhEhTVvmxJyosTxVv5u9XDAuT-p-DGH0eA/s1600/20130721_113912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-PVlA214SjA5GZTzrSvVb2zawghLzVWXerrH9R6kUs_O5LdcjrdSOm8dWuggY9f6zksIOjPRsQFmUgb8EQmBdzAjQ2v36fPdSZd0q3iqEKhEhTVvmxJyosTxVv5u9XDAuT-p-DGH0eA/s640/20130721_113912.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me in Jane's kitchen, in one of the bonnets put out for use by visitors</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi2kmuHoVOzQC7sEcnQbpTc8yFU_WH76SpkY2VNR09bAmoh28FLE0JwE3IZ9As2rJKGHw0WU48WwShoUH8hdgPjtJxCiF-SjBgq8OsBSaWbPbOervM_x2KeunawEHgQ84GC7F9XTSQQ/s1600/20130721_114217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxi2kmuHoVOzQC7sEcnQbpTc8yFU_WH76SpkY2VNR09bAmoh28FLE0JwE3IZ9As2rJKGHw0WU48WwShoUH8hdgPjtJxCiF-SjBgq8OsBSaWbPbOervM_x2KeunawEHgQ84GC7F9XTSQQ/s400/20130721_114217.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A regency cap, do you like my country bumpkin look?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3HYCWkFMepGF8S0rteDm-8WnFBxqoLsCRSACioFtv_XSgy_rugKe9GuykX99aqvNruMeUzTIIO2ij8GPPJ75DlxWYdVs3yWuEwTKg4dFp7_rVCde3Sc6nK77mYvmQUEOmmGj7syftA/s1600/20130721_114541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg3HYCWkFMepGF8S0rteDm-8WnFBxqoLsCRSACioFtv_XSgy_rugKe9GuykX99aqvNruMeUzTIIO2ij8GPPJ75DlxWYdVs3yWuEwTKg4dFp7_rVCde3Sc6nK77mYvmQUEOmmGj7syftA/s640/20130721_114541.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jane Austen's cat. Well not her actual cat, but I found her in Jane's garden and she was very friendly.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCnGXeWVYy1MR4jfYz9SlKJgEPKpIi7JCc1MCecupru0KOjJlNGDBD9afbH012Ge-vM6fniI4Dvsq3V9sFiNsdihQDHhhktVgrAMcv2YtcwY08DC1XzzlBOUPRl7wfVSfZB3zeeMiPQ/s1600/20130720_210417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCnGXeWVYy1MR4jfYz9SlKJgEPKpIi7JCc1MCecupru0KOjJlNGDBD9afbH012Ge-vM6fniI4Dvsq3V9sFiNsdihQDHhhktVgrAMcv2YtcwY08DC1XzzlBOUPRl7wfVSfZB3zeeMiPQ/s400/20130720_210417.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ball cake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBemc8PtxzqRzePgVQ-SwcMfmczVAR82I5Pd2k3vI1_QI6c6EzRapZsYJ4JG9kxjjPqfuqyqZncUh7Z0rY8AfldEwAtGycHX1lFP11PPgSJWNSWADkV3mkg7yx0OwwmV72CEpsrRlAgg/s1600/20130721_125641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBemc8PtxzqRzePgVQ-SwcMfmczVAR82I5Pd2k3vI1_QI6c6EzRapZsYJ4JG9kxjjPqfuqyqZncUh7Z0rY8AfldEwAtGycHX1lFP11PPgSJWNSWADkV3mkg7yx0OwwmV72CEpsrRlAgg/s400/20130721_125641.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunday's cake</td></tr>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-87750015641901115592013-06-11T10:18:00.000-07:002013-06-16T14:59:53.745-07:00What is a Love Story?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ask a
selection of people to name some of the best romances or love stories of all time and you will likely
hear some of the following among their answers. Wuthering Heights, Romeo and
Juliet, and Gone with the Wind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I'm sorry,
but by what definition are any of these stories romantic? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now, I do understand the power of a brooding hero, as well as the appeal of all consuming love/lust/infatuation/obsession, but these stories all clearly show the destructive nature of these emotions and in no way glorify the relationships.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Which is why I simply don’t understand why so many people classify them as love stories. What's more, I don’t believe that the authors ever intended for these to be love stories or romance stories.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBxoI6wfhBOcgYNtLWunPhmPA1ILBJaUWYBeLcV7nuVLUue6QCD9xsUH0GNYP88B9lzOciBpwjq8P07S3Fybwqs5tD7gSNbFm1dIQTDzAOFtyPCiocoYpKfXq6mPnATMvaYQ2-2bmWw/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGBxoI6wfhBOcgYNtLWunPhmPA1ILBJaUWYBeLcV7nuVLUue6QCD9xsUH0GNYP88B9lzOciBpwjq8P07S3Fybwqs5tD7gSNbFm1dIQTDzAOFtyPCiocoYpKfXq6mPnATMvaYQ2-2bmWw/s320/b5.jpg" width="228" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Let’s
start with the worst of that bunch, <b><u>Wuthering Heights</u>. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Has there
ever been a less appealing collection of characters in a novel? I don’t think
so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes,
Cathy loves Heathcliff and vice versa, but she rejects him because he isn’t rich
enough. From that point on, it is a battle of wills to see who can destroy the
other first, and not just between Kathy and Heathcliff, everyone around them
gets caught in the crossfire too (or indeed, does their fair share of bad
deeds). The pain and misery these two inflict on each other and everyone around
them is positively loathsome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Wuthering Heights is a lesson in the destructive nature of obsessive love and it far more resembles a hate story than a love story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b><u>Romeo
and Juliet</u>.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Now this
is about two children who are so totally infatuated with each other, that they
end up dying for that love.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">WTF! Leaving
aside issues of them being children, they are willing to die for their love; they both commit suicide when they believe the other has died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I don’t know
about y’all, but I want the people that I love to go on without me, not to kill
themselves if I died. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Besides Romeo and Juliet don’t love each other, they are infatuated with each other. They don’t even know each other a week when they die and it takes time to get to know someone. Once you’ve lived with their leaving the toilet seat up constantly, farting in bed and not killed them for saying “you know?” constantly, then you can claim to be in love. If he or she is just “the dreamiest person ever” then that’s inflation, or perhaps lust, but not love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Look at those pictures below. Do you honestly think a love story staring those kids (middle and left) would be an epic romance? Because they're both 13 years old, the age of Romeo and Juliet.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp2CI8nRDn0flcSlvEonQzSXhClqvXU0ubYrMKJnTlHoJQ-Xq8BsnIndm7G7IaxJwN4tV2TIGbBa1MPqeTo_M3TOgCQnb4fUGCTQu3RcmGL4dW-ArcUqf2dHPkpJJwNeuSffeqj8UUw/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp2CI8nRDn0flcSlvEonQzSXhClqvXU0ubYrMKJnTlHoJQ-Xq8BsnIndm7G7IaxJwN4tV2TIGbBa1MPqeTo_M3TOgCQnb4fUGCTQu3RcmGL4dW-ArcUqf2dHPkpJJwNeuSffeqj8UUw/s400/b1.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Now, some people argue that Romeo is older than Juliet, since his age is never specifically stated. Many seem to think he is at least 20. Does a 20 year old wooing a 13 year old seem any better, or worse? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">All in all, Romeo and Juliet seems to be a story about infantile infatuation in stupid young people, or a predatory older man. Not exactly something to aspire to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u>Gone
with the Wind.</u></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwSXCybW-BM3kxYuvPdIcRU6UGTZx4yrI6KAlsjOIXpHvNlN9BvOO3OYwX4AHMDMdNfC8qsewBVKnfSOMIHtyB1ucYYPKTkxpnajh5vHAqgLk9tJKUEusPLRUs2nfurLj-Fh7Kwnjdw/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOwSXCybW-BM3kxYuvPdIcRU6UGTZx4yrI6KAlsjOIXpHvNlN9BvOO3OYwX4AHMDMdNfC8qsewBVKnfSOMIHtyB1ucYYPKTkxpnajh5vHAqgLk9tJKUEusPLRUs2nfurLj-Fh7Kwnjdw/s400/b6.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that what love looks like?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Don’t get me wrong, I love this story and watch the film about every 5 years or so but I still don't believe it's a love story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Rhett loves Scarlet (and I believe he loves her warts and all, proper love, if you will) but she loves Ashley, who doesn’t love her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Yes, Rhett and Scarlet get married and yes they have a child, but there is no love in that marriage, it’s a power game between them (slightly more so on Scarlet’s side than Rhett’s). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Then consider that the only time they have sex, Rhett rapes Scarlet. Apparently she sees nothing wrong with that and wakes the next morning smiling and happy (and preggers) warming to the idea of Rhett as her husband (yeah, as you can guess, I love that plot twist. NOT).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Meanwhile Rhett (I think, appalled by his actions) finally begins to distance himself from her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Obviously, neither of them can be honest and after their daughter dies, they end up truly hating each other and doing their best to hurt the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">To me, an integral part of love is respect and honour.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">As I said, I believe Rhett truly loves Scarlet (despite being an arse and raping her) because when Ashley’s wife dies, he leaves so that she can have Ashley. He does what he thinks will make her happy, not himself. She realises too late that that she does want Rhett but she’s already done so much against him that he can’t believe her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Still however, by marrying a woman who doesn’t love him, he isn’t respecting himself. He deserves better and because he doesn’t have a woman who loves him, they both end up hurting each other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gone with the Wind is an engaging, epic story, a wonderful snapshot of a period of American history, and a character study in how unrequited love affects different people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">But it is aanother hate story, not a love story.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Perhaps someone who likes these stories as romances can enlighten me, because even as a child and teenager, I never found anything romantic in these relationships. What is the draw of these tales? Star crossed lovers? Brooding hero's? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">*The images of both 13 year old children and the 20 year old man, were taken from news stories. </span></span></div>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-61824485582680858552013-05-29T11:28:00.003-07:002013-10-18T19:23:40.735-07:00Love, Lies & Murder, Chapters 1-3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIICm-CO0iizpDopbV9424j52XBHHvNTtMmdIOurrtaclfXTr3WoKeS3FuJ4Tgc8mNUpveJO9BpHoCzaYDvouWnPgTDYTfmVbc_S7ZIzR2up3pWFv0q1pGW89TnGvQdLlpgZlkSNfeQ/s1600/murder+amazon+cover+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIICm-CO0iizpDopbV9424j52XBHHvNTtMmdIOurrtaclfXTr3WoKeS3FuJ4Tgc8mNUpveJO9BpHoCzaYDvouWnPgTDYTfmVbc_S7ZIzR2up3pWFv0q1pGW89TnGvQdLlpgZlkSNfeQ/s320/murder+amazon+cover+3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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NEW RELEASE: Love, Lies and Murder by Catherine Winchester</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ooh, sounds scary! (If you scare easy, that is). </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">But if you like a little bit of mystery and </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">intrigue w</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">ith your romance, this is definitely the book for you.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Blurb: </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">An
unusual proposal and an intriguing whodunit set in the sumptuous Regency
period, with a passionate love story at its centre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Under the terms of his father’s Will, widower Alexander Cavendish must remarry before he turns 30, but the suspicions which surround his first wife’s death mean that his choices are limited. On impulse, he picks a stranger, offering her security and protection in return for marriage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Helen
Norton has few options in life and accepts the proposal, but she quickly comes
to realise that everything in Alex’s home is not as it seems. When attempts are
made on her life, Helen realises that if she is to stand a chance of surviving,
she must solve the riddle of his first wife’s murder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is Alex
a killer, or is he Helen’s devoted husband? Was his first wife an adulteress or
simply a loving mother? And if not Alex, then who among this family of aristocrats
had the motive to kill?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<a name='more'></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
One ~ </span></b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">October 1796</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alexander Cavendish had a lot on his mind as he walked down Dover Street, so he didn’t notice the disruption up ahead until he was a few feet away. There was a cart in the road that seemed to have lost some of its load but what really caught his eye, was the argument between a man, who he assumed to be the cart driver, a boy of perhaps six years old and a young woman. The driver had a whip raised to strike the boy, who cowered in the gutter, clinging to the skirts of the woman. She stood between them both, seemingly undaunted by the threat of the whip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t
you see that he’s just a boy! He meant no harm!” she implored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ve lost ‘alf a load because o’ that boy and I’ll see ‘im get the thrashing ‘e deserves.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He
does not deserve it and besides, your load is cotton; hardly a breakable
substance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her accent was refined and her clothes expensive, although also quite worn and not in keeping with this year’s fashions. The back of her skirt was now covered in the boy’s bloody handprints but if she had noticed, she didn’t seem to care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her red hair was swept back into a bun but a few tendrils had escaped, which framed her face in a most pleasing manner. He wondered what her hair would look like loose, flowing over her shoulders and down her back, and he had the odd thought that he would enjoy running his fingers through it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
pushed the peculiar thought aside for now and stepped into the fray, none too
soon as the man brought the whip down to strike the woman. Alex caught it and
held on, despite the vicious sting it delivered to his palm. He noticed that
the woman had flinched as the driver brought the lash down, but she hadn’t
moved from protecting the boy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What’s going on here?” Alex demanded of the man as, after a few attempts, he was able to pull the whip from his grasp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That brat caused my ‘orse to rear and ruined my stock!” the driver answered, full of righteous indignation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He didn’t mean to cause your horse to rear!” the woman argued, then she turned to Alexander. “I saw it, Sir, and the boy was knocked, causing him to trip on the kerb and fall. It was an accident, and this oaf wants to beat him for something that could happen to anyone!” Her speech was impassioned and her chest heaved as she spoke.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alexander
looked from the boy to the man, to the woman, then finally back to the boy. He
looked terrified. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She’s
right, that could happen to anyone,” Alexander finally chose a side and looked
to the driver. “You should not bring a flighty horse into town, and you should
be grateful that your horse didn’t kill the lad, rather than trying to whip
him.” Alex looked to the boy. “Go on now, get home and get those bloody hands
seen to.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The boy didn’t need telling twice and was sprinting off down the road before anyone could object. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Wot
about my load! ‘Oo’s gonna pay for that, hey?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
looked at the tradesman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“After
striking me and attempting to strike an unarmed woman, I should have you
arrested but since I don’t have time for all that…” He fished a pound note out
of his pocket and handed it to the man. “That will more than cover any
damages.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
driver’s eyes widened as he took the money and Alexander turned to the woman,
just in time to see her heading off, now that the boy was safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
watched her as she walked off down the street, an insane idea occurring to him.
On impulse, he followed her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Miss!
I say, Miss!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She stopped and looked back, her brow furrowing as she saw him jogging to catch up with her. When he drew near, he saw that she had a questioning look on her face. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
did you do that?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
had little choice. The boy had done nothing wrong, and I couldn’t stand by
while that brute whipped him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are
you always so unfazed by men wielding whips?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
don’t know,” she said with a small smile. “That was the first and I hope, the
last time.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
was silent for a moment as he considered the woman before him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
wonder if I might interest you in an early luncheon,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank
you, but I have errands to perform so I must get on.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please,
Miss, I have a matter I would like to discuss with you and there is a hotel
just over the road, where we can get some refreshments and talk like civilised
people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
hesitated, looking at the hotel then glancing down at her dress, noting the
bloody handprints on the skirt where the boy had clung to her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your attire is perfectly suitable,” he assured her and she gave him a startled look. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Finally she nodded. “Very well, but not too long; I really do have errands to run.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of
course.” He offered her his elbow like a gentleman should, and as her hand took
a light hold of his arm, he felt as if he had received an electric shock, only
far more pleasant. He found himself looking into her eyes and was pleased to
note that she seemed just as affected by the touch as he.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He felt the silly impulse to reach out and brush the back of his index finger over the freckles on her cheeks, wondering if her skin would be as smooth as it looked. As strong as that urge was, only a fool would try and find out whilst standing in the middle of Piccadilly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Shall
we?” he asked, breaking the spell, and they navigated across the busy road and
entered the hotel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He noticed many people give her dress and especially the bloodstains a sneering look but while she had surely noticed, she gave the appearance of being completely oblivious.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So,”
she said once they had been seated and had ordered tea and cake. “What is this
matter you wish to discuss?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“First,
I have a few questions, if I may?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She studied him for a moment so he took the opportunity to observe her also. Her hair was a light shade of red, almost like rose gold and it glistened in the light from the window. Her features were unusual and she would not be considered beautiful, however her sharp and strong features gave her a pleasing countenance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You may ask, Sir but I may not answer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That
sounds fair enough.” He smiled, enjoying her reply. “First, I would ask if you
are of gentle birth?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
regarded him with a cool eye before finally replying, “I am, although I am not
gentry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
are well educated though and from a good family; I can tell by your speech and
accent.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
was the ward of Sir Geoffrey, Baronet Gardiner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He nodded thoughtfully. “Do I take it that he no longer supports you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sir Geoffrey died but you are correct, his son, the current Baronet, will not support me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
explained her fine but worn gown, he thought. “Why did he withdraw his
support?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I never had his support. While Sir Geoffrey was alive, he had to tolerate my presence but once he died, that pretence died with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
you are not a fallen woman?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,”
she shook her head sadly. “Only the daughter of one.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
Sir Geoffrey…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Was
my father, yes. My mother died in childbirth, so he took me in and raised me
with the rest of his children.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
how old are you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Almost
twenty.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And the boy in the street?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He needed help, Sir. My circumstances may be reduced but I hope that I will never turn a blind eye to injustices.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So how do you support yourself now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He saw a blush rise in her cheeks and she folded her hands in her lap, as if to hide them. “I am employed by a dressmaker; I do the detailed work on the bodices of her more expensive gowns.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
nodded, realising that she hid her hands because they were probably calloused
from doing so much needlework.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do
you know how to run a household?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
honestly do not see how it is any of your concern, Sir, but can assure you that
I received the same education that all young aristocratic ladies receive,
including instruction on how to correctly run a household.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
sipped his tea as he considered the implications of what he was about to ask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Might
I ask the reason for these questions?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
would like for you to marry me,” he said without preamble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Pardon?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
said, I want you to become my wife.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Sir,
I don’t even know your name.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
Alex.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
I don’t know your character.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That is true enough but clearly you have fallen on hard times. For my part, my wife died two years ago and I have two sons who are desperately in need of a mother.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Forgive
me for my impertinence, but with clothes as expertly tailored as yours, surely
you can find a Society wife?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“True
enough but I don’t want just a wife, I want a mother for my boys.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Still-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Most
women of my acquaintance are too flighty or superficial to properly raise a
child. The few that persuaded me otherwise, I took to meet my boys. Despite
their professed interest when I was around, when I left them alone with my
boys, both ladies showed them either great indifference or a sharp tongue.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
you want someone who will love them?” she asked, her expression softening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, as a mother should. You defended that child out there even although you didn’t know him, which shows me that you do have the temperament to care for my sons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
what of… well…” Her embarrassment brought a rosy hue to her freckled cheeks,
and it was quite pretty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Marital
relations?” he asked kindly, putting her out of her misery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well,
yes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“At
some point that will have to happen. I would like more heirs but for the
moment, caring for my sons is paramount. I will not force my attentions on you,
if that is your worry.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…”
she swallowed. “I really don’t know what to say, you have quite flummoxed me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,”
he chuckled. “I do realise that my request is unusual.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
risked a look at him and ventured a returning smile. “You could say that,” she
agreed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Smiling seemed to change the features of her face, he noticed. Her stern and strong countenance became open and her blue eyes twinkled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I know that this is an odd thing to ask of a stranger but I believe this could be a blessing for both of us; you would not have to worry about money and would be under my care and protection; and I can come and go on business, safe in the knowledge that Julian and Joseph are well cared for.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They
are your sons?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,
although we usually call them Jules and Joe.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell
me about them,” she asked, which pleased him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Joe
is the eldest, he’s seven. He likes nature and reading. He, uh,” his warm
expression faded. “He’s become a little introverted since his mother died.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
sorry to hear that.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Jules
is only four so he doesn’t remember his mother. He’s quite a rambunctious
child, always running about, seemingly incapable of sitting still but he has a
good heart.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
nodded. “All right, I will consider your proposal, Sir, but I will need some
time to think it over.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
could be deadly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m afraid that I cannot grant you that luxury, Miss. I am to return to my estate tomorrow and it will be quite some time before I will return, so I wish to be married before we leave London. That way we can travel together, without any impropriety.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
no one can be married in a day!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
can obtain a special licence, then all we have to do is find a willing priest.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
my job, my room-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can
be easily quit. You are paid up in advance, are you not? You will need a new
wardrobe, so your clothes can all be left, and I will compensate your employer
for any hardship she may suffer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Money
does not solve all problems, Sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,
it doesn’t.” His expression darkened. “However, a lack of money can be the
cause of many problems.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
nodded and stood. “Thank you, Sir.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re
refusing?” he asked, getting to his feet. He had expected some trepidation on
her part but not an outright refusal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Not
immediately,” she answered. “However I do believe that I shall take a turn
around the block to clear my head and think about your offer. I shall return
here, one way or another.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
much as he wanted her to stay so that he could continue to convince her, he
knew that he had already made his best arguments. If he pressed her to remain
with him, he would look desperate and she could begin to question his motives.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very
well. I will remain here and await your return.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She curtseyed and left him, holding herself like a queen, despite her old gown and the bloody handprints. He felt the fact that a woman with so little money seemed not to care that her dress had been ruined, spoke volumes for her character. His money would be a tool to her but not her reason for marrying him, as he had felt was the case with so many other young ladies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He realised that he had been impulsive in asking her but he had to ask someone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
father's will had stated that in order to inherit the bulk of his father’s
estate from the trust, he must be married by his 30th birthday. Having married
when he was 23, he had assumed that the clause was satisfied. When his lawyer
had written to him two months ago, informing him that after studying the will
again since the trust was about to be released to him, he had discovered that
the wording said that Alex must be married on his 30th birthday, rather than by
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It didn’t seem to matter that he had been married or that he already had heirs, if he wasn’t still married when he turned 30, his estate would remain in trust, and he wouldn’t allow his uncle to waste another penny of his inheritance. His uncle was such a disagreeable man that Alex hated having to ask for money. So much so that he had built himself a thriving shipping business and therefore didn’t need money from the trust, but it galled him that his uncle had more say over his inheritance than Alex himself did. He was determined that he would fulfil that clause and then cut his uncle from his life completely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
was why he had spent most of the past two months in London, attending dinner
parties and dances, searching for a wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
he had explained to the girl, a wife wasn’t enough though, for his children
needed a mother. He couldn’t bring a woman into their lives who might be
neglectful or worse still, favour her own children over Julian and Joseph. Of
the few women he had met who did seem to have a genuinely kind and caring
nature, and probably would be good mothers to his boys, their families forbade
his attentions, protecting their daughters from him and the scandal that
surrounded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
couldn’t blame them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
woman, and he was surprised to realise that he hadn’t even asked her name yet,
she had the breeding, the courage and the love necessary join his family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It would cause gossip, no doubt, but he was used to that. His position and wealth assured that he and his family weren’t banished from society but that did little to stop them from talking behind his back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
was glad to leave the hotel and step into the cool autumnal air. Although the
hotel had been kept at a pleasant temperature, she felt stifled in there, as if
the walls were closing in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It wasn’t Alex per se, more the pressure of making such an important decision so quickly. Plus, she couldn’t deny that something about his presence drew her in. When she had lain her hand on his elbow earlier, as they crossed the street, the sensation had been completely new to her but very pleasant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Which
is why she felt that it was far better to make this decision away from him,
where he and his strong presence couldn’t influence her or confuse her
emotions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She had been alone for a little over three years now, trying to make her way in the world but only succeeding in keeping her head above water. Her job paid a fair wage but not enough to live well. Her room and board took most of her wage, and then it was just one room in a widow’s home. She saved what she could each month but she knew that should something terrible happen, that should she be unable to work, or perhaps require a doctor, her meagre savings would be wiped out. She had tried applying for positions as a governess or companion, but it seemed her siblings had put the word about that she was not to be hired, for everyone had refused her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
could be the answer to her problems. His money, for she could tell just by
looking at him that he was wealthy, would mean security. She need never worry
about a loss of earnings or an unexpected expense again. She could also tell
that he was powerful, for his air as he intervened in the earlier altercation,
was that of a man who was used to being obeyed. If she were his wife, no one
would ever dare harm her, nor would they insult her (at least not to her face).
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
had long dark hair that was tied back with a leather strap at the nape of his
neck, but looked as if it would brush his shoulders when loose. His chiselled,
razor sharp features combined with a scowl that could turn milk sour, gave him
quite a dour look. His day old stubble added to the general appearance of
giving him a slightly dangerous air, while the dark circles under his eyes made
him look sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
he spoke of his sons though, his usually icy blue eyes lit up, implying that
they might even have the ability to twinkle, under the right circumstances. His
downturned lips also curled up in a subtle smile and his posture, so rigid
since she first met him, had relaxed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had the distinct impression that he had very little joy in his life, other than
his children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But could she marry him, a man she didn’t even know?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He had said that he wouldn't pressure her but that at some point, he would want more children. His appearance wasn’t unpleasant and he certainly wasn’t repulsive, so she felt that she could handle a physical relationship in time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
problem was, she didn’t love him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When
she was younger, having seen the relationship between her father and his wife,
she had vowed to marry only for love. Sir Geoffrey and Iris, Lady Gardiner had
married because their parents deemed the match to be a good one, not because
they held each other in any affection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Once
Sir Geoffrey had died though, she had given up all hopes of marriage, content
to remain a spinster for the rest of her days. The main reason for that
decision was the poverty that she saw all around her. Since she had never been
presented at court, finding a husband of means was out of the question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She could probably find a decent, working class man to marry her, she may even find someone who she loved, however she couldn’t subject a child to the misery that she saw daily. Her wage hardly supported herself and even with a husband’s wage as well, it wouldn’t be enough to support two, three or more children. What if one of them became sick and they couldn’t afford a doctor? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wealthier families often seemed to limit the number of children they had and she supposed that to spare their wives, the husbands found mistresses, as her father had found her mother. Working class men didn’t have that option however and even if they did, she wouldn’t want her husband to father illegitimate children. It had been bad enough for her growing up with wealth, so she could only imagine how much harder the stigma would be for a low born child.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
had changed now though, for she had a wealthy man offering her his hand. His
children would never go hungry. Even if she had a dozen, they would probably
never want for anything.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
she rounded the corner, she noticed that she was approaching the hotel once
more, and briefly wondered how she had returned so quickly. She pushed that
thought aside however.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
realised that this offer was likely to be the best she was ever going to get,
and to refuse it simply because she wasn’t in love would be madness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
didn’t seem like a tyrant or a bad man although granted, she wasn’t basing that
opinion on very much. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
seemed like a man who carried the world on his shoulders and simply wanted her
to help ease one part of that burden; helping him to care for his children. She
could do that; she loved children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
return, she would have security, comfort and eventually, her own children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She paused at the entrance to the hotel and looked up at the façade, gathering her courage to make one of the most important decisions of her life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
Two<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had been gone for far longer than it should take to walk around the block, and
Alex was just beginning to doubt that she would return, when she walked through
the main doors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He had moved from the dining room to the reception area, where he could clearly see her as she entered, and he rose from the armchair he had claimed, as she entered. She headed into the dining room until she spotted him, and changed course towards him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Did
you enjoy the walk?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
can’t say that I can remember very much of it, I was rather preoccupied.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of
course.” He gestured for her to take a seat and sat down again when she did.
“So, did you reach a decision?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
did, yes. I will marry you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
visibly relaxed and smiled. “Thank you, you won’t regret this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
didn’t look certain but then he could hardly blame her for having reservations.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
what happens now?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“First,
I think we should visit the Doctors Commons and obtain a special licence. I
will find a priest to perform the ceremony, then we can be married tomorrow
morning, before we leave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
nodded her understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then
we must find a dressmaker and get you measured. Hopefully they will have a few
dresses that can be easily altered by tomorrow, the rest can be sent on to you.
After that, your time is your own; I will arrange for the wedding announcement
to be printed and collect you from your lodgings tomorrow morning.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She swallowed down her misgivings and attempted a smile. “Very well. Shall we leave now?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of course.” They got to their feet and Alex once again noticed the bloody hand prints on her dress. “Although perhaps we could visit the dressmaker first.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
looked down at herself and smiled. “I suppose I do look a sight.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
a very pleasing sight,” he assured her. “And now, Miss, I must ask you
something of great importance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh?”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your
name,” he smiled. “I will need it for the licence.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It
is Helen, Sir, Helen Norton.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
face that launched a thousand ships,” he said with mirth, which seemed to
confuse her. “I own a shipping company,” he explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
smiled, enjoying the joke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Norton. I am Alex Cavendish.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
I am very pleased to meet you, Mr Cavendish.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
offered her his elbow as they left the hotel and he was pleased to note that
the pleasing tingle he had felt the first time she touched him, hadn’t
diminished. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After leaving Alex, Helen had gone to see her employer to hand in her notice. Mrs Fuller was both pleased with her news and nervous for her young employee but Helen did her best to reassure the woman. Although technically Mrs Fuller was Helen’s boss, she had always been a little protective of her and their relationship was closer than that of mistress and worker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She had tried to give Helen dresses on occasion, ones that perhaps hadn’t been collected or had been returned (although the latter was rare) but Helen always refused. Knowing what her family had done to her, Mrs Fuller understood her desire for independence, because charity could be withdrawn at any moment, for any number of reasons and if you had come to rely on it, the effect could be devastating.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
Helen lived very frugally, saving every penny that she could and refusing
assistance from anyone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mrs
Fuller knew that Helen had fallen ill shortly after she arrived in London, and
the idea of suffering a second such incident had terrified her and was the
reason that she was so careful with money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
she wouldn’t have to worry about finances in the future pleased Mrs Fuller,
even if she was marrying a stranger. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
had parted with no hard feelings and promises to write regularly, although it
worried them both that Helen didn’t even know her address, nor even which
county she would be living in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That
night had been a long one for Helen, as she worried over the wisdom of her
decision and whether she could go through with it. She ate little at dinner and
allowed the other lodgers and landlady to talk amongst themselves. Not wanting
to face awkward questions, she hadn’t told them of her plans to marry in the
morning, only that she was leaving to visit a sick relative and didn’t know
when she would return. The landlady explained that her room couldn’t be kept
past the end of the week, when her rent was paid up to, but Helen told her that
she understood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Whether
this was the right decision or a monumental mistake, she wouldn’t be coming
back either way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A
parcel came that evening which she opened in her room, and found a beautiful
lavender dress inside, which was cinched just below her breasts and had a full,
flowing skirt. The shade was one of the few which looked good with her ginger
hair and she wondered if he had known that, or if this was a lucky coincidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
brief letter enclosed was from Alex and told her to wear it in the morning,
reiterating that he would collect her at 9am. He had sighed it ‘fond regards’
and added a ‘P.S. I hope you aren’t too nervous about tomorrow, I promise that
I don’t bite’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had smiled at the thoughtfulness of adding such a note and felt a tiny bit
easier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
awoke early the following morning and packed her few belongings. She didn’t
pack any of her dresses but left them for the next occupant of the room, who
could use them or throw them away. To avoid awkward questions, she put an old
dress on for breakfast, knowing that everyone would have left the house or be
otherwise occupied by 9am, when Alex came for her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When she returned to her room, she donned the new gown and wished that she could do something more with her hair. The bun looked fine usually but in such a pretty gown, she felt sadly unable to live up to its beauty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At
ten to the hour, she headed downstairs in her new dress and with her one bag,
to wait in the street for Alex. He was prompt and smiled as he leapt from the
carriage to greet her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
look lovely,” he told her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
simply smiled and allowed him to help her into the carriage. She was too
nervous to talk during the journey and at the church, only spoke when the
priest prompted her during the ceremony. As Alex took her hand to slip the ring
on her finger, she stared down at their joined hands, marvelling at the warm
feelings that his touch excited within her.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Other than Alex, Helen and the priest, only two other men were in the church to act as witnesses, and it didn’t seem that Alex knew them any more than Helen did. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They signed the register, left the church and as she climbed into the carriage, Helen let out a long sigh of relief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
are sorry you did this now, aren’t you?” Alex said, his expression inscrutable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.” She turned to face him. “I actually feel better than I have since I agreed to it, as if a weight has been lifted from my shoulders. For better or for worse, it’s done now and I have no choice but to make the best of things.” She offered him a tentative smile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good.”
Alex returned her smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
do however, think it’s time that you told me a few details about my life from
this point onward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Such
as?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where
we are to live, for one, and I would like to hear more about your sons.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
Alex told her a little of the house and its history. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The land has been in our family since the 15th century but it was my father and grandfather who rebuilt the house in its present form. My grandfather built the west wing and then after his death, my father knocked down the original house and built the north, south and east wings. He improved and added to the stables and the hunting lodge. The new wings were built in the Baroque style, which is still fashionable and he had the west wing altered to match the new additions. The grounds and house were almost an obsession with him.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen listened with interest but she couldn’t help but notice how coolly he spoke about his home. He continued to tell her details, about the green room, the red room, the great hall, the library, the marble floors, the colonnade, the expensive panelling and the imported rugs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then
he moved onto the grounds, telling her about the man-made cascading waterfall
in the grounds, the lakes, the arboretum and pinetum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What's
your favourite room?” she asked as he paused.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
looked taken aback by the question. “I…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“There
must be a room where you like spending your time, more than any other?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
suppose… the library.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?”
she asked, leaning forward and resting her elbows on her knees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s in the west wing, built by my grandfather to house his collections of art and books but he paid attention to detail. The library itself is large, probably half the size of the Great Hall and the fireplace alone is the size of a four poster bed, but the room doesn’t feel big. Somehow it’s a very welcoming room. The shelves stand twelve feet high and each set has a sort of mechanised ladder on runners, that can be moved along the length. I used to love climbing the ladder then seeing how far I could push myself. The windows are truly massive and in the ceiling he built a glass dome, to allow as much light in as possible. When the sun sets in the evenings, it paints the library in a riot of red and orange hues.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">For the first time since he had begun talking about it, his deep voice was filled with warmth and Helen found herself looking forward to seeing the library, more than anything else. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His estate, Howard House, was near Crowham, on the Lancashire coast and he described the rugged landscape as being in stark contrast to the carefully manicured grounds. Once again he spoke with a warmth for the landscape that he didn’t seem feel when he spoke of the grounds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They stopped for lunch at a coaching inn while the horses were rested and when they resumed their journey, Alex began to ask her about her past. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Were you presented at Court?” he began after they had settled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No. I was due to be but father died a month before. Is that important?” She knew that entrance to many places in Society, such as Almack's, would be barred to anyone who hadn’t been presented at court. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No. Since my wife died, we don’t socialise very much and even if we did…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His words trailed off and she wondered what he was going to say. If he believed that his wealth would grant him (and her) entrance, he was sorely mistaken. The lady patronesses of Almack's, who approved every member, weren’t likely to be swayed by money. Power, yes, but money alone, no. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She didn’t mention it though. She did however, wonder if perhaps her being the daughter of a Baron might be an attraction for him. It wasn’t a high rank but many of those in trade wanted, and indeed gained approval, by marrying into aristocratic families. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sir
Geoffrey had never claimed her as his own in the eyes of the law, so Helen
wasn’t even entitled to use the courtesy title of Lady, as her half-sisters
were. She would be of little help to Alex in improving his social standing;
indeed due to the circumstances of her birth, she might even be a hindrance to
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Tell
me about your father.” Although he was asking, it was stated as an order. Helen
guessed that he was used to people doing as he said and so asking was
unnecessary. She ignored it for now but when they were more comfortable with
each other, she would let him know that she didn’t like being ordered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Still, her father was one of her favourite subjects and she could talk about him for hours, which she proceeded to do. He was a kindly man who had always showed her special attention, above and beyond what he showed to his other children. He said it was because he knew that they were unkind to her. Although his attentions ignited their jealousy and made her siblings behave even worse towards her, Helen idolised him and was happy to put up with their teasing, bullying and insults, as long as she got to spend time with Sir Geoffrey. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sometimes
she felt that her father was the only person in the entire house who wanted her
there; even the staff looked down on her but not him, never him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m surprised you don’t have more personal possessions,” Alex noted. “Most women seem to keep many things that remind them of loved ones.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I wasn’t allowed,” she stated. “I was given just one chest to fill with my possessions, so many reminders of him had to be left in favour of necessities. They watched me as I packed, making sure that I couldn’t take any of the expensive gifts he had given me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her
expression grew sombre. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
kinds of things did you leave?” he asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mostly items that were too heavy, mainly books, although there was also an exquisite music box. It was one of the first ever made, the mechanism was fascinating, and so beautiful in its intricacy. He explained exactly how it worked to me, taking the panels off so that I could see everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
the other things?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A pair of mother of pearl hair combs, a small Renaissance painting, and a few pieces of jewellery, like the pearls he bought me for my debut at Court. I asked if I could take one of the cabinet miniatures of Sir Geoffrey but they refused. I did manage to take a gold locket he gave me, which had my mother’s picture in it, but I had to sell that soon after I got to London. I couldn’t find a position and then I had an accident, so I was unable to walk for a time. I needed a doctor to set the bone straight for me so I kept the picture but sold the locket, to pay the doctor and keep myself until I was healed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’ll
replace the locket for you,” he said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
don’t need to do that,” she said, feeling as if he pitied her. “Honestly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
I haven’t given you a wedding gift yet, and can think of nothing better than
preserving the memory of your mother for you, can you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
don’t need a wedding gift.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please,
Helen, this isn’t a matter of need. I would like to do this for you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
knew it would be churlish to continue to disagree. “Then thank you. I want you
to know however, that you don’t need to buy my loyalty, nor could you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Glad
to hear it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They stopped at a coaching inn that night and while Helen stood by the stairs, where Alex had told her to wait, he organised two rooms for them and one for the driver and his valet. Once he had the keys, he showed her up and stayed to make sure that she had everything she needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“They
are bringing one of your trunks up as we speak-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“One
of mine? But I don’t have any?” She held up her bag, which contained clean
underwear, soap and her toothbrush, everything that she would need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“As
well as other dresses, I ordered you some necessities and luxuries before we
left London. Enough to see you through for a few weeks,” he assured her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honestly,
this is too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is only a small fraction of what my wife deserves,” he assured her, carrying on before she could object. “Now, I know you don’t have a lady’s maid and I assume you would like to hire your own once we get settled, but I spoke with the owner and if you need any help dressing in the morning, his wife is happy to assist you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
consideration touched her. “Thank you, but I think I can manage.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He smiled. “I never much liked being dressed either. My valet only cares for my wardrobe.” He took his watch from his waistcoat pocket and checked it. “Would you like to freshen up before dinner? I don’t think changing will be necessary.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Um-“
She was cut off as there came a knock on the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
opened it to a porter and the driver, who carried a trunk between them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where
would you like it?” Alex asked Helen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh,
just by the door, please.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
deposited the case and Alex handed them each a coin as they left. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank
you, Your Grace,” The porter said, touching a hand to his hat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen became very still and Alex had realised the mistake immediately. He closed the door behind the men and turned to her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please
don’t be angry,” he begged, taking a step towards her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re a Duke?” she asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He nodded but Helen remained silent for a long time, as she thought through the implications. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
didn’t you tell me?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Honestly,
I thought it might frighten you off.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
made her way to the bed and sat down, since it was closer than the chair. “You
were right.” She sounded a little panicked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex came and sat beside her but he left a foot of space between them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
will be a Duke’s wife,” she said the words slowly, as though trying to decide
how she felt about that. “My father is only a fifth degree peer and I am
illegitimate, while you are one step away from royalty!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
will make a fine Duchess,” he tried to assure her. “My first wife’s family was
in trade.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
she wasn’t illegitimate, was she?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well
no, but she didn’t have your breeding, your training.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
the scandal, Alex, it will ruin your family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“As
I told you, we don’t socialise much these days anyway, and my rank is high
enough that I can get away with much more than many men could.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
began to laugh as she remembered her earlier thought, that perhaps her ancestry
had attracted him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Helen?” He looked worried by her behaviour, so as best she could between laughs, she explained her earlier thought, that being in trade, he might be attracted to the fact that her father was a Baronet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
shared her mirth, thankfully not offended by her thinking him a tradesman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
not too late,” Helen said once her mirth had died. “We haven’t consummated the
marriage; you can still change your mind.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
took her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
have no intention of doing that. Whatever your past, it’s the woman you are
that appeals to me, and I like what I see more and more.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
a Duchess,” Helen whispered, as if she was afraid to say it out loud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes you are,” he assured her. “And since you brought it up, while I do intend to honour my promise and not visit you at night before you are comfortable, we do need to let the rest of the world believe that we have consummated our union. As such, I would like to accompany you back here after dinner and remain for a while. Just for appearances sake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen nodded. “Of course, that makes perfect sense. And thank you for not pressuring me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
squeezed her hand. “Now, I think that perhaps you could do with a stiff drink,
so how would it be if we forgo washing up before dinner and make our way to the
dining room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
nodded. There were so many implications to her new title that she couldn’t
think clearly at the moment. Besides, a drink sounded just what she needed
right now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter
Three<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was a three day journey to his estate, so they would have to stay at coaching inns for two nights, hopefully arriving in Crowham by the third evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen didn’t quite know how she felt about being a Duchess but so far at least, she was enjoying being a married woman. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex had returned to the room with her last night after their meal, but he had been true to his word and had not lain a hand on her. She was a little disappointed that he didn’t but overall, she was glad. They may be married but she still knew hardly anything about him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today
she hoped to ask him some more questions about his past while they travelled,
to try and find out what kind of man he was and what experiences had made him
that way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So,
do you live with any family, other than your boys?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Too
many,” Alex sighed. “My sister, my brother comes and goes, my mother claims not
to like the Dower House so hasn’t moved. Then there’s my mother-in-law, my
sister-in-law and the occasional business associate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your
in-laws still live with you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I'm
afraid so. My wife’s father died a few years after we were married and she
invited them to come and live with us. I can hardly turn them out now, can I?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,
of course not. I'm sorry, I didn’t mean to imply-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You didn’t. It’s a far from ideal situation but every time I offer to get them a house in town or in London, they refuse. They say that they feel closer to… well, it’s complicated.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
felt for him. Being an aristocrat wasn’t all fun and games, it came with a lot
of responsibilities too, and now he was responsible for a family that wasn’t
even his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
must have loved your wife a great deal,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
gave her a sharp look, then turned to look out of the carriage window. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Refusing to be intimidated by him, she gathered her courage. “How did she die?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His frown deepened but he didn’t glare at her again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She
died in a fall,” he grudgingly admitted and Helen began to feel that she might
have pushed her luck too far. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
learned the names of his relatives that day (although she was sure that she
would never remember them all) and brief descriptions of their characters, but
that was it for personal information. The only topic that he would open up
about was his boys, and so they spent most of the day with him telling her
stories of their more memorable antics. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
she got into bed that night, she couldn’t help but wonder why Alex was so
guarded about his family. What made him so defensive when she asked about any
of them. She assumed that the loss of his wife was still painful to him but
surely discussing his brother or mother-in-law couldn’t be difficult, could it?
Maybe he just wasn’t the type to open up easily. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">That explanation didn’t feel right but she had no better rational. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
next day, Alex was even less verbose and it seemed that the closer they got to
his country home, the more introverted he became. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Today
was truly an autumnal day as well; a cold fog had greeted them when they awoke
that morning, and it had never completely burned off. Helen felt that it fit
the tense atmosphere in their carriage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
what little sun they could see grew low on the horizon, Helen glimpsed a
massive house through the trees, that could only be Howard Hall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was both beautiful and intimidating at the same time. Perhaps it was the mist,
or the mood in the carriage, but Helen also felt that it had a menacing air
about it, that even the warm lights from the windows couldn’t eliminate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Feeling foolish for harbouring such flights of fancy, she watched the house as best she could until they stopped out front, but the ominous feeling never left her. Alex helped her down from the carriage and Helen took a long, hard look at the house trying to decide what it was that made it seem forbidding, but she could determine no feature that might be responsible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex came up behind her and put a hand on her shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
do you think?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
beautiful.” It wasn’t a lie but as he guided her inside, she couldn’t help the
small shudder that coursed through her body. Alex gave her a quizzical look.
“The mist must be making the night chill before its time,” she lied, drawing
her cloak tighter around herself as proof. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
nodded, accepting her explanation, although he didn’t appear to believe her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They headed into the entrance hall, where the staff were all lined up to greet them. Alex introduced her to the butler, Mr Graves and housekeeper, Mrs Watson, who both told her ‘Good evening, Your Grace’. The rest of the staff were then dismissed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When they had stopped at an inn for the second night, Alex didn’t ask her to wait by the stairs and she had realised why Alex hadn’t wanted his conversation overheard the night before, lest the owner give away that he was a Duke. Unfortunately Alex’s instructions hadn’t made it as far as the porter and since then, he and his staff had dropped the pretence and everyone was calling them ‘Your Grace’ or ‘Your Graces’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please,
Mr Graves, Mrs Watson, call me Ma’am, and ask the other staff to do the same,”
she requested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your
Grace, I mean, Ma’am,” Mrs Watson stumbled over her words. “Are you sure?” She
looked to be in her 50s, with black hair greying at the temple and pulled back
into a severe bun. She was wearing a stiffly starched black dress with a high
collar. If she could be summed up in a single word, it would be austere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very. This is to be my home now and I don’t want to stand on ceremony here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“As
you wish, Ma’am,” Mr Graves bowed his head in deference. He was a tall man,
slightly older than Mrs Watson and with hair so grey that it was almost
completely white. He however seemed more relaxed than his counterpart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We have unpacked the clothes that you sent ahead and they are hanging in the closet in your dressing room,” Mrs Watson explained. “We’ve delayed dinner, which will be served in an hour, if that suits. I have also placed an advertisement for a lady’s maid in the local paper and will collect the replies for you. In the meantime, Forbes, the Dowager Duchess’s lady’s maid, will offer you any assistance that you require.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank
you, Mrs Watson.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Where
is everyone?” Alex asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The
ladies are dressing for dinner, Mr Cavendish is reading in his rooms and Mr
Russell is in the library.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mr
Russell?” Alex asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes, Your Grace,” Mr Graves stepped forward. “He arrived a week ago and the Mrs and Miss Russell invited him to stay.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
frowned but didn’t comment any further.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Would
you like to see your rooms?” Mr Graves suggested to Helen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Actually,
I was wondering if the children are still up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex checked his watch. “Julian will be in bed but Joseph might still be awake. It might be better to meet them together tomorrow morning, and they shouldn’t be grumpy in the morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
nodded. “Of course.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
was feeling particularly overwhelmed as it was. The Baronet’s bastard was about
to meet two new families and try to prove to them that she could be a Duchess.
As much as she wanted to meet the children, she wasn’t sure how much more she
could handle in one evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come
on, I'm sure you’d like to freshen up before dinner.” Alex placed his hand in
the small of her back and guided her across the marble hall and upstairs,
following after Mrs Watson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her
room was enormous, easily the size of the ground floor of the boarding house
where she lived in London. The dark wooden floor was mostly covered in thick,
opulent carpets that looked Oriental. In the middle of the room stood a four
poster bed that was easily six feet wide, with thick, red velvet curtains
pulled back and secured to each post. The bed curtains matched those at the
window, which were also secured back with corded rope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On
the left of the room was a cluster of chairs around the window and a doorway,
which Mrs Watson explained was the dressing room. On the right stood a large
fireplace in which a fire had already been lit; it was surrounded by another
group of armchairs and between the fire and the external wall, was the room’s
third door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That leads to His Grace’s room,” Mrs Watson informed her. “There is some warm water in the dressing room for you and if you require anything, just pull one of these.” She showed Helen the rope by the door and beside the bed, which could be used to summon a servant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is
there anything else you require, Your- Ma’am?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,
thank you, Mrs Watson.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Would
you like Forbes to help you dress for dinner?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank
you but no. I am rather tired and think it best to keep things simple for this
evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very
well, Ma’am.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The housekeeper curtseyed then left and Helen remained where she was, examining the room. Alex came up behind her and undid her cloak, taking it from her shoulders and throwing it over the end of the bed. Helen still hadn’t moved so Alex came to stand in front of her, placing his hands on her shoulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are
you all right?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
looked up into his eyes. “I think I’ve made a terrible mistake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
looked hurt for a moment before he smoothed his features out. “How so?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
don’t belong in a house like this. Everything about it, from the huge glass
dome in the entrance hall, to the marble floors, just reinforces that I don’t
belong here. My father had a good living, Alex, but this is… this is pure
opulence. I feel like a donkey in a thoroughbred stable.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
smiled. “Can I let you in on a secret?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
nodded. “I don’t like this house either. Nothing about it, save for perhaps the
west wing, is how I would have done it. It’s a house, nothing more, simply a
roof over my head. No matter how opulent, think of it in those simple terms and
perhaps you’ll feel less intimidated.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
swallowed down her fears and nodded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Now,
come, I’ll show you my room. You need to be familiar with it even if you don’t
visit me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
went to the door by the fireplace and turned the key in the lock. “I’ll leave
the key in your side,” he told her as he opened the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">His
room was a mirror image of hers, set up in exactly the same way, only his was
decorated in shades of deep, emerald green furnishings and drapes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This
room suits my colouring much better,” she said, running her hand over the back
of a wing back armchair by the fireplace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“We
can swap,” he told her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh, no, I didn’t mean- it was just a thoughtless comment. Orange hair tends to clash with most shades, so I’m a little more attuned to colour than many people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
honestly don’t mind,” he assured her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Neither
do I,” she smiled, trying to make him believe that it had just been an
unthinking observation. She would no more throw him out of his own room than
she could fly. There was one thing that gave her pause over her room however.
She turned away and went to look at the artwork that hung either side of the
door that led to the main hallway, so she didn’t have to look at him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Was,
uh, my room… was it your wife’s room?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No.
She preferred the south wing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
immediately felt more relaxed. She was already trying to take over the poor
woman’s home and children, she wasn’t sure that she could take over her room as
well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well,
I’d better go and get changed.” She turned to him and smiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Everything will be all right,” he told her. “They’re just people, like you and don’t forget, my wife’s family were in trade, as am I now. You have nothing to prove to these people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She didn’t believe him but she appreciated his attempt to reassure her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Knock
when you’re ready and we’ll go down together.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
nodded her understanding and headed back to her own room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
she and Alex swept down the grand central staircase, for a few moments Helen
felt a little like a fairy-tale princess. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She had chosen a simple but beautiful gown, in almost the same shade of green as his room. She had found that she had a startling array of dresses and wondered how he had got so many ordered and finished so quickly. She knew from her work with Mrs Fuller that many dressmakers kept a few pre-made dresses, ones that could be easily altered to fit almost any figure, but she couldn’t imagine any dressmaker keeping so many gowns ready to be altered. To get this many outfits on such short notice, he must have visited half a dozen dressmakers with her measurements. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She kept her hair simple, using two decorative combs from her dressing table to hold the front of her hair back, and then securing it into a simple bun. There were beaded necklaces and other assorted jewellery but she opted not to wear any. As she slipped on her emerald slippers, she caught a glimpse of herself in the long dressing room mirror, and couldn’t help but admire what she saw there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She was still no beauty but the dress did its utmost to compliment her. The deep green flattered her hair, while the dress, ruched over her breasts and pinched in by the waist, added to her small bust and gave her curves she did not naturally possess, making her look and feel like a young woman. It had been a long time since she had worn anything quite so beautiful, if ever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She had knocked on the adjoining door to Alex’s room and he had come through seconds later. He was dressed in black trousers and frock coat, with a charcoal grey waistcoat, white shirt and cravat. The outfit flattered his figure, framing his wide shoulders, drawing the eye to his narrow waist and the high collar and cravat, not to mention his dark hair, framed his freshly shaved face beautifully. All in all, he cut a very attractive figure and Helen felt her heart skip a beat and a fluttering sensation form in her stomach. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had been in his company for three days now but hadn’t noticed that he was
handsome. Perhaps the thick coat he wore and the tiredness that travelling
inevitably induced, helped to hide his appeal, or perhaps she had just been too
preoccupied to notice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
also had an odd look in his eyes as he took in her appearance. His light blue
eyes, often so cold looking, now seemed almost predatory, like a wolf that had
spotted its prey. To her surprise, rather than frightening her, his possessive
gaze made the fluttering in her stomach go lower, igniting a delicious ache in
her loins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He offered her his elbow without speaking and together, they headed down to dinner. She had never been this close to him before and she had to say that his scent was very pleasing; a mixture of musk, rosewood and something warm and homey, perhaps cinnamon. She inhaled deeply.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The feeling she had as they came down, that of being a princess, fled as soon as they entered the blue room, to find his family sharing a drink before dinner. Conversation ceased immediately and all eyes focused on Helen, as they wondered exactly who Alex’s new bride was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
looked them over as well, and a few of the women’s expressions said that they
definitely found her wanting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
people could be divided into two groups, those with dark or black hair and
olive skin, like Alex, and those with pale complexions and hair ranging from
light chestnut to light brown. She guessed that they were his wife’s family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
introduced her to them and then began to introduce his family to her. After
each introduction, she made sure to repeat their names in her head to help her
remember. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This
is my brother, Clarence Cavendish.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
curtseyed. “Very nice to meet you, Mr Cavendish.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh no, we’re family now, Your Grace, please call me Clarence.” He had very similar colouring to Alex but is eyes were green and he had a dimple in his chin. He also wasn’t quite as handsome as his brother, but it was a close run thing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very
well, Clarence, if you will call me Helen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This is my mother, Pearl, the Dowager Duchess of Crowham,” Alex explained. She had a little grey in her dark hair but overall, seemed very young to be a widow. Her gown was far more ornate than her daughter-in-law’s and Helen began to wish that she had chosen to wear something more intricate. Her expression was far from friendly either; in fact she looked rather displeased. Her eyes were blue like Alex’s, but in a shade so pale that it only served to make her demeanour seem even colder.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very
pleased to meet you, Your Grace,” Helen said. As she curtseyed, she missed the
glare that Alex gave his mother but it had no impact on the older woman anyway,
as she remained mute. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“This
is my sister, Lady Rose Cavendish,” Alex continued.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rose
had got to her feet for the greeting and gave her a curtsey. “Very pleased to
meet you, Your Grace.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please
call me Helen,” she looked around the others. “Everyone.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex’s
mother sniffed but made no further comment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Helen,
I’d like you to meet my late wife’s family. This is my mother-in-law, Anna
Russell, my sister-in-law, Jane and her brother, Milton.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
ladies bobbed while Milton took her hand.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“A
pleasure to meet you,” Helen smiled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“The pleasure is all ours,” Milton said in a seductive voice, as he kissed the back of her hand. He had the same predatory look in his eyes as Alex had earlier but unlike then, it left Helen feeling a little disquieted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex placed a possessive hand on her shoulder and she stepped back towards him, pulling her hand from Milton’s in the process. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Would
you like a drink, my dear?” Alex asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Yes,
please,” she turned and smiled gratefully at him. Alex nodded to Graves, who
was waiting to serve, then he directed Helen to one of the small sofas and
taking her hand, they sat down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So,”
Clarence said, leaning forward in his chair and giving her a friendly smile.
“Tell us how you met my brother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I was arguing with a wagon driver actually, and Alex offered his assistance,” Helen answered as Graves handed her and Alex a glass of wine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They hadn’t discussed what to tell his family and while she wasn’t silly enough to tell them that this was a marriage of convenience, she knew that it was best to tell the truth, as far as possible. She wasn’t entirely sure why everyone had to believe that this marriage was genuine but for some reason, she also wanted them to believe it was real. To admit that she had married someone, essentially for money and protection, and that he had married her only so his sons had a mother, was humiliating. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
you live up to the red hair then?” Clarence teased. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“She
has spirit, if that’s what you mean.” Alex interjected. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are
you Irish?” Alex’s mother asked with a slight sneer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
was born in England,” Helen answered with remarkable calm. “The red hair in our
family comes from my father’s side, we are distant descendants of James V of
Scotland.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pearl
sniffed. “And who are your parents?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Both
my parents are deceased but-”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Mother,
I don’t think interrogation is really the best way to help Helen settle into
our family, do you?” Alex’s voice held a hard edge.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pearl
put her nose up and turned away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well,” Milton said into the silence that was growing. “I’m certainly looking forward to dinner.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex nodded to Graves, who left the room to check on dinner and when he returned a few minutes later, they all headed into the family dining room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
remained mostly silent throughout dinner, watching her new family and trying to
understand the dynamics at play. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex
sat at the head of the table and presided over proceedings. Although he didn’t
speak very much, he made a few attempts to introduce Helen into the
conversation but when he could see that she was uncomfortable, he stopped. He
was also very dour, and hadn’t smiled at anyone other than her since they came
downstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The matriarch, Pearl, behaved much as she had before dinner. She was generally disapproving and prone to show that by sniffing. The devil in Helen wanted to offer her a handkerchief or enquire if she had seen a physician for her cold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rose was a very pretty girl but she was also 24, an age when most ladies would be married. She seemed perfectly pleasant and demure, as a young lady should be, so Helen was at a loss for why she still lived at home. She did notice however, that a look from her mother could quell any action or reply that Rose might have liked to offer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Clarence
was the opposite of Alex and easily the friendliest of everyone at the table.
He rarely took offence, smoothed things over when they became tense, changed
the subject when things got uncomfortable and enjoyed cracking jokes when
appropriate. Helen felt that she could come to like him very much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
for Alex’s late wife’s family, the mother-in law, Anna, seemed very stiff and
formal and Helen wondered if she ever relaxed and let her hair down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Milton
made a few ribald comments and seemed to be an incorrigible flirt but basically
harmless, and she brushed off her earlier disquiet when he had kissed her hand.
She simply wasn’t used to male attention, so it was probably a fault in her
rather than him, she reasoned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen couldn’t decide if Jane was shy or simply circumspect. As the meal progressed, she flashed Helen a few smiles at her brothers more risqué jokes, so perhaps she was just guarded.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
was with some shock that Helen realised that she didn’t even know Jane’s late
sister’s name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After
dinner they should have separated, the ladies withdrawing to the drawing room
while the men remained to drink and smoke cigars, so Helen was surprised that
when Pearl suggested the ladies leave, Alex stood and excused himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Helen
and I have had a long journey, so I do hope that no one minds if we have an
early night?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Milton
and Clarence grinned at him, while Pearl sniffed but didn’t comment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of
course not,” Anna said. “You must be very tired.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">After a moment’s hesitation, Rose then got up from the table and met Alex by the door. “Good night,” she said, then kissed him on the cheek and turned to Helen. “Welcome to the family, Helen. I do hope we have a chance to get to know one another soon.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
looked so hesitant that Helen couldn’t help but like her. “And I. I’m sure we
will find time because I will make time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Rose
gave her large smile, the biggest that Helen had seen from her all evening,
although it faded when Pearl sniffed loudly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good
night,” she said with some regret as she turned to rejoin her mother at the
table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That
was very kind of you,” Alex said as they headed up the stairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Kind?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“To
make time for my sister.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
hardly kindness; I’d like to get to know her, and the rest of your family.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
didn’t seem to enjoy yourself this evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s not that I didn’t enjoy it, I just prefer to observe a situation before jumping in.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They had reached her door so she went inside and left it open for him to follow. He did, closing it after them. She took a seat by the fire and he joined her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So what were your impressions of my family?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh
no, I wouldn’t like to pass judgement after only one evening.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Alex smiled and nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll introduce you to the boys. Rose loves them too but Mother stops her from being too involved with them.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Their
relationship is… complicated. Mother keeps her on quite a tight leash.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can’t
you do anything about that? This is your household.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
she’s not my daughter.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is
that why she never married, because of your mother?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That’s…
complicated, and not my story to tell.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Helen
accepted that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do
you ride?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I used to love it,” Helen answered with a fond smile. “Sir Geoffrey bought me my own pony when I was 12 but I had to leave her behind.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I’m
sure you’ll soon get the hang of it again. Perhaps tomorrow after lunch, we
could take some horses out and I could show you around the estate.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“That
sounds lovely.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Until tomorrow then.” He got to his feet and Helen realised that she was a tiny bit sorry that he was leaving.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Good
night, Alex.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">_____________________________</span></div>
</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIICm-CO0iizpDopbV9424j52XBHHvNTtMmdIOurrtaclfXTr3WoKeS3FuJ4Tgc8mNUpveJO9BpHoCzaYDvouWnPgTDYTfmVbc_S7ZIzR2up3pWFv0q1pGW89TnGvQdLlpgZlkSNfeQ/s1600/murder+amazon+cover+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIICm-CO0iizpDopbV9424j52XBHHvNTtMmdIOurrtaclfXTr3WoKeS3FuJ4Tgc8mNUpveJO9BpHoCzaYDvouWnPgTDYTfmVbc_S7ZIzR2up3pWFv0q1pGW89TnGvQdLlpgZlkSNfeQ/s200/murder+amazon+cover+3.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I hope you enjoyed that taster. </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">If you'd like to read more,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">Love, Lies and Murder </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">is available in paperback and kindle format on </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00D2HQF66/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00D2HQF66&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon US</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00D2HQF66/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1634&creative=19450&creativeASIN=B00D2HQF66&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-21">Amazon UK</a>
and <a href="http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00D2HQF66">Amazon CA</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">If you don't have a kindle, did you know, Amazon do </span><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">free Kindle reading apps</b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;"> for almost all
devices, including </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">PCs, Mac, Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, </span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">iPad and Windows 7 Phone?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">Just search your country's site for 'Kindle reading </span>app'<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 17pt;">.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-79690142211968922522013-05-11T06:28:00.002-07:002013-05-11T06:37:57.824-07:00Literary Snobs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J5TM8Wldne9lFBqeyGdh4Lc5XAqnLSj9HXwM602-UYuyabwSy_ZTlBlOZ2iAA03qXwKla0HN4_SN767YK1BGCycsfzJG5YYX_sXdoMAaxqFitPzcWD6XEi45gTi2pAFWpkNrgedD2g/s1600/snob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7J5TM8Wldne9lFBqeyGdh4Lc5XAqnLSj9HXwM602-UYuyabwSy_ZTlBlOZ2iAA03qXwKla0HN4_SN767YK1BGCycsfzJG5YYX_sXdoMAaxqFitPzcWD6XEi45gTi2pAFWpkNrgedD2g/s320/snob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Today, a Mr Michael Deacon (no, I hadn't heard of him before either) <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10049454/Dont-make-fun-of-renowned-Dan-Brown.html">pens a heartfelt satire of Dan Brown's work, pointing out all the flaws in his writing</a>.<br />
<br />
I can't help wondering how much of his life Mr Deacon wasted penning that useless, uninformative, unimaginative bit of tripe. The whole thing smacks of jealousy.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"How dare Dan Brown, a multi-million selling author, not live up to my expectations of literary brilliance, while I, who does live up to my own exacting literary standards, am still struggling to break through! It isn't fair, goddammit!"</blockquote>
He'd have been better to spend those few hours trying to come up with an engaging plot and interesting characters for his own novel, rather than tearing down someone who has succeeded, in an attempt to make himself fell better about his own lack of success.<br />
<br />
What Michael Deacon doesn't seem to realise, <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/literary-fiction-and-snobbery.html">is that most readers simply want an enjoyable story</a>, not a literary tome that is so brilliant, that one has to keep a dictionary handy and then decipher the hidden meaning behind each scene.<br />
<br />
I suspect what Mr Deacon forgot is that his "article" (and use speech marks for article, as it doesn't live up to any definition of journalism that I know of) isn't just insulting Dan Brown, but is also maligning every single person who has read and enjoyed one of his book. 80 million people read the Da Vinci Code; what astonishing arrogance it takes, to believe that you know better than 80,000,000 other people.<br />
<br />
Someone needs to tell these literary aficionados that rather than coming across as a wise, educated and intelligent people, they sound more like elitist twits, who are completely out of touch with the majority of readers out there.<br />
<br />
Dan Brown tells a good story. Michael Deacon does not.<br />
<br />
<br />
P.S. If you have time, pop over to the Wall Street Journal, and read <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2012/04/08/beware-literary-snobbery-why-we-should-read-bestsellers/">how one literary snob rediscvered his love of all fiction, and realised how much he'd been missing out on.</a><br />
<br />Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-844367773179812612013-05-02T13:51:00.001-07:002013-05-02T16:44:55.948-07:00Has the world gone mad? I tried to sign up for Barns and Noble today and had a rather confusing experience.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is what their terms and conditions say: </div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">If you wish to wish to publish and distribute your eBooks through NOOK Press, you must sign up for a Vendor Account, which will require you to provide us the following information: (i) for tax reporting purposes, your home address and, if you are located in the United States your federal tax identification number (or social security number if you are an individual), or <u>if you are located outside of the United States, similar identifying information issued by the applicable governmental authority</u>; and (ii) for the purpose of transmitting payments to you, your bank account number and routing information if you are located in the United States, <u>or your SWIFT or International</u></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><u> Bank Account Number (IBAN) if you are located outside the United States</u>."</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqDATMfgWaIXZuAGHavT3UU42bZCnTflyI1KvtHmjZXDUY8Kaj2Rwc9jvC-JUIcrPatHediJjtiFyRkPKjMDPiQKpp1yggeq9mGeGszPzoOejuP040X0P3hZHTGhyphenhyphenEVi6JJrEL9MBmA/s1600/bn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivqDATMfgWaIXZuAGHavT3UU42bZCnTflyI1KvtHmjZXDUY8Kaj2Rwc9jvC-JUIcrPatHediJjtiFyRkPKjMDPiQKpp1yggeq9mGeGszPzoOejuP040X0P3hZHTGhyphenhyphenEVi6JJrEL9MBmA/s320/bn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
Sounds like they accept international authors, no? Except that once I had completed my account information, I got an email asking me to call them and verify the account. I called and was told that they cannot accept authors who are not US residents. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I checked the terms and conditions again and called back, only to be told to instant message business services. I did, only to be told the same thing. Then I received an email to confirm that they cannot accept international authors.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, NO ONE CAN ANSWER WHY THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS SAY THEY DO ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL AUTHORS, WHEN THEY DON'T!!!</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;">On Thursday, the company reported a stunning 26 percent drop in Nook sales during the last quarter of 2012. The Nook, </span><a href="http://qz.com/57810/for-barnes-noble-selling-e-books-is-even-worse-than-selling-the-real-thing/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">said</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #2c2c2c; font-family: georgia; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"> CEO William Lynch, was no longer able to compete with full-featured tablets like the iPad." <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/28/barnes-noble-is-in-trouble-but-bookstores-arent-completely-doomed-just-yet/">Source</a></span></blockquote>
<div>
I know self publishing authors from all around the globe who are doing very well with Amazon kindle, and I alone have had 3 best sellers on Amazon. If you want to be some special snowflake of a company, who just can't accept international clients, then no wonder you are failing. You deserve to fail, and Amazon (despite <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/05/my-dealings-with-amazon-go-from-bad-to.html">my many problems with them of late</a>) deserve to beat you.</div>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-45653710736940133172013-05-02T03:01:00.000-07:002013-05-04T10:09:38.532-07:00My dealings with amazon go from bad to worse. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GYuOoWTk4GVF1YLVaot5j64mtVEF11YnFY_VEfIwdziYtx7tdHDzVHP1GF2n5tOqf0J8HMSByxjY9VR9Pygz4YbJcXR4IZBfIA98tqsj3zCIlkr_yZ7iCPx-hcpKDOWg3ENqlVQFBw/s1600/dog+jelly+beans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GYuOoWTk4GVF1YLVaot5j64mtVEF11YnFY_VEfIwdziYtx7tdHDzVHP1GF2n5tOqf0J8HMSByxjY9VR9Pygz4YbJcXR4IZBfIA98tqsj3zCIlkr_yZ7iCPx-hcpKDOWg3ENqlVQFBw/s320/dog+jelly+beans.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So near to paying some of my debts off,<br />
yet still so very far.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the whole <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-amazon-is-enabling-cyber-stalking.html">cyberstalking incident</a>, comes them withholding 11,000 dollars of my money. This is the email I have sent to Amazon's CEO, as their KDP customer services department don't even seem to be able to use common sense.<br />
<br />
The images in this post weren't sent with the email below, although I was tempted.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri;">Dear Mr Bezos,</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I apologise for contacting you in this way but I hope that you can help me, as KDP customer services seem incapable of applying logic to my situation.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br style="line-height: 22px;" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">At the end of March I changed my payment details for royalties from EFT into a US account, to EFT into a UK account. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br style="line-height: 22px;" /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">When payments for April started going into my old account, I contacted Amazon to ask why, and was informed that the old method of payment would continue to be used for another 60 days. That was no problem, I just hadn't realised it took 60 days for changed to take effect.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><br style="line-height: 22px;" /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">In total, Amazon made 5 payments into my old bank account but notably, the payment for royalties accrued in the USA was missing. On the 1st of May I emailed customer services to ask where they payment was, as it hadn't gone into my account, nor had a received a remittance email for my USA royalties. The payment should have been for over $11,000 dollars, so I hope that you can understand my worry when this payment didn't come.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">Denisse A.</span><span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span>replied and stated...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i style="line-height: 22px;">"<span style="line-height: 21px;">After checking your account, I noticed that you have changed your payment method and currency from Check USD to EFT GBP in Amazon.com.</span><span style="line-height: 21px;"> </span></i></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i style="line-height: 22px;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"></span></i></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i style="line-height: 22px;">When you change your payment details, this will only effect royalties collected after the change has been made. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to change the payment option for royalties accrued prior to any modifications." </i></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I replied, stating that cheque has never been my payment method, and asking that they please cancel that cheque and pay me by EFT into my old bank account. I also asked if someone could phone me, or give me their phone number, as each time I email, someone new answers who is not familiar with the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">This morning I received a reply from <span style="line-height: 21px;">Palani kumar, </span>to say that you do not allow telephone calls. They went onto say</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><i style="line-height: 22px;">"<span style="line-height: 21px;">I checked and found that you have changed your payment method from EFT in USD to EFT in GBP in the mid of March 2013, in US marketplace. Due to this, your February 2013, US royalties were processed via check in USD. We apologize for the incorrect information provided in the previous correspondence.</span></i></span> </blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 21px;"><i style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></i></span></span><i>Please note, when you change your payment details, this will only effect royalties collected the change has been made. Unfortunately, it isn't possible to change the payment option for royalties accrued prior to any modifications. I'm very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.</i> </blockquote>
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<i><br /></i><i>Those outstanding payments will be paid according to the currency and payment method present on your account at the time the royalties were earned.</i> </blockquote>
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<i><br /></i><i>Therefore, your US royalties accrued in USD will be paid only via check in USD as we no longer have your US bank account details in our database.<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span style="line-height: 21px;">"</span></span></i></blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Logic: you either have it, or you work at Amazon.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">You have even conformed that cheque was not my previous payment method, but are insisting that you must pay me by cheque because I changed by bank account details! It's completely illogical and make no sense at all that I can see. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">All I want is what every email states is your standard policy, for you to cancel the cheque and pay me by my original payment method, namely by EFT into my American bank account. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Right now you have $11,000 dollars of my money, which will take 2-4 weeks to reach me by post. It will then take a UK bank 10 working days (or 2 weeks) to process that payment and as an added bonus, they will charge me £40 for cashing a foreign currency cheque. These are the reasons why I went to great lengths when I began publishing with KDP, to secure an American bank account rather than being posted cheques. For the record, cheque <i style="line-height: 22px;">has never</i> been my payment method and I'm sure if you check my account, you will see that I have always been paid by EFT, ever since I opened this account, in March 2010.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I cannot afford to wait up to six weeks for this money and I am appealing to you to please intervein on my behalf in this situation. Surely cancelling a cheque that was issued in error, and paying that money by EFT (as it was supposed to be paid), is not impossible for a company such as Amazon? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">I look forward to your reply.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Kind regards,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Catherine Winchester</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">Have Amazon finally reached a critical mass, whereby their customers begin to suffer and they will call themselves "victims of their own success"? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">ETA: I received a very nice phone call from Jill at Amazon this afternoon, asking me to give her a few days to look into this, which I happily did. She asked what I wanted, and I explained that I simply wanted the cheque cancelled and to be paid by bank transfer, as I have always have been. She gave me her email address and assured me that she would phone again tomorrow to update me. Here's hoping that speaking to an actual person will pay off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: small; line-height: normal;">ETA2: Jill succeeded in cancelling the cheque and issuing a transfer, and she called back when she said she would. Thank you so much for your help, Jill! </span></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-31984875709877884762013-04-26T06:16:00.001-07:002013-04-27T19:38:06.821-07:00Literary fiction and Snobbery <br />
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I live in a city with a rich history of literature, indeed we have been named the UNESCO City of Literature. One thing that I notice however, is that despite being a writer, I don’t often feel welcome at writing events here. <o:p></o:p></div>
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My books are not literary, they never will be but that doesn’t
mean that they are inherently without merit. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Reading anything, even rubbish, engages the whole brain, lowers
Alzheimer causing protein, reduces stress and heart disease and may even
improve empathy between cultures. Studies prove that reading tricks your brain
into believing that you are engaged in the activities in your book, while
watching TV, listening to music or playing video games are passive activities,
which don’t stimulate the whole brain. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Books also increase happiness and stave off feelings of loneliness.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Research also shows that reading for just six minutes reduces stress levels by over than two-thirds, which is more than walking or listening to music.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A bestselling, non-literary novel</td></tr>
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If that wasn’t enough, you also learn from books, even
fictional books. As well as facts, you learn about new places, activities and
cultures that you would otherwise not and as I said, functional MRIs show that
your mind actually believes that you are actually doing those activities, creating
new neural pathways in your brain.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Given all this, ALL books should be lauded, not just those deemed to have “literary merit”. I’ve put that in quotation marks because literary merit is actually hard to define. Basically it depends on people’s opinions, and opinions vary, even among the literati. <o:p></o:p></div>
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However, there is something else that needs to be considered and for that, I’ll use my own personal story. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Let me start by saying, I have nothing against literary
fiction but I do find that its readers and writers tend to be snobs. I've heard
"literary types" disparage things like Harry Potter and Dan Brown as
trash and unworthy of being published. It seems to gall them that a commercial
writer can make a shed of money when they aren't "literary" fiction.
My English teacher once called Dean Koontz books "pap". <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a place for literary fiction, but there is equally
a place for all types of fiction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I was a very kid I used to have audio books accompanied by an illustrated magazine. They weren't graphic novels; there were pages of text mean to be read along with the cassette tapes, but also illustrations and bright colours. I grew out of them though and never found anything else I could enjoy in the same way. In school, I never read a single book or play we were assigned, but I was still intelligent enough to pass my tests from what we discussed in class. I just couldn't stand reading and if we had to read out loud in class, that was My Own Personal Nightmare.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I now realize that I was an undiagnosed dyslexic but before I discovered that fact, I discovered Star Trek tie in novels when I was 13/14. I was a wee bit obsessed with The Next Generation and so I finally had a reason to put the effort in and read a book. Then I was hooked, captivated by a story. I stayed up until 1am to finish that book. Then I branched out to other books, mainly horror (Hence my love for Koontz) and then further, to thrillers, chicklit, romance, historical, then to classics like Austen, Gaskell, and Charlotte Bronte. Now I will read almost any genre, as long as it has a good story. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Tie-in novels are basically the bottom of the literary heap,
even worse that the romance books I write, because they are books written to
order. It’s often clear that the writer is doing it for money and sometimes hasn’t
even watched the show they’re writing about. Some I’ve read were so awful that
I have given 1 star reviews to them (which I almost never do). But the thing
is, if it wasn't for those ‘crappy’ tie-ins, I would never have then gone on to
read those timeless classics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first book I read for pleasure</td></tr>
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That’s why I call non-literary or 'bad' novels “gateway novels”, because they were my gateway to a whole new world of books, and I'm sure that must be true for other people too. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Maybe my books are the literary equivalent of reality TV but there is a place for them and as stated above, reading anything is better than reading nothing. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I don't go around saying that literary fiction is too highbrow, too difficult to read, too elitist and is therefore rubbish and should be banned, because I think there's a place for all types of books. </div>
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Many literary types however, like to go around dissing the kinds of books that are the whole reason I ever took the trouble to try and read for pleasure. I found out in later life that my mum had suggested that I might be dyslexic to my school, and my headmistress (and English teacher) told her the condition didn't exist, so my chances of ever getting the professional help that I needed to learn to read well, were non-existent and if it hadn't been for those "crappy" books, I would never have had a reason to try, and so I wouldn't be either a reader or a writer today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since leaving school, reading has taught me far more about
literature and language than my school ever managed, so why can’t the literati
just realise that there is a place for all kinds of books in this world, and
that lacking “literary merit” doesn’t mean that readers don’t get all the reading
associated benefits that I’ve spoke of above. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Reading should always be encouraged and no one should be made to feel lesser than others, just because of their preferred reading material isn't deemed to be literary.</div>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-43676477056777634342013-04-17T03:12:00.002-07:002013-11-25T05:38:25.801-08:00Marketing Tips for Indie Writers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Since marketing and sales tips are what I get asked for most frequently, here is my advice. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">As mentioned in my <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/unrealistic-expectations-and-voice-of.html">unrealistic expectations post</a>, none of this will turn your book into an "overnight success" but if used wisely, it will help you build sales over time.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>These are generally ranked in order of importance, most to least.</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white;">First of all, <b>your Amazon (or other sales) page is essentially one big advert</b>, so make it the best it can be. Have a quality product so that the look inside feature doesn't turn potential readers off (hire an editor or proofreader if you need to). Be certain that the cover is the best it can be since this is what will tempt most readers to click on your page in th first place. Work and re-work your blurb until it is short, professional, interesting and most importantly, will make potential readers want to know more. And please do your best to make sure there are no errors on your page and in the blurb; we're only human but it can turn readers off.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Secondly, <b>write another good book</b>. The more books you have out there, the more chance you have of someone discovering one of your books and if they like it, they might well check out your other books too. Associated sales can make up a large chunk of your income.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQkb11Ux5Q_4NKFTuB0scVZ173hIjOoXn4-lp0jD0vDO-ysjTMD1duzEquolVr7IDZAu9k4McptQ1sFmnHmDyFIya3RxCSJwLTK5rtc9ve_-Z88hxcncQna4vJTWFA7lDr4gSqMwZhA/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMQkb11Ux5Q_4NKFTuB0scVZ173hIjOoXn4-lp0jD0vDO-ysjTMD1duzEquolVr7IDZAu9k4McptQ1sFmnHmDyFIya3RxCSJwLTK5rtc9ve_-Z88hxcncQna4vJTWFA7lDr4gSqMwZhA/s1600/b2.jpg" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Third, <b>promotion never stops</b>. I have reached the point where I make bestseller lists (and fingers crossed that it continues) but I still tweet excepts of good reviews, link to them on facebook, join relevant groups on FB, post promo tweets under the existing book hashtags (such as #SampleSunday and #WeekendReads). I post chapter one of a new book to my blog as a sample, with links to buy at the end. My website has a mailing list option so readers can sigh up for updates. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I did used to make good use of the <b>free option</b> on the KDP Select program (and probably will in the future too). By that I mean that <b>you need to promote that it's free</b>. Contact kindle freebie blogs, twitter freebie accounts (a common tag is #freeebooks), post it to facebook voucher/coupon groups, general freebie/coupon/voucher websites. The more free downloads you get, the better the word of mouth will be and the more reviews and word of mouth sales you might get. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">I think it was freebies that got me the readership that I needed to make it to the best seller lists</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Next, <b>contact forums, blogs and groups in your genre </b>and ask them to mention or review your book. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>DON'T SPAM!</b> To be sure that you aren't considered spam, contact the admins and </span><b style="background-color: white;">ask</b><span style="background-color: white;"> if you can post a promotion for your book, or ask them to </span><b style="background-color: white;">consider</b><span style="background-color: white;"> posting a link to your book. If there is no admin, post and ask other members if it's allowed. I sent a private message to one FB group owner who had a historical western group and asked "would you consider" my book (but I didn't say in what capacity she should consider it). She came back and said they didn't do reviews any more but would post a link for me, for which I thanked her. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-8ov2lXjjXzHpD42nOVjlsjnRvRMHreq82y79X5PudwGOOl83qa5DJts7fFUKSx4B9fOEl-LltnlrCkjRjUT6pC4n7Bn9jg_xr1DciV-PWEy4oumZd1c8a1D0aHL2zFYJQ9D9gZF2g/s1600/b4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-8ov2lXjjXzHpD42nOVjlsjnRvRMHreq82y79X5PudwGOOl83qa5DJts7fFUKSx4B9fOEl-LltnlrCkjRjUT6pC4n7Bn9jg_xr1DciV-PWEy4oumZd1c8a1D0aHL2zFYJQ9D9gZF2g/s320/b4.jpg" width="212" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><b style="background-color: white;"><br /></b><b style="background-color: white;">Don't become a pest!</b><span style="background-color: white;"> The golden rules for promotion are-</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1) Ask (unless its twitter or your own FB page)</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">2) Post 1 </span><b style="background-color: white;">maybe</b><span style="background-color: white;"> 2 links or posts </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">3) Then leave it be. If you make a nuisance of yourself you will turn potential readers off.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">These next tips are the ones i believe are least effective, as least for me.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you have any contacts in the local press, ask them if they can run a story on you, or get their book reviewer to read your stuff. If you have an interesting or unique story, contact local papers (or even national newspapers if your story is interesting enough) the worst they can say is no.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Enroll some paperback copies (if you have them) into BookCrossing or similar and "set them free". </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">If you do have paperbacks, contact local shops that specialize in your genre, or small independent book shops, and ask if you can do a reading for them, or even if they will consider stocking your book. if it's only on Kindle, have some posters or leaflets printed and ask if you can leave them in the shops. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Marketing opportunities are endless but they are also time consuming, so direct your efforts to where you believe they will bring you the most return. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Things that will NOT work</b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1) Publishing your book and not promoting it</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">2) Press releases. Just don't waste your time</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">3) Paid for advertising, online or in print</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">4) Blogs. I don't know that my blog posts here has got me a single sale. My chapter excerpts have (I can see by the link stats) and some readers like the additional info on my books that I post here, although by then they have generally bought and read the book. In my humble opinion, general blog posts just don't give you the necessary return for the effort required. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">5) Blog tours. As above, they just dont give the returns you need for the effort (and cost) you put in.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">6) Book trailers. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">And finally a bone of contention, <b>reviews</b>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Many people will tell you that you need good reviews to succeed. I disagree. Reviews might help some readers decide but my last 3 books reached the top 10, without a single review on their pages for up to 2 weeks. For some of my books, I've been unlucky enough to have a 1 star as my first review, yet sales didn't die off (although they may have dipped for a time). </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8BAWErEsisaf91AH0q3D3bGkQZnnp3igObvCZiDcEEpVDvmNP0-9HE7zOMY2g_YgJkZ1-9e1HqQiLhkO9EwtUDm5AxCBseXCnjRbauaPkfK-srtxBXqO3UdNZ0KeIPgbeBboCmUlDQ/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8BAWErEsisaf91AH0q3D3bGkQZnnp3igObvCZiDcEEpVDvmNP0-9HE7zOMY2g_YgJkZ1-9e1HqQiLhkO9EwtUDm5AxCBseXCnjRbauaPkfK-srtxBXqO3UdNZ0KeIPgbeBboCmUlDQ/s320/b1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The truth is, most people aren't used to having ample access to book reviews, they're used to walking into a book shop, browsing and then buying the books with the blurbs that most appealed to them. Amazon and book review sites have been around for perhaps 15 years and popular for perhaps 10 years, but the majority of readers have been uing book shops for decades longer than that. Over time it may change and people might put more stock in reviews but for the moment, no or negative reviews haven't affected my sales. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">The next point is<b> your books rating</b>. Mine go between 3 and 4.8 stars on Amazon and honestly, the 3 star books sell better than the 4+ star books and the 4+ star books are usually my earlier works, which I know aren't as good as my newer, lower rated books. My best rated book with 4.8 stars is hands down my worst seller. I get maybe 4 sales a month on that one, maximum, despite it only having 4 and 5 star reviews. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">What have I learned from this? That not all 5 star reads are good quality and that not everyone wants a quality read; many readers out there just want a little escapist entertainment. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Thats the reason why so many big budget films follow a formula, why formulaic TV shows are consistently watched and why (in the UK) our soap operas are consistently in out top 10 programs. People want to watch something they're comfortable with, or that they know has a happy ending, or that wont require taking notes to keep track, nor move so slowly that they are inclined to nod off. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">People want to be entertained but not necessarily (or certainly not always) made to think or concentrate too hard. Tell a good story and some people will like your book. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Some people will hate it too. Have you loved every film or TV show that you've ever watched and every book that you've ever read? Even if you love police procedurals, that doesn't mean that you will automatically love or like every police procedural? Does that mean that the ones you don't like are inherently bad, or just that they aren't to your personal taste? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Sadly <i>your </i>book wont be to everyone's taste and some of those people will slate it in reviews. I once heard of a reader however, who bought a book based only on a one star review. Among other things, the reviewer gave it one star because didn't like all the sex in the book, but the reader thought that lots of sex sounded just up her alley. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So even negative reviews can help your book sales and I think that most people know that on sites like Amazon and Goodreads, reviews are just opinions and opinions are like arseholes; everybody has one and some of them stink.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So that's my advice on how to make sales but a final word of caution. <b>Use your time judiciously</b>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">You can literally spend weeks marketing your book but on the whole, that time is often better spent writing a new book. The more books you have, the greater chance you have of one of your books appealing to a potential reader. If they like one book, a lot of readers will look through your other books. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">So always consider the time requirements of a marketing attempt before you embark on it. Visiting book shops for example, is very time consuming and not likley to give a big (if any) pay off.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br /></span></span>Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-25815425067081739052013-04-15T09:35:00.000-07:002013-04-17T03:18:16.564-07:00Unrealistic Expectations and a Voice of Reason<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I never fail to be amazed by the numbers of people who have <a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/04/02/im_a_self_publishing_failure/">completely</a> <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=161472&tstart=45">unrealistic</a> <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=565527&#565527">expectations</a> when they self-publish a book. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You know of all those "overnight successes" you've read about? Chances are they put 10 or more years of hard graft into their writing careers BEFORE they became an "overnight success". </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYag8Si_QeyeLgDZk4RP7BvVxr06iHeErpD-VDlhTaRysc5jZk5lE90Vi42U86hG6ZamMus8JAV7lAK6QVsTfMHTAEAHasTrxiUCEnlCJHIigZxk1vgp1ffSliKQkyxLX_epqBGgFuQ/s1600/b6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYag8Si_QeyeLgDZk4RP7BvVxr06iHeErpD-VDlhTaRysc5jZk5lE90Vi42U86hG6ZamMus8JAV7lAK6QVsTfMHTAEAHasTrxiUCEnlCJHIigZxk1vgp1ffSliKQkyxLX_epqBGgFuQ/s320/b6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I like to think of it like this. No matter your age, if you changed careers, say from I.T. to insurance underwriting, would you honestly expect to become CEO or COO overnight? Or even just a Director or department head? Hell NO! You would expect to put in years of service, take professional exams where necessary, work hard, do well and slowly get promoted through the ranks. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Why when it comes to being an author, does this common sense go out of the window? </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Then again, starting a new business is probably more like self publishing than being employed, so say you start a clothes designing business. Would you honestly expect to rival Gucci, Prada, or even Primark, overnight? NO! No matter how talented a dress designer you are, you would expect to build your business and your brand slowly, proving your talent, growing your customer base and maybe one day, you will be a respected brand in the fashion industry. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">You might consider coming up with a business plan and even researching your new business. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">So why does everyone expect to write one book and with little time, research or marketing efforts, become an overnight success? </span><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">In some ways that's a good thing for people like me, because those who are in it for money rather than love, soon realise their mistake and quit trying, but I'm equally sure there are some good writers out there who simply give up too soon. Here's a few facts about my "overnight" success (and as success goes, I'm low on the totem pole. The new JK Rowling, I am not).</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">1) I have been writing for 21 years, since I was 14</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">2) I have been self publishing for 3 years </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">3) I am still honesty surprised and thrilled that after only 3 (or 21) years, I can support myself doing what I love. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I don't expect to win awards, I don't expect to get a film or TV deal, I don't expect this to even last (although i very much hope it does and am trying to build on my success). I'm just getting on with writing, reading, researching, and doing my utmost to keep my career going. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLnkvU0i1yh7jPbWnd5sUTUMjXvF7b2xH37-U1tbG0-wfwSXbvUeHUBHdlALTDKRPHI2fTKnQLuxPbZj9MptJczRqL4WJ-tT1xIhiaIIXahENk3PyXmjrNHi9nQlP09eDgjCrklxWGQ/s1600/b5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLnkvU0i1yh7jPbWnd5sUTUMjXvF7b2xH37-U1tbG0-wfwSXbvUeHUBHdlALTDKRPHI2fTKnQLuxPbZj9MptJczRqL4WJ-tT1xIhiaIIXahENk3PyXmjrNHi9nQlP09eDgjCrklxWGQ/s1600/b5.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">So all you people out there wondering why you only sell one book a week, why you haven't become the new Stephen King, and why no one is recognising your talent, SHUT THE HELL UP, DIAL BACK YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND GET ON WITH THE <b>BUSINESS </b>OF WRITING. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">There is </span><a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=154279&tstart=60" style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">no magic formula</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> there are no tricks to get more/good reviews, and there are no shortcuts (unless you have a few hundred thou to spend on advertising maybe)</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">, so <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=162048&tstart=60">stop asking</a> <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=161439&tstart=90">us what</a> <a href="https://kdp.amazon.com/community/thread.jspa?messageID=427727&#427727">it is</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I assume you self published because it is your career, or you would like it to become your career, so start treating this like a business. Don't let the knock backs deter you, continue learning, hone your skills, find ways around the obstacles and don't expect too much too soon. You should be in this for the long haul, so start treating this as your career and be prepared to put the necessary work in, before you start whining that you aren't seeing any reward.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;">As mentioned, the most frequent thing I'm asked is "How do i sell more books" so I'll be making a part 2 to this post <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/04/marketing-tips-for-indie-writers.html">with the few marketing tips i have learned. </a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></span>Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-54788934239358155242013-04-02T13:48:00.002-07:002013-04-02T13:48:48.142-07:00Time for a little Queen. There's always time for Queen. Plus, I love this song.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hSTivVclQQ0" width="560"></iframe>Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-46603411686974698852013-03-31T16:03:00.002-07:002013-04-01T12:03:16.901-07:00Staying Positive<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeCL_gZIT6Gsbn_7jbYlN4R0uOouMJxkbVJpHix0qQ0pSkKEvGwAWUKN_gKpAzLyFho-5vc-NlY6wCFK_7WLBW-Fyev_ODADMXZssBB27BkPC_45NqwHGEbCjaZW37WUJAD2lzHHNaA/s1600/dog+laughing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDeCL_gZIT6Gsbn_7jbYlN4R0uOouMJxkbVJpHix0qQ0pSkKEvGwAWUKN_gKpAzLyFho-5vc-NlY6wCFK_7WLBW-Fyev_ODADMXZssBB27BkPC_45NqwHGEbCjaZW37WUJAD2lzHHNaA/s320/dog+laughing.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I imagine he has a sort of Muttley-esk laugh</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Well, after the negativity of the spiteful Jenny M that <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-amazon-is-enabling-cyber-stalking.html">I posted about yesterday</a> (the troll who is going to, how did she put it, make me “the worst rated author on Amazon”) and the unfairness of Amazon in being totally blind to the issue, I decided to see if her campaign was effective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>The answer is a resounding "No"! </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Despite her vindictive reviews, getting most of my good reviews removed, upvoting my bad reviews and downvoting my good ones, I'm still </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">7 in the Regency Romance chart! And with only a 2.2/5 rating! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Even Duchess, which was released back in January, is still 85 in the regency chart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I should have learned my lesson from Psycho-Ex, when no officials were the slightest bit interested in actually helping me stop his stalking. People in power just don't care about the little guy but so what? I literally had to leave my life behind and start again so if I can survive that, I can survive a jealous teenagers tantrums.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I think I just forgot to count my blessings for a day. It's hard to be unhappy when you're feeling grateful for what you have. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">The best thing is, my "success" is still so new, that I <i>still </i>feel like I want to burst out laughing at random moments, as the dog above seems to be doing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Whoever said <b>success is the best revenge</b> was 100% right! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I'm now looking forward to the spa break I'll be taking my family on soon, to say 'thanks for helping me while I was a struggling writer'.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">And to God/destiny/fate/higher power/luck or whatever else is up there and may be looking our for me, thank you. </span></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-36077693295835413272013-03-30T19:35:00.002-07:002013-07-25T17:40:05.299-07:00How Amazon is enabling cyber stalking.<b>NOTE: </b>Please do not engage this person in any way; do not respond to her reviews, do not leave her a 1 star review. I attracted this stalkers ire by defending another author, and I would hate for my friends to receive the same treatment. This is up to Amazon and the police to handle so for your own sakes, please <b>DO NOT ENGAGE! </b><br />
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At the beginning of March, there was an author on the kindle boards acting like a troll. they went by the username 'Gabe'. This troll swore at a friend of mine and demanded proof of her success, which I took issue with. I agreed with her statement, posted a link to my books as my proof and told him I would report any new 1 star reviews. Sure enough, one appeared about an hour later from a Jenny M. I didn't bother to report it as I honestly didn't affect my average, plus I had no proof that Jenny M and Gabe were the same person, so I let it slide. I did however, take a screencap of that whole thread, just in case.<br />
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A few days later, while checking someone else's books to see how they could improve their sales, I noticed he only had 1 review and that it was 1 star. I felt awful for him and went to see what it said but the first thing I noticed was that this so called "reviewer" uses the handle <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AMKIPSLKPOVTL/ref=cm_pdp_rev_all?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">Jenny M</a>. The same Jenny M who had also left me a 1 star review. Neither review was a verified purchase.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpFAd6jnp8gtdmGVNqBxmtwLtRmvsxbSjIYJQTIeDC103cHJe30q8Gm-RnsT-b0baWAbiHTKFyFdVquUC5y5WKlCGHkcOS77TvUdmd3G045FLPmcVRzsaUVuRYKAgrdpaFe794PnOXA/s1600/Amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEpFAd6jnp8gtdmGVNqBxmtwLtRmvsxbSjIYJQTIeDC103cHJe30q8Gm-RnsT-b0baWAbiHTKFyFdVquUC5y5WKlCGHkcOS77TvUdmd3G045FLPmcVRzsaUVuRYKAgrdpaFe794PnOXA/s320/Amazon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazon Behaving Badly</td></tr>
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Suspicions rising, I looked at her profile and discovered that of the 6 reviews she had up, none were verified and 4 were fellow kindle board authors.<br />
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I pointed this out on the boards, along with my suspicions that the troll was the author of these reviews, and most were reported and removed. The trolls reaction to this post only confirmed my suspicions that Gabe was Jenny M.<br />
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She then started getting creative, changing her review on my book from 1 star to 5, then back and all sorts. I kept reporting it, good or bad; it disappeared then reappeared, usually with a new rating or new text but always the original date. The other 3 reviews were permanently taken down, but mine was not.<br />
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She then left 1 star review on two other books of mine, again neither were verified purchases. They were removed after being reported.<br />
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Then things went quiet, Gabe was banned from the KDP boards, resurfaced a few times with new accounts but finally seemed to die off.<br />
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Then I get this email<br />
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I plan to read all your books, I will make sure to rate them 1 star over and over again. I already know I will rate them 1 star because I can tell your books suck. You may even be the worst rated author on Amazon by the time I am through with reading your garbage) I will also make sure all my friends on Amazon read your books and I know they will hate your work. I bet they will give you 1 star reviews as well. You are pretty rude online and now your books may get 1 star reviews. There is nothing wrong here, everyone is allowed to rate products whether they have used them or not. Amazon is great! I hope you dont whine like a pig when someone gives you a bad review. You like being rude online and now your readers are going to be rude right back at you. See you have to be polite online but you were rude to me, for no reason. Unless you apologize, I might just post many 1 star reviews on all you products. Amazon allows it, so you better suck up and apologize for your rude conduct online. Unless you want to lose sales lolll.................</blockquote>
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Although unsigned, the email said it was from <span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">Sabrina
R. (timmies2000@hotmail.com)</span><br />
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I didn't know who Sabrina was and hadn't interacted with any fans for a long time, so I was stumped.<br />
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I decide to do some searching and find out that timmies2000 sells amazon reviews on a site called fourerr, six reviews for $4.<br />
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Very odd.<br />
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Later I logged onto amazon to see my sales stats (I'm recording them to see if I can find trends or patterns) and found I had a new review, 1 star from Sabrina Reynolds, as did another of my books. This was presumably the same Sabrina R who emailed me. I checked her profile to see if she had made good on her threat and left reviews on all my works, only to discover that Sabrina was actually Jenny! Same reviews on the same books and the name on my original 1 star review from Jenny, had changed to Sabrina Reynolds too. Coincidence? I didn't think so. Gabe was Jenny M, was Sabrins Reynolds, was timmies2000.<br />
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I reported the reviews and contacted Amazon, copying the threatening email into my message, adding that Sabrina/Jenny/Gabe was selling reviews on fourrer. I even gave them her IP address from the email header so they could check it against the IP she logged onto Amazon from. in case her account here had a different email associated with it.<br />
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And nothing happened.<br />
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Later that day, her profile name changed back to Jenny M and for a while, the profile said Sabrina Reynolds while the actual reviews on her page had changed back to Jenny M. As if I needed any more proof.<br />
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I'm absolutely appalled that Amazon can let people use their review system to harass authors, or any other amazon user. The fact that her good reviews are clearly bought but haven't been deleted is just beyond belief!<br />
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Added to that, about 6 of my recent reviews on my new novel keep disappearing or changing username, often within a day or two of going up. I don't know exactly who left them as I don't remember their names, so I can't contact them to ask why they were taken down. Is this Jenny's friends? Since she offers to leave 6 fake reviews in her fourerr adverts, I must assume that she has at least 6 amazon accounts... but the reviews were mostly good as far as I recall... why would she leave me 1 star, then 4 and 5 star reviews, then remove the good ones?<br />
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Her adverts for amazon reviews on the fourerr site have now been removed (Google cachet still had those pages though and I screencapped them). Did Amazon tell her they knew? Is she leaving me fake reviews and reporting them to try and discredit me, or to get my books taken down, or even my account suspended?<br />
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Am I blowing this out of proportion? Because if there a valid reason that half a dozen reviews to appear and disappear over a few days, I'd like to know it.<br />
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Tonight I discovered that she had uploaded another two 1 star reviews on my books, once again, not verified purchases. Now she's emailed me again, clearly trying to bait me into a flame war.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Total rubbish! Wasted my time! Can't believe my friend had this in their library. Horrible work indeed. The author should stick with what they are good at. This was very badly written and I think it was written by a teenager. I can't describe how boring this is...just awful.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">I was not impressed with this. I thought it was slow and boring. I really don't see the point of it. It should be rewritten by a professional. The author did a very bad job at writing this. The author must be dyslexic or something cause there are plenty of errors. 1 star unless it is rewritten.</span></blockquote>
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Exactly how many of her friends and relatives have my books in their library? The one that mentions her 'friends library' was on my book How to Train your Zombie, which is by far my worst selling book, and for which I have sold exactly 2 paperback copies. What are the chances her 'friend' bought one of those two?<br />
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I guess she looked on my profile (which does appear on my book pages) and saw that I was dyslexic. Isn't it discrimination to make fun of learning disabilities?<br />
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Quite simply, this is cyber stalking and harassment, <b>and Amazon </b><b>are allowing it!</b><br />
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Yes, I know in terms of stalking, this isn't bad, and I know that no matter how many bad reviews she leaves, it wont ruin my career (they reduce my overall rating by about 0.2 or something) but as someone who actually has been stalked and suffers from a touch of PTSD, this troll is bringing all those bad memories flooding back. Some stranger on the internet is being allowed to stalk me, to try and derail my books and a company like Amazon is allowing it. What kind of world are we living in?<br />
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I've had enough of this shit! I emailed what's below to amazon again and if this harassment doesn't stop, I will be talking to the police. I don't deserve to have sleepless nights, reliving some of the worst times in my life, just because some troll doesn't like that I discovered her ruse, and Amazon don't seem to mind being a party to cyberharassment.<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/cdp/member-reviews/AMKIPSLKPOVTL/ref=cm_pdp_rev_all?ie=UTF8&sort_by=MostRecentReview">This reviewer</a> is leaving bad reviews on every single one of my books, without reading any of them. I can understand not liking one book, but I find it beyond believe that she (or her "sister") keeps buying books by an author she doesn't like. Are we to assume that both she and her sister are some kind of masochists, who enjoy spending their money on and reading bad books? </blockquote>
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<o:p> </o:p>Considering
that not one single review of her reviews (not just those on my products) is a
verified purchase, I think it obvious that she is not a genuine reviewer. I'm
sure your records of her purchases can verify this. She has even contacted me
by email to threaten this action. I did not respond to her threats, reasoning
that you could easily see that her reviews were blatantly fake and that she has
never purchased any of the products she reviews, but despite already having
removed 2 of her reviews on my work, you wont remove the other 5 or suspend her
reviewing privileges! </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>She does
your review service a disservice by so blatantly misusing it. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Added to that evidence, her profile name keeps changing, first to Stephanie Reynolds, then back to Jenny M. Is that normal behaviour for a genuine reviewer, to change christian names AND surnames, then change them back? </blockquote>
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<o:p> </o:p>Then there is the fact that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/R1CCWDL0J5ZNWH/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm">this review</a> has been altered multiple times from 1 star to 5 stars and back again. </blockquote>
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<o:p> </o:p>How can you not see that this is a vendetta against me. I don't know this person but they obviously has some kind of grudge against me and Amazon are allowing her harassment. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>I have been advised to call the police over her threatening email and her activity on here and if you cannot stop her harassment on your site, then I think I will have to. It's bad enough to be threatened but to have someone actively try and sabotage my career is crossing the line, and I am throughly appalled that you are enabling her cyber stalking. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Kind
regards, </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<o:p> </o:p>Catherine
Winchester</blockquote>
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From what I read when they began their <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/11/07/amazon-tackles-review-problem-deletes-wrong-reviews/">review purge</a> (after 2 <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/suwcharmananderson/2012/08/28/fake-reviews-amazons-rotten-core/">authors admitted they paid for reviews</a> to be left on their books last year) Amazon aren't above deleting reviews and suspending review privileges without explanation.<br />
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What more evidence do they need to stop this troll? A confession from her, signed in my blood?<br />
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I know for a fact that I am not the only person this has happened to. People have told me of ex's and former friends deliberately leaving malicious reviews on their books, and yet even with a personal connection to the author, Amazon does nothing. If a friend or family member leaves a good review however, that that sucker won't see the light of day!<br />
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Either your review system is beyond reproach or it isn't, Amazon. You cant delete good reviews but not malicious ones and if you don't want to police reviews, then only allow verified purchasers to leave reviews and problem solved! Buying reviews will seriously rise in cost and people will be much less likely to leave malicious ones if they have to part with some cash first.<br />
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ETA 1/4/13: Amazon has removed 4 of her reviews from my works (the original review, the most suspicious one of all since it's rating changes from 1 to 5 stars, remains) and they say they are investigating her. I'm not hopeful that she'll be stopped any time soon.<br />
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She has also emailed me twice more today, trying to goad me into a fight.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Your book business doesnt look like it is doing too well."</span></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">"</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">wowwwwww, looks like one of ur books really took a hit... i guess peoples bad reviews took its toll... u must have lost some good $ well, sucks to be u eh loll... hopefully all the bad reviews get removed, u r losing a lot of business, u dont deserve that much punishment from readers gees... oh well thats life.. everyone with a big mouth such as urs needs a little disciplin...hahaaa"</span></blockquote>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn6nFyVAqax2RTde3XEh3J4kyuyx_RpToDRoLVFremGzGVBczYe5UCR3D6RNiaG8gxSU4ZLQ0lK7pig_rzj5H_6ZeqIU1BRYiPLFaWRMrZ84bCmahoD0idtJllCXjbpWAfub2I-ZnHA/s1600/dog+happy+dance+gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwn6nFyVAqax2RTde3XEh3J4kyuyx_RpToDRoLVFremGzGVBczYe5UCR3D6RNiaG8gxSU4ZLQ0lK7pig_rzj5H_6ZeqIU1BRYiPLFaWRMrZ84bCmahoD0idtJllCXjbpWAfub2I-ZnHA/s1600/dog+happy+dance+gif.gif" /></a>Um, <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/03/staying-positive.html">I think maybe she needs her eyes tested</a>! I may not be as happy as a pig in shit, but I'm probably as happy as this lil doggie.<br />
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ETA2 2/4/3: It has come to my attention from other people on the Amazon general boards, that she is a fellow author, publishing under the name <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482547694/ref=cm_sw_su_dp">T.C Golding</a>. She has posted spam adverts to her books under the names Jenny M, Sabrina Reynolds and G Faso. She has also been leaving messages, harassing the reviewers of a rival book, by<a href="http://www.amazon.com/forum/top%20reviewers/ref=cm_cd_pg_prev?_encoding=UTF8&cdForum=Fx2Z5LRXMSUDQH2&cdPage=1&cdThread=Tx2LCCYNXWNUCCW"> Joseph Veillon</a> as well as leaving him 1 star reviews.<br />
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ETA3 2/4/13: I had a reply from amazon about the first review, the one that has changed from 1 to 5 stars and back on 2 different occasions.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I've read the review titled "Very Boring. I am glad I did not purchase" for the book titled "The Reluctant Duchess". I understand your concerns, but the review doesn't violate our posted guidelines, so I'm unable to remove it in its current format.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">However, as the author of this title, you can provide feedback about this review by voting or commenting on it. To vote, click the "Yes" or "No" buttons next to "Was this review helpful to you?" To comment, click the Comments link at the bottom of the review. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We try to encourage our customers to give their honest opinions on our products while staying within our guidelines. As a retailer we are interested in cultivating a diversity of opinion on our products. Part of that is allowing our customers to air their honest thoughts on items they have received. Here's a link to our guidelines for reference: </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">http://www.amazon.com/review-guidelines/ </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We appreciate your understanding. We hope to see you again soon."</span></blockquote>
<br />
How can a review which changed rating so drastically be considered genuine? It's madness!<br />
<br />
That review doesn't particularly hurt my rating as I have 21 other, genuine reviews on that book, but how can they not see that this is a vendetta? At this stage, it just beggars belief.<br />
<br />
ETA 4 2/4/13: All her bad reviews are back, plus 7 new one star reviews. Thats a 1 star review on every book I have written.<br />
<br />
Doesn't this girl have a life? Silly question, of course she doesn't.<br />
<br />
She also tried harassing me through this blog so for the time being, anon reviews have been disabled. Sorry for those of you who don't have a google account. Feel free to email me or <a href="https://twitter.com/CatChester_">contact me through twitter</a>.<br />
<div>
<br />
ETA 5 2/4/13: Finally, Amazon have removed all her reviews on my books, although her account remains live. How long until they come back? Place your bets!<br />
<br />
ETA 6 2/4/13: I was pointed in the direction of this articel on a new phenominon, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/21/business/a-casualty-on-the-battlefield-of-amazons-partisan-book-reviews.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0">review swarming</a>, simlar to the episode I noted <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/01/book-wank.html">here</a>, where readers posted bad reviews, bemoaning the lack on an ebook option.<br />
<br />
Its impossible to say definitivley if this "swarm" affected the MJ biography sales, but I know not to upset any Michael Jackson fans in the future... and to always release an ebook version.<br />
<br />
Amazon's reaction to the malicious reviews in both cases seems again, somewhat lacklustre.<br />
<br />
Once more, I am forced to conclude that only allowing verified purchasers to leave a review is the best way to go. It won't intirely stop good or bad fake reviews, but people will be much less likley to leave a bad review if they have to shell out for a book they have already decided that they don't like. It would also help to curb bought and friend or family reviews.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-78219722058091264172013-03-13T15:35:00.000-07:002013-03-13T15:35:03.647-07:00The Convenient Bride, Chapter OneTime for another sample from <strike>your</strike> some people's (like my mum, for one) favourite best selling romance author! Now, how can you resist an endorsement like that? ;-)
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsvPBr1ivryf47LYBhPN27vLsOCKoF1hsvUI_l03PMGbcgsBMlVQ3QmynOVm-ZXl5r-dwkfCerXU4JUxIcT84tlqqbcLUI9BcY6tpIDgkSobh5OIEz9Te-SRVyLOcBHEbeMjfbRHJYA/s1600/Bride+Amazon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsvPBr1ivryf47LYBhPN27vLsOCKoF1hsvUI_l03PMGbcgsBMlVQ3QmynOVm-ZXl5r-dwkfCerXU4JUxIcT84tlqqbcLUI9BcY6tpIDgkSobh5OIEz9Te-SRVyLOcBHEbeMjfbRHJYA/s320/Bride+Amazon.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<b>Book Blurb: </b>Threatened with being cut off by his father, womaniser Maxwell Stark is
forced to marry and he chooses the woman he secretly loves, Lucy Steed,
his family's ward.<br />
<br />
Lucy has been desperately in love with Max
ever since she first moved in with the Stark family, but she’s convinced
that he only loves her as a friend. <br />
<br />
Although both are too
afraid to admit their true feelings, the marriage is a happy one, until
Max’s spurned mistress, Marie, decides that if she can’t have Max, then
no one can.<br />
<br />
They say that ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’, and Marie is furious!<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Chapter One</span></b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lucy,
my dear girl, please, you must marry me!” Max implored.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Much
like a marionette whose strings have been cut, Lucy sat down, grateful to find
that there was a chair behind her, because she honestly hadn’t thought to
check. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How
had an ordinary gathering descended into this? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
was supposed to be a dance, much like any other and she had been anticipating
it all week. Her long, sleek blonde hair had been coiled atop her head, a few
tendrils curled and left to frame her face in a most pleasing manner. This was
the first outing of her powder blue dress, which matched the light shade of her
eyes and was most flattering to her figure; she had been looking forward to
wearing it for weeks. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
looked good, she felt good and she had been enjoying the dancing immensely,
until Maxwell came and pulled her away and into a side room where they could
talk privately. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Max,
have you taken leave of your senses?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Of
course not.” He dashed a hand through his hair and began to pace.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Then
I don’t understand-”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Father
wants me to marry Georgette Harrison and if I refuse, he’ll cut me off.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“All
right.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
turned to her, hope shining in his eyes. “You mean you will?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,
I mean I understand the story so far.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
more is there to understand?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
would you want to marry me? We’ve known each other for seven years and you have
never shown that kind of interest in me. I can only assume that you wish to
live off my fortune and that is no reason to marry anyone, even my best
friend.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“It’s
not like that, Luce. Father isn’t set on Georgette but he knows how fond of me
she is and that she’d accept in a heartbeat. As long as I ‘settle down’, to use
his words, then he won’t cut me off. I simply can’t marry Georgette. I would
rather spend my days wedded to Arthur.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
smiled at the thought of him marrying his horse, rather than the homey
Georgette.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Perhaps
if you hadn’t already broken the heart of every beautiful young woman in
Society, you would have more choice.” She sounded reproachful. He may be her
best friend but she was under no illusions as to his character. She loved Max
but she couldn’t deny that he was a little shallow and vain. He enjoyed
beautiful women, fine wine and gambling; in that order. He might be three years
her senior but she was far more mature than he.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Well
I can do nothing to change that now, can I? Please, Lucy, I cannot marry
Georgette.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are
you certain that your father isn’t just bluffing? Perhaps if you stop gambling
and womanising for a few weeks, he will relent?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Max
shook his head, looking like a lost puppy. “I fear I’ve gone too far this
time.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Her
first instinct was to try and soothe him but she managed to repress it. She
needed to think with her head rather than her heart.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What
have you done this time?” she asked with a sinking feeling.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
had a run of bad luck at my club, that’s all.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Oh
Max!” She shook her head. “How much do you owe?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Five
thousand, give or take.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Silence
reigned for a moment, until Max got to his knees before her and took her hands.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Please,
dear Lucy, do not refuse me this.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
know I find it hard to refuse you anything, Max but…”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
sighed. “I always assumed that when I got married, it would be for love.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“My
dear girl, everyone knows that you will never marry.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though
his tone was teasing, his words stung her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Why
on earth not?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Because
no one is good enough for you. You possess a rare beauty and have been courted
by men from the best families, only to turn your nose up at them. You are
almost 21 now; past your prime in some peoples’ eyes.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
was right, she hadn’t accepted any offers of marriage for the simple reason
that she didn’t love those men. She couldn’t as long as she was madly in love
with Max. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
was so handsome that it almost pained her to look at him at times. His dark,
almost black hair constantly needed a trim and tempted her to run her fingers
through it, his deep blue eyes had a constant twinkle in them and were framed
with thick black lashes, which highlighted their colour and made her want to
stare at them all day. Not to mention his full lips, which begged her to kiss
them and his frequent layer of stubble, which gave him a slightly dangerous
air. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They
were an odd couple in looks, as different as night and day, for she was as pale
and blonde as he was olive skinned and dark haired. Only in their height did
they match, for although he was 6’1”, Lucy was abnormally tall for a woman and
she thought their three inch difference to be perfect. It was strange to watch
him have to contort himself when he tried to dance with certain women, some of
whom were almost a full foot shorter than he.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Even
if I am ready to settle for someone, Max, I cannot see me enjoying married life
with someone whose antics in the bedroom are practically legendary among
Society. I had always assumed that at least I would have fidelity.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“All
gentlemen have mistresses; I am no different.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
she was different, because he took great delight in confiding his antics to
her, little knowing that each word was like a knife to her heart. It was hard
enough to school herself not to react as his friend, how much worse would it be
as his wife?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
what of children?” she asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
will need heirs,” he assured her, then offered her a teasing and cajoling
smile. “And we already know that we’re compatible in that regard.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
wasn’t sure that she could stand making love to him again, not when he didn’t
love her in return. Two years ago, thanks to her overwhelming desire for him
and the vague hope that she could let go of her love for him if she acted on
her feelings, she had talked him into taking her virginity.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
had been the worst mistake of her life. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Afterwards
she had lain awake for half the night, wishing that she could take her actions
back, because her affection for him only seemed to have increased afterwards, and
knowing that he didn’t love her in return hurt even more. To avoid more pain,
she had left him in the middle of the night, unwilling to look into his eyes in
the morning and see only friendship there.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She wasn’t sure if she could stand making love
to him regularly; her already fragile heart would surely shatter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Max,
I can’t-”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Max
placed a finger across her lips, silencing her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
know this is a big request on my part, darling, and I would not impose on you
if my future happiness didn’t depend upon it. I beg you please, don’t make any
hasty decisions, at least consider it. I would be a good husband to you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How?”
she asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I'm
sorry?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“How
would you be a good husband? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I…”
he didn’t quite know how to answer. “We’re best friends, Lucy, and I love you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Like
a sister,’ she added silently.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
would never hurt you,” he assured her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘But
your drinking and womanising and gambling already hurt me,’ she thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Only as my husband it will be my inheritance
you gamble away and my bed you leave cold, while you warm someone else’s.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
beseech you, just consider my proposal. I will not interfere in your life in
any way.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
sighed then squeezed his hands. “I will consider it, Max, you have my word.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Max
bestowed one of his brilliant smiles upon her, as if she had already agreed.
Her heart swelled and for perhaps the thousandth time, she wished that he
didn’t affect her so. He kissed her forehead, causing her heart to skip a beat.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go
back to the party,” she told him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Come
with me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No,”
she shook her head. “I need some time to compose myself first.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Are
you sure?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Go!”
she told him firmly, needing to be away from his all-consuming presence for a
time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Very
well.” He kissed her forehead again, unaware of the dizzying effect that it had
on her, then he practically skipped from the room. He thought that he all but
had her agreement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘And
why wouldn’t he?’ she wondered. ‘Ever since I met him, I have done almost
everything he asked of me, even if I did sometimes need some cajoling. I can’t
even recall a single time when I have denied him anything.’</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
sat there for a time, until she felt composed enough to return to her
gathering, certain that she could conceal her emotions once more. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
didn’t venture to Max’s side as she might usually, to gossip and giggle about
the other people present. Instead she maintained her distance and kept a
watchful eye on him. She saw him flirt with the few pretty young girls who
hadn’t yet fallen for his charms, she saw his father glaring at him from across
the room and she noticed how he paled when it was time for him to dance with
Georgette. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could
she condemn him to a life with a woman he clearly disliked, she wondered?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
if she couldn’t, could she condemn herself to a life of unrequited love and
moreover, having that fact rubbed in her face almost daily?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
knew that she was a strong woman, she’d had no choice but to become one, but
there was only so much that even she could stand. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
was quiet as she journeyed home that evening with Max and his parents, who had
been her guardians since her own parents died seven years ago. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Having
inherited a sizeable estate, she could have left them by now; she certainly had
the means to. Most people assumed that she stayed because it was improper for a
woman to live alone (servants didn’t count) so even although she could have
hired a companion, they didn’t question her decision. The real reason she
stayed however, was to be closer to Max. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Immature,
irresponsible, irrepressible, Max. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
bid Mr and Mrs Stark goodnight as soon as they got home and headed to her
rooms, where she allowed her lady’s maid to help her undress and climbed into
bed. She knew she’d get little sleep though, for her thoughts were filled with
Maxwell and his proposal; equal parts thrilled with and terrified by, the idea
of becoming his wife. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">***</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
still hadn’t reached any conclusions by the following day and part of the
reason was that she was lacking facts. She headed out in the carriage shortly
after breakfast, not telling anyone where she was going. However, her thoughts
were still confused once she had found her answers.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
returned to the Stark house and looked up at one of the the places she had
called home for the past seven years. Three stories tall and built of red
brick, the Stark townhouse was elegant in its simplicity. It sat just off
Piccadilly, four streets away from her own townhouse, which was being rented
out while she didn’t need it. In Lucy’s mind however, her property was just a
house. This was a home because a family lived here; a family who had, for the
most part, accepted the little orphan girl with open arms. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
went inside, not in the least surprised to find that Max was still in bed. He
rarely arose before noon and it wouldn’t shock Lucy in the slightest if he had
gone out again, after they had returned home last night. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
she approached the study, she could hear Charles Stark coughing and waited
until he stopped before knocking. He bid her to enter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Lucy,
come in, dear girl,” he said, tucking his handkerchief away. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
came in and sat opposite him at the desk. Although he was ailing in his
twilight years, Charles still cut a fine figure of a man, with broad shoulders
and a narrow waist, which his clothes did their best to flatter thanks to a
skilled tailor. His dark hair was starting to grey, especially at the temples
but it gave him a distinguished air, rather than simply ageing him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
have a letter for you from your steward.” He handed an envelope to her and Lucy
thanked him. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever
since her parents had died, Charles had been invaluable to her, putting men in
place to look after her parents’ estate and in recent years, he had been
teaching her to manage her affairs for herself. It was strange for Lucy to
think that despite the disparity in their ages, she and Charles were of the
same social rank, he the Earl of Rochester and she, by virtue of not having any
living siblings, the Countess of Canterbury. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“So
what brings you here with such a grave face?” Charles asked, leaning forward
and placing his elbows on the desk. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Max
told me of your ultimatum.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Charles
nodded gravely. “I don’t know what else to do with the boy,” he admitted. “And
for that matter, he isn’t a boy any longer. Even Michael has settled down in
the Army, while Max refuses to grow up and accept his responsibilities.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No
offence, Charles, but the laudanum does dull your reflexes by the evening. I
was hoping that you might have reconsidered by this morning,”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“My
words were said in haste, yes, but I haven’t reconsidered.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
Lucy, Charles was a good man with the best of intentions and he had done his
best to become a surrogate father to her. She knew however, that he was harder
on his eldest son than he had ever been with her, pushing responsibility on to
Maxwell from an early age. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Max
had rebelled, as most children are prone to do but unlike most other children,
Max had never faced the inevitable and grown up. It was almost as if he
expected his father to be around forever and that he would never have to assume
the mantle of Earl, nor the responsibilities that entailed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had understood how he felt, feeling terrified by the thought of managing her
father’s estate one day but Charles had been gentle with her, introducing her
to the intricacies of estate management slowly over the years. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With
Max he had been much forceful, trying to insist that his son take an active
role in managing the estate from an early age. Currently, Max did nothing to
help his father run their estate, which he surely counted as a victory over his
father.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
know that Georgette isn’t an ideal match for him but he must realise that he
isn’t a child any longer.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Can
you afford to pay his debt?” Lucy asked.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Charles
nodded. “It won’t be easy but yes, I will pay it if he settles down and takes
some responsibility.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
is this really the best way to get what you want? Surely if you told him that-”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“No!”
he said firmly. “The fact that you know pains me enough, I will not burden the
rest of my family with this.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
nodded, knowing that she would lose this argument, as she had lost every
argument about it to date.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“But
Georgette would hardly be a good match for Max. Although I understand that her
dowry is large, her parents are far too controlling for Max to ever be happy in
a union with her.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You
are right of course, but I must do something. And he is free to choose another
bride, providing he can get her family’s consent.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“He’s
asked me to marry him,” she confessed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Charles
smiled. “My dear, that’s wonderful.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Is
it?” she asked. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Well, you couldn’t know each other any better
than you already do and from my perspective, at least there will be one person
I trust to manage my affairs after I’m gone.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“And
what of love?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Since
you already love each other enough to trouble my wife on occasion, I will
assume that you are talking of the all-consuming passion of Romeo and Juliet,
or Anthony and Cleopatra but let me assure you my dear, that slow and steady
love is the kind that keeps a couple together. Romantic love always fades in
time.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He
didn’t understand that she was already in love, and she wasn’t inclined to
enlighten him. It had been seven years now but still, her feelings for Max
hadn’t lessened one jot. How could she be with someone who didn’t love her the
same way?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Thank
you, Charles.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“You’re
very welcome, my dear, and I do hope that you will seriously consider my son’s
offer. It would greatly ease my conscience to know that he had married someone
as capable and intelligent as you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“I
will consider it,” she promised, rising from her chair.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
she left she wondered if in all good conscience, she could refuse Charles. He
wouldn’t be upset if she refused Max’s proposal but he would be disappointed.
Knowing how it would set his mind at ease and after everything he and his
family had done for her, she felt a little guilty at even considering denying
his request.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
returned to her rooms and took out her journal, intending to pour her thoughts
onto the pages. She usually found that writing things down helped her come to a
decision. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
could vividly remember coming to live with the Starks after her parents died;
she had felt so lost. She didn’t even know the Starks very well but she had
little other family who wanted her, so she had been sent to her father’s
closest friend and her Godfather, Charles Stark, Earl of Rochester. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Maxwell
had been away at school when she got here and when he returned, he didn’t know
what to do with the strange girl who had invaded his home so while he was
polite, he largely ignored her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">She
had been living with them for two months when his younger brother, Michael, had
reduced her to tears once again, telling her that she wasn’t welcome here, that
she should just run away and that her parents had only died because they were
so desperate to be rid of her. That was nothing new for Michael, he had enjoyed
torturing her since the first day she had arrived but that day was different,
because Max overheard the mean-spirited diatribe. The sixteen year old Max had
seemed so large and imposing to the thirteen year old Lucy, not to mention,
very brave and noble. He was her knight in shining armour.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Happening
upon them, Max had told his brother in no uncertain terms, that he would whip
Michael to within an inch of his life if he should ever discover that he had
insulted their guest again. Then, gathering the sobbing girl up in his arms, he
had taken her to the kitchen, where he dried her tears as Cook found a slice of
cake and glass of milk to cheer her. Max had assured her that Michael was just
a bully and if he ever said anything even slightly disagreeable to Lucy again,
she was to tell him and he would take care of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Between
him and Cook, they had succeeded in stopping her tears, coaxed a smile and then
a laugh from her and finally, Max had offered to show her around. Not like the
adults had when she arrived, but showing her the things that a child needed to
know, such as where the interesting books in the library could be found, where
a child might spy on gatherings while remaining unobserved, which banisters
were the best to slide down and the best riding trails around the estate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Lucy
couldn’t say when she had fallen in love with Max precisely; was it when he
told Michael off, when he cradled her sobbing form in his arms, or when they
became friends? Nevertheless, from that day onwards they were virtually
inseparable. Even when Max was away at boarding school and university, they
wrote to each other almost daily.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As
Lucy had approached her 17th birthday, people had begun to speculate about them
getting married, not least of who was Max’s younger sister, May. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Despite
living together, they weren’t related after all, and they were so close to each
other that it seemed inevitable. Lucy allowed herself to be swayed by their
words a time or two, even though in her heart, she knew that Max saw her only
as a sister and of course, no matter how much she wished it wasn’t so, she had
been proved right. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Max
was not a man who wanted to settle down, with anyone. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Only
now that had all changed and he did want her, just not in the way that she had
dreamed of for so long.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 14.2pt;">
__________________________ </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Will Lucy go through with it? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Will our lovers admit their true feelings for one another?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What is Marie planning? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-84761365612884980032013-02-22T04:51:00.000-08:002013-03-01T14:28:12.038-08:00Sick and tired of fiction being presented as history<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0my_22NrVmkzdU5Z1UywJtt_To1xslLCBqW-C7JCfohVjO734GjXxPRLg84SYDVopTRdu2kKiduG8wutKO4drY6CTbuc1x-oCYKeTj7ter0WNFtcF1dzkpD36dQDnHmfVifXHAYqPQ/s1600/b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0my_22NrVmkzdU5Z1UywJtt_To1xslLCBqW-C7JCfohVjO734GjXxPRLg84SYDVopTRdu2kKiduG8wutKO4drY6CTbuc1x-oCYKeTj7ter0WNFtcF1dzkpD36dQDnHmfVifXHAYqPQ/s1600/b1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary Wollstonecraft, (1759 – 1797)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I actually have an awful cold at the moment, which is probably contributing to my really bad mood but I am sick and tired of people who learned their history from fiction books, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B3KWHWK">trying to tell me</a> that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BEZL1QC">the behaviour of my characters</a> is too forward, that women didn't act like that in those days and that I need to read more Georgette Heyer or Jane Austen to see where I'm going wrong.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Well you know what? I DO NOT NEED TO PICK UP GEORGETTE FUCKING HEYER! YOU NEED TO PUT THE FICTION DOWN AND PICK UP A FACTUAL HISTORY BOOK!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">You probably have no idea how ignorant you sound when you say things like that, and when you tell me to base my books on fictional depictions of the time, rather than cold hard facts, I want to laugh so hard that diet coke will spew out of my nose. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">So, lets debunk a few myths about these supposedly chaste, virginal, prim and proper women who lived in the regency era, shall we?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The fact is, once you put the fiction down and pick up the biographies, it soon becomes clear that while I'm certain that some women were chaste, virginal, prim and proper, many others were not.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg98T5fcsnDSHnfrSV7rbb2UcjM0kv5KEZqmNFriePzfxOsvdVeigHVw3CVpHGJ70De0996HnjWJOwCF2hv5sGz8YNoT-UIqmGHLjxw7MNFI99SDbvTZZB3nkjOUcleyoRO-wxpQP4A/s1600/b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg98T5fcsnDSHnfrSV7rbb2UcjM0kv5KEZqmNFriePzfxOsvdVeigHVw3CVpHGJ70De0996HnjWJOwCF2hv5sGz8YNoT-UIqmGHLjxw7MNFI99SDbvTZZB3nkjOUcleyoRO-wxpQP4A/s1600/b2.jpg" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary Shelly (1797-1851)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Take Mary Wollstonecraft (1759 – 1797), possibly the first feminist writer and a woman who had no problem pursuing men, even married men. She had affairs with<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> artist, Henry
Fuseli (as well as proposing a </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span class="st">Ménage à Trois</span> to his wife) then she later had a child with Gilbert Imlay before marrying William Goodwin</span>. After her death, her husband
released a memoir of her life, happily revealing her affairs and illegitimate child to society, as he supported her views. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Mary's second child (with her husband, William) was Mary Shelly (1797-1851). She believed in free love, had two illegitimate children herself with, Lord Byron, the first when she was 18 and the second a year later. As for Lord Byron, he had affairs throughout his various marriages, one with Mary's step sister, Claire (who also had an illegitimate child by him)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> Lady
Caroline Lamb </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">(1785-1828)</span> and Lady Oxford (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1774–1824) who was the daughter of a reverend and 14 years older than Byron.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Lady Oxford (</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">1774–1824)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">[See the end of this post for a list of some more famous pre and extra marital affairs in the regency period]</span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And if reading biographies seems too much like hard work, here's some simple and easy facts for you.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>In the early part of the 1800s, 7-10% of all births were illegitimate and 35% of brides were pregnant when they walked up the aisle. </b>So that's almost half of all women who weren't virgins on their wedding night.<b><br /></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><b>Prostitution was second only to becoming a servant, for the numbers of women working in the profession. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Illegitimacy was so common that Baby Farms began to appear, where women would take in illegitimate children from unwed mothers for a fee. Dozens
of ads were found each week in newspapers, such as the Daily Telegraph
and the Christian Times.<i> </i>Usually these poor children were drugged, poisoned or starved to death to maximise profits. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Lady
Caroline Lamb (1785-1828)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Those regency women aren't looking so pure white and virginal now, are they? Bet those men are looking a little tarnished too.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now, those images you have in your head of life in the regency period probably look something like this; beautiful women and men, with hours of leisure time at their disposal, whose lives are a whirlwind of parties and balls and romance, right?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">The problem is, that isn't how it was for 99% of the population. The rest worked 12-16 hour days in awful conditions. Children entered the work place from as early as 5. Most didn't live in humble but very well kept dwellings, they lived in slums, where sewage leaked into their houses and disease was rife. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Regency London also smelled awful! People emptied chamber pots into the street, no one cleaned up after their dogs or horses (and horses were the only form of transportation), the air was thick with pollution from home fires and factories and the fog often described was so thick, because it was a mix of smoke and fog. Ever heard the term "pea souper"? That's fog that's so full of pollution that it looks green. That my friends, is the reality of Regency London for everyone, not just the poor. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;">Now I do gloss over much of this, because who wants to read about a lady stepping in shit, or urine running down the gutter? But that doesn't alter the reality, or make the characters depicted by Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and the like, anything other that pure fiction.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Seriously, telling me to read fiction novels to learn where I'm going wrong, is like telling me to read the DaVinci Code to better understand the Catholic Church. That's not to say that the DaVinci code is completely made up and no facts about the church are real, but it's still an inaccurate portrayal and I'd be much better picking up a few factual books on the history of Catholicism. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And while my books do contain accurate historical detail, I really wouldn't recommend them as a way to learn history, because they just don't go into enough depth to be useful in that regard. I'm writing fiction to entertain, not history textbooks. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">I think most of my readers are smart enough to understand that, but a few readers do get awful mad at me for deviating from their picture-perfect vision of times gone by. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">*A (far from complete) list of affairs and illegitimate children that I have come across during my research. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">James
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<span style="font-size: small;">Georgiana Cavendish had an illegitimate son while
married, with future Prime Minister, Earl Grey. As for her husband, the
Duke of Devonshire, well he moved his mistress into the house and they
all lived together, like one big happy family.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Lawrence of Arabia was illegitimate, the result of his father leaving his wife for the family's nanny. Sounds like something you'd read in a tabloid, doesnt it, not 1800s England?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">Sir Henry Morton Stanley, writer and explorer, was born to an unmarried 19 year old girl in a small Welsh village.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">One of the founding fathers of the USA, Alexander Hamilton, was born in the British West Indies colony, to married French woman Rachel Faucette Buck and Scottish Lord (or Laird) Alexander Hamilton.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">James Smithson (of the Smithsonian Insttute) was born to the Duke of Northumberland and widow, Elizabeth Hungerford.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
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Bernhardt
(AKA the most famous actress the world has ever known) was born to an
unmarried, working class girl, her father was unknown.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Countess
of Bessborough (1761-1821)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: small;">Born in 1824, playwright </span><span style="font-size: small;">Alexandre Dumas, was the illigitimate son of a dressmaker and the author, Alexandre Dumas Sr.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lady Bessborough had two illegitimate children with, Earl
Granville.While she was pregnant with their first illegitimate child, Granville had an affair with Lady Hester
Stanhope and later, a Russian princess. Then when he ha<span style="font-size: small;">d</span> sewn enough wild oats, he married Lady Bessboroug's niece! <span style="font-size: small;">Now t</span>hat's what I call keeping it in the family. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dorothy Jordan
had numerous illegitimate children by many fathers, including the Duke of Clarence.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">And finally, William IV had ten, yes TEN illegitimate children with Mrs. Jordan.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: small;">So the next time you think of doubting my historical fact, please do your homework first, BEFORE getting shitty with me. </span>Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-44840540381745564962013-02-17T13:36:00.002-08:002013-02-17T13:36:46.390-08:00The first female jockey<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWAUwzMAJ-bu1hVl1yrEifj6VrU6ZJFQ8MBX0c6Bf-HR95nx8vZXwnCbjEd6lebl_BiakBrqlvbKWZfAHeq-hoE0-VsxjpUS2Dshm6x_KPimyXu9oVEfj-gChB6Nx_LewJhOfszH_gw/s1600/cowboy+amazon+small+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWAUwzMAJ-bu1hVl1yrEifj6VrU6ZJFQ8MBX0c6Bf-HR95nx8vZXwnCbjEd6lebl_BiakBrqlvbKWZfAHeq-hoE0-VsxjpUS2Dshm6x_KPimyXu9oVEfj-gChB6Nx_LewJhOfszH_gw/s200/cowboy+amazon+small+1.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
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In the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZL1QC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BEZL1QC&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Lady and the Cowboy</a>, set in Texas circa 1882, I use
a female jockey. I can say much more without spoiling parts of the book but I wanted
to share my research with you. </div>
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First of all I wondered if women might be banned from the
sport, after all, women were banned from many professions in the Victorian era.
I could find nothing prohibiting it at that time, then I hit upon Eliza Carpenter, who was extraordinary
for many reasons, not least of which is that she was a former slave turned
racehorse owner, and she would ride her own horses when she was unhappy with
her jockeys performance! </div>
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Sadly details of her life are few and far between, with
everything online basically being copied from or to her brief <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eliza_Carpenter">Wikipedia entry</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
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I did however, find her obituary from the The Baltimore Afro-American (below the cut). Sadly she was thrown from wagon in 1924 and hit her head. She never recovered from the in injury and died a few months later.</div>
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<br /></div>
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She lived a long life however, being 73 at the time of her death and I think you will agree, she was a truly
remarkable woman. </div>
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<br /></div>
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To reach chapter one of the Lady and the Cowboy, <a href="http://cswinchester.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-lady-and-cowboy-chapter-one.html">click here</a>. </div>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-80816437049879913042013-02-14T12:42:00.000-08:002013-03-12T06:28:17.833-07:00The Lady and the Cowboy, Chapter One<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Time for another sample, this time, The Lady and the Cowboy. Fingers crossed that it's my second best seller! (please God?)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWAUwzMAJ-bu1hVl1yrEifj6VrU6ZJFQ8MBX0c6Bf-HR95nx8vZXwnCbjEd6lebl_BiakBrqlvbKWZfAHeq-hoE0-VsxjpUS2Dshm6x_KPimyXu9oVEfj-gChB6Nx_LewJhOfszH_gw/s1600/cowboy+amazon+small+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUWAUwzMAJ-bu1hVl1yrEifj6VrU6ZJFQ8MBX0c6Bf-HR95nx8vZXwnCbjEd6lebl_BiakBrqlvbKWZfAHeq-hoE0-VsxjpUS2Dshm6x_KPimyXu9oVEfj-gChB6Nx_LewJhOfszH_gw/s400/cowboy+amazon+small+1.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Book Blurb:</b> When
Lady Ruth Adams inherits a share in a Texan horse ranch, she thinks it could be
the beginning of a whole new life for her and ignoring her family’s misgivings,
she sets sail for America. When she inadvertently argues with her new business partner
on her first day though, things don’t look hopeful. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Sam
Wakefield doesn’t know what to make of the refined and timid woman who now
shares his house along with his mother. What he does know, is that he much
prefers the firebrand who confronted him the first time they met, and he can’t
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Ruth is
just about ready to give up on her dream when her beloved horse, Angel, arrives
from England and Sam realises that they may have more in common that he thought.
Angel could prove to be the key in reviving his dreams of one day breeding
racehorses, while the one place that Ruth isn’t timid, is in the saddle.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">As they
come to trust each other, Sam teaches her about ranch life and love but someone
else has their eye on the Wakefield Ranch, someone who could ruin everything
for them.</span></div>
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<![endif]--><b>Chapter
One</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>July 20th 1882, Wakefield Ranch near Midridge, Texas<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
This had been
the most miserable journey of Ruth’s life. The boat trip had been all right, if
tedious but it had been downhill from then. First the train ride across America
had been hot, humid and at times, cramped. The hotels she’d stayed at in
between trains had been… well, she didn’t know how to describe them; she had
never seen anything like them in England. Basic might be the best adjective. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Then, since
this ranch was in the middle of nowhere, it necessitated an eight hour
stagecoach ride from the railway station in Fort Worth, on some very rough
roads. Her spine would probably never recover. Then the coach had dropped her
in Midridge town’s Main Street and after seeing the lawyer, she’d had to hire
another carriage, well more of a cart really, to take her out to the ranch and
if possible, that ride had been even more jarring than the first.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
As if that
wasn’t enough, she had finally arrived, only to catch the heel of her boot on
the loose carriage step and fall, rather ungracefully, onto the dirt driveway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Are you all
right, Miss?” Earl, the cart driver called out, making his way around to help
her to her feet. “Are you hurt?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Ruth got to
her feet and dusted off her hands. Some of the stones and pebbles had cut into
her palms but it could have been a lot worse. She felt just about ready to
scream, but she could hear her mother’s voice telling her that ‘a lady doesn’t
scream’.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Just my
pride, Earl,” she said with a weary sigh, pushing some loosened strands of dark
hair behind her ears.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“I’ll get the
bags down, miss.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“That was
quite some fall,” said a deep voice, filled with mirth and she turned to see a
cowboy, complete with horse, gun and Stetson hat, standing to the rear of the
carriage. The sun was behind him, so she couldn’t see his features yet and
shielded her eyes with her hand as she looked up at him.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“I’ve had
worse,” she answered coolly, galled by the fact that this cowboy was laughing
at her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The cowboy
chuckled which raised Ruth’s hackles even further. She straightened her spine.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Look, I don’t
know who you are but I am half owner of this place, so it might be a good idea
to show me a little more respect.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
That wiped
the smile off his face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Owner?” he
asked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“That’s what
I said, isn’t it?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The cowboy
looked to the wagon that had brought her here, piled high with her belongings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“You moving
in or something?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And if I
am?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The cowboy
shrugged. “The bunk house is right over there.” He pointed to a wooden
structure, “but it doesn’t exactly have male and female areas, if you know what
I’m saying.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And what’s
wrong with that house?” she asked, pointing to the welcoming looking farmhouse
behind her.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“There’s
nothing wrong with it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She continued
to stare at him for a moment, wondering if he was going to elaborate and when
he didn’t, she gave up and went to help Earl unload her trunks from the
carriage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The cowboy
stood watching them and when the last trunk was on the ground, Ruth turned back
to him. From this angle she could see his features more clearly. He had a
strong, square jaw with a hint of stubble, full lips and the lightest blue eyes
that she had ever seen. It might even be an attractive face, if he ever
bothered to smile.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Well, are
you going to stare at us all day or lend a hand?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Last time I
checked, I wasn’t paid to wait on guests, be they owners or not.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Then get
back to looking after the ranch, because I'm certain that you aren’t paid to
stand around gawking at people.” She turned her back, picked up two of her
lighter bags and headed towards the house, to which Earl was dragging her
trunks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She was determined
not to look over her shoulder to see if he’d followed her instructions or not
but once she reached the house, she couldn't help it. He was nowhere in sight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She didn’t
know if she was pleased that he’d listened to her, or upset that she wouldn’t
get to continue their fight. She was hot, sweaty, her palms stung and her dress
was filthy; she wasn’t usually argumentative, it wasn’t ladylike after all but
right now, she felt that she would have welcomed an altercation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She left Earl
to bring the rest of her belongings over and walked up the wooden steps, across
the veranda that spanned the front of the house and knocked on the door.
Moments later it was answered by a homey looking woman, with kind eyes and
simple dress. She was wiping her hands on a dish rag and smiled as she saw
Ruth.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Can I help
you?” she asked. Her accent was unusual but not so strong that Ruth didn’t
understand her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Hello. My
name is Ruth Adams and I’d like to see Mr Wakefield, if I may?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“You’re
Ruth?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her smile widened. “We weren’t
sure exactly when you were coming. Well don’t just stand there, come on in, you
must be tired after your journey. I’m Mrs Wakefield, although most people
around here call me Mamma,” she said as she led Ruth through a hallway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
There was a
wide staircase leading to the floor above and Ruth could glimpse a parlour and
a dining room leading off the hallway. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Very pleased
to meet you.” Ruth offered as they walked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
They went
through a door at the rear of the hallway and into a large kitchen. A young
black woman was chopping something on the side, but Ruth couldn’t see what. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“This is
Cassy, she helps me in the house,” Mamma explained. “Cassy, this is Ruth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Pleased to
meet you,” Ruth smiled. Cassy nodded then returned to her work but Ruth thought
that her brusque response was because she was shy, rather than rude.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“So, would
you like something hot or something cool? You already look pretty hot, so how
about some lemonade?” She was already bustling around the kitchen, getting
glasses out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Mamma headed
into what Ruth assumed was a pantry and came out moments later with two tall
glasses of lemonade, and what looked like a mint leaf floating in the top of
each. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Let’s go
through to the parlour where we can be more comfortable.” The parlour was
nicely decorated and well cared for, although the furniture was all looking a
little aged.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Sit yourself
down and take the weight off your feet.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“That sounds
wonderful,” Ruth said with a relieved sigh. “And I apologise for the state I'm
in, I fell getting down from the carriage.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Don’t you
worry, we don’t often stand on ceremony around here.” Mamma handed her a glass.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Unused to
having foliage served with her beverages, Ruth look a tentative sip of the
drink, then sighed with pleasure. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“That’s
delicious,” she smiled at the other woman, who proudly beamed back at her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Old family
recipe.” She took a sip from her own glass and sat back to observe her guest.
“So, how was your journey?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Long and
tiring,” Ruth gave her a weary smile. “But I really was hoping to speak with Mr
Wakefield if I may? I’m afraid the lawyer didn’t tell me any details about my
inheritance, so I don’t even know if Ivor had a house. It’s getting late so if
I need to return to town, I’d rather be making a move, no offence.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“None taken,
child. I can’t say as I knew Ivor well, but I believe he rented rooms above
Haskell’s Tavern.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The letter
from the lawyer had spoken of a 50% share in the ranch, both the business and
properties, which she had hoped might mean he had a home there. Now she would
have to spend more of her precious savings on accommodation. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Perhaps I
could take his rooms over. Is Haskell’s a nice kind of place?” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Mamma looked
at her with sympathy. “I’m sorry, but Ivor owed four weeks on his rent. They
threw most of his stuff out into the street. Besides, you’ll be staying here of
course; we’ve got plenty of room.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you,
but I wouldn’t want to impose.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Nonsense.
The closest town is eight miles away, that’s one long walk. Haskell's is all
they have and if you don’t mind me saying, it’s no place for a lady.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“One of my
servants journeyed over with me, he’ll keep me safe.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“I didn’t see
a servant.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“No, well
he’ll be joining me soon.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And when he
does, he can stay in the bunk house with the ranch hands.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“No,
honestly. I was hoping that I could store some trunks here though, just until I
find something a little more permanent? I’m getting tired of hauling them
around with me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Now that’s
just ridiculous. You don’t even have your own horse yet, do you? How’re you
going to get out here?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Well Earl,
he brought me here from town, he said he was local and offered his services any
time I needed them.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Mamma
chuckled. “I wouldn’t trust Earl as far as I could throw him! No, child, you
stay here with us, where I can keep my eye on you!” She winked. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Ruth was
getting tired of arguing. “Well, as long as it really wouldn’t be an
imposition.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“It wouldn’t.
It’s just me and Sam left now, rattling around in this big old house. It’ll be
nice to have someone else around.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Then, thank
you very much. As soon as my horse gets here, I promise I’ll find something in
town.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“We’ll see
about that when the time comes. Who’s bringing your horse?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“His name is
Joe. He used to be a groom on my father’s estate. He offered to see Angel from
the boat to the ranch, so I could go on ahead with my luggage on the train.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And will you
be keeping him on?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Not for
long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think he only volunteered to
come with me so that he could see what life was like over here and whether or
not he wants to stay. I think he likes the romanticism of the Wild West
stories, although the reality might not live up to his expectations.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Well we’ve
got plenty of room in the bunk house. Three square meals a day and company.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And what
will his board be?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Long as he
helps out a little around the ranch, free. I assume your horse won’t keep him
that busy?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Oh, no, I
take care of most of her needs.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“And you’ll
pay him a wage?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Only for
three months. He’s a lovely man and he really cares for the horses but… Well, I
don’t have a lot of money. I’ve been living off the charity of my
brother-in-law since….” She wondered why she was telling Mrs Wakefield this;
she wasn’t usually one to air her laundry in public. She supposed it must have
something to do with how tired she was. “Well anyway, Joe and I agreed that I
would keep him on for three months whilst he sees if he wants to stay in
America and after that, I’ll pay his journey home or he’ll find employment.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Mamma nodded.
“Well, if he’s a good worker, Sam might agree to keep him on.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Speaking of
Sam, is your husband around? I’d like to meet him.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“My husband’s
long dead, Ruth, can I call you Ruth?”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Um, yes, I
don’t see why not.” She was only used to family members using her Christian
name, but she had already figured out that America was a lot less formal than
England.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Sam is my
eldest son. He’ll usually gets back around five or six, you’ll meet him at
dinner I'm sure.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Oh, all
right.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Now, why
don’t I show you to your room so you can wash up and refresh yourself a
little.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you,
I’d like that. I’ll just go and pay Earl.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“You leave
Earl to me,” Mamma assured Ruth, a firm hand on her shoulder ensuring that she
didn’t try to get up. “I won’t have him fleecing any of my guests.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Ruth didn’t
want to disagree with her host again so she relented and held out her purse.
“Please, take this. There should be enough in there to cover it.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Most of her
savings were kept in a purse that she tied around her waist, under her
petticoats, so she didn’t have to worry about this woman running off with her
life savings. Besides, she already felt at home with Mrs Wakefield and despite
having known her only minutes, trusted her. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She waited
patiently for Mrs Wakefield to return and examined her damaged palms. They were
filmed in dust and although there were a few spots of blood, mostly the stones
had just raised bloodless flaps of skin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She was
beginning to think that coming here had been a huge mistake, despite how
friendly Mrs Wakefield had been.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Her family
had all insisted that she would never be happy in a strange country, populated
by ruffians and living on a ranch. They had told her to contact the lawyer and
arrange for him to sell Ivor’s share, but she had known better. She had seen it
as her big chance to escape her life, to start over, with no rumours and
innuendo following her. Where she could earn her own living (she was sure there
was something she could do, even on a ranch, to earn her keep) and not be
forced to survive on the charity of others. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Now she was
here though, she couldn’t help but wonder what the hell she was doing in Texas?
In this hot, humid, dusty and barren land. She felt a pang of longing for
England, for its leafy green vistas, lush streams and rich countryside. She was
all alone here with no house, no friends, little money and miles from
civilisation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Plus, she’d
already had one run-in with a cowboy and she couldn't help but feel that it
didn’t bode well for the future. Was her life here going to be full of
disrespect and being ignored? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She had felt
that way ever since she married Ivor, so she knew that she could endure it, she
just didn’t want to. This was supposed to be her big chance to break free, not
to end up in the same rut she was in at home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“There,
Earl’s on his way now, so it looks like you’re stuck here,” Mamma said with
some glee as she returned. “Now follow me, I’ll show you to your room.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
As Ruth went
out into the hallway again, she saw that two men were hauling her trunks up the
stairs. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“That’s Raoul
and Ben, they work on the farm,” Mamma said as they walked. “Boys, this is
Ruth.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
They both
nodded at her and one (she wasn’t sure which) offered her a smile. They made
their way upstairs behind the cowboys and from the upper landing, five doors
led off. The one she was led into was very different from anything she’d seen
before.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
The floor was
polished wood, in the middle of which sat a large rug and on top of that, sat a
huge bed. So far, not so different, except that the walls were papered with a
light, floral print, the curtains were a light yellow shade that would do
little to keep the sun out and the bedspread was a cream shade, embroidered
with dark beige thread. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Ruth was used
to bold colours and dark, wood panelled walls, so this light and airy room was
like a breath of fresh air. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“It’s
lovely,” she gasped. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Mamma smiled
and went over to the other door that led from the room. Beside the door and
affixed to the wall stood a floor length mirror.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She could see that thanks to her fall, her
hair was in much more of a mess than she had anticipated, almost down in some
places and she had dirt streaked across one cheek. No wonder the cowboy had
laughed at her. Her dress also had dark stains from where she had landed in her
fall and the rest appeared dusty.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“This is your
closet,” Mamma said, prompting Ruth to move her feet and look inside. “We don’t
have running water inside yet but there’s a well just outside in the yard, just
by the kitchen door and we keep hot water on the stove all day. I’ll bring you
up a pitcher of cool water and a basin, so you can have a wash if you’d like.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you.”
Ruth smiled. She wanted nothing more than a wash in cool water right now. It
had to be above 80 degrees today!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“All done.”
In short order, the cowboys had brought all six of her trunks up, as well as
her bags. She didn’t have the heart to tell them that one trunk held spare tack
and one contained Joe’s belongings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you,”
Ruth told them and as she reached for her purse to tip them, saw that they
disappeared without any fuss. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Ruth took the
remaining pins out of her hair then, since she was hot and the dress was
filthy, undressed to her chemise and petticoats. She finally felt cool for the
first time all day as she began to unpack her trunks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She was
placing the few books she’d brought with her on to the dresser, when there was
a tap on her door so she called for them to come in. Thankfully it was just Mrs
Wakefield with the water jug and basin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Perhaps you
had better ask 'who’s there' next time,” Mamma joked, giving Ruth’s
undergarments a pointed look. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Oh!” Ruth
cringed. “I’m so sorry. I was hot and the dress was dirty-“</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“No need to
explain, I’ve done the same myself on occasion. You’re hair looks real pretty
down, by the way. I wish I had curls like that.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you.”
She was used to the women in her family forever lamenting that her hair was too
wild and untamed, so it was nice to hear a compliment, even if she didn’t
believe it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“I’ll just
get you some towels then I’ll leave you be. I’m normally found in or around the
kitchen, if you need anything.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you so
much, Mrs Wakefield, you really have been too kind.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Call me
Mamma and don’t talk rubbish. It’s selfishness on my part really; Cassy and I
are usually surrounded by men all day long! It’ll be nice to have another woman
about the place. If you’re not down before, I’ll give you a call at seven; we
usually eat sometime around then.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
“Thank you.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Before she
finished unpacking, Ruth disrobed and had a wash, taking her time and enjoying
the cool water. Finally she pulled a night gown on as it was loose, and
finished her unpacking. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Washed and
clean, by the time she was finished, her mood was a thousand times improved.
She smiled as she hung up her riding habit; she couldn’t wait for Joe and Angel
to get here, it felt like weeks since she’d been on horseback and she missed
it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Sam Wakefield
stayed out on the ranch for as long as he could that evening, unwilling to go
home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
His men had
told her that his mother had invited Lady Adams to stay in his house, and that
they had carried her things inside for her, which most certainly wasn’t what he
paid them for but they couldn’t say no to Mamma. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
He really wasn’t
looking forward to spending his free time with that blasted woman; the
condescending little witch.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
She wasn’t
even anything to look at, so no wonder her husband had left her. Who would want
to live with someone like that? Not him, that’s for damn sure. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt; text-indent: 17.0pt;">
Still, he
couldn’t avoid the inevitable forever and he finished rubbing Murphy down, then
turned him out into the field for the night. With a heavy heart, he walked back
to the house.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 17pt;">
___________________________ </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I hope
you enjoyed that. If you'd like to read more of Ruth and Sam's story,
The Lady and the Cowboy is available on <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00BEZL1QC">Amazon UK</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BEZL1QC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BEZL1QC&linkCode=as2&tag=cswin-20">Amazon USA</a>.</span></div>
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Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-9974960499810549302013-02-01T17:54:00.000-08:002013-07-25T17:40:44.379-07:00Bestselling BluesI know all my own flaws, so why does it hurt so much when someone I care about points out my inadequacies?<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwSGrzs3_XvfIux71hZ6wPqxk6w2xA0p0KP0ajeouS-QsrGZvp89KvDC1ojbkefvh6vah6wls-HC4gvNR30UR8ltaln8SFBwnW-bfSz0QlogxAvWsjBrMDHOT7BJoFieCR3Dy5pe4XQ/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="73" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwSGrzs3_XvfIux71hZ6wPqxk6w2xA0p0KP0ajeouS-QsrGZvp89KvDC1ojbkefvh6vah6wls-HC4gvNR30UR8ltaln8SFBwnW-bfSz0QlogxAvWsjBrMDHOT7BJoFieCR3Dy5pe4XQ/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The proof - click to enlarge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As you may or may not know, the Reluctant Duchess entered Amazon's romance charts on Thursday, selling a shocking amount of books and making me giddy with happiness.<br />
<br />
Even as i was telling my friends of my success last night though, I'm qualifying my (limited) success.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I'm not really an author though. In fact, I wish I could call myself a storyteller because while I have no particular love for Language, I just love telling stories. That's why I write."</blockquote>
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>And growing up as a dyslexic, I was hardly going to turn around and start blowing my own trumpet, just because I have reached a few of Amazon's best seller lists. A lifetime of being told you're bad at spelling, language, grammar and writing etc. etc. ad infinitum, isn't overcome in one day. I suffered no delusions that the quality of my writing had dramatically improved, I was just pleased that I had seemingly found an audience. <br />
<br />
And waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm still waiting.On Thursday the book entered the chart at #11 (or that's when I became aware of it) then peaked at #3 in the regency romance chart, went down to #4 Friday morning, then climbed back up to #3 and has now peaked at number #2.<br />
<br />
But this run cant last forever, eventually people will figure out that I'm a bad writer and start requesting refunds and writing bad reviews and a host of other stuff. On Tuesday, when the sales first began doing well (but not chart topping well) this is what I posted to facebook.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCwHoaa-uTgX8sPFLWVeXa7pA7BLmYcU0wXd4kzlXV1ewGnLx1uUGc2TGeTDlwINc1n8TTATmQxnDvCaaTO8Csa5ndS94pVKejNO-JcPbN2OjcLVu_8tVM34sAAp5KjwrG87fzBK1xA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCwHoaa-uTgX8sPFLWVeXa7pA7BLmYcU0wXd4kzlXV1ewGnLx1uUGc2TGeTDlwINc1n8TTATmQxnDvCaaTO8Csa5ndS94pVKejNO-JcPbN2OjcLVu_8tVM34sAAp5KjwrG87fzBK1xA/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
See, I know my place on the writing heap, and that's right at the bottom, what my English teacher would have called pap. I harbour no delusions about that.<br />
<br />
So when someone I care about begins explaining how I'm not a "real writer" (yes, she put it in inverted commas) but that it's okay, because Barbara Cartland made a fortune doing what I am. So what if I will never be [insert list of literary writers I can't remember] that doesn't matter because Barbara Cartland churned out a book per month!<br />
<br />
I felt the need to interrupt her here and explain what I have already explained on this blog, that I know I'm at the bottom of the literary totem pole and she really doesn't need to remind me. <br />
<br />
Perhaps realising that I am hurt, she doesn't listen and goes on to explain that while I'm no Hilary Mantel (who won the Booker Prize and 3 other literary awards just in 2012) that's okay because some literary authors are even too literary for her to read, like Salman Rushdie and someone else. Shock Horror!<br />
<br />
And now I feel crushed, even although I know she didn't intend to crush me. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nxe-njaCerfaPr0TGYPorDAMelZQHqJC5UMU6-N8FlKf_rAANkstyVpTx3SQAs9ObBmTjN0eSggeH3blH4gUlj2cki9V_Vhy__JO-TqMFb26BrJv7EikBBgs-tybq3nmak8eS72auQ/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="94" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2nxe-njaCerfaPr0TGYPorDAMelZQHqJC5UMU6-N8FlKf_rAANkstyVpTx3SQAs9ObBmTjN0eSggeH3blH4gUlj2cki9V_Vhy__JO-TqMFb26BrJv7EikBBgs-tybq3nmak8eS72auQ/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was aware of everything she said before. I have no delusions of grandeur. No secret dreams of one day winning the Booker Prize or the Nobel Prize. Hell, I'd consider myself exceptionally lucky to win £10 on the lottery.<br />
<br />
I have never wanted fame or fortune. Well maybe a little fortune, but certainly not fame. I hate being in the spotlight and when someone praises me, I feel like a pretender and while I thank them politely, I'm already explaining away their nice words in my head. <br />
<br />
All I have ever really wanted was to tell stories. I've been doing it since I was 14, long before the internet allowed me to share them. No one ever even saw those first stories, they were just for me and if no one ever read another story of mine, I would still write. It's a compulsion.<br />
<br />
My biggest dream was to find an audience of people who wanted to read a story of mine, to lose themselves for a few hours in something I had crafted and maybe eventually, find enough of those people that I could write full time. <br />
<br />
Now I seem to have found that audience (for a while at least) and I feel like crap. Last night I didnt want to go to bed, i was so eagre to see if i stayed put on the chart, or perhaps, maybe even climbed a little!<br />
<br />
Right now, sales figured no longer make me smile, I'm not excited to wonder how long this charting will last, I'm no longer thrilled to know that I'm #15 in Amazons stable of historical romance authors, and the fact that I have currently have the 173rd best selling book out of all kindle books (which considering that Amazon has <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">1,672,889 kindle books for sale, is no small
achievement) leaves me cold</span>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSXJDHgC5Y9juZAnNEJ6ju-tmaQfbu1689OUrnNFksxu8NZHc463h3qxJgoS6lsF5CxhZIPns_4uiyPiZSJ3mG7PgDiefJyueAKoeyzbjK5K2OJS9wIpGd8esSRPzJAHicmoFxl2EvA/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVSXJDHgC5Y9juZAnNEJ6ju-tmaQfbu1689OUrnNFksxu8NZHc463h3qxJgoS6lsF5CxhZIPns_4uiyPiZSJ3mG7PgDiefJyueAKoeyzbjK5K2OJS9wIpGd8esSRPzJAHicmoFxl2EvA/s400/5.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
Instead of enjoying all that, I feel like a pretender who doesn't deserve any of this.<br />
<br />
What I just can't figure out though, is, why it hurts so much more for someone you love to tell you something you already know? Why does the truth from someone else's lips reduce me to tears? Can someone explain that to me?<br />
<br />Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6427453882425342631.post-4367885510597174632013-01-28T14:58:00.000-08:002013-07-25T17:41:40.202-07:00Top writing tips<a href="http://io9.com/5979575/one-writing-tip-that-really-does-work-most-of-the-time">io9 has it's top tip for writers</a> based on Tor (a fantasy publisher) <a href="http://torbooks.co.uk/2013/01/24/tors-top-tips-our-authors-on-writing/">writers tips</a>.<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">So what
is the top tip?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Never finish a writing session by finishing
off a scene.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Even if you're in the grip of the muse and
the words are flowing like cheap hooch at an Irish wedding (I'm Irish before
you get offended), stop before you finish. If you can bring yourself to do it,
stop in the middle of a sentence. Using the Slaughtered Lamb Entrail Method™,
you'll find that you're keen to get back to the page when your next day's
writing session begins. Moreover, you won't be stuck at the beginning of a new
scene, staring at the flashing Cursor of Doom and wondering what happens next.
You'll always have something to pick up and run with.</span></div>
</blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JJXztjYEQY8480yT6FogZReiB8v7hC8_69bffQMK4MEIGVkPCVstlfhEIBHY08XttX_Ybbdj9Zz9A8wFvO8ogwKo0wP1iUr16lSfNNrl9eCq7eNIziUFmyb1ee4vz7eIS-4z_zHnFA/s1600/TV1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JJXztjYEQY8480yT6FogZReiB8v7hC8_69bffQMK4MEIGVkPCVstlfhEIBHY08XttX_Ybbdj9Zz9A8wFvO8ogwKo0wP1iUr16lSfNNrl9eCq7eNIziUFmyb1ee4vz7eIS-4z_zHnFA/s1600/TV1.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Personally I think that’s a rubbish tip. When
the creative juices are flowing, roll with it. Once I've written what's I my
head, that frees me u to consider the nest steps. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What’s
my top tip? </span></b></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<b>
</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Throw
out your television<span style="font-size: large;">!</span> </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Okay,
maybe that's a little extreme, just unplug it and out it in the spare bedroom
for a few weeks. The first few days will feel really odd, like you've lost a
friend or lifeline. When your friends or colleagues talk over the water cooler about last
night’s shows, you won’t be able to join in, you'll feel like you're missing
out! Like you're a freak! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But that
soon passes. It won’t be long before you're sick on sitting on the sofa
twiddling your thumbs. Maybe you will cook something, clean, sort your tax
return out but eventually you will run out of things to keep you occupied, then
you’ll start to get creative. Maybe you'll pick up a book or two first for
inspiration, or maybe you'll plunge straight into writing.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUShncSPhkUbzWLf8zpu5j9__aJ-_mX5Aiifa7srgu2mzFz1v5XVbHLjjXhUKlmlU_tEoC01a-pjAv5nSOq6IMS39zdvW4QGHXwsgq4be2iLbCFUDVmZtlmA0hdbD0-j_RimDJXEiQA/s1600/TV2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrUShncSPhkUbzWLf8zpu5j9__aJ-_mX5Aiifa7srgu2mzFz1v5XVbHLjjXhUKlmlU_tEoC01a-pjAv5nSOq6IMS39zdvW4QGHXwsgq4be2iLbCFUDVmZtlmA0hdbD0-j_RimDJXEiQA/s320/TV2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">However
it happens, I guarantee that if you really want to write, within two weeks you
will be working on your masterpiece. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And if
not, hey, at least your house is clean and your taxes are up to date!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In my
experience, boredom is the mother of creativity and I genuinely worry for this
young generation because with commuter games, hand held games, hundreds of TV
channels, movies at the touch of a button, texts, tweets, the internet, cat
memes, iPods and mp3 players etc, today’s youth is rarely board. The few times I
have encountered a board young person, they genuinely don’t know what to do with
themselves. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I
remember my summer holidays when we had 6-8 weeks of free time. TV then were only 3
and later 4 channels, some didn't broadcast until the afternoon. We didn't have
a parent organising every second of out free time, or access to the distractions
we have today, we had to entertain ourselves. And that's exactly what we did. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIL9u8p4sjGR6H1etzWbQRFusoZsUucwtnkrvtZVKTLH9JoC39rabbd_4fYXRhue0IgG4kD-0e2RwJl9cIhYzZcPSJlAuZZQIBJ3cAeEtm3hsi-wwJ7w4KU0L09lZwDfIclw2rJDW9Q/s1600/TV4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxIL9u8p4sjGR6H1etzWbQRFusoZsUucwtnkrvtZVKTLH9JoC39rabbd_4fYXRhue0IgG4kD-0e2RwJl9cIhYzZcPSJlAuZZQIBJ3cAeEtm3hsi-wwJ7w4KU0L09lZwDfIclw2rJDW9Q/s320/TV4.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Anything
like calling friends to see if they could play, or impromptu tennis tournaments
in the back garden with string for a net, to practising with the yoyo or
learning new ball tricks, or taking the dog for a walk, going to the rec
(recreation ground) and seeing how high we could swing, or petting the animals
in a nearby garden, or recording our favourite songs from the radio, or making a
mix tape of our favourite stuff, or watching a film or TV program that's outside of our comfort zone, or going to see the neighbours kittens, or
drawing/painting, or picking up a book, or teaching myself the rules of chess, or making something we'd seen on Blue
Peter, or playing with our toys, or collecting hobby magazines, or turning kitchen
roll centres into swords, or practising an instrument (taught myself to play
Stand By Me by ear on a friends guitar once), or carving apples into swans, or built a lego house, or practising make-up, or dying our
hair pink (that was unintentional, it was supposed to be a tint), or making a
costume from old clothes, or helping to build a brick barbecue, or getting
offcuts of paper from the printing factory down the road and making
flick-animations, or going to music shops to listen to new stuff, or looking
through charity shops, or learning to press flowers, or turning old Christmas
and birthday cards into pretty boxes and lids, or making a cake or biscuits, or
taking ourselves off to the swimming pool, or finally getting so board that we
tried out things that scares us, like the stilts our dad made us, or the
roller-skates that eye us evilly from the show cupboard every time we go in
it (I never did master roller skates). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">And
sometimes, we'd just sitting there daydreaming, which is where every novel or
creative venture (and many scientific discoveries) start; from an idea.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV-2TChF1F8OWfGAwPZiuoLAs6RtZPZwhg6koQF0tR6iTZNar-SkDq8HCdXL4NmrvDQlqZqRwnTwL73c864nj052LaU1SPd7jR4pmDy-mGtIRDWHsPBiMgICNNom1QWQxif6aGDhbGA/s1600/TV3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV-2TChF1F8OWfGAwPZiuoLAs6RtZPZwhg6koQF0tR6iTZNar-SkDq8HCdXL4NmrvDQlqZqRwnTwL73c864nj052LaU1SPd7jR4pmDy-mGtIRDWHsPBiMgICNNom1QWQxif6aGDhbGA/s320/TV3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">I have
done all those things above and I'm sure, many other things that I can’t
remember. I wonder how many modern kids can say the same? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">TV is
fun, sure, but it rarely expands our minds or enhances our experiences. <b>So why
not put the idiot box away for a few weeks, and (re)discover just how
creative you can really be?</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">P.S. If you
spend 4-8 hours a day on any other form of modern media (like games or on the
internet) try locking them away or turning your internet connection off.</span></div>
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<![endif]--> Cat Winchesterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13248231162701133032noreply@blogger.com0