Just wanted to say that Lucky Lucy has a bit of a upper respiratory bug, not the flu, but she is still alive, not kidnapped, not sequestered in a tower somewhere and certainly not carried off on a horse by some gallant knight! Have patience dear readers. She is hanging in and will reveal more of her adventures soon.
And yes, she did get a flu shot.
Private Party, no admission. This means you!
Well, as we can see, Miss Lucy Augustine has been in residence at Herald House for one week. With her charming personality and engaging manner, she has managed to provide some semblance of normalcy among the stricken members of the Roland Willoby household. Poor Roland. Never was much of a horseman, why his brother Michael would insist that he ride Hunter, the grand black stallion is anyone’s guess. Young Peter Waters attempted to intervene by directing Mr. Roland to the kinder and more manageable Flame. Mr. Michael was incensed, slapped him with his black leather glove, right on the face, very near his right eye I might add. He called him rather derogatory names and sent him packing. Now Mr. Roland always was in awe of his brother Michael. Something of a handsome rogue with his blonde curling locks, tall stature and muscular build, he was the center of life at Meadow Grove in their youth. Michael had a reputation with the ladies. He spent some time courting Rosemary Augustine as well. Since she showed little interest in his affectations Michael was quite perturbed by her luke-warm favors. Since he moved from one social group to another quite easily, Miss Rosemary felt that his attentions were not proper. From that time, Michael rather scoffed at her appearance and her intellect. However, Roland was quite taken with her. After a two year courtship they announced their engagement.
Miss Rosemary was devastated when her Mother, Father and Brother were afflicted with a rampant infectious disease of some sort and they passed on to another world. Rosemary was merely 17 at that time. Fortunately, Rosemary was spared but left rather weak and dismayed. Having no direct family to represent her in the courtship and marriage negotiations, she elicited the assistance of her uncle, Mr. Augustine and his solicitor Mr. Sullivan. Since she was now a grand heiress with a large income to manage she required guidance and reassurance. At her age of 19 Miss Rosemary and Mr. Roland married and moved to the estate entailed to Mr. Roland by his childless uncle. Rosemary’s childhood home, Lawnworth, was sold to a local junior aristocrat looking for residence. While this practice was not common, it had the blessing of Mr. Sullivan and passed the stringent legal guidelines at the time. Much of the profit from this sale were invested with Mr. Phillip Sawyer and his shipping company. A fine businessman, Rosemary’s investments are secure and safe in a family owned and managed business.
A jovial and trusting man, Mr. Roland was short of stature and wide of girth. In spite of rigorous lessons with experienced trainers, he struggled to sit a horse properly. Frequently the recipient of cruel taunts, “Rusty” was the nick name given to him by the ever-so-fair Mr. Michael. You see, his hair was carrot colored and like none in the family. Mr. Roland was good natured and considered this taunting as a form of friendship. He was wrong. Frequently Mr. Michael was away for long periods of time so when he was in residence Mr. Roland was delighted with his attentions when he returned. A sad state of affairs.
Cock and Bull Inn, 8pm, sharp, no excuses.
Meeting of Black Glove Society, Cock and Bull Inn, 8 pm.
Arrived Village Wren (stop) Contact at the Cock and Bull Inn (stop) To tenant farms in morning (stop) Will advise (stop)
With Respect,
Clifdahl Fisk
Today was a joyous day. In mid afternoon we traveled down to the cooks domain to assist in the decoration of the Christmas cookies. Kenny and Ross were so thrilled, I am not sure but I think as many cookies were eaten as were decorated! Cook threaded cord through the cookies and we carried them up the library, with the assist of Mr. Clarke, the butler, and the boys hung them on the tree. A fine afternoon. The Willoby’s senior are visiting distant cousins in Wren for the day and over-night. Cousin Rosemary and I took our tea with the Governess and the boys, there was much chatter about the events of Christmas day. Cousin Rosemary has informed me, secretly, that the boys will receive pony’s for Christmas. It will be a grand surprise! A little more sketching and an early night for me.
My Dear Friend, Miss Rachel Smith. I apologize for the delay in my post. My activities here have kept me rather busy. When I arrived at Herald House I was dismayed to see a vague depression that hung over the family. In one week we have seen many events and improvements. Cousin Rosemary needed a proper friend to support her during this time of transition within the family. I am honored to have been able to fulfill that need. Mr. Willoby senior has hired an estate manager and the improvements are already evident. The senior Willoby’s are leaving Herald House on the 20th to return to Meadow Grove. It was their intention to leave a day later but word has come that Mr. Michael Willoby is already in residence there. He has been abroad since the untimely death of his brother, Mr. Roland. Cousin Rosemary is pleased that he has returned and hopes that he will come up to Herald House over the holidays. I plan to return Jan. 7 by train and will contact you at that time. Merry Christmas and my best wishes to your family and friends at the grand Christmas Eve Ball. I am so dismayed that I cannot attend, however, Cousin Rosemary is my charge for now.
Until then, Your Dear Friend,
Miss Lucy Augustine
Such a busy day. After we visited the vicarage, Mrs. Willoby, senior, remarked that Mr. Johnathan was indeed a man of fine character and education. I informed her, clearly, that I did agree, however, his personality is best suited to a local lady of fine character that I met after the service. Miss Amanda Locke is the daughter of Mr. Clarence Locke, the butcher in the neighboring village of Acorn Glen. Smaller than the village Wren, it is the hub of agricultural activity in the area. Miss Locke is the school mistress at boys academy there, White Hall. While Cousin Rosemary remarked that she had heard of the fine reputation of the school, she had not been introduced to Miss Locke.
It is the custom of the house, to consume the large meal of the day mid-afternoon at Herald House on Sundays. This custom developed when Mr. Roland invited many of his friends and acquaintances from distant areas to dine. When they could not stay over, he adjusted dinner time so that they could travel and return to their homes in the same day. I think it is a grand idea. I will institute this custom when I return to Number One Maple Lane.
We decorated the Christmas tree in the large library. What a glorious sight. Cousin Rosemary commissioned some stunning blown glass balls to adorn the boughs, mistletoe berries are tucked between the limbs, the candles have been attached but will not be lit until Christmas Eve. A plaster crafted angel in golden ribbon dress adorns the top of the tree. The boys were staring in awe as the decorations were applied, they were relegated to the dried cranberries and popcorn garland. After a light tea at 6 pm we all retired to our rooms to recover from the days events. I have posted a thank you to the kind and generous Mr. Walden for the divine leather-bound sketch book. I plan to spend some time this evening sketching the adornments in my chamber. I think I will start with the charming mirror that stands beside my wardrobe. It is on a framed stand that sits at an angle into the room. The frame is decorated in scrolls of gesso tipped in gold, very French. A potted fern sits to the right of the mirror and its reflection will provide a lovely contrast for my drawing.
So good night for now my faithful friend, my journal. Tomorrow we have no specific plans. Mrs. Hillary has prepared some sugar cookies for the boys to decorate and Cousin Rosemary and I will attend the event.
6:00 am: What a dreadful and restless night. I barely have slept a wink. What foreboding news has Brother Phillip uncovered?
7:15 am: I hear activity in the hall, the house is awakening. I have hidden the telegram in my desk, under the blue leather-bound sketch book I must remember to post a thank you to Mr. Walden. I am curiously hungry. I will go down now.
8:45 am: As usual, Mrs. Hillary provided a lovely repast. The side board was laid with fine sausages and crisp bacon. eggs in a scramble, muffins and biscuits with several jams. The coffee and tea were hot and refreshing. I sense we may have a snowfall today. The clouds are dark and ominous and there is a definite chill in the air. We will proceed to the Estate church to worship and later to meet with the Vicar, Mr. Johnathan. Since his living is attached to the Estate, Mr. Willoby senior kept him on. He was so helpful and consoling at the passing of Mr. Roland Willoby. It will be a lovely occasion to remake his acquaintance. Mrs. Willoby has remarked that he remains without a wife and is currently seeking company. I feel a sense of unease about this remark. I am certainly not looking for a husband and I am indeed not interested in the role of a country Vicar’s wife!
Lucky Lucy 