My first week in a brand new location as a brand new educator, making the most of my new role (which I can say no more about) has been fabulous. I wish I could divulge more but it is not my place to say, other than I am enjoying my Royal charge duties as a Lady-in-Waiting.

The northern counties have always been good to me, but this time round I definitely feel as if I am in more control than ever before. I've always been somewhat demanding and stubborn (you may feel a twinge of pity for the Duke of Albany and his unlimited patience) but I don't think I'd have got to where I am without those personality traits. 

I do miss the northern ladies who I graced the city with last month for we have all gone our separate ways, and though we are all on similar journeys we have to do this part all on our own. I wish them the very best and I hope to hear from them soon, though Christmas will no doubt be an even bigger distraction.

Ahh, Christmas... It seems that Africa is off the cards and I have to admit that I am more than a little disappointed not to return to the land of my heart. But it means the Duke and I can plan our jaunt across the Continent to the Austro-Hungarian Empire and wander through the historic streets of our ancestors. Actually... I can't wait!



D. S.

How the wind howls in the parapets as I write my notes and diarise my life. It always surprises me how quickly time passes, especially when I think back to the first ever entry I wrote.

I was a different person then.

I never would have thought I would find a man of stature to claim my heart - I fantasized about the musician and various highly lauded men, but since I found my very own Duke of Albany in the depths of Bohemia, whose charms beguile me so, I care not for the suitors of ages past. 

Happy to while away the hours in his company and discuss our penchant for disguise, the Duke and I have a relationship that has transgressed space and time. We have survived long distance and made commitments to each other as we have built a home together. 

Of course there are tense moments, but just because the lioness will not always bow down to her lion does not impede the love we have for each other. Though sometimes it amazes me that I have followed this domestic life at all after the travelling I have done, the places I have seen and the people I have met. 

But, I couldn't be happier.

Later.

I just blushed as I reread this morning's entry - what a soft heart I do have when watching the Duke at work. 

In other news Africa is still on the cards but more tentatively so. I doubt we will make it there for the end of the year, so I am once again looking at travelling across the Continent to enjoy the snows of Austro-Hungary. 

Though my writing has taken a slight rallentando in my life, I am pleased to announce that the esteemed publisher is still interested and hasn't given up on me, for which I am eternally grateful. My writing is still something that gives me great pleasure and I don't spend a day without thinking of a new way for words to marry, but my actual writing time has decreased dramatically from this time last year. 

As I've said many times before... How time flies!

D. S.

I definitely spoke too soon! Minutes after I wrote my last post I ventured outside and was stunned by the freezing nature of the wind. The sun was certainly much more deceptive than I'd anticipated, and I have yet to leave my premises without my furs ever since!

It has been a tumultuous ten days; my workload is bearable if continuous, and there are not often times enough to relax in between. Despite being in close quarter with the Duke of Albany, it has been far too long since last had the opportunity to do nothing but lie in each others' arms. This weekend, we shall savour the time we have together and make the most of the cold winter mornings  before Monday looms again.

I'm hoping to hear from Belle today, we have once again managed to go a month without seeing each other, and I miss her optimism and her opinions ~ I must confess she is a master manipulator with the Duke, whereas he can see straight through me, and more often than not ignores me! It is not out of spite, but out of over-familiarity, or at least I assume as much.

The question of Africa still has no answer; my brother is not to fond of the idea of the expedition and quite rightly my Father doesn't want to go without both his children... Indeed, even Mother (though she is 12, 000 miles away) has given her tuppence worth and doesn't think such a massive jaunt is a good idea.

If it were up to me I'd have made the arrangements weeks ago when the invitation had first been opened, but then I am a little more spontaneous (and it hadn't ever occurred to me that the Duke may not want to leave his family for Christmas). So now I wait in Limbo, though travels are a must for the fortnight of escape I have to look forward to. Whether the Duke and I journey over to the Continent or further afield doesn't dampen my spirits, as long as I am not holed up in the South Wing watching the snow fall.

It is far too cold to not have something to look forward to!



D. S.

To think we are on the cusp of winter and it is still warm enough not to wear fur in the day time! It is a stark contrast to the Bohemian winter I endured last year, when the snows were already threatening and the days themselves were grey and dark.

It is a time for seeing old friends as the end of the year creeps upon us, and I had the wonderful pleasure of the Duchess of Tuthershire this past weekend. It is always a pleasure to see her, we laugh and chatter like no time has passed, and it is a delightful feeling to know that some friendships are forever.

She kept me up to date with her life in the Capital, and we gossiped about our last night out together where we made a secret cellar our home for the evening. She talks about her need to travel, with which I can completely sympathise, though she doesn't have the responsibilities that I do to tie her down ~I must admit I am a little envious, for there was a time when the world was my oyster...

Do not think I am discouraged in my own endeavours! I still adore my position as Lady-in-Waiting and the home that the Duke and I have built together. I don't think I will ever 'grow out' of my need to explore, my wanderlust.

Speaking of journeys, Christmas is still the talk of the household. Of course the servants want to know if they have to prepare for the Duke's family to come here from Bohemia, or if the Duke and I are to return to the Shire, or indeed if we are to go further afield to the Sub-Saharan plains.

I'm afraid I still cannot answer this question for there are too many variables to take into account, but no doubt all will be decided at the last minute. Thankfully it is not I (for a change) who is holding up the decision-making-process, for I have cast my vote for Africa. I want to go back after all these years. I want to feel the red soil and yellow grass beneath my feet and listen to the vastness.

It has been long enough.



D. S.