Summer is coming to an end and I don't want to write about everything because that solidifies all the past few weeks in my mind. It has been like a dream and I can't comprehend it's demise, so excuse me while I try to recapture my final memories.

D. S.

Oh dear... I am in all sorts of trouble! There is so much to tell about this last week that I don't quite know where to start.

I guess I had a relatively quiet week for the most part, it wasn't until this weekend that everything got decidedly raucous. The Duke finally held a ball inviting everyone that we knew to grace his delightful abode for the first time this summer. Shocking considering how late in the summer it is! All of us were there, an array of ladies as well as gentlemen, each of whom we have known for the last decade of our lives. I was surprised to see that the Duke's bride-to-be was absent, I may not be her greatest fan but I do love to observe people, especially a couple that has an effect on my life.

I'm tempted to suggest that it is because the Duke obviously has a great affection for one of the ladies! I dare not name her as it may jeopardise our friendship and indeed the Duke's relationship with his fiancé, and despite my jealousy I do not want to cause their destruction. My Officer was there, which was a surprise as I was led to believe that he was going to be away on the Continent. It seems he has three weeks leave, to get married and have a honeymoon before deploying away on whatever mission he is assigned. I may not have had the pleasure of the Duke's fiancé but sitting through the Officer and his bride-to-be's pandering behaviour was more than enough for me!

Unfortunately my Architect was unable to attend the ball so I had to find my amusement elsewhere and it was easy enough as we whiled away the hours catching up with the most scandalous gossip and reaffirming the foundations of our friendships.

Everyone was greatly intrigued to hear about my Architect; I have never been one to claim a man's heart for my own. Normally I acquire the usual flatterers, men who are hopeless romantics and foolishly fall for my charms, or indeed I fall for the impossibility of someone. This is the first time that I have acknowledged someone who cares about me as more than just a passing whim! My darling Baroness and Marquessa find this highly amusing and take great pains to tease me about him but all I do is smile and ignore them. Their jokes run a little too close to the truth...

For this weekend I made the grave error of staying out all night with my Architect! We did nothing overtly wrong, but because we were caught by none other than my parents we have been shamed and humiliated. I'm not sure I'll be able to forget my Mother's face when she saw us return through the gardens in the previous nights clothes all rumpled and askew from sleeping under the stars. We watched the most delicious shooting stars, and had the most romantic evening so in my eyes it was completely worth the debacle we had to suffer in the morning. But I am a little worried as to how my parents are going to react to having him around now, knowing how close the two of us have become, I dread to think that they are expecting an engagement but I don't think it's wise considering I will be going back up North in a month...

Speaking of the North, my Northern ladies are back from their travels on the Continent and had a glorious time, I am looking forward to hearing from them and seeing them in the coming months, the Shire's festivities are not of the same calibre as I am used to from the North. Lord, I had almost forgotten to mention my sweetest Squire has been keeping me informed of all the goings on, mainly because Harlequin is still gallivanting away in some delirious heat, and I have grown ever so fond of the Squire and I trust him explicitly.

Apparently the weather has been atrocious, I do prefer the Southern climate in the summer as the North is so temperamental, and there have been a few riots to do with the Church and other such discrepancies. I will need to reply to his musings at some point, silly Squire making me miss him!

I do hope this nonsense about my misdemeanour with the Architect dies down, I don't want to be harried by the rest of the household for gossip or indeed be subjected to it either! I'm hopefully seeing him this afternoon... The simple thought putting a smile on my face! I do wonder if he is brave enough to face my parents after this weekend... Wish us luck!

D. S.

Why is bumping into the Duke so difficult? An evening of fun and games at the Baroness' and who do we happen to bump into, the Duke. Though he was alone, rather without his bride-to-be and just associating with some gentlemen friends, of mine, I might add. But though I am normally at ease with each of those men I felt out of sorts, as if I wasn't wanted or required. Still trying to figure that out in my head. I'm quite angry at the Duke, especially as he has failed to respond accordingly with a ball of his own after Mother's return. But I know that is not the only reason... I don't have the strength to say it out loud because then it might ring true.

How about we just pause to think about the Architect who has surpassed the Duke in my estimations and just about any other lover or beau in my heart. Yes, I can no longer deny my feelings, and I will happily proclaim them from every rooftop... Once he passes a more physical test! Honestly, I am surprised at myself for the control I have managed to maintain these last few weeks. There have been many opportunities, it just hasn't felt quite right, and I don't just want a fumble in a haystack. I have high hopes for my Architect.

D. S.

Isn't it dreadful that in only a few weeks I can become so infatuated with another person? The most trifle of thoughts and I break out into a silly grin which is so difficult to hide as all I want to do is talk and talk and talk about how happy I am! These last few weeks have been a delight, as the Head Architect and I spend many an evening walking the gardens discussing our hopes and dreams.

There is no doubt that he is ambitious, the South Wing is coming along gloriously and I managed to sneak a glance through the doors just the other day and I can't wait to help Mother pick out the furniture. There is this new designer that I heard of at the last soirée; a George Hepplewhite. It will be a nice variation from the Chippendale that we have used and abused throughout the years.

I received many letters from my lovely ladies who are on their travels, they seem to be having the most delectable time, though I am worried that those who have ventured to the New World may never come home! Although I am intrigued as to what these far away countries are like I cannot imagine never coming home to my Shire. To my Architect.

It is truly dreadful that as I wrote that I giggled. I am not the giggling type and I usually scorn those who fall so easily in and out of... no I cannot say love. It is too soon.

The Officer is being dispatched at some point to the Continent, something to do with the French and Austrians. It is fortunate that I found out as I bumped into his young fiancé. Of course, there was nothing to say about the affair, we were gracious and courteous as ever trading small talk, but I believe I will have to write to the Officer to wish him luck abroad and let him know that he is in my prayers. I would be devastated if his life were taken. And because of this hasty call of duty it seems that my Officer will be wed in the coming weeks. I wonder if I will be invited...

There is more to say about the Duke, but I am pushing him out of my mind. The Head Architect can happily fill any voids in my thoughts.

D. S.

Free at last to update you with the months occurrences. Unfortunately the Shire has been awash with the most abysmal weather so we have had to find refuge indoors, difficult when there are all sorts of workers trying their damnedest (how I love that word, makes me feel quite out of sorts!) to work against the elements.

However, this has meant that I have constantly had the pleasure of the Head Architect's company and there is no doubt in my mind that I have managed to charm him. He is the first eligible suitor I have had in many months and I am unsure as to how to act. He is in great demand from what I can ascertain, many of my contemporaries trying their hand at flirtation in order to capture his attention but even though we spend time alone during the day, at various dinners and balls we dance no more than the obligatory few dances and spend a scarce amount of time talking as we both know there is time enough for us to be together.

I was quite flummoxed this last weekend when I had to endure the Duke and his fiancé at our gathering in honour of my Mother's return. It was obvious, at least to me, that we were both trying to ignore each other as much as possible. I had heard that this was the happy couple's first public outing since their very public engagement. I suppose I shouldn't wonder what that means, because no doubt it means that they are indeed too happy! We had to endure a single dance together which wasn't so much as awkward as dull. No heart of mine should have to be subjected to the antipathy that I now feel for the Duke. Though there are moments late at night when I can't help but think I am hardening my heart because of how much I love him. Can you believe we talked about the weather?! This is the man to whom I bared my inner most thoughts, the man who moulded my dreams to fit like a jigsaw with his.

That is why I am so glad to have the attention of the Head Architect. Selfish or trivial at least my thoughts are kept far and wide from the Duke.

D. S.