What a weekend. Already three days have past and I am no closer to that elusive recovery, and I have a very particular lady to blame for that matter. However, because she provided me with more entertainment than usual, she shall be forgiven. Also, we were celebrating her birthday and it's only fair to be a little exuberant when the occasion calls for it.

I look forward to continuing these raucous celebrations well into the new year.

Despite my nonchalant response to the weekend's behaviour, I managed to get chastised for over exerting myself by none other than the artist! (No doubt some of you assumed the Duke would have been the one to scold me, but he allows me the freedom to act as I please, which is greatly appreciated). This artist, on the other hand, and I have been at odds since our first meeting and she reprimanded me for wasting her time as I was 'looking less than perfect' because of the previous evening's intoxication. This apparently meant she couldn't paint me. At least not that day.

So I was left to my own devices, in a state rather worse for wear, to wait on a lowly artist! I penned a rather scathing letter to the Duke of Albany, but thankfully saw the good sense not to send it straight away. It actually helped just to write down how I felt.

The artist and I have had two more sittings since then, where I have met her ridiculously high standards and I have to admit I am pleased with how the Aphrodite is looking. It doesn't feel like me, but rather as if I am seeing the birth of a goddess.

We only have two days left to finish the painting before the Duke and I journey to the Shire for the Christmas festivities. Winter has well and truly set into Bohemia's roots as everywhere I see people bundled up in their furs, but letters from home dictate a much warmer clime, even for this time of year. 

I have to admit I am rather anxious about the Duke meeting my entire family. Not since the farce of the blonde Esquire has a suitor met my parents, especially someone that they hadn't already chosen for me! The Duke is his usual reproachable self, and I wonder if I should worry more, but deep down I know he will delight them and have to fend himself against my Mother's hints of marriage!

Oh how I long for the Shire, and to celebrate new beginnings with Belle, the Irish Lady of Corcaigh and the Duke of Albany. Truly I couldn't imagine seeing in the new year without them at my side.

D. S.

The convent has once again become a little bubble that is impossible to burst... Of course all things do come to an end, the end is one of life's only inevitabilities, but until then I shall continue to fritteraway my time here in the glorious sunshine.

Belle and I have had wonderful excursions to Brighthelmstone, dipping our delicate toes into the English Channel. I too have had the pleasure of my dark haired Prussian knight while cavorting on the coast. We dined and danced and pleasured like it was the last evening on earth. I cannot fathom not knowing him for we are so alike. However, my path may once again take me travelling to yonder countries, and I cannot afford to let my guard down and have our hearts as one if I am to rip it away.

Distance and love are not friends.

I adore the company I keep here in the Convent. I greatly miss the Irish lady of Corcaigh and the with no scolding priest I am almost more well behaved! It's an intriguing thing to know what pushes my imagination. And nothing makes me want to misbehave more than being told 'no'.

I shall have the wonderful pleasure of the Prussian knight once my time at the convent has come to an end. We are to travel together to Iberia and frolic in the Mediterranean Sea.

D. S.

Darlings, the Convent has taken over my life, and I had forgotten what it was like to take a step back and ignore the more trivial aspects such as gossip and frequent socialising!

I have had many days to sit and contemplate staring out at the gorgeous countryside here in Brighthelmstone, and I adore having the quality time to spend with Belle. It has been rather a shock to the system, for I have had to curb my elaborate ways and diminish my exuberant need to be the centre of attention (or rather I have at least attempted to).

What has kept me on my toes are the somewhat surprisingly commonplace letters of correspondence from the dark haired Prussian knight! Alack, the blonde Esquire has disappeared as if he never even existed ~ all but for a few fond memories that I have no desire to expunge. But his place has swiftly been replaced by the Prussian knight.

I was pleasantly surprised that there was already a letter waiting for me after my arrival at the Convent, and it could have only been days since I left the dark haired knight's arms. His intentions could not be more subtle; we talk of every subject under the sun, our passion for travel unites us in a way that breaks boundaries. I certainly already feel as if I have known him for centuries. His letters are a comfort and a familiarity that I have become all too accustomed with.

The convent has some wonderful characters this year; Belle is not the only familiar face however! The Irish Lady of Corcaigh's younger brother has joined the cloisters, and though I have never before set my eyes upon him, because we share the friendship of his sister, we have become firm friends. So too has Belle's governess joined us on these most beautiful grounds. It was delightful to reminisce about our time across the Irish Sea and the three of us laughed with candour at the memories.

There are a few new faces who have not yet made enough of an impression to write about. Well, at least I shall give them the benefit of the doubt to redeem themselves after a few drinks of ale the other night... I do believe it shall be an interesting few months!

I shall enjoy the summer months here at the Convent. But I shall too enjoy the lack of male company. It is about time I focussed on my closer friends, the bond of sisterhood that cannot be betrayed.



D. S.

Darlings how did you all enjoy your Valentine's Day? I do hope you were spoilt rotten and inundated with gems, roses and jewels. It may sound shallow, but it is a good measure of a man to know what he'll spend on trifle things.

I had the most wonderful day, and though I know I owe an apology of sorts for my lackadaisical approach to writing of late, I'll let you in on a little secret... It's terribly difficult to write (or indeed think about writing) while being ravished by a blonde Esquire, or indeed with your arms tied behind your back to stop you from scratching what has seemingly become my territory.

Our farce of a relationship has succumbed rather easily to the eagerly beckoning call of the bedroom, and I cannot deny the utter pleasure that I have experienced beneath his gaze. Of course, this does only aid in the pretence to keep his Mother satisfied, but she is not the only one getting anything out of this romance. I've only managed to stay away from the blonde Esquire when called out to visit the Irish Lady of Corcaigh with Belle and her governess.

We recently crossed the Irish Sea and spent a joyful few evenings spinning yarns and dancing to merry jigs without a care in the world. Foreign castles were visited and even a menagerie, where we were delighted with the exotic animals! Belle and I adored seeing each other, no longer living in the North means that our time together is somewhat sporadic (much like my writing) but I do love that we have found the time for each other. Though of course I have to thank Belle's governess who had organised the entire trip without so much of a question! She too was wonderful fun; a more content lady I have yet to meet.

The weekend was perfect, though I have to admit I did miss the blonde Esquire... And from the rap on the door it seems he missed me too!

Adieu ma cherie, mon amour est ici!

D. S.