Once again I have barely found the time to eat and sleep, let alone to write and be more creative. Only one more week has passed, but the workload has increased tenfold! I am still in my own early days, so my enthusiasm and self-motivation are at an all time high, but I can't explain how wonderful it is to have a morning to myself.

Even the Duke of Albany knows to give me a little bit of freedom because I have been on edge, and he too is tackling his new venture in a foreign land head on. He's disappeared to the city this morning while I try and make head or tail of all the information I have collected over the last fortnight. 

I suppose it doesn't help that the Coxswain, her gentleman Number 5 and myself partook in much merriment last night. The Duke declined his invitation, and I was a little put out by his apparent rudeness, but he was already asleep before I got in last night and away before I woke up. He's certainly keeping himself busy (doing what, I do not know, but he corresponds daily with his family in Bohemia, and there are talks of having an Embassy here in the Northern counties... So we'll see).

But last night was utterly delightful. The Coxswain no longer has to disguise herself for her lover and she's actually taken a back seat from rowing ~ though I doubt that will last long. It's a passion of hers, and I know that nothing could take me away from my writing, even if I do get swept away by the current of life every now and again. 

I did actually have to foray in to Londontown this week to sort out some bureaucratic mess that followed me from Bohemia. The Duke could have sorted it instantly had I asked him, but there's nothing like a little independence and responsibility. Also I made my jaunt to the Capital worthwhile by dining with friends from many years ago. I always adore London when I am there but I cannot deny the sigh of relief that leaves my lips once I have said my goodbyes. It is such a bustling city, there is no time to just 'be'. How I would hate to live there! I much prefer my calmer, more friendly Northern town. 

D. S.

A dull moment is just what I need after the week I've had, but why start now?


The brunette has barely left my side, though it seems she has acquired a new beau of sorts, and unlike her previous liaisons this looks to be a little more serious and somewhat permanent... I did say I wouldn't talk about her much after her obsessive behaviour over me but she has mellowed over the past two months and honestly I don't know where I'd be without her now. 


She has been my crutch while I cried my eyes out over a certain recently-turned-nineteen-year-old rower, and bolstered me to meet new men when all I wanted to do was curl up in a ball in my bedchamber and feel sorry for myself.


Yet again the Captain and I are at odds and unsurprisingly it is from my own doing.


I spoke too soon.


A weekend walk amongst the waves, during the witching hour, began my demise as I couldn't ignore the longing in my chest... I had to discourage the Captain's advances, my heartache cannot take midnight kisses if they are to lead nowhere. Words were said that cannot be unheard and the Captain and I are no more. Again.

I did have the pleasure of the English gentleman on Valentine's Day... A stark contrast to last year! We shared many a story about our homeland and I have become rather attached to his outlandish personality. I could not have asked for a better distraction and seemingly though my men disappear rather suddenly at least my timing for a new one cannot be faulted!


I shall be seeing him tonight and I know he shall not disappoint me. I need someone to love just as much as everyone else... And the brunette's friend, though a wonderful one at that, is nothing more than a friend. I have a little soft spot for him, and I would hate to lose him. But there is no spark between us.


No more writing about the Captain from now on. I have moved on. Or at least I will do.





D. S.

Decision making is clearly not my forté... For how long do you think I can get away with stringing these two wonderful gentlemen along before it becomes obvious to me that I like one more than the other?


Already my Mother has told me that she thinks the Captain has truly captured my heart and though I do spend more time with him than the lowly Stone Mason, I am slightly afeared by his overzealousness. I adore being worshipped, but I'd prefer to be loved, and after two short weeks, there is no way to tell if the one shall evolve into the other.

The darling eighteen year old Captain has accompanied me to the City on more than one occasion buying me presents and treating me far better than I have ever been treated before. I know this shouldn't come as a surprise, but I had truly thought all the good men had been taken already... Then again, he is only eighteen. He hasn't yet had the chance to develop nasty habits like the Peacock Gentleman, for example.


I am, however, doing my best to keep the Captain on the North side of the bridge, away from the the haunts of the Stone Mason. I would hate for the two of them to accidentally meet! The Stone Mason has of course kept in touch but his work keeps him at bay and of course he doesn't know to fight for me... Not that I truly want them fighting, but because they are so different and propose different aspects to my life I would hate to lose either of them.


Speaking of losing someone, my brunette lover has leached herself into my life with even more intensity as she feels me slipping away. Although she still shares my bedchamber with me and does her best to irk my attention, she has failed in any part to poison my mind away from them. I still do not understand her vendetta, nor do I want to. By ignoring her she loses the power she once had over me, though it does make me sad to remember the times we once had... But I suppose relationships that start with a ménage a trois and Irish cream were never destined to end well!


December is upon us and I can't believe how soon it shall be before we have had Christmas and are in a New Year... Do you think I stuck to my resolutions from the start of the year? 




D. S.

From walking along the sea shore to holding hands promenading about the city, sharing secrets and eating ice cream, you'd think I was talking about one suitor...

I haven't managed to make a decision between my two amours. This past week has been wonderful as the Antipodean Captain has captured my heart and put a smile on my face that I had long forgotten. He has treated me to ice cream, visited me at work, held my hand at various events and barely left my side for more than an evening. Every evening in fact. He does not stay at my bedside nor does he invite me to his. I cannot tell whether it is his age that provokes this innocence or if he just wants friendship, but I pine for him when we are separated and look forward to our meetings more than I'd care to admit, considering his age!

He does not act the same as my brother; the newly named Carpenter cares nothing for women at the moment and loses his tongue when in their company. My sweet, young Captain on the other hand acquires knowing looks from women wherever we go, his height and looks attracting their attention and I cannot help but blush at my pride.
The Stone Mason on the other hand has kept his distance, although we converse in letter form. His work takes him away from me, something that the olive-skinned brunette is aware of and no doubt pleases her. She is still as much of a problem as ever, but my jaunts with the young Captain have proved the perfect distraction.


I have many letters to write and send back to the Shire and the Northern counties. As the weather here gradually gets warmer I remember last winter as I pined for the musician in the freezing cold. Work has taken over my life as I toil daily to perfect my new found skills, but I find that the harder I work the more enjoyment I get out of it. Who'd have thought a Lady of nobility would enjoy hard labour?


Christmas is nigh on approaching and I have yet to purchase gifts, especially for my Father and Brother who join us in the Antipodes in a few weeks! But tomorrow I shall once again been spending the day with the Captain and I cannot help but smile in anticipation. 





D. S.

Evening wanders seem to have taken over my life as I trundle across the beach arm in arm with the masked guest... He has wined and dined me like a true gentleman, teaching me of his craft as a Stone Mason and I enjoy the little titbits he tells me of the city he has helped to build. He is the perfect distraction from my days of labour and we share a frank relationship; there is no talk of the future and no discussion of philandering. I do not know where this is going to lead but I am enjoying the current situation. 


That is, if I don't think outside the world my masked guest draws me into... The real world, unfortunately, is fraught with slippery decisions and potentially fatal consequences. 


My olive-skinned lover has made a series of demands that I cannot accept; her fiancé mewling at her feet like a stray cares not for her actions only for her praise. I fear I cannot abide their presence for too much longer and it shall mean the termination of our relationship. But how does one remove an unwanted guest? Mother has told me to be direct, but my olive-skinned brunette has lived in my bedchamber for nearly a month and it is impossible to find the words to rid me of her ever nearness. She dislikes my masked Stone Mason and is forever intervening in my life... I feel hampered and wrote to the nun asking for help. If anyone can help me it will be the Church, though I know I have been less faithful in more recent times. 

It's times like these when I miss the Court Jester and Armiger the most. The two of them were like brothers, but so much closer to me than my own. They did not agree with my every whim and were never afraid to speak their mind. My brunette argues with me constantly but it is never for my sake, she has her own agenda that I cannot fathom and it is not something I want to be a part of. 


There is yet another admirer I have subsequently failed to mention; Rowing, it seems, has made it to this side of the world, and I am keen to rectify my position as Patron to a new Boat Club. I am in talks with a Captain here in the Antipodes but he is nothing like the previous Captain whose amorous intentions were made clear at the Ladies Dinner many months ago...


This Antipodean Captain is rather young in comparison, indeed he is the same age as my younger brother (which horrifies me every time I think of it). But he is ever so keen and obliging to my every wish and he mollifies my mood swings and has an enthusiasm that knows no bounds. He is different than the masked Stone Mason, though I'm sure they share a carnal thought, but no less refreshing. 


I shall write to the Coxswain and let her know how my love life fairs, for her insight is always much appreciated!





D. S.

Good morning! A happy Saturday and a happier one than last week... Though not because of the musician. I will divulge more about that situation later.


Firstly, the Ladies Dinner which I attended on Thursday was the perfect opportunity to catch up with the esteemed and gracious fellow patronesses of rowing. Other than the coxswain and Rower Number 5 I have not spent that much time with any of the other men and women associated with rowing and I have to admit I felt rather guilty and am glad that I made an appearance.


I'm sure the coxswain appreciated the chance to dress up in the latest fashion and capture her Rower's eye on the dance floor... They weren't around for too long so I assume they both had a lovely night! I was disappointed that the Court Jester couldn't join us but he has been so hard at work he deserved a long night's sleep and Harlequin more than made up for his absence.

Of course there is a sufficient amount of scandal and gossip from that night, and I know it has been a while but I too got caught up in some lewd acts! Everyone was in a frivolous mood and there was much drinking and dancing and I spent... a lot of the evening with the Captain. He was thoroughly entertaining and didn't attempt to hide his intentions. After the musician it seems that I crave attention even more than I did before!


It is a slight cliché to write 'one thing led to another' but it is a rather apt phrase and I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a long time that I believe the Captain deserves a special mention! There is a race today that I should be watching but I need to go to the library and continue doing some work (shocking, I know!) so I will hear all about it tonight.


The coxswain was far too pleased with the development between the Captain and myself, which has made me question my non-relationship with the musician. I have been thoroughly contained the last few months and haven't indulged my carnal appetite to my... usual extent. I care about the musician deeply but I think I need to protect myself from him. A diversion in the form of the Captain is something that works well.


I know the musician apologised for our silly altercation and I am glad that everything has gone back to normal between us. I'm just questioning why I am happy to settle with 'normal'. This is coming across a lot more pensive than I intended and now that I have put my thoughts in to words I realise that I have been thinking this for a while. 


However much this all may be true, you can't help who you like. You can't stop the butterflies when that one person walks into a room or the silly smile when you think you're getting what you want.


I'm a slow learner, but I'm learning none the less.

D. S.

Back in my darling Shire. Forgive me for not explaining sooner that I was to return for a short hiatus in the home county, but the last week or so has been rather hectic what with a new found... No not love this time, but a new found hobby! 


Watching rowing, or rather sculling, is the most delightful past-time and gives me the opportunity to meet so many esteemed gentlemen. No one was more surprised than I to find that I had an interest in sport! And not just the delectable view that comes with it, but it is so competitive and I do love to bet on the races, I think they are called Heads or Regattas, and it is a great honour to be a patron to more than just the Arts.


But before I continue with that vein of thought I should probably expand on the situation with the Earls. 


I was reprimanded by the cowardly Earl of Steel City's gracious wife for my behaviour. Rightly so I might add, but it was nonetheless rather embarrassing! I know I've said this before but I am going to stay away from married men, or at least not get involved unless it is the matter of my heart. All is fair in love and war, or so it is said. 


Apparently she knew about this 'proposition' herself; she had hinted to her husband that Steel City needed some Southern influences from my parents and she had heard about my reputation (gasp) and wanted to use her husband to win me round. Little did she realise that eventually I'd win him round with my ever-so-subtle charms and he eventually failed to mention more than the word 'proposition'.


I almost feel sorry for her. She knows that she has married a fool but he has wealth and secured her future and her property in Steel City. Why is it that this great Lady (for I cannot deny what she is) is hindered so by a bumbling husband? 


My other Earl, Scottish to the very core, is still down South. In the same county as I am. And is pestering me for... A relationship is too strong a word at the moment but definitely relations of sorts. And hopefully I will be able to collect my ring with this visit. Apparently his sister noticed it the other day so he has resorted to keeping it on his person. Or so he says. But after the disastrous understanding of the Head Architect's intentions I daren't expect anything!


I am home for now and am disappointed to be missing out on the lovely University boys rowing this week, but I fear that if I watch them too often I may become something of a spectacle myself! I would promise to try and behave, but I don't like telling falsehoods!









D. S.