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the_shrubberyFebruary 19th:
Had most amazing day yesterday even though can scarcely believe it myself. Cannot believe PG really took me to the HOP. Really nice of him. First we had tea at Mrs Miggins’ teashop, or so it was called I think. Had really good cupcakes & scones & jam. Then went to the gallery and saw debate about taxes. Could hardly breathe with excitement & because of several layers of bandages around chest. Debate most heated. Lasted several hours & not boring once. Do not know why PG did not think it exciting but then he can go every day. When we left, was already night. Asked the PG to take me to a pub afterwards but he said Charles would not let him live if he heard about it. Did not want to return to Hurst House as strange things happen there after dark so PG brought me to Charles’ place. Charles still out though so had housekeeper bring me cold supper then went to bed.
Col & Mrs F---
General Sir ---- and Lady F---
The Marquess & Marchioness F--- of ----
C--- F---, Duchess of ----
C--- F---
February 21st:
Is so much nicer at Charles’ house. Had box of clothes & box & abigail sent over yesterday & am settling in nicely. Housekeeper very friendly & abigail in tears with joy at leaving HH. Think should call on G soon & maybe propose another expedition only do not know more famous churches. Perhaps interesting exhibition somewhere. Realise have not called on Fanny in long time, probably should do so.
February 22nd:
Really meant to go out & call on F today but it looked like it was going to rain & did not want to ruin pretty new gown (NB: must visit Mrs Duckie soon & order more.) Stayed indoors instead & read book about churches in London & their history. Did not know there were so many of them.
Have still not seen Charles even though have been here for almost a week now. Wonder where he is. Housekeeper tells me he sometimes does not come home at nights but there must be more to it. Wonder if I should ask the PG if he knows.
February 24th:
Rain continues, most depressing. Have stayed indoors and read. Did not realise English did not always sound like English but now am reading three-hundred-year-old book about Arthurian legend & sounds very different from real English.
Am almost sure heard Charles returning late last night; certainly no one else would sing ‘Mrs Bunny’s Lament’ on top of his voice especially seeing as Charles & I made that up. When I got up this morning however he was already gone & nobody wanted to talk about him. Housekeeper pressed curl of hair into my hand though of unknown origin; wonder where I put box with hair.
Really think Louisa could have called on me by now seeing as she has not seen me for a week but she does not seem to care & no one else has called either. Had note from G though saying her brother forbade her to go out alone & her PG unable to come with her. Very weird business all of it.
February 25th:
For some reason cannot get Mrs Bunny’s Lament out of my head. Visited G today as rain had ceased. Had very good time, talked about future expeditions & had lovely raspberry jam & scones. Unfortunately the PG was there too & most embarrassing business as the PG caught self singing about poor bunny for whom days will never be sunny so had to explain to him about Mrs Bunny’s Lament & Charles singing it. The PG only made some weird grimaces when I told him about Charles & said he had thought it was something like this.
Am not quite sure he believes me. Probably thinks am total moron.
Went to F. afterwards determined to renew friendship but F. very much out of spirits & rather unfriendly altogether. Did not stay long as felt unwelcome. Probably hummed Mrs Bunny’s Lament to self as well.
Charles gone when returned home, as usual, so had fire stoked in library and retired with Morte Darthur & book explaining about changes in English language.
February 26th:
Abigail & I went to Hurst House this morning to retrieve more of my things. Tried to talk to Louisa but she had butler tell me she was not there even though am sure saw her peeking out from behind curtains. Do not know what is the matter with her.
Went back to Charles’ - who was still asleep, or so housekeeper tells me – and sorted through trunks. Several items inexplicably missing, especially those of rather delicate nature.
Decided to go out & take G shopping. Unfortunately the PG decided to come with us. I bought new stack of delicates & fabric for two new dresses from merchant Emma recommended. Am amazed at quality of delicates at such reasonable price. The PG asked what I bought but did not show him even though we have shared breeches before; would not be same thing. G bought green fabric for dress & several ribbons. We arranged for appointment at Mrs Duckie’s in two days then had shopping sent home & went book-shopping with the PG. Still felt needed to compensate for theft of unspeakables & Louisa’s silence & am afraid bought too many books but the PG recommended so many & also had to find out what happened to the lovely Athalia in the next volume & library did not have it yet.
Asked G and the PG for informal dinner to Charles’ house afterwards & spent pleasant evening conversing about Arthur Pendragon until Charles suddenly came home. Looked very different from when had last seen him. Do not think beard suits him. Charles entered dining room & started reciting ‘Of the Unfortunate Demise of Mr Bunny.’ Thought I should die but G & the PG kindly acted as if nothing had happened even after Charles had passed out.
February 27th:
Wonder if He Without The First Name stole my unmentionables. Surely he would not but do not think there is other explanation. Wonder if & how should mention the matter to the PG.
February 28th:
Surely cannot mention matter to the PG. To begin with, would not even know how to describe missing items in polite society.
Will go to L tomorrow & try to find out where they went. Maybe just mistake after all. Also need book from the library that I remember was there; is about the proposed origins of European languages. Do not see why I should not have every right to get it; is my father’s house & my father’s library after all & Hurst having renamed it does not change a thing about that.
Also must find out if third volume of The Woes of the Chaste Orphan Athalia is already available. Simply must find out who Lord Paddenstool’s twin brother is & also what is importance of locket Athalia’s guardian gave her before her death? Cannot believe the Merciless Pirate actually was Athalia’s sister; was convinced Theodora had perished in the fire. Realise now though that that makes Sir Ganymede’s marriage to Pulchinella invalid & that must mean Athalia will inherit North Cotherston Hall.
March 1st:
Very stilted conversation with L who denied any knowledge of whereabouts of stolen unmentionables & also did not want to talk about books that were missing. Looked very strange too. If I did not know better, would say she had paint on her face. Meant to talk to L about whether I should come back to HH or stay at Charles’ but L said she could not say & maybe they would go to Somerset soon to visit friend she mentioned before Christmas. Had all but forgot about Somerset trip; not sure if I am still invited. Did not want to quarrel with L so said not much and instead went to G afterwards & told her most of recent disagreements with L apart from the more unsettling bits & the unspeakables.
Darcy then came home & G told him about the books I was looking for & Darcy looked very astonished & then disappeared & reappeared with several books about language theories & The Woes of the Chaste Orphan Athalia Vol. III.
Had almost left Darcy House again when Darcy stopped me in the corridor & asked me not to let G have book & not to trust Cpt. Van Swanck even if he pretended to be Athalia’s father.
Evil spoilsport.
March 2nd:
At Darcy House again to thank D for books & tell him off for telling me about Van Swanck. D thinks the abbess is the one behind the kidnapping but am sure he is wrong; must be the butler surely for he was the only one who knew Athalia was sleeping in the tower. Cannot wait for fourth volume to come out.
D says he does not believe in common European/Indian-language theory but then the PG came & supported my arguments & am sure we beat D. Had tea with D & G & the PG & was surprisingly much fun even when G asked me to recite Unfortunate Demise of Mr Bunny again. Cupcakes really exquisite & also housekeeper had tried out new recipe with spices & raisins. PG kept chuckling at himself when heavenly cupcakes were served but just ignored him. Arranged with G to see exhibition day after tomorrow but not sure which of her guardians will come with us.
March 3rd:
French really makes so much more sense now that I know about similarities to English language. Think made good progress with French lessons over last few days.
Spent half the morning learning French then started second book D had given me.
Had half hoped L might come over to talk but nobody came all day. Charles still absent although was apparently home some time during the morning but when asked taciturn housekeeper about it, got only new curl of hair of unknown origin. Really cannot locate hair box.
Had most amazing day yesterday even though can scarcely believe it myself. Cannot believe PG really took me to the HOP. Really nice of him. First we had tea at Mrs Miggins’ teashop, or so it was called I think. Had really good cupcakes & scones & jam. Then went to the gallery and saw debate about taxes. Could hardly breathe with excitement & because of several layers of bandages around chest. Debate most heated. Lasted several hours & not boring once. Do not know why PG did not think it exciting but then he can go every day. When we left, was already night. Asked the PG to take me to a pub afterwards but he said Charles would not let him live if he heard about it. Did not want to return to Hurst House as strange things happen there after dark so PG brought me to Charles’ place. Charles still out though so had housekeeper bring me cold supper then went to bed.
General Sir ---- and Lady F---
The Marquess & Marchioness F--- of ----
C--- F---, Duchess of ----
C--- F---
February 21st:
Is so much nicer at Charles’ house. Had box of clothes & box & abigail sent over yesterday & am settling in nicely. Housekeeper very friendly & abigail in tears with joy at leaving HH. Think should call on G soon & maybe propose another expedition only do not know more famous churches. Perhaps interesting exhibition somewhere. Realise have not called on Fanny in long time, probably should do so.
February 22nd:
Really meant to go out & call on F today but it looked like it was going to rain & did not want to ruin pretty new gown (NB: must visit Mrs Duckie soon & order more.) Stayed indoors instead & read book about churches in London & their history. Did not know there were so many of them.
Have still not seen Charles even though have been here for almost a week now. Wonder where he is. Housekeeper tells me he sometimes does not come home at nights but there must be more to it. Wonder if I should ask the PG if he knows.
February 24th:
Rain continues, most depressing. Have stayed indoors and read. Did not realise English did not always sound like English but now am reading three-hundred-year-old book about Arthurian legend & sounds very different from real English.
Am almost sure heard Charles returning late last night; certainly no one else would sing ‘Mrs Bunny’s Lament’ on top of his voice especially seeing as Charles & I made that up. When I got up this morning however he was already gone & nobody wanted to talk about him. Housekeeper pressed curl of hair into my hand though of unknown origin; wonder where I put box with hair.
Really think Louisa could have called on me by now seeing as she has not seen me for a week but she does not seem to care & no one else has called either. Had note from G though saying her brother forbade her to go out alone & her PG unable to come with her. Very weird business all of it.
February 25th:
For some reason cannot get Mrs Bunny’s Lament out of my head. Visited G today as rain had ceased. Had very good time, talked about future expeditions & had lovely raspberry jam & scones. Unfortunately the PG was there too & most embarrassing business as the PG caught self singing about poor bunny for whom days will never be sunny so had to explain to him about Mrs Bunny’s Lament & Charles singing it. The PG only made some weird grimaces when I told him about Charles & said he had thought it was something like this.
Am not quite sure he believes me. Probably thinks am total moron.
Went to F. afterwards determined to renew friendship but F. very much out of spirits & rather unfriendly altogether. Did not stay long as felt unwelcome. Probably hummed Mrs Bunny’s Lament to self as well.
Charles gone when returned home, as usual, so had fire stoked in library and retired with Morte Darthur & book explaining about changes in English language.
February 26th:
Abigail & I went to Hurst House this morning to retrieve more of my things. Tried to talk to Louisa but she had butler tell me she was not there even though am sure saw her peeking out from behind curtains. Do not know what is the matter with her.
Went back to Charles’ - who was still asleep, or so housekeeper tells me – and sorted through trunks. Several items inexplicably missing, especially those of rather delicate nature.
Decided to go out & take G shopping. Unfortunately the PG decided to come with us. I bought new stack of delicates & fabric for two new dresses from merchant Emma recommended. Am amazed at quality of delicates at such reasonable price. The PG asked what I bought but did not show him even though we have shared breeches before; would not be same thing. G bought green fabric for dress & several ribbons. We arranged for appointment at Mrs Duckie’s in two days then had shopping sent home & went book-shopping with the PG. Still felt needed to compensate for theft of unspeakables & Louisa’s silence & am afraid bought too many books but the PG recommended so many & also had to find out what happened to the lovely Athalia in the next volume & library did not have it yet.
Asked G and the PG for informal dinner to Charles’ house afterwards & spent pleasant evening conversing about Arthur Pendragon until Charles suddenly came home. Looked very different from when had last seen him. Do not think beard suits him. Charles entered dining room & started reciting ‘Of the Unfortunate Demise of Mr Bunny.’ Thought I should die but G & the PG kindly acted as if nothing had happened even after Charles had passed out.
February 27th:
Wonder if He Without The First Name stole my unmentionables. Surely he would not but do not think there is other explanation. Wonder if & how should mention the matter to the PG.
February 28th:
Surely cannot mention matter to the PG. To begin with, would not even know how to describe missing items in polite society.
Will go to L tomorrow & try to find out where they went. Maybe just mistake after all. Also need book from the library that I remember was there; is about the proposed origins of European languages. Do not see why I should not have every right to get it; is my father’s house & my father’s library after all & Hurst having renamed it does not change a thing about that.
Also must find out if third volume of The Woes of the Chaste Orphan Athalia is already available. Simply must find out who Lord Paddenstool’s twin brother is & also what is importance of locket Athalia’s guardian gave her before her death? Cannot believe the Merciless Pirate actually was Athalia’s sister; was convinced Theodora had perished in the fire. Realise now though that that makes Sir Ganymede’s marriage to Pulchinella invalid & that must mean Athalia will inherit North Cotherston Hall.
March 1st:
Very stilted conversation with L who denied any knowledge of whereabouts of stolen unmentionables & also did not want to talk about books that were missing. Looked very strange too. If I did not know better, would say she had paint on her face. Meant to talk to L about whether I should come back to HH or stay at Charles’ but L said she could not say & maybe they would go to Somerset soon to visit friend she mentioned before Christmas. Had all but forgot about Somerset trip; not sure if I am still invited. Did not want to quarrel with L so said not much and instead went to G afterwards & told her most of recent disagreements with L apart from the more unsettling bits & the unspeakables.
Darcy then came home & G told him about the books I was looking for & Darcy looked very astonished & then disappeared & reappeared with several books about language theories & The Woes of the Chaste Orphan Athalia Vol. III.
Had almost left Darcy House again when Darcy stopped me in the corridor & asked me not to let G have book & not to trust Cpt. Van Swanck even if he pretended to be Athalia’s father.
Evil spoilsport.
March 2nd:
At Darcy House again to thank D for books & tell him off for telling me about Van Swanck. D thinks the abbess is the one behind the kidnapping but am sure he is wrong; must be the butler surely for he was the only one who knew Athalia was sleeping in the tower. Cannot wait for fourth volume to come out.
D says he does not believe in common European/Indian-language theory but then the PG came & supported my arguments & am sure we beat D. Had tea with D & G & the PG & was surprisingly much fun even when G asked me to recite Unfortunate Demise of Mr Bunny again. Cupcakes really exquisite & also housekeeper had tried out new recipe with spices & raisins. PG kept chuckling at himself when heavenly cupcakes were served but just ignored him. Arranged with G to see exhibition day after tomorrow but not sure which of her guardians will come with us.
March 3rd:
French really makes so much more sense now that I know about similarities to English language. Think made good progress with French lessons over last few days.
Spent half the morning learning French then started second book D had given me.
Had half hoped L might come over to talk but nobody came all day. Charles still absent although was apparently home some time during the morning but when asked taciturn housekeeper about it, got only new curl of hair of unknown origin. Really cannot locate hair box.
