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Prologue: The Diary of Lady Swann
February 10, 1810
Today I received the tragic news that my dear sister Abigail and her husband Arthur have succumbed to some terrible illness while traveling through Egypt. The news greatly disturbed me as Abigail and I have shared a bond so much stronger than sisterhood all our lives. I took ill upon hearing the tidings and when I awoke my dear Charles was sitting next to me, holding my hand. He has been such a comfort to me, such as I can not put into words.
It was he who suggested, before I could even collect my thoughts, that my niece Fallon should immediately be brought from Egypt and live with us.I can only imagine how bereft the poor girl must be.Only sixteen years old and already an orphan.My heart breaks for her. Thank heavens Charles is such a compassionate man.
May 1, 1810
Fallon has been here a while now and it concerns me that she is not the young girl I had known. She has turned from a lovely, energetic and friendly child into a sullen and dare I say it, miserable young woman.
She spends her days attending her lessons and what free time she has is occupied by painting. She does not speak unless spoken to and volunteers very little information about what happened in Egypt.I am deathly scared that the poor thing might be going insane.
What if her parents death had triggered some mental breakdown?Charles assuages my fears, but I have my doubts.She is not the same.Not the same at all.
May 15, 1810
What a lovely surprise I had today!My dear childhood friend Henry Fitzroy showed up out of the blue to pay me a visit.I have not seen him since my wedding 15 years ago after which he and his wife had left to travel the world, much like Abigail and Arthur had done.Mathilda has taken ill and could not accompany him but both Charles and I sent our warmest regards to her.
One thing about his visit gave me food for thought.He said that Fallon scares him and that scares me.Henry has always been an excellent judge of character and for him to say such a thing about a child no less is not to be taken lightly.
He did apologize to me for speaking so frankly as he saw how much it upset me. What affected me in truth was the fact that he had spoken something I too have felt, something I have been too afraid to say even to Charles.
June 10, 1810
Finally, today my beloved Charles returned from his business trip.I have been miserable without him.The servants I think have been living in fear of me.I have the most vile temper when separated from Charles for any length of time.I suppose it would have helped if the days without him were not so utterly lonely and endless.
Fallon barely speaks to me.I swear its time for that girl to get a husband, although I pity the poor fool who marries her.Eventhough she is very beautiful with her thick dark tresses and blue eyes, her moods are even worse than mine.Her abuse of the servants is something I have spoken to her about but she pays no heed to my words.She has no respect for them.
The other day I overheard her threaten to slap Mr Jones who has been our groundskeeper forever.
Anyway,my Charles returned as dashing and handsome as ever and I could swear that when she saw him, her eyes lit up.She actually spent about five whole minutes speaking to him!
Odd girl, truly odd.
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