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I started to open my mouth to tell him that was certainly fine with me when I realized how deeply upset both my parents were. The castle was dreadful and our journey had been long. Now was not the time to fight with them over my future.

I sighed, letting him take my hand to draw me to his side.

“Now, dear Glynis, I know for a fact that the young Lord Nigel is quite fond of you. But you put him off when you would speak over him to his friends about issues a young woman need not concern herself with. Before we left Rome, his mother sent us a kind letter saying that she missed us and pointedly wrote that Nigel has been asking when you would return. ”

“Oh, please! He is such a horrible bore!”

“Glynis, he is not really all that bad. He does have lovely eyes. He is rather nice,” May said.

I shot her a particularly nasty look as my father turned me about to face him.

“Glynis, for my sake, for your mother’s sake, for your own sake, please, please, when we return to England, let Nigel court you. Then when Prince Vlad does arrive, you will be nicely married. ” He tucked his fingers under my chin and raised my eyes to his. “Please, Glynis. ”

I wanted to argue, but I realized that if I truly wanted to return home and have any hope of constructing my own life, I would have to capitulate at this moment. So I nodded my head, saying softly, “Yes, Father. I will do as you ask. ”

“Then it is settled! Good! Finally!” My mother looked close to tears once more. She flung her arms around me and hugged me tightly. “Now we can go home and begin to plan the wedding!”

May clapped her hands together. “Oh, I am so happy!”

“Of course, you, my dear May, are next in line to be married. ” My mother gave her a sly smile.

“Oh, dear. ” May widened her eyes at us. “Oh, dear!”

My father laughed heartily and kissed her cheek. “Your mother is a persistent woman. ” He hugged me warmly and whispered, “Thank you, my darling daughter. ”

I whispered back, “I do not want to be here. I want to go home. I cannot bear the thought of staying here. ”

“Nor could I bear to think of leaving you here. ”

I felt so overwhelmed that I began to cry. “Thank you, Father, thank you!”

He smiled and patted my back lightly. “There, There. ”

Chapter 4

Unfinished Letter

To Sir Andrew Wright

From Lady Antoinetta Wright

June 9

My dearest son,

It is with greatest relief that I can write we are soon returning to England. Your headstrong sister has finally decided to be sensible and allow herself to be courted by that lovely Lord Nigel. It has been a daunting task reining in your sister. At times I thought the cause was lost. You know better than most how she can be. But at last she has heard reason and we can finally leave this place.

I am sure this country is quite beautiful in its own way, but I long for our home in England. This place…this place…

Journal of Lady Glynis Wright

10th of August, 1819

It has been difficult to put pen to paper since my last long bout of writing. I had not expected to become so utterly overwhelmed by the memories. I can remember so distinctly that afternoon in the library and the great hope I had well inside of me that soon I should see England again and my home.

What follows is hard to write, yet I find myself wanting to relive it. Wanting to find solace in the last moments my family spent together.

Oh, dearest diary, how sad I am to write what happens next, but I must write it. I must.