with Father Geneonovo to finalize the last details of Janessa’s wedding. I admit I am not looking forward to attending. He is so stern and serious.
Your letter made my heart soar when I did so need it. I do miss you Claudia. Please write as soon as you are able and keep me apprised of Dr. Seward’s research and his associates at Cambridge. I will pray for their success.
I should also mention before closing that Geoffrey inquired about you and when it would be that you would be returning. It appears he is smitten with you. I promised him I would write you of his inquiry. Perhaps if the fancy strikes you, you may want to correspond with Geoffrey as well.
He would not be a bad match, Claudia. His family is affluent and well respected. I know you fear marrying and the possible complications of childbirth given what happened to your beloved mother, but Claudia, do not allow love to slip through your fingers. Perhaps some strange twist of fate unseen would allow this to be what cures you. I know it sounds fanciful and maybe it is but a dream, but I do so want you to be happy. Promise me when you return you will at least entertain the idea of having Geoffrey for tea.
It is getting late. I must make ready for church and Janessa’s final preparations. Write as soon as you can. I love you and miss you.
Your dearest friend,
Amelia.
18 August 1893
At the wishes of my father, I am now in the constant company of Dr. Seward’s associate Dr. Thaddeus Littleton, both day and night, as my father attends to poor Miss Lucy . How heartbreaking it is that there is nothing to ease her suffering. I can sympathize, even without knowing the true nature of her condition. How frail the human condition that so many anomalies can be present without diagnosis. I keep Miss Lucy in my thoughts and prayers hoping she will recover. Given the conversations overheard between father and Dr. Seward, I fear there is little hope.
Dr. Littleton is to escort me to the opera this evening. I am filled with anticipation at the mere prospect . Father was kind enough to purchase a pair of opera glasses, so that I might be able to see more clearly, if we will be attending in one of the upper levels, some distance from the stage. I can hardly wait to leave.
11:20 in the evening
The opera was so much more than I expected. Dr. Littleton attended the performance before and was kind enough to explain it to me in detail. They had a brief intermission, which allowed us to step outside for a breath of fresh air. Dr. Littleton is very much a gentleman. If only I knew, I could look forward to creating more memories such as this one however, that decision is not mine to make. Perhaps, here in London, the world shall unfold and reveal itself to me in ways never dream imaginable. Perhaps, should father lessen his grasp, I might begin to live before it is too late.
Chapter Sixteen
Vladimir Dracul’s Journal
19 August 1893
London
I stood before the stained glass window of the Abbey as the fog rolled across the unkept gardens. A figure long absent yet familiar came into view across the cobblestone street. My solitude, I know, will not be long lasting. Ahbrim had located my whereabouts with little difficulty. I welcomed him into my home with great reluctance.
He stood in the parlor surveying the contents without speaking until I could stand the silence no longer.
“What is it you desire, Ahbrim?”
“I come only to warn you of the dark days that come, old friend. You are in great danger.”
He handed me a piece of paper, which had a single address written upon it.
“Meet me late tomorrow and I will explain.”
As abruptly as he had reappeared in my life, Ahbrim was gone. There were no formalities between us. His motives are ulterior. I know it is not solely based on his former intent.
20 August 1893
His choice of a meeting place I found most peculiar; a cemetery. Surrounded by the dead, I found
Your letter made my heart soar when I did so need it. I do miss you Claudia. Please write as soon as you are able and keep me apprised of Dr. Seward’s research and his associates at Cambridge. I will pray for their success.
I should also mention before closing that Geoffrey inquired about you and when it would be that you would be returning. It appears he is smitten with you. I promised him I would write you of his inquiry. Perhaps if the fancy strikes you, you may want to correspond with Geoffrey as well.
He would not be a bad match, Claudia. His family is affluent and well respected. I know you fear marrying and the possible complications of childbirth given what happened to your beloved mother, but Claudia, do not allow love to slip through your fingers. Perhaps some strange twist of fate unseen would allow this to be what cures you. I know it sounds fanciful and maybe it is but a dream, but I do so want you to be happy. Promise me when you return you will at least entertain the idea of having Geoffrey for tea.
It is getting late. I must make ready for church and Janessa’s final preparations. Write as soon as you can. I love you and miss you.
Your dearest friend,
Amelia.
18 August 1893
At the wishes of my father, I am now in the constant company of Dr. Seward’s associate Dr. Thaddeus Littleton, both day and night, as my father attends to poor Miss Lucy . How heartbreaking it is that there is nothing to ease her suffering. I can sympathize, even without knowing the true nature of her condition. How frail the human condition that so many anomalies can be present without diagnosis. I keep Miss Lucy in my thoughts and prayers hoping she will recover. Given the conversations overheard between father and Dr. Seward, I fear there is little hope.
Dr. Littleton is to escort me to the opera this evening. I am filled with anticipation at the mere prospect . Father was kind enough to purchase a pair of opera glasses, so that I might be able to see more clearly, if we will be attending in one of the upper levels, some distance from the stage. I can hardly wait to leave.
11:20 in the evening
The opera was so much more than I expected. Dr. Littleton attended the performance before and was kind enough to explain it to me in detail. They had a brief intermission, which allowed us to step outside for a breath of fresh air. Dr. Littleton is very much a gentleman. If only I knew, I could look forward to creating more memories such as this one however, that decision is not mine to make. Perhaps, here in London, the world shall unfold and reveal itself to me in ways never dream imaginable. Perhaps, should father lessen his grasp, I might begin to live before it is too late.
Chapter Sixteen
Vladimir Dracul’s Journal
19 August 1893
London
I stood before the stained glass window of the Abbey as the fog rolled across the unkept gardens. A figure long absent yet familiar came into view across the cobblestone street. My solitude, I know, will not be long lasting. Ahbrim had located my whereabouts with little difficulty. I welcomed him into my home with great reluctance.
He stood in the parlor surveying the contents without speaking until I could stand the silence no longer.
“What is it you desire, Ahbrim?”
“I come only to warn you of the dark days that come, old friend. You are in great danger.”
He handed me a piece of paper, which had a single address written upon it.
“Meet me late tomorrow and I will explain.”
As abruptly as he had reappeared in my life, Ahbrim was gone. There were no formalities between us. His motives are ulterior. I know it is not solely based on his former intent.
20 August 1893
His choice of a meeting place I found most peculiar; a cemetery. Surrounded by the dead, I found
Similar Books
