Castel WATERFORD the home of the William 6^th Earl Waterford was an old building which had been done up in the previous reign. Thus it possessed all of the modern convinces. Very much against the wishes of the previous earl the new water closet had been installed in a number of rooms. The original castle had been built many centuries earlier and had come into the possession of the Earl’s family in the reign of queen Elizabeth of blessed memory having spent a vast fortune the 5^th earl had made the stately home as comfortable as possible for its inhabitants. So much so that the current Earl of not forced on occasion to leave it would have spent the entire year here hunting and fishing for the great park presented enough deer great birds and other varieties of game to keep the earl happy content for a very long time of the fishing His Lordship had led Sir Thomas to understand that no where else would one find Salmon and trout of such multitudes that would make a man gasp to see so many and of such great size.

It was to this retreat that Sir Thomas found himself in the company of his lordship now preceded. His children  Tom, John  Mary and Sophia had recently joined Sir Thomas in London taking passage on a yacht that the Earl had at his disposal for official duties they set sail from London for Ireland on a brisk Autumn day in 1813.

“T’is indeed wonderful to be once more at sea” said Sir Thomas who stood beside his father upon the pop deck. I fancy papa that you enjoy sailing far better then I do “replied Tom whose knuckles showed white from clasping on the taft rail. “Tom a man if he is to make his way in life must endure all types of displeasures and temperaments if he is to gain his fortune and a name for himself. My son mark well my words for one day you will realize that they are most probably the most valuable thing I will have ever given you” said Sir Thomas. “Indeed Sir you have always given me good advice and I count it as advice worth keeping” said Tom “Papa do come and see  there are some great ships coming over the horizon I wonder if the Victory is among them said John who was standing on the other side of the deck surveying the ocean to the south.

“Splendid I see there are a number of ships of the Line” said Sir Thomas who had lifted a glass to his eye. “I do not see the Victory amount them but there is the Xenophon see she fly’s the flag of Sir Howe Parker Admiral of the red” said Sir Thomas. “Now when I was a young man not much older then you John I was serving aboard ship of the line there is none quite as splendid as ship of the line. However I must confess that life aboard a frigate is much more to my liking for the ship is close and one gets to know ones men intimately” said Sir Thomas.

Virginia Lady Waterford put aside the brush and pellet the canvas before her portrayed the scène of the sea and cliffs which extended from Castel Waterford. Brushing aside a stray hair which had fallen across her face once more began to concentrate on the canvas

Virginia had a fair complexion like most of her ancestors she took great pride in her complexion the great care she took with her hands was noticeable by there softness her roses and peaches complexion betrayed years of care. She was not a person who had ever had to work hard a day in her life for when she required something she had but to ask her governess. Who would in due season produce the required item.

It pleased her to know that shortly her father would once more be at home; for she loved her dear papa immensely of course her mother seldom left the castle and really traveled more then a day’s journey from the great house. For her ladyship had a fear of been caught away from home in a wild and dangerous country… These fears could be traced back to an incident in her ladyship’s youth when traveling in Europe she had been caught in a great thunderstorm which had resulted in an ever present fear of nature.

Her ladyship was of that race of people who had come over two centuries earlier from Scotland having been settled for generations her family had weathered the various fortunes of the land of Ireland. Thus she was always suspsious of her countrymen and woman of low birth fearing that they wished to do her an injury or a mischief.

Of course the fact that her husband had a propensity for hanging quite a number of the Irish. Be that as it may Lady Virginia was content to spend her days in roaming the cliffs and downs with her governess, enjoying the wilds of nature of which her mother was so much afraid. It was remarkable that an individual who loved nature and love for the good of the people in the village such as lady Virginia was want to do. Could have sprung from the loins if the unlikely couple that were her parents.

For in the company of Lady Virginia the people of county Waterford tended to be themselves allowing her to gain a closer look at the way they really lived whilst when his Lordship was present they would show the greatest respect, a respect born out of fear for it was well known that his lordship the earl was quick to anger and one could if not extremely careful find oneself on the gallows or bound for the convict isle.

“Lady Virginia took up the brush and pellet once more and began to paint “Pray mistress Borden how long do you think it might be before papa will be her?” she asked longingly.

“My lady I have no way of knowing as you know it has been some days now since the last letter from his Lordship” said the governess. “Papa says he is bringing some guests Sir Thomas Sterley and some of his children I do hope there are some young ladies in the party” said Virginia.

“I am sure there might be some young ladies in the party” replied the governess “Indeed that would be such a pleasure to have some new company here some one who has been to London, I was so long last in London that I have quite forgotten how it was, mayhap the young ladies of the party will have some new dresses and news of the latest fashions in the capital” replied Virginia

“I have often found some amusement in the writings of Mrs. Burney you will of course remember her earlier works” said Lady Ann. “Of course Miss Austen writes in a style some what akin to that of Mrs. Burney replied Lady Ann.

 “I have often wondered at women who have taken up the pen so to say it is not quite the thing for a young lady to do” said Lady Mary who was conscious of the social standing of the genteel nobility.

“Oh Mary you do say the strangest things Miss Austen is no longer a young lady she must be quite forty if a day” replied her mother.

“When I am older I will write said Sophia who was not quite fifteen. “I think I will write of far away places, of strange people, of the Lords and ladies of foreign parts, just the think to keep ones interest” she concluded

“You most certainly shall not my dear you will be a good wife, mother and keep your home in order when you are married to a fine gentleman of the county replied Lady Sarah.

“Dear Aunt Sarah we are living at a time when things are so much changed one wonders what people ever did before” Said Sophia

“Stuff of nonsense said Lady Sarah it is a woman’s place to keep a good home it is quite one thing to be a spinster with no prospects living on your wits and the patronage of others and quite another thing to be a respectable member of the aristocracy” said Lady Sarah.

“Take dear Arbela she knows her place I have instructed her in all the things she needs to know about the household. She knows how to order the meals from the cook and what to do in the event of any occasion. She my dear will make a grand lady I an quite sure that it wont be long before the young bucks will be beating a path to the proverbial door for her hand in marriage” Lady Sarah concluded.

“Really Ann I am surprised at you r daughters I would have expected them to be most content to be economic with there flights of fancy” said Lady Sarah.

“Sarah you need not worry on account of my girls they are like flowers in a garden they are a little wild I must confess but with a bit of trimming the should do splendidly” replied Lady Ann

Just then John entered the drawing room “Mama, mama a letter from papa” he said as he crossed the room and handed the letter to Lady Ann.

“More new from London I do so hope he is coming soon” she said as she broke the seal of the letter. For a few moments she remand silent as she read the letter. Then swaying she hand the letter to Lydia who had come to stand besides her mother.

‘Dear Ann,

I had the good fortune to dine in the company of the prince regent last evening at Windsor. It is indeed a splendid house if some what in the fashion of the last season.

His highness Prince George, I must tell you has grown quite plump of late. I also had occasion to speak with my lord the Earl of Wellington who tells me that the war effort is going quite splendidly he is a wonderful man who knows every tactic that old Bonny has will come to naught

I have some thing to impart you of great significance my lord the earl of Waterford has invited me to his county seat for some game hunting for a few weeks I will be leaving on Monday next.

My Lord the Earls sons will be at home and so will his daughter Lady Virginia who will be coming out next season. She is some what of the same age as our Mary

To this end I want you to send Thomas, John and Mary to town on the next available coach as I want then to come with me I have spoken to his Lordship and he is quite agreeable to this end.

Your Loving husband

Thomas

“I wonder at Sir Thomas what does he think of us that he stays so long away and the matter of the business which he went to London must be concluded quite some time ago” said Lady Ann

‘Lydia ring the bell for some tea dear” said Lady Sarah as she took the hand of Lady Ann” dearest cousin I spoke harshly earlier. pray for give me your daughters are quite splendid creatures it is the hotness of the weather that made me reply so sharply.. Pray be content that Sir Thomas is doing every thing in his power to forward the interests of the family. These things take time the right connections have to be made and nurtured.

‘It is indeed a wonderful occasion that Lady Virginia and Mary will meet and get to know each other only good can come of such a connection his Lordship is of course one of the most significant magnets in Ireland today” said Lady Ann drying her tears at the occasion of missing her husband.

“Here is the tea” said Sophia as the butler placed the tray on the table closing with the table Sophia began to stir the tea began pouring tea. For her mama as she knew best in the entire house that her mama preferred strong dark tea with a tough of milk and a little sugar

“Mama there is a hack approaching the house said John who was standing at the window “Who can it be I am quite distraught and have no desire for new company right now” said Lady Ann.

“I believe it to be Mr and Mrs. Holder” said John “Now that is welcome I have not spoken to Mrs. Holder in quite while and she has the most delightful recipe for sweetmeats” said Lady Ann. brightening at the news of the arrival of her old friend from the village.

“Tom you will please take an interest in what Mr Holder tells you and be as civil as you can you know how disagreeable that man can be” said Lady Ann  “Yes Mama I think I might show him the gun room he has always shown an interest in the gun’s said Tom.

The couple of middle years entered the withdrawing room after been announced curtsies and bows were exchanged and the company fell to talking of the resent events in the village and more broadly in the county.

Mr Holder who’s family was of ancient and noble linage had very much come down in the world because of unfortunate events in the previous reign. Thus for Mr Holder it was quite easy to hold a grudge having to look on as others more industrious in there efforts made a name and a place in the world.

“Mr Holder would you accompany me to the gun room I have some thing to show you” said Tom. “Indeed young Tom that would be my pleasure said the man placing his empty cup on the tray following the younger man out of the room.

“Pray tell me Elizabeth what new recipe have you to share with us Lydia pray write down what Mrs. Holder says” said Lady Ann “I have a recipe for Pork lion chops done in the Catalina style” replied Elizabeth Holder.

 “Indeed pray tell how did you by this recipe?” asked Lady Sarah I have a cousin who served under my Lord the Earl of Wellington. Who whilst in Spain took an interest in what was going in to the cooking pot” Replied Elizabeth Holder with a laugh.” Never much of a fighting man our cousin Cedric but quite a cook he of course service the earl as his personal cook said Elizabeth Holder “Well what a splendid gun this is said William Holder as he handled the weapon which had last seen service in the reign of Charles I of blessed memory a flintlock pistol with fine engraving. “My father has always held that this particular weapon was used by one of our more illustrious ancestors Sir James Sterley who was on the side of the King” said Thomas. “here is fathers sword the one he used while in service eat ST Vincent he has quite retired the old thing it takes a place of honor here in the gun room. May I offer you a glass of port?” asked Thomas as he picked up the decanter  “That would be most welcome said William Holder who was eyeing the ancient weapon with envious eyes wondering how long the money from the sale of the weapon would keep him in the necessities of life. 

The sound of a busy London street drifted upward to the ears of the men sitting in the study Of the Earl of Waterford Lord Lieutenant of the tower of London and Gentleman of the privy seal. For a moment before he began to speak Sir Thomas listened to the sounds of horse and carriage passing by the house in Grosvenor Square

Sir Thomas had recently arrived in town and had as a matter of urgency requested an interview with the Earl on a matter of mutual business.

“I am lead to understand that there might be the possibility of certain commons in the Royal dragoons” said Sir Thomas.

“Indeed there are a certain number available to worthy members of a certain good families for a not inconsiderable consideration” replied the earl of Waterford.

“I would be most interested your grace to know what such a commission would cost say a lieutenantcy or a captaincy” said Sir Thomas

“I am not exactly sure Sir Thomas but I would be able to find out from the commander of the dragoons he owes me a certain service.” Said the earl “May I enquire for whom you require the post? He continued. “

“My boy Tom is of a moody nature who spends to much time writing poetry and prose I have half a mind to by him a commission and give him a chance to get out in the world don’t you know” said Sir Thomas as he raised a snifter of Brandy to his lip’s

“Ah I have just the right command for a young lad like that” said the earl. Give me a few days to arrange it, fear not Sir Thomas your troubles are at an end for a certain consideration. Of course I am sure I we will be able to make available to your young man a command which is ideally suited to his nature and complement” he continued.

“I see that Sir Grenville has been mentioned in the latest dispatches” said Sir Thomas by way of reference to the earl’s second son who had been leading quite a charmed life under Lord Wellesley. “Ah yes Grenville he is a wonderful boy going into the army was the best thing I could ever have arranged for him of course, he fought and screamed against it he wanted to go into the theater of all things what a member if the nobility in the theater have you ever heard of such an idea” said the earl “I blame his mother of course always encouraging him to act

“I fear that it was seeing his uncle of Shadberry in the company of the prince regent that put such a notion in his head as you know John Shadberry has always followed the fashion of Prinny and as a result this has rubbed of on Grenville but I knew the army would make a man of him” ended the earl.

“It says here that he performed with the utmost bravery when leading a contingent of the rifles whilst with drawing from an open position,” said Sir Thomas

“Indeed the lad seems to have found his place in the service” replied the Earl. Who held a glass before his rather large red nose savoring the flavor of the illicit cognac recently seized by a very alert captain on a revenue cutter in the channel on dark evening.

“Pray Sir Thomas I am confounded sir that you would want your lad in the Army for I believe that you are a navel man yourself?” said the Earl

“Indeed Your grace is correct I fought at Cape St Vincent the first battle of course, yes I meditated upon the Navy for my son. However since Nelson was killed there hasn’t been much of a chance of honors at sea. With most of the war effort going on land” replied Sir Thomas.

“Exactly sir you are correct in that assumption for the glory now days is not at sea but on the many fronts on the continent don’t you know said the earl as he swallowed the cognac

“My service to the crown during my tears at sea also taught me one thing that some men will never make good sailors poor Thomas cannot even get out on the lake with out becoming green about the gills. Thus I am forced to turn once more landward” said Sir Thomas with a sigh as the thought of his son becoming a great navel captain disappeared from his mind.

“Indeed sir Thomas you have my sympathy but we have time to consider this matter latter tonight I have a little celebration of my own. I would like you to attend as my guest for my daughter Virginia is to marry captain Sir Francis Wartonsmith and they are to announce there betrothal tonight. It would be my pleasure sir if you would attend” said the Earl

“Your Grace is to kind I await this occasion with much pleasure pray Your Grace at what time will the event begin?” enquired Sir Thomas “ “We shall dine at nine” replied the earl as he showed Sir Thomas to the door.

Outside the great house of the Earl Sir Thomas stopped to consider what he had achieved. For by mere accident it had come about that his grace the earl had known some of the history of his service to the crown. This had helped him in his efforts to secure a commission for young Tom.

Lady Ann would be pleased with what he had managed he planed to write to her as soon as he arrived at the hotel where he was staying. London had under gone much change since his last visit he was beginning to think that he would lose his way some day while out walking. Like the country squire he was he set out with his walking stick in hand to walk the mile to the hotel  taking in as he went all the new houses that were been built, they said that it was due to the wishes of the prince regent that this was been done.

When you were young they said you were well worth laying down for a few years.

Your body is full and round your nose is simply delightful

Red is your color in any season I have seen others in white but nothing excites me as much as seeing you in red.

Your long thin neck fascinates me your color is most divine

Many men have had you but to me you are still like a virgin innocent and ready for the taking. I have known your sisters and have been intermit with them in a cozy corner of a restaurant,

I have even taken a sister of yours up to my room to get better acquainted with her, but you far surpass them with your beauty and elegance

You are full bodied, round and there is a certain air upon your breath that reminds me of fruit

You are most positively the best bottle of wine I have ever drunk.

Lady Ann sat for a few moments gathering her thoughts rising from her seat she took the manuscript upon which she had been working and locked it away. Taking up writing paper she returned to her seat. Taking up her quill…

The content of the missive was one upon which she took a few more moments to contemplate before she began writing

The letter she was about to write was to a distant cousin Lady Sarah Fitz-Gibbon who’s husband a peer of the realm styled Lord Fitz-Gibbon held estates in the north of England.

The ancestral home been near York Lord Fitz-Gibbon was of an ancient and honorable lineage having an ancestor who had served well in the parliament of King Henry in the time of the reformation.

For his pains and troubles the gentleman had been well rewarded with lands which had formally belonged to a Benedictine house.

My dear Sarah,

I hope that you are well and in good health she began thereafter she continued in this vain discussing the health of various members of her family the weather and other local incidents which she considered her cousin Lady Sarah Fitz-Gibbon might find of interest

Coming to the point of her missive she enquired after the well being of Lady Sarah’s daughter Arbela who she had last seen some three years earlier at her coming out.

“You must bring Arbela to visit us at Oakland Park I am sure the children would love to have there cousin here. Sir Thomas is away in London at present and is not expected back for a few more weeks, thus it would be a grand occasion should you and Arbela be here when he returned.

Young Tom has been asking particularly about Arbela as you will recall they were very close when last the visited.

So pray dear Lady Sarah do come and visit us at your convince she wrote these words thereafter she closed the missive with the usual graces.

Sealing the letter she had but to wait for the next time that there arose an occasion to visit the village and to post the letter. However after a few moments of contemplation she called for a servant who took the letter directly to The Bell the inn in the village from whence the coach would depart at three O’clock in the afternoon

At midday the family found themselves round the table partaking in that meal of the day which brings much thought for contemplation in the later hours of the afternoon for there was a quantity of food which made the table groan.

Lady Ann having said grace watched as her family descended on the unsuspecting food hot steaming plates of mutton, pork, and beef graced the table.

The gravy tray been passed around as each member dug in and began to eat. The sons of there neighbor Mr Parker were present having spent part of the previous day and the night at Oakland’s.

George Now seated next to Lady Ann’s dearest daughter Lydia seemed very much taken by her and it was with a fervent expectation that the two young people would in due course be betrothed.

 The thought gave Lady Ann a sense of contentment with the world for the Parkers though not of the aristocracy had to there credit.

The fact that they were one of the wealthiest families in England owing to some wise investment s of Mr Parker’s father. who had first made his fortune as a merchant many year previously. To Lady Ann’s way of thinking it would not be long before the Parkers would rise to the peerage for Mr Parker had been busy in government for some small time, his ideas of reform gained from the study of Wilberforce had lead him to the conclusion that much could be gained from reform in government.

Lady Ann ever forward thinking had not considered at this time the implications for people of a certain class unto which she herself belonged of radical reform. Of course she knew that radical reform carried to far could be dangerous one had but to look a short distance across the channel to see the result of this dangerous action.

Of course things had a way of righting themselves she reasoned for had not Bonny made himself the emperor of France once the initial troubles had been settled.

In the mean time Thursday week would be the next assembly and there would as was the custom of the ladies of the house be much preparing for this even. Hopefully by then Sir Thomas would have sent word as to when he was to be expected back from London.

“I have written to Lady Fitz-Gibbon asking her to visit with us and to bring her daughter Lady Arbela for a few weeks” said Lady Ann “Oh Mama that is a nice thing I can hardly remember when last they spent time here” said Mary who was the only daughter of the house to show any real interest in her relatives. For the young lady had collected a book of relatives from the earliest times of the family’s existence in that part of the county.

After the midday meal the daughters of the house and there guests found occasion to spend some time in the garden, for it was there custom to spend lazy afternoon’s near the lake watching the water fowl. Thomas retired to his fathers study to do some writing while John descended once more on the garden to take up a spade and rake for this son of the house of Sterley loved gardening more then any thing in the world.

For to his way of thinking Thomas wanted a young woman who would be his fair Juliet to his Romeo and who would not find it unpleasant to accompany him to the continent Italy would be a good place to start for Thomas had heard of late that Lord Byron had spent some time in Italy and found that Rome had been a city worth visiting.

He furthermore bethought that Rome would be a good and respectable place to begin his own serious writings in romantic poetry for he had already put down in his note book the beginning s of a poem which showed promise of which he had not yet begun to read to the family lest they mock him for his romantic notions for until now most of his writing had been half in Jest and half serious.

Now as he tied the final knot of his cravat he began to wonder what his Mama, would have to say if she knew of his idea of finding a wife. Of course like any good and noble lady she would be overjoyed that he had finally begun to grow up. For as she put it for Lady Ann had for quite some time berated her first born son to do exactly that.

Of his father he was more then a little concerned that the old gentleman might take offence and buy him a commission in the guards or some other frightful regiment. Thus Thomas reasoned that before the morning was out to have a few word in the privacy of the drawing room with his Mama to forestall any plan that his Papa might have in mind for sending him to the war front.

It was a little after 11 o’clock  that the chance came for Lady Ann was arranging flowers in a verse when Thomas came upon her “

“Mama I would like your opinion upon a matter of the heart” he said “Oh Tom what is it now another verse that you cannot find an ending to?” she enquired with a pained look upon her face for the dear woman was used to the young man asking advice in fact many of his verses had shown a little of her talent not that the good lady would ever have made it known for she kept a diary in which she wrote much and which she never showed to any one least of all her husband who she considered would take affront at some of her more forward thinking writing for on occasion the heroines of her short stories would be swept of there feet by young knights while the young ladies in her stories would invariably be that class of woman who had a heaving bosoms which grew flashed as her cheeks when confronted by the hero of the story.

“No mama, I have decided that it is time that I take a wife and I need your help deciding on who the fortunate young woman will be” he said “ “Oh Tom you must not jest so with me for a moment I thought that you might just be serious” said Lady Ann.

“Indeed mama I am most serious otherwise I would not have sort you out to ask for your assistance” replied the young man now blushing and loosening the necktie from his neck as his anxiety grew.

“Tom this is wonderful news” said Lady Ann rising from her place at the table and coming over to take him by the hand “pray tell who the young lady shall be? She inquired of him. “I have not yet set my mind upon any particular lady as the thought only occurred to me this very morning” he said.

“I see” said Lady Ann as she once more took a seat at the table and took up her pen “I shall have to write to a number of our relatives and hear which of there daughters are of marriageable age” she said “Mama please do and may I make so bold as to ask only those of a clear dispersion further more they should have a large dowry” the young man said  “Very well Tom leave me to think” she said  it worried her to find that the whole matter on which her first born son had sort her out was not really a matter of the heart but more a matter of economics for it was true that most people in her class married with a fortune in mind she was more inclined to the romantic nature of the event. She would however apply her mind and considerable though to the matter at hand.

The color of your skin I love you inside of me

What forbidden pleasure, how they would condemn me if they knew that you are inside of me.

Oh what joy Oh should I shout out the name of God with pleasure the sheer joy of having you inside of me

 ‘Oh, Oh, Oh when you touch my lips oh what heights you lift me to Oh God what forbidden pleasure When you inside of me

What joy every morning when I wake you are there ready waiting expectant hoping and you never disappoint my sweet dark forbidden pleasure my morning coffee

Now who was having forbidden thoughts???

The whirlwind fairytale romance that brought her from obscurity to world famous icon was because of her meeting with Charles Windsor eldest son and to the British royal throne. Before meeting Prince Charles she was a part-time aide at the Young England Kindergarten

Their engagement became official February 24, 1981 and they married at St Paul’s Cathedral on 29 July 1981, watched by a global audience of almost one billion people world wide.

From all accounts there marrage was not a happy one In the late 1980s, the marriage of Diana and Charles fell apart, an event at first suppressed, then sensationalised, by the world media. Both the Prince and Princess of Wales allegedly spoke to the press through friends, each blaming the other for the marriage’s demise. Charles resumed his old, pre-marital affair with Camilla Parker Bowles, while Diana had an affair with her riding instructor, James Hewitt. She later confirmed the affair with Hewitt in a television interview with Martin Bashir for the BBC programme Panorama. Charles had confirmed his own affair over a year earlier in a televised interview with Jonathan Dimbleby. Although no charges were ever considered, adultery with the Queen consort or Princess of Wales has been high treason in England at least since the Treason Act 1351.
After the divorce, Diana retained her apartment in Kensington Palace, completely redecorated, and it remained her home until her death. She gave her loyal staff members a pay raise.

She publicly dated the respected heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and was finally thought to have found love with Dodi Al-Fayed, with whom she was publicly intimate.
charity projects
Diana was involve din various charities and was also a strong supporter of those in need of treatment for Aid’s she became the first high profile celebrity to be photographed touching some one suffering from this illness
In the week prior to the accident she had spent some time in the Greek isle
On Sunday morning 31st August 1997 she and her friend Dodi A-Fayed left the Hôtel Ritz Paris, in a high speed chase Henri Paul the acting security manager of the aforementioned hotel drove a hired Mercedes-Benz through Paris secretly eluding the paparazzi. Resulting in the car carrying Diana to be pursued by a group of paparazzi following the vehicle. Blood analysis showed that Henri Paul was illegally intoxicated with alcohol whilst driving. He drove at high speed in order to evade the pursuing paparazzi. Tests confirmed that original postmortem blood samples were from Henri Paul, and that he had consumed amounts of alcohol three times that of the French legal limit.
The accident which happened after 1AM killed Henri Paul and Dodi Al-Fayed immediately 
Diana  unbelted in the back seat- slid forward during the impact and, having been violently thrown around the interior, “submarined” under the seat in front of her, suffering massive damage to her heart and subsequent internal bleeding. She was eventually, after considerable delay, transported by ambulance to the Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, but on the way she went into cardiac arrest twice. Despite lengthy resuscitation attempts, including internal cardiac massage, she died at 4 a.m. local time. Her funeral on 6 September 1997 was broadcast and watched by an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide
The Prince of Wales, her sons, her mother, siblings, a close friend, and a clergyman were present. She wore a black long sleeved dress designed by Catherine Walker. She had chosen that particular dress a few weeks before. She was buried with a set of rosary beads in her hands, a gift she received from Mother Teresa, who died the week after Diana. Her grave is on an island in the grounds of Althorp Park, her family home
The image of the Royal family was not very well liked by the British public due to there treatment of Diana and the ongoing affair of Prince Charles. At the time of the accident the royal family was at Ballmoral castle Scotland, it took almost a whole week and a sever reprimand from Downing street before Queen Elizabeth appeared on Television and gave a brief speech about the death of Diana
 

The Sterley’s of Oakland Park in the county of Surry had for a long time been genteel nobility the first Sir Thomas having been in the service of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Having served his country well he had been knighted and invested with the lands which made up Oakland Park. The current sir Thomas was a man of quite disposition who after a life time of service to the crown had returned to contemplate the beauty of country life. Sir Thomas has always been fond of birds and thus he spent his days in quite contemplation of the birds of Southern England of which he was making a study, in the hopes of some time soon having a publication done at his expense. It was not that sir Thomas sought fame for he was already quite well known and had riches enough for the needs of his family and for the next generation when they arrived.

Sir Thomas had served the previous government well and had only retired to the country once it became apparent that the King would not recover, thus Sir Thomas had taken the time to think it better to retire from politics as he had no wish to serve in a government over which the prince Regent held sway.

In his younger day he had been an officer in the Royal navy a part of the service for which he still held a great fondness in his heart. He read with keen interest the gazettes to see who had been mentioned and if perchance a son of a near by neighbor had recived a distinction of merit in the gazette Sir Thomas would take to writing a letter or two to the relatives and even some time to the gentleman in question wishing them a heart congratulations and an invitation to call upon him at Oakland park when they should again be in the county.

Of the people that Sir Thomas loved most dearly were of course his wife of many years Ann who had been born Lady Moorcroft  (Her Father Lord Moorcroft now an ancient relic who had served in the government of George II had of late passed away thus the family was still in a time of mourning.) Then there daughters Lydia, Mary Sophia Eliza, and of course Mary, the youngest of his daughters his sons who brought him great pride were in order of age Thomas, John, James and finally Stephen who was but a babe in arms. Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had for more then a generation planed the arrival of there children in accordance with the dedication of an admiral of the service as he planed his Battle plan in the same spirit as the great sea Lord of Blessed memory Lord Horatio Nelson.. Thus over a period of two and twenty years Lady Ann had brought forth in due season a little bundle of joy

To say that Sir Thomas was a doting father would have been an understatement for of an evening he could be found on his hands and knees playing with the younger children, he even on occasion took a lively interest in the doings of his older children Thomas his son was a young man of the world who was of a melancholic disposition and prone to moodiness in which state he would take up his pen ands retire to his room where he would compose sonnets and the like some of which he would on occasion read to the family for an evenings entertainment.

The somberness of the younger Thomas did in no way have an effect on the younger sons of the house who would spend there days in Boxing Boating on the river and riding some times even enjoying a hearty game of cricket.

The daughters of the house where an altogether lively group who loved attending assemblies and dancing was always a favorite pastime. Indeed Lay Ann had mad sure that all her daughter could play the harpsichord and of late the urgency of Lady Ann to procure a piano Forte for the house had been made known to Sir Thomas.

“My dear is the harpsichord broken?” he had enquired of her when she made the wish for a piano forte to him. “No Tom it is all the rage and is played in all the best houses in London we simple must have one” she replied growing impatient with his reluctance to produce the desired instrument.

“Indeed my love and how much do you suppose such an extravagance would cost?” he asked her with a pained expression “Oh I am not sure but what is the matter you have never been so obstinate before when it came to the purchase of an instrument” she replied

“Indeed we have recently had the man in to tune the harpsichord and what of the new fiddle I bought John but a twelve month ago?” he asked her

‘Sir you know that John plays well and he has never neglected the art of music think sir how the instrument would enhance your standing in the county should it be known that you have one of the newest instruments” Lady Ann said.

“That is a good point my dear he said with a smile let me consider it and when I have found the right conclusion I will let you know” Sir Thomas said.

“In the mean time pray tell me what are the young ladies up to this evening for I believe there is to be a assemble in the village and I have yet to shave and dress for I should very much like to wait upon some of our neighbors at the assembly” he concluded

“Why sir one would think that you of all people would dismiss out of hand any frivolity with assemblies for you have grown quite in your later years what now this sudden interest in assembles and balls Pray sir what bedbug have you in your hat” said Lady Ann

 Chapter two

The sound of music filled the air and the hall was lit with the light of a thousand candles for tonight was the first of the assembles to be held in Notheringay Sir Thomas found himself seated next to an old acquiesce  Mr Charles Parker who had served under Sir George Rodney in the early days of there service to King and country “Charles do you remember how crisp the night was?” asked Sir Thomas “Indeed I do sir replied Mr Parker taking a pull at his pipe “Indeed I do” he said releasing a vast cloud of smoke from his mouth much to the annoyance of Sir Thomas. It was not that Sir Thomas was against the habit of smoking he felt every one was free to live there lives as best suited them but what he did object to was the fact that the smoke had been expelled in his direction.

 “Ah yes I remember well how we fought that battle under the moon light a singular even if I might say so Sir Thomas” said Mr Parker “and our ship our faithful Montague is already and old war horse now I would not be surprised that when next we hear of her she will have been broken up or a sheer hulk” said Sir Thomas “I fancy the lower deck crews would not look back at her with such an air of nostalgia” said Mr Parker “Indeed I fancy  Don de Lángara will also look back at that battle with an air of discontent” replied Sir Thomas I have an occasion to be in London next week on a matter of some small busyness I trust that you and your good lady will find an occasion to call on Lady Ann for I fancy there might be some what of a disruption while I am away in town” said Sir Thomas “I am sure my Amy would be delighted to spend an afternoon in the company of your good lady” replied Mr Parker.  “Pray tell how are those bright young sons of yours?” asked Sir Thomas who had it mind to arrange a marriage between the elder son and his daughter Lydia. “George has recently returned from Oxford and is taking the business of my rents in hand quite nicely it relieves me to have some time upon my hands to be at leisure” replied Mr Parker. “Indeed a bright young man” said Sir Thomas as the object of there discourse weaved his way down the line of dancers his hand firmly on that of Lydia. “And what of Peter?” Asked Sir Thomas “Peter is bound for the service this coming fortnight Monday” replied Mr Parker; I have managed to buy him a commission in the 52 foot. “Indeed a strange choose replied Sir Thomas raising an eyebrow. It was I am afraid the best that can be got at present, he is no horseman unfortunately I would have liked to get him a commission in the guards but he refused to hear of it preferring to be among the men as he put it” continued Mr Parker. 

Just then Lady Ann returned to her seat she had been dancing with your Lord Kilgrew “Dear husband remind me later to impart to you a certain knowledge that has of resent been rewarded me” she said “Indeed it must be of some importance that you would not speak before our dear and old friend Mr. Parker” “No sir it is some what of a private nature and is fit only for the ear of a husband “she replied sharply, Just then Mrs. Parker joined there company having spent the last round on the arm of an officer of the rifles. “ Hot work but most invigorating said” she

The music begun again and the two couples sat watching the young people of there respective houses dance a new dance which had recently been introduced to the country some thing called a waltz. I perceive that this new fad of a dance doesn’t hold much in it “said Lady Ann with a frown on her broad face for she was watching with some manner of displeasure the figure of her daughter Lydia and young Peter Parker, who to her mind seemed a little to closely embraced in each others arms.

“Ann let them be we were once young don’t you recall? Said Sir Thomas

Later that night Sir Thomas before retiring for the night spent a few moment s writing in his great day journal, this had long been his practice for he was a fastidious man who would not allow a day to pass lest he make a few pre-functionary notes on the events of the day.

  Of late the mood of his eldest son had been some what of a concern to him as Tom was showing more and more signs of becoming more caught up in a world of his own with little sense of the realities of life, Sir Thomas considered buying him a commission in the Kings own regiment of guards for surely the life of a guards captain would be one which would fully occupy the full four and twenty hours of the day thus leaving little time for Tom to occupy himself with less fruitful pursuits. Further more Thomas with the right training could rise in the world and the thought of this delighted Sir Thomas.As sir Thomas said his prayers and snuffed out the candle the thought of his son in a uniform of the guards made his lot content and he was at peace with the world. In the distance an owl hooted but by the time the sound was recognized by the sleepy Sir Thomas he was beginning to slip into the arms of Morphus

“What do I as a Jew think of death and salvation?” Said Samuel that is complex as a young man before I was cursed I believed in the Law that if I lived my life to the best of my ability obeying the laws of JHWH then I would go to the place reserved for the righteous. I was a good Jew I attended synagogue regularly and tried to live a good life however as the years passed I became cynical. I hardened my heart and this would eventually lead to my own downfall” he continued

“I am surprised then that it would eventually  be chosen by the Almighty to be given the chance to redeem myself by offering a place to the chosen one, but what did I do I messed it up and ended up becoming the eternal Jew” he said

“Has the Lord not given you the opportunity since then to redeem yourself?” Asked Chris Many times I have come close but some thing has always come up which has changed the course I set myself. Case in point was my dalliance with the house of Stuart I served them well for many years and it brought me great sorry to watch them die losing there cause was one of the most heart wrenching things I have ever done.” Said Samuel

“was there when Benedict Stuart the last grand son of James II died it was pitiful he had of course given up the hope many years earlier of regaining the throne of all of the Stuarts he seemed to be the most realistic of them but alas he chosen path was the church of Rome and he died childless.

“After that little episode I sort of lost interest returned to serve England in the capacity of a spy during the French revolution and then later during the reign of Napoleon that is how I first began to gather a fortune from which the hotel empire I now own came” said Samuel

“I was there the day the lopped of the head of Marie Antoinette poor pitiful creature she was at the end but the crowd cheered and hooted at the poor woman’s final predicament. It was then that I once more began to search for a means to find my salvation. It was not an easy time for me and I think I was also much in avoidance of the new enlightenment but that is how history is. Thus I set out to some how find a way to redeem myself.”

“So you have seen the church in all its forms up to the present age and you still avoid returning or rather should I say joining the Church of Christ because of what you have witnessed through the ages? Asked Chris

“I have seen many things in the course of history however the happiest time for me was back at the end of the third century AD when I lived in Greece I had gone there totally disillusioned and wanted nothing to do with God or religions but I had a friend Demetrious a wine merchant of sorts who in later life converted to Christianity he had been a great worshiper of the Greek gods but events of the time lead him to turn to Christianity and he became one of the elders of the church I remember a few days before he died he came to visited me and he implored me to turn to Jesus Christ but I was having to much fun enjoying the young body of a Greek slave girl and I was not over much interested but now I regret it I saw the sad look in his eyes as he left me that sunny afternoon in 397 AD his last words to me were “My friend I hope you will soon find Christ for he is the joy of my life” thus Demetrious the Greek wine merchant departed from my life and this life a few days later.” Said Samuel

“How did you first become aware that the curse placed on you had taken affect?” asked Chris “When I was alive for about fifty years I began to notice that I had stopped aging my wife was already an old woman with white hair while I was still a robust health 35 year old man. It put the fear of God in me I must tell you I feared they would discover me and try and kill me. My friends were aging and I was not soon after Ratsula that was my wife’s name died I left Bethlehem for Jerusalem and a new chapter in my life at that time there was a wise old sage who knew the laws of God better then any man alive he taught many of the younger generation. I met with him one night and spoke for hours but all we could agree on was that I was cursed and he knew no answer other then to keep the Sabbath and follow the precepts of the Lord God.

For many years I wandered seeking an answer eventually after been rejected even by those strange deities of Egypt I gave up and began to live life day by day. However there has always been a reoccurring dream where I see Ratsula standing at the side of Jesus beckoning at first they were but distant indistinct figures in the distance but as the centuries have passed they have come clearer and closer with each reoccurrence of the dream.

“Do you not think that it might be better if you accept Christ and bring your long journey to an end?” asked Chris “Indeed I do but the method of this salvation what puzzles me for I have been a member of the Christian church before and membership has not brought my predicament to an end” said Samuel

“I don’t speak of church membership Samuel I speak of a giving of your self to the will and commands of Jesus a complete handing over of your life to Christ I am sure this is the truth so simple which has alluded you for these many long years” said Chris.

“And what of the method?” asked Samuel “for surly there must be some thing which is different in this surrender which has caused me to live for so long?” he continued

“We will have to think about that and pray’ said Chris…