In Permanent Motion

Church, charity and soirees are a piffling distraction from the profoundest grief. No visits from my brother, although we have exchanged cold letters about Papa’s estate. Herr D’Yppold brokered an agreement in monies and I am to keep Mama’s rings and what remains of the Royal snuffboxes. No jeweled toothpicks left and no Papa but one husband, six noisy children and fresh galanteries between the hours of two and four o'clock – my life on the edge of a lake. N.