Mother is alive? Or, possibly alive. And Ace didn't think to tell me – before the Prophet decided to write something about it? He is lucky that I don't have an inkling to have more etiquette lessons, or else I would probably hit him. Why would anyone lie about her dying? After we had just lost Father. That could not have been the reason for her be have been kidnapped. Or for a ransom to have been demanded.

I refuse to even hope that she is alive. She has been gone from our lives for nearly a year. Until I can see her, speak to her, then she isn't alive.

On top of everything else that is happening in my life! Why, Aunt Jade, just last month, informed me that I was to be married to Mr. Warwick Nott. Without giving me an option to say no! I do not want to be – especially not into a purist family! I do not even know the man, and I do not want to know him! I think I must talk to Regina about this. About all of it.

Avril Nott, can you imagine! I aught to nott get married to him!