Mr. Thornton must be convinced to stay.

Dear Diary, (morning of May 24th)

Well, I've done it. I can only hope that Mr. Thornton reacts as Priscilla predicts, because at times last night it was hard to discern his thoughts.

Before leaving my chambers for Mr. Thornton's room, I ran over the conversation we had in my head as I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.

“He is clearly taken by you, Bianca.” Priscilla explained after Kyleson left with his new toy. “How could he not be, as beautiful as you are my dear cousin.” Not for the first time Priscilla gently stroked my cheek, as she complimented me on the smooth softness of my skin and how well I had managed to keep my unruly hair straightened. “And we need his family's connections in Charleston, you do understand, don't you?”

I actually understood better than Miss Manton knew how easy it was to manipulate a man when the need arose. My mother after all had made that her life's work after she escaped from slavery.

“Yes Miss,” I told her with as much confidence as I could muster, “This is not the first time I've visited a man in his bedchambers.” Pricilla's face broke into a knowing smile.

“Hmmm, my sweet little cousin isn't quite as innocent as she pretends to be.” She paused briefly before giving me one last bit of advice. “It might be best perhaps not to let Mr. Thornton know that he is not your first. Our gentlemen here in the South are quite taken with the notion of chastity - although they are more than willing to relieve their bedmates of their virginities when the opportunities arise.”

She walked towards the door indicating that there was nothing else she intended to add, but then stopped just before she left the room.

“On the other hand, my Darling,” she placed her hand on her bosom dramatically, “if Angelica has been paying visits to the young man's rooms as I suspect, he might like the notion of using you as his fancy girl.” She cocked her head slightly to one side, “It's not like he doesn't already know of your unfortunate parentage.” I wonder yet again as I head down the hallway to Mr. Thornton's door if she realized how hurtful her casual asides can be.

__

“I'll leave it up to you to decide, Cousin.” Priscilla told me as she left. “I'm sure you know better than I the way to that particular you man's fancies.” The door latch to Mr. Thornton's room turned with only the tiniest of 'clicks' and as I stepped into the young man's room, I decided upon the approach to take.