Mr. Naylor, with sad news

Dear Diary,

That was the moment that my long day suddenly got a lot longer. “That's Mr. Naylor, your father’s solicitor.” The note of concern in Mr. Thornton's voice caught my attention, “What is he doing here?”

I knew even before Mr. Naylor reached me that I had arrived too late. The black band the grey-haired man wore on his left arm told me all I needed to know.

“Miss DiFlorentini I presume?” Under normal circumstances, my father's solicitor's drawl would have made me smile but that was neither the time nor the place. “It is good that you are here. Your father's will is to be read tomorrow.” I learnt, as I was escorted into the salon, that I had missed my father's funeral and that several relatives were also expected to attend. I was thankful for the glass of bourbon that was pressed into my hand. I don't normally drink more than an occasional sherry, but the shock of horrible news required a stronger tonic.

Mr. Naylor:

Thankfully, a pretty light-skinned **** in a neat white dress arrived with a tray loaded with consume and sandwiches so the bourbon was not sitting on my empty stomach for long. I still remember the way the girl called me 'mistress', it was different somehow when the word is spoken by a ****. I watched with interest as the girl smiled sweetly as she curtseyed to Mr. Thornton. It is likely just my imagination, but it seemed to me that my traveling companion's eyes lingered on her brown chest far longer than would be proper and furthermore, the pretty **** was pleased by the attention she received from the young man.

Until that moment it had not occurred to me to consider the young lawyer in that way but seeing the man through the eyes of the ****, I had to concede that Mr. Thornton was quite handsome. He too will be spending the night here at the plantation, although I retired to my room before the gentlemen so I have no idea where he might be sleeping.

The will is to be read tomorrow; I wonder if Mama and I will be mentioned? I wonder if I'll even be able to sleep ...