Richard Craven I didn’t tell mother about my incident. Rufus has not been home for months. No one has told me but I overheard Mother telling the estate manager that he’s in France, so I could not tell him. However, I did alert Francis, our head groomsman. He now accompanies me if I need to leave the estate. Before you say anything further, I also take a groom with me when I go riding on the estate too. Now, tell me everything about India. I hear it’s very hot and the air is filled with the smell of spices. I’ve even heard that the women wear brightly colored cloths wrapped round their bodies. Is it true their midriffs are bare? I suspect you’ve noticed that! I can’t wait to hear all your stories. When are you next in England, and will you be paying a visit to Hascombe? Your, eager for news, friend Madeline Knight Madeline hadn’t slept a wink. As dawn broke, she rose and dressed. It was now almost nine. Richard had promised to come to her directly he arrived home.
