}|{ -- Diversions of a Devious Mind -- }|{

[Lady Liselle]

In a handsome, red leatherbound journal in a particular guest room in the castle lies a veritable cesspool of gossip, re-tellings of scandals and intrigues, lists, hopes, dreams and other various juicy tidbits pertaining to the life and lies of Lady Liselle Doncaster. Sensible to what damage her reputation would suffer if the journal were to be found, Liselle keeps the volume padlocked with the tiny key on a broochpin which she always wears attached to her undergarments and the book itself stored in a hiding place in her quarters.

[Lady Liselle]

Well I have been in Nottinghamshire for less than a week and I must say that Mother was right -- I hardly think I will be pressed to find a husband of any sort -- the main problem will be in finding someone suitable. There are few men who can offer real wealth free of obligations to the Crown, fewer still who could be considered handsome of that lot and only two who could offer title worthy enough to match my own. Dare I hope for such a conquest?

Of course I do.

Aspirations
- Make list of all eligible men in Nottinghamshire (see attached).
- Meet all eligible men in Nottinghamshire who pertain to wealth and/or power in some degree, however small.
- Whittle down numbers of said men until a workable list is attained.
- Entice three or four said men into beginnings of courtship (one must have a contingency to fall back on).
- Be betrothed within a se'en-month of my arrival in the shire with plans for a Spring ceremony.

A List of Eligible (SUITABLE) Men in Nottinghamshire In Order of Desirability
(And my honest opinion on each)

1. His Honor Sheriff Vaysey - A formidable man that would make a powerful ally, to say nothing of his access to the bottomless coffers restricted only by Prince John. Such an alliance to the Crown could only be beneficial. Would be a struggle to courtship however, but potentially rewarding of hard effort.

2. Sir Guy of Gisborne - Another man who would be a definite feather in my cap, though suspect his heart still belongs to Marian, not that she deserves such luck. Would need to pick a careful path to flattery, though perhaps may be very fortuituous and catch him on the upswing from the devastation of prior rebuffs.

3. Lord Sebastian Mannering - A charming womaniser who believes he is God's gift to the world. Handsome, intelligent and amusing with traces of genuine wit, I believe I could do worse if my high standards aren't met by either the Sheriff or Sir Guy. Certainly he would be unfaithful but once an heir to his line is secured I could live out my life happily and send him elsewhere for his vulgar pleasures.

4. Lord Brian Merton - A bit of an enigma, though I hope to improve my knowledge on him as soon as I can establish reliable sources. He seems well appointed in every particular, though I have no doubts he has faults enough to taint his pretty exterior.

5. Don Javier de Valencia - Still unsure as to the nature of this gentleman, as I am still yet to meet him. I believe I would find his foreign conversation cloying, though I am willing to reconsider what may be a harsh genuflection if he proves to be so very well endowed in his own country.

[Lady Liselle]

Written on a piece of clean parchment in an elegant and much practiced hand, left on the bureau in her private guest chambers for attention of her Steward, Caden Brock or indeed herself if she decided to venture out of the Castle environ on market day.

- Two bolts of differently colored cloth (teal, lavender, rose or burgundy)
- One bolt of plain white linen
- Three or four pieces of pretty lace
- Hair pins to match new cloth
- A new riding crop in light leather
- A bushel of fresh green apples
- A new quill

[Lady Liselle]

I happened upon Lord Mannering at the Knighton Silver Arrow Competition and fete. I was most suprised to find him in the beginning steps of wooing a girl who could only be described as a peasant if her attire was anything to go by. She was masked of course, but I have every intention on finding out who she was and what her skills or charms are, in order for her to have had Lord Mannering to enthralled (though perhaps knowing what I do with regards to his disposition I should not be so very suprised after all!)