Family Secrets.Three generations of one family share their intimacies with the world of the vampire.
Inside the personal journals of the Harrington family a dark and dangerous odyssey unfolds.
Three members of this tormented family, Samuel, his son Edmund, and Edmund’s daughter Charlotte, struggle during the 18th and 19th century in London, England, as the lives of this family intersects with supernatural forces. Two intriguing vampires befriend, manipulate and play with all three souls, altering their lives forever.
Their fears, private confidences, and weaknesses are revealed on the pages as one selfish act ends in horrific tragedy, with far-reaching consequences.
Find out who succumbs to the seduction and danger of the vampire, and who grapples to combat the evil influence that permeates their lives.
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Excerpt from CHRONICLES OF THE UNDEAD
Chronicles of theUndead
Diaries of the Harrington Family
A. F. Stewart
Samuel Harrington’s Diaries
1793-1795
London, England
April 26, 1793.
A rather uneventful day.
I accomplished some profitable business at the
Exchange; trade was excellent, a rare thing these
days. Owen’s coffeehouse was livelier than usual,
very spirited with political debate and talk of the
war. It was quite enjoyable.
The vicar stopped in for a late afternoon visit.
He was brimming with accounts of our new
neighbours, Henri Forain, and the cousin, Eleanor
de Burgh. The vicar seems to think they are
foreign, of French origin he believes. I do hope
they are not Catholic; the vicar did not seem to
think they were. I know such things are not taken
into much account these days, but one does have to
have standards.
I wearily listened to Eliza at dinner, as she
complained about the household accounts. She
never ceases to beg for more money. I cannot
reason why she has such trouble keeping expenses
to a minimum. She is the one who insisted we hire
a cook, and staff. She must make do on the money
that has been allowed.
April 30, 1793.
Eliza has invited those foreign neighbours to her
card party tomorrow. They are to be her honoured
guests and she plans to make the proper
introductions into our little neighbourhood
community. She is all aflutter over the details, and
the household is in a domestic uproar.
I do wish Eliza would not carry on so about her
parties. It is so tedious and annoying.
Chronicles of theUndead
Diaries of the Harrington Family
A. F. Stewart
Samuel Harrington’s Diaries
1793-1795
London, England
April 26, 1793.
A rather uneventful day.
I accomplished some profitable business at the
Exchange; trade was excellent, a rare thing these
days. Owen’s coffeehouse was livelier than usual,
very spirited with political debate and talk of the
war. It was quite enjoyable.
The vicar stopped in for a late afternoon visit.
He was brimming with accounts of our new
neighbours, Henri Forain, and the cousin, Eleanor
de Burgh. The vicar seems to think they are
foreign, of French origin he believes. I do hope
they are not Catholic; the vicar did not seem to
think they were. I know such things are not taken
into much account these days, but one does have to
have standards.
I wearily listened to Eliza at dinner, as she
complained about the household accounts. She
never ceases to beg for more money. I cannot
reason why she has such trouble keeping expenses
to a minimum. She is the one who insisted we hire
a cook, and staff. She must make do on the money
that has been allowed.
April 30, 1793.
Eliza has invited those foreign neighbours to her
card party tomorrow. They are to be her honoured
guests and she plans to make the proper
introductions into our little neighbourhood
community. She is all aflutter over the details, and
the household is in a domestic uproar.
I do wish Eliza would not carry on so about her
parties. It is so tedious and annoying.
May 2, 1793.
Eliza’s little card party was quite the success;
even I enjoyed myself. Our favoured guests were
witty and charming; utterly delightful. Henri was
particularly well versed in all manner of subjects.
It made for fine conversation. He also has good
taste in port, bringing an excellent vintage as a gift.
The cousin, Miss de Burgh, was likewise well
mannered and poised, a proper lady.
Both were excellent whist players; several of the
other guests remarked on their skill. I had the
privilege of being partnered with Henri during the
evening and the fortune to have the winning hands
as a result. I do enjoy a lively card game with a
good partner.
I fear our neighbours may be in slightly ill health,
though, as both were of rather a pale complexion.
And they did not seem to partake much of the
cheese and wine that was served.
I may suggest a good elixir to restore their vigour.
May 7, 1793.
I talked to Henri again this day.
He kindly thanked me for the invitation, and
remarked on the fine time he had enjoyed. I replied
it had been our pleasure to have him as a guest, and
would happily extend another invitation. He
seemed quite pleased.
As such, I informed Eliza to make a point of
inviting both Henri and Eleanor to her next card
party; she was ecstatic. Eliza so lives for her
entertainments and it does keep her quite occupied,
for which I am thankful.
Eliza’s little card party was quite the success;
even I enjoyed myself. Our favoured guests were
witty and charming; utterly delightful. Henri was
particularly well versed in all manner of subjects.
It made for fine conversation. He also has good
taste in port, bringing an excellent vintage as a gift.
The cousin, Miss de Burgh, was likewise well
mannered and poised, a proper lady.
Both were excellent whist players; several of the
other guests remarked on their skill. I had the
privilege of being partnered with Henri during the
evening and the fortune to have the winning hands
as a result. I do enjoy a lively card game with a
good partner.
I fear our neighbours may be in slightly ill health,
though, as both were of rather a pale complexion.
And they did not seem to partake much of the
cheese and wine that was served.
I may suggest a good elixir to restore their vigour.
May 7, 1793.
I talked to Henri again this day.
He kindly thanked me for the invitation, and
remarked on the fine time he had enjoyed. I replied
it had been our pleasure to have him as a guest, and
would happily extend another invitation. He
seemed quite pleased.
As such, I informed Eliza to make a point of
inviting both Henri and Eleanor to her next card
party; she was ecstatic. Eliza so lives for her
entertainments and it does keep her quite occupied,
for which I am thankful.
May 9, 1793.
Eliza has arranged for a family outing tomorrow
evening. She insists we take the children to
Vauxhall. I am sure Flora will enjoy it and I am
equally certain Edmund would much rather be
carousing with his friends. I would prefer to stay at
home, but Eliza insists. She says this will be one of
the few times we have together as a family before
Edmund goes off to Oxford.
May 10, 1793.
Vauxhall was tedious, crowded and a wasted
expense. Of course Eliza loved it, and Flora was
swept up in the whole garish entertainment.
Edmund strayed from our little party, no doubt
trysting in the shadows with some gullible young
lady.
May 11, 1793.
I ran into Henri today at the bookshop. It seems
we have similar taste in books; we both take an
interest in the works of William Blake. We shared
the walk back to Holburn Street, and had the most
lively, invigorating discussion.
May 12, 1793.
The vicar was in rare form this morning at
services. He preached soundly on morality and
family, a subject I heartily approve, but I would
have preferred to do without the lecture on the sins
of the brothels. There is nothing wrong with a
gentleman indulging on occasion.
I will say, though, the vicar did hold the
congregation spellbound; even Edmund did not
fidget in the pew. Perhaps that year abroad has
instilled some decorum in the young man. My
darling Flora was the perfect angel, as always. She
has become quite the lady at seventeen, with her
mother’s fair and delicate features. Thank heavens
she has not inherited her disposition. Eliza even
managed some cheer; the vicar had informed her
before services she was on the ladies’ committee to
raise funds for foundlings.
Disappointing that neither Henri, nor Eleanor
came to services. The vicar thinks they may indeed
be Catholic after all; such a pity. I hope I can
overlook that flaw, for Henri is such an interesting
gentleman.
Eliza has arranged for a family outing tomorrow
evening. She insists we take the children to
Vauxhall. I am sure Flora will enjoy it and I am
equally certain Edmund would much rather be
carousing with his friends. I would prefer to stay at
home, but Eliza insists. She says this will be one of
the few times we have together as a family before
Edmund goes off to Oxford.
May 10, 1793.
Vauxhall was tedious, crowded and a wasted
expense. Of course Eliza loved it, and Flora was
swept up in the whole garish entertainment.
Edmund strayed from our little party, no doubt
trysting in the shadows with some gullible young
lady.
May 11, 1793.
I ran into Henri today at the bookshop. It seems
we have similar taste in books; we both take an
interest in the works of William Blake. We shared
the walk back to Holburn Street, and had the most
lively, invigorating discussion.
May 12, 1793.
The vicar was in rare form this morning at
services. He preached soundly on morality and
family, a subject I heartily approve, but I would
have preferred to do without the lecture on the sins
of the brothels. There is nothing wrong with a
gentleman indulging on occasion.
I will say, though, the vicar did hold the
congregation spellbound; even Edmund did not
fidget in the pew. Perhaps that year abroad has
instilled some decorum in the young man. My
darling Flora was the perfect angel, as always. She
has become quite the lady at seventeen, with her
mother’s fair and delicate features. Thank heavens
she has not inherited her disposition. Eliza even
managed some cheer; the vicar had informed her
before services she was on the ladies’ committee to
raise funds for foundlings.
Disappointing that neither Henri, nor Eleanor
came to services. The vicar thinks they may indeed
be Catholic after all; such a pity. I hope I can
overlook that flaw, for Henri is such an interesting
gentleman.
May 15, 1793.
The vicar visited this morning. He was rather
disturbed regarding some neighbourhood
disappearances that have happened recently. It
seems that some vagrants have gone missing. I do
not know why he is so concerned, they were just
hired labourers. Most likely they simply left. That
type is always so ungrateful.
May 17, 1793.
Eliza held another of her soirees last evening. A
dull affair, but at least Henri put in an appearance.
He provided good conversation and pleasant
company; we have a great deal in common.
The vicar visited this morning. He was rather
disturbed regarding some neighbourhood
disappearances that have happened recently. It
seems that some vagrants have gone missing. I do
not know why he is so concerned, they were just
hired labourers. Most likely they simply left. That
type is always so ungrateful.
May 17, 1793.
Eliza held another of her soirees last evening. A
dull affair, but at least Henri put in an appearance.
He provided good conversation and pleasant
company; we have a great deal in common.
May 27, 1793.
I must say Henri is becoming rather an agreeable
friend, and I have taken to spending at least one
afternoon a week in his company.
A pity that Eleanor has not fostered quite the
same relationship with Eliza, my wife could use
someone to keep her occupied.
June 4, 1793.
We spent a quiet family evening last night. It was
agreeable to have everyone gathered together.
With Edmund off to school soon, and Flora near to
a marrying age, it will be nice to have such
pleasant memories when they are no longer under
this roof.
I must say Henri is becoming rather an agreeable
friend, and I have taken to spending at least one
afternoon a week in his company.
A pity that Eleanor has not fostered quite the
same relationship with Eliza, my wife could use
someone to keep her occupied.
June 4, 1793.
We spent a quiet family evening last night. It was
agreeable to have everyone gathered together.
With Edmund off to school soon, and Flora near to
a marrying age, it will be nice to have such
pleasant memories when they are no longer under
this roof.
June 12, 1793.
The trading went very poorly this morning, good
investments are becoming scarce. This blasted war
with France is still interfering with business, and I
may have to contemplate new ventures.
The trading went very poorly this morning, good
investments are becoming scarce. This blasted war
with France is still interfering with business, and I
may have to contemplate new ventures.
June 20, 1793.
This morning Eliza was going on about
redecorating the house and I was absolutely
appalled at the proposed cost. I had to be firm and
tell her such expense was not to be borne. Which
caused a terrible argument; she refuses to recognize
the situation.
She simply does not understand how bad the
financial market is of late, with trade being so
depressed because of this damned war. There are
fewer opportunities at the Exchange these days. I
can always hope for some luck at the coffeehouse
this afternoon, a hint of some lucrative holding.
Perhaps I may discuss my problems with Henri,
he has espoused some interesting ideas on finance.
This morning Eliza was going on about
redecorating the house and I was absolutely
appalled at the proposed cost. I had to be firm and
tell her such expense was not to be borne. Which
caused a terrible argument; she refuses to recognize
the situation.
She simply does not understand how bad the
financial market is of late, with trade being so
depressed because of this damned war. There are
fewer opportunities at the Exchange these days. I
can always hope for some luck at the coffeehouse
this afternoon, a hint of some lucrative holding.
Perhaps I may discuss my problems with Henri,
he has espoused some interesting ideas on finance.
June 27, 1793.
Henri has expressed interest in seeing more of
London. I believe his social circle is still small,
poor man, being he is a foreigner. It is a pity he is
not English.
Still, one cannot judge him too harshly. He is a
good enough fellow, I could make judicious
introductions.
July 8, 1793.
I invited Henri to accompany me to Owen’s this
afternoon. He fit in well with the fellows, as he is a
fair conversationalist and well versed in politics,
the war and business. He can discourse in debate
with the best, and thank heaven he does not hold to
radical views.
Henri left a fine impression.
July 10, 1793.
Henri enjoyed his visit to the coffeehouse, and
expressed interest in returning. I certainly would
enjoy the company.
July 25, 1793.
My associates and friends have taken to Henri
and spoken highly of him. I can say I am glad of
that, for I would dislike having to shun his
friendship. He is a great wit, and well versed in
politics. I dare say that is why they ignore the fact
he is foreign.
August 4, 1793.
Henri has taken to joining me regularly in my
visits to Owen’s coffeehouse. He is astute and I
have benefited well from his sound advice. I may
even make a tidy profit on some of the investments
he advocated, despite the unease in the market this
war with the French has been causing.
August 8, 1793.
Business is better. I managed to invest in a
venture for supplying the Navy. I should make
some fair profit if this war continues for any length.
August 17, 1793.
Eliza had taken to fussing again, with Edmund to
leave soon for school. I caught her weeping this
morning in the back parlour. The fact a
neighbourhood boy smiled at Flora last Sunday has
not helped matters. Why do women get so
emotional?
Chronicles of the Undead
Copyright © 2008 by A. F. Stewart
Henri has expressed interest in seeing more of
London. I believe his social circle is still small,
poor man, being he is a foreigner. It is a pity he is
not English.
Still, one cannot judge him too harshly. He is a
good enough fellow, I could make judicious
introductions.
July 8, 1793.
I invited Henri to accompany me to Owen’s this
afternoon. He fit in well with the fellows, as he is a
fair conversationalist and well versed in politics,
the war and business. He can discourse in debate
with the best, and thank heaven he does not hold to
radical views.
Henri left a fine impression.
July 10, 1793.
Henri enjoyed his visit to the coffeehouse, and
expressed interest in returning. I certainly would
enjoy the company.
July 25, 1793.
My associates and friends have taken to Henri
and spoken highly of him. I can say I am glad of
that, for I would dislike having to shun his
friendship. He is a great wit, and well versed in
politics. I dare say that is why they ignore the fact
he is foreign.
August 4, 1793.
Henri has taken to joining me regularly in my
visits to Owen’s coffeehouse. He is astute and I
have benefited well from his sound advice. I may
even make a tidy profit on some of the investments
he advocated, despite the unease in the market this
war with the French has been causing.
August 8, 1793.
Business is better. I managed to invest in a
venture for supplying the Navy. I should make
some fair profit if this war continues for any length.
August 17, 1793.
Eliza had taken to fussing again, with Edmund to
leave soon for school. I caught her weeping this
morning in the back parlour. The fact a
neighbourhood boy smiled at Flora last Sunday has
not helped matters. Why do women get so
emotional?
Chronicles of the Undead
Copyright © 2008 by A. F. Stewart
Your book really sounds fascinating, A.F.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on a great tour!
I love the present relevance of the historical references. Feels like a real person's diary.
ReplyDelete