Gift Of the Gods

Chapter One ~ 1821-2

“Mrs. Kingston said something to me the other day that made me realise that, unlike the Gunning sisters, being together is important.”

Alisa looked puzzled and Penelope continued,

“She was talking about the vases on the mantelpiece – you know, the Sèvres china ones in the drawing room. As I have known them for years, I suddenly realised that there was only one there instead of two.

“‘What has happened to the other Sèvres vase, ma’am?’ I enquired.

“Mrs. Kingston sighed and answered,

“‘One of the housemaids smashed it last week. I was very angry with the tiresome woman, because you know as well as I do that Sèvres china is valuable, but a pair is worth far more than just one by itself’.”

“I have an idea what you are trying to say,” Alisa said. “But I am still wondering how, even if we