Olivia glanced out the window of her Battersea on Thames River apartment. She’d been going over her old family photo albums. Some of the black and white pictures were faded and showed her great grandparents and their surviving generations following. In past centuries, they’d been shopkeepers and their ancestors’ weavers according to stories she remembered from sitting at her grandparent’s feet of long ago and … Continue reading Olivia’s Big Christmas Decision
Passing the Torch Bettina was extremely happy living with Horace Beaufort in the Beaufort estate and the manor staff gradually accepted the obvious affection between the professor and his adopted daughter. Thomas who was unhappy with this foreign woman at the Beaufort estate started to whisper there was something unhealthy in this relationship and it was more than an adopted daughter relationship, but the staff … Continue reading The Beaufort Inheritance – Chapter 5
Oxford University All that night Bettina tossed in her bed. She thought of her parents and of their support during her PhD studies. That was one of the reasons she’d wanted to return to France to be with them but returning to France seemed to be out of the question now if she wanted to advance her career. She thought of her need to vacate … Continue reading The Beaufort Inheritance – Chapter 4
The Big Decision Bettina slowed down her research work and writing to include more socializing with the diplomatic set and developing a structured exercise routine to begin the day and it had an immediate effect on her mental outlook. She felt her mental acuteness improve and she was able to accomplish just as much with her routine as she’d done in her months of depression. … Continue reading The Beaufort Inheritance – Chapter 3
The PhD Guide Bettina had quickly oriented herself to London and built a tolerance to the English culture. The Reddy clan had interfaced with the English in India. French and English two colonial powers often at war interfaced in India through their merchant outposts and there was a commonality between the Eurasian societies in each despite wars and competition between these colonial powers. So, the … Continue reading The Beaufort Inheritance – Chapter 2
Migration Bettina sat on the bed after unpacking her suitcases in Uncle Louis Reddy’s spacious apartment. Louis worked in the diplomatic offices of the French Embassy and commuted from his home to 58 Knightsbridge London each day. He welcomed the opportunity to have his niece with him as his wife had recently passed on and it was comforting to have this brother and sister in … Continue reading The Beaufort Inheritance – Chapter 1
Hannah’s Difficult Years On the return journey to Germany Mareike shared her wish to adopt the little girl Haima and to her relief Baron readily agreed. So, Mareike immediately contacted Katiya on their return to confirm they’d arrived home without incident and broached the subject of adoption. Katiya said she’d send regulations to be followed so they could consider the matter carefully and then get … Continue reading Hannah Finds Her Roots – Chapter 4
Hannah Finds Her Roots – Chapter 1 Surprise Reconnection Hannah had heard the story over and over as she grew up in the Schultz home so could almost repeat it word for word when asked. She was in her late teens now and had been given a ticket to Delhi to visit with the Singh family who after all these years of mutual visits between … Continue reading Hannah Finds Her Roots – Chapter 1
A New Beginning Elizabeth turned to Ravi smiling after listening to Rakesh’s report. “This is a huge surprise, Ravi. What career would you choose to follow and where would you be thinking of locating for this career? These are important things to consider.” “Elizabeth, I realize this is a big ask but my father encouraged me to see if something could be worked out. I’m … Continue reading Changing with the Times – Chapter 4
Confronting Old Prejudice There were several reasons why an Agarwal and Birla connection would not be considered acceptable by the extended family despite their ancient Marwari mutual ancestry, but this was the main one. Back in 1922 Rameshwar Das Birla had violated caste and shocked the nation. He’d been ostracized but went about his business totally uncaring, succeeding in the promotion of educational institutions and … Continue reading Changing with the Times – Chapter 2
ianscyberspace 