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Mama and I have talked it over and decided that the proper thing to do these days is to thank people privately by owl, which I've spent the afternoon doing, but also to offer public thanks through the journals. It seems to be the done thing now, and rightly so, as our Lord has given us these books to bind His realm together in an open and caring society.
I must begin my list of thanks by mentioning Our Lord, who sent a Proclamation, honouring my family--my grandparents, first, and my parents and their offspring--for coming to this country and joining his efforts here to raise the greatest wizarding Protectorate on earth. I can think of nowhere I'd rather live and no Lord I could be more proud to serve.
And, of course, I want to thank my grandparents, Alberto and Luisa Sandoval, for providing and caring for me my whole life and for always, always being kind; and my parents, Inigo and Isobel Sandoval, for nurturing and disciplining and molding me, for expecting much and supporting more, for allowing me to find my strengths and consoling me when I've found my weaknesses, for loving and correcting and pushing me as I've needed; and my siblings--Orion, who is the best brother a girl could have, even when he's provoking, and Honoria, who will find herself one day, I know it.
And my friends. Sarah and Shivani, I could really not have made it to last night if you hadn't helped me keep my wits about me. If you hadn't been there to the very last to see me into that carriage, I might have done for myself trying to get ready! And to see you'd Apparated to Somerset House so you could be the first people I'd see when the footmen helped me from the carriage! You are the best friends ever. Ever. And, of course, I'd never have made the right choices about music or the fireworks! (that was your most brilliant idea ever, Vani!) or thinking to ask the Cymru players to serve supper and perform their interludes for us (that was Sarah). The cleverest friends without exception. And the best.
Next, I wish to thank all of the wonderful people who came last evening to Somerset House to celebrate my coming of age. All of you who received me with an extended hand, a smile across the room, a kind word in my ear throughout the evening: you made me feel all evening as if I were dancing on air, cushioned by a great cloud of good will. I will never forget how welcome you made me. Truly.
And, of course, I must thank so many people who helped make the evening what it was!
I must begin my list of thanks by mentioning Our Lord, who sent a Proclamation, honouring my family--my grandparents, first, and my parents and their offspring--for coming to this country and joining his efforts here to raise the greatest wizarding Protectorate on earth. I can think of nowhere I'd rather live and no Lord I could be more proud to serve.
And, of course, I want to thank my grandparents, Alberto and Luisa Sandoval, for providing and caring for me my whole life and for always, always being kind; and my parents, Inigo and Isobel Sandoval, for nurturing and disciplining and molding me, for expecting much and supporting more, for allowing me to find my strengths and consoling me when I've found my weaknesses, for loving and correcting and pushing me as I've needed; and my siblings--Orion, who is the best brother a girl could have, even when he's provoking, and Honoria, who will find herself one day, I know it.
And my friends. Sarah and Shivani, I could really not have made it to last night if you hadn't helped me keep my wits about me. If you hadn't been there to the very last to see me into that carriage, I might have done for myself trying to get ready! And to see you'd Apparated to Somerset House so you could be the first people I'd see when the footmen helped me from the carriage! You are the best friends ever. Ever. And, of course, I'd never have made the right choices about music or the fireworks! (that was your most brilliant idea ever, Vani!) or thinking to ask the Cymru players to serve supper and perform their interludes for us (that was Sarah). The cleverest friends without exception. And the best.
Next, I wish to thank all of the wonderful people who came last evening to Somerset House to celebrate my coming of age. All of you who received me with an extended hand, a smile across the room, a kind word in my ear throughout the evening: you made me feel all evening as if I were dancing on air, cushioned by a great cloud of good will. I will never forget how welcome you made me. Truly.
And, of course, I must thank so many people who helped make the evening what it was!
The Cymru Players, I've already mentioned, were brilliant.
As were our fyre-dancing friends, the Phoenix Collaborative.
And the Wilton Consort: you're still my favourite chamber players. I could listen to you forever!
Clan Darragh: I was so surprised! I really truly had no idea. Oh, Orion, you are the cleverest, sneakiest, most generous brother ever! How utterly snitch for the evening to go from galliards to jigs! And, Mr McCulloch: thank you ever so much for playing my favourite reel and for playing it with such a fine touch!
Inveigled were perfect for dancing to in the young people's salon. All my friends said they've never had so much fun. Thank you so much for scheduling your tour around last evening in New London. I was genuinely touched when I heard that you'd agreed to come all the way down from Iona for us.
And to Maestro Gilhooly and the New London Philharmonic: thank you so very, very much for agreeing to share you time and talents with us. I have never felt so privileged as when I danced with my father, alone on the floor to the strains of the Phantom Suite. Oh, it was a perfect!
To Mrs Revati Patil, Designer Extraordinaire: Thank you, thank you for my robes. They are the most utterly beautiful garments I've ever seen, and to think they were mine to wear! I felt like a faerie princess!
To Mr Nubbins-Cumberhatch, Events Manager for Somerset House: many thanks for your willingness to work to Mama's exacting standards. I suspect we have taken more of your time in managing details and long-range planning than many, but I trust you agree that the event itself was testament that it was worth every minute you spent and every ounce of concern and attention you bestowed on us. We are truly very pleased and grateful for your professionalism.
To Fiona Fairchild: the floral installations were spectacular and our friends who recommended you were absolutely right when they raved about your deft eye for architecture and your ability to ensure that not a single person present would suffer a sneeze from pollen. Amazing!
To Patrice Frippoire: the favours were truly works of art, we're all agreed. Mama and I appreciate the fine work you did on so tight a schedule in order to make right your colleague's blunder with our order. Papa was most impressed; in fact, I heard him say that if Ainsworthy Kelpington knows what's good for him, he'll pay you a fine bonus for your role in saving a major account. I do believe Papa would hire you away if he could. He was that impressed with the whimsy and fine detail of your pieces. They were perfect!
To Francois Duchamp and his battalion of chefs from Harrods' Hall of Culinary Sorcery: Bravo! The foie gras, the truffle fettucine, the lobster, and oh! the tiny, precious haricots verts wrapped with newt tongues! Every course was utterly, mouth-wateringly, palate-teasingly spectacular. Oh, and the meringue. Exquisite!
To Mrs Lorig Iskanderian: the avian ballet was unlike anything I've ever seen before, and it was breath-taking. I'm certain you've seen and heard what people have been saying: we were all in awe at the artistry you coax from your birds. Few things deserve to be called magical, but in this instance there is no hyperbole involved.
To Elpis Pritchard: I appreciated your sensitive approach to documenting the event, and I look forward to meeting with you next week to assemble an album. Do, please, remember that we expect to authorise any agreement you might make with the papers or periodicals to reprint your images.
To Donar Pritchard, Carriage and Livery Services, who helped Papa find exactly the right carriage, and to the footmen in his employ, who served us so very well for this event, especially to Mr Peter Pastepot, for being so extremely courteous throughout and supremely resourceful when crisis threatened.
And, I'm afraid I cannot thank Papa's source for the champagne, as he has asked not to be named publicly, but I want you to know that I am very thankful for your generosity.
