Well, the way I remember it is that the slaughtered 9 were gypsies Petofi had killed over the years.

Wasn't there dialogue where Magda said Count Petofi had been cured of being a werewolf by a gypsy witch and then refused to pay for the cure?  And in revenge, his hand, in which all his magical powers was concentrated, was chopped off.

I remember the Count reminiscing about how he slaughtered his pet unicorn one night when the moon was full.  It was one of the very few times he ever appeared to show something akin to a human emotion.

Anyhow, I think the 9 gypsies were slaughtered over a period of years.  There's a scene I do recall quite clearly where he was gloating to Aristede about that.

Gothick

Marsha, dahlink, this is your fuzzy sis way up in the frozen North (aka Boston!)  Ooh, you'd love it so much right now.  Lots of snow, lots of ice, lots of apple-checked men running around in layers.

I am so glad you had such a divoon birthday, you deserve nothing but the best, dear.  Mr. Denison asked you to give me his best birthday regards.  We had tea on Sunday and I read his cards.  Believe it or not, he got the Death card, AND the Lovers!  I told him the Death card meant getting rid of lots of unwanted crap from last year and the Lovers points to ... possibilities!  I felt just like Magda (well, not quite, but YOU know).

Somebody told me some new dirt about Diane the other day.  Something about a speeding ticket?  I honestly can't recall.  Where do you put the amount of trouble that girl gets herself into???

Well dear you are in my thoughts.  I am heading up North again on Wed. night for some cuddling with my French Canadian sweetie.  Miss you so much!

xoxoxo la Tufftress

Early birthday wishes to you, darling!  You are a bright star in our online firmament.

Steve

Poor Barbara Eden. It's good to see her looking so chipper and vital after the horrors she endured last year.  That woman is a real trooper.

I'm glad you were able to get such a lovely photo, Ringo. You actually look great in this, in my not-so-humble opinion.

*I* still dream of Grayson Hall.  I had a hysterically funny dream of her a couple of nights ago.  She was still alive, and hostessing a game show of the "Weakest Link" variety.  She was brilliant at it and had become a national figure as a result.

Steve

Aren't the preserves damson, or damson plums?

Help!  I need Raineypark to help remind me of Minerva's Little Book of Home Preserves and what she says about plums!

I LOVE MINERVA TRASK.

Gothy

Connie dear, I'm screaming at the thought of your husband romping naked out in the snow in the back yard!  My dear, whatever will the neighbors think?  

Jennifer, I think we need to build a roaring fire and invite Chris Jennings over to huggle and snuggle!  Gothick's solution to a snowy winter's eve!

Raineypark, haven't you learned yet that some of us old dogs still think we're puppies in the bizarre inner recesses of our own minds.  Oh well, only 3 weeks to go till Imbolc.

Gothick

Dear Brian, hope your special day is just dandy!

May you enjoy a new year of health, peace and prosperity!

Best wishes,

Steve

Hi Connie, I'm definitely still reading the story, though I am behind by a few chapters, due to the fact that I was pretty much offline for 2 weeks, and I have cartloads of work to catch up with.

Today over lunch I read the chapter where Julia had realized she needed to perform the surgery on Quentin's bullet herself.  I smiled to read about Barnabas' newfound appreciation for housework.  I imagine him putting on a big frilly apron to protect those expensive suits he always wore around the house in the Sixties.

xo  Steve