Delighted to Make Your Acquaintance

I ordered this book which I'm hoping will give me lots of juicy information and gossip about the American heiresses who went across the Atlantic in search of husbands and those all important British aristocratic titles.

Now that the manor and its history have been presented, may I introduce you to American heiress, Adelaide Elizabeth Gray-Pennethorne, and her new husband from across the Atlantic,  His Lordship Sterling Frederick Pennethorne III.  Along with them are Thaddeus (a Himalayan), Merlin (a Siamese) and Phineas (a Papillon) all purchased at the Chicago International Miniature Show from Karl Blindheim.  Adelaide was purchased from the very talented Lisa Johnson-Richards.  Sterling was purchased from a lady who came from Spain (I'm sorry I don't recall her name) at the Chicago International Miniatures Show a number of years ago.  Can you believe how well they match?  It was like they were made for each other!

Duke is Lord Pennethorne's trusted companion and is always by his side, as decorum dictates.  He is an English Pointer and was made by Karl Blindheim.  I purchased him at the Chicago International Miniature show in 2019.

Rosemary Claire Pennethorne, Sterling's daughter from his first marriage (his wife had died in child birth).  Although Rosemary was raised by nannies and then sent to Surval Montreux, a prestigious boarding school in Switzerland, she has a close relationship with her father.  Later she was sent to the Institut Villa Pierrefeu, a finishing school also in Switzerland.  She speaks several languages, including French and Italian, and is very musically inclined, playing the piano forte extremely well.

Rosemary was purchased from Lillian Bass of Lilli's Littles at the 2019 Tom Bishop Chicago Miniature Show.  Her dog is a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and her name is Abigail.  She was made by Karl Blindheim.

Reginauld Wright, Sterling Pennethorne's longstanding butler who came with him from England.  He is Scottish by birth (and very proud of it!) but emigrated to England with his family at a young age so his accent is negligible.  Reginauld learned his craft from the very prestigious International Butler Academy and had worked in some very prestigious houses throughout his career.

Reginauld was made by the talented Julie Campbell.  His butler's jacket was made by Lillian Bass of Lilli's Littles.

Aoife Kelly (pronounced ee-fa) emigrated from Ireland to Great Britain when she was 11 years old.  As the oldest of 9 children, her parents could no longer afford to support her.  She was forced to look for job and was hired as a scullery maid with a wealthy English family.  She worked her way through the ranks and is now employed as a House Maid by the Pennethornes.

I purchased this doll from Debra Hammond at the Chicago International Miniature Show in 2019.

Edalene Baker arrived in America from England with the Pennethornes after their summer (2019) with Lord Pennethorne's old aunt from whom he is to inherit.  They were introduced to Edalene's cooking while visiting cousins at their estate in Disley, Cheshire.  After several "private" discussions below stairs, Edalene was persuaded to accompany the Pennethornes back to America to cook for them.  The cousins were not amused!

Edalene was a custom doll made by Lillian Bass of Lilli's Littles.  It was such a joy working with Lilli.  I was able to chose everything from her eye color (hazel) to the gray hairs on her head.  The process was wonderful and I can't wait to work with Lilli again in the fall (2020) to create a scullery maid!

Alyssa Miller is the newest member of the Pennethorne household.  She is 12 years old and was found as an orphan on the streets of Washington where Reginauld was being fitted for a new butler's jacket.  He took pity on her, and after writing the Pennethornes about her situation, they agreed to hire her as a scullery maid knowing that Edalene could use some much needed help in the kitchen.

Alyssa is a custom doll made by Lillian Bass of Lilli's Littles.

As introductions are made it's time to settle in for a nice cup of tea . . .