Priscilla Turner Galloway has left the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay to join her husband in Philadelphia.  He expects her to enhance their role in the City's society that follows the rigid customs of London.  As a young bride in a new place, she confides her hopes and fears in her diary.  This is her first entry in her new book.

Dear Diary,
I am absolutely quivering with the excitement of the evening.  Everyone spoke of Mrs. Fairchild’s upcoming ball as the event to the season.  Tonight, it exceeded my wildest expectations.  

When Nathaniel sent word to my dressing room that it was time for us to depart for the ball, I took my time and floated down our main staircase.  I had practiced the movement over the past few days whenever he was not at home.  Tonight, seeing the look of adoration on his face, I knew that I had achieved the effect I wanted.  

When he proposed marriage, he had declared his undying love that had grown from the time we were children, growing up on the Eastern Shore of the Bay.  I accepted him in an instant, for my heart was his since those childhood days.  It was only later that became concerned how I would fare among the polished ladies of Philadelphia society, many of them from London.  I have committed myself to learning the latest in fashion, entertaining and social expectations of a lady.

Tonight, he looked most dashing in his new evening suit.  As I slowly descended the stairs, I had the confidence of knowing that my gown of pale sky-blue silk highlighted my blue eyes and was the greatest compliment to my crown of rich chestnut brown hair arranged in a soft updo with delicate curls framing my face.  I had seen it when I looked in my cheval mirror, and then I saw it in the eyes of my husband.  

I felt a flutter when we arrived at the home of our hostess.  Every window was filled with light, and the front walkway was ablaze with light against the cold darkness of winter.  As we promenaded to the front door in order to be announced properly, I held tightly to Nathaniel’s arm so I could stifle a giggle. 

It was a magical night.  Could it be that I have begun to find my place in Philadelphia?  Have I earned my place next to my husband in the eyes of the lady of its society?  I feel a growing surety that I have.

Now I must claim my night’s sleep for tomorrow the social whirlwind continues with calls to be made and the required exchange of comment and gossip about the ball.  Good night, sweet world of mine.

During the month of June, new excerpts will be posted on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Priscilla is a key character in the new dual timeline novel Divided in Time - The Revolution is Coming
Release Date: July 5, 2026