Day 18
April 14

I have been riding alongside the Franklin. My heart soars as he continuously expresses interest in me. Normally I would flirt and tease at his advancements, but the thought of his wealth is too great to delay procuring. The sooner I win his heart, the sooner I become once again, a distinguished woman of stature. He will enormously benefit from my already large estate and experiences as a wife. Perhaps I have revealed my intentions too obviously, for he does look amused every now and then. He is handsome, but he is old. He has no reason to reject me.

Day 17
April 13 morning

I ate breakfast with Franklin this morning. I hadn’t had a chance to talk with him since the pilgrimage began and I found this rather satisfying. He is quite a gentleman. He told me of his lavish parties and fine foods, and for a moment I wished I were at one of his parties with wine and duck instead of at this cruddy local tavern eating slop. The rest of the pilgrims announced time to departure, and as I left on my horse, my thoughts wandered to the Franklin’s riches and I began to feel giddy again. A man with such good fortune and wealth should have a wife that appreciates and appropriately displays her husband’s stature.

Day 16
April 12

After much duration, we have finally exited the woods. Soon we came to a small town, which we all eagerly decided to stay in for the night. I quickly separated myself from the miller and the reeve, both of whom are scoundrels and I will never associate with them again. I browsed the local market and found there many delightful shops. I bought a nice replacement for my ruined stockings, a hair comb, and a new headscarf. While I was there I heard other ladies gossiping in their lively ways. This afternoon of leisure has made me a bit homesick.