The Annals of Cheskovscha

About the Book

Marriage by proxy was not uncommon in England during World War I. Couples separated by great distances and for long periods of time found comfort in this real if not physical sacrament. It did, however, lead to some unlikely unions.

Among the Royals it was different. Victoria’s numerous progeny were already checkerboarded by marriage across the length and breadth of Europe that all might continue to enjoy the privileges they were accustomed to. And their marriages for political or hereditary reasons had already produced many most unlikely couples such as a nice English girl wed to a cretin with a drool and vice versa.

Also the dislocation of people and populations resulting from the war left the status of most royal families uncertain as to who were still alive and if they were still enjoying the royal life style.

In an attempt to reestablish the age-old royal lines and royal prerogatives, proxy marriages were strongly encouraged by the Court. So it was that an English Viscount on a Grand Tour and caught behind enemy lines when the war began, simply assumed his other honorary position inherited from his grandfather, that of Colonel of the Second  Regiment of the Swedish Christian Grenadiers and became a neutral and safe from internment.

He, and a Duchess by birth, also a Countess by marriage and a “Lady” in England were united at long distance in the bonds, or perhaps the bondage, of matrimony to protect her under his neutrality.

When they fictionally meet in a fictional Duchy on the Rhine a delicate situation results. It did not however interfere with their discovery and purloining of a German decoding machine for their country’s Secret Service.

And a happy marriage.

About the Author

Adam Dumphy from his vantage point of eighty plus years and counting has about decided that this earth is not a very pleasant place in which to live. Nice place to visit but he would prefer not to live here Of course this does produce a problem.

Still as he looks about, abroad he sees only terror, suffering and fear. And at home suffering, fear and something near terror. With a response, world wise, of a kind of meaningless frenzy.

            Under these circumstances he feels that the proper function of a writer is to bring a little sunshine through the clouds. To provide instant relief for the suffering citizen even if it is fictional and temporary. And provided with no prescription required but only a quiet corner, a cozy chair and the patient’s reading glasses.

What need is there for a writer to think up some new horror and broadcast it to add to the multiple horrors already out there and provide inspiration for some copycat?

            He likes writing that conjures up a happy, pleasant setting, normal people and a conceivable situation that might actually happen to someone. Bringing in actual events and characters can bring the reader closer to his living the story. There should be a few laughs and a happy ending leaving the reader feeling better when he puts it down than when he picked it up.

That is what he tries to do.

            He recommends Wodehouse rather than woe.