by Kate Adams
I have always wanted to ensure that life in a historic house that is open to the public is portrayed as accurately as possible. I can bring my own twenty-year career in visitor experience to bear on this. However I have needed the expertise of those who work in specialist fields. My thanks to Kerren Harris - conservation, Rosanna Summers– live interpretation, Aileen Peirce - access to historical information, Mark Wallis – live interpretation and historical costume, Liz Young – event management. It was great working with you all again. Any errors are mine, not theirs.
Richard Mason, my police advisor who guides me on procedure and makes sure I am, largely, within the law. When I break the rules, that’s all me!
My fabulous editor, Alison Jack, and Julia Gibbs my eagle-eyed proofreader. Both are a joy to work with.
Thank you to Susan Stark, whose constant encouragement means that I keep sitting at my computer, and finding out what Sophie, Mark and Joyce are getting up to.
There is, in Scotland, a historic house called Charleton that bears no similarities to my own. Many thanks to its owner, Baron St Clair Bonde, who was happy for me to use the name. I am extremely grateful to him.
