Page 21 of The Book of Lost Stories
Your affectionate friend,
Alys
Dear Nell,
Some quite astounding news – and funny, too, I suppose, if only the consequences had not been so unfortunate, for I have received an offer of marriage. Yes, you may stare, and so did I, when my cousin James suddenly conceived a fancy for me!
You could have bowled me over with a feather and, of course, I said ‘no’ immediately and told him that my feelings for him were, and could only remain, sisterly. But he seemed unable to believe that his suit was not acceptable to me. Sir Ralph was enraged, for he had long intended that James marry our nearest neighbour’s daughter when she is of age, and Papa, of course, was too much afraid of losing his patronage to show approval of the match.
Anyway, the upshot is that James is to be sent off to Antigua, where the family has an estate, and is expected to marry our neighbour’s daughter on his return, which is alarmingly like the plot ofGrismort, except that James, of course, is not a villain.
I am rather out of favour with the squire and Papa said it was clear to him that I was a cunning minx, like my mother, which seems an unkind thing to say of one who gave up everything dear to her in order to run away and marry him.
My new novel,Ravish’d by Cruel Fate, proceeds slowly, since Papa is ever frailer and more demanding. If he is not constantly watched he attempts to get out of bed, and often raves of enlisting to fight, although whether against America or Boney is unclear.
I found Byron’s first cantos ofChilde Haroldquite scandalously thrilling, and only hope he may continue with them!
Your affectionate friend,
Alys
Dear Nell,
A hasty note in reply to yours, for Papa has suffered a seizure after the rector stupidly mentioned the Prime Minister’s assassination during one of his visits. The doctor has been, and thinks that the effects will pass off in time, but at present everything is at sixes and sevens.
Reading between the lines of your recent letters, I am convinced that something has occurred to render you less blissfully happy than formerly. Perhaps you fear that in taking up again with his old friends, your husband may slip back into the wild ways of his youth? But reflect that he is an older and wiser man now. Also, did you not tell me that Nat Hartwood, whom you like, is one of his particular friends?
I hope that you will confide in one who is ever your sincere friend,
Alys
*
‘I could see that the rector thought it quite shocking that we should not be in mourning for Sir Ralph,’ Letty said, as they sat in the parlour listening to Mr Franby’s ponderous footsteps ascending the stairs to the invalid’s chamber.
‘But it would be impossible to keep the news from Papa if wedid so, and he has been so frail of late that the least shock could carry him off. Mr Franby must be able to see that for himself.’
‘How goes your letter to your cousin?’
‘I think it is almost finished. I will read it to you:
My dear cousin James,
It is with deep regret that I must inform you of the demise of your poor father, although this letter may cross with one from Sir Ralph’s man of business, who has also written to break the news and bid you hasten home from Antigua.
Sir Ralph’s new young hunter came down with him at that tricky wall and ditch near Three Acres Wood. He did not suffer, for his neck was broken in the fall.
We have kept the news from Papa so far, since the seizure he suffered last year has left him very weak and we fear the effect on his health of losing his cousin, only friend and benefactor.
Miss Grimshaw asks me to add her condolences to mine. Pray give our respects to your wife, whom we both look forward to welcoming to her new home. Tell her that I have had the servants thoroughly clean the Hall in readiness for her arrival, and ordered the furniture put into holland covers. Since your mother died they have grown sadly lax, but do not fear: I intend to take charge now.
‘Poor Lady Basset! I fear we miss her sadly,’ Letty said, her weak blue eyes resting mistily for a moment on Pug’s plump form, prone and stertorous on a cushion.
Alys sighed. ‘How quickly life changes. First Lady Basset and now Sir Ralph.’
‘Mary says death always comes in threes.’
‘Servants’ superstition, Letty! Besides, Lady Basset has been dead these two years and more.’
