I do hope you are well, and that your quest to find your sister a suitable mate has seen some success.
My best wishes,
Newbury
*
Thursday, 19 May 1825
Lord N—
Ah, the small pleasures of life—tea at a table among them. It has always been my desire never to take such for granted, and your circumstances have been proof for my pudding.
As to Lady Cecily: that endeavor has been achieved. Lord Philby met with my father yesterday afternoon with a formal offer for her hand. She is in high ecstasy, unbearable to be around, and begging Mother for another modiste appointment. The banns will be read starting this Sunday, as apparently an early July wedding is scheduled, barely seven weeks away. Although I had planned to retire to my aunt’s estate after the Blackmore Ball in two weeks, I will most likely stay through the wedding, as Cecily’s euphoria has rendered her without any common sense whatsoever.
I do understand the advantages being left-handed would bring to those sports. Like shooting, my father taught Abigail and I how to fence when we were staying in the country. Primarily because she and I kept stealing Albert and James’s foils and making a wreck of things. I had no idea that there were people truly skilled in reweaving tapestries. Papa thought a few lessons would prevent us from hurting each other—an effort that was only partially successful. Poor Abigail bears a mark on the left side of her neck to this day, which she reminds me of at every family holiday. I hope to someday visit a boxing salon. I know it’s allowed, even for proper ladies of Society, with the appropriate escort.
I do hope Mr. Whittingdon’s dictates to the villains before him make an inroad. They could only provide proof of such a claim if it were manufactured from whole cloth, as none would otherwise exist. In light of such an extraordinary declaration, however, I am grateful—immensely grateful—for those who would see it as absolute nonsense. I would never do such a thing to anyone, even my worst enemy—and I think we all know who that would be—and certainly not to someone of whom I am inordinately fond.
Please give my regards to your family, especially your mother. I find that I miss her company.
With deepest regards,
Lady R—
PS: The above comment about boxing salons was not intended as a subtle hint for an invitation to such an event—merely a stated interest. As we both know, subtlety is not one of my most accomplished skills.
*
Saturday, 21 May 1825
My dear Lady R—
It seems obvious to me that you and your sisters have experienced much more freedom on your country estate. I can see why an extended residence there would appeal to you. The Kennet seat, Ashton Park, has offered such openness to my family over the years, especially Michael, who rides endlessly across the hills. Only Robert chaffs, much preferring the enticements of the city.
And, subtlety aside, I would be most content to escort you to one of the more proper boxing salons at some future date. I have certainly seen any number of Society ladies attend them, even going so far as to having their favorite contenders on whom to bet and for whom to cheer. I also suspect that demonstrating to you various techniques for responding to a left-handed fencer would be a pleasant and entertaining pastime as well. Perhaps we can discuss this further in the near future.
I will send notes of congratulations to Lady Cecily and Lord Philby at my earliest opportunity. She is most definitely a gem (at least in the eyes of this particular scoundrel) and Lord Philby has a stellar reputation—not a single rake in that illustrious family tree. Although God help him if he is ever unkind to her.
Likewise, the Marquess of Aldermaston has presented his desire to court Lady Elizabeth to my father, and his suit has been accepted by both. While I could not speak to the lady’s euphoria, there has been quite the racket coming from her rooms, which are unfortunately next door to mine.
My sources tell me that Mr. Sullyard has sent a rather frantic message to Roger Bentley, which was not well received. According to my informant, with whom I know you are well acquainted, Mr. Bentley’s response was akin to an enraged bull in a very small enclosure. This does not bode well for Mr. Sullyard and may lead to unexpected consequences.
My mother sends her regards. Her plans are to invite you and your mother to tea, as soon as the hubbub over the aforementioned marquess has settled into a dull rumble.
With fondest wishes,
N—
*
Wednesday, 25 May 1825
My dear Newbury—
While I am honored by your suggestion, perhaps we should begin our discussion about boxing salons with a clarification of the phrase “appropriateescort.” I greatly value your friendship, but there are a few milestones that would have to be met prior to my accompanying you to a sporting event, even with poor Sarah in attendance.
Your mother is most kind. I will look forward to any invitation she wishes to send in our direction. From my previous chats with Her Grace, I suspect such an outing would be filled with delightful gossip, a world of helpful information, and a number of feminine discussions completely unsuited for male ears. I would, of course, be enchanted.
