Page 70 of Her Favourite Daughter

Granville

Nottinghamshire

My dear Anne,

You have my undying gratitude for respecting my need to mourn Father for a full year before we marry.

As I am sure you know, the year ends on the first Monday in October. Would I be asking too much of you for us to marry on either the 9th or 10th, the Friday or Saturday after that?

If your father has handed you this letter, I must assume that he does not object to the dates I propose. By the time your reply reaches me, there will not be enough time to have the banns called before one of the two dates I mentioned. As such, I will apply to the rector of Snowhaven’s church for a common license.

If you object to the timing, please reply. My courier will wait for your answer, good or bad.

Had I not entered mourning, we could have married in January of this year. More than you will ever know, I respect your decision to not rush in and have a hasty wedding right before Father’s passing became common knowledge to the Ton. Ninety-nine out of 100 women would have done so to secure their place as the next Lady Granville, but not my Anne, which is one of the many things I love about you.

You understood Petunia’s and my need to mourn Father as he deserved.

Even though I have hardly seen you in the last year, my love for you has grown even deeper. I cannot wait to have you as my wife, as my Lady Granville.

You, Anne, are the keeper of my heart. With all my love,

Your Harry

Neither of Anne Fitzwilliam’s parents objected to the dates her betrothed suggested. Hence, she wrote a heartfelt letter, and after Papa perused and approved of it, handed it to the waiting courier for delivery to her beloved.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

It had been almost two months since Karen’s previous letter. Wickham had begun to have dark thoughts about how the twins had failed him, ignoring the fact that part of his plan was to see the Younges in gaol.

Hence, Wickham’s relief was great when an epistle arrived that morning. He tore it open and began to read.

12 October 1807

Kiveton Park

George,

My duties have kept me busy since the last missive, which explains why so much time has passed.

Although they have spent some time at this estate (I will relate all below), the Osbornes and their friends have been greatly occupied with family events.

There was a wedding they attended in Scarborough, and now they are in Nottinghamshire, where the Earl of Matlock’s daughter married the Earl of Granville. Between all this, the new duchess’s adopted sister, Miss Jane Bennet, has become engaged to Lord Matlock’s heir, and the second son, the master of Rosings Park, is betrothed to Lady Bethany’s best friend.

Because of that, they will not be returning to Kiveton Park until after Misses Bennet and Lucas marry. They were planning to pass Christmastide here and have a Twelfth Night Ball, which would have been the ideal time to abscond with the young duchess.

However, they will all be traveling south and remain in the area of the town of Meryton in Hertfordshire until after the two weddings. This is not bad news! Above, I alluded to information I need to impart to you.

While she was here, I ingratiated myself to Lady Bethany, and Clay has become friendly with the head footman. As such, we will both travel south as part of the group of servants who will accompany them. It has been slow, but I have earned the duchess’s trust, so I am confident that when we are in Hertfordshire, I will get even closer to her while the mothers are busy with wedding arrangements.

It is my intention to begin to suggest that Clay be the footman who walks with her. It is known that we are brother and sister, which is why no one will question me when I request Clay accompany Lady Bethany when she walks.

You need to travel south as well. For the same reason, you had us use the post carriages when we went north; I suggest you do the same now. I left some coin with the leasing agent for Briar Rose Cottage. He has a letter from me authorising him to hand you enough for the journey.

The best time for you to reach the town I mentioned above, is between the two weddings when Lady Bethany’s family will be most distracted. I suggest you plan to arrive at the end of February 1808 or the first days of March at the latest.

I will discover the inn in the town and leave messages for you regarding where you will reside. We will find something out of the way so you will not be seen. More than that will not be needed to execute your brilliant plan. Then, Clay and I will be avenged, and you will have more than the legacy that your natural father promised you.

With my warmest regards,