Saturday, February 5, 2011

Letters

[the story. this is written by me, Maarja A, and even though i doubt many will actually see this, then please: do not use without credit to this site; do not re-post as your own; if you want to use then please ask my permission. also, please excuse my little knowledge for the daily life and use of language during the time.]

May 13, 1875
Dearest Reuben,
I'm writing to let you know that my health is still fluctuating. I wanted to thank you for writing to me and caring about this issue. Please know that all you've done to help me is greatly appreciated, as there are few kind people left in my life. Ever since the truth came out, our family and myself have been shunned by our relatives and now former friends. It came to me as a surprise since people have always taken notice of my opinion and our family has always gotten many thank-you-notes for our generosity, but I guess that is how small-minded people really are in today's society - unable to understand that people who help others are just people as well.
Nevertheless my situation, I still try to stay positive and enjoy life as much as possible before my doctor arrives - he shall be here from the beginning of September. I can only hope he won't distract my studies.
It has been especially warm and sunny here, and it is only May! The countryside is as beautiful as ever, and I've visited many of our lands with my horses thanks to this. I wish to invite you and your family to join us! I will be writing to Sophie as well, so make sure to discuss these plans with her. In any case, whenever your visit, the hoses await for you to return.
Please give all my best to your parents and siblings,
Your dear friend,
Henriette

May 13, 1875
Dear Sophie,
How have you been? I've been missing your companion recently. As you know, I have been the main subject of Driffield recently, and to be quite honest, then it is wearing me out. It saddens me to see all my former friends turning against me, especially as I'm to be hold responsible for it happening. We are taught to love each other and to forgive, but I still feel as if them not being on speaking terms with me is my fault. I've made them sin by sinning and I will forever feel guilty because of this.
Anyhow, enough on the subject. If I want to hear about this I might as well just go to town. I hope you and your family are well. It has been incredibly warm around her recently, and I wish to invite you all here! Please take notice that I'm also sending a letter to your brother, so make sure to discuss this with him.
Also, how has it been between you and James? My parents are still smitten by him and all he's accomplished. The last time I had a conversation with them, they said they are truly happy for you. My mother won't stop saying she needs to find someone like him for me. I have to agree with all they've said. he truly seems like a gentleman. To be quite honest, I think he is the one for you. Remember you said you wanted someone with travel memoirs and a sense of humour? I still laugh every time I think of all the stories he told us about France. I hope everything is going well between you and him.
Please give my best to your family and let them know they've been invited,
Your true friend for always,
Henriette

May 23, 1875
Dear Katherine,
How have you been? I hope you've heard your daughter has invited us to the countryside, otherwise she'll be putting both our families in an embarrassing situation with half of the household not knowing about our visit. We should arrive on June 15, just in time for evening tea. I hope it is alright for us to be visiting, knowing about your daughter's condition.
To be honest, I cannot imagine what you must be going through at this very moment, but I believe you're in desperate need of nonjudgmental companionship. May-be our arrival will help rise your family's reputation. In any case, be sure that we are not coming to cause more trouble. I hope your daughter can understand how lucky she is to have found a friend in Sophie who has no place for cruel thoughts in her mind and who has been preparing many get-well packages for your daughter.
Speaking of Sophie, you are all invited to her wedding on August 30. I cannot describe how pleased I was when my husband told me about James coming to see him to ask for Sophie's hand in marriage. She is very excited as well and is going to give you the invitations in person.
All the best to you and Mr. Hemingsworth,
Your long-time friend,
Charlotte

May 23, 1875
Dearest Henriette,
Thank you for your letter! It brings me happiness to know you are well enough to write again. In this small package, you will find some handicraft by me and the finest tea I could find in London. Mother says I shan't waste money like this but my mind was set on it and I refused to give in to her. I hope you enjoy all you find here.
I've been very well, thank you for asking. My date of marriage has been set for August 30, and I of course wish for you to be my maid of honour. We can discuss the details when I arrive in Sledmere, which should be on June 15.
I cannot describe how happy I am at the moment, my dear Henriette. James seems so nice, and what a lovely house he has! I cannot wait to show it to you. I am very happy to know you and the rest of your family approve of him as much as you do - it really means a lot to me to know you find him a proper gentleman.
Please be well,
Your true friend for always,
Sophie

June 2, 1875
Doctor Harvey,
This is Katherine Hemingsworth. I am writing to ask for your advice once more. My daughter's childhood friend is getting married and asked my daughter, Henriette, to be her maid of honour. This of course means she'll be going to London to help them organise everything for the wedding. All would be well if I wasn't worried about her health. Please let me know your opinion as soon as possible, for my daughter is to leave sometime in June.
Thank you in advance,
Mrs. Katherine Hemingsworth

June 2, 1875
Dear Charlotte,
I wish to congratulate you, Mr. Bryant and the rest of your family on this happy occasion! Your daughter deserves the best and it looks as if James really is the one for her.
I await for your arrival,
Your long-time friend,
Katherine

June 2, 1875
Dear Sophie,
Thank you for the package! The herbal tea you sent me is delicious. I drink it once a week, on Saturdays. I also appreciate the doilies you crocheted - they truly are like masterpieces!
Congratulations to you and James! I would love to be your maid of honour, but I have to await for the doctor's approval. Mother said he would answer sometimes in June. I hope he approves, as I cannot imagine not attending my truest friend's wedding.
To be quite honest, I still cannot believe you're getting married! You're only two years older than me, yet you already have a groom. I hope to get some luck from you when we meet again, because I really have to find someone soon.
I'll be awaiting for your arrival,
Your friend for always,
Henriette

June 15, 1875
Mrs. Hemingsworth,
It is incredible how dedicated you are to your daughter and I hope she realises this as well. As for the trip: it might do her good to be in a different scenery for a while. If she is the least bit appropriate, she will try not to make the household worry about her and might try to recover on her own.
Always at your service,
Doctor Lucian Harvey

July 1, 1875
Dearest father and mother,
I am now in London where it is even hotter than in Yorkshire. The wedding preparations are going well. It has been hectic but very exciting and fun. Just like all the Bryants assured, Sir James Hunter's house is lovely and quite big when compared to other houses in London. I already told Sophie that at least that they won't have to move in the future.
Please know I am well. The Bryants are very discreet even here, at their own house, for which I must be forever grateful. I do not know any statistics on myself at the moment, for they won't let me use the scale, even with someone else around, but they're encouraging me every day, just like you both do at home. It is pleasant to find someone who cares this much after all I've been through in Driffield.
Mother, like you asked, I will write to the doctor today as well and ask if he is free to see me sometime before the wedding.
I hope you both are well. Please give my best to Eleonore, Eaton and Hedwig as well.
Henriette

July 1, 1875
Doctor Harvey,
This is Henriette Hemingsworth. I am writing to ask if you have time for an appointment sometime in July as I am in London at the moment. I know you will be joining us to take full care of me in September, but my parents wished for you to keep an eye on me. If you have time, please respond to this letter.
Thank you in advance,
Ms. Henriette Hemingsworth

July 15, 1875
Ms. Hemingsworth,
It is good to hear from you. I am pleased to find you are taking this seriously as well. Unfortunately I do not have any free appointments at this time.
Instead, I advise you to try and eat as normally as possible. Make sure you get a lot of vegetables and fruit for they are not available during winter and because of that we must gather as much from them as possible. Also, eat meat or fish at least once a day and go for walks as much as possible. From what I've gathered from your mother, you are busy at the moment, but your healthy must not be forgotten.
Take care,
Doctor Lucian Harvey

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