The Letter

 

 

 

A letter found in the bottom of an old trunk in the attic. It almost fell apart when taken out.

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My Dear Cousin Amalie,

 

I am hoping this letter finds you and your Dear Family healthy and prosperous.

 

It has been a long 2 years since I last wrote to you, and much has transpired in that time. I was badly taken with ague for almost 6 months and regained health most slowly. Had it not been for the tender Love of Mother and Sisters I would surely have died. The parish Priest saw me almost daily to offer Prayer and Comfort. After one year I am blest to say that I have full health aside from some weakness in my legs. I no longer can ride my Dear horse Sargent but have given him to my Sister Leticia, and they suit each other well.

 

More exciting news than all this however is the fact that I am to be married! The old Manly Estate was purchased one year past by a wealthy man from Canada. He is Baron Oliver Rede. His people all moved there some time ago and as a younger son had little prospect for the future. He was wise with money and made his fortune in cattle and wheat thereby enabling their return to England. It is his Son that I will marry. He is Avery Rede and as the only Son will inherit the title. He and his 2 sisters – Justine and Ivy – paid a courtesy call when first they moved into the Estate. I was still not in full health but they were very gracious and a wonderful distraction and gave me much heart. I made them laugh with the stories of how I used to sneak into the Gardens of Manly Estate when I was young to pick the prettiest Roses to give Mother.

 

As time went on and my health returned our two families spent a great deal of time together. Father and Baron Oliver were of the same mind in many things as were Mother and Baroness Ella. Sisters Leticia and Alice would often sit with Justine and Ivy in the Gazebo leaving Avery and I the relative privacy of the garden arch. We soon discovered that we were in love and Avery asked Father’s permission to wed.

 

Since I still have the weakness in my legs, it will be a small intimate wedding and a short honeymoon in Wales. The hope is that in time the weakness will leave and my legs will be restored. I know that it would be a long way for you to travel, but it would please me so much if you were able to be present on my day of happiness. I know that my Family would love to see you again and I also know that you would love to meet my new Mother, Father and Sisters.

 

The wedding will be in six months hence on 6 April. I eagerly await your response and pray that it is Yes!

 

Your Loving Cousin,

Grace