Dangerous Letters

Chapter Nineteen

Letter XXXII

January 11, 17—

Dear Mother and Father,

I was very well pleased (pray tell Jane) with the small portrait of Bea – in shape, features and sweetness; there never was a greater likeness. The frock is precious, and the ornaments convince me of what I had always supposed, that green was a favourite colour with her. I dare say the young Jacq would do very well in yellow if he can be prevailed upon to sit long enough to have the image captured.

Thank you for your inquires as to my ward; she is very well, but continues to be very sombre lately. As sombre as her father is jovial. I suppose the new mistress of the house is cause for both. The lady has made herself quite at home here and has already garnered much approval from the household staff by her countenance and manners. She is highly accomplished for age, and her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite. I had tried to make Villette observe and learn from her, for musical instruction is something lacking in our teaching, but she disdained the idea. I had previously felt myself duty-bound to her tuition but now I am concerned that perhaps I have outlasted that purpose; you may see me even before Easter, though I wish to settle one or two matters before I give my leave.

I have digressed from her ladyship however, and meant to answer your questions on that subject a little more. I had the opportunity to speak to her a little this morning and learned that she has many grand plans for this household – with the desire to acquire a much larger staff-in-residence and a very fine fleet of carriages. She confided that she had never felt such happiness although, she said in her tinkling laugh, "it is a selfish passion and my own governess, a very strict nun called Mother L------, would be most disapproving". She had felt a little morose during her journey, homesick and fatigued, but all of that had dissipated when she met my Master. "I shall labour to be worthy of him," she told me, very seriously. I wanted to ask if she would be willing to induce him to prayer, for seems such a good Christian lady, but I felt it was beyond the limits of my station – and that is a role I am determined to adhere to most strictly. I am sure, at any rate, that she will reach the same conclusion I have, and I am easier in the knowledge that the future of Chateau ---------- is secure with her presiding.

The Master has not commented on the match, at least not to me, but continues to bestow great affection on her ladyship. He had the piano brought downstairs yesterday, into the Great Room, so that he might be able to watch her play at the best vantage from his study. The day before, flowers arrived; at least a hundred bundles, armfuls of arum lilies in great glass jars with heavy pollen that powers the fingers. I was still bedridden and half-asleep that I thought myself dreaming at first when I saw them all being unloaded. They have filled her bedchamber and spilt out, down the adjacent hallway, so that the whole wing is perfumed with the lush, rich incense that hangs heavy in the air. And today, she came down in a ruby choker that likes of which I have never seen before – not even in the courts of P---- where the ladies are bedecked in finery. It is a family heirloom apparently, from the Marquis' grandmother who was the -------------- of ---------------. I am too poor a writer to give its splendour justice, but the necklace is comprised of three golden rows, each inlaid with a proportionate gem, glittering red and half a fist in size. The effect, even worn with her plain white gown when she tried it on, was marvellous and I fancy she will create quite the stir in any ballroom in this country or her own.

Ms. Pennyworth still does not approve. One of the Marquis earlier gifts, in his vexing rudeness, was a book that does not bear mentioning. Suffice to say, it was a very poor choice and though I am not acquainted with the exact material it contains, a rudimentary understanding of the synopsis was enough to know that it should never be beheld by a proper lady. It has been confiscated now, and I believe that the necklace and flowers do show his penitence. Although I never can quite predict what he shall do next.