TITLE: Letters from the Country
AUTHORS: Brenda Shaffer-Shiring and Kathleen Speck. Kathy wrote the Torres entries, Brenda the Chakotay ones.
PART: 5/9
RATING: G (all audiences)
CODES: C/T AU
DISCLAIMER: See Chapter 1.
From Miss Belle Anna Torres, Dorvan House, to Miss Kessandra Lien, London
9 August, 18--
Dearest Kessie,
Many congratulations on your betrothal. While I understand your parents want you to marry him, I also know that you have developed tender feelings for him. And I trust your Mr. Neel will be wonderful towards you. If he fails in that duty, I shall be forced to gather my musket and go hunting for large game, eh? Seriously, I hope the two of you shall be very happy together.
To answer your question, I would be honoured to stand with you at your wedding, but will not your sister be angry with you about being left out? If you are sure, however, I will happily celebrate with you.
Do you remember when we were at school and I had to beg Mrs. Grayson to be allowed to take Mme. Louvois' French exam early one term so that I could accompany Lord Henry and Chakotay on their fishing trip to Scotland? We stayed with Lord Henry's great friend, Laird Montgomery of the clan Scott. He is a dear man. You can imagine my surprise when Kathryn tried to introduce the two of us at Lord and Lady Riker's ball last week. I know he surprised her when he said we needed no introduction and gathered me up in a great big hug.
We danced together, then took a stroll in the garden. He told me the sad story of his late wife's long illness and death two years ago. The sad part is that they never had a son, and his brother is anxious to inherit the title upon the Laird's death. Laird Montgomery leads a clan from the Highlands of Scotland, a contentious people as you have heard. But a strong man can hold them together and still keep the peace.
Now that his period of mourning is over, he has decided to remarry. That is the reason that Kathryn 'introduced' us. She told him that I was a sturdy, healthy girl who should be able to produce sons for him. Kessie, he is as old as Lord Henry! And far too fond of drink. Besides, I could never think of him as a husband -- he is just a dear friend of the family. Why would I tie myself to him? It was very awkward when the subject came up. I mean, what would you have done?
When Chakotay told me later that the Laird had offered for me, I almost fell off my chair at the breakfast table. As I said, he is a dear man, but I simply am unable to imagine -- and you know my imagination -- but I am unable to imagine lying with him in the marriage bed. Not that Mrs. Grayson would approve my even thinking of such a subject!
Fortunately Chakotay was not fond of the idea of a match between the laird and me either. Still, I imagine I will have to pick one of the young dandies that are always fluttering around. I know that they are mainly interested in the dowry that Chakotay and Lord Henry have promised to settle upon me on the event of my marriage. They are both so generous; they treat me as if I were their blood family.
I am concerned about Chakotay. Of late he has seemed too serious, and I often hear anger in his voice when he and Kathryn are speaking. Not that they exchange angry words, but after they are done, he goes out and rides his magnificent black charger out across the fields for hours. I wish I knew what to say to lighten his mood. Maybe I should accept one of these offers, at least then he would have one less thing to worry about.
But how can I? None of them are what I hoped to find. But then, I have been comparing them to an almost impossible ideal. You should remember that ideal; we spoke of such things often enough when we were girls. But I suppose the idealism of youth must give way to the practical matters of adulthood.
However, no more of such talk. We must get together and plan your wedding. Maybe we shall be fortunate and your mother will keep her odious opinions to herself.
Until we see each other soon, I shall remain,
Your friend,
Belle
