Morning, all. I'm so upset today. My brother was supposed to have his operation today, but they have sent him home instead. The NHS (National Health Service) is under so much pressure here in the UK. Covid is horrendous and so many staff are off ill, they couldn't do the operation. I am so thankful to all our doctors and nurses, and what they have been through in the last two years, but my brother is a ticking time bomb with this bleed/clot on the brain. They've said that they can do it next Wednesday, but will it get canceled again? I'm so worried over this :(

When one writes a letter to a friend of the opposite sex, you must make sure to make your intentions clear and never misleading. You must make sure your words can not be taken in any other form other than what you mean. Make sure that if you wish to remain just friends, the letter should not be too personal. Always keep in mind that a letter written can be used in court if it appears that you have wounded the other party.

October 17th, 1843

Master Edward Cullen

It had been ten days since I had last seen Isabella and Father likened me to a cat climbing the drapery in frustration.

Of course, I had told him about that night and no doubt he had passed on my situation to Mother, but neither of them was helpful. They smiled and joked about, playfully making a mockery out of me.

Mother, of course, was the first person to go and visit with Isabella the morning she had left and although she would say nothing of their meeting, she did inform me that Isabella was well, but busy at the farm.

I was desperate to see her for myself, but I had no reason to go, and with Mother busy with charity work and other menial tasks, it would not be possible for either of us to visit this week.

I had woken up this morning very sullen indeed and my mood only deepened once the butler handed me a letter from Benjamin. He was my most trusted member of staff and the person I put in my place when I was unable to sit in my office.

His letter informed me of some pressing issues with the latest delivery of cotton and that he would like to speak with me before going further.

I returned an express letter to him, and I asked my manservant to ready my horse for the forty-three-mile hack back into town.

It would take me the best part of the morning and I was loathed to go, but above all, business came first.

I managed a small breakfast with the family before I had to go, and Mother was quick to inform me that a brief word with Isabella at her door would suffice to maybe encourage communication between us while I was away.

The smile on my father's face was priceless as I blushed like a small boy.

The ride to Isabella's was quick and no sooner had I mounted my horse at home, I dismounted outside Isabella's gate to her house.

I did not know if she would be in the house, or if I would have to find her on the farm, but I knocked loudly enough on the front door in the hope that she would hear me.

Before I had a chance to leave the doorstep and go in search of her, she opened the door, looking flustered and out of breath.

"I do apologize for keeping you waiting, but I was upstairs sweeping," she said in her soft voice, her eyes dipping down to the floor.

I was enthralled by her, yet again.

"It is no matter, none at all. I cannot stay long, but I wanted to inform you that I have been called back to town on business matters. I hope that I will not be away long, but if I am, would you permit me to write to you? I would love to hear from people at home, especially of you and young Charles," I blushed again like a blithering idiot as I tried to keep calm and not think about our encounter ten days previous.

"I think I would like that if you are not too busy. Do you think your business will keep you away long?" she asked sweetly, but I could see the frown building between her eyes.

"I hope to be home for Christmas, even if it will be a short stay, but this time of year is busy and I cannot leave my men unattended for too long," I smiled, hoping to relieve any stress that she might have been feeling, but by the look on her face, it was not the news she was hoping for.

"So long?" she whispered and as much as I was unhappy that she was sounding so sad, I was also hopeful that it meant that maybe, if I were lucky, she might have started to develop feelings for me, too.

"I am afraid so, but if we write to each other as friends, of course, hopefully the time will rush past," I smiled again and watched as she nodded carefully.

I hoped that she also picked up on the point I had made about friends because if it were anything more than that at this present time, we would both be lacking respect for her mother.

We spoke for a few more moments before there was nothing more to say.

I bid her a fond goodbye and hated the fact that I could not touch her or kiss her hand before I left.

The ride to town was fast, yet uneventful as I went. I was indeed happy that I made it there in plenty of time, yet the further I got from home, the worse I felt.

I would be away from my children, my family, and Isabella for quite some time and although I should have been used to it by now, I was not.

…

The first week of my time in town was busy and I hardly had time to sleep, let alone write to Isabella, but by the twenty-fourth of the month, I found that I had a spare evening to sit and tell her all about my week.

I wanted to tell her about how angry I was that the shipment of wool and silk that we had been sent was soured and that I had to send it back. I wanted to tell her how much I was starting to hate town and wished that I was back in her small village with limited company, but with the closest of friends. I also wanted to tell her how much I missed her and Charles, along with my children and other family members, but as I sat at my desk, pen poised to paper, I had no words.

I did not know what way in which to write a letter that conveyed everything I wished to tell her, yet keep it friendly enough to make sure that I kept up with the proper etiquette. I knew that it would be disastrous for all concerned if the letters were mistaken for love letters or letters of intent so soon after her mother's death.

I stood up from the desk, poured myself a large scotch, and once that was done, and I had taken a deep breath, I resumed my place at the desk and began to write whatever came into my head.

Once I was done, I could go back and reword it or start again if need be.

...

Lord Cullen

"But do you think that Master Emmett can do all of this while attending to the rest of the farm's needs?" Isabella asked while we walked around the small duck pond that was by her barn.

"I do indeed, Isabella. He has more farm hands now and although the list for the farm is growing, it will not be for long. He is good at delegating and the new farmhands are quick to please. Now, have you thought about the best way to dwindle your stock of animals?" I asked carefully, watching her face as she thought.

"The cattle are due to calf in the spring, and I think it wise to keep three milkers for our supplies, but when the calves are born, I will wean them as soon as possible and send them to market with the older beasts. With the sheep, I think it would be a good idea to have them mated once more next month, and then when the lambs are born in the spring, we will have enough meat to sell. I do not know about the smaller stock yet, though," she replied thoughtfully, and I was incredibly impressed with her thinking.

"I think that is a fine idea, Isabella, and it may do well to keep the smaller stock for a time. They will bring in a small amount of money while the fruits and vegetables mature." I smiled as she led us back towards the house.

Charles was of course with Master Emmett again today and I thought it was good that he had a man to look up to and hopefully, one day soon, it would be my own son who he looked to for advice and direction.

I left Isabella soon after our talk so that I could find Master Emmett and make sure that everything was on a good timescale and then after that, I went home to my wife and grandchildren, hoping that one day in the not-too-distant future, Isabella and Charles would join us, permanently.

I knew that it would take some work, and a lot would be expected of Isabella, but I knew that she would do it if she fell in love with Edward. She would have to be presented at court, meet our cousin and so many more things in between, but we would be by her side the entire time, next to Edward, of course.

Just a little insight into the two Cullen men.

So, letter writing. When researching the letters, I was so shocked to learn that you could use a letter in court if you were led on by the other party. I suppose I understand more now and about Sense and Sensibility with Willoughby lol.

Up next is Lady Cullen...