Dear Anna,
And here I was under the impression that my efforts at selfishness were satisfactory enough. Well, at least I tried, didn't I? You can't deny that feeding myself compliments wasn't trying... Tell you what, while you're off braving the storm as one of those young foreign girls, I'll stay here twiddling my thumbs and preparing some ingenious lines for your return. Now how does that sound my love?
Indeed, you have certainly outdone yourself by painting so vivid a picture for me that it's as if I've witnessed every last affair of the Abbey since my departure. I must admit that this young Alfred chap certainly sounds rather gloomy and long-faced from your description, even to me! To someone who smiles as rarely as i do, can you believe it? Who would have thought! But if he makes it as tempting as Miss O'Brian to antagonize, perhaps you should be a kind enough soul to stop letting him beg. Maybe that wasn't the most professional thing for me to say... forget I said anything at all then! I'm only joking after all. He sounds a nice enough lad, I just hope the lot of them are kinder to him than Thomas was to me and as welcoming to me as you were when I first started.
How relieving it is to hear you so relieved that the wedding is over. Lady Mary must have been an absolute handful! I highly doubt she let things quiet down for even a moment - and, from what you wrote, I'll take it that I can assume I'm right? I sure hope Mr. Matthew knows what exactly he's taken on... God knows he's a braver man than I am. It will surely be a quiet house without her while she's away, I'm only sorry that you can't enjoy that treat. But perhaps her new husband will have just enough steam left to distract her long enough from stealing the world's thunder every five minutes.
Will you have any afternoons off during the trip? Will you have the time to spare to capture us some memories in between dressing Mistress High an' Mighty? -and if you tell her I said that, then there's bound to be a problem between us and I will guaranteed to be out of a job faster than I am to get out of here.
Oh, and, if we're to divorce, then I call shots on the splendid set of doilies we received from his Lord and Ladyship after we married. I took quite a fancy to them when they gave them to us and I refuse to part with them. And just think; with them, we're one article of furniture closer towards buidling our very own home together...
Here's an idea; someday, if I get out of here - sorry, when I get out of here - let's inspect the estate's vacated cottages together. We could make an afternoon of it, perhaps bring along a picnic with us - I'm sure Mrs. Patmore wouldn't mind fixing us some of her signature sandwiches and, because it will be a particularly special occasion, some raspberry meringue pudding to accompany them. That is, as long as she goes easy on the salt...
Enjoy your European voyage my dearest one while I sit here in the meantime writing you a mountain of questions for you to answer upon your much anticipated return... and, if I have the time - and from what you've read, you've probably gathered that I have plenty to spare - I'll also try to stay out of trouble while I'm at it.
Your doting husband,
John
(aka)
Sherlock/Rudolph Valentino in disguise
Wow guys, I am SO sorry for the delay! I wouldn't blame you if most of you have given up any and all hope of my returning to this story, I know that I do when a writer takes forever to update. But I haven't given up writing yet! Obligations just get in the way every now and then:( but I still very much intend to finish this story. I'm thinking probably around 20-25 chapters? So yes, I'llbe around for awhile.
Hoped you liked this chapter and let me know your thoughts!
-birdywings