Chapter 21

Dearest Richard

Thank you for your letters and encouragement. It has been very trying, caring for my guardian these past months. Sir Boniface is recovering his strength. I believe he will make a full recovery soon, at least in body. In spirit, he is as shattered as Phileas has become.

I am moving into Phileas's home for a time. He has slid down into such a destructive depression. Sir Boniface has asked this of me to curb his erratic behavior. I will leave this evening. As much as I will miss you, I cannot keep our planned weekend together. I cannot think of my happiness when my family is being torn asunder by such fierce traumas. Please do not be upset with me. I am needed here.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Three months

Rebecca

I am writing to let you know the girls and I will leave for the country in a week. I had hoped that you would join us, but that does not seem possible now. We will be gone for two months. If you become free from your family duties, please join us. Write to me and I will send a carriage for you.

Missing you,

Richard

Five months

Rebecca

I have not had a letter from you in all these weeks and fear you have forgotten me completely. My feelings for you have not changed, but I am coming to realize that I cannot continue as I have without some encouragement from you that my wait will be rewarded. If there is any hope that we can rekindle our courtship, I would be glad to hear of it.

Richard

Richard,

I am most pleased to hear that you have not forgotten me, and I feel most wretched for my inattentiveness. Phileas's moods are mercurial, and I simply cannot leave him. I am very sorry, but I cannot quantify how much time it will take before I am free to see you again.

I do not ask that you wait any longer. I have not asked you to wait for me at all. That would have been most selfish of me. I would never stoop to offer hopes under such conditions. I have great affection for you, but my place is with my family.

Sincerely,

Rebecca

Six months

Miss Rebecca Fogg

I was most grieved to hear of your guardian's death. All who know him will miss Sir Boniface Fogg. He was a great man who served his country well. You have my deepest regrets and sympathy.

Sincerely,

Richard Sutton

Twelve months

Dear Brenda

I read of your pending marriage in the Times a few days before receiving your invitation. To you and your new fiancé, the honorable Richard Sutton, I wish all happiness. I regret to inform you I will not be free to attend your wedding despite your kind invitation. I will be out of the country, tending to an ill relative. I am writing this to you as I pack for the trip. I have no notion of when I will return. I tender my gift to you now.

With Regrets,

Rebecca Fogg

Good Rebecca

You are forever trotting off to parts unknown to take care of your family these days. I must commend you for it, though I think you overdo such commitments.

Dear Rebecca, you really should see to yourself. If you make it back to England in time to attend the wedding, I would love to introduce you to my cousin Brian. He is a true dear and would be most appreciative of a dutiful patient woman like you. Thank you for your felicitations and I hope to see you soon.

Your dearest friend,

Brenda

The End