Dearest Lavinia Letter Nineteen
20th November 1919
Dear Mary,
I hope this letter finds you and Tom in good spirits amidst the bustling excitement of Dublin. I am sure you must be very busy with Tom's book launch and preparing for your return to Downton Abbey.
As for me, my pregnancy is progressing well, thankfully past the morning sickness phase. However, with each passing day, I find myself growing larger, making sleep increasingly uncomfortable. Isobel has been a godsend, suggesting various ways to alleviate my discomfort, such as using pillows for support, which has indeed been helpful.
I look forward to seeing you in next month for Christmas. Winter is setting in, and it is getting colder each day. There has been no snow yet, but there has been freezing driving rain, meaning we are all cooped up.
With such weather, Matthew hasn't been able to go to Downton as much as he was able to in the summer and Autumn. He returns home soaked from the office, and his mood reflects this, often seeming rather beastly. It pains me to see him this way, and despite my efforts, I struggle to find the right words to comfort him.
The more I hear of the wonderful life you and Tom are living in Dublin, the more envious I become. In comparison, my days feel narrow and confined, my social circle smaller than ever. Some days I am not even able to leave the house.
Isobel has been wonderful, and we entertain ourselves with jigsaw puzzles and in the evenings, we play cards.
I enjoy the card games as Matthew can often be persuaded to join us. Three or four times a week Isobel will call on your grandmother and they will both go off in her motor, no doubt to terrorise the local denizens of Downton village.
Isobel will often call to Downton Abbey to visit the family there. She comes home full of gossip that she shares with me. Lady Grantham once a week will send the car for me and I am able to join Isobel in the visit.
I've found myself writing to Father more often than usual, seeking solace in the familiarity of home. His recent visit to Dublin brought him great joy, and he spoke fondly of you and Tom. However, his words about hoping to live long enough to see Tom's novel published struck a chord of fear within me. I worry that he's been concealing the true state of his health from me.
With my pregnancy, I've been unable to visit Father as often as I'd like, but I've resolved to see him next week, despite Matthew's indifferent response. His nonchalant "Yes, dearest" only serves to highlight his current preoccupation, and I suspect he'll welcome the respite from my presence during my visit to Father.
Your retelling of the Book launch sounded so thrilling, and it was exciting to read the newspaper clipping. I shared it with the Dowager Countess, who seemed very pleased to read it. No doubt you recounted the evening to her through your own letters.
It must be difficult writing to so many people who live in such close proximity to each other. Making each letter sound interesting and unique, but still needing to share the same information.
My old school friends live in such disparate parts of the country, that I often just copy each letter two or three times and change the names as needed.
Be assured my letter to you dear Mary are always unique. I find I can talk to you more freely about my emotions than to anyone else. As an equal. I of course confide my woes to my father, but to my father I will always be his little girl, and not a woman of equal standing.
I long to see you this Christmas and wait with true anticipation. Lady Grantham has invited us all to the house for the festive season starting on the 21st of December. She is very excited to have all the family about her and is looking forward to having the house full for the season.
Lord Grantham is looking forward to the New Year's shooting. I don't know if Tom shoots, but you might need to bring some clothes to suit the activity for him. Matthew isn't that keen on shooting or hunting himself. But I think he participates in it to make your father happy.
I did hear the strangest bit of gossip last week, the weather was dry for a change, so Isobel and I walked to the house to have tea with Lady Grantham, Lady Violet, and Edith. Edith was talking about going to visit Sir Anthony Strallen. I thought you would be interested as you had previously mentioned you thought Edith was sweet on her editor. But she can't be if she wants to go visit Sir Anthony.
Also, your mother intends to invite the Grey's over Christmas one evening, as she told me Lord Gray's son had a tendre for Sybil. Edith pulled a face at this, so it may be a case of wishful thinking on your mother's part. Edith did try to talk your mother out of it, but she wouldn't hear of it.
That's all the news from Downton for now. I wait with anticipation until we can all see each other again. I look forward to the day we can have tea together and converse face to face.
Fondest regards.
Love
Lavinia
Note: This is the third letter I have posted in the last two days, just in case you have accidently skipped some