Letter III
Alice de la Tour to Jasper Whitlock
Sir,
Your letter moved me more than I can say. I was delighted to learn that you received my modest token of gratitude. I thank you for your honesty and kind words, which touched me deeply. Your gesture of returning the brooch, so precious and meaningful, speaks to your integrity, a quality I sincerely appreciate.
I cannot express how troubled I am by your words and your desire to see me again. It is rare for a lady of my station to hear such praise, especially from someone as sincere as you. Allow me to be frank: your words resonated within me in a way I had never felt before. However, prudence and societal conventions sadly forbid me from receiving you openly at the château. Such a meeting would undoubtedly attract attention and comments from those around me, especially my Father, the Viscount de la Tour, who jealously guards my reputation.
However, the thought of never seeing you again is unbearable. So, I take the liberty of informing you that in a week, I will be at the village again to fetch parcels for my Father. I dare to hope that you might pass by the fountain two hours past noon. This spot is secluded enough for us to exchange a few words discreetly, away from prying eyes.
Please do not give another letter to Jean-Baptiste, the servant delivering this missive. My Father almost intercepted the previous one, and I dread the consequences if he were to discover our correspondence. You will surely understand how difficult it is for me to maintain this secret in a house where every action is observed, and the slightest rumor can take on disproportionate significance.
I eagerly count the hours until our next meeting, hoping the whims of fate allow us to cross paths again. Until then, I cherish the memory of your gaze and your words, which have brightened my days with their gentle warmth.
With my sincerest thoughts,
Alice de la Tour