To Lady Atherstone (Arrives May 29, Morning)

[Charles Buchanan]

A pretty stack of jeweler's boxes lay piled upon the surface of Charle's desk, their fancy gilt lettering catching and holding the slanted rays of the sun. He had recovered enough from his last attack to venture forth for some shopping and the entirety of the previous afternoon had been spent securely lodged in a viewing seat at Higgins & Hoare's. Perhaps it was not normal to be so affected by the pretty turn of a colorful jewel: he had spent a pretty penny for all that he'd acquired and yet no guilt nor even anxiety could drag him from the euphoria inspired by his purchases. It was ridiculous, really, when he wasn't even going to keep any of them, yet, he smiled still and cheerfully set about his correspondence.

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The letter was written in a strong, decisive hand and sealed with an impression of Lord Buchanan's arms in thick, red wax. It was attached to a box that bore the insignia of Higgins & Hoare's beneath a simple wrapping of brown paper tied with a white string under which had been tucked a single red camellia.

My dear Lady Atherstone,

You will, I think, consider me a boor to have been so attentive only to fade away without so much as a word. I have not disappeared, however, and have no intention of doing so: I fear that only the requirements of my duty in town could have made me appear so mindless of the great kindness which you showed me on that afternoon when all of court could talk of nothing but your triumphs of wit and art.

I confess that I puzzled somewhat over the best way to express my gratitude for your favor when I had no right to presume. Admittedly our acquaintance is little more than that and yet, something required to be done. You will, I hope, find it to your taste and liking.

And, if we may progress beyond acquaintance to friendship, then I pray you will promise me a dance at this evening's ball. After all, even his majesty cannot forbid you such intercourse as that or he will be the most tyrannous monarch that ever lived.

I beg leave to recommend myself, madam,

Your most humble and affectionate servant,

Charles Buchanan

Inside the box Heather would find a pair of delicate gold earrings fashioned into the leaves of a laurel, and depending from each, a single small but exquisitely fine pear-shaped emerald.

[Heather O`Roarke]

Heather had not seen her mail before meeting with Charles that morning, however, upon bringing Jo home she opened the box and cooed appreciatively. Her reply, by necessity, had to be send by a courier to arrive at time, if at all.

My lord Buchanan,

With such clear appreciation and showing of your keen favour what can I see but to offer my keenest thanks. Far from thinking you a boor I now hold you in the highest esteem for your attentiveness, an art sometimes lost among your fellow gentlemen.

While my usual stone is the ruby, the emerald is my secondary stone and so your set of earrings will fit very nicely in the set.

Though I know not if this letter will reach you in time, you will find that if I'm able I shall save you a dance.

Kindest Regards,

Lady Heather O'Roarke, Countess Atherstone

OOC: A point of attention: characters are not always able to read mail on the same day it arrives. Replies nearly never arrive on the same day, as the mail always takes a day and not everybody can afford a courier. Historically it in fact took several days for mail to arrive even within London. The reason was that the government first read all correspondence before moving it on. And you thought Big Brother was a 20th century invention