Page 91 of The Countess and the Casanova
I am thrilled you enjoy the flowers. I spend every morning walking the gardens like you recommended and keep finding blooms that remind me of you. Our gardener is growing cross with my cutting them and suggested you come visit as soon as possible so you may see them in person. I wholeheartedly agree.
My father and I are nearly done with our tasks on the estate. We have met with the property manager, and our tenants and farms are thriving. I am increasingly confident that I will be ready to take over more management of our holdings so my father can retire. It’s incredible what a bit of confidence can do for one’s productivity.
In a phrase I am bound to repeat millions of times over the course of our marriage, you were right. Taking the time to walk and think before the day begins has settled my mind, and writing my thoughts alongside my sketches seems to free them, opening my soul. I received confirmation of my meeting with the doctor Alex recommended when I return to London. The notion of a “talking doctor” seems far superior to one with needles and nudity.
My father and I talk in the evenings, about more than the estate. Clever as I am, I took your advice and explained my darkness to him, and he admitted sharing some of the same tendencies. I see him as a different man now, and knowing he shares the same vulnerabilities allows me to feel better about my own.
Would you imagine I enjoy writing now? My new valet is willing to check my spelling, and knowing you will receive it makes the work worth the effort. And you will not believe this—his name is Arthur. I kid you not. I plan on having a suit of armor and crown made in his honor.
In response to your responses, 1) I will ask you to repeat it a million times more, because I still can’t believe you love me. 2) We could be in Gretna Green in a matter of days. We’ve already been to Rome together. Why not add Scotland to our itinerary? 3) I love you. As much as I love to hear it, I love to say it even more.
Yours until the end of time,
Henry
My sweetest Henry,
Please do not anger the gardener. I won’t risk my floral future for your whims. On an unrelated note, I have never seen peonies so beautiful. Perhaps I will have to come visit sooner than I planned.
In a phrase I will repeat many times: I am so proud of you. Your father is thrilled to have you by his side, as am I. I will be with you for every step of this journey, especially when you meet your doctor. If you promise to keep your clothes on during your session, I will take it upon myself to manage the nudity once we return home.
My responses to your responses to my responses: 1) There will never be enough time to tell you how much I love you, but I intend to try. 2) I would love to visit Scotland, but as a properly(!) married woman. Where would you like to go? 3) I love you. Return to London and you can hear it in person.
The most fortunate woman in greater London,
El
My Ellie, the most beautiful woman in Britain, most likely the entire world,
The gardener, Mr. Banner, and I are now great friends. As luck would have it, he was an amateur pugilist, and he spent last evening improving my technique while telling me stories of his wife and children. I hope someday to be half the gentleman he is.
I am penning this as I wait for the train to London, and most likely will beat this letter to your door. A month without you is far too long. Thank the good Lord my torment shall be over soon.
I have lost track of our responses, but this is all you need to know. The greatest adventure of my life is being where you are.
The luckiest man in the world,
Henry
Epilogue
TheLondonLark,12July 1907
Another house party, another scandal courtesy of the Earl of Fensworth, formerly Lord Morley. Having assumed his late father’s seat in Parliament, our dear Henry has been making waves of a very different sort in London, advocating passionately for any and all bills protecting women and children from abuse. Who would have thought a decade ago—Lord Henry, a valiant protector of women! His new gallery exhibition, portraits of inhabitants of the St. Giles Foundling Hospital he established two years ago, opens next week in Knightsbridge. Despite costing a pretty penny, this little birdie was not surprised to find all invitations to the gala opening snapped up by London’s best and brightest, with all proceeds benefiting the hospital, of course.
If only he knew how to keep his own women in check. Fensworth and his wife, the former Lady Ashby, are rarely seen without their two young daughters in tow, as dear Henry is unwilling to let them out of his sight. You would never guess the young wards the couple took in five years ago would be indispensable fixtures in London’s next generation of social success. Sources say the girls attended the Knollwood house party last week and are promising to live up to their father’s reputation. The former Casanova and his countess spent last weekend’s ball in each other’s arms and did not separate for a single dance. Their daughters, notably unsupervised, were reported to hide under the buffet, sneaking sweets until they were discovered, giggling and telling stories until late in the night.
It appears Lord Henry’s antics will continue into a new generation, and I, dear readers, could not be more delighted.
