Letter from Harriet Osberton

Wortham, September 4th, 1763

My dearest Emy,

we fled from my parents house and the whole neighbourhood. It was not to be born anymore. My mother intruded upon us every day without any notice. The atmosphere at home is horrible and we decided to leave. It is very vexing, especially in my current condition. I know not for how long I could have hidden it from my mother or the whole family. My morning sickness is terrible and Clive did his best to keep anyone from me to keep the secret. Now we are on our way home to Clarington. Hester is to join us in town for the season, but I don't know if we go at all regarding my health... But they do not know of course. I will not tell them until the very least. - My brother is gone too. We don't know where. He disappeared over night and nobody noticed. His manservant was gone sometime before him, the butler informed us later... I'm very tired of it all my dearest and glad to go home. I will write again from Clarington.

Affectionately,

yours

Harriet.

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September 8th, 1763

night

When I came back from the garden this morning and joined Mrs Lewis in the kitchen to oversee the planning of dinner, I was informed that Ms Susan had stayed in her room, partaking of her breakfast upstairs. I was to come to my room as soon as I was able to join her. Upon my entrance into her room I was greeted most affectionately and found myself confronted with a familiar chatter, I knew of Mrs Higgenbotham, but the topics were far more interesting than hers. Ms Susan lived in a world I knew not, a free mind roaming about Bath and doing what she thought best and what made her happy and kept her entertained. So she did over her hot chocolate, telling one juicy story after another (I wondered if Lord C would disapprove, but he wasn't attending anyway...) and gossip about the ton and marriage mart as well as the newest plays and books and exhibitions. When I stayed in town I had no opportunity to catch up with this world, being on a constant run after possible husbands led by mother or my sisters. Ms Susan had me captivated and I immediately liked her a great deal...

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September 8th, 1763

morning

I came down early this morning to join our guests at breakfast, but Lord C and his cousin were already out riding and Ms Susan was not yet downstairs. Mrs. Lewis told me Mr. Frank will stay for two weeks, his Lordship's aunt two more and asked for my orders to prepare the following days. I decided for a family dinner today, but told her to join everyone in the kitchen later to speak about a larger dinner with neighbours in honour of Ms. Susan the day after tomorrow. Lord C said something about it on Tuesday and I think it is very appropriate.

Now after looking through my letters, nothing important, only from mother and Patsy, I decided to go for a short walk before heading towards the kitchen...

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September 7th, 1763

It is well after midnight and I'm "allowed" to go to bed. Lord C's aunt and cousin arrived two hours ago, completely exhausted from what sounded like an odyssey. Though we knew about their broken carriage and their being late to arrive, we were quite worried about their whereabouts. Ms. C assured us promptly that the inn was comfortable, the food acceptable and the roads dry again when they set out the following noon towards Leyland.

When we heard the commotion on the front lawn and the barking dogs, Lord C's first thought was about burglars and wanted to send me upstairs... but Brittles announced a carriage and we were assuaged immediately. Ms C was extremely tired and after being introduced by my husband, I let her upstairs and ordered her dinner to her room. Lord C did the same accompanying his cousin, who was more than eager to chat with him incessantly. Ms. C, or rather Aunt Susan (as I was ordered to call her), refreshed herself aided by her maid, but still able to talk at length about the journey. When she had changed and stepped in front of the screen, she smiled warmly and excused her endless chatter, embracing her "new niece" and asking a vast number of questions about my family, home, how I liked to be the mistress of my own house and so on... Finally she remembered the time and sent me to bed, wanting to see me in the breakfast parlour the next morning... (I went to find Mrs. Lewis at once to ask about Ms. C's usual time to get up!)

Now I'm exhausted and hope to find sleep directly.

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Letter to Fitzwilliam Cartwright

September 5th, 1763

My dearest nephew,

we are in the middle of nowhere and our carriage is broken. But the local wainwright is already busy repairing the damage. We will be late two days, but are well. Don't be alarmed! Frank takes good care of your aunt,

S. Cartwright

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September 5th, 1763

After dinner last night we spent the evening together in the music parlour; I halfheartedly tried reading while listening to Emmeline playing the harp. She teased me about my reading, 'for it must be a most boring volume...' I was so distracted with her fingers crossing the strings and producing such wonderful melodies, that I forgot about the text in front of me or turning the pages of the book. It is like spending time with a lady one is courting and not one is married to. She has been very charming these last two days and I hope it will last for my aunts visit.

After I came back from Atherfold's place on Saturday, I was welcomed by my wife, leading me into the dining parlour, conversing with me easily over dinner and spending the whole evening with me reading in the library. I had to dismiss my plan to talk to her and instead I thought about a walk around the garden tonight. But it was too chilly and again I had to postpone it. Tonight we had Mr. Kettle and his wife as guests and though we joined the ladies as soon as possible, there was no point in kidnapping Emmeline. It wouldn't have been appropriate anyway, but now it is me, who become's a little uneasy about my aunts soon arrival at Leyland.

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September 4th, 1763

Today I spent most of the morning distracting Emmeline from my family's arrival. She seems not as nervous as she was the days before, but I think it is still adorable. Our marriage didn't start out well, but I feel it is becoming a better relationship. She tries very hard to be a good companion and my aunt will surely help her, in her own charming way, to settle down as a ... (house)wife.

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September 4th, 1763

Yesterday I went to see Ms. B and halfway towards the village we met, my friend in search of me. We turned our visit into a trip around the countryside and enjoyed the sunny day out. It is always so easy and comforting to talk to her. She seems to have a solution for everything... When she met her father's relatives the first time, it was an overwhelming experience. She was only fourteen and stepped into a totally different world. After loosing her parents and suddenly being dependent on strangers, she thought it a nightmare to leave her home and coming here. But no such horrible faith of many an orphan one hears about happened to her. And strangers became family instead. 'It is always a matter of luck, but nevertheless, you are an amiable person, Lady C, and his Lordship's aunt will surely be delighted to make your acquaintance! I have met her two years ago and she was very gracious to everyone around. You have nothing to fear. Your housekeeper will take care of everything and you will learn what pleases the aunt and make sure it will be more than acceptable for her to visit again. Nobody expects you to know the ways of people you have never met before. And you're newly-wed, my dear! You need time to learn about a new household and to change it to your wishes... I'm positively sure, Ms. Cartwright knows that and will in no way disregard your efforts so far.' - Dear Ms. B! I wish there were more efforts on my part so far, but she is right: it will take some time and as long as Lord C doesn't complain about my slow progress, I shall not fear anyone's contempt!!!

But my friend had other news for me. The old Sir Atherfold expects his heir to visit and the whole village is in an uproar; or rather the female inhabitants of it... Ms. B told me, the baronet's heir is a young bachelor from London, roguish but the most handsome and charming buck anyone has ever seen. Mrs. Higgenbotham seems to prepare her daughter to catch him and his future baronetcy of course, but as rumours have it, the young gentleman has more than one heart to break in the neighbourhood.

After taking Ms. B to her home, I went back to Leyland, much more composed and a little bit light-hearted.

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