Armand’s First Letter. Amelia’s First Letter.
1 July 1019
Veronica’s College, Edenford
My dearest cousin Armand,
I received your letter of 27 May this afternoon, regarding your release and the arrival of Admiral Austen in Mont-Havre; and then, no more than an hour later, I received a messenger from Lord Doncaster!
The messenger was an earnest young man, a Mr. Caster-Morton, whom I gather His Lordship employs at Number 9 as some kind of under-secretary. He presented me with note, which I will reproduce:
My dear Mrs. Archer,
It pained me to be required to put you off these past weeks; but it pleases me just as much as that pained me to inform you that His Majesty has indeed had all matters in hand, that Mont-Havre has been liberated, and that your cousin, Armand Tuppenny, is quite well. Indeed, I believe you will be seeing him before summer’s end.
Please inform your brother Jack that my lawsuit should soon be settled, and in our favor; he may return home at any time.
Caster-Morton has been directed to answer any questions you might have.
Yours sincerely, Doncaster, etc.
I confess, I was twice bowled over; I fear I have not thought about Jack’s poor adulterated memoirs since returning to Cumbria. It just shows that I am moving in vastly different circles than I did in the days of the duckpond, for I am certain that many, many members of my former acquaintance would have delighted in reminding me of it.
And then to learn that though I was put off, I was not ignored—that is a very great thing indeed.
Mr. Caster-Morton was as good as His Lordship’s word. He told me of Admiral Austen’s arrival and speedy victory in Mont-Havre, and that Lord Astley would soon be arriving there to take up his position as His Majesty’s governor-general.
“I was present when His Lordship met with His Majesty to discuss the Admiral’s despatches,” he told me, “and may I say, Mrs. Archer, that His Majesty was much heartened by the lack of support for the rebellion among the common folk of Armorica.”
“I am not at all surprised,” I told him. “The folk of my cousin’s country town have favored Cumbria over Provençe since the days of the Marshal.”
“Even so,” he said. “As for the lawsuit over your brother’s memoirs, the execrated Ukridge House had no case to make, for His Lordship’s chosen publisher, Somerset House, had the original manuscript: a document singularly lacking in any of the published emendations, and clearly in your brother’s own hand. Moreover, the bailiffs—”, and here he smiled broadly, “—found a fair copy at Ukridge house with the emendations appended in yet a third hand. No, it was quite open and shut when it came before the judge.”
I applauded, and he smiled again.
“His Lordship had originally intended to publish just a few copies, for circulation among his friends; as it is, a complete edition is planned, with a full page advertisement in The Times. His Lordship was furious at the harm done to your brother, and is intent on restoring his reputation.”
So that is all very well! Caster-Morton continued,
“As to your cousin, Mr. Massey—or Mr. Tuppenny, as I believe he prefers to be styled—His Majesty is pleased with him; His Lordship made it clear that it is entirely due to your cousin’s efforts that the rebellion in Armorica has been put down so promptly, and that the new Provençese troubles will not spread across the Abyss. Consequently, His Majesty has requested that your cousin to come to Yorke with his family.”
“What of Lord Winthrop, the previous governor?”
“His Majesty is eager to see him, as well, I do assure,” he answered, with a wry look. “Though Admiral Austen had not yet laid hands upon him at time of writing.”
“Very well,” I said. “Is there anything else I should know?”
And here Caster-Morton smiled broadly once again. “Mrs. Archer, I have no doubt that you and your husband will be called to the palace when your cousin is presented to His Majesty. His Lordship was insistent that you be given fair warning.”
“I should hope so!” I said.
It is not as if I have not been presented to His Majesty before; even though the old custom of presenting debutantes at court has fallen by the wayside, I was naturally introduced to him following the Battle of the Approaches. But it is different for ladies than it is for gentleman—once a gentleman possesses a suit of court apparel he is done. I still possess the gown in which I was presented—it is at Madrigal Place—but I could not possibly wear it to court a second time, for the fashions have changed.
Oh, I am all in a tizzy, Armand! Maximilian and I must be off to Yorke in the morning, to inform your mother and my dear mama and papa and to visit Mama’s dress maker.
I shall write to Jack directly; but please do pass along His Lordship’s words to him, should you have the opportunity!
Your much bestirred cousin,
Amelia
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Zymurgia House 