We attended the opera last night. I very much enjoyed the singing, but was so glad my uncle had procured us a box. I do not think the gentlemen in the stalls were attending properly during the arias. I did not mention this to my aunt because I have now been in Town nearly a week, and I am learning things. Gentlemen, when together and without ladies present, are inclined to drink rather too much. James looked very ‘unwell’ yesterday, and his mama was not at all sympathetic. I was at first shocked, since I thought she would be most concerned, but she simply told me that his disorder was self-inflicted, and that we should ignore it, and indeed him, for the rest of the day.

I have had fittings for new gowns, and my hair has been cut and is being dressed differently, so I do not think you would recognise me at first glance. I am definitely not a ‘schoolroom miss’ any more, and you will have to treat me like a real lady when next we meet, or at least try to do so.

Has Dido come to The Court yet? I do so hope Papa likes her, and that you are looking after Papa too.

Yours always,
Henry

At least she still signed herself that, he thought. He had always called her ‘Henry’. The trouble was he was realising why, and that was because it kept up the lie that she was not actually a girl, just ‘Henry’. He had known it for a lie these two years past, increasingly so, but had kept up the pretence to himself. At the same time, because he was the only person who used the name, it implied their closeness, and special bond. Now she was gone, and he was faced with the harsh truth that when she came back it might be only briefly, and as a prelude to becoming another man’s wife. ‘Yours always’ would be meaningless then. He sent his reply to catch the mail coach from Ludlow.

My dear Henry,

Or is that appellation unsuited to your new ‘grown-up’ status? I was not sure that you would have believed me if I had told you how tiring the capital can be. I do not think you feeble for taking a rest in the afternoons, and indeed would advocate that you do so, so that the pace may not tell upon your constitution. I recall some young ladies looking positively wan by the time they were presented at court.