Delivered several hours after This interaction

25 June 1891

My Dearest, Caro,

Please allow the level of my current mortification to reinforce my earlier apology. I wished to surprise you, but an ambush was not my intention (I would rather you desire my presence; not fear it).

Of course, as you suggested, I wish to see you. You've challenged my obviously superior jewelry collection and I am honor-bound to correct you. Perhaps you should inquire after my secrets and learn something new? There is so much I can teach you, my pirate.

Your adoring, and slightly impulsive,
Angelica

  

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MJ made this miracle!

June 26, 1891

My darling,

It pains me to imagine you mortified by any memory in which I am involved, when I have taken such care to provoke and nurture other sensations in you. Let us put the conversation yesterday far from both of our minds in favor of more pleasant things, and not speak of it again. In that vein while I am eager to see you as well, our next meeting will require some other premise beyond comparing jewelry.

What to say to this suggestion that I pursue your secrets? I can assure you that I shall happily devour any tidbit of yourself which you choose willingly to share with me, but if you expect an assault for the purpose of uncovering it I must defer. Secrets, after all, are not created by chance — at least not where a discerning and intelligent woman such as yourself is concerned — and I would not have you think I wished to wrest from your grip anything you had not intended to part with. It has occurred to me as well that you may think, after yesterday, that I am owed some show of vulnerability in order to reestablish trust or earn my forgiveness. If this was your thought, disabuse yourself of it immediately. It is distasteful for my pen even to write the words; I hold no such sentiments of reciprocation and want nothing from you except your continued good will and (whenever possible) your company.

yours,
E. Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

26 July 1891

Dearest,

I begin by asking your patience as you read. I am struggling to find the words that best convey what I have failed to demonstrate in your presence. Perhaps the flood of words will be navigable on the page.

You have been a careful shepherd of my senses and most trusted guide of pleasure. It is a trick of affection that makes me fear your discomfort; nothing more. It is against my nature to leave matters unresolved, but I will trust you in this and consider it forgotten.


I resent the trappings of Society that require any premise for our meeting. Between ourselves, let will suffice. You are king of your desires as I am queen to mine. Meet me because you wish it so. If we must bow to convention, I believe there are a few blessedly quiet moments before the next social obligation. As you are a relation to my next public commitment, I will refrain from asking your part in such an affair (In truth, the plethora of pink roses that assaulted me upon receiving the invitation tells me your eye for detail was not consulted).


I owe you no more than my earlier apology, but what I give is my prerogative. I will give you this secret first: I do not play at vulnerability with you. You are dangerous, and yet, I forsake my own defenses. That, my Dear, is the depth of my adoration. You could ruin me with a word, my name and honor in your hands, and I give them freely. That is my trust in you. You are not the sort that takes by force or exploits his advantage, nor do I believe you feel so entitled. My discernment, and its lessons, were hard-won; if I had any doubt, you would be a stranger still.

My good will is yours and my company as well. I wish to see you, but there is a condition: do not clip your wings. I will not smother you or demand every waking moment - we are both too independent for such things - but think of me, in my absence. Think of how I adore you.

Yours sincerely,
Angelica

  

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MJ made this miracle!

June 26, 1891

My heart,

For a lady of your intellect and wit I should never use the word 'foolish' lightly, but can there be any other word for your exhortation that I think of you when you are away? As if I could do anything else. As if my thoughts must be commanded towards you, and do not drift there of their own volition during every hour of every day.

But enough of how I feel when you are away. As you've written, between ourselves let will suffice, and I will see you whenever we can find a spare moment. I imagine from your mention of rose-filled invitations that your social calendar this week looks much the same as mine — when can I see you?

yours, adoringly,
Emrys Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

27 July 1891

Cuore Mio,

I hardly recognize myself when I write this, though I know the beat of my heart and the pulse of my thoughts; I would rather be your fool than esteemed wise in silence. Were you to doubt the depths of my adoration, the power you wield in my thoughts both waking and sleeping, I would be a fool indeed.

I will be thoroughly tested when I see you next. I will see you Wednesday, I cannot keep my eyes from seeking you across the room, but the roles we play and our own discretion will keep me firmly out of reach. My heart aches prematurely, knowing I will be kept from your side, the place I most long to be. If family felicitations spare you, find me Wednesday evening. Do not deprive me of your company longer if it in your power.

Yours, irrevocably,
Angelica

  

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MJ made this miracle!

Sent mid-afternoon

June 30, 1891

My lady,

I was looking forward to seeing you tonight but now I fear my mood is too poor to make the evening particularly enjoyable for either of us. It is absolutely beyond my power to deny you should you still wish to see me, but if I don't hear from you before this evening I should prefer to postpone our rendezvous until this weekend.

yours,
E. Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

Sent late afternoon

30 June 1891

My dearest,

I always wish to see you, but I will not tax you. If company would ease you, simply say the word and I will join you. My floo is also open, should you change your mind. I wish only for your comfort and, if I cannot be found in my presence, I hope you find it without delay.

Your Angelica

  

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MJ made this miracle!

July 3rd, 1891

My darling,

I've been a bear. Forgive me, and tell me when I can see you next.

E

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Enclosed: garnet & silver earrings

  

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Lou made this! <3

3 July 1891

My unpredictable bear,

I was beginning to fear the worst, that somehow my concern for your wellbeing drove you from me. Then, I am driven to contrition with the arrival of your gift. So passionate and perfect a stone evokes my earliest memories of you. Perhaps we should see if the gift matches the gown of memory. Your exquisite eye for detail would be most helpful.

Come seek your forgiveness and receive my gratitude tomorrow.

A. V.

  

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MJ made this miracle!