Dear Responsible,
Responding to a letter in WW feels foolish but, perhaps in light of my own sense of responsibility I felt it appropriate at this time.

I am a woman of 21, with some property and income of my own such as I might never need be induced into marriage. And while my heart and affections could be prevailed upon to make a match truly of happenstance and the heart, it is not perhaps the type of match my parents would have made for me.

I know it was the intent of my father to make arrangements for my future life which did not occur on account of his untimely death shortly after my debut. As such, I feel it is incumbent upon myself now to make those arrangements. I am a woman of good reputation, and social to a degree that is right and proper for my age and station. I will admit that the debutante season holds little pleasure for me. I came up in school in Ravenclaw house which I should hope assures you of my ability to carry on an intelligent conversation.

We might be fully companionable together if the mood were to strike us.

Kind regards
Ms. Reputable

Dear R,
Indeed sir you are not mistaken, my mother pre-deceased my father by a number of years. I am sorry truly that your sister, and thusly yourself have also been in this unfortunate position. It is strange to think of oneself as an orphan despite being quite grown. Although I am sure your sister is glad to have had the comfort and company of a brothers affections. I had the misfortune of being the only surviving of my parents children. This has proven to be both a blessing and a curse for I am as financially secure as any lady need be, but I have no close kin.

By your description of your personality and habits, we might indeed be well suited for each others company. For my part, I take greater pleasure in intimate gatherings of friends than I do in large public balls, but attend such gatherings as I might be invited to attend, or where social obligation requires my participation. I consider myself to be socially adept, I believe I can conduct an intelligent conversation and with all expected social graces.

In truth I take the most personal pleasure in quieter habits, and quieter people. That is not to say that I am a recluse, but rather that an evening with friends and intimate company, talking or playing games is preferable to dancing or showy affairs. I consider myself to be a warm and affectionate person but one not suited to the type of showy passions that might make a match of affection at a ball or the like. I hope this does not read as too candid for it is a fine line in correspondence such as this in being honest and open...and being too much.

Warm Regards
Miss R.

Dear R

In that fact I am truly blessed, my time, for the most part is my own. My father left behind a prosperous business of which I take no part in its day to day management, leaving me to my own interests and pleasures – of which plants form a large portion. My green house and orangery form the principle centres of my days, there is little that compares to the sort of contemplative quiet that is found in an orangery.

For my part, I have been blessed with friends who may not be of a similar mind, but at least respect my inclinations even if they do not understand them, and will allow me to spend an evening in talk, rather than forced into dancing or other displays.

Although more friendships of a quieter nature are never to be spurned, and at the very least it appears as though we might make for a modest sort of friendship and if at an event in the future, you might call upon me to make for an ‘unshowy’ conversation if showy companions prove to be too much.

Regards
Miss R.

Dear R,
My family would want me to seek a companion in life.  I have the financial independence which might lead a woman in my position not to seek a life mate but I believe that the felicity of finding someone with whom I can share the intimacy of my life would bring me joy and I  believe  I could make someone else happy in turn. 

I am, as you rightly point out, blessed in many other areas of my life, save someone with whom to share my inner most thoughts.  I hope to be able to share every aspect of myself with another person, and be that person for another. 

What is your motivation for seeking to match your life with another's?

Sincerely
R

Dear R,
I understand, on both accounts, as an only daughter I remember my fathers disappointment in not having had a son of his own. The things that are a mans to teach to his children that, even though he loved me dearly, he could not have taught to me. It must be such a natural inclination for a man to want his name to carry on. The ancient greeks believed that once a man had both sons and grandsons he was truly immortal, so the feeling is one men have had since the beginning of time. And while I am sure the duties of uncle would be well filled by someone as considerate and contemplative as you seem the role of a parent is such a unique and special role. After all a child may have many uncles, or indeed aunts, but only one father and mother.

I would imagine that a man who has led his family through grief, and has been the families head for so long would be well practiced in the requirements of fatherhood. I would imagine that your siblings, even as they start their own families, will remember to whom they owe the stability and guidence that has allowed them to find their own happiness. Guiding others towards their happiness is a gift onto itself.
Kind Regards
Miss R.

Dear R
I believe sir, if I am not too bold to say, that your letters have revealed rather a deal about your personality, and while I might not know you if I were to pass you in the street I think I have the measure of your personality at least. You ought to give yourself a deal more credit than you seem to. You strike me as someone who is, perhaps, a little too hard on themselves.

If all you have told me is true then you have a great deal to be proud of.
Kind Regards
Miss R.