Letter arrived morning of Sept 17

September 16, 1889

Dearest cousin,

I wished to share my good fortune with you and given all that has transpired with our family I did not wish you to hear of this from someone other than myself, nor read of it in the paper. I have married Mr. Ace Lukeson, whom I am sure you are familiar with from social events. I hope you know that I did not do this to create a scandal. I did this because my conscious would not have permitted me to marry someone I did not love.

Know that I think of you fondly and wish all the best for you. I will always be here for you, but I think it better if I distance myself from you until the shock has worn off. I would hope that your own matches shall be as full of bliss and happiness as mine will surely be.

Fondly,
Lucille

Araminta Scrimgeour
Araminta Scrimgeour
Julius Scrimgeour

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

UNSENT:          

17th September, 1889

Cousin,

I pray to whatever deity will hear me that your recent letter was little more than an ill-conceived joke. I can scarcely believe that a young lady of your temperament and sensibility would make such a rash decision, nor that Mr. Lukeson would so besmirch your good name.

I await urgently your reassurances,
 

Julius

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   Ophelia Devine

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UNSENT:

         

17th September, 1889

Cousin,

Whatever has been done may still be undone if the vultures of society have not yet sunk their talons into it. I urge you to meet with me at once to discuss your predicament.

 

Julius

  

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17th September, 1889

Cousin,

Thrice I had to read your letter, so outlandish did it seem. It seems impossible to me that, with the sound upbringing I know that you received, your agreeable nature, and my own sister as an exemplar, you should make such a rash and, for want of a better term, extraordinary decision. I had hoped on first reading that your tidings were merely in jest, but I see now that it is not in your character to make such a jape though I did not think it in your character to elope, either.

I must implore you to consider the weight of your actions before spreading the news any further and before outwardly presenting yourself as a married woman. It is only too late to turn back when the social damage is done.

It is not only for your own good name—though you must know I would safeguard it as closely as my own—but that of the mother that raised you, the governess that instructed you, and those who call you a friend. Ours is not a kind society to those who have caused offence, and it is too easy to taint the reputations of those near and dear to you without it being at all your intent.

As a bachelor, I know that the legs upon which I stand on this matter are weak indeed, but please listen when I say that love is a romantic concept, an idealistic concept—but only a fleeting emotion. Please reconsider resting all your hopes upon something that may be lost to you in a matter of weeks or months, and leave you with a lifetime's regret. Mr. Lukeson is too young to provide to you the guidance and support a husband owes (I know this for I myself feel too young for such a weighty responsibility much of the time, and he is quite my junior). Love, even if it lasts, cannot sustain a marriage on such shaky footing.

Please, Cousin, think rationally whilst there is still time to salvage matters. Our family tree dwindles more and more with each passing year.

With concern and affection,
 

Julius

  

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17th September, 1889

Lucille,

As much as I would like to support and congratulate you on your union, I just can’t.  You are rushing too quickly into this, my dear. You might have felt pressured with your sudden engagement with Mr. Lécuyer (Believe me, I'm just as surprised as you are) but I am warning you that you have placed yourself in a life time of trouble. Our parents have always reminded us that marriage is not a game. I've heard far too many whispers of hasty unions turning sour. I do not want yours to be one of them.

How sure are you that Mr. Lukeson’s feelings are won’t be a short-lived passion? While I haven’t been as active in social events as I’d like to be, I am aware that you two have only just been seen together recently. And If he really does love you he should not dare to tarnish your name. You deserve someone with higher standard and a more mature mindset. I do not think he can provide you with the life you deserve.

Please cousin, think and reconsider. I know you to be far more sensible than this. I do not want you to regret this decision of yours when it is already too late and end up hurt in the process. Understand that I only care for your happiness.

Affectionately your cousin,
Araminta

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   Aldous Crouch

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- She is the identical twin of Bella Scrimgeour. Your character might mistake her for her twin -

September 19, 1889

Dear Julius,

I truly understand your concerns. Had their been another way I would have taken it. But I’m afraid the time for implorations has past. I could not live in a life where it was all a lie. You know as well as myself the loveless marriages of our society. You know where the end lies for me in a match of that nature. I did only what I must.

You needn’t worry for the support and care which Mr. Lukeson shall provide me, I assure you that he shall be as doting a husband as one a decade older than himself. Our love is not fickle as you would have me believe, but stronger than the bonds made of an arrangement between outsiders. I only hope that in time you come to find someone you hold to such a high regard that you understand the very notion of love which you scorn.

Sincerely,

Lucille

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

September 19, 1889

Dear Araminta,

I appreciate your concerns, truly I do. But I shall not be swayed from my actions. Mr. Lukeson and I are aware of the storm that we may weather, but we are prepared to do it. Our love is not fleeting, although your concern is reasonable. We have known each other since our school days and the foundation of our love is built on a friendship not as recent as society would have you believe. I assure you that the only thing I would have come to regret is if I had not taken the measures I had to ensure my happiness. Know that I could not have proceeded with a marriage that held no love and only a cold distance for me. You of all people have been privy to such a marriage and I would find myself in such a situation. Mr. Lukeson shall provide me with that happiness as I assure you our love is not a short lived passion, as you worry.

My dearest hope for you cousin, is that you might find yourself in a match so equal to yourself that you may only see happiness in your future. When you do you shall know what has brought me to act in such a manner.

Fondly,

Lucille

  

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Thank you MJ for an amazingly Lucy set!

         

21st September, 1889

Cousin,

I wish that I could share your confidence, your faith in this Mr. Lukeson. For now, I can offer you only my sincerest wishes that you do not come to regret your rashness, and a reminder that I remain here for you should you need me. Perhaps, when things have settled, I might properly meet your new husband, but for the time being, I hope you will understand that it is not in anyone's best interests that I do so.

With concern and affection,
 

Julius

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   Ophelia Devine

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