19th January, 1890

Dear Miss Delaney,

I hope you will excuse my writing to you directly, when we are but newly acquainted; I hope you will also forgive me the presumption of offering my well-wishes to your brother in his recent marriage, when regretfully we have not yet met. Nonetheless, I read the announcement in the Daily Prophet and wanted to wish Mr. Delaney and his bride every happiness.

I confess I was not certain of whether you are presently in London or perhaps overseas, but whilst making enquiries for their dinner party next week, I heard it mentioned by Mr. and Mrs. F—, apparently mutual friends of ours, that as it happened they had also extended an invitation to you. I hope I am not mistaken in this? —and if indeed if I am not, might I ask whether you will be attending? I would be greatly obliged to see you again and to see you there, having found our previous encounters very pleasant.

Even, I will admit, the occasion with the boggart.

Regardless of your answer, I would be glad to hear from you. I hope you are well.

Yours sincerely,
Evander Darrow

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@"Caroline Delaney" (Sisse Thompsett)

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Thank Merlin for the Prophet article at all, that he had been able to affix “Caroline” to any particular identity. Of course, it all fit; how many Carolines were from Boston and residing in London, after all? But knowledge of who she was, with a little research, had been accompanied by the not entirely pleasant surprise of her brother’s identity - not just as a shipping merchant, but as a Mr. Delaney whose ship had once been deemed lost in the Atlantic, a tale which resembled his own brother’s a little too closely for comfort. In other circumstances, any notion of a family involved in shipping would be quite excuse enough to terminate all thought of furthering any friendships there, however... He had some kind of duty to Charity now, didn’t he? And perhaps Miss Delaney’s background had set them out to be kindred spirits, somehow. It had to be worth writing to her, seeing her again. Just... on the off chance.

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   Ophelia Devine

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January 20, 1890

Dear Mr. Darrow,

I was delighted to receive your letter yesterday and shall not hesitate to absolve you from any forwardness you have felt in doing so. Indeed, I admit I had rather begun to think you a figment of my imagination as I have not seen you at any of the events in town of late, I am gladdened to see this is not the case.

I shall of course, be happy to pass your well wishes to my brother. He will be very happy to have heard them, as I know he would be to also make your acquaintance. I suspect you would have a great many things to discuss together.

You are not mistaken in thinking that Mr. and Mrs. F - have also extended an invitation to me to dine with them this week. I have been looking forward to attending the evening, but I find my anticipation doubly so with this news. I too have found our past encounters pleasant and look forward to the opportunity to further make your acquaintance.

Please do not hesitate to write again as I do enjoy our exchanges. I hope this letter finds you well and that I have eased any discomfort you may have felt in writing to me.

Most Sincerely,
Caroline Delaney

  

21st January, 1890

Dear Miss Delaney,

Indeed, I could not have anticipated a finer reply; I am much obliged to you. I had hoped to see you again sooner, however my work at the Ministry keeps me wonderfu dreadfully busy, and unfortunately particularly so over the holidays, as the fun of the festivities do seem to tempt people into forgetting themselves - and the law!

I do hope you had an agreeable time of it, both with your family and the events in town? I cannot imagine that Mr. and Mrs. F—’s dinner, lovely as they are, will prove the richest jewel in the social scene, but I confess I have rarely looked forward to an occasion so earnestly.

As I should look forward to the opportunity to meet your brother on some other occasion; I am sure, if he shares anything in temperament from what I have seen of his sister, that he will prove perfectly charming.

Yours sincerely,
Evander Darrow

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January 22, 1890

Mr. Darrow,

While you have been missed in society, I suppose such actions can be forgiven for a post that sounds of the most important nature. Perhaps I might even forgive you for such a grievous absence if you were to explain the nature of your position so I might understand to the utmost degree what has occupied you these past few weeks and provide some solace from the stress it must have caused you.

London has hosted the most spectacular of balls this winter, however, there is something appealing in an intimate supper among friends. I have often found that it is the company that makes a party enjoyable rather than the event itself, however, splendid it may seem. Therefore, I feel as if I may confess to you that I too look forward to it immensely.

I hope you will not find my words to insoluent, it is only that I feel I might impart my true opinions on matters to you, as I hope you feel the same with me.

Most Sincerely,
Caroline Delaney

  

23rd January, 1890

Dear Miss Delaney,

I assure you I could not find anything uncivil or impertinent in your words; on the contrary, to hear any of your honest opinion is a privilege. Perhaps at the upcoming dinner you shall have opportunity to detail some of your further experience of the most spectacular balls I absented, and make me sorry for having missed them.

I should not call my work at all stressful, nor indeed the most senior position in the department, but it has served to keep me occupied for the best part of the last decade. The office I run is only one branch of Magical Law Enforcement, but deals directly with the Improper Use of Magic; and under that umbrella, all manner of jurisdiction as regards the Statute of Secrecy, the Reasonable Restriction of Underage Sorcery, and so forth. Breaches in the legal uses of magic, in short. It can be an unforgiving task, but it keeps the wizarding world running smoothly.

I should like to think I am not boring you, but if I am you must tell me so tomorrow evening, and I will endeavour to spare you the bureaucracy and indulge in more interesting matters. Forgive me if I have made you dread the company; I can at least promise there will be a fine selection of people there to entertain you, and thus I am sure the supper will be as satisfying as you say.

Yours sincerely,
Evander Darrow

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   Melody Crouch

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