15 June 1893

Dearest Penny —

I’m writing to let you know I’ve arrived safely in Tuscany where I’m to be staying for the next week or so. Frankly, I’d much prefer boat or train to carriage. They jolt dreadfully and I don’t think I’d fancy taking a long carriage ride again. At least on ships you can get some fresh air! But enough about that, I imagine you’re already skipping ahead of this.

I’m sure you’re curious to know how the meeting went with the elusive Cecilia Shaw. I’m happy to say that she’s quite a delightful woman so far. I’m still waiting for someone to pinch me to let me know this is a dream, but I’m also too afraid I might actually wake up. The countryside is absolutely gorgeous here; I’ve included some watercolors I’ve already made of the vineyard from my room. It’s rained a lot, which is surprising, but even more surprising is that cousin Cecilia - Celia, she insists on being called - loves the rain about as much as I do. Her only dismay was the first day when I came back from my walk and I left a puddle the size of the black lake outside on the doorstep.

As for the more legal matters, my cousin was far from begrudging me my inheritance when the time came for it. She assured me that she had enough of a nest egg from her late husband that giving me twice as much wouldn't be enough to put a dent in her savings. I’m not entirely sure what effect that was supposed to have on me; I simply don’t have the head for those kinds of numbers, but it made me feel better at the very least that I wasn’t about to steal away a widow’s rightful inheritance.

Before I leave you, I think you ought to know (perhaps you already know) that Elias is aware of, well everything. I think you can already guess the outcome. There's nothing more to say to that, other than I hope what happened between him and I won't color our friendship poorly, as I value yours so much. However please know that you are welcome to drop my paintings off at the gallery should you wish to rid yourself of them. I promise I will understand and until I know otherwise, I shall remain

your companion in friendship and melancholy —
Irene

Penelope Fawcett

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   Alice Dawson

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5 July 1893

Dear Elias —

You must know that

I hope this letter finds you

I’ve written this letter so many times, I’m afraid I may have to buy a new quill.

I can’t know if it’ll be an unwelcome surprise to hear from me, or a relief. Either way I hope this finds you well. I’ve been in Tuscany for a few weeks so far and I must say its a far more beautiful countryside than I thought I’d ever be fortunate enough to witness. I wish I could show it to you. I’ve sent Penny a few drawings, feel free to ask her to show them to you if you wish. I don’t want to put anything on you that you might feel uncomfortable with.

Of course, I say that with the knowledge that what I’m about to write next might very well be more uncomfortable for you than some measly watercolor sketches.

My feelings have remained unchanged since we last spoke. Please don’t fret — I know yours have not changed either. I only hope to articulate myself better in the hopes it will help us both move onto wherever we will go. I must remain selfish and ask of you to read this completely, then you may do with it whatever you wish.

Despite my reservations, being closed off to everyone after Colin, I never kept anything from you except what was revealed to you in my last letter. In the entire hurricane that has been my life, in the past few years there has been one thing — one person that stayed constant. Everything went away, every trouble, every worry. Elias you made me remember who I was before that heartbreak. Before Colin. There’s nothing that could erase the blight of all that, and yet somehow you seemed to come quite close. I can only thank you for that.

And because you saw who I was after Colin, then you know I will find my way back as I have always done. Please don’t feel as if you’ve signed my death sentence, Elias. I am not the Lady of Shalott cursed for eternity; I refuse to be.

I simply love you and you love someone else. Love is not something that can be forced on anyone. It’s not a blank canvas I can paint on my own or breathe life into. Love means giving someone the power to hurt you and I will never regret giving you that. It did lift my spirits at times when I allowed myself to dream, and I thank you for that. I know you care for me all the same - and that will do. My departure was turbulent for the both of us, but I know once I am far away from this, I will be quite glad that it happened. I will be glad knowing that I left Hogsmeade with all my feelings laid bare and nothing else to hide.

That was quite a lot. I’m afraid my quill has already started to dull and my palms are sweaty – a rare occurrence!

So I’ll leave you with this, and then you may do with this letter what you wish: I wish the very best happiness for you.

Be well Elias, and such good luck!
Irene

Elias Grimstone

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   Alice Dawson, Elias Grimstone

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10 July 1893

Monsieur Remy—

J’espère que vous allez bien. Please forgive me, as that is the extent of my French, unless we were to discuss École de Fontainebleau again! Even then, I wouldn’t have any hope in the world going up against a native speaker. I wanted to thank you for those kind words you were so generous to give yesterday. And I do hope that your coat didn’t suffer too much at the hands of my clumsiness! I still maintain that I didn’t see that tree branch - it simply materialized out of no where.

Magic or not, I hope your ribs are in tact. Mine were healed in a pinch, but I didn’t hear the end of it from Cousin Celia for a good day or so after. I don’t think she’ll let me out on the grounds again, but she sends her best wishes and asked me to pass on this tartes aux pommes that her cook made. Please forgive the frayed edges of the cloth - Bear got to it, but I pulled him away before there was any real damage.

Speaking of whom, I can hear him scratching at the door now. After I found him chewing on the cloth, I banished him from the room to finish this letter. Now he is howling as if I've just taken away his firstborn. I better go tend to him before he damages Cousin Celia's door any further.

I look forward to our next meeting on Wednesday. Until then, I remain

your well-recovered friend –
Irene Crawley

  

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