June 6th, 1890

Mother,

There are two Lestrange weddings this month, both between cousins, and I am at a loss as to what to wear.

She (Calliope) is going to the ceremonies with father, but B and I have (predictably) only been invited to the receptions. Do you have any suggestions? The first party: at the Abercrombie estate in Southampton, we have been told to prepare for a ball. The second: at the Lestrange estate (that ominous place) and starting with a garden party; we shall return later for a ball, so I suspect that two outfits will be required. Do you have any suggestions?

Anyways; I am not hosting anything this month myself, or have not planned to yet. Our horrible cousins are coming, and so I suspect I will host something towards the end of the month or in early July to properly welcome the creatures, but I have not gotten around to organizing yet. You know that I cannot leave it up to her - she will never execute well, and it would not do for the family to be a laughing-stock. I am taking suggestions, here.

Fondly,
C

  

9th June, 1890

Millybear,

I am very proud to know you've been invited to not one but two prominent weddings! They are the talk of the town even in my little corner of Bartonburg.

You know how much I would love to see you in a brilliant red gown, but brows would be raised. Do wear some taffeta, my darling, with your figure it makes you look so angelic. Perhaps pale blue for the garden party, especially if the weather is expected to be clement. As there are two wedding balls you must of course be allowed two new gowns by your father. Lytton's must be delighted by the Lestrange family's nuptial ambitions of late!

For your cousins, I hope you will arrange whatever makes you and your sisters happiest. Perhaps take the girls for some landscape painting on the moors. You are a most marvellous artist.

With all my love,
Mother

  

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