28th February, 1891

My shining Ruby,

I hope this letter finds you well and that you are finding your studies both stimulating and enjoyable.

I am rather embarrassed to have not to communicated with you sooner on this matter; please forgive me for keeping you out of the loop, as it were. As you know, your dear Papa is a poor substitute for a proper mother figure. To that end, I entrusted your aunt with a mission that I hold very dear indeed: seeing you properly attired for your upcoming debut.

While I know—do not worry—that you do not wish the life of a debutante in the conventional sense, I confess that to see none of my girls make their entrance into the Great Hall is a notion that pains me more than I would have expected. While it is important to me (and may well be to you, in the years to come), I am quite aware of my ignorance on the finer details—to that end, I had hoped Evelyn might prove a boon.

You have told her that you are busy for the upcoming Hogsmeade weekend and that is your prerogative. I only hope that you will find time to visit the modiste with her sooner than later and put a poor father's concerns to rest.

With love,
Papa

— Ruby Urquart —

  

---

— mj makes pretty things! —

1st of March, 1891

Dearest Papa,

I suppose it was you who asked her to reach out to me.

The truth is, I would rather not go to the modiste with Aunt Evelyn. I wouldn’t have minded, if her daughter isn’t set to come out at the same time as me. Surely, my aunt couldn’t spend all of Easter weekend tending to my matters and leave her own daughter to her own devices, nor am I asking her to.

However, I do not wish to be taken to fashion houses along with Cousin Demelza, who has turned her back on our family after her mother’s mistake.

If finding the right dress is what worries you, I could take care of it with Delight? I have an eye for fashion, I would say. I have been altering Delight’s hand me downs for years and Witch Weekly hasn’t mentioned me in an article on fashion disasters.


Yours,

Ruby

  

---

set by MJ

28th February, 1891

My shining Ruby,

You may have an eye for fashion (as you do for many things!), but you must concede that your aunt knows what is proper more than either you or your sister. Further, society does not deem Delight a suitable chaperone, however favourably I myself might look upon her in such a role. There is a way that these things are done, my gem, and we must first play by the rules in order to change them.

I understand your hesitations regarding your cousin. I would, of course, urge you to take the high road, to offer forgiveness to one inexperienced in the ways of the world, but I know that you will do so in your own time with or without such urging. Instead, I simply remind you that your aunt has been nothing but supportive of our family and that we are stronger when surrounded by those who love us.

With love,
Papa

— Ruby Urquart —

  

---

— mj makes pretty things! —

1st of March, 1891

Dearest Papa,

Alright. I suppose that there won’t be a worse punishment for my cousin than her having to share Aunt Evelyn with me for her Season.


Yours,

Ruby

  

---

set by MJ