April 26th, 1891

To An Occulted Essayist, Perhaps,

I heard something quite intriguing about you recently. I do hope I am safe from finding myself a subject of your publications? It would be terribly irresponsible of you. Were you to tell all you know about me I believe the readers of Witch Weekly might be shocked into fainting spells, and who knows what harm might befall the young women if they were to go falling prone in the streets?

Surreptitiously Yours,
E. Selwyn

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@"Angelica Vorona" Hermia Bonaccord

  

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Lou made this! <3

26 April 1891

To A Man that Plays with Fire,

As irresponsible as provoking me were I truly the author? Is it the young women you fear for your own health? I do not believe you jealous of my Mr. Prewett, so what could you mean? Was I to share what I know with other witches, most would dismiss me as the Trojans ignored Kassandra. A few would seek you out to test the claims. Perhaps you are hoping I will write you a favorable review? Is wearing your gifts in public too subtle a tribute?

Never you fear, dear pirate. When acquainted with secrets, I keep them most near my heart.

Clandestantly or bluntly yours,
A. Vorona

  

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MJ made this miracle!

April 27th, 1891

To My Kassandra,

If it were irresponsible to provoke you I should find myself lost already, wouldn't I? Whatever you might say about our interactions to date I should hope you found them provocative. I have always been of the impression that the greater sin by far is to be boring, and I shall devote myself to avoiding that particular pitfall in hopes of steering clear of your literary ire.

On the subject of tribute, as you say, know that my pride does not depend on where you choose to wear my presents. Choose whatever jewelry you like, so long as you keep sending letters — I've come to so depend on them that any day you don't write seems dreadfully dull. I shall take you at your word that you value secrets as much as I do, but if you do perchance write under a pseudonym I might still think it work the risk to have some of your words for my own.

Greedily,
E. Selwyn

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   Angelica Selwyn

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28 April 1891

My Coveter,

You provoked me to great effect, as you are quite aware. I am confident you will avoid that particular sin, in fact, I can think of a few better suited to you.

A man without his worth dependant on the devotion of a woman? What a rare creature you are! I will be merciful and satisfy us both. I choose to wear your gifts, safe in the knowledge that no one knows our secret or how I thrill when you decorate me. I also choose to write you. The sight of your words, knowing they flow from your skillful fingers, interrupts the monotony of the day.

You seem rather interested in my words, sir. Was I to write gossip for the ton, which I will not claim, should I risk praising you publicly? Or do seek what I would save for you alone? You need only ask, and I will satisfy your curiosity.

Yours in secret,
A.

  

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MJ made this miracle!

April 29th, 1891

My Secret,

Were I dependent on the praises of women to sustain me it would have been a poor choice not to marry young, wouldn't it? Or perhaps not — perhaps there is more flattery to be had from women than there is from wives. I cannot pretend to experience with such things but my brothers' examples have not made the institution appear a harmonious one. But on the subject of harmonies — need I even answer your last question? Of course I want your words for myself alone; I am desperately jealous of every other task your fingers may be put to, while I sit pining for your letters.

with insatiable curiosity, I am afraid,
E. Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

30 April 1891

Insatiable,

On the contrary, you could have been wise enough to savor the praises of many while avoiding the jealousies and nonsense of young love. It's a powerful skill, perhaps you should be the professor and save the next generation of young irrationals.

It has been my experience that wives are, in fact, women, but I have seen examples of young spouses becoming harpies. It is a frightening transfiguration, but one that isn't difficult to avoid.

Oh, dear Mr. Selwyn, I know you flatter me. No one would believe you want all my words or that you would pine for my letters. Jealous and pining for me - I choose to believe that for a moment or two. I find I have words and actions reserved for you in excess; it is most inconvenient. I would much rather whisper my praise to you than surrender it to my pillows in your absence.

How you distract me,
A. Vorona

  

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MJ made this miracle!

May 1st, 1891

To a woman of certain experience and insight,

I must disillusion you lest you think I have had an easy time of it; jealousies and nonsense are the purview of all the young, in love or not. I doubt I could teach the youth of Hogwarts to avoid them any more than you could teach them to sprout wings and fly away (unless you've a hidden talent for transfiguration you've not revealed? If so I hope only the mundane kind, and not the one which transforms women into harpies after their wedding day. I've never been particularly fond of Quidditch.)

If you are keen on transfiguration, however, perhaps you can disguise me as your pillow for a night, that I may catch your words and keep you comfortable until the morning.

restless,
E. Selwyn

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   Angelica Selwyn

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1 May 1891

Hidden One,

Consider me disillusioned, if skeptical. I find it difficult to imagine you so lacking in control or reckless, but, perhaps, I remember something of those days myself. If my memory is correct, I do stand a far better chance at teaching flight than you do of changing Nature.

I have plenty of hidden talents, but no magic or marriage could possibly make me inflict Quidditch upon you. I wouldn't sentence you to such a fate.


Perhaps I am far more skilled than you realize. I disguise your hands on me whenever I wear your jewels. I see your hands in their place, feel you against my skin. Far more liberties than those granted my pillow.

Distracted,
A. Vorona

  

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MJ made this miracle!

May 4th, 1891

My Skillful Mistress,

All young men are reckless, for a time; I had the great fortune of being reckless abroad, so that my follies didn't follow me home. Perhaps you can understand a bit of that — having spent all that time in Russia and consequently become an enigma to English society.

E. Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

5 May 1891

My Reckless Master,

You think me an enigma? This is high praise from you.

You know I treasure your letters - though they are a poor substitute for the sound of your voice - but, perhaps, it is best if I make this confession in ink and parchment. I am ashamed to admit something so ridiculous, but I hope you can forgive my foolish feelings. I confess I am envious of your adventures.

We traveled often in my childhood and it left me too restless for a woman's lot, I suppose. I can only imagine what it must feel like to stand aboard your own ship with only the horizon for your boundaries. The stories you must have! Perhaps we propose a trade - your stories for my good will?

Yours,
A. Vorona

  

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MJ made this miracle!

May 6th, 1891

Restless Lady,

Witch Weekly has declared you an enigma, and who am I to argue? Particularly since they have so little trouble filling in gaps in knowledge with wild speculation; if they have given you up I can only assume your past is obscured indeed. I shouldn't try to untangle it, I don't think. What if I prove myself not up to the task?

On the subject of your proposed trade, however, I find myself quite put out — I had thought I already had your goodwill, without having to buy it with stories. Have I done something lately to lose your favor, dear lady?

Yours,
E. Selwyn

Postscript: Speaking of obscured pasts — is the invitation I received for a wine tasting this coming Sunday from any relation of yours? Corvo, I had heard, being your maiden name and too unusual a surname for me to suppose it merely coincidence.

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Lou made this! <3

6 May 1891

My Favored One,

You are far too clever a man to do much besides argue with such ridiculous busybodies. I wonder if they can tell the Prewett twins apart or if they singled out Felix based on profession alone. If Watchword and her conspirators think to expose any secrets of mine, I fear they have met their match. You are better suited to get to the heart of such things, but what fun would it be if I simply gave you the key to such puzzles?

My dear sir, you know the principles of trade better than most. Would it be prudent of me to offer you my favor indefinitely? That seems a rather foolish bargain, for what else could I offer for something as intimate as your stories?
But do not think of it in such inelegant terms. You renew my favor with every letter and every time I see your gifts. You are still safe in my esteem.


You have already solved a mystery, it seems. The invitation comes from my father. I am torn between cautioning and congratulating you. If you plan on attending, there are a few things you should know. But do I dare to tell you?

Yours,
The Corvo that flew the nest

  

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MJ made this miracle!

May 7th, 1891

M'lady,

That you seem to believe I would benefit from words of warning has me quite intrigued as to what to expect this weekend. I was under the impression from the invitation that this was merely a wine festival; have I actually been invited to some sort of ambush? Are the 'few things I should know' things Mr. Prewett is already privy to? I am too good a sportsman to request any unfair advantages over my competition — though I would be flattered to hear you had offered them. You do call me your favored one; perhaps you meant in the medieval sense that you intend to bestow your favor upon me before I enter into this unwitting joust over the weekend?

E. Selwyn

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Lou made this! <3

What she sent

7 May 1891

My Lord Selwyn,

Never fear, I anticipate the only true casualties this weekend will be an inordinate amount of wine and the Gringotts vaults of anyone fool enough to make purchases while in their cups. There are always a few that seem to stake their manhood on outlandish purchases. It seems a rather pathetic way to curry favor, but I hardly consult on the matter.

Do you think Mr. Prewett competition? Whatever could you hold in contention? I cannot begin to imagine...

In the spirit of your honorable sportsmanship, I will keep all thoughts on my father's ambitions to expand trade into the North Atlantic to myself. I am sure he wouldn't devise a scenario where he could measure his possible rivals against himself and his heir. Who would imagine such a scenario?

Take my favor, but do avoid jousting. Bloodshed at a Roman event is rather cliche. Perhaps, consider chess. Are you aware there is a single piece that outranks the Rook? 

Your guide

Enclosed is a small stick pin folded in a royal purple ascot. The ascot is scented with her favorite perfume of oriental spice, warm florals, amber, and cream. 


What she wrote

Never fear, I anticipate the only true casualties this weekend will be an inordinate amount of wine and the Gringotts vaults of anyone fool enough to make purchases while in their cups. There are always a few that seem to stake their manhood on outlandish purchases. It seems a rather pathetic way to curry favor, but I hardly consult on the matter.

Mr. Prewett is privy to many things.
I have already warned him away because of that Watchword hag.
There are several things you've been 'privy to' that he has not.
Jealous?

Do you think Mr. Prewett competition? Whomever Whatever could you hold in contention? I cannot begin to imagine...

In the spirit of your honorable sportsmanship, I will keep all thoughts on my father's ambitions to expand trade into the North Atlantic to myself. I am sure he wouldn't devise a scenario where he could measure his possible rivals against himself and his heir. Who would imagine such a scenario?

Take my favor, but do avoid jousting. Bloodshed at a Roman event is too cliche. Perhaps, consider chess. Are you aware there is a single piece that outranks the Rook? 


Your toy guide

  

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MJ made this miracle!

May 8th, 1891

My dear professor,

Whatever could I hold in contention? I believe you are more suited to answer the question than I am; you were the one Witch Weekly said was in close confidence with Mr. Prewett, not me. But Mr. Prewett will offer very little insight into the topic of sea trade in the North Atlantic, I am sure.

You do have me starting to wonder. If a man might be inclined to create events for the purpose of measuring up rivals ahead of a large shift (say, towards increased Atlantic trade), that is not so very far removed from sending a spy on reconnaissance for the same purpose. Have I been taken in when I ought to have had my guard up? Well, very well then; you've taken me in.

Most Sincerely,
The Rook to your Queen

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8 May 1891

My Clever Sir,

Then find assurance in my answer, my connection to Mr. Prewett is no threat to you in any sphere. And if a Prewett brother ever willingly nears the sea again, I renounce all claims to my intelligence. That domain is yours alone, my adventurer.

You suggest a clever ploy, but its success would require a spy loyal to their first master. The spy in question has always been too fond of her independence to play her part as required. I won't counsel you on defenses, for my own are often impenetrable, but, in this matter, I find myself vulnerable. Whatever tomorrow brings, you have already conquered.  

Sincerely,
Your captured queen

  

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MJ made this miracle!