Effie,

You should know me well enough to know that I would never skate on ice in public. It would be a recipe for my social demise, and my brother might kill me if I ruin my chances at marriage before my twentieth birthday.

I wish wedding planning was more exciting. Mr. Swann remains an enigma, and I can't help but feel cheated out of their love story. She didn't mention anything to me about him before their engagement. But all their engagement has done is increase the pressure on myself to find my own husband, which seems less and less likely every day. Do you think I'm marriageable? I have my doubts.

We ought to go together to the auction. I'm sure one of my brothers will go if I ask, but I want to spend time with you. Maybe we'll find a suitor there, or better yet, one for each of us.

Grace

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