March 8th, 1891

Mr. Lachlan MacFusty,

Which layer of the truth? I suspect my mother would be concerned no matter what I told her.

I've enclosed your handkerchief from last night. Thanks for the biscuits. Hope it isn't too lonesome — you do have the dragons to keep you company. Some of them are probably easier to get along with than the clients at Lytton's.

Juliana Binns

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— @"Verity Greengrass" —

  

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 13th, 1891

 

Dear Miss Juliana Binns,

I do hope you will forgive my writing to you without having formally made your acquaintance. After your recent feature in Witch Weekly and receiving such an intimate letter from you, I almost feel as though we're now close friends.

The truth, I've found, is often buried under layers, much like an onion. There's what is widely known: the mostly-pleasant words of Meredith Watchword, and then there's what's known by those involved: you, Mr. Lachlan MacFusty, Mrs. Finch, and now myself as well. (A quick aside, I do hope you'll write to him again. I'd hate for him to be lonely in the Hebrides. Dragons, at least, wouldn't be preferable to your company, I imagine he would protest.)  Miss Watchword and Mrs. Finch both appear to have loose lips when it comes to the truth, but mine are inclined to stay closed for the time being.

See, I find it very curious that Meredith Watchword has never appeared in Witch Weekly before now. The few details I've managed to find of you describe you as an oddity and an author. And, how strange was it that Miss Watchword seemed to focus on both an otherwise innocent girl and a well publicized scandal rather than the new scandal of your own activities with Mr. MacFusty. Peculiar, indeed.

I'll be in touch.

Miss I

A carefully torn corner of the handkerchief was sealed in the envelope as proof. Her handwriting has been charmed to look different than normal as well.

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   Ellory Lestrange

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set by mj

March 14th, 1891

Miss,

Were you in my position, I wager you would not be inclined to view Watchword's words as "mostly pleasant."

I might caution you against making too many assumptions with too little evidence; you are likely to find yourself in trouble if you step without looking, particularly given how cold and inhospitable the streets have proven this March.

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 16th, 1891

 

Dear Miss Juliana Binns,

Perhaps not. Although, I would wager that over-indulgent spinster is a few steps above immoral harlot, which is what Mrs. Finch would have the world believe.

I have no fear of the weather, nor of you. However, should you prove yourself unable to meet my request you might be wise to fear me.

I would like a custom gown designed by Mr. Lytton himself, and I require it before Easter. Should you fail to accomplish this I will send a copy of the letter on to Mrs. Finch for proof of her claims and a second copy to Witch Weekly for them to decipher as they please.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Miss I

  

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set by mj

March 16th, 1891

Miss,

It is evident that you know very little of fashion; custom gowns require customers. Not even Mr. Lytton could design a tailored dress through post, and certainly not in a week.

Do you think Mrs. Finch is generally considered more or less credible than Witch Weekly? It might be a toss up, at this point. And as an "over-indulgent spinster" I have very little to lose from either that has not been lost already.

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   Zenobia Zabini

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules

March 18th, 1891

 

Miss Juliana Binns,

You appear to think I'm joking. I can assure you I am not. Attached are my measurements and copies of the three letters I shall send should you fail to meet my request.

Miss I

March 18th, 1891

 

Dear Mrs. Finch,

I pray you will forgive the inconvenience of an unprompted letter, but I fear I could delay writing to you no longer.

The early March edition of Witch Weekly shined a most unfavorable light on you and your daughters, as I'm sure you are well aware. This light, I'd argue, was aimed most incorrectly as there can be no doubts as to the relations between Mr. MacFusty and Ms. Binns. You see, it was near midnight when I received incorrectly received a letter last week from the hussy herself. (I also hope you will forgive my crass language, but there can be no denying what she is.) I've attached the letter and the accompanying handkerchief for your review.

I hope you may use this to discredit the words of this Meredith Watchword. She seems to have the most awful vendetta against upstanding citizens of our Society.

Sincerely,
Miss I

March 18th, 1891

To Whom It May Concern,

While the scandalous tales of Meredith Watchword have been entertaining to read, I believe it is my duty to inform you she wrote a most inflammatory piece about the Finch family with ill intent. You see, Miss Binns' owl incorrectly delivered a letter to me at near midnight last week, and the intended recipient was none other than Mr. Lachlan MacFusty.

It is my belief that the Binns family is conspiring with this Meredith Watchword to discredit a perfectly upstanding citizen. Perhaps Mr. Zachariah Binns is the true Meredith Watchword. It isn't a far leap from bookshop owner to author, after all.

I've attached a copy of the letter for your review.

Sincerely,
Miss I

March 18th, 1891

Mr. MacFusty,

I always knew dragon tamers to be wild creatures, but I thought even wild creatures would have some reservations against ruining women. At least publicly, anyway. Your sister, Miss Tilda MacFusty, is still unwed, isn't she? I believe you and Miss Binns ought to practice your subtly if you intend to continue your despicable liasons.

Miss I

Attached is a carefully torn corner of his handkerchief and a copy of Julianna's initial letter.

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   Holly Scrimgeour, Juliana Ainsworth

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set by mj

March 19th, 1891

Miss,

I am sorry that you seem to have no one in your life who has ever loved or cared for you, that you apparently think so little of dragging my family into this imagined offense you have against me. I am sorry, too, that you are evidently too poor and wretched to simply book an appointment with Mr. Lytton on your own merits. Neither are my problem. Your grievance against me is an imagined one, your conclusions are ridiculous, and should you proceed, you will embarrass yourself.

Since you have never had the pleasure, let me enlighten you into the way high fashion works: Mr. Lytton meets with customers before designing a dress and selects the fabric, cut, and fashion quite specifically to meet their particular body type, coloring, and tastes. These measurements may serve you very well for a cut-penny tailor in some backwater borough but Mr. Lytton would never design a dress for a woman he has not met — and, again, he would not do it in a week. Nevermind that he going abroad on Friday.

If you really want this, you shall need an appointment, and for that I shall need your name.

You stand to gain nothing by sending your silly letters. The choice is yours.

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   Lachlan MacFusty

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Prof. Marlowe Forfang

Jules