A History

30 day writing challenge: day 1

Day 1 —Select a book at random in the room. Find a novel or short story, copy down the last sentence and use this line as the first line of your new story.

To begin perfect happiness at the respective ages of twenty-six and eighteen, is to do pretty well; and professing myself moreover convinced, that the General’s unjust interference, so far from being really injurious to their felicity, was perhaps rather conducive to it, by improving their knowledge of each other, and adding strength to their attachment, I leave it to be settled by whomsoever it may concern, whether the tendency of this work be altogether to recommend parental tyranny, or reward filial disobedience. Further more I must ask that this letter not be shared with many, or at least, only those already in your confidence on this subject. I hope you do not think I am to hasty in disclosing the proceeding information to you, but I thought it your place to know how the matter stands between your brother and his mother-in-law, I do not intend to cause you any confusion or difficulty with this information, but only help you make the best decision on how you should preceed in regards to the the future happiness of, not only your family, but that of Henry and Catherine. It is not up to me to suggest you renew the friendship which once stood so strongly between you two boys, but I would suggest that he is very lonely, so very lonely! And the desire for male companionship exceeds any past wrong doings or misunderstanding between you two. In this respect I think it wise to, at least consider– renewing the aquintance, if not the closeness the two of you once possessed. But, I have said enough in the matter and must let you come to your own conclusions.

With much love and affection,

Your dear Uncle Cece  

Lily tossed the letter aside, it fluttered to the floor and their was the sound of a muted thud that only the lightness of paper could make. What was his uncle on about, as if he’d ever speak to Cathy again. The boy, silly fool, had gone off and married above his station, so very high above his station! How shocking it was to their poor father and mother! How disappointed they were in not being invited to the wedding! And now his Uncle had the audacity to suggest he, his! Renew the acquaintance. He would write his uncle immediately and let his know his thoughts on the matter. Lily removed himself from the low couch, scooping up the letter in one swift reach before heading to the writing table on the far side of the room next to a large bay window.

Dear Uncle,

He begin to write, pausing every couple of lines to make sure his anger was not confusing his meaning.

I have no intention, nay, and never did have any– of renewing any sort of friendship or acquaintance with anyone of the name Catherine. Nor will I ever acknowledge that such a person ever existed as my brother. I know you will find this hard to bare and you will not, nor cannot understand my reasons for so harsh a rejection of one who once was dearer to me than my own babe, but it must be this way for I cannot bare to be in the vile boys presence, no, not after how he has treated my dear papa and mama. The grievances which he has laid upon them are to great for me to stand by and not feel their painful misery. You must think I am dramatic, but alas! If you had seen them in those first days after the elopement you would not say so, you too would disown a son, brother dearer to you than– Oh! but I cannot go on! The memories the name Catherine raise are too great for my heart to bare and my hand to write! I am sorrowful that it cannot be undone and all be right in the world, but as my good father reminds me ‘Cathy has made his choice, he has chosen the young woman and wealth over his poor dear family, and though he may regret the choice one day when he is old and bitter and left with nothing, he imagines himself in love and there is really no way to talk one out of being in love’. So their you have it my dear uncle, none of this household, no, nor this family will be prevailed upon to accept a relation so near that must be no more! If the slight were not so great and he were not married so much higher than my poor dear father something might be done, but as things are their is no way to fix his error and I would kindly as you to let the subject rest as it gives my father great pain– as well as myself– great pain and he has already spent too much time abed this long month. 

Your grateful and unmoving nephew,

Lily Mason

Lily left the letter to dry on the desk and went to the kitchen to see that dinner was coming along well. “Maggie how are the meat pies coming along?” The thin little cook jumped in surprise and almost dropped the pie he was about to bake. 

“Oh! Mistress! I did not hear you come in. The Master arrived when you were letter writin’ she’s gone up to get dressed supper and said I ought to let you know.” 

“Thank you Maggie,” Lily hurried out of the room to find Thomas. He entered the sitting room just as she was picking up his letter and scan it, pausing in the door way he could clearly seen the concern on her sunlit face. She seemed to sense she was being watched and looked up at him. 

“Really, Lily, your own brother? Your not going to see your own brother? I feel ashamed to be your wife, and a man of goddess too! This is unacceptable. You will write your uncle immediately and let his know that you will renew the acquaintance with your dear, beloved Cathy and his amiable wife Ma’am Henry Winterfellow and have them round for dinner at the soonest possible occasion. And we will invite your parents. Understood?”

“Yes, Master, sorry master.” 

“Very good. Now how is dinner getting along?”