Page 34 of Better Love Next Time
Julian,
Father Dunlevy lost consciousness upon his lamb chop at Easter Dinner. This on account of whisky in celebration of, not the resurrection, but my father’s gift of one hundred pounds for the cleric’s Efforts in Restoring the True Faith. My father sold my mother’s silver and Julian, he demanded I give him my mother’s wedding ring for his stupid ambitions.
I have never hated Jesus more.
Yours in Sacrilege,
Kitty
Berkshire, May 1, 1754
Dearest Heretical Fairy,
Enclosed is a goldsmith’s draft for sixty-one pounds, six shillings, which I won wearing a frown reflecting on your heart and how it must have broken when giving that fox-killing papist your mother’s ring.
How to make you smile has been the sole focus of my thoughts—when not bleeding Anthony Philips and his friends dry at cards and dice. From the fortune I send you, you can surmise their skill less than mine and their fathers’ allowances far greater.
One day we will be the owners of St. Clair Shipwrights. I will tell my father to shove his nobility up his arse, and you, you sweet and clever girl, will rule the world.
Yours in Revenge,
Julian
Notfelle, September 21, 1754
Dearest Julian,
I received your draft of forty-nine pounds and the news you will not be visiting us this fall. I hope Mr. Honeycutt’sdaughter’s bright eyes do not distract you from our purpose. I’ll admit I write to you in bed because I cannot get out of it, my heart so heavy at the image of you walking alone with a girl of six and ten, with a creamy complexion, golden-silk hair, and ripe, arousing cleavage.
My hair is still witch-black (my father tells me I will cover it when it comes time to find a husband), I gained five freckles courtesy of the summer spent Without Seeing Your Face Once, and my cleavage is as ripe as a plank you fix to your frame to make a ship’s hull.
Your uncle has lent me a book,The Prince, to assist with my economic studies and after three readings, I believe the brutes who abuse you might be rabbits compared to the author, Machiavelli. My summary: Crush your opponent by any means necessary. (Capital being the primary means.) Those crushed (more violent descriptions from your uncle like bleeding a man dry) will be quite insulted, but fear will keep them in line as people generally prefer breathing and eating. Focus your energies (capital) upon those who do not benefit from the old order to gain their support, and they will respect you. And, ever important, fear you. Terribly awkward but, per Machiavelli, effective.
And please don’t worry for your conscience, Julian. If you your aim is sound, how you achieve it has no bearing.
Yours in Justifying the Means,
Kitty
Southampton, October 2, 1754
Dearest Fairy of Thirteen,
Get out of bed please. Miss Honeycutt proved a bore. I am now on to Mrs. Smith, made a widow at eighteen by an unfortunate incident in bed, and I could not even report to you the color of her eyes, hair, or the number of freckles on her cheeks. In truth, her face does not matter. As prescribed by Machiavelli, I focus my energies on the parts from which we both derive benefit.
Thank you for the self-portrait. Kit Greville is now in love with you. I tried to explain that the likeness is vague but then only because you are prettier in person and so, gave up explaining lest he talk about you even more.
Included herein are the figures I copied from Honeycutt’s ledgers. Please review and with your infinite cleverness allow me your thoughts on gaining capital.
Yours in Bed,
Julian
Notfelle, October 10, 1754
Julian,
Exciting news! I learned from Mr. Faversham (he trades in wool, remember) who visited Notfelle this past week with Father Dunlevy that nearly every large business has partners: individuals who join together in an interest. For a portion of the profits (a percentage or share), one invests money into a venture and by two or more partners combining their funds, the business has more capital to purchase their materials and labor, finance their growth, and defend against those devils who wish to crush you. Your uncle William, himself with many partners, has confirmed this.
