I never like spring so well as when I am able to be out
amongst the growing things and with the best of company. This past Friday brought me the unbridled
joy of seeing my dear friend Ms. Bosworth and her dear fiancé arrive safely at
the plantation. I had spent my entire
day in fits of anxiety, fearing every hour brought a new set of dangers, and
that indeed something ill had befallen them.
Gladly, as the hour of five approached, my heart was set at ease in
spying their carriage from my bedroom window approach. I am amazed I did not do harm to myself as I
ran down the stairs in my haste to greet them; all the while calling through
the house “They have come! They have come! Ms. Bosworth is safely arrived!” I caused such a commotion I suspect nearly
every servant stopped what task they were conducting to observe what is
was. Mrs. Hegwood stepped from the
parlor and Mr. Hegwood from his study, each looking bewildered and perturbed at
my behavior. I gave not the time for
Nigel to execute his task of announcing them, for I was out of the door and to
their carriage before it could even stop rightly, calling to them and
projecting my well-wishing sentiments at the top of my voice. I confess my conduct in no way reflected the
state of my expensive and exhausted up-bringing.
 |
| Our picnic company |
However, at length, Ms. Bosworth and Mr. McCarty were
ushered inside and attended to with every care possible, taking advantage of a
well needed secure night’s sleep.
Saturday, I woke early, and paced about my room in my dressing gown, fitfully
un-braiding and re-braiding my hair, watching the sun lift itself over the
horizon. My nervous anticipation was
two-fold, for I so desired to be in company with Ms. Bosworth, but also after
what felt like an absence that was too long to be described, I was to see the
Doctor again. One would think that after
so many encounters, I would grow tired of the idea, but each time it was fresh.
 |
| Ms. Bosworth and Ms. Waterman |
Once the morning began in earnest, it was gone in an
instant, and we all managed to arrive at our picnic location in one piece with
little fuss and bother. I cannot say I
am too innocent in regards to fuss and bother; I of course, had a moment of
nothing being fit to wear in my entire wardrobe. Is that not always the way with us as women?
 |
| Ms. Stockton takes a turn |
The day progressed beautifully, the weather could not have
been any more pleasant, and all of my favorite people arrive. The Jacksons were there, Miss Jordan, Miss
Stockton, Miss Haskins, Mr. Ramsey, and of course the Doctor, myself, Miss Bosworth
and Mr. McCarty. All were in their best
looks, and after some light refreshments, Mr. Ramsey, the Doctor, and Mr.
McCarty found a suitable clearing for a relaxed game of Cricket. Miss Bosworth, myself, Miss Haskins and Miss
Stockton all went to watch them. The
gentlemen looked dashing as always, and scandalized us all in taking off their
coats, for ease of playing. They put on
a very good show of flexing and strutting, and at one point I believe the
Doctor began the great crack in our Cricket bat. After being bored of watching the gentlemen
show off, I demanded they give each of us ladies a turn. It was quite fun, and I did indeed hit the
ball hard enough to allow me a quick jaunt to the other wicket, though I got
arrogant and made an attempt to run back for a second point, in which Mr.
Ramsey and Mr. McCarty no longer wanted to play gently and struck me out. I was quite put out and made a show of it,
but all knew I had no ill sentiments about the entire thing. Miss Bosworth was our last to the bat, as
after her second hit the bat split completely in two! Mr. McCarty claims he can
repair it, and we all made great sport with Miss Bosworth, claiming she was a
lion!
 |
| "we most certainly were stuck" |
The rest of the afternoon consisted of many turns about the
beautiful grounds, exploring the stairways and indulging in long awaited for
conversations. Miss Bosworth and I found
ourselves in the most peculiar situations more than once; at one point we
climbed, very ill advisedly, atop a little stone bridge to see if the view was
any more attractive from there. We found
that is most certainly was not, and that we most certainly were stuck. Mr. McCarty was summoned to aide Miss
Bosworth down and since the Doctor felt (I can only suppose) that I was HIS
responsibility, came to aide me. He very
politely lifted me off of the bridge and looked at me with only a mild
disapproving look, though somewhere in it I was positive I sensed a smile.
Before I knew it, the sun dipped below the trees, and our
coaches were all brought ‘round and we each returned to our own homes, though
Mr. McCarty and Ms. Bosworth came back to our estate as they were not to depart
until Monday. We were all so exhausted
that we could only give Mr. and Mrs. Hegwood a brief but positive review of the
charming day we all enjoyed.
 |
| Ms. Bosworth and Mr. McCarty |
I never thought the departure of such a dear friend could
cause such an impact on me, but I have been so dejected since they have left. I have hardly been able to rally enough to
take any turns through our property, or to see the horses. I have spent much of my time in my room, or
pacing about the house like a ghost, lethargic and melancholy.
I never like spring so well as when I am able to be out
amongst the growing things and with the best of company. This past Friday brought me the unbridled
joy of seeing my dear friend Ms. Bosworth and her dear fiancé arrive safely at
the plantation. I had spent my entire
day in fits of anxiety, fearing every hour brought a new set of dangers, and
that indeed something ill had befallen them.
Gladly, as the hour of five approached, my heart was set at ease in
spying their carriage from my bedroom window approach. I am amazed I did not do harm to myself as I
ran down the stairs in my haste to greet them; all the while calling through
the house “They have come! They have come! Ms. Bosworth is safely arrived!” I caused such a commotion I suspect nearly
every servant stopped what task they were conducting to observe what is
was. Mrs. Hegwood stepped from the
parlor and Mr. Hegwood from his study, each looking bewildered and perturbed at
my behavior. I gave not the time for
Nigel to execute his task of announcing them, for I was out of the door and to
their carriage before it could even stop rightly, calling to them and
projecting my well-wishing sentiments at the top of my voice. I confess my conduct in no way reflected the
state of my expensive and exhausted up-bringing. 
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