My dear cousin,

Your letter was a gift! Thank you for every word, every stroke of the pen you send! Hopefully this letter will reach you soon as I hear of terrible roads to and from my new home. Just this week the freeze interrupted a scientific endeavor of the most ambitious sort.

Father has sent me ahead to prepare a home for us. He has chosen a building overlooking the docks of the Ville d'Aquitaine. (Henceforth, please direct all correspondence to number 4, Cascades Quai, Aquitaine Coeur Nord.) The apartment sits over a clean, little shop leading to the docks, and it is full of light and warmth. I've already potted the red daisies you sent in the window box. (Wherever did you find something so exotic!?) Hopefully they will welcome passers-by into our new cafe. Everything from the old coffeehouse is boxed up and all I want to do is unpack it exactly as we had it settled before (though sometimes I think I could do without Father's politico friends for a moment, especially that Marat).

The boxes were not yet unpacked when the Duc de Provence arrived to complete the papers for our residence. He was a most gracious host and I no longer am afraid for Father to be away while in such a hospitable country. He is set to return shortly and we will set up our little business again.

Please tell me of all the news back home! I miss you terribly and know we will be together again soon.

Yours always,

JW