1784, 1 September

Rocca Sorrentina, Italy

My Most Beloved Friend, Susan,

Thank you for your letter of 15 July. I had begun to wonder if you had forsaken me. Of course, I understand how very much in demand is your attention. I can only imagine that husbands and children take a great deal of time and effort. You must be positively frazzled by your busy household. Of course, it cannot be yet as feverishly busy as the home in which we were raised. I do hope you will be able to avoid the birthing bed for the next several years. Our own dear mother might have lived years longer and spared us the horror of our second Mama if only there had been a few fewer of us Burney whelps.

Speaking of our second Mama, I hear from Hetty that she is on a rumble again, something about Sarah's new teacher not teaching her how to behave as a lady ought. I do wonder why she believes that is the fault of the poor teacher when our dear half-sister is so indulged. (Truth be told the girl is still young enough that a little wildness is to be expected, even encouraged. There will be time enough for proper behavior later. I think so long as the girl appears clothed before guests and does not take the King's name in vain, she is behaving appropriately as her age allows.)

I am writing this letter in the wee hours of an Italian morning. I have just come back to my rooms after the most wonderful celebration held here at the villa! It was to commemorate the end of summer, though so far as I know there are still a few precious weeks of this season to be enjoyed. The celebration involved much good Italian food and rollicking dances.

I had the pleasure of dancing the chaconne with a visitor from our own homeland, one Mr. Heximer Thane. Perhaps it was the fine Italian wine that gave me the courage to accept his invitation. Of course, it was also the opportunity of speaking English with one who has spoken it from birth. I do sometimes so much miss hearing our mother tongue unmangled by foreign voices (though I suppose here it is I who am the foreigner). The evening was full of good conversation and much frivolity. It even ended with fireworks!

You will be happy to know I am writing daily here and making some good progress with the drama. I am not as convinced as Daddy Crisp that I am up to this commission, but will certainly do my best and promise that when the play is done, you will be among the first to read it! When you do, I hope you will hold nothing back. Not wanting to make a fool of myself, it will be better to hear the truth from a beloved sister than false praise from one hundred others.

Our most lovely friend, Lorsagne DeSade, is now in France. She went on business of various types. I miss her terribly here at Rocca Sorrentina and hope she returns in the near future. She is doing a bit of business for me while she is there as well, looking into the background of one M. Lt. Henri Badeau.

As you know, I met that most beautiful of men when he came to visit your beloved Molesworth, the most wonderful brother-in-law a sister could ask for. He has corresponded with me almost weekly since the day we met and I am always happy to hear from him. I was also very happy to see him in Marseilles last month when I visited father there. As you already know I am sure, Father met him and it was not a complete disaster.

Unfortunately, The liutenant's work often requires him to be out of touch for weeks on end, during which I imagine all sorts of horrible calamities. Of course my recent experience with G.C. has caused me to trust my own instincts not at all. So, although I believe Henri's intentions to be honorable, I have asked Lorsagne to obtain some confirmation of this. I do so hope that when I hear from her, she has only good news to impart!

And speaking of G.C., I wonder if you have seen him recently. Probably not, seeing as how he is not likely to leave the social track in London long enough to call on a young mother and her family. I will never understand how I could have so misinterpreted his meanings. To tell you the complete truth, Susannah, I still hold out hope there. I hear that he will be making the tour after Christmas and wonder if I might see him here in Italy. Yes, I know how silly a girl I still am, in spite of my advanced years. If you hear that he will be headed to this glorious land while I am still in residence here, please, please write of this news immediately. If ever information requires immediate post, it will be that!

And now I shall do the sensible thing and head to my bed a few hours before the sunrise. I do so miss you, my beloved, Susan. Write to me soon and kiss your little ones for their Aunt Fanny.

Your Most Devoted Sister,

Fanny