30December 1784

Rocca Sorrentina

My love returned Christmas Eve, tired and in great need of rest, a bath, and sustenance, not in that order. We attended mass togetherand it was all I could do to stop from blurting out my great newsduring the walk home. Realizing Gabriel needed rest beforebeing asked to dealwith this unexpected excitement, I held my tongue. It was Christmas afternoon before I shared with him the happy announcement. I was very pleased to find that the news was indeed received as happy. Neither Gabriel nor I anticipated becoming parents at this stage in life. For several years, I have believed myself to be beyond any age where pregnancy was likely. Of course,married tohis nibs, there was not much opportunity for testing the theory. Gabriel is a very different spouse indeed and here we are, not even one year married, and expecting to be parents by the time we celebrate our first anniversary. Gabriel has already started referring to himself as Papa.

Mr. and Mrs. Piozzi share a happy moment alone.

24 December, 1782

Haven, France

Dearest Father,

There is not time for me to write as much as I would like. One of Lorsagne's servants is soon to post our letters and I want to be sure you receive this as soon as is possible. Rest easy knowing your eldest daughter has arrived safely at The Haven. Lorsagne is, as one would expect, a gracious and generous hostess and I am so very pleased to be again in her company.

Your manuscript was well received by the monsignor and he sends his regards as well as payment in full. He had already played through the composition before my departure and was most pleased indeed. He will be playing it tonight for a crowded Christmas Eve congregation.

I shall miss you for as long as we are parted. For now, you will be in my heart as I am sure I am in yours.

Your Devoted Daughter,

Fanny

Fanny and Lorsagne celebrate the holiday at The Haven in France.

23 December 1782

19 December 1784

Rocca Sorrentina

Why is it that the fewer days remain until I am reunited with my dearest husband, the longer each day seems to be? I have received word that Gabriel has booked passage on a boat departing Rome in just two days time. He will be back here with me in three. It might as well be three years or three hundred, I am that impatient to see him once again face to face. It is not just the momentous news I have to share. More than that, it is the deep yearning of a wife for her husband.

How will I while away the hours of waiting? I will drink the tea and take the walks Miss Merry recommended. I will shop in the village for a new hat, one I'll wear to Saturday's Feast of The Seven Fishes, a local festival of this season. I will play the harpsichord, focusing particularly on the music Gabriel most likes to sing, and I shall work at my embroidery. Mostly, I shall yearn.

Please deliver to Xiamara
Rocca Sorrentina

13 December, 1784

Dear Xiamara,

I have returned early from my trip away from this island. I traveled only as far as Genoa before succumbing to fatigue and nausea. I was unable to see Gabriel at all as he had commitments in Milan and Rome. As soon as I was well enough to travel, I used what little energy I could muster to return to Rocca Sorrentina, where I now find myself in need of assistance.

I remember in our last conversation you mentioned having had some experience as a healer of women. Of course, you said you had not much training and very little experience in midwifery, but when I mentioned to the professor that I was seeking medical help, he suggested I contact you. So it seems you have his endorsement and that is quite enough recommendation for me.

I have not yet seen my husband and it is still early, so some discretion is called for. I hope you will come to see me at the villa where I am held captive in my rooms by utter exhaustion and biliousness.I experienced this to a more minor degree during previous pregnancies and wonder if there might be something you can give to ease my discomfort. Of course, I am older now, so it is possible that discomfort is normal at this stage.

Please come at your earliest availability.

Mrs. Hester Piozzi

Hester's virtual diary and letters are FICTIONAL. They are also my sole property. Hester Lynch Thrale Piozzi's Virtual Diary and Letters are copyright (c) Stephanie Mesler 2014. You may not republish these virtual diary entries and letters in any form.

8 December, 178?

Dearest Friend, Lorsagne,

Oh my dearest companion, how I have missed you these last months. While I have been overjoyed at being home in London with Father and Susan and Hetty-- and while it has been good to see Dr. Johnson, though I am afraid I have to report that dear man has not been well of late, especially since that woman's departure. He must feel adrift for lack of her presence and support. I know it might seem I am jealous of her, but I assure you the opposite is the case. Or was in the past. Hopefully, now that she has run off to Italy with that new husband, she finds herself more focused on herself and him than on me and the foibles that she perceives in my character.

In the meantime, I am happy to report I shall soon be in France and very near your home! I am to deliver some work of father's to a monk set to translate his words into flawless French for publication across the channel. Father himself is unable to travel just now, being utterly buried under work here. I do hope you and I can get together in the very near future. I have always longed to see The Haven. Am I too brazen in asking directly if I might visit you there?

I would also like to report that I have seen George Chamberlain and he has seen me. Not a word passed between us, which is better than at least one of the alternatives. I will tell you more of this encounter when I see you, assuming of coursea meeting is desirable for you too. I would also hope to share with you some parts of Cecelia, the work currently being undertaken by this inadequate author. I know English is not your language of choice for writing or reading but I look to your knowledge of the human mind, particularly the female mind, and your insights into the romantic inclinations of young people of both sexes.

This letter will be in the post by mid-morning and I shall be on a boat, crossing the sea seven days from now. I do hope you have time for this wandering friend who loves you and misses you.

Your Friend And Confidante,

Fanny

Fanny's Virtual Diary and Letters are FICTIONAL. They are also my sole property. Fanny Burney's Virtual Diary and Letters are copyright (C) Stephanie Mesler 2014. You may not republish these virtual diary entries and letters in any form.

Please deliver to my most beloved husband and friend, Gabriel Piozzi
New Royal-Ducal Theatre alla Scala

29 November, 1784

Dearest Gabriel, I have come as far as Genoa and find myself too tired to continue the journey to Milan. It is impossible for me to arrive in time for your Egisto. I do apologize most grievously, Husband. If I were more well, I would certainly be at your side and in the audience in Milan this week. As things stand, I will take a few days here in Genoa and hope that my vigor is revived in time to join you for the trip from Milan to Rome.

I will not say more now as I wish to post this note in time for you to see it before your premier. Just know that all is well and I shall be at your side as soon as that is possible. In the mean time, I think of you and yearn for your embrace.

Yours, As Always and Ever, Hester

My heart, soul and body yearn for my beloved husband. At the same time, I dread the trip to Milan. I am to leave later this day from the port of Rocca Sorrentina. The boat trip will be blessedly short but grueling, the symptoms of my condition beingworsenow than a few weeks previous.Then the boat trip will be followed by the long coach ride from Naples north to where Gabriel is rehearsing. The few days in that city will not be restful and then we'll be traveling together to Rome. I have always wanted to see that city but find now that I would much rather see the inside of my own rooms here at Rocca Sorrentina.

I met Professor Stern yesterday. He was taking coffee in a public house on the waterfront. I was so bold as to ask him and a lady also present if he could recommend a female healer, not necessarily a physician. He seemed to think one could found locally and promised to send one to me upon my return from Rome. Assuming all is as it should be, that will be soon enough.

Mrs. Piozzi drinks tea at the coffee house in Rocca Sorrentina.