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But I shall have the last laugh, because I a to be wretchedly maudlin and sentimental, and maybe I will even force you to shed a tear over h, you know You’ve always been such a stoic It was only your sense of humor that made you bearable

But bearable you were, and I wish to thank you for the gift of true friendship It was so that simply came from within I am not ashamed to say that I spend half my life in the colonies terrified out of my skull It is far too easy to die here I cannot express the coave me to know that I always had your support

Edward sucked in a breath of air, and it was only then that he realized how close he was to tears He could have written the exact same words to Thomas It hat had e that there was at least one other person who valued your life as much as his own

And now I must impose upon that friendship one last time Please have a care for Cecilia She will be alone now Our father hardly counts Write to her, if you will Tell her what happened to me so that the only word she receives is not froo visit her See that she is well Perhaps you could introduce her to your sister I think Cecilia would like that I know that I will rest easier knowing that she ht have the opportunity to meet new people and find a life outside of Matlock Bath Once our father passes, there will be nothing for her there Our cousin will take ownership of Marswell, and he has always been an oily sort I should never want Cecilia to be dependent on his generosity and goodwill

Nor Edward Cecilia had told him all about Horace Oily was an apt reat deal to ask of you Derbyshire isn’t quite the end of the earth--I believe we both know that’s right here in New York--but I a you ish to do is travel north to the midlands

No, but he wouldn’t have to Wouldn’t Thomas be surprised to know that Cecilia was just a quarter mile away, in roo she’d done, crossing an ocean to find her brother Soined her capable of it

So this is farewell And thank you There is no one I would trust my sister’s welfare to more than you And perhaps you will not mind the task so very one Honestly, did you think I wouldn’t notice?

Edward laughed He couldn’t believe Tho

I bequeath to you the miniature I have of her I think she’d want you to have it I know that I do

Godspeed, my friend

Yours most truly,

Tho his vision blurred Thomas had never let on that he knew of Edward’s infatuation with his sister It was al to think of it But clearly he’d been amused by it Amused, and maybe

Hopeful?

Had Thomas been a matchmaker at heart? It had certainly sounded that way in his letter If he’d wanted Edward to marry Cecilia

Could Thomas have written to her about it? She’d said that he had e What if

Edward felt the blood drain from his face What if Cecilia really did think they wereat all?

Edward searched the letter frantically, looking in vain for a date When had Thoe Edward to do the saet back to the inn He knew this was farfetched, but it would explain so much And it ell past time that he told her that hisin hison

He didn’t run to the Devil’s Head, but it was a damned fast walk