May 25

Jeremy,

I spoke with Alison today. She seems to be moving past the debacle at Spinster, but I don't want to make any assumptions. One month may sound long, but the mind has a way of warping time. Hours pass like minutes, months like days.

Your letter dated May 12th feels like it arrived just yesterday. How are Eliza and the baby doing? Have you chosen a name for your handsome son yet? His eyes speak to me through the photo you sent. I take it out every so often and see a lot of promise in his future, in the strength of his features and the sharpness of his gaze. In many ways, he will be a boon and a burden to you, I can feel it.

I trust you will be careful with him, Jeremy.

Yours,

Bobby

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June 3

Dear Bobby,

Thank you for your letter. Your insight has always proven to be invaluable in the situations that matter.

I am glad to hear that Alison is beginning to move away from the past; however, I still think it wise to keep our distance. Eliza is doing well, as is baby Cormoran. We would love to bring him over to visit, but perhaps in a few more months. It is likely the sight of little Corm will be too painful for Alison, and I would like to avoid causing her any unnecessary hurt as she goes through the grieving process.

We feel your absence here earnestly, Bobby. Every day, I am anticipating the time that we may meet again. That day cannot come soon enough.

Always,

Jeremy

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June 8

Jeremy,

I arranged to have the courier bring this immediately to your doorstep. I must urgently update you on the latest developments. Alison has gone. I have no clue as to where she may have run off to, but I have an inkling that she may be headed your way.

Alison has been exhibiting the recurring symptoms of her illness for the past two weeks. I thought it might pass in time, just as it always has in the past, but this time may be different. She has suffered a great loss, and I am deathly afraid of what permanent damage it may have done to her psyche.

I send you this as as message asking for assistance, and as a message of warning. Please be watchful, and be wary.

Yours,

Bobby

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June 10

Dearest Bobby,

It pains me greatly to hear about your distress. Eliza’s mind has been preoccupied with thoughts of Alison since we received your last correspondence.

I am afraid that much of the blame for Alison’s reaction must fall to me. I feel I should have taken action at the courthouse to mitigate the stringent ruling that has been imposed upon her and, by extension, upon you as well.

I have instructed the gardeners and the servants to keep an eye out for poor Alison. Trust that I will ensure that she receives the proper care if she arrives at the estate. If you are correct that she is on her way here, then consider it a happy circumstance, my friend. Aside from yourself, there is no one else who will take care of her better.

If she arrives with a clear mind, this may well be the reunion that we have been wishing for.

Always,

Jeremy

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June 15

My dear Bobby,

I presume you have been busy coordinating with the authorities to find Alison. It concerns me that five days have passed without word from you. I would like to know if all is well or not.

Eliza has her hands full with Cormoran, but if you need my presence there, I will leave town straightaway and make the journey.

I only wish to know that you are all right.

Always,

Jeremy

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June 18

My dear Jeremy,

I hope you will pardon the shake in my script as I write this. I am using my left hand as my right has suffered a significant injury. The doctor surmises that it may not return to its fully functioning state.

The details of my injury can wait, however. I write this time to bring you good news: we have located Alison! She was found two days ago by the local bookseller when she wandered into his shop. She was ghastly white, and the starved look in her eyes when they brought her home broke my heart. I hate the thought of her enduring any suffering, no matter how briefly.

She has not spoken since coming home, and her eyes remain glassy and distant, but it is enough at the moment to know that she is lying with me tonight in our warm bed.

Yours always,

Bobby

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June 20

Dear Bobby,

Eliza and I were ecstatic upon reading your last letter. She even shared the news with little Corm. We know that he is young yet to know what is going on, but it felt right to disclose Alison’s condition to him, if only to familiarize him with her name.

I am glad to know that your spirits are on the rise as well. Please keep me abreast of your situation with Alison as I will worry incessantly if I do not hear from you. I would also like to hear what happened to your hand—I pray that the injury will not prove to be a lifelong bother.

Stay safe.

Always,

Jeremy

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June 22

Dear Jeremy,

It was amusing to my ears to hear you speak of Cormoran as you did. Knowing who his parents are, I am sure his intelligence is much advanced for his age. I have no doubt that he is already very familiar with Alison’s name, and has an inkling of the business that has been going on.

I have always appreciated the amount of concern and attention you rain upon me. Incessantly, as you say. I wish to express the same for you. And for Eliza as well.

Keep me posted on Cormoran, please. When it comes to your family, it keeps my soul quiet when I know everything is doing fine.

Yours always,

Bobby

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June 26

Dear Bobby,

Thank you for your kind wishes. I have passed along your message to Eliza, and she agrees that sharing news of Corm with you is an excellent idea that we will oblige willingly.

We both feel that Alison will also benefit from hearing about his life. However, you may be of a different mind. As the one who knows her best, I defer to your judgment on whether it would benefit her mental state to hear talk of Corm while she remains apart from him.

I may be mistaken, but I sensed a tone of apprehension in your last letter. Though, of course, I may be imagining things. You know how I worry so.

As always, let me know if there is anything amiss in your situation. If anything, writing to a dear friend about it can often offer mild consolation.

Always,

Jeremy

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June 29

Dear Jeremy,

I assure you I am in good spirits. Perhaps the apprehension you read in my letter was merely a side effect of my most recent preoccupations to which I find myself glued for hours on end. True enough, the moment I sent your letter off with the courier, I immediately rushed home to return to what has been keeping me busy as of late.

In the hours that I am not working, I spend all my time with Alison, who has miraculously taken a turn for the better. I believe that my conscientious doting upon her played no small part in her swift recovery. I have always said that a mind captivated by worldly things leaves no room for irrational thought.

I have been reading to her the works of history's greatest minds—that of philosophers and scientists alike. She has taken very much to the writings of Hume and Wollstonecraft and now spends hours perusing their material.

I am certain that, given another month, she will be more than healthy enough in mind and body to make the journey to your estate. In the mean time, she expects every letter from you to be filled with details about Cormoran. I shared the contents of your last letter with her, and she was positively ecstatic. She sends her profuse thanks to you, and sends her best regards to you and Eliza—as do I.

Yours always,

Bob

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July 4

Dearest Bobby,

I am glad to hear that Alison is recuperating smoothly, and reiterate the invitation I sent you in my earlier letters. Your presence is more than welcome in our home. In fact, Corm has been exhibiting idiosyncrasies that remind me eerily of Alison.

Yesterday, I saw him gazing at me with such a profound lucidity that I felt goosepimples arise on my arms and neck. It was the very same look that Alison unconsciously gives one who has her undivided attention—a look that seems to pierce the skull and decipher thoughts.

Perhaps his manifestation of Alison's mannerisms is a sign that it is time for them to get reacquainted.

Eliza and I miss your company terribly. Let me know soonest when you are able to make the journey. I will have the servants ready our home for your arrival.

Always,

Jeremy

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July 6

Dear Jeremy,

It is so wonderful to hear that Cormoran has started to adopt his mother's traits. News of this sent her into such ecstasy that she immediately started to plan our visit, wishing to advance our journey to next week.

She is still getting things in order here, but she promises that she will notify me at once when she is free to make the trip. Meanwhile, she requests more stories of Cormoran please. It is truly as if hearing about him feeds her soul.

Always,

Bob

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July 9

My dearest Bobby,

Attached here is a daguerreotype of myself, Eliza, and little Cormoran. We had it taken last week. It is our first photograph of Cormoran and we would like you and Alison to have it, at least until you are able to visit and have one taken with him.

Our little one has turned into a precocious little hellraiser of late. He has developed a fondness for apple sauce and at times refuses to eat anything unless it is absolutely coated in it. Not to worry—it is not too trifling a matter for us. His antics, in fact, only manage to impress and beguile us because they show such strength and surety of character. A strong-willed infant is good news for us. He will surely turn into a fine gentleman who can rule the estate with a firm and steady hand. We are endlessly proud of him.

I look forward to seeing you and Alison soon.

Always,

Jeremy