My dearest Booke,
You are always here for me, and I do not know what I would do without you.
Mr. Dryden has written to me with his London address. I have not written back, as I do not know what to say. I feel terrible.
I have taken off his ring, as I feel I have no right to wear it. We are not engaged, and he says in his letter that he does not wish to pressure me into an answer. He is a very busy man, and I believe him when he says that his farm operations keep him well occupied. I am certainly not the only thing on his mind.
I admit I am torn between accepting his proposal and throwing in my lot with Catherine, whom I trust has my best interests at heart. At least, I believe she has my best interests at heart.
believeOtherwise why would she befriend someone like myself? Why would a
