Dear Mummy,
Lizzie wrote that you were indisposed. I shouldn’t wonder! Visit me with your purse.
You need a holiday, Mummy. Us old married ladies must stick together.
How is Father?
How are Mary and Kitty?
Would you tell everyone to keep an eye out for Wickham? He offered to escort the regiment leader’s thirteen-year-old daughter to Bath and has yet to returm. Aren’t I the lucky one to have a Wickham, so devoted to other’s needs. Do let me know if you hear of him. Could you send my allowance early? A guinea doesn’t go as far.
Lovingly,
Lydia
Part II: Lydia Doesn't Find Wickham But Stumbles Upon An Acronym
Dear Mummy,
I have a screaming brat, a girl! She was born just six months after I last saw you but is quite big. Useless. I want to come home. I have no means to go anywhere and it is said that Wickham is a deserter. His regiment leader threatens to kill him if he finds him, because his daughter arrived in Bath a little “worse for wear” and he will be lucky to find anyone to marry her now.
I can’t imagine what has become of Wickham. He is Absent Crucially Regarding Our New Year (of) Matrimony.
Desperately,
Lydia