A Bet On Hearts

March 1811

Miss Mina Haswell believed she had everything at her feet – her dreams, possibilities, and even a promising future for her family. She was happily engaged to her childhood friend, and her younger sister enjoyed the attentions of a suitable suitor, securing her a comfortable life alongside the affection they held for each other. It felt like a miraculous turn of events – two women in one family united by love and not mere convenience? Yet, Mina couldn’t help but feel that such smoothness in their lives must surely invite adversity.

Tragedy struck first when her betrothed passed away.

It was said that the reason of death was a stroke, but good Heavens – he was only one and twenty, for crying out loud! It seemed incomprehensible that a young man like him could simply drop dead! Nevertheless, he was gone, along with Mina’s dreams of love. Time passed, and despite numerous suitors, none could capture her heart. Mina felt like an empty shell, dressed in mourning attire day after day, much to the concern of her father and sister. They wished only for her happiness, but she seemed to sink deeper into melancholy. She also empathized with her sister, whose betrothed had joined the army, leaving her with only letters as tokens of his promise to return and marry her – and thankfully, he did return unharmed after years of absence.

Then, alas, her father met his demise.

And, astonishingly, it was another stroke that claimed his life! After Mina learned that from the physician, she fell into her sister’s embrace and exclaimed:

“Steel yourself, Evie, for neither day nor hour do we know when a stroke may befall us too!”

They wept and then laughed, wept, and laughed… it was all a bittersweet mix considering her sister’s impending wedding, which was just a month away. The family solicitor arrived merely two days later to enlighten Mina about the intricacies and legalities surrounding the transfer of the Viscount title, along with its numerous privileges, to its rightful new owner.

“Miss Haswell, I bear no intention of hurrying you in this matter, but it is imperative that you apprise the Langdons of the circumstances. Your sister’s dowry is entangled in these affairs,” the elderly solicitor conveyed with a sympathetic countenance.

Mina sighed and delicately wiped her tear-stained eyes. She had scarcely bid her beloved father farewell, as his casket was lowered into its eternal resting place, and now she found herself compelled to engage with the living, individuals she had encountered but a handful of times in her life. While the Haswells resided in Southampton, the Langdons called Dover their abode, a considerable distance that, though not insurmountable, made regular family interactions rather infrequent if not outright non-existent.

“Whom should I address the letter to, please?” she asked the solicitor with a solemn tone.

“I believe the soon-to-be minted Viscount Sinclair is to be Mr. Royston Langdon.”

“Thank you,” she responded gracefully, noting down his name. The solicitor, in a gentlemanly gesture, provided her with his own note along with the address.

She smiled at the old man with gratitude and once they bid their farewells, she returned to the writing table. Placing a fresh, clean sheet of paper before her, she dipped the quill into the inkwell. The sound of the quill scratching against the paper echoed through the room, while she wrote the first line:

Dear Mr. Langdon,

Mina then stopped abruptly and scoffed. Should I address him as Mr. Langdon, or should I acknowledge his new title? She contemplated the matter briefly. After all, she was writing this letter for her sister’s sake, hence it had to be done without any mistake. With a sense of determination, she continued her letter:

or better that I peruse your new title – Viscount Sinclair – as with the deepest regret I have to info

Tears welled in her eyes and fell upon the parchment, instantly smudging the ink. She crumpled the ruined letter, casting it aside, and replaced it with a fresh sheet.

“Focus, Mina, focus!” She whispered to herself, taking a deep breath. Her quill danced across the paper as she started anew:

My dear Mr. Langdon,

It is with the utmost regret that I convey the news of my father’s passing, the esteemed holder of the Viscount Sinclair title. His demise occurred but two days prior to the date of this correspondence. According to our family’s solicitor, it is you who shall assume the responsibilities of this esteemed title, owing to familial connections.

Here, she paused, pondering the precise nature of their relationship. They couldn’t be cousins, as her father had never alluded to such a connection. But in the complexities of aristocratic lineage, one could never be certain. Her father’s absence left a void of knowledge that only the Langdons could fill… in case they would want to.

As her quill touched the paper once more, she continued her letter.

I humbly step beyond the boundaries of propriety, entreating and beseeching you with the utmost reverence, to kindly consider taking the necessary measures to ensure that all legal matters are properly attended to. My request primarily pertains to the dowry, a solemn agreement that has been duly ratified between my family and the esteemed family of my sister’s betrothed. I would remain eternally indebted to your graciousness should you choose to honour this entreaty.

The most pressing matter was addressed there and done. Now she would end it in a tone that would dispel any suspicion of ulterior motives or pecuniary interests; that she is interested in monetary gains of some sort only.

Furthermore, I would be greatly honoured to extend to you a cordial invitation to visit our familial abode in Southampton, where you may peruse the estate once presided over by my late father. Should you be inclined to consider this offer, it would afford us the opportunity to engage in discussions pertaining to certain matters that may arise from this unforeseen circumstance. Our past interactions have been regrettably limited, and if this unexpected turn of events were to herald the rekindling of erstwhile connections, I would receive it with open arms and nurture it for the days yet to unfold.

With the utmost gratitude and heartfelt well-wishes,

Miss Mina Haswell

Mina delicately placed her quill back into the inkwell and carefully perused the letter she had just penned. Given the weight of her profound grief, she found herself surprisingly satisfied with her words. As Evie had the chance to read it as well, a sceptical expression crossed her countenance.

“Do you truly believe that someone so distant in kinship would act expeditiously solely due to a dowry offered by a young lady?” she queried, her voice tinged with doubt.

Mina sighed softly, her demeanour sombre. “We must hold onto hope, dear sister. Let us pray that Mr. Langdon does not encounter any untoward misfortunes while tending to this matter—such as the occurrence of a stroke would be most regrettable,” she murmured, to which Evie responded with an exclamation.

“Please, do not make light of such matters! Superstition may bring unwelcome consequences upon us all!”

Mina only waved her hands dismissively; for she knew that the things couldn’t get worse. Or they could, she thought suddenly, what if Evie’s betrothed suffers a stroke? What if, by some cruel twist of fate, Evie herself suffers from it? Why won’t everyone suffer one and we will be done with mankind as a whole? What has life come to, a relentless waiting game for the next calamity to strike?, she mused.

It would take the letter roughly six days to arrive in Dover, and another six days would be required for the response to reach its destination, provided that Mr Langdon penned and dispatched it promptly. Mina, though anxious, kept her concerns regarding Evie’s dowry to herself. What good would it do to dwell on past misfortunes or potential future troubles? She clung to hope, believing that Mr. Langdon was a benevolent man who would treat them both fairly.

Mina had no reason to fear her circumstances. In fact, she was considered a woman of substantial means and if she wanted to, she could as well live alone and pursue her interests, whatever those would be. As she learned from the solicitor, among other properties she also became the sole owner of the summer residence in St Helens on Isle of Wight, a place renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty. She could become a natural conservationist, and nobody could do anything about it.

The more she contemplated her newfound freedom and the myriad choices available to her, the more she realized the potential for a fulfilling life without the need for a man’s support. It wasn’t her initial desire, but she was approaching her twenty-seventh birthday, marking her as an official spinster. Did that signify the end of the road for her? Not at all. Mina had come to terms with the opportunities that life had presented her thus far.

Finally, the day arrived when Mina eagerly received the long-awaited letter from Mr. Langdon. With trembling hands, she broke the seal and read its contents, her countenance shifting from anticipation to disbelief. In a fit of indignation, she exclaimed to her sister.

“He has been a viscount for a mere fortnight, and already he carries himself with such airs!” Mina exclaimed vehemently, thrusting the letter into her sister’s hands.

The missive contained only a few brief lines:

Dear Miss Haswell,

kindly bother the esteemed solicitor to Dover with all the requisite documents.

Sincerely,

Mr. Royston Langdon

Upon reading these words, Evie’s eyes welled up with tears, and her emotions overcame her.

“This matter shall not be resolved until after my wedding, Mina,” she sobbed.

Holding her younger sister close, Mina attempted to provide solace amidst the distress.

“Hush now,” she whispered soothingly, “Your betrothed has waited for you patiently these six long years – he shall marry you, dowry, or none. We shall attend to this matter once the celebrations have concluded. Please, do not shed tears. I am scarcely holding myself together,” she confessed, her voice quivering with emotion.

Later, in the hush of her father’s study, Mina delicately held the quill in her hand, poised to write yet another letter to Mr. Langdon. As she later presented it to her sister, Evie’s eyes widened with each passing sentence.

“Mina!” Evie exclaimed, her voice laden with concern. “You cannot send this letter; it’s terribly offensive. What if Mr. Langdon has a good reason why he cannot come here?”

Mina shook her head resolutely. “If he did, proper courtesy would demand that he provide an explanation within the letter. What sort of gentleman resorts to such tactics? I should indeed take offence, and by the heavens above, I am greatly offended!”

Evie sighed, fully comprehending her sister’s vexation with the man. “You risk causing the poor man a stroke when he reads this.”

And for those who are curious about the contents of Miss Mina’s letter, here is the unabridged manuscript in all its glory:

Mr. Langdon,

I extend my deepest apologies this time, but mayhap there was some misunderstanding.

Just to repeat my appeal and the reason behind it – my father died two weeks ago, leaving a title behind, that seems to be rightfully yours now. As his passing was sudden, there are tons of legal documents to be reviewed and either confirmed or denied per your liking.

And by tons, I mean heaps. And by heaps, I mean whole batches of items that aren’t only in written form. Our solicitor is a saint, but he wouldn’t nail himself on the cross even for all the money in this world.

I understand that you may see myself and my sister as some gnats that should be rid of at the earliest convenience, yet it won’t be without your insertion here. It’s not like my sister wouldn’t get married without that damned dowry, yet it would greatly help the pair to start their new life together.

Please bother yourself to Southampton as soon as possible, also the weather is beginning to improve.

With the utmost respect and sincerity,

Miss Mina Haswell

And, of course, the letter did reach the very hands and eyes of Mr. Royston Langdon, and its outrageous irony and sarcasm did not escape his notice.