Mad

Hyacinth

Dearest Brother,

You only just left a fortnight ago, but I felt the urge to write you a letter. Anthony said that it will take you a month to travel to Albania and it may take even longer than a month for you to receive this letter. You are very much missed by everyone, although I do not think Mama minds not having to treble the portions on a daily basis due to your voracious appetite. Mama and Kate have been quite busy planning Anthony and Kate's upcoming wedding and it is sure to be the grandest affair of the season. I am sad that you will not be here for the event, but I know that you will be thoroughly enjoying yourself during your travels. In other news, I am officially one inch taller than Gregory, even though he refuses to admit it and Eloise has yet again declined another young gentlemen's offer of marriage bringing her total of proposals to three. I wonder how many proposals she will decline before she finally accepts. Perhaps she will get her way and end up an eccentric spinster! You will be pleased to hear that Penelope Featherington is being courted by several gentlemen, the favorite being Mr. Michael Stirling who hails from Scotland. He is quite handsome, if I do say so myself and he treats Penelope like a queen. It does me good to see her so happy. Perhaps we will soon see Penelope married off! If she does become betrothed to Mr. Stirling, you must come home as quickly as you can as I know you and Penelope are the dearest of friends and she would love for you to be there. I will keep you abreast of any updates brother. Please make sure to write back as you quickly as you can Colin. I do so love to hear about your travels.

Yours affectionately

Hyacinth

P.S. Please do not forget to bring me back a present. As always, I prefer something in blue or white.

"There," said Hyacinth as she laid down her quill. "What do you think brothers?" Hyacinth asked handing the letter to Anthony who read it over carefully.

"Good, good. I like it," said Anthony as Benedict read the letter over his brother's shoulder.

"You just had to add the bit about the present didn't you Hyacinth," asked Benedict with an arched brow.

Hyacinth shrugged. "I always ask for a present."

Benedict smirked. "That you do sister."

"I do not see why you could not have written to him Anthony," said Hyacinth.

"Because" said Anthony as he leaned forward towards his sister. "If Benedict or I wrote to Colin and told him of Penelope's newfound popularity and suitors Colin would find it suspicious. If it comes for you, there is more of a chance that Colin will believe it. He will just think that you are relaying the latest gossip."

Hyacinth rolled her eyes in exasperation at her brother's antics. She did not think the situation was that complicated and did not see the use in engaging in such secretive tactics. It seemed that adults always made things so overly complicated. For instance, her brother Anthony and her soon to be sister-in-law Kate. For most of the season Anthony had been courting Kate's younger sister, the diamond of the season. Hyacinth had found it most confusing that Anthony had been courting Edwina when it was clear to anyone that bothered to look that he was falling for Kate. One would have had to be blind to not see her brother looking longingly at the eldest Sharma sister. She was not surprised that the wedding to Edwina did not go through only that it took her brother so long to see the light. Things would have been so much simpler if Anthony and Kate had acknowledged their burgeoning feelings for each other at the start and they could have avoided the irreparable harm caused to Edwina. It was the same with Colin and Penelope. It was evident that Colin cares for Penelope more than a friend. Though she was not allowed to attend balls, she and Gregory watched from the balconies. Colin always sought Penelope out and would always offer to dance with her. If their families were in the Park, Hyacinth would watch as her brother's eyes would always search for Penelope and would offer to promenade with her. It had saddened her to hear of brother's words in relation to Penelope because she knew that was not how he felt.

"Why did you make me lie about the timing of the letter?" asked Hyacinth remembering that Anthony had asked her to pretend that Colin had left a fortnight ago and not just yesterday.

"Because we need there to be a sense of trepidation. We need Colin to return home as quickly as he can. He will not want anyone to be courting Miss Featherington and he thinks that someone has already been courting her for a matter of time then he will return with more urgency," said Anthony simply.

Hyacinth sighed. "I do think this could be managed better. Why not just be honest?"

"We are being honest Hy, we are just adjusting the timeline a bit. There is no harm in that," replied Benedict. "Do not worry yourself over it sister."

"I am not worried brothers. I only do not like being disingenuous."

Anthony rolled his eyes at his sister. "Disingenuous Hyacinth really? You're twelve. I doubt that you even know the meaning of the word," said Anthony while Benedict chuckled

Hyacinth narrowed her eyes at her brother's. They could be so vexing at times. "It means insincere brother." It was then that an idea popped into her. "I cannot wait to Mama and Eloise about your plan. I am sure they will be delighted to hear of your machinations."

Anthony and Benedict turned towards her swiftly. "Hyacinth, you must keep this a secret. No one can know the true reason for the letter."

"Or that we asked you to do it," added Benedict.

"Hmm. The secrecy makes me feel like I am doing something wrong," questioned Hyacinth allowed as she picked up the letter that Anthony had placed on the table next to the sofa. "Perhaps it would be better if I did not send this. I would not want to get in any trouble," said Eloise as made to tear the letter in half

"Hyacinth don't!" shouted Anthony.

"Wait!" yelled Benedict.

"What am I getting out of this brothers? I am doing you both a favor, it seems as if this should be reciprocated do you not think?" said Hyacinth wryly.

"Cannot you not just do it out of the goodness of your heart Hyacinth?" asked Benedict.

"No," replied Hyacinth airily. "I cannot."

"Dammit Hyacinth!" shouted Anthony. "What do you want?"

Hyacinth pondered his question for a few moments keeping her oldest brothers in suspense. "Twenty pounds and," she continued while Anthony interrupted with a scoff. "I require both of you to escort me and Gregory to Gunter's this coming week where you will allow us to have as many ices as we please."

Anthony grumbled something under his breath about twenty pounds being an exorbitant amount of money. "These are my terms brother," said Hyacinth as she held the letter in her hand ready to tear it to pieces. "Take it or leave it."

"Fine," finally said. "You drive a hard bargain sister. Pick a day this week and Benedict and I will take you to Gunter's for ices."

"Excellent," replied Hyacinth. "Oh, and Anthony, I will require that twenty pounds now," added Hyacinth holding her hand out for payment.

Anthony growled and reluctantly handed her the coins, and she placed the letter to Colin back onto the table. Pocketing the money into her reticule, Hyacinth looked up to her brothers who both bore disgruntled expressions. "It is a pleasure doing business with you brothers," before skipping out of the drawing room to join the rest of her family in the garden.

Anthony shook his head. "She's a bloody menace to society."

Benedict chuckled before wrapping his arm around his older brother. "Yes, but she's our bloody menace."