Posted on Sunday, 8 July 2007

Dear William,

So here is some news – Like you said, making Crawford fall for me was not difficult at all. I suspect he doesn’t yet know what hit him. He is willing to make me his wife! La, as if I would agree to that.

A little bit of fun at Crawfords expense will go a long way to prove my worth.

You know your tips about cleavage were right. They worked wonders.

I would be demure and quiet one minute & suddenly at the next would bend down to look for something or the other. What fabulous views he must have enjoyed. He never suspected I had such a lovely body.

Then I started walking in the rain once in a while….wearing my hair down once or twice. Picking up my skirts in the dirt a little too high when he thought I didn’t know he was watching me. Oh my, a flash of skin here & there with a demure look after & before it – and whoops…I have him begging for my hand.

Wasn’t that well done?

How mad Julia & Maria will be when they find out!! If I wanted to, I could have had Mr Rushworth…..& be rich and happy at once. But I want it all – sense and richness and respectability.

Crawford played with Maria & then Julia. Maria was ready to break her engagement for him. But an offer of marriage did not come for either.

And today, he was closeted in my uncle’s library asking for my hand. I *will* spurn him, I don’t want him.

But don’t worry, he will be useful in two or three ways – one you will advance in your career as you ought; two: my esteem will rise in my uncle’s eyes (so that he wont object when the real time comes), three: it will be a lot of fun to watch aunt Norris’s face when the news comes out. And most importantly Edmund will take notice of me as he ought, and not dismiss me as just a cousin. *sigh* I wait for that day.

And no, please don’t steer me towards Tom, all I want is Edmund. Lets keep Tom for Susan, eh?

Then history can repeat itself – one sister married to the lord of the manor, other to the clergyman, but the clergyman’s wife rules the manor one way or other.

I can't write for laughing aloud!!

I will keep you updated on the happenings here. Do send any more tips if you can.

Lots of love to you.

Yours &c,

Fanny